Michael Lee Fetters (born December 19, 1964) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for eight teams during his 16–year career from 1989 to 2004. Fetters started his playing career with the California Angels and also played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, the Diamondbacks, and Minnesota Twins. Fetters had his best season in 1996 when he finished fifth in the American League in saves with 32 with the Brewers. Fetters finished his career with 100 saves.
| Mike Fetters | |
|---|---|
 Fetters with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019 | |
| Pitcher / Coach | |
| Born: December 19, 1964 Van Nuys, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 1, 1989, for the California Angels | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 16, 2004, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 31–41 |
| Earned run average | 3.86 |
| Strikeouts | 518 |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Playing career
editFetters is a graduate of ʻIolani School,[1] where he played high school baseball in the early 1980s, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Fetters played baseball at Pepperdine University and was drafted in the first round of the 1986 Major League Draft by the California Angels.[2] Fetters is known for his head movement while on the mound. Prior to a pitch, he took a deep breath and moved his head quickly 90 degrees to the left. He explained that being stressed during pitching was the reason for his head movement. In 2002, teammate Mark Grace comically imitated the Fetters move when invited to pitch one Diamondbacks inning. During one game in the 2004 season, Houston Astro Craig Biggio imitated Fetters' head movement and scowl while batting against him, drawing laughter from the Houston crowd.
Coaching career
editAs of 2019[update], Fetters works as the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen coach, having spent the four previous years as a quality control coach. On October 3, 2024, Fetters was fired by the Diamondbacks.[3]
Personal life
editFetters is half-Caucasian and half-Samoan in ancestry.[4]
Fetters is a cousin of American baritone Stephen Totter.
References
edit- ^ Chase, Al (May 8, 2005). "'Iolani graduate called it quits after 16 years in the majors". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
- ^ Bloom, Earl (June 16, 2013). "Ex-reliever Fetters still enjoying life in baseball". Orange County Register. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ "D-backs pitching coaches Brent Strom, Dan Carlson and Mike Fetters will not return". arizonasports.com. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ Chase, Al (December 3, 2002). "Fetters: Mulling his options". Honolulu Star-Bulletin Sports. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
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