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Boof Bonser

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Boof Bonser
Bonser with the Minnesota Twins in 2007
Pitcher
Born: (1981-10-14) October 14, 1981 (age 43)
St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: May 21, 2006, for the Minnesota Twins
CPBL: September 4, 2013, for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions
Last appearance
MLB: October 4, 2010, for the Oakland Athletics
CPBL: August 9, 2014, for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions
MLB statistics
Win–loss record19–25
Earned run average5.18
Strikeouts334
CPBL statistics
Win–loss record4–3
Earned run average2.82
Strikeouts36
Teams
Career highlights and awards

John Paul "Boof" Bonser (born October 14, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Oakland Athletics.

High school career

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Bonser attended Gibbs High School, compiling a record of 24–9 and a 1.99 earned run average. In his senior year, he went 7–3 with a 1.88 ERA and hit .523 with 11 home runs. He was named the 2000 Pinellas County High School Player of the Year and played in the 2000 Florida State All-Star game.[1]

Minor league career

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Bonser was selected out of high school by the San Francisco Giants in the first round (21st overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft.[2] He made his professional baseball debut at age 18 for the Single-A Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, going 1–4 with a 6.00 ERA in 10 games (nine starts).[3] In 2001, he had a breakout season for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns, leading the South Atlantic League in wins (16), and finishing second in strikeouts (178), which earned him South Atlantic League Most Valuable Pitcher and post-season All-Star honors.[4] After the season, he had his first name legally changed to his childhood nickname, "Boof".[5]

From 2002 through 2003, Bonser progressed steadily through the Giants' system, reaching the Triple-A level at the end of the 2003 season with the Fresno Grizzlies.[3] On November 14, 2003, Bonser was traded to the Minnesota Twins organization, along with pitchers Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano, for catcher A. J. Pierzynski, and cash.[6] Bonser was assigned to Double-A New Britain for 2004, and was promoted to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings for a spot start at the end of the season. He then spent the entire 2005 season in Rochester.[3]

As Bonser continued to pitch in the minors without any further breakout seasons, his status as an elite prospect faded, but after a fast start at Rochester in 2006 in which he posted an earned run average of 2.01, he was promoted to the majors.[7]

Bonser was inducted into the Hagerstown Suns Hall of Fame on May 14, 2016.[8]

Major league career

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Rookie season

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Bonser warming up in Cleveland in 2006

On May 17, 2006, Bonser was called up to the Twins to replace struggling starter Kyle Lohse in the rotation, with Lohse going to Triple-A.[7] Bonser made his major league debut on May 21, as the starting pitcher against the Milwaukee Brewers. In six innings, he allowed one run and struck out eight.[9] On May 27, his second start, Bonser earned his first major league victory in a 9–5 win over the Seattle Mariners. Bonser pitched five innings, giving up eight hits and four runs, including a home run.[10] His second win came against the Chicago Cubs on June 24. He pitched 6+1⁄3 scoreless innings, allowing six hits and no walks, with one strikeout.[11]

After a disappointing start against the Kansas City Royals on July 4, Bonser was returned to Triple-A Rochester. He had made seven major league starts, going 2–2 with a 5.30 ERA.[12] After a month at Rochester, he was called up to make an emergency start on August 2 in place of the injured Francisco Liriano, then sent back to Rochester after the game, in which he gave up seven runs in four innings.[13]

By August 12, Liriano had been placed on the disabled list, and Bonser was back in Minneapolis to face the Toronto Blue Jays. Although he lost the game, allowing seven hits and three runs over 5+2⁄3 innings, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire decided to keep him in the starting rotation.[14] As the Twins pushed for a playoff spot in 2006, Bonser solidified the fifth starter's job. Then, a string of injuries and ineffective pitching by other Twins pitchers and Bonser's commanding recent performances earned him the #2 spot in the Twins' postseason rotation. In his postseason start, he pitched six innings, allowing two runs, to pick up a no-decision as the Twins lost to the Oakland Athletics.[15]

