Shaun Marcum

Marcum was born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, where he attended Excelsior Springs High School. Athletically, besides baseball, he was a two-time State Champion in wrestling and a standout football player. Marcum initially attended the University of Missouri, but transferred to Missouri State University, playing on the 2003 College World Series team as a pitcher and shortstop. In 2002, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.{{cite web|author=|date=|title=2002 Harwich Mariners|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/college/summer/stats.asp?Y=2002&T=Harwich_Mariners|access-date=July 20, 2021|website=The Baseball Cube|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://master.v2.capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ftp/archives/Arc2002/allstar/CCBL_eastern_all_stars.htm |title=East Division All Stars |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |access-date=May 6, 2020}}

Marcum was drafted by the Blue Jays in the third round, 80th overall, of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft.{{Cite web|title=3rd Round of the 2003 MLB June Amateur Draft|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=2003&draft_round=3&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}} He quickly rose through the minor leagues and made his major league debut on September 6, 2005 as a late season call-up when rosters expanded. He made his debut against the Baltimore Orioles pitching one scoreless inning, giving up a hit and one walk, with one strikeout.{{Cite web|date=September 6, 2005|title=Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, September 6, 2005|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL200509060.shtml|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}} Marcum pitched eight innings, giving up six hits, without surrendering a run during the month of September.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marcush01.shtml|title=Shaun Marcum Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=January 18, 2016}}

Marcum went 3–4 for the Blue Jays in 2006 in 21 games, including 14 starts, with an earned run average (ERA) of 5.06. In his final seven starts, he had a record of 2–1 with a 3.31 ERA.

Marcum had a breakthrough season in 2007, going 12–6 with a 4.13 ERA. He struck out a total of 122 batters over 159 innings of work. He pitched 6+ scoreless innings in seven of his starts, including two instances where he pitched 6+ no-hit innings before being relieved. One of those instances was against the Boston Red Sox.

In 2008, Marcum got off to a good start, going 5–4 with a 2.65 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 98{{frac|2|3}} innings, but an injury, followed by a handful of weak starts sent him to Triple-A on August 23. In September he was back in the starting rotation and he seemed to have returned to form. However, on September 19, days after an abbreviated start in which he left with elbow pain, the Jays released the information that Marcum would need Tommy John surgery and would miss the rest of the 2008 season and likely all of 2009.{{Cite news|last=Kelly|first=Cathal|date=September 20, 2008|title=Jays lose Shaun Marcum for all of next season|language=en-CA|work=Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/2008/09/20/jays_lose_shaun_marcum_for_all_of_next_season.html|access-date=December 18, 2021|issn=0319-0781}} He finished the 2008 campaign with a 9–7 record, 3.39 ERA, and 123 strikeouts in 151{{frac|1|3}} innings.

As of May 1, 2009, Marcum had started to throw again. He made two starts with the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays in early July, and pitching successfully on his rehab assignment, he then started twice with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and once more with Triple-A Las Vegas 51s before being shut down for the season to prevent him from injury again.{{cite web|title=Shaun Marcum Minor League Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=marcum001sha|access-date=October 3, 2011|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference}}

On March 22, Marcum was named the Opening Day starter for the 2010 season,{{cite web|last=Bastian|first=Jordan|date=March 22, 2010|title=Marcum tapped for Jays' Opening Day|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100322&content_id=8868046|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308162425/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100322&content_id=8868046|archive-date=March 8, 2012|access-date=April 5, 2010|website=MLB.com|publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} succeeding Roy Halladay for that role, who had seven consecutive opening day starts for the team from 2003 to 2009. On May 2, Marcum got his first win against the Oakland Athletics, it was his first win since September 11, 2008 before going through Tommy John surgery.{{Cite web|date=May 2, 2010|title=Marcum earns first win since 2008 as Toronto routs Oakland|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/300502114|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219083129/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/300502114|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 19, 2021|access-date=December 19, 2021|website=ESPN|publisher=Associated Press|language=en}} On August 4, 2010, Marcum gave up Alex Rodriguez's 600th career home run.{{Cite news|last=Costa|first=Brian|date=August 5, 2010|title=At Last, the 600th Blast|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704017904575409420008458004|access-date=December 19, 2021|issn=0099-9660}} Marcum ended the season with a 13–8 win–loss record, 3.64 ERA, and 165 strikeouts in 195{{frac|1|3}} innings pitched.

