Dave Eiland Explained

Dave Eiland
Position:Pitcher / Pitching coach
Birth Date:July 5, 1966
Birth Place:Dade City, Florida, U.S.
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:August 3
Debutyear:1988
Debutteam:New York Yankees
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:September 10
Finalyear:2000
Finalteam:Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:12–27
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:5.74
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:153
Teams:As player

As coach

Awards:

David William Eiland (born July 5, 1966) is an American former professional baseball player who was a pitcher for ten Major League Baseball seasons. Eiland played college baseball for the University of Florida and the University of South Florida, and thereafter, played professionally for the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He has also been a pitching coach for the New York Yankees, the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals.

Amateur career

He attended Zephyrhills High School, where he baseball, football, basketball, and golf.[1] Eiland was an all-conference first team selection in football as a wide receiver and punter. He was a three-time all-conference winner in baseball as well.[2] The school later retired the number 14 in his honor.

Eiland accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for the Florida Gators football team. However, he suffered a shoulder injury before the 1984 season and never played for Gators.

In 1986, he transferred to the University of South Florida in Tampa and finished his collegiate career playing for the Bulls baseball team. That summer, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3] He was an All-Sun Belt Conference selection and a preseason All-America selection in 1987.

Professional career

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees selected Eiland in the seventh round of the 1987 MLB draft.[4] He was fast-tracked through the system, starting the 1988 season at Double-A Albany before getting called up to Triple-A Columbus in July. Eiland made his major league debut with the Yankees on August 3, 1988.[5] He allowed three hits in seven innings, including a home run to the first batter he faced, Paul Molitor.[6] [7]

Eiland spent four years in the organization, bouncing between the big leagues and the minors.[8] In 1990, while pitching for the Columbus Clippers, he tied an International League record for wins in a 16-5 season, and was named the league's Pitcher of the Year. He then earned a spot in the rotation to start the 1991 season, but pitched to a 5.33 ERA in 72.2 innings.[9] Eiland missed two months to a heel injury, and later admitted to pitching while hurt after returning.[10]

On January 9, 1992, he was designated for assignment by the Yankees. Unhappy with the decision, he told the media "it was a stupid move on the part of the Yankees and I'm looking forward to leaving."[11]

San Diego Padres

He signed with the San Diego Padres in 1992 and was named the team's fifth starter to begin the season.[12] [13] On April 10, he hit a home run in his first plate appearance, facing Bob Ojeda of the Los Angeles Dodgers.[14] [15] It was the only home run Eiland hit in 27 plate appearances, but it made him the only player in MLB history to give up a home run to the first batter he faced and hit a homer in his first plate appearance.

Eiland re-signed with the Padres for the 1993 season, but was designated for assignment in May after pitching to a 5.21 ERA in 10 games.[16] He became a free agent when he refused an outright assignment.[17]

Cleveland Indians

After becoming a free agent, Eiland latched on with the Cleveland Indians and pitched in Triple-A. He had a 5.30 ERA in eight starts for the Charlotte Knights.[18]

Texas Rangers

On August 4, 1993, he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Gerald Alexander and Allan Anderson.[19] He had a 4.29 ERA in seven starts for the Oklahoma City 89ers.[20]

New York Yankees (second stint)

He returned to the Yankees in 1994, spending the entire strike-shortened season in Triple-A. Eiland re-signed with the Yankees for the 1995 season and was finally recalled on July 19 to make a spot start. On July 21, he earned his first major league win since 1991.[21]

St. Louis Cardinals

On December 6, 1995, Eiland signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals and started the season in Triple-A.[22] [23] He pitched to a 5.55 ERA in eight games with the Louisville Redbirds before he was released in June.[24] [25]

New York Yankees (third stint)

He re-signed with the Yankees for a third time and spent most of the 1996 season with the Columbus Clippers.[26] Eiland spent the last two weeks of the season with the Yankees but didn't pitch.[27] He spent the 1997 season in Triple-A, compiling a 6.64 ERA in 62.1 innings while dealing with tendinitis.[28] [29] He left the Clippers as the team's all-time leader in wins (67), innings pitched (767) and strikeouts (437).

