Steve Karsay

Stefan Andrew Karsay (born March 24, 1972) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and coach. Karsay played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics (1993–94, 1997, 2006), Cleveland Indians (1998–2001), Atlanta Braves (2001), New York Yankees (2002, 2004–05), and Texas Rangers (2005). He later served as the bullpen coach for the Milwaukee Brewers (2019–2021).

Steve Karsay
Karsay at As Sayliyah Army Base in 2009
Pitcher
Born: (1972-03-24) March 24, 1972
Flushing, New York, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 17, 1993, for the Oakland Athletics
Last MLB appearance
June 17, 2006, for the Oakland Athletics
MLB statistics
Win–loss record32–39
Earned run average4.01
Strikeouts458
Teams

Early life and amateur career

Karsay grew up in the College Point neighborhood in Queens, New York City, just a few miles from Shea Stadium.[1] Karsay was a "star pitcher" at Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village, Queens. He initially committed to play college baseball at Louisiana State.[2] He was named the Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year for New York in 1990.[3]

Professional career

A 1st round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 1990, Karsay was traded to the Athletics along with outfielder José Herrera for Rickey Henderson on July 31, 1993. A starter in his early days with the Athletics, Karsay worked mostly in middle relief and as a set-up man from 1998 on, although he also had some notable success as a closer in 2000 with the Indians and 2002 with the Yankees.

His career was marred by injuries, causing him to miss the 1995 (elbow surgery), 1996 (Tommy John surgery) and 2003 (shoulder surgery) seasons; in all, he was on the disabled list seven times.[4]

On July 28, 2005, together with Scott Feldman and A. J. Murray, he threw a perfect game against the Corpus Christi Hooks. It was the first combined nine-inning perfect game in Texas League history, and the third overall.[5][6]

Finally, at age 34, Karsay announced his retirement on June 18, 2006, the day after pitching two scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers and getting the win in a 17-inning marathon for the Athletics. He finished his 11-year Major League career with a 32–39 record, 41 saves, and a 4.01 ERA in 357 career appearances, including 40 starts.[7][8]

Coaching

In 2012 the Cleveland Indians hired Karsay as pitching coach for the rookie-level AZL Indians.[9] In 2016, Karsay was promoted to be the pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians Class-AAA affiliate, the Columbus Clippers.[10]

Karsay was hired by the Milwaukee Brewers as their bullpen coach on November 19, 2018.[11] He stepped down following the 2021 season to spend more time with his family.[12]

References
  1. "Closing suits Karsay", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 25, 2001, "Karsay, 29, grew up in College Point, NY, five miles from Shea Stadium."
  2. Harvin, Al (June 5, 1990). "Xaverian Takes Title In Catholic League". New York Times. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  3. "Steve Karsay 1989 - 1990 NEW YORK BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR". playeroftheyear.gatorade.com. Gatorade. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  4. Ryan Quinn. Notes: Karsay returns to Oakland, MLB.com, 5/16/2006
  5. "Baseball America's Daily Dish", Baseball America, 7/29/05, accessed 8/14/09
  6. Rajan, Greg, "Pitchers perfect: It's 27 up, 27 down as CC falls to Frisco", Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 7/29/05, accessed 8/14/09
  7. Press Release. A's reliever Karsay announces retirement, Oakland Athletics, 6/18/2006.
  8. Rick Eymer. Notes: Karsay ends career the right way, MLB.com, 6/18/2006
  9. "Steve Karsay, Scott Erickson hired as minor league pitching coaches by Cleveland Indians". Cleveland. 2011-02-02.
  10. http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20090105&content_id=490989&sid=t249&vkey=roster
  11. Hoynes, Paul (November 20, 2018). "Class AAA pitching coach Steve Karsay leaves Cleveland Indians to become Milwaukee Brewers' bullpen coach". Cleveland.com.
  12. McCalvy, Adam (January 18, 2022). "Henderson, Erickson Promoted to MLB Staff". Milwaukee Brewers. Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
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