On December 6, 2010, at the Winter Meetings, Marcum was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for infield prospect Brett Lawrie.{{cite web|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|date=December 6, 2010|title=Blue Jays exchange Marcum for top prospect|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101206&content_id=16263712&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105211616/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101206&content_id=16263712&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor|archive-date=November 5, 2012|access-date=December 6, 2010|website=Toronto Blue Jays|publisher=MLB.com}}

On July 4, 2011, Marcum hit his first Major League home run, a grand slam off Daniel Hudson of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite the home run, the Diamondbacks won the game 8–6.{{Cite web|date=July 4, 2011|title=Diamondbacks erase deficit, overcome Shaun Marcum's grand slam|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/310704108|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219083125/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/310704108|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 19, 2021|access-date=December 19, 2021|website=ESPN|publisher=Associated Press|language=en}} In the 2011 NLDS against Arizona, Marcum gave up a grand slam to Paul Goldschmidt, which sealed a win for the Diamondbacks.{{Cite web|date=October 4, 2011|title=Rookies help D-backs rout Brewers to stay alive|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/311004129|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219083130/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/311004129|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 19, 2021|access-date=December 19, 2021|website=ESPN|publisher=Associated Press|language=en}} However, the Brewers won the series in five games. In 2011, he went 13–7, with a 3.54 ERA and 158 strikeouts in a career-high 200{{frac|2|3}} innings.

Due to injury, Marcum's 2012 season was cut short to just 21 starts. He went 7–4 with a 3.70 ERA and 109 strikeouts for the Brewers. After the season, he elected free agency.{{cite web|last=McCalvy|first=Adam|date=October 29, 2012|title=Marcum, K-Rod, Gonzalez elect free agency|url=http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/40120710/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083523/http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/40120710/|archive-date=October 6, 2014|access-date=October 5, 2014|work=Milwaukee Brewers|publisher=MLB.com}}

On January 30, 2013, Marcum signed a one-year contract worth $4 million with the New York Mets.{{cite web|last=DiComo|first=Anthony|date=January 30, 2013|title=Marcum ready to seize opportunity given by Mets|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130130&content_id=41262316&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131033420/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130130&content_id=41262316&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|archive-date=January 31, 2013|access-date=December 5, 2013|work=New York Mets|publisher=MLB.com}} Through his first 11 games (9 of which were starts) for the Mets, Marcum posted a dismal 0–9 record with a 5.76 ERA. He recorded his first win as a Met in a game against the Chicago White Sox on June 26, 2013. Marcum pitched eight innings and yielded only four hits and two walks while striking out two.{{Cite web|date=June 26, 2013|title=Mets' Shaun Marcum avoids 0-10 start, wins first game since 2012|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/330626104|access-date=December 19, 2021|website=ESPN|publisher=Associated Press|language=en}} He underwent surgery on his pitching shoulder on July 15, 2013, and was ruled out for the rest of the season.{{cite web|date=July 10, 2013|title=Mets Starter Shaun Marcum To Have Season-Ending Surgery|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/07/10/mets-starter-shaun-marcum-to-have-season-ending-surgery/|access-date=July 10, 2013|website=WCBS-TV|publisher=}} Marcum was released by the Mets on July 23, 2013.{{cite web|last=Iseman|first=Chris|date=July 23, 2013|title=Mets release injured starter Marcum|url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130723&content_id=54485530&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023135014/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130723&content_id=54485530&vkey=news_nym&c_id=nym|archive-date=October 23, 2013|access-date=July 23, 2013|work=New York Mets|publisher=MLB.com}} Marcum finished his lone season in New York with a 1–10 record, 5.29 earned run average, and 60 strikeouts in 78{{frac|1|3}} innings pitched.

On December 16, 2013, Marcum signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.{{cite news|date=December 16, 2013|title=Indians sign RHP Shaun Marcum to Minor League contract|work=Cleveland Indians|publisher=MLB.com|url=http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/66022260/indians-sign-rhp-shaun-marcum-to-minor-league-contract|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415230910/http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/66022260/indians-sign-rhp-shaun-marcum-to-minor-league-contract|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2015|access-date=April 15, 2015}} While pitching in extended spring training, on May 22, 2014, Marcum was shut down after problems with his injured shoulder occurred.{{cite web|last=Zuppe|first=T.J.|date=May 22, 2014|title=Indians Shut Down Pitchers Shaun Marcum & Matt Capps In Extended Spring Training|url=http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2014/05/22/indians-shut-down-pitchers-shaun-marcum-matt-capps-in-extended-spring-training/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006081105/http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2014/05/22/indians-shut-down-pitchers-shaun-marcum-matt-capps-in-extended-spring-training/|archive-date=October 6, 2014|access-date=October 6, 2014|work=CBS Cleveland}} He pitched in just eight games (one start) for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers in 2014, going 1–0 with an ERA of 2.35.