Bonser was named the AL Rookie of the Month for September 2006 for his performances in the final month of the season.[16] He finished the season 7–6 with a 4.22 ERA in 18 starts.[17]

2007: First full season

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Bonser began the 2007 season as the second pitcher in the Twins rotation, behind Johan Santana. Bonser's first two starts were dramatically different, as he followed a six inning start in which he allowed two earned runs by allowing six earned runs in 4+1⁄3 innings.[18] He then responded with a string of quality starts, but was 2–9 after Memorial Day. In 31 games (30 starts), Bonser posted an 8–12 record with a 5.10 ERA, and had 136 strikeouts in 173 innings pitched.[17]

2008 season

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After the 2007 season, the Twins organization became worried about Bonser's weight. He had struggled with stamina and pitching late into ball games during the 2007 season, so the Twins encouraged him to lose weight, which he accomplished by a healthier diet, combined with more intense exercise.[19] He lost thirty pounds by the start of the 2008 regular season.[20] Bonser pitched the second game in the 2008 Twins' season, and was the only returning starter who had pitched at least twelve games for the Twins during the previous season.[21]

However, Bonser's weight loss did not help his starting pitching performances through May 31, as he compiled a mark of 2–6 with a 6.16 earned run average, and was demoted to the bullpen to make room for Scott Baker.[22]

After his demotion, Bonser made his first relief appearance for the Twins on June 4 against the Baltimore Orioles. In that game he pitched 2+2⁄3 scoreless innings, striking out four and picking up the win.[23]

Through August 23, Bonser's earned run average was 6.22 overall and 6.96 as a reliever.[24]

2009 season

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On February 25, 2009, Bonser underwent surgery to repair tears in his labrum and rotator cuff, and missed the entire 2009 season.[25]

He was designated for assignment by the Twins on December 8, 2009.[26] On December 10, Bonser was traded to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later.[27] That player was minor league right-handed pitcher Chris Province.[28]

2010 season

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Bonser started the year on the disabled list, and was not activated until June 8.[29] He made two appearances for the Red Sox, giving up two walks, six hits, and four earned runs in two innings pitched.[17] He recorded no outs in the first appearance, accumulating an earned run average of 18.00 in the two appearances.[17][30] The Red Sox designated him for assignment on June 18, but he elected to become a free agent after refusing minor league assignment on June 28.[31][32] He signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics and spent July at Triple-A Sacramento.[33] On July 31, Bonser was called up by the A's.[34]

After the A's outrighted Bonser to Sacramento on November 2, he refused the assignment, and elected to become a free agent again.[35]

2011 season

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On December 7, 2010, Bonser signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets.[36] He made his pitching debut for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on April 10, 2011. He pitched 3+2⁄3 innings, giving up one run on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts.[3] He threw 59 pitches, 35 for strikes. Bonser left the game with an injury in the fourth inning. He underwent Tommy John surgery and did not pitch the rest of the year.[37]

2012 season

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Bonser signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on December 28, 2011.[38] He did not pitch in 2012 while still recovering from elbow surgery.

2013 season

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After posting a 5.87 earned run average at Triple-A Fresno, the Giants released Bonser from his minor league contract on June 27.[39] Just three days later, on June 30, he signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.[40] The Indians released Bonser on August 2 after he went 0–2 with a 6.00 ERA in three games (one start) with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers of the International League.[3] He finished the season in Taiwan with the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, going 1–0 with a 1.76 ERA in 11 relief appearances.[3]

2014 season

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Bonser joined the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs where he appeared in 12 games, pitched 16.2 innings, and struck out 15 batters while going 2–0 with a 2.16 earned run average.[3]

Bonser retired on January 4, 2015.[41]