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Eiland considered retiring at the end of the 1997 season before signing a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in December 1997.[30] He was a non-roster invitee that spring[31] but ultimately started the year in Triple-A.[32] Despite pitching to a 2.99 ERA in 171.2 innings for the Durham Bulls, Eiland was not called up to the majors until September 25, 1998.[33]

He returned to the Devil Rays in 1999 and was called up in May and maintained a 5.60 ERA in 80.1 innings between the rotation and bullpen.[34] Eiland made the 2000 Devil Rays out of spring training as the team's long reliever. That year, he held a 7.24 ERA in 54.2 innings as a starter and reliever.[35]

Oakland Athletics

On December 6, 2000, Eiland signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics. However, he ultimately never pitched in a competitive game with the organization. He missed the entire 2001 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and then re-tore the ligament in April 2002.[36] Despite initially being hopeful that he would be able to return, Eiland was ultimately forced to retire.[37]

Coaching career

New York Yankees

After retiring, Eiland joined the Yankees organization and worked as a pitching coach in the minor leagues, starting with the Gulf Coast Yankees in 2003. In June, he was reassigned to the Staten Island Yankees in Short Season A-ball.[38] Eiland returned to Staten Island for the 2004 season.[39] [40]

He next coached the Trenton Thunder in 2005 and 2006 before making the jump to Triple-A as the pitching coach of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in 2007.[41] [42] During his tenure in the Yankees farm system, Eiland oversaw the development of prospects including Phil Hughes,[43] Joba Chamberlain,[44] and Ian Kennedy.[45]

Following the 2007 season, Joe Torre and several Yankees coaches—including pitching coach Ron Guidry—were dismissed.[46] Dave Eiland was hired as the new Yankees pitching coach for Joe Girardi's staff.[47] [48] During his time with the team, Eiland worked extensively with the struggling A.J. Burnett.[49] [50] [51]

He took a personal leave of absence from the Yankees beginning on June 4, 2010, and returned to the team on June 29.[52] Though the reason for the absence was never explained, Eiland later alluded to it being related to a family issue.[53] It was noted that while he was away from the team, Burnett was 0–5 with an 11.35 ERA in five starts.[54]

On October 25, Eiland was fired by Brian Cashman.[55] He later said he was shocked by the decision.[56] When asked about the dismissal, Cashman told reporters "He knows why. He was given conditions that needed to be followed. So he knows why."[57] Eiland then hired agent Burton Rocks.[58]

Tampa Bay Rays

After the 2010 season, Eiland joined the Tampa Bay Rays as a special assistant to general manager Andrew Friedman.[59] [60]

Kansas City Royals

On October 25, 2011, Eiland was named as the pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals.[61] [62] He was let go by the Royals after the 2017 season.[63]

New York Mets

When the Mets named Mickey Callaway as their manager after the 2017 season, Eiland was hired as the team's pitching coach.[64] He worked with Jacob deGrom to simplify his approach, helping him win the Cy Young Award in 2018 and 2019.[65] Eiland also helped Steven Matz develop a delivery that was less stressful on his body.[66] He helped Zack Wheeler change his mechanics in order to improve his timing and increase his velocity.[67] [68] Eiland was fired on June 20, 2019.[69]

Lexington Legends

On March 2, 2021, Eiland was named pitching coach for the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[70] [71]

Pensacola Blue Wahoos

In 2022, Eiland was hired by the Miami Marlins organization to be the pitching coach for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in Double-A.[72] He returned for the 2023 season.[73]

Personal life

Eiland was born in Dade City, Florida to Bill and June. He grew up in Zephyrhills, where his father was the police chief. He and his wife Sandra had two daughters, Nicole and Natalie.[74]