On November 18, 2014, Marcum signed a minor league deal to remain with the Indians organization.{{cite web|last=Gleeman|first=Aaron|date=November 18, 2014|title=Shaun Marcum re-signs with the Indians|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/18/shaun-marcum-re-signs-with-the-indians/|access-date=November 18, 2014|work=NBC Sports}} He started the 2015 season on the Columbus roster, but was called up to the Indians on April 12, 2015, without having pitched for Columbus.{{cite news|last1=Hoynes|first1=Paul|date=April 12, 2015|title=Cleveland Indians put Yan Gomes on DL, promote Shaun Marcum, Austin Adams (photos)|work=The Plain Dealer|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2015/04/cleveland_indians_put_yan_gome.html|access-date=April 15, 2015}} The Indians designated Marcum for assignment on April 14.{{cite news|date=April 14, 2015|title=Indians bring up catcher Brett Hayes from minors|work=ESPN|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=12690013|access-date=April 15, 2015}} He was added back to the Indians' roster on May 20.{{cite web|date=May 20, 2015|title=Indians promote RHP Shaun Marcum from Columbus; option INF Zach Walters to Columbus|url=http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/125553498/indians-promote-marcum-option-walters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521005636/http://m.indians.mlb.com/news/article/125553498/indians-promote-marcum-option-walters|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 21, 2015|access-date=May 20, 2015|website=Cleveland Guardians|publisher=MLB.com}} Marcum was subsequently designated for assignment once more on June 18.{{Cite web|date=June 18, 2015|title=Indians designate veteran Shaun Marcum for assignment|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/06/18/indians-designate-marcum--assignment/28937529/|access-date=December 19, 2021|website=USA Today|publisher=Associated Press|language=en-US}} He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Columbus on June 20.{{Cite web|title=Minor Moves: Marcum, Givens, Loe|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/06/minor-moves-mychal-givens-kameron-loe.html|access-date=April 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} Marcum elected free agency on October 7.{{Cite web|title=De Fratus, Parmelee, Marcum Elect Free Agency|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/10/justin-de-fratus-elects-free-agency.html|access-date=April 7, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

On July 26, 2015, it was announced that Marcum had taken a coaching position with the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers, an NCAA Division II school in Alva, Oklahoma.{{cite web|date=July 26, 2015|title=Nine-year Major League pitcher joins Ranger coaching staff|url=http://riderangersride.com/news/2015/7/27/BB_0727152210.aspx|access-date=January 18, 2016|work=Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers}} Despite a 14-35 record, Marcum coached three Rangers to Great American Conference all-conference honors in his first and only season with the team.

Marcum was hired by Missouri Southern State University to be the pitching coach for the Lions on August 10, 2016.{{cite web|last=Maskus|first=Justin|date=August 10, 2016|title=Baseball Adds Former Major Leaguer Shaun Marcum As Pitching Coach|url=http://www.mssulions.com/news/2016/8/10/baseball-adds-former-major-leaguer-shaun-marcum-as-pitching-coach.aspx?path=baseball|access-date=October 4, 2016|work=Missouri Southern Lions}}

Marcum threw a broad array of pitches. He used a four-seam fastball at {{convert|86|-|89|mph}}, a two-seam fastball at {{convert|84|-|87|mph}}, a cutter at {{convert|84|-|86|mph}}, a changeup at {{convert|77|-|79|mph}}, a slider at {{convert|80|-|83|mph}}, and a slow, looping curveball at {{convert|67|-|73|mph}}. Marcum almost never used his two-seamer on right-handed hitters, preferring to use his cutter and breaking pitches. Against left-handed hitters, he threw many more changeups and did not use his slider.{{cite web|title=PITCHf/x Player Card: Shaun Marcum|url=http://brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=451788|access-date=April 25, 2012|website=Brooks Baseball}}

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