John Courtright Explained

John Courtright
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:30 May 1970
Birth Place:Marion, Ohio
Bats:Left
Throws:Left
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:May 6
Debutyear:1995
Debutteam:Cincinnati Reds
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:May 6
Finalyear:1995
Finalteam:Cincinnati Reds
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Innings pitched
Stat1value:1
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:9.00
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:0
Teams:

John Charles Courtright (born May 30, 1970) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds.

Courtright graduated from Marion Harding High School in Marion, Ohio, played college baseball at Duke and was selected in the eighth round of the 1991 Major League Baseball draft by the Reds.[1]

In April 1994, while pitching for the Chattanooga Lookouts, Courtright was the first pitcher to face Birmingham Barons outfielder Michael Jordan in a regular season game. He struck Jordan out twice but asked for his autograph on the following day.[2] [3]

On May 6, 1995, he and Scott Sullivan were promoted to Cincinnati's Major League roster to replace Willie Greene and Johnny Ruffin.[4] He made his debut on the same day at the age of 25 at Riverfront Stadium against the New York Mets. In the eighth inning, manager Davey Johnson double-switched him and Jerome Walton into the game for Deion Sanders and Scott Sullivan respectively. He pitched one inning and gave up one earned run and never pitched in the big leagues again.[5]

A month after his Major League debut, he was traded to the Minnesota Twins for David McCarty.[6]

Courtright served as an agent after retiring, representing such players as Zack Greinke, Jon Lester, Patrick Corbin, J. A. Happ, Clay Buchholz, Adam Lind, B.J. Ryan, Glen Perkins and Austin Kearns.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] He also represented manager John Farrell and former Reds teammate Scott Sullivan.[12]

Notes and References

  1. News: McCurdy . Rob . Column: Marion's Moonlight Graham played one game, too . 6 July 2020 . . June 18, 2016 . en.
  2. Tim Kurkjian . Kurkjian . Tim . Baron von Bloop . 6 July 2020 . . April 18, 1994 . en-us.
  3. News: Sweeny Murti . Murti . Sweeny . '30 with Murti': John Courtright on Pitching Against Michael Jordan . 6 July 2020 . WFAN Sports Radio . 4 May 2020 . en.
  4. News: Reds Dispatch Best Prospect . 7 July 2020 . . . May 6, 1995.
  5. Web site: New York Mets at Cincinnati Reds Box Score, May 6, 1995 . . . 6 July 2020 . en.
  6. Web site: John Courtright Stats . . . 7 July 2020 . en.
  7. News: Matthews . Wallace . Patrick Corbin meeting with Yankees "went very well" according to a source . 6 July 2020 . . November 29, 2018.
  8. Kotloff . Brian . Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz to visit Dr. James Andrews for second opinion . 6 July 2020 . . July 21, 2013 . en-us.
  9. News: Bremer . George . Lind optimistic about his fresh start . 6 July 2020 . . December 6, 2010 . en.
  10. News: Miller . Phill . Perkins makes contract extension offer Twins gladly accept . 6 July 2020 . . March 15, 2014.
  11. News: Mets' GM ready to make offers to closers Wagner, Ryan . 6 July 2020 . . November 11, 2005 . en.
  12. News: Greenstein . Teddy . Arbitration offer likely for Colon . 6 July 2020 . . December 7, 2003.