Dave Eiland

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Dave Eiland
Eiland with the Kansas City Royals
Pitcher / Pitching coach
Born: (1966-07-05) July 5, 1966 (age 57)
Dade City, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 3, 1988, for the New York Yankees
Last MLB appearance
September 10, 2000, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
MLB statistics
Win–loss record12–27
Earned run average5.74
Strikeouts153
Teams
As player

As coach

Career highlights and awards

David William Eiland (born July 5, 1966) is an American former professional baseball player who was a pitcher for ten Major League Baseball seasons. Eiland played college baseball for the University of Florida and the University of South Florida, and thereafter, played professionally for the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He has also been a pitching coach for the New York Yankees, the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals.

Amateur career[edit]

He attended Zephyrhills High School, where he baseball, football, basketball, and golf.[1] Eiland was an all-conference first team selection in football as a wide receiver and punter. He was a three-time all-conference winner in baseball as well.[2] The school later retired the number 14 in his honor.[1]

Eiland accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for the Florida Gators football team. However, he suffered a shoulder injury before the 1984 season and never played for Gators.[2]

In 1986, he transferred to the University of South Florida in Tampa and finished his collegiate career playing for the Bulls baseball team.[2] That summer, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3] He was an All-Sun Belt Conference selection and a preseason All-America selection in 1987.[2]

Professional career[edit]

New York Yankees[edit]

The New York Yankees selected Eiland in the seventh round of the 1987 MLB draft.[4] He was fast-tracked through the system, starting the 1988 season at Double-A Albany before getting called up to Triple-A Columbus in July.[1] Eiland made his major league debut with the Yankees on August 3, 1988.[5] He allowed three hits in seven innings, including a home run to the first batter he faced, Paul Molitor.[6][7]

Eiland spent four years in the organization, bouncing between the big leagues and the minors.[6][8] In 1990, while pitching for the Columbus Clippers, he tied an International League record for wins in a 16-5 season, and was named the league's Pitcher of the Year. He then earned a spot in the rotation to start the 1991 season, but pitched to a 5.33 ERA in 72.2 innings.[9] Eiland missed two months to a heel injury, and later admitted to pitching while hurt after returning.[6][10]

On January 9, 1992, he was designated for assignment by the Yankees. Unhappy with the decision, he told the media "it was a stupid move on the part of the Yankees and I'm looking forward to leaving."[10][11]

San Diego Padres[edit]

He signed with the San Diego Padres in 1992 and was named the team's fifth starter to begin the season.[12][13][8] On April 10, he hit a home run in his first plate appearance, facing Bob Ojeda of the Los Angeles Dodgers.[14][15] It was the only home run Eiland hit in 27 plate appearances, but it made him the only player in MLB history to give up a home run to the first batter he faced and hit a homer in his first plate appearance.[1][7]

Eiland re-signed with the Padres for the 1993 season, but was designated for assignment in May after pitching to a 5.21 ERA in 10 games.[16] He became a free agent when he refused an outright assignment.[17]

Cleveland Indians[edit]

After becoming a free agent, Eiland latched on with the Cleveland Indians and pitched in Triple-A. He had a 5.30 ERA in eight starts for the Charlotte Knights.[18]

Texas Rangers[edit]

On August 4, 1993, he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Gerald Alexander and Allan Anderson.[19] He had a 4.29 ERA in seven starts for the Oklahoma City 89ers.[20]

New York Yankees (second stint)[edit]

He returned to the Yankees in 1994, spending the entire strike-shortened season in Triple-A.[6] Eiland re-signed with the Yankees for the 1995 season and was finally recalled on July 19 to make a spot start. On July 21, he earned his first major league win since 1991.[21]

St. Louis Cardinals[edit]

On December 6, 1995, Eiland signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals and started the season in Triple-A.[22][23] He pitched to a 5.55 ERA in eight games with the Louisville Redbirds before he was released in June.[24][25]

New York Yankees (third stint)[edit]

He re-signed with the Yankees for a third time and spent most of the 1996 season with the Columbus Clippers.[26][25] Eiland spent the last two weeks of the season with the Yankees but didn't pitch.[27] He spent the 1997 season in Triple-A, compiling a 6.64 ERA in 62.1 innings while dealing with tendinitis.[28][29] He left the Clippers as the team's all-time leader in wins (67), innings pitched (767) and strikeouts (437).[29]