During his time with the Devil Rays, Eiland acted as a body double for Kevin Costner, who played a starting pitcher and run scorer in the 1999 film For Love of the Game.[75]

He was a 2012 inductee in the International League Hall of Fame.[76]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cifelli . Edward . March 4, 2011 . PITCHING IN WITH JOB CLOSE TO HOME . March 29, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  2. Web site: Castro . Tony . July 17, 1999 . Eiland resets a major goal . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  3. Web site: Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League. live. September 25, 2019. Cape Cod Baseball League. https://web.archive.org/web/20121207020925/http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com:80/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf . December 7, 2012 .
  4. Web site: 1987 New York Yankees Draft Class - The Baseball Cube . March 28, 2024 . TheBaseballCube.com . en.
  5. Web site: Martinez . Michael . August 4, 1988 . Yankees Lose, 6–5 . March 27, 2024 . New York Times.
  6. Web site: Cotey . John C. . August 2, 1994 . Eiland making major pitch . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  7. Web site: Vincent . David . Pitchers Dig the Long Ball (At Least When They Are Hitting) – Society for American Baseball Research . March 28, 2024 . en-US.
  8. Web site: Miller . Scott . April 3, 1992 . PADRE NOTEBOOK : Eiland Nails Down Fifth Spot in Padres' Starting Rotation . March 28, 2024 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  9. Web site: Dave Eiland 1991 Pitching Game Logs . March 28, 2024 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  10. Web site: Carson . Jim . January 11, 1992 . Yankees drop local pitcher from roster . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  11. Web site: July 22, 1995 . FOR NOW, IT’S A GOOD SPOT FOR EILAND . March 28, 2024 . Hartford Courant . en-US.
  12. Web site: February 5, 1992 . Eiland says he has better deal going with Padres . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  13. Web site: January 28, 1992 . Giants' Swift, Phillies' Mulholland sign deals . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  14. Web site: Castro . Tony . July 17, 1999 . Eiland resets a major goal . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  15. Web site: Kurkjian . Tim . April 20, 1992 . The Natural . March 28, 2024 . Sports Illustrated Vault SI.com . en-us.
  16. Web site: Dave Eiland 1993 Pitching Game Logs . March 28, 2024 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  17. Web site: August 18, 1993 . St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri . March 28, 2024 . St. Louis Post-Dispatchi . en-US.
  18. Web site: 1993 Charlotte Knights Statistics . March 28, 2024 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  19. Web site: Evans . Murray . August 5, 1993 . Magnante Hurls Royals Past 89ers . March 28, 2024 . The Oklahoman . en-US.
  20. Web site: 1993 Oklahoma City 89ers Statistics . March 28, 2024 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  21. Web site: July 22, 1995 . FOR NOW, IT’S A GOOD SPOT FOR EILAND . March 28, 2024 . Hartford Courant . en-US.
  22. Web site: December 7, 1995 . Transactions . March 28, 2024 . New York Times.
  23. Web site: March 24, 1996 . Transactions . March 28, 2024 . New York Times.
  24. Web site: 1996 Louisville Redbirds Statistics . March 28, 2024 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  25. Web site: Cotey . John C. . September 30, 1998 . Ex-Bulldog returns to "Show,' New York . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  26. Web site: 1996 Columbus Clippers Statistics . March 28, 2024 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  27. Web site: Topkin . Marc . September 22, 1998 . Patient Eiland simply glad to be back in bigs . March 29, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  28. Web site: 1997 Columbus Clippers Statistics . March 28, 2024 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  29. Web site: Young . Pete . August 1, 1999 . From Bulldog to Devil Ray . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  30. Web site: Topkin . Marc . April 4, 2000 . The once-lost Eiland finds himself on opening roster . