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Tony Watson
Tony Watson
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Anthony Michael Watson (born May 30, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels. Watson attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and played college baseball for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Watson was drafted by the Pirates in the ninth round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut in 2011, was an MLB All-Star in 2014, and is the all time MLB leader in holds.

Key Information

Early career

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Watson attended Dallas Center-Grimes High School in Grimes, Iowa. In 2003, his senior year, Watson threw three no-hitters and had a 0.10 earned run average (ERA). He won the Bob Feller Award as the top high school pitcher in Iowa.[1]

The Florida Marlins selected him in the 23rd round of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft, but he chose to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he played college baseball for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.[2] In 2005, he had a 6–1 win–loss record and a 2.82 ERA in 23 games (five starts) and in 2006 he went 10–2 with a 2.78 ERA in 17 games (15 starts).[citation needed] Watson was drafted in the 17th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft by the Baltimore Orioles, but chose not to sign.[2] After the 2006 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[3][4][5] In 2007, he went 6–4 with a 4.09 ERA in 15 starts.

Professional career

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Pittsburgh Pirates

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Watson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, and signed for an $85,000 signing bonus.[2][6] He split 2007 between the State College Spikes and Hickory Crawdads, going a combined 7–2 with a 2.79 ERA in 13 starts. In 2008, he went 8–12 with a 3.56 ERA in 28 starts for the Lynchburg Hillcats and in 2009 he went 0–3 with an 8.22 ERA in five starts for the Altoona Curve. He went 6–4 with a 2.67 ERA in 34 games (nine starts) with the Curve in 2010.

On June 7, 2011, Watson was called up to the majors for the first time. José Ascanio was designated for assignment to make room for Watson on the Pirates' 25-man roster.[7] Watson made his major league debut on June 8, 2011, striking out both batters he faced, Chris Young and Juan Miranda of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Watson went 2–2 with a 3.95 ERA in 43 games in 2011.[8]

In 2012, Watson went 5–2 with a 3.38 ERA in 68 games.[9] In 2013, Watson went 3–1 with a 2.39 ERA in 67 games with two saves.[8] In 2014, Watson went 10–2 with a career-best 1.63 ERA in 78 games with two saves. On May 26, 2014, Watson got his first career big league hit, a single off of Carlos Torres of the New York Mets.[10] During the 2014 season, Watson earned his first MLB All Star Game selection. He retired the only batter he faced during the game.[11] Watson ended the 2014 season with a 10-2 record and a 1.63 ERA in 78 games.[1]

Watson with the Pirates in 2017

In 2015, Watson went 4–1 with a 1.91 ERA in 77 games with one save and a major-league-leading 41 holds.[12] At the 2016 trade deadline, the Pirates traded Mark Melancon to the Nationals, Watson moved then from a setup role to the closer role. At the end of the season, Watson finished with 15 saves in 70 games.

At the beginning of the 2017 season, Watson began as closer but after a string of consecutive blown saves, Watson was moved back to a setup role.[13][14]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On July 31, 2017, the Pirates traded Watson to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor leaguers Angel German and Oneil Cruz.[15] In 24 appearances for the Dodgers he was 2–1 with a 2.70 ERA.[9] In the post-season, he pitched in all three rounds of the playoffs, and was the winning pitcher in two games of the 2017 World Series.[9]

San Francisco Giants

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On February 19, 2018, Watson signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants that included a player option for a third year.[16] In 2018 he was 4-6 with a 2.59 ERA, as in 72 games he pitched 66 innings and struck out 72 batters.[17]

In 2019, he was 2-2 with a 4.17 ERA, and in 60 games he pitched 54 innings.[17] In the 2020 season, Watson pitched in 21 games, recording 2 saves with a 2.50 ERA.

Philadelphia Phillies

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On February 17, 2021, Watson signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization that included an invitation to Spring Training.[18] On March 26, 2021, Watson opted out of his minor league contract and became a free agent.[19]

Los Angeles Angels

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On March 29, 2021, Watson signed a one-year, $1MM with the Los Angeles Angels.[20] On June 5, Watson recorded a hold against the Seattle Mariners, and passed Arthur Rhodes to become the all-time leader in holds in MLB history with 232.

