Shawn Chacón
Shawn Chacón | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. | December 23, 1977|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
April 29, 2001, for the Colorado Rockies | |
Last MLB appearance | |
June 19, 2008, for the Houston Astros | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 45–61 |
Earned run average | 4.99 |
Strikeouts | 619 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
Shawn Anthony Chacón (born December 23, 1977) is an American former professional
Early years
Chacón was born in Anchorage, Alaska, but has only dim recollection of his biological mother and none of his father (he believes his biological father was African-American and his mother was Hispanic). His mother placed him in a Greeley, Colorado, foster home when he was aged four, and he was adopted by Tony and Blanca Chacón.[1] Chacón was recruited by Arizona State, but chose to play professionally after he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the third round of the 1996 amateur draft. He signed on June 18, 1996.
Professional career
Colorado Rockies
Chacón made his MLB debut in 2001 as a member of the Rockies. In his first start, Chacon allowed seven runs in 5+1⁄3 innings while striking out eight en route to a 14–7 win.[2] By the end of the 2001 season, Chacón made 27 starts and recorded a record of 6-10 for the Rockies.
In 2002, Chacón battled inconsistency and injuries throughout the season. He pitched in 13 starts in the first half, going 3-6 while having a stint on the DL. Once he returned, his season took a turn for the worse. In the second half he amassed an ERA of 7.00 in eight starts and was demoted to AAA.[3] Chacón never was recalled back to the majors and finished the season with a record of 5-11 while walking 60 batters in 119 innings.
Chacón was Colorado's 2003 All-Star representative, having won 11 games before the All Star break; the only other Rockies pitchers to have done so through 2015 are Aaron Cook (2008), Jason Marquis (2009), and Ubaldo Jiménez (2010). He never got to pitch in the All-Star game due to a nagging elbow injury. He returned after the All-Star break and was winless in six starts, going 0–4. Chacon was then shut down for the rest of the season.[4] He wound up finishing 11–8 with a 4.60 ERA.
The next year, due to a necessity at the closer role, he was converted into the Rockies closer for the 2004 season.[5] Chacón put up one of the most bizarre stat lines in baseball history for a closer. Chacón was ninth in the National League with 35 saves but was also tied with a league leading nine blown saves. His record was 1–9 and his ERA 7.11. His home/road splits were even odder, as he was 1–5 at home with a 6.81 ERA and 20 saves. He allowed more hits than innings pitched, and while on the road his ERA was even worse, standing at 7.56 and notching only 15 saves. In 2005, Chacón was 1–7 with a career low 4.09 through 13 games before being traded mid season to the Yankees, ending his five-year tenure with the Rockies. A few months prior to the trade, Chacon told a sports reporter that nobody wanted to pitch at high altitude Coors Field because the ball would not curve in the light air. After Chacon went to the Yankees, Rockies manager Hurdle said that a player unhappy with the Rockies would leave quickly.[6] He finished 24–45 in 150 games with 35 saves for the Rockies.
New York Yankees
The Rockies traded Chacón to the
Before the
Pittsburgh Pirates
During the July 31, 2006, mid-season non-waiver trade deadline, Chacon was dealt for Craig Wilson. Chacón started for the Pirates, making nine starts and going 2–3 with a 5.48 ERA.
In 2007, Chacón was mainly used as a reliever by the Pirates, but also made four starts. He went 5–4 with a 3.94 ERA in 64 games for the Pirates in 2007. Chacón was granted free agency after the season.
Houston Astros
On February 20, 2008, Chacón signed a one-year deal with the Houston Astros worth $2 million.[9] On May 16, Chacón set a major league record by recording 9 consecutive no-decisions to begin a season.[10]
On June 25, 2008, the Astros announced that Chacón was suspended indefinitely for insubordination after a physical altercation with Astros
Newark Bears/Oakland Athletics
On May 1, 2009, Chacón signed a one-year deal with the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League and started seven games, pitching to a 4.29 ERA with a 3–3 record.[14] His performance with the Bears earned him a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics organization on June 18, 2009. Pitching for AAA Sacramento, went 8–4 in 14 appearances (12 starts) with an ERA of 6.29.
Legal troubles
On October 5, 2009, Chacón was arrested at a bowling alley in Greeley, Colorado, on charges related to unpaid gambling markers in Las Vegas, Nevada. He faced a felony charge in connection with three bad checks written for $50,000 to Caesars Palace.[15] He was released from jail on October 6, after Las Vegas authorities decided not to extradite him.[16]
References
- ^ Richard Justice (February 21, 2008). "COMMENTARY: Why not take chance on Chacon?". Chron Sports. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- ^ http://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/major-league-debut-for-pitcher-shawn-chacon/Content?oid=1320973
- ^ http://articles.philly.com/2002-08-24/sports/25335937_1_fred-wilpon-offer-video-coverage-nelson-doubleday [bare URL]
- ^ "Rockies shut down Chacon for rest of year". August 21, 2003.
- ^ "Chacon to close in 2004 | Rockies.com: News". Archived from the original on March 16, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ^ Rocky Mt News July 8, 2005.
- ^ Yankees get 27-year-old right-hander from Rockies
- ^ Mark Feinsand (July 6, 2006). "Chacon out of rotation, headed to 'pen". MLB.com. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- ^ Alyson Footer (February 20, 2008). "Astros sign versatile free agent Chacon". MLB.com. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- ^ "Chacon sets record with 9th straight start without decision". www.tsn.ca. Archived from the original on March 17, 2014.
- ^ Astros suspend pitcher Shawn Chacón indefinitely Archived 2008-06-28 at Wikiwix
- ^ RHP Shawn Chacon's grievance against Houston Astros denied - August 17, 2010.
- ^ Astros release Chacón after altercation with GM
- ^ Ashmore, Mike (May 1, 2009). "Bears Updates". www.atlanticleaguebaseball.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "Shawn Chacon, Former Rockies Pitcher, Arrested For Gambling Violations". Huffington Post. October 6, 2009.
- ^ "Chacon arrested for not paying gambling debts". October 6, 2009.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Baseball Almanac Page