Michael Zagurski

Infobox MLB player


width = 150
name=Mike Zagurski

position=Relief pitcher
team=Philadelphia Phillies
number=59
bats=Left
throws=Left
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|1|27
debutdate=May 25
debutyear=2007
debutteam=Philadelphia Phillies
statyear=2007
stat1label=Win-Loss
stat1value=1-0
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=5.91
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=21
teams=
*Philadelphia Phillies (by|2007-present)

Michael Justin Zagurski (born January 27, 1983, in Omaha, Nebraska) is an American baseball pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies organization affectionately known by fans as the "Hefty Lefty", "Lardo", "Lunch Box", or "Tons o' Fun".

From unrecruited to the majors

Zagurski was neither drafted after high school nor recruited by any four-year colleges. [cite web |url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/7924057.html |title=His own way: Lefthander Zagurski takes an odd path to the majors. |accessdate=2007-06-11 |last=Ford |first=Bob |date=2007-06-10 |format= |work=philly.com |publisher= |quote= ] He started his college career at Hutchinson Community College, finished at University of Kansas, and started the by|2007 season in the minor leagues with the Single-A Clearwater Threshers before being promoted to the Double-A Reading Phillies. On May 25, when Brett Myers was placed on the disabled list, Zagurski was placed on the Phillies major league roster. He made his first appearance that evening.

"The only thing I could say was, 'Wow,'" he later told The Philadelphia Inquirer. [cite web |url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/7924057.html |title=His own way: Lefthander Zagurski takes an odd path to the majors. |accessdate=2007-06-11 |last=Ford |first=Bob |date=2007-06-10 |format= |work=philly.com |publisher= |quote= ]

Almost 60 of the pitcher's friends, former teammates, and family were in attendance at Zagurski's first major league appearance at the Atlanta Braves' Turner Field. [cite web |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jun/11/no_time_wasted/ |title=No time wasted / Zagurski relishes meteoric rise to majors |accessdate=2007-06-11 |last=Wood |first=Ryan |date=2007-06-11 |format= |work=ljworld.com.com |publisher= |quote= ] . Legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas remarked on the cheers that greeted Zagurski's entry to the game and added that the 'Phillies might have themselves a left-hander' after Zagurski retired the first three batters he faced.

2007 season

Zagurski walked New York Mets pinch hitter Julio Franco, who made his major league debut for the Phillies the year before Zagurski was born, and retired San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds less than two weeks after being called up. On the possibility of pitching to the potential future Hall of Famer, Zagurski had said, "Having an opportunity to face [Bonds] would be awesome. I'm sure I would notice him, but he's still trying to hit the ball and I'm still trying to get him out, so I think the star-strucking will stop" [cite web |url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/102-06012007-1356041.html |title=Phils, fans brace for Bonds |accessdate=2007-07-06 |last=Miller |first=Randy |date=2007-07-01 |format= |work=phillyburbs.com |publisher= |quote= ]

On June 7, Zagurski won his first major league game as the Phillies completed a three-game sweep of the first-place New York Mets at Shea Stadium. Phillies color commentator Gary Matthews said Zagurski believed he had a place in the major leagues and that the young pitcher was "not at all in awe of being here." Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said after the game that Zagurski "has a future in the big leagues, and he definitely has a future with us.” [cite web |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jun/11/no_time_wasted/ |title=No time wasted / Zagurski relishes meteoric rise to majors |accessdate=2007-06-11 |last=Wood |first=Ryan |date=2007-06-11 |format= |work=ljworld.com.com |publisher= |quote= ]

On July 15, Zagurski pitched the entire ninth inning of the Phillies' 10,000th franchise loss. The game, which was carried nationally on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, saw the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Phillies 10-2.

On July 27, Myers was activated from the 15-day disabled list and the Phillies optioned Zagurski to the Triple-A Ottawa Lynx. On August 15, Zagurski was recalled to the majors when starter Adam Eaton was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

2008 season

On April 3, Zagurski underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Pitching style

Zagurski throws a 91-94 mph fastball, as well as a changeup and slider.

References

External links

* [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28782 ESPN.com: Mike Zagurski stats, news and photos]
* [http://thebaseballcube.com/players/Z/Mike-Zagurski.shtml Stats from thebaseballcube.com]
* [http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Michael%2520Zagurski&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=489448 Stats from minorleaguebaseball.com]