San Francisco Giants (second stint)

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On July 30, 2021, Watson was traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Sam Selman, Ivan Armstrong, and José Marte.[21]

In the 2021 regular season with the Giants, Watson was 4-1 with a 2.96 ERA. In 26 relief appearances he pitched 24.1 innings in which he averaged 5.5 hits and 1.5 walks per 9 innings.[22]

On April 18, 2022, Watson announced his retirement from professional baseball after 689 games across 11 years in Major League Baseball. He had a career 47-29 record and 2.90 ERA with 570 strikeouts. At the time of his retirement, he was also the all-time leader in holds with 246.[23]

Personal life

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Watson's great-uncle, Tom Offenburger, served as an aide to Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.[24]

Watson and his wife, Cassie, have two children; a daughter, Wynn, and son, Ted. The family lives in Florida during the offseason.[25]

References

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from Grokipedia
Anthony Michael Watson, known professionally as Tony Watson, is a retired American professional baseball pitcher who played eleven seasons in (MLB) from 2011 to 2021, primarily as a left-handed . Born on May 30, 1985, in , Watson was selected by the in the ninth round of the 2007 MLB Draft out of the University of Nebraska, where he had a standout college career including All-American honors. Watson's MLB debut came on June 8, 2011, with , where he quickly established himself as a reliable and occasional closer, contributing to the team's three consecutive National League Wild Card appearances from 2013 to 2015. Over his career, he appeared in 689 games, compiling a record of 47 wins and 29 losses with a 2.95 () and 570 strikeouts in 648.1 . His most notable season was 2014, when he earned his only selection and posted a 10-2 record with a 1.92 in 63 appearances for . After spending his first seven seasons with (2011–2017), including a mid-season trade to the in 2017 that helped them reach the , Watson signed with the Giants as a after the 2017 season, playing there from 2018 to 2020. He signed with the as a for the 2021 season before being traded back to the Giants on July 30, 2021, appearing in 62 games that year with a 3.92 . Watson announced his on April 18, 2022, at age 36, reflecting on a career marked by consistency and durability in high-leverage situations.

Early career

High school and college

Tony Watson was born on May 30, 1985, in , where he developed an early interest in influenced by his family's athletic background; his father, Steve, and two uncles had all played as high school catchers. Watson attended Dallas Center-Grimes High School in Grimes, Iowa, where he starred as a for the Mustangs under coach Byron Peyton. As a senior in 2003, he posted a 0.10 over 69 —setting an Iowa single-season record—and threw three no-hitters while earning all-state honors and the Award as Iowa's top high school pitcher. Despite being selected by the Florida Marlins in the 23rd round of the 2003 MLB Draft, Watson opted to attend the to play for the Cornhuskers. He redshirted his freshman year in 2004 before emerging as a key starter from 2005 to 2007, helping the team reach three consecutive NCAA Regionals and the 2005 . As a in 2006, he led the with a 10-2 record and 2.87 , earning All-Big 12 first-team honors. In his senior season of 2007, Watson was named an All-American after compiling a 6-4 record with 81 strikeouts and a 4.09 over a team-high 96 , solidifying his development as a reliable left-handed starter before entering .

Minor leagues

Watson was selected by the in the ninth round, 278th overall, of the out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He signed with the organization for a $85,000 bonus and was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Pirates before making his debut in the short-season New York-Penn League with the . In 13 appearances for State College, Watson recorded a 6-1 record with a 2.52 over 53 2/3 , striking out 40 batters. He later appeared in four games for the low-Class A , going 1-1 with a 3.86 in 14 . In 2008, Watson advanced to high-Class A Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League, where he transitioned to a starting role and logged 151 2/3 innings across 27 starts, finishing 8-12 with a 3.56 ERA and 104 strikeouts. His performance earned a promotion to Double-A Altoona Curve in the Eastern League for 2009, but he struggled in a limited role, posting a 0-3 record and 8.22 ERA in 15 1/3 innings over eight appearances (five starts). Watson rebounded in 2010 back with Altoona, making 30 appearances (23 starts) and achieving a 6-4 record with a 2.67 ERA in 111 1/3 innings, including 105 strikeouts. Promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in the International League for 2011, Watson fully converted to a relief role, appearing in 28 games without a start and compiling a 3-3 record with a 2.36 ERA over 34 1/3 innings, allowing just 27 hits while striking out 35. This shift improved his velocity and command, helping him emerge as a late-inning option. Prior to his professional career, Watson had overcome a torn labrum in his shoulder that required surgery in early 2004, causing him to redshirt his freshman college season. Over his four seasons in the Pirates' minor league system (2007–2011), he amassed a 23-22 record with a 3.45 ERA in 312 1/3 innings across five levels. Watson's strong performance in 2011 paved the way for his major league call-up on June 7, when selected his contract from .