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  31. Web site: Topkin . Marc . December 20, 1997 . Eiland finds out he can go home again . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  32. Web site: Page . Rodney . May 13, 1998 . Eiland makes most of minor moments . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  33. Web site: 1998 Durham Bulls Statistics . March 28, 2024 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  34. Web site: Dave Eiland 1999 Pitching Game Logs . March 28, 2024 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  35. Web site: Dave Eiland 2000 Pitching Game Logs . March 28, 2024 . Baseball-Reference.com . en.
  36. Web site: Auman . Greg . April 12, 2002 . Despite setback, Eiland not ready to retire . March 28, 2024 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  37. Web site: November 21, 2007 . YANKEES COACHING STAFF . March 28, 2024 . New York Post . en-US.
  38. Web site: June 12, 2003 . Former Big Leaguer Dave Eiland Named Staten Island Yankee Pitching Coach . March 29, 2024 . OurSports Central . en.
  39. Web site: Forde . Mike . January 23, 2004 . TJ NAMED SKIPPER OF S.I. YANKS . March 29, 2024 . New York Post . en-US.
  40. Web site: January 23, 2004 . John back in pinstripe fold . March 29, 2024 . Times Herald-Record . en-US.
  41. Web site: November 21, 2007 . YANKEES COACHING STAFF . March 29, 2024 . New York Post . en-US.
  42. Web site: January 26, 2006 . Masse to return to Trenton in 2006 . March 29, 2024 . MiLB.com . en.
  43. Web site: April 5, 2007 . Scranton pitching coach high on Yankees' Hughes . March 29, 2024 . Times Herald-Record . en-US.
  44. Web site: Blair . Kerkhoff . September 8, 2015 . Relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain arrives in Kansas City, reunited with Dave Eiland . The Kansas City Star.
  45. Web site: Jaffe . Jay . January 18, 2016 . Royals take on big risk with Kennedy contract . March 29, 2024 . Sports Illustrated . en-us.
  46. News: Brescia . Joe . December 23, 2007 . Guidry Hopes He’s Wearing Pinstripes in the Spring . March 29, 2024 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  47. News: Kepner . Tyler . October 31, 2007 . Girardi Takes First Step Toward a New Legacy . March 29, 2024 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  48. Web site: November 28, 2007 . Former Bull Now Yankees Pitching Coach . March 29, 2024 . USF Athletics . en.
  49. Web site: Carig . Marc . March 1, 2010 . NY Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett working toward changeup he can believe in . March 29, 2024 . The Star-Ledger . en.
  50. Web site: Marchand . Andrew . September 16, 2010 . Marchand: For Burnett, it's mind over matter . March 29, 2024 . ESPN.com . en.
  51. Web site: Rieber . Anthony . July 2, 2010 . Burnett confident, optimistic after working with Eiland . March 29, 2024 . Newsday . en.
  52. News: Britton. Tim. June 29, 2010. Eiland relieved to be back with Yanks. New York Yankees. MLB.com. dead. November 26, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20100702043519/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100629&content_id=11723392&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy. July 2, 2010.
  53. Web site: Dutton . Bob . October 25, 2011 . Royals hire Eiland as pitching coach . https://web.archive.org/web/20111026132320/http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/25/3228349/royals-hire-eiland-as-pitching.html . October 26, 2011 . The Kansas City Star.
  54. Web site: Viera . Mark . June 29, 2010 . With Eiland Back, a Hope That Burnett Returns to Form . March 28, 2024 . The New York Times.
  55. News: Hoch. Bryan. October 25, 2010. Pitching coach Eiland won't be back. New York Yankees. MLB.com. dead. November 26, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20101027154226/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101025&content_id=15826828&vkey=news_nyy&c_id=nyy. October 27, 2010.
  56. Web site: Terranova . Justin . December 23, 2010 . Eiland was ‘shocked’ Yankees fired him . March 29, 2024 . New York Post . en-US.
  57. Web site: Matthews . Wallace . December 23, 2010 . Ex-Yanks pitching coach was 'shocked' by firing . March 29, 2024 . ESPN.com . en.