Tampa Bay Devil Rays[edit]

Eiland considered retiring at the end of the 1997 season before signing a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in December 1997.[30] He was a non-roster invitee that spring[31] but ultimately started the year in Triple-A.[32] Despite pitching to a 2.99 ERA in 171.2 innings for the Durham Bulls, Eiland was not called up to the majors until September 25, 1998.[33][25]

He returned to the Devil Rays in 1999 and was called up in May[30] and maintained a 5.60 ERA in 80.1 innings between the rotation and bullpen.[34] Eiland made the 2000 Devil Rays out of spring training as the team's long reliever.[30] That year, he held a 7.24 ERA in 54.2 innings as a starter and reliever.[35]

Oakland Athletics[edit]

On December 6, 2000, Eiland signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics. However, he ultimately never pitched in a competitive game with the organization. He missed the entire 2001 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and then re-tore the ligament in April 2002.[36] Despite initially being hopeful that he would be able to return, Eiland was ultimately forced to retire.[37]

Coaching career[edit]

New York Yankees[edit]

After retiring, Eiland joined the Yankees organization and worked as a pitching coach in the minor leagues, starting with the Gulf Coast Yankees in 2003.[1] In June, he was reassigned to the Staten Island Yankees in Short Season A-ball.[38] Eiland returned to Staten Island for the 2004 season.[39][40]

He next coached the Trenton Thunder in 2005 and 2006 before making the jump to Triple-A as the pitching coach of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in 2007.[41][42] During his tenure in the Yankees farm system, Eiland oversaw the development of prospects including Phil Hughes,[43] Joba Chamberlain,[44] and Ian Kennedy.[45]

Following the 2007 season, Joe Torre and several Yankees coaches—including pitching coach Ron Guidry—were dismissed.[46] Dave Eiland was hired as the new Yankees pitching coach for Joe Girardi's staff.[47][48] During his time with the team, Eiland worked extensively with the struggling A.J. Burnett.[49][50][51]

He took a personal leave of absence from the Yankees beginning on June 4, 2010, and returned to the team on June 29.[52] Though the reason for the absence was never explained, Eiland later eluded to it being related to a family issue.[53] It was noted that while he was away from the team, Burnett was 0-5 with an 11.35 ERA in five starts.[54]

On October 25, Eiland was fired by Brian Cashman.[55] He later said he was shocked by the decision.[56] When asked about the dismissal, Cashman told reporters "He knows why. He was given conditions that needed to be followed. So he knows why."[57] Eiland then hired agent Burton Rocks.[58]

Tampa Bay Rays[edit]

After the 2010 season, Eiland joined the Tampa Bay Rays as a special assistant to general manager Andrew Friedman.[59][60]

Kansas City Royals[edit]

On October 25, 2011, Eiland was named as the pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals.[61][62] He was let go by the Royals after the 2017 season.[63]

New York Mets[edit]

When the Mets named Mickey Callaway as their manager after the 2017 season, Eiland was hired as the team's pitching coach.[64] He worked with Jacob deGrom to simplify his approach, helping him win the Cy Young Award in 2018 and 2019.[65] Eiland also helped Steven Matz develop a delivery that was less stressful on his body.[66] He helped Zack Wheeler change his mechanics in order to improve his timing and increase his velocity.[67][68] Eiland was fired on June 20, 2019.[69]

Lexington Legends[edit]

On March 2, 2021, Eiland was named pitching coach for the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[70][71]

Pensacola Blue Wahoos[edit]

In 2022, Eiland was hired by the Miami Marlins organization to be the pitching coach for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in Double-A.[72] He returned for the 2023 season.[73]

Personal life[edit]

Eiland was born in Dade City, Florida to Bill and June. He grew up in Zephyrhills, where his father was the police chief.[2][32] He and his wife Sandra had two daughters, Nicole and Natalie.[74]

During his time with the Devil Rays, Eiland acted as a body double for Kevin Costner, who played a starting pitcher and run scorer in the 1999 film For Love of the Game.[75]