Professional career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Tony Watson made his debut with the on June 8, 2011, in a game against the at , where he pitched a scoreless eighth in . He earned his first career save on April 25, 2013, closing out a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies with two scoreless innings. From 2013 to 2015, Watson solidified his role as the primary setup reliever for closer , frequently pitching high-leverage in the seventh and eighth. His season marked a career peak, as he appeared in 78 games—tied for the National League lead—while posting a 10-2 record, a 1.63 over 77.1 , and 46 holds, earning his first selection as the Pirates' representative. That year, Watson limited opponents to a .190 and struck out 8.9 batters per nine , showcasing his command and effectiveness against both left- and right-handed hitters. In 2015, Watson set a Pirates franchise record for a reliever with 25.1 consecutive scoreless innings from late May through mid-June, contributing to the team's strong bullpen performance during their division-winning campaign. Over his full tenure with the Pirates from 2011 to 2017, he appeared in 422 games, compiling a 31-16 record with a 2.68 , 30 saves, and 184 holds while striking out 366 batters in 414.1 innings. Building on his transition to a relief role in the , Watson refined his pitching arsenal in Pittsburgh, developing a sharp that complemented his sinker and to induce ground balls and limit hard contact. Watson played a key role in the Pirates' postseason appearances in 2013 and 2015. In the 2013 against the St. Louis Cardinals, he delivered 3 scoreless innings across two appearances, helping secure the Wild Card victory over the earlier that week. During the 2015 Wild Card Game against the Chicago Cubs, he pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of starter , though the Pirates fell 8-0. On July 31, 2017, amid a midseason slump, the Pirates traded Watson to the in exchange for minor league prospects Angel German and .

Los Angeles Dodgers

On July 31, 2017, the acquired left-handed reliever Tony Watson from the in exchange for minor league prospects Angel German and infielder . Joining a contending team in the midst of a tight race, Watson quickly integrated into the bullpen, taking on high-leverage setup duties as the Dodgers clinched the division title with 104 wins. Under pitching coach , Watson adapted to new strategies, including a mechanical tweak to his sinker grip that boosted his ground-ball rate from 42.9% with the Pirates to 60.7% in Los Angeles, enhancing his effectiveness against right-handed hitters. In 24 regular-season appearances with the Dodgers, Watson compiled a 2-1 record and a 2.70 over 20 , striking out 18 batters while issuing just six walks. This strong finish helped lower his overall 2017 ERA to 3.38 across 71 combined appearances with both teams, where he earned seven wins and ten saves. Watson's value extended into the postseason, where he became the Dodgers' most-utilized left-handed reliever, appearing in 11 of their 15 games across the NLDS, NLCS, and . He posted a 2-0 record with a 2.57 ERA in 7 , including wins in Games 4 and 6 of the against the Astros, contributing to ' pennant-winning effort despite falling short in seven games. Following the World Series, Watson elected free agency on November 2, 2017, and signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the San Francisco Giants on February 19, 2018, with incentives that could increase the value to $18 million.

San Francisco Giants (first stint)

Following a brief appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 World Series, Watson signed as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants on February 19, 2018, to a two-year contract worth a guaranteed $9 million, including a $3 million salary in 2018 and a player option for 2020 that he later exercised. In his first season with the Giants, Watson established himself as a reliable left-handed reliever out of the , appearing in 72 games and posting a 4–6 record with a 2.59 over 66 . His performance provided stability to a pitching staff that helped the team finish with a 73–89 record in the . Watson's ability to induce ground balls—grounding out 47.2% of batters faced—proved effective in , the Giants' home stadium known for its cool and pitcher-friendly dimensions that suppress extra-base hits. Watson's workload increased in 2019, but he faced late-career challenges, including a higher and an injury that sidelined him for the final weeks of the season. He made 60 relief appearances, recording a 2–2 mark with a 4.17 in 54 innings, as his command wavered with 9 home runs allowed, up from 4 the previous year. On September 4, 2019, Watson dove for a bunt single and fractured his left wrist, landing him on the 60-day and limiting his availability down the stretch. The 2020 season, shortened to 60 games due to the , saw Watson return to form as a middle reliever before the Giants shifted roster needs. He appeared in 21 games, going 1–0 with a 2.50 over 18 and notching 2 saves, while maintaining a low 0.89 . Over his first stint with from 2018 to 2020, Watson compiled a 7–8 record with a 3.13 in 153 appearances and 138 , serving as a consistent presence in the despite the team's sub-.500 finishes each year.

Philadelphia Phillies

On February 17, 2021, the Philadelphia Phillies signed veteran left-handed reliever Tony Watson to a minor league contract with an invitation to , aiming to bolster their depth following his solid performance with the Giants in the shortened 2020 season. Watson, who had posted a 2.50 ERA over 18 innings in 21 appearances for the Giants in 2020, was assigned to the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, the . Despite showing promise in early spring training outings, Watson opted out of his contract on March 26, 2021, amid the ongoing and roster uncertainties, leading to his release by the organization without appearing in any official games. This brief association marked Watson's only connection to the Phillies, as he sought opportunities elsewhere before the start of the regular season.

