Brendan Donnelly

Donnelly was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 27th round (764th overall) of the 1992 Major League Baseball draft.{{Cite web |title=27th Round of the 1992 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?year_ID=1992&draft_round=27&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} The White Sox released him in April 1993. In June 1993, he signed with the Chicago Cubs organization; the Cubs released him before the start of the 1994 season.{{cite web |title=Brendan Donnelly Statistics and History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/donnebr01.shtml |access-date=April 8, 2010 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference}} In 1994, he played for the independent Ohio Valley Redcoats.{{Cite web |title=Brendan Donnelly Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=donnel001bre |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |language=en}}

In March 1995, Donnelly signed with the Cincinnati Reds and participated in Spring Training as a replacement player during the 1994 Major League Baseball strike. As a result of his participation as a replacement player, Donnelly is permanently barred from joining the Major League Baseball Players Association.{{cite web |title=Replacement Players in the Major Leagues |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/replacement_players.shtml |access-date=April 8, 2010 |website=Baseball Almanac}} Donnelly remained in the Reds organization until he was released on April 3, 1999.

Donnelly started the 1999 season with the independent Nashua Pride. On May 15, 1999, his contract was purchased by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was released on August 12, 1999. On August 18, 1999, Donnelly was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was released on August 25, 1999. On August 26, 1999, he was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays. He was released on July 28, 2000. On August 10, 2000, he signed with the Chicago Cubs. He became a free agent after the 2000 season.

On January 20, 2001, Donnelly signed with the Anaheim Angels. He spent the 2001 season with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers and Triple-A Salt Lake Stingers, where he posted a 9–2 record, 13 saves and a 2.43 earned run average (ERA) in 56 relief appearances. On April 9, 2002, Donnelly made his major league debut with the Angels at 30 years of age.{{Cite web |last=Brisbee |first=Grant |date=June 21, 2012 |title=Brendan Donnelly: Pine Tar Should Be Legal |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2012/6/21/3105749/brendan-donnelly-pine-tar-should-be-legal |website=SB Nation}} In the game, he allowed three runs (two earned) in one inning of work as the Angels lost 5–1.{{Cite web |date=April 9, 2002 |title=Seattle Mariners vs Anaheim Angels Box Score: April 9, 2002 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ANA/ANA200204090.shtml |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He was later sent back to Salt Lake, and recalled again in June when Julio Ramírez was placed on the disabled list.{{Cite news |date=June 19, 2002 |title=Indians Put Riske On Disabled List |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/06/20/indians-put-riske-on-disabled-list/4a74403e-98c7-4765-b60e-c8a9118a1bad/ |access-date=June 13, 2024 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} After mostly subpar performances in the majors at that point, Donnelly cemented his role in the Angels' bullpen with an exceptional July in which he did not allow a single run, lowering his ERA from 6.14 to 2.33.{{Cite web |title=Brendan Donnelly 2002 Pitching Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=donnebr01&t=p&year=2002 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Donnelly made 46 relief appearances in his first major league season, going 1–1 with one save and a 2.17 ERA.

Donnelly was an immediate fan favorite because of his intensity, the goggles that he wore, and his effectiveness as the main setup man to Troy Percival.{{Cite web |last=Gleeman |first=Aaron |date=March 9, 2011 |title=Brendan Donnelly retires after nine seasons in the majors |url=https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2011/03/09/brendan-donnelly-retires-after-nine-seasons-in-the-majors/ |website=NBC Sports}} Donnelly would go on to play an integral part of the Angels' bullpen during their playoff run in 2002. After struggling in the ALDS and ALCS, Donnelly excelled in the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, allowing zero runs in five appearances ({{Fraction|7|2|3}} innings, four walks, six strikeouts). He was also the winning pitcher in Game 6, tossing a scoreless eighth inning in Anaheim's 6–5 win.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Doug |date=October 26, 2002 |title=Seventh heaven: Angels tie Series |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/ana/news/ana_gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20021026&content_id=165586&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204090914/http://mlb.mlb.com:80/NASApp/mlb/ana/news/ana_gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20021026&content_id=165586&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp |archive-date=February 4, 2005 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Anaheim Angels |publisher=MLB.com}} In the decisive Game 7, Donnelly tossed two scoreless innings while striking out two batters, helping the Angels to their first World Series title.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Doug |date=October 27, 2002 |title=Angels earn World Series wings |url=http://anaheim.angels.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/ana/news/ana_gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20021027&content_id=166288&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021123084744/http://anaheim.angels.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/ana/news/ana_gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20021027&content_id=166288&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp |archive-date=November 23, 2002 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Anaheim Angels |publisher=MLB.com}}

Donnelly was the third replacement player to win the World Series, behind both Shane Spencer of the 1998, 1999 and 2000 New York Yankees and Damian Miller of the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks. His name does not appear on any official commemorative merchandise from the Angels 2002 World Series win, due to him being barred from the MLBPA.