References

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  1. ^ "Player File: Boof Bonser Biography". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
  2. ^ "1st Round of the 2000 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Boof Bonser Minor, Fall, Winter, CPBL & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  4. ^ "2001 South Atlantic League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  5. ^ Miller, Doug (April 17, 2008). "The Bigs List: Best nicknames". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2008.
  6. ^ "Giants land Pierzynski in trade with Twins". ESPN. Associated Press. November 14, 2003. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Hill, Justice B. (May 17, 2006). "Twins demote Lohse, call up Bonser". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  8. ^ "Former Sun and Major League Pitcher Boof Bonser makes his return to Hagerstown". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  9. ^ Thesier, Kelly (May 21, 2006). "Crain can't hold Brewers in finale". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  10. ^ Brummond, Jason (May 28, 2006). "Twins break out bats, defense for Boof". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  11. ^ Brummond, Jason (June 25, 2006). "Twins stay hot as Bonser bounces Cubs". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  12. ^ Thesier, Kelly (July 5, 2006). "Notes: Bonser sent to Triple-A". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  13. ^ Sullivan, T.R. (August 2, 2006). "Bonser knocked out early in finale". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2006. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  14. ^ Thesier, Kelly (August 12, 2006). "Twins drop third straight to Jays". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  15. ^ Thesier, Kelly (October 4, 2006). "Game 2 loss puts Twins on brink". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  16. ^ "Rookie of the Month Award Winners | History". MLB.com. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  17. ^ a b c d "Boof Bonser Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  18. ^ "Boof Bonser 2007 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  19. ^ Thesier, Kelly (January 26, 2008). "Notes: For Bonser, less is more". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2008.
  20. ^ Andrade, Marty (April 1, 2008). "Minnesota Twins Notes: Boof Bonser Stumbles in First Lightweight Start". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 1, 2008.
  21. ^ Thesier, Kelly (April 2, 2008). "Bonser struggles early in loss". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  22. ^ "After catching line drive in face, Blackburn still slotted for next start". ESPN. Associated Press. June 2, 2008. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
  23. ^ Thesier, Kelly (June 5, 2008). "Mauer's big night paces Twins". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2008.
  24. ^ "Boof Bonser 2008 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  25. ^ Thesier, Kelly (February 25, 2009). "Bonser likely out for the season". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  26. ^ Thesier, Kelly (December 8, 2009). "Twins designate Bonser for assignment". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
  27. ^ "Red Sox acquire pitcher Bonser from Twins". ESPN. Associated Press. December 10, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  28. ^ Neal III, La Velle E. (December 13, 2009). "Twins will offer deals to 30 players". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on December 17, 2009. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  29. ^ "Red Sox Activate Boof Bonser, Send Jonathan Papelbon to Bereavement List". NESN. June 7, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  30. ^ "Boof Bonser 2010 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  31. ^ Bean, DJ (June 18, 2010). "Bonser DFA'd to make room for Doubront". WEEI-FM. Archived from the original on June 25, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  32. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (June 28, 2010). "Boof Bonser Elects Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  33. ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (July 2, 2010). "A's Sign Boof Bonser". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  34. ^ "A's recall Bonser, option Bowers". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. July 31, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  35. ^ Lee, Jane (November 2, 2010). "A's trim roster, part ways with Bonser, James". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  36. ^ "Mets sign RHP Bonser to minor league contract". ESPN. Associated Press. December 8, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  37. ^ McCullough, Andy (April 15, 2011). "Triple-A Mets pitcher Boof Bonser to undergo Tommy John surgery". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  38. ^ "Giants sign Boof Bonser to minors contract". NBC Sports. MSNBC. Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  39. ^ Dierkes, Tim (June 27, 2013). "Minor Moves: Bonser, Perry, LeBlanc, Seaton". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  40. ^ Creech, Ed (June 30, 2013). "Minor Moves: Bonser". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  41. ^ Joyce, Tom (January 4, 2015). "Source: Boof Bonser Retires". Boston Sports For Life. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
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