Andrew Jason Ashby (born July 11, 1967) is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. Listed at 6' 1", 180 lb., Ashby batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Andy is the uncle to professional player Aaron Ashby.
| Andy Ashby | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: July 11, 1967 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 10, 1991, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 14, 2004, for the San Diego Padres | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 98–110 |
| Earned run average | 4.12 |
| Strikeouts | 1,173 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Career
editAshby attended Park Hill High School in Kansas City and played baseball with the Crowder Roughriders at Crowder College. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 1986 by the Phillies, with whom he made his Major League debut in 1991.
On June 15, 1991, Ashby threw an immaculate inning, striking out all three batters on nine total pitches, in the fourth inning of a 3–1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds;[1] he became the 15th National League pitcher and the 24th pitcher in major-league history to accomplish the feat.[2]
Ashby was acquired by the Colorado Rockies in the 1993 expansion draft, but after compiling an 0–4 record with an 8.50 ERA, he was dealt to the San Diego Padres at the end of the season.[3] One highlight of Ashby's tenure with the Rockies occurred when he notched his one and only career save on May 25, 1993, against the Astros. Ashby went one inning to preserve a 7-5 Rockies victory.[4]
Despite injuries to his shoulder, elbow and back, Ashby saw the greatest success of his career with the Padres. His most productive season came in 1998, when he helped the Padres reach the World Series with a 17–9 record and a 3.34 ERA. He was also a member of the 1998 and 1999 National League All-Star team. In eight seasons with the Padres, Ashby compiled a 70–62 record with a 3.59 ERA.
Ashby returned to the Phillies when he was traded from the Padres for Adam Eaton, Carlton Loewer and Steve Montgomery on November 10, 1999. The transaction was a cost-cutting measure by the Padres.[5] Ashby had been touted as a potential ace for the struggling Phillies pitching staff. However, he pitched poorly, going 4–7 with a 5.68 ERA. He was sent to the Atlanta Braves midseason, where he helped the team reach the playoffs with an 8–6 record and a 4.13 ERA.[3]
Ashby spent the next three years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 14–23 while posting a 4.31 ERA. At the end of 2003, he underwent Tommy John surgery. He made a brief two game return stint as a reliever with San Diego in 2004 and was signed by the team before the 2006 season, but retired.[3]
In a 14-season career, Ashby posted a 98–110 record with 1173 strikeouts and a 4.12 ERA in 1810 innings pitched.
Since 2013, Ashby has done work as a TV Analyst for Bally Sports San Diego on Padres games.[6] He and his family have homes in San Diego and Pennsylvania.[6]
Personal life
editAshby has four daughters.
Ashby's nephew, Aaron, is a pitcher with the Milwaukee Brewers.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Baseball Reference Box Score".
- ^ "Immaculate Innings: 9 Pitches – 9 Strikes – 3 Outs". Baseball-Almanac.com. Baseball Almanac. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Andy Ashby".
- ^ "Colorado Rockies at Houston Astros Box Score, May 25, 1993 | Baseball-Reference.com".
- ^ "Padres Send Ashby To Philly," The Associated Press (AP), Thursday, November 11, 1999. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ a b "The San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego, California & National News".
- ^ Wussow, Dan (August 3, 2018). "Ashby makes strong first impression with Rattlers". The Post-Crescent.
To assist him with the process of adjusting to life as a professional baseball player, Aaron says he has leaned on his uncle, Andy Ashby, a former MLB pitcher of 14 years.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Andy Ashby at Pura Pelota (Venezuela Professional Baseball League)