In 2003, Donnelly continued his role as the Angels' setup man, posting a 2–2 record, three saves and a 1.58 ERA in 63 games. His fantastic numbers led to him becoming a rare example of a non-closer who was selected as an All-Star. Donnelly went on to be the winning pitcher in that mid-summer classic.{{cite web |date=July 15, 2003 |title=2003 All-Star Game Play-by-Play and Box Score |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALS/ALS200307150.shtml |access-date=April 1, 2010 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference}}

Donnelly suffered a broken nose while shagging fly balls during spring training in 2004, causing him to undergo three surgeries and to miss the first two months of the season.{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2004 |title=Angels reliever hospitalized for nosebleeds |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1770626 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Doug |date=June 16, 2004 |title=Notes: Donnelly back in action |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/ana/news/ana_news.jsp?ymd=20040616&content_id=772216&vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050403192636/http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/ana/news/ana_news.jsp?ymd=20040616&content_id=772216&vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp |archive-date=April 3, 2005 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Anaheim Angels |publisher=MLB.com}} Donnelly remained fairly effective throughout 2004 in a very good Angels bullpen, finishing 5–2 with a 3.00 ERA in 40 appearances. In 2005, Donnelly began to see a decline in performance, including a decrease in velocity on his fastball as a setup man for closer Francisco Rodríguez after Percival's departure. In June 2005, Donnelly was suspended ten days for having pine tar on his glove,{{Cite web |date=June 17, 2005 |title=Angels' Donnelly suspended 10 days for glove pine tar |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2088557 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} an incident that caused a scrum and accusations that former teammate Jose Guillen tipped manager Frank Robinson.{{Cite news |last=Svrluga |first=Barry |date=June 15, 2005 |title=Guillen, Nats Get In the Last Word |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/15/AR2005061500211.html |newspaper=The Washington Post}} The suspension was the culmination of three weeks of extra scrutiny on Donnelly from opposing managers and umpires, including an accusation from then-Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén accusing Donnelly of touching his mouth too often. He would later advocate for the legalization of pine tars for pitchers. Donnelly finished the season 9–3 with a 3.72 ERA in 65 relief appearances.

In 2006, Donnelly settled into a middle reliever role, and went 6–0 with a 3.94 ERA in 62 relief appearances.

On December 15, 2006, Donnelly was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Phil Seibel.{{cite web |date=December 15, 2006 |title=Red Sox acquire Donnelly from Angels |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2698646 |access-date=December 17, 2007 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} He made 27 relief appearances with the Red Sox, going 2–1 with a 3.05 ERA. On June 17, Donnelly was placed on the disabled list with right forearm tightness.{{Cite web |last=McPhillips |first=Alex |date=June 17, 2007 |title=Notes: Delcarmen back in big leagues |url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070617&content_id=2032288&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621220121/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070617&content_id=2032288&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos |archive-date=June 21, 2007 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Boston Red Sox |publisher=MLB.com}}

On July 31, 2007, it was announced that Donnelly would need Tommy John surgery, ending his season.{{Cite web |last=McPhillips |first=Alex |date=July 31, 2007 |title=Notes: Donnelly's season ends |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070731&content_id=2120621&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070813202542/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070731&content_id=2120621&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos |archive-date=August 13, 2007 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Boston Red Sox |publisher=MLB.com}} During his absence, the Red Sox would eventually go on to win the 2007 World Series. Donnelly became a free agent after the 2007 season.

On February 6, 2008, the Cleveland Indians signed Donnelly to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The Indians hoped Donnelly would provide bullpen help at the end of the season when he recovered from Tommy John surgery.{{cite web |last=Stark |first=Jayson |date=February 6, 2008 |title=Donnelly signs minor league deal with spring training invite |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3234213 |access-date=February 6, 2008 |website=ESPN}}

Donnelly was brought up to the Indians in August 2008, as a replacement for Tom Mastny.{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2008 |title=Tribe's Ginter headed to DL; Reyes to start Friday |url=http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=mlb/news/newstest.aspx?id=4169779 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525204144/http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=mlb%2Fnews%2Fnewstest.aspx%3Fid%3D4169779 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 |website=Sports Network}} He struggled in Cleveland, going 1–0 with an ERA of 8.56 in 15 relief appearances.