He was a 2012 inductee in the International League Hall of Fame.[76]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Cifelli, Edward (March 4, 2011). "PITCHING IN WITH JOB CLOSE TO HOME". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  2. ^ a b c d e Castro, Tony (July 17, 1999). "Eiland resets a major goal". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  3. ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). Cape Cod Baseball League. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-12-07. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  4. ^ "1987 New York Yankees Draft Class - The Baseball Cube". TheBaseballCube.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  5. ^ Martinez, Michael (August 4, 1988). "Yankees Lose, 6–5". New York Times. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Cotey, John C. (August 2, 1994). "Eiland making major pitch". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  7. ^ a b Vincent, David. "Pitchers Dig the Long Ball (At Least When They Are Hitting) – Society for American Baseball Research". Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  8. ^ a b Miller, Scott (1992-04-03). "PADRE NOTEBOOK : Eiland Nails Down Fifth Spot in Padres' Starting Rotation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  9. ^ "Dave Eiland 1991 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  10. ^ a b Carson, Jim (January 11, 1992). "Yankees drop local pitcher from roster". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  11. ^ "FOR NOW, IT'S A GOOD SPOT FOR EILAND". Hartford Courant. 1995-07-22. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  12. ^ "Eiland says he has better deal going with Padres". Tampa Bay Times. February 5, 1992. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  13. ^ "Giants' Swift, Phillies' Mulholland sign deals". Tampa Bay Times. January 28, 1992. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  14. ^ Castro, Tony (July 17, 1999). "Eiland resets a major goal". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  15. ^ Kurkjian, Tim (April 20, 1992). "The Natural". Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  16. ^ "Dave Eiland 1993 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  17. ^ "St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri". St. Louis Post-Dispatchi. 1993-08-18. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  18. ^ "1993 Charlotte Knights Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  19. ^ Evans, Murray (August 5, 1993). "Magnante Hurls Royals Past 89ers". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  20. ^ "1993 Oklahoma City 89ers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  21. ^ "FOR NOW, IT'S A GOOD SPOT FOR EILAND". Hartford Courant. 1995-07-22. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  22. ^ "Transactions". New York Times. December 7, 1995. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  23. ^ "Transactions". New York Times. March 24, 1996. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  24. ^ "1996 Louisville Redbirds Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  25. ^ a b c Cotey, John C. (September 30, 1998). "Ex-Bulldog returns to "Show,' New York". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  26. ^ "1996 Columbus Clippers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  27. ^ Topkin, Marc (September 22, 1998). "Patient Eiland simply glad to be back in bigs". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  28. ^ "1997 Columbus Clippers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  29. ^ a b Young, Pete (August 1, 1999). "From Bulldog to Devil Ray". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  30. ^ a b c Topkin, Marc (April 4, 2000). "The once-lost Eiland finds himself on opening roster". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  31. ^ Topkin, Marc (December 20, 1997). "Eiland finds out he can go home again". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  32. ^ a b Page, Rodney (May 13, 1998). "Eiland makes most of minor moments". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  33. ^ "1998 Durham Bulls Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  34. ^ "Dave Eiland 1999 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  35. ^ "Dave Eiland 2000 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  36. ^ Auman, Greg (April 12, 2002). "Despite setback, Eiland not ready to retire". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  37. ^ "YANKEES COACHING STAFF". New York Post. 2007-11-21. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  38. ^ "Former Big Leaguer Dave Eiland Named Staten Island Yankee Pitching Coach". OurSports Central. 2003-06-12. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  39. ^ Forde, Mike (2004-01-23). "TJ NAMED SKIPPER OF S.I. YANKS". New York Post. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  40. ^ "John back in pinstripe fold". Times Herald-Record. January 23, 2004. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  41. ^ "YANKEES COACHING STAFF". New York Post. 2007-11-21. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  42. ^ "Masse to return to Trenton in 2006". MiLB.com. January 26, 2006. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  43. ^ "Scranton pitching coach high on Yankees' Hughes". Times Herald-Record. April 5, 2007. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  44. ^ Blair, Kerkhoff (September 8, 2015). "Relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain arrives in Kansas City, reunited with Dave Eiland". The Kansas City Star.
