Wes Avi Littleton (born September 2, 1982) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher who spent his entire three-year playing career in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Texas Rangers (2006–2008).
| Wes Littleton | |
|---|---|
 Littleton with the Texas Rangers in 2008 | |
| Relief pitcher | |
| Born: September 2, 1982 Hayward, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 4, 2006, for the Texas Rangers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 26, 2008, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 5–3 |
| Earned run average | 3.69 |
| Strikeouts | 55 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Career
editLittleton attended Vista High School in Vista, California, and California State University, Fullerton, where he played college baseball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans. The Texas Rangers selected Littleton in the fourth round, with the 106th overall selection, of the 2003 MLB draft.[1]
A sidearm pitcher, Littleton made his major league debut in the ninth inning of a 3–2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Ameriquest Field in Arlington on July 4, 2006. He faced two batters, retiring Vernon Wells on a groundout to the third baseman and Troy Glaus on a called third strike.[2] Littleton failed to make the Rangers' big league roster to start the 2007 season, and was optioned to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks, but was later called up to play for Texas.
Littleton was credited with a save after pitching the final three scoreless innings in a 30–3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of a two-night doubleheader at Camden Yards on August 22, 2007. The final 27-run differential broke the previous MLB record of 19 for largest winning margin for a save. The New York Times noted that "there are the preposterous saves, of which Littleton's now stands out as No. 1."[3][4]
On November 28, 2008, Littleton was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later, minor league pitcher Beau Vaughan.[5][6] On March 17, 2009, Littleton was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Littleton signed a minor league contract on March 1, 2010, with the Seattle Mariners. He spent the 2012 season with the Amarillo Sox of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball before retiring.[citation needed]
Personal life
editLittleton has African American and Samoan heritage.[7][8] He worked as a DJ during the offseason.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Vista's Littleton looks forward to pro career". July 14, 2003.
- ^ "Toronto Blue Jays 3, Texas Rangers 2". retrosheet.org. Retrosheet. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- ^ Spousta, Tom (August 23, 2007). "With a 27-Run Cushion, a Save Is in the Books". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 5, 2015.
- ^ "Rangers 30, Orioles 3". mlb.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- ^ "Red Sox acquire right-handed pitcher Wes Littleton from Texas Rangers." Boston Red Sox. November 28, 2008. Retrieved on March 17, 2009.
- ^ Benjamin, Amalie. "3 pitchers claimed in the Rule 5 draft: Done deal." Boston Globe December 12, 2008. Retrieved on December 12, 2008.
- ^ Cook, Murray (May 2, 2009). "Checking out American Samoa Baseball Fields". mlb.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ a b Laurila, David (January 18, 2009). "Prospectus Q&A: Wes Littleton". Baseball Prospectus. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)