Steve Kline (left-handed pitcher): Difference between revisions
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Kline is a fan favorite in San Francisco and generally regarded by many Giants fans as the most approachable and friendly player on the team. He is known to joke with fans, answer questions, and sign above-and-beyond the expected amount of autographs. |
Kline is a fan favorite in San Francisco and generally regarded by many Giants fans as the most approachable and friendly player on the team. He is known to joke with fans, answer questions, and sign above-and-beyond the expected amount of autographs. |
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==Controversy== |
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On May 13, 2007, while the Giants were routing the Colorado Rockies 15-1, in the 8th inning, Steve Kline walked Yorvit Torrealba. Torrealba stole second, meaningless to the Giants, and scored on a base hit for the Rockies' second run. Kline told the news paper he was angry at Torrealba for stealing a base in a 15-1 game, saying "You know what? I'm a dumb hick, and I forget alot of things, but I'm not gonna forget that." Torrealba responded by saying "What's he gonna do? Hit me with an 84 MPH fastball?" The next time Kline faced the Rockies, on May 26, 2007, Kline hit Torrealba on the first pitch with an 86 MPH fastball. As Torrealba walked to first, he said something angrily to Kline, and the benches cleared. The two had to be restrained by teammates and the umpires while they struggled to fight each other. |
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==Facts== |
==Facts== |
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Revision as of 03:29, 27 May 2007
| Steve Kline | |
|---|---|
| San Francisco Giants – No. 34 | |
| Relief Pitcher | |
Bats: Switch Throws: Left | |
| debut | |
| April 2, 1997, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| Career statistics (through 2006) | |
| Win-Loss | 33-37 |
| Earned Run Average | 3.42 |
| Strikeouts | 476 |
| Teams | |
| |
Steven James Kline (born August 22, 1972) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who plays for the San Francisco Giants. Previous to that he had played for the Cleveland Indians (part of 1997), the Montreal Expos (1997-2000) and the St. Louis Cardinals (2001-2004) and the Baltimore Orioles (2005). He is not related to Steve Kline, a former MLB right-handed pitcher.
Known for his colorful sound bites, he has accused umpires of favoring the New York Yankees and has jokingly said he thought about putting one ump in the "Kobra Klutch."
One of Kline's signature pitches is a sinker that seems to "roll off the kitchen table." He utilized this pitch frequently when serving as a setup man for the St. Louis Cardinals.
During his first week of play with the Orioles, Kline lashed out at his fellow teammates for not supporting him like his Cardinals teammaters had when he said, "I'm so used to (Edgar) Rentería and Jimmy (Edmonds) running down my mistakes and picking me up." He also bashed his home fans when he declared, "There's nothing worse than getting booed at home. St. Louis fans are too good for that. They understand the game more than most people.
Following the 2005 season, in which he posted a 4.28 ERA, Baltimore traded Kline to the Giants for set-up reliever LaTroy Hawkins.
On December 8, 2006 the Giants resigned Kline to a two year deal.
Kline is a fan favorite in San Francisco and generally regarded by many Giants fans as the most approachable and friendly player on the team. He is known to joke with fans, answer questions, and sign above-and-beyond the expected amount of autographs.
Controversy
On May 13, 2007, while the Giants were routing the Colorado Rockies 15-1, in the 8th inning, Steve Kline walked Yorvit Torrealba. Torrealba stole second, meaningless to the Giants, and scored on a base hit for the Rockies' second run. Kline told the news paper he was angry at Torrealba for stealing a base in a 15-1 game, saying "You know what? I'm a dumb hick, and I forget alot of things, but I'm not gonna forget that." Torrealba responded by saying "What's he gonna do? Hit me with an 84 MPH fastball?" The next time Kline faced the Rockies, on May 26, 2007, Kline hit Torrealba on the first pitch with an 86 MPH fastball. As Torrealba walked to first, he said something angrily to Kline, and the benches cleared. The two had to be restrained by teammates and the umpires while they struggled to fight each other.
Facts
- Kline attended college at West Virginia University
- He is married to Martine Pepin and they have two daughters Audrey Jade and Mia Rose
External links