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Todd Vernon Stottlemyre (born May 20, 1965 in Yakima, Washington) is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played 15 seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks. He is the son of Mel Stottlemyre, former New York Yankees pitcher. His brother Mel Stottlemyre, Jr. also pitched in the major leagues for the Kansas City Royals in 1990.

He was selected by the Blue Jays out of UNLV as the third overall pick in the 1985 MLB draft.

Scouting report [edit]

His fastball, average (high) velocity, clocked at around 92-93 mph. Stottlemyre possessed above average control of his pitches. His style of pitching was direct; using an inside fastball to challenge opposing hitters. Furthermore, he possessed an above average slider, curveball, and later on, a splitter (adopted from teammate Dave Stewart). As an above average pitcher, Stottlemyre made a direct contribution to the Blue Jays' 1992 & 1993 World Series victories. His weaknesses as a pitcher, although subject to debate, were his predictability of confronting opposing hitters; pitches over the 'heart' of home plate; hittable fastballs, and flat curveballs. Changing speeds was not a part of his repertoire; Stottlemyre did not possess an effective 'changeup.'

Reputation of being emotional and temperamental [edit]

An emotional and temperamental player, Stottlemyre carried his emotions 'on his sleeve'.^{[citation needed]}

While pitching for the Blue Jays in Game 4 of the 1993 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Stottlemyre tried to slide into third base while attempting to reach third on a single by Roberto Alomar. His baserunning skills indicated inexperience; having hesitated between second and third base. The attempt, having resulted in him being thrown/tagged out while sliding head-first into third base, and scraping his chin in the process. That prompted Ed Rendell, then the mayor of Philadelphia, to ridicule Stottlemyre while also adding that he could hit his pitches. After Stottlemyre and his teammates won the Series, Stottlemyre responded to the comment at the ensuing victory rally, expressing his displeasure with the mayor by declaring, "You can kiss my ass!".^[1]

On February 20, 1994, Stottlemyre and Blue Jays teammate Dave Stewart were both arrested in Dunedin, Florida for battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest after an argument arose between Stewart, who was accompanied by Stottlemyre, at a night club, reportedly over Stewart's refusal to pay a $3 cover fee.^[2][3]

Post-baseball career [edit]

After retiring from baseball, Stottlemyre became a stock market analyst for Merrill Lynch,^[4][5] and subsequently a day trader and founder of a hedge fund.^[5]

As of 2010, Stottlemyre is a member of ACN Inc., operating a network within the multi-level marketing company selling telecommunications, cable and internet services. He makes a presentation to a group at the home of an individual in that group, earning residual percentages from the acquisition of customers.^[5]

See also [edit]

Baseball portal

• List of second generation MLB players
• MLB All-Time Hit Batsmen List

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• Todd Stottlemyre freaks out on YouTube