Cal Eldred

Cal Eldred
Eldred with the Kansas City Royals
Pitcher
Born:(1967-11-24)November 24, 1967 Cedar Rapids, Iowa,U.S.
Batted:Right Threw:Right
MLB debut
September 24, 1991, for the Milwaukee Brewers
Last MLB appearance
October 1, 2005, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	86–74
Earned run average	4.42
Strikeouts	939
Teams
Milwaukee Brewers(1991–1999) Chicago White Sox(2000–2001) St. Louis Cardinals(2003–2005)
Career highlights and awards
Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor

Calvin John Eldred(born November 24, 1967) is an American formerprofessional baseballpitcherwho played for 14 seasons inMajor League Baseball(MLB) from1991to2005.He previously worked for theSt. Louis Cardinalsas a special assistant togeneral managerJohn Mozeliak,instructingminor leagueplayers for various on-field and off-field issues. He was also thepitching coachfor theKansas City Royalsfrom 2018 to 2022.

Eldred attended theUniversity of Iowawhile playingcollege baseballfor theHawkeyes,and was theMilwaukee Brewers' first round selection in the1989 amateur draft.He made his MLB debut for the Brewers in September, 1991, with whom he was astarting pitcherfor nine seasons. He also played for theChicago White Soxand the Cardinals.

Professional playing career

After attending theUniversity of Iowaand playingcollege baseballfor theHawkeyes,theMilwaukee Brewersselected Eldred in the first round of the1989 amateur draft.

Making his major league debut with theBrewerson September 24, 1991, Eldred earned the win against theNew York Yankeeswith5+1⁄3innings pitched(IP). He started three games that year, winning two, and completed 16 IP. In1992,he finished with100+1⁄3IP, a 1.79earned run average(ERA) and an 11–2win–loss record(W–L). He was the AL SeptemberPitcher of the Monthand finished fourth in theAmerican League(AL)Rookie of the Year Awardvoting. Thenext season,Eldred led the AL in innings pitched (258) and MLB in games started (36). He also finished in the top ten in the league in wins (16),strikeouts(180),complete games(eight),hits per nine inningsallowed (8.093),home runsallowed (32),hitsallowed (232) andbases on ballsallowed (91), each of which led the Brewers' pitching staff, except hits.

The Brewers traded Eldred withJosé Valentínto theChicago White SoxforJaime NavarroandJohn Snyderon January 12, 2000. Eldred pitched for the White Sox in2000–01,but totaled just 22 starts. His record in 2000 was 10–2 and he was the AL Pitcher of the Month for June. He missed all of the 2002 season due to injury and signed as afree agentwith theSt. Louis Cardinalson December 18, 2002. He pitched inrelieffor theNational Leaguepennant-winningCardinals in2004,and made two appearances in theWorld Series.Eldred announced his retirement as a player on October 27, 2005. He was the Cardinals winner of the 2005Darryl KileGood Guy Award.

Post-playing career

Eldred also joined theBig Ten Networkin the spring of 2009 as a college baseball analyst. He co-hosted the network's studio coverage of the 2009 Big Ten Baseball Tournament withDave Revsine.He was a pregamecolor analystfor the team's telecasts onFox Sports Midwest.He also was a special assistant to Cardinals'general managerJohn Mozeliak,instructingminor leagueplayers for various on-field and off-field issues.

In November 2017, Eldred was named theKansas City Royalspitching coach.He was fired on October 5, 2022, immediately after the season ended, with the 2022 team being worst in the American League for strikeouts, walks, hits allowed, runs allowed, and ERA.

Personal life

Both of Eldred's sons played collegiately. C.J. was a pitcher for theIowa Hawkeyesand Luke was a pitcher forDallas Baptist.C.J. was signed by theKansas City Royalsas an undrafted free agent and has played for numerous professional teams.

External links

• Career statistics and player information fromMLB,orESPN,orBaseball Reference,orFangraphs,orBaseball Reference (Minors),orRetrosheet
• Cal Eldredat theSABR Baseball Biography Project
• Cal Eldredat Baseball Almanac