Stephen Christopher Trachsel (born October 31, 1970 in Oxnard, California) is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the New York Mets.
| Steve Trachsel | |
|---|---|
| File:SteveTrachsel.jpg | |
| New York Mets – No. 29 | |
| Pitcher | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| debut | |
| September 19, 1993, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Career statistics (through 2005) | |
| Wins-Losses | 119-135 |
| ERA | 4.23 |
| Strikeouts | 1,440 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Former teams | |
Trachsel was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1991 and made his major league debut in 1993.
Trachsel's career has had long ups and downs. In 1996, he was named to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and posted a career-best 3.03 ERA. In 1999, his ERA rose to a career-worst 5.56, his 18 losses were two worse than any pitcher that season and the Cubs let him go. Spending 2000 in the American League, he posted another 15 losses and his start with the Mets in 2001 was so poor (including becoming the only pitcher in Mets history to allow four home runs in one inning), he was sent to the minor leagues. Upon returning to the Mets, his career was reborn. He finished 2001 well, dropped his ERA to 3.37 in 2002, and won a career-high 16 games (including his 100th career win) in 2003. He pitched decent in 2004 but suffered the first major injury of his career costing him most of the 2005 season.
Trachsel gave up Mark McGwire's record-breaking 62nd home run in the famous 1998 home run chase.