  45. ^ Jaffe, Jay (2016-01-18). "Royals take on big risk with Kennedy contract". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  46. ^ Brescia, Joe (2007-12-23). "Guidry Hopes He's Wearing Pinstripes in the Spring". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  47. ^ Kepner, Tyler (2007-10-31). "Girardi Takes First Step Toward a New Legacy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  48. ^ "Former Bull Now Yankees Pitching Coach". USF Athletics. 2007-11-28. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  49. ^ Carig, Marc (2010-03-01). "NY Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett working toward changeup he can believe in". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  50. ^ Marchand, Andrew (2010-09-16). "Marchand: For Burnett, it's mind over matter". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  51. ^ Rieber, Anthony (2010-07-02). "Burnett confident, optimistic after working with Eiland". Newsday. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  52. ^ Britton, Tim (June 29, 2010). "Eiland relieved to be back with Yanks". New York Yankees. MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  53. ^ Dutton, Bob (October 25, 2011). "Royals hire Eiland as pitching coach". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011.
  54. ^ Viera, Mark (June 29, 2010). "With Eiland Back, a Hope That Burnett Returns to Form". The New York Times. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  55. ^ Hoch, Bryan (October 25, 2010). "Pitching coach Eiland won't be back". New York Yankees. MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  56. ^ Terranova, Justin (2010-12-23). "Eiland was 'shocked' Yankees fired him". New York Post. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  57. ^ Matthews, Wallace (2010-12-23). "Ex-Yanks pitching coach was 'shocked' by firing". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  58. ^ Davidoff, Ken (October 25, 2010). "Dave Eiland, Andy Pettitte, Joe Girardi and John Farrell". Newsday. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  59. ^ Chastain, Bill (December 22, 2010). "Rays hire Dave Eiland as special assistant". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  60. ^ Calcaterra, Craig (2010-12-23). "The Rays hire ex-Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  61. ^ "Royals name Dave Eiland as the Major League Pitching Coach « Around the Horn in KC". MLBlogs.com. October 25, 2011. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  62. ^ Gleeman, Aaron (2011-10-25). "Royals hire Dave Eiland as new pitching coach". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  63. ^ Dodd, Rustin; Grathoff, Pete (October 2, 2017). "Royals part ways with pitching coach Dave Eiland, other coaching staff". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on 2017-10-03. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  64. ^ Mastracco, Abbey (November 2, 2017). "Mets' hire Dave Eiland as pitching coach". NJ.com. Archived from the original on 2017-11-03. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  65. ^ Puma, Mike (2021-03-25). "Jacob deGrom's rise came thanks to Dave Eiland tip". New York Post. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  66. ^ Lennon, David (2018-02-23). "Steven Matz working with Dave Eiland on less stressful delivery". Newsday. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  67. ^ Adler, Lindsey (June 27, 2018). "How a recent mechanical change has given Zack Wheeler a significant jump in his average velocity". The Athletic. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  68. ^ Moura, Pedro (June 18, 2021). "Phillies ace Zack Wheeler has quietly become one of MLB's best pitchers". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  69. ^ Puma, Mike (June 20, 2019). "Struggling Mets fire pitching coach Dave Eiland". New York Post. Archived from the original on 2019-06-20. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  70. ^ "Former World Series Pitching Coach to Lead Legends Pitching Staff". Lexington Legends. March 2, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-03-02. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  71. ^ "Dave Eiland to Lead Legends Pitching Staff". www.atlanticleague.com. March 3, 2021. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  72. ^ Vilona, Bill (March 8, 2022). "Acclaimed Pitching Coach Dave Eiland Gives Big Boost To Blue Wahoos 2022 Talented Staff". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  73. ^ "Blue Wahoos Announce 2023 Coaching Staff". MiLB.com. January 31, 2023. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  74. ^ "Former Big Leaguer Dave Eiland Named Staten Island Yankee Pitching Coach". OurSports Central. 2003-06-12. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  75. ^ Pearlman, Jeff; Cannella, Stephen (August 30, 1999). "The Hot Corner". Sports Illustrated. CNN. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  76. ^ "Evers, Eiland To Be Inducted Into IL Hall of Fame". MiLB.com. January 31, 2012. Retrieved 2024-03-28.

External links[edit]

Sporting positions
Preceded by New York Yankees pitching coach
2008–2010 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Kansas City Royals pitching coach
2011–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by New York Mets pitching coach
2018–2019 		Succeeded by
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