'Daniel Thomas Plesac' (born
February 4,
1962 in
Gary, IN) was a pitcher with an 18 year career from 1986 to 2003. He played for the
Milwaukee Brewers (1986-1992) and
Toronto Blue Jays (1997-1999, 2001-2002), both of the
American League (the Brewers switched to the National League in 1998), and the
Chicago Cubs (1993-1994),
Pittsburgh Pirates (1995-1996),
Arizona Diamondbacks (1999-2000) and
Philadelphia Phillies (2002-2003), all of the
National League. He is of
Croatian descent.
A hard thrower with a mid-90's fastball and a nasty slider, Plesac was originally a starting pitcher before becoming the closer of the Milwaukee Brewers. Plesac served primarily as a left handed specialist from the mid 90's till the end of his career, pitching for the Blue Jays twice, the Diamondbacks and the Phillies.
He was elected to the American League
All-Star team 3 times (1987, 1988 and 1989). He ended with a 65-71 record and a 3.64
ERA in 1064 games and 1072
innings pitched.
Plesac holds numerous all-time Milwaukee pitching records (minimum 500 innings pitched). He is the career leader in ERA, H/IP, games,
saves and ERA+ (adjusted ERA). He is 2nd in K/9 and WHIP (BB + H/IP), both times to Ben Sheets, and is 5th in K/BB ratio.
Today, Plesac works as a news telecaster for
Comcast Sportsnet Chicago, cohosting as a highlighter for Chicago Cubs and
White Sox pre and postgame shows. He is also a harness race horse trainer in
Chicago.
See also
★
List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
External links
★
Baseball Reference