Robert Joe Wickman (born February 6, 1969) is a former
Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wickman played for the
New York Yankees (-),
Milwaukee Brewers (1996-),
Cleveland Indians (2000-),
Atlanta Braves (2006-), and
Arizona Diamondbacks (2007). He batted and threw
right-handed. Wickman was known to rely on his sinker to save games.
During a childhood farming accident, Wickman lost part of his index finger on his right hand, to which he credited much of the sinking motion on his
fastball.
School career
At
Oconto Falls High School, Wickman played
football,
baseball and
basketball, being named an All-State pick in
basketball. After
high school, he attended
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and was selected by the
Chicago White Sox in the
1990 Major League Baseball Draft (2nd round) and signed by area scout
Mike Rizzo. In 1992, he was sent by
Chicago to the
New York Yankees in the same trade that brought
Steve Sax to the White Sox.
Major league career
On May 7, 2006, Bob Wickman became the Indians’ all-time franchise leader in
saved games with 130, surpassing the record previously held by
Doug Jones.
On July 20, 2006, Wickman was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Single-A
Rome catcher Max Ramírez. Wickman then served as Atlanta's closer, recording his first save on July 24.
On September 20, 2006, Wickman signed a one-year $6.5 million contract extension to stay with the Atlanta Braves for the 2007...
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