Brendan Kevin Donnelly (born July 4, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseballrelief pitcher. A right-hander, Donnelly pitched for twenty-one teams (two of them independents), twelve organizations, two independent leagues, eleven organized minor leagues, and both the American League and the National League.
Donnelly started the 1999 season with the independent Nashua Pride.[3] On May 15, 1999, his contract was purchased by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was released on August 12, 1999. On August 18, 1999, Donnelly was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was released on August 25, 1999. On August 26, 1999, he was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays. He was released on July 28, 2000. On August 10, 2000, he signed with the Chicago Cubs. He became a free agent after the 2000 season.[3]
Anaheim Angels
On January 20, 2001, Donnelly signed with the Anaheim Angels. He spent the 2001 season with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers and Triple-A Salt Lake Stingers, where he posted a 9–2 record, 13 saves and a 2.43 earned run average (ERA) in 56 relief appearances.[3] On April 9, 2002, Donnelly made his major league debut with the Angels at 30 years of age.[5] In the game, he allowed three runs (two earned) in one inning of work as the Angels lost 5–1.[6] He was later sent back to Salt Lake, and recalled again in June when Julio Ramírez was placed on the disabled list.[7] After mostly subpar performances in the majors at that point, Donnelly cemented his role in the Angels' bullpen with an exceptional July in which he did not allow a single run, lowering his ERA from 6.14 to 2.33.[8] Donnelly made 46 relief appearances in his first major league season, going 1–1 with one save and a 2.17 ERA.[2]
Donnelly was an immediate fan favorite because of his intensity, the goggles that he wore, and his effectiveness as the main setup man to Troy Percival.[9] Donnelly would go on to play an integral part of the Angels' bullpen during their playoff run in 2002. After struggling in the ALDS and ALCS, Donnelly excelled in the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, allowing zero runs in five appearances (7+2⁄3 innings, four walks, six strikeouts).[2] He was also the winning pitcher in Game 6, tossing a scoreless eighth inning in Anaheim's 6–5 win.[10] In the decisive Game 7, Donnelly tossed two scoreless innings while striking out two batters, helping the Angels to their first World Series title.[11]
In 2003, Donnelly continued his role as the Angels' setup man, posting a 2–2 record, three saves and a 1.58 ERA in 63 games.[2] His fantastic numbers led to him becoming a rare example of a non-closer who was selected as an All-Star. Donnelly went on to be the winning pitcher in that mid-summer classic.[12]
Donnelly suffered a broken nose while shagging fly balls during spring training in 2004, causing him to undergo three surgeries and to miss the first two months of the season.[13][14] Donnelly remained fairly effective throughout 2004 in a very good Angels bullpen, finishing 5–2 with a 3.00 ERA in 40 appearances.[2] In 2005, Donnelly began to see a decline in performance, including a decrease in velocity on his fastball as a setup man for closerFrancisco Rodríguez after Percival's departure. In June 2005, Donnelly was suspended ten days for having pine tar on his glove,[15] an incident that caused a scrum and accusations that former teammate Jose Guillen tipped manager Frank Robinson.[16] The suspension was the culmination of three weeks of extra scrutiny on Donnelly from opposing managers and umpires, including an accusation from then-Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén accusing Donnelly of touching his mouth too often.[15] He would later advocate for the legalization of pine tars for pitchers.[5] Donnelly finished the season 9–3 with a 3.72 ERA in 65 relief appearances.[2]
In 2006, Donnelly settled into a middle reliever role, and went 6–0 with a 3.94 ERA in 62 relief appearances.[2]
Boston Red Sox
On December 15, 2006, Donnelly was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Phil Seibel.[17] He made 27 relief appearances with the Red Sox, going 2–1 with a 3.05 ERA.[2] On June 17, Donnelly was placed on the disabled list with right forearm tightness.[18]
On July 31, 2007, it was announced that Donnelly would need Tommy John surgery, ending his season.[19] During his absence, the Red Sox would eventually go on to win the 2007 World Series. Donnelly became a free agent after the 2007 season.
Cleveland Indians
On February 6, 2008, the Cleveland Indians signed Donnelly to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The Indians hoped Donnelly would provide bullpen help at the end of the season when he recovered from Tommy John surgery.[20]
Donnelly was brought up to the Indians in August 2008, as a replacement for Tom Mastny.[21] He struggled in Cleveland, going 1–0 with an ERA of 8.56 in 15 relief appearances.[2]
2009
On February 7, 2009, Donnelly signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.[22] He was released on March 26.[23] On April 28, he signed with the Houston Astros. Donnelly made 24 relief appearances with the Triple-A Round Rock Express, going 2–0 with six saves and a 1.75 ERA.[3] He was released on July 1.[2] On July 5, Donnelly signed a major league contract with the Florida Marlins, and was immediately added to their bullpen.[24] In 30 relief appearances with the Marlins, he went 3–0 with two saves and a 1.78 ERA.[2] He became a free agent after the 2009 season.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On January 16, 2010, Donnelly agreed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.[25] He made 38 relief appearances with the Pirates, going 3–1 with a 5.58 ERA.[2] Before he could reach incentives that would have approximately doubled his salary, the Pirates released Donnelly in July 2010, denying that the incentives were the reason for the release.[26] He was the last of the replacement players still in the major leagues, signifying no conciliatory admittance into the MLBPA more than 15 years after.[27] His likeness, name, and uniform number were still replaced by fictional players in video games.[28]
Retirement
Donnelly announced his retirement on March 9, 2011.[29]
Mitchell Report
Donnelly was named in the December 13, 2007 Mitchell Report regarding the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. According to former clubhouse attendant and admitted steroids distributor Kirk Radomski, Donnelly sought him out in 2004 looking to purchase oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid. Radomski says he made one sale of nandrolone to Donnelly, for which he received $250–$300.[30] In a statement in response to the report, Donnelly admitted contacting Radomski in 2004 regarding oxandrolone, hoping it would help him recover from injuries faster. Donnelly denied ever buying or using the drug because he was made aware that it was considered a steroid.[31][32]
