Jeff Suppan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jeff Suppan |
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Suppan with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: January 2, 1975 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| July 17, 1995, for the Boston Red Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| May 28, 2012, for the San Diego Padres | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 140–146 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.70 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,390 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Jeffrey Scot Suppan (born January 2, 1975) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played for 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Jeff Suppan also worked as a professional baseball coach. He played for many teams, including the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Milwaukee Brewers.
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Early Life and High School Baseball
Jeff Suppan grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He played baseball at Crespi Carmelite High School in California. As a pitcher, he was very good. He threw two "no-hitters," which means he pitched an entire game without any opposing player getting a hit. One no-hitter was in his freshman year, and another was in his senior year.
High School Achievements
During high school, Suppan had an amazing streak of 42 innings where no one scored against him. He also played first base and was a strong hitter. In his senior year, he hit for a .480 average. This means he got a hit nearly half the times he batted. The Los Angeles Times newspaper named him their San Fernando Valley Player of the Year in 1993.
Choosing a Path
After high school, Suppan planned to play college baseball at UCLA. However, the Boston Red Sox chose him in the 1993 MLB draft. He was the 49th player picked overall. He decided to sign with the Red Sox and start his professional career.
Professional Baseball Career
Jeff Suppan played for several teams during his 17 years in Major League Baseball. He was known for being a reliable pitcher.
Starting with the Boston Red Sox
Suppan began his MLB career with the Boston Red Sox in 1995. He played with them until the end of the 1997 season. In 1997, he made 22 starts as a pitcher. He had a record of 7 wins and 3 losses that year.
Moving to Arizona and Kansas City
In 1997, the Arizona Diamondbacks picked Suppan in a special draft for new teams. He played one season with Arizona. Later in 1998, he was traded to the Kansas City Royals. He became a regular pitcher for the Royals. From 1999 to 2001, he won 10 games each season.
Time with the Pirates and a Red Sox Return
In 2003, Suppan signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He had a good start to the season, with 10 wins and 7 losses. Later that year, he was traded back to the Boston Red Sox. This was for their push to make the playoffs.
Success with the St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals signed Suppan in 2004. This was a great move for him. He had one of his best years, winning 16 games and losing 9. He helped the Cardinals reach the 2004 World Series.
In 2005, he continued to pitch well, with 16 wins and 10 losses. He even hit two home runs in his career, both against the New York Mets. One of these home runs was in Game 3 of the 2006 National League Championship Series.
Winning the NLCS MVP
Suppan was a key player in the 2006 NLCS against the New York Mets. He pitched very well, helping the Cardinals win the series. Because of his excellent pitching, he was named the National League Championship Series MVP. The Cardinals then went on to win the 2006 World Series.
Playing for the Milwaukee Brewers
After his success with the Cardinals, Suppan signed a four-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006. He pitched for the Brewers from 2007 to 2010. During his time there, he even appeared in an episode of the TV show The Young and the Restless with some teammates. The Brewers released him in June 2010.
Later Career and Retirement
Suppan returned to the St. Louis Cardinals for a short time in 2010. He then signed minor league deals with the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals. In 2012, he played briefly for the San Diego Padres.
Jeff Suppan announced his retirement as a player on January 2, 2014. This was his 39th birthday.
Life After Playing Baseball
After retiring as a player, Jeff Suppan became a coach. He was the pitching coach for the Idaho Falls Chukars. This team is part of the Kansas City Royals organization. In 2019, he became a coach who travels to help players in different minor league teams for the Royals.
Pitching Style
Jeff Suppan was known as a "finesse pitcher." This means he didn't rely on throwing the ball super fast. Instead, he used a variety of pitches that moved in different ways. This made it hard for hitters to make good contact with the ball. He threw several types of pitches, including a four-seam fastball, a sinker, a cut fastball, a changeup, a curveball, and a slider.
Restaurant Business
Jeff Suppan's nickname is "Soup." He also owned a restaurant called Soup's Grill with his wife. It was located in Woodland Hills, California. The restaurant closed in 2016 so he could focus on his coaching career.
Faith and Public Involvement
Suppan is a devoted Roman Catholic. He has appeared in DVDs like Champions Of Faith where he talks about his beliefs. He also spoke to the National Catholic Register about his faith.
In 2006, he appeared in a public advertisement with other famous people. This ad was about a social issue in Missouri. It aired during the World Series to reach voters in that state.
Career Highlights
- 2006 World Series Champion
- 2006 National League Championship Series MVP
Images for kids
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Suppan pitching in 2011
See also
- List of people from Oklahoma City
- List of World Series starting pitchers
- St. Louis Cardinals award winners and league leaders
