Shannon Withem Explained

Shannon Withem
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:21 September 1972
Birth Place:Ann Arbor, Michigan
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:September 18
Debutyear:1998
Debutteam:Toronto Blue Jays
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:September 18
Finalyear:1998
Finalteam:Toronto Blue Jays
Debut2league:NPB
Debut2date:April 8
Debut2year:1999
Debut2team:Nippon-Ham Fighters
Final2league:NPB
Final2date:August 4
Final2year:1999
Final2team:Nippon-Ham Fighters
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:0–0
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:3.00
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:2
Stat2league:NPB
Stat21label:Win–loss record
Stat21value:6–7
Stat22label:Earned run average
Stat22value:5.76
Stat23label:Strikeouts
Stat23value:31
Teams:

Shannon Bolt Withem (born September 21, 1972) is a former professional baseball pitcher. He appeared in one game in Major League Baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays on September 18 during the 1998 season. Withem also pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball in 1999.

Amateur career

Withem attended Willow Run High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan where he was an all-state pitcher for the Flyers baseball team.[1] He had 7 no-hitters in high school and once struck out every batter in a 7-inning no-hitter.

Professional career

Withem was drafted in the 5th round of the 1990 Major League Baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers. He pitched in the Tigers' organization until 1995, then spent the 1996–97 seasons in the New York Mets farm system. He was signed by the Blue Jays after the 1997 season. After going 17–5 with the Syracuse Chiefs, the Blue Jays' top farm team, he was called up in September. In his lone major league appearance, he pitched three innings in relief of Kelvim Escobar, giving up one run on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.[2]

After being released by the Blue Jays after the 1998 season, Withem signed with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 1999.[3] That season, he had a record of 6–7 with a 5.76 earned run average in 17 games. He was re-signed for the 2000 season, but hurt his elbow and did not pitch that season.[4] The injury effectively ended his career, as he never again pitched professionally.

After baseball

Withem is now a Software Sales Executive in Michigan.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 8 Aug 1990, Page 51 - Detroit Free Press at Newspapers.com. 2021-02-01. Newspapers.com. en.
  2. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TBA/TBA199809180.shtml Box Score for Withem's MLB appearance
  3. Web site: Steve78. Shannon Withem, His Choice - 3160. 2021-02-01. en.
  4. http://www.japanbaseballdaily.com/foreignpitchingt-z.html Information on Withem's stint in Japan