Bob Wickman

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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