  58. Web site: Davidoff . Ken . October 25, 2010 . Dave Eiland, Andy Pettitte, Joe Girardi and John Farrell . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151117021946/http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/dave-eiland-andy-pettitte-joe-girardi-and-john-farrell-1.2401237 . November 17, 2015 . October 25, 2010 . . en.
  59. News: Chastain. Bill. December 22, 2010. Rays hire Dave Eiland as special assistant. MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. dead. November 26, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20121105232433/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101222&content_id=16358090&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb. November 5, 2012.
  60. Web site: Calcaterra . Craig . December 23, 2010 . The Rays hire ex-Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland . March 29, 2024 . NBC Sports . en-US.
  61. News: October 25, 2011. Royals name Dave Eiland as the Major League Pitching Coach « Around the Horn in KC. MLBlogs.com. dead. November 26, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120425091741/http://royals.mlblogs.com/2011/10/25/royals-name-dave-eiland-as-the-major-league-pitching-coach/. April 25, 2012.
  62. Web site: Gleeman . Aaron . October 25, 2011 . Royals hire Dave Eiland as new pitching coach . March 29, 2024 . NBC Sports . en-US.
  63. Web site: Dodd. Rustin. Grathoff. Pete. October 2, 2017. Royals part ways with pitching coach Dave Eiland, other coaching staff. live. October 3, 2017. The Kansas City Star. https://web.archive.org/web/20171003225249/http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article176519021.html . October 3, 2017 .
  64. Web site: Mastracco. Abbey. November 2, 2017. Mets' hire Dave Eiland as pitching coach. live. November 2, 2017. NJ.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20171103004025/http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2017/11/mets_pat_roessler_takes_over_for_kevin_long_report.html . November 3, 2017 .
  65. Web site: Puma . Mike . March 25, 2021 . Jacob deGrom's rise came thanks to Dave Eiland tip . March 29, 2024 . New York Post . en-US.
  66. Web site: Lennon . David . February 23, 2018 . Steven Matz working with Dave Eiland on less stressful delivery . March 29, 2024 . Newsday . en.
  67. Web site: Adler . Lindsey . June 27, 2018 . How a recent mechanical change has given Zack Wheeler a significant jump in his average velocity . March 29, 2024 . The Athletic . en.
  68. Web site: Moura . Pedro . June 18, 2021 . Phillies ace Zack Wheeler has quietly become one of MLB's best pitchers . March 29, 2024 . FOX Sports . en-US.
  69. Web site: Puma. Mike. June 20, 2019. Struggling Mets fire pitching coach Dave Eiland. live. June 20, 2019. New York Post. https://web.archive.org/web/20190620202656/https://nypost.com/2019/06/20/struggling-mets-fire-pitching-coach-dave-eiland/ . June 20, 2019 .
  70. Web site: March 2, 2021 . Former World Series Pitching Coach to Lead Legends Pitching Staff . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210302194714/https://www.milb.com/lexington/news/dave-eiland-release . March 2, 2021 . March 2, 2021 . Lexington Legends.
  71. Web site: March 3, 2021 . Dave Eiland to Lead Legends Pitching Staff . March 29, 2024 . www.atlanticleague.com . en.
  72. Web site: Vilona . Bill . March 8, 2022 . Acclaimed Pitching Coach Dave Eiland Gives Big Boost To Blue Wahoos 2022 Talented Staff . March 29, 2024 . MiLB.com . en.
  73. Web site: January 31, 2023 . Blue Wahoos Announce 2023 Coaching Staff . March 29, 2024 . MiLB.com . en.
  74. Web site: June 12, 2003 . Former Big Leaguer Dave Eiland Named Staten Island Yankee Pitching Coach . March 28, 2024 . OurSports Central . en.
  75. Pearlman . Jeff . Cannella . Stephen . August 30, 1999 . The Hot Corner . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121025130435/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1016787/index.htm . October 25, 2012 . November 26, 2011 . . CNN.
  76. Web site: January 31, 2012 . Evers, Eiland To Be Inducted Into IL Hall of Fame . March 28, 2024 . MiLB.com . en.

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