Roger Weaver
Pitcher
Born: (1954-10-06) October 6, 1954
Amsterdam, New York
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 6, 1980, for the Detroit Tigers
Last MLB appearance
October 4, 1980, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record3–4
Earned run average4.10
Strikeouts42
Teams

Roger Edward Weaver (born October 6, 1954) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for one season. He pitched in 19 games for the Detroit Tigers during the 1980 season.

Weaver is from St. Johnsville, New York and played college baseball for the Oneonta Red Dragons. At Oneonta, he pitched and played the outfield.[1] As a junior in 1975, he had an earned run average (ERA) of 0.79.[2] In April 1975, he threw a no-hitter against the Brooklyn Bulldogs which was marred only by a fielding error.[3] Weaver received a degree in American history from Oneonta in 1976.[4] He was selected by the Tigers in the 16th round of the 1976 MLB draft.[5]

Weaver spent his first professional season with the Bristol Tigers and led the Appalachian League with a 1.43 ERA.[6] He spent the following season with the Lakeland Tigers and led the Florida State League with 22 saves and finished third in the league with a 1.58 ERA.[7] Weaver was sidelined by injury for most of the 1978 season[8] but managed a 1.50 ERA in twelve innings pitched.[9] His elbow tendinitis caused pain which carried over into the offseason and was "so intense" that he could not straighten his arm, had difficulty sleeping and planned to quit baseball and go into business with his father.[4] Nonetheless, a year later, Evansville Triplets manager Jim Leyland called Weaver into his hotel room to tell him he was being called up to the major leagues.[10]

Weaver made his major league debut on June 6, 1980[11] at Milwaukee County Stadium against the Milwaukee Brewers. He pitched 12⁄3 scoreless, hitless innings in relief of Dave Tobik.[12] Weaver earned his first major league win on June 24, 1980 when he entered in relief of Dan Petry in the third inning and threw 31⁄3 scoreless innings. Describing the feeling of recording his first victory, he told reporters "it's the best!"[13] In early July, Tigers pitching coach Roger Craig told Weaver that the organization planned to use him as a starting pitcher in the future, a role which he told the Detroit Free Press he preferred to pitching out of the bullpen. In early August, he was surprised to learn that he would be making his starting debut on August 3.[1] However, by the third inning of his first major league start, he developed a blister on his right middle finger and was replaced by Dave Rozema to start the fourth.[14] On or about August 17, the Tigers placed Weaver on the disabled list due to a sore shoulder.[15] Weaver returned in time to finish the Major League season but his performance suffered. Through September 8, he had an ERA of 2.23; over his final six games, his ERA was 6.59.[16]

He married Michele Lonsberry on October 17, 1987. Weaver has two sons, Zach and Michael Weaver, one daughter named Lauren.

References

  1. 1 2 Bragg, Brian (3 August 1980). "Rookie Weaver latest Tiger to get starting chance". Detroit Free Press. p. 7D. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  2. ↑ "Hawk's Whittaker Heads SUNYAC All-Star Squad". Poughkeepsie Journal. 24 May 1975. p. 15. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  3. ↑ "O-State No-Hitter Perfect Except Boot". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 13 April 1975. p. 2-D. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  4. 1 2 Swanson, Pete (13 May 1979). "Weaver at home in Trips' bullpen after career nearly shriveled away". Evansville Courier and Press. p. 8-C. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  5. ↑ "16th Round of the 1976 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  6. ↑ "Appalachian Averages..." Johnson City Press. 12 September 1976. p. 29. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  7. ↑ "1977 Florida State League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  8. ↑ "Triplets may reactivate reliever". Evansville Press. 25 April 1979. p. 29. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  9. ↑ "Roger Weaver Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  10. ↑ Johnson, Dave (31 May 1980). "Meet me in Detroit". Evansville Press. p. 12. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  11. ↑ "Roger Weaver Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  12. ↑ "Detroit Tigers at Milwaukee Brewers Box Score, June 6, 1980". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  13. ↑ Lowitt, Bruce (25 June 1980). "Weavers had their night in AL". Star-Gazette. Associated Press. p. 20. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  14. ↑ "Tigers to put 5-win streak on line tonight vs. Royals". Battle Creek Enquirer. Associated Press. 4 August 1980. p. C-1. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  15. ↑ "Tigers make roster shift". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. 18 August 1980. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  16. ↑ "Roger Weaver 1980 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved 20 September 2022.


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