On February 7, 2009, Donnelly signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=T.R. |date=February 7, 2009 |title=Donnelly inked to Minor League deal |url=http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090207&content_id=3808670&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212003346/http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090207&content_id=3808670&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex |archive-date=February 12, 2009 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Texas Rangers |publisher=MLB.com}} He was released on March 26.{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=T.R. |date=March 26, 2009 |title=Rangers cut ex-All-Star Donnelly |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090326&content_id=4068880&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402000043/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090326&content_id=4068880&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex |archive-date=April 2, 2009 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Texas Rangers |publisher=MLB.com}} On April 28, he signed with the Houston Astros. Donnelly made 24 relief appearances with the Triple-A Round Rock Express, going 2–0 with six saves and a 1.75 ERA. He was released on July 1. On July 5, Donnelly signed a major league contract with the Florida Marlins, and was immediately added to their bullpen.{{Cite web |last=Frisaro |first=Joe |date=July 5, 2009 |title=Marlins ink Donnelly, toss him into 'pen |url=http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090705&content_id=5706768&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709003038/http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090705&content_id=5706768&vkey=news_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla |archive-date=July 9, 2009 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Florida Marlins |publisher=MLB.com}} In 30 relief appearances with the Marlins, he went 3–0 with two saves and a 1.78 ERA. He became a free agent after the 2009 season.

On January 16, 2010, Donnelly agreed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.{{Cite web |last=Crasnick |first=Jerry |date=January 16, 2010 |title=Source: Pirates reach agreement with Donnelly |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4831913 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=ESPN |language=en}} He made 38 relief appearances with the Pirates, going 3–1 with a 5.58 ERA. Before he could reach incentives that would have approximately doubled his salary, the Pirates released Donnelly in July 2010, denying that the incentives were the reason for the release.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Alan |date=July 25, 2010 |title=Pirates Send Down Lincoln, Cut Donnelly |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221040227/http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=11248229 |archive-date=February 21, 2011 |website=ABC News |agency=Associated Press}} He was the last of the replacement players still in the major leagues, signifying no conciliatory admittance into the MLBPA more than 15 years after.{{Cite web |title=Archives |url=https://www.inquirer.com/archives/ |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer}} His likeness, name, and uniform number were still replaced by fictional players in video games.{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |date=January 30, 2010 |title=The Replacements, Still Replaced in Video Games |url=https://kotaku.com/the-replacements-still-replaced-in-video-games-5460160 |website=Kotaku}}

Donnelly announced his retirement on March 9, 2011.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Doug |date=March 9, 2011 |title='Unique' reliever Donnelly calls it a career |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110309&content_id=16873426 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314135324/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110309&content_id=16873426 |archive-date=March 14, 2011 |access-date=March 14, 2011 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

Donnelly was named in the December 13, 2007 Mitchell Report regarding the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. According to former clubhouse attendant and admitted steroids distributor Kirk Radomski, Donnelly sought him out in 2004 looking to purchase oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid. Radomski says he made one sale of nandrolone to Donnelly, for which he received $250–$300.{{cite web |title=Mitchell Report pp. 224–25 |url=https://assets.espn.go.com/media/pdf/071213/mitchell_report.pdf |website=ESPN}} In a statement in response to the report, Donnelly admitted contacting Radomski in 2004 regarding oxandrolone, hoping it would help him recover from injuries faster. Donnelly denied ever buying or using the drug because he was made aware that it was considered a steroid.{{cite web |author=Bradford |first=Rob |date=December 15, 2007 |title=Donnelly denies taking steroids |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2007/12/15/donnelly-denies-taking-steroids/ |access-date=December 17, 2007 |work=Boston Herald}}{{Cite web |last=Gammons |first=Peter |date=December 16, 2007 |title=Donnelly is 'sick' over inclusion in Mitchell report |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3156636 |website=ESPN}}

• List of Major League Baseball replacement players
• List of Major League Baseball players named in the Mitchell Report

{{Reflist}}

{{Baseballstats|mlb=407791|espn=5001|br=d/donnebr01|fangraphs=1441|brm=donnel001bre}}

{{2002 Anaheim Angels}}

{{TYIBSetup}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Donnelly, Brendan}}

Category:1971 births

Category:Living people

Category:Major League Baseball pitchers

Category:American League All-Stars

Category:Baseball players from Washington, D.C.

Category:Major League Baseball replacement players

Category:Anaheim Angels players

Category:Los Angeles Angels players

Category:Boston Red Sox players

Category:Cleveland Indians players

Category:Colorado Mesa Mavericks baseball players

Category:Florida Marlins players

Category:Pittsburgh Pirates players

Category:Gulf Coast White Sox players

Category:Geneva Cubs players

Category:Ohio Valley Redcoats players

Category:Winston-Salem Warthogs players

Category:Indianapolis Indians players

Category:Charleston AlleyCats players

Category:Chattanooga Lookouts players

Category:Nashua Pride players

Category:Durham Bulls players

Category:Syracuse SkyChiefs players

Category:Altoona Curve players

Category:Iowa Cubs players

Category:Arkansas Travelers players

Category:Salt Lake Stingers players

Category:Rancho Cucamonga Quakes players

Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players

Category:Kinston Indians players

Category:Gulf Coast Indians players

Category:Round Rock Express players

Category:Jupiter Hammerheads players