Los Angeles Angels

Following his release from a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on March 26, 2021, Watson signed a one-year major league contract worth $1 million with the three days later, on March 29. The deal included an invitation to , positioning Watson as a left-handed reliever to bolster the Angels' alongside fellow signee . He earned a spot on the roster and made his first appearance for the team on April 1 against the , allowing one run in one inning. Watson's early season was interrupted by injury when he was placed on the 10-day on May 2 with a left calf strain sustained during a game against the New York Yankees. He missed seven games before being reinstated on May 9, following a brief rehabilitation assignment. Upon his return, Watson primarily worked in middle relief, appearing in low- to medium-leverage situations as part of a strained Angels that ranked among the league's worst in early in the year. Over 36 appearances with the Angels, Watson compiled a 3–3 record with a 4.64 , allowing 25 earned runs on 33 hits and seven home runs while striking out 25 and walking 14 in 36 . His command issues were notable, with a of 1.28 reflecting higher walk rates than in prior seasons, contributing to an overall major league ERA of 4.64 before his departure. On July 30, 2021, the Angels traded Watson to the Giants in exchange for left-hander Sam Selman and prospects José Marte and Ivan Armstrong.

San Francisco Giants (second stint)

On July 30, 2021, the San Francisco Giants acquired Watson from the in a for left-hander Sam Selman and right-handers Armstrong and Marte, marking his return to the organization after his initial tenure from 2018 to 2020. He was activated the following day and went on to make 26 relief appearances for the Giants, posting a 2.96 over 24.1 while securing 10 holds. Watson's contributions bolstered the Giants' during a dominant regular season, as the team finished with a franchise-record 107 wins to claim the title. advanced to the , where they fell to the in a five-game series, though Watson did not appear in the postseason. In late September 2021, Watson suffered a left strain and was placed on the 10-day on September 30, retroactive to September 29. He was activated from the on October 15 but did not pitch further that year. Watson elected free agency on November 3, 2021. Across the 2021 season with the Angels and Giants, Watson appeared in 62 games and recorded a 3.92 over 57.1 .

On April 18, 2022, Tony Watson announced his retirement from after 11 seasons, sharing the news via and an interview with , where he cited ongoing challenges in recovering from a left shoulder strain that sidelined him during the 2021 postseason with the Giants. Over his MLB career from 2011 to 2021, Watson appeared in 689 games, compiling a 47-29 record with a 2.90 , 32 saves, and 570 strikeouts in 648.1 , establishing himself as one of the most reliable left-handed relievers of his era and the all-time leader in holds with 246. In reflecting on his career, Watson highlighted his 2014 All-Star selection with the , where he set franchise records for holds and appearances by a reliever, as well as his contributions to three Pirates playoff teams (2013, 2014, 2015), the 2017 ' appearance, and the 2021 Giants' title. Watson's high school jersey (No. 4) was retired by Dallas Center- High School in , on , 2016, during a basketball game halftime ceremony, honoring his standout prep career that included three no-hitters and a 0.10 in his senior year of 2003. Following his retirement, Watson transitioned into baseball operations, joining the organization in November 2023 as a roving pitching instructor before being promoted to pitching strategist for the 2025 season, focusing on player development and analytics as of the 2025 season.

Personal life

Family

Tony Watson married Cassie Kleinsmith in November 2012. The couple has two children: a daughter, Wynnie, born on December 26, 2014, and a son, Theodore, born on May 25, 2017. During his time with the , Watson and his family resided in , while wintering in . Following his retirement in 2022, the family settled in . Watson's family provided steadfast support throughout his professional career, with relatives attending his 2014 festivities and the 2016 ceremony retiring his high school jersey at Dallas Center-Grimes in . Watson hails from an athletic family background; his father, , and two uncles played as high school catchers, while his cousin Brad Watson pursued a three-year pitching career.

Civil rights involvement

Tony Watson's connection to the civil rights movement stems from his great-uncle, Thomas E. Offenburger, who served as a press aide to Martin Luther King Jr. and as director of information for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) from 1966 until King's assassination in 1968. Offenburger, a white Iowan, played a key role in communicating the movement's message to broader audiences, including organizing press coverage for events like the 1966 Chicago freedom rally and the Cicero march, where he interviewed King directly. He continued his activism afterward, working as press secretary for Andrew Young for 14 years in various capacities, including Young's congressional and mayoral roles in Atlanta. Watson has expressed deep pride in this family heritage, describing it as a "piece of family history that everyone’s held onto" that shapes his perspective beyond baseball. During his tenure with the Giants in 2019, Watson highlighted this legacy in interviews, noting how stories from his father and uncle instilled an appreciation for the civil rights struggle's impact on equality and . He has participated in related commemorations, such as meeting in 2016 at , where Young shared memories of Offenburger's contributions, and has discussed the challenges faced by minorities in as influenced by his family's history. A 2019 profile in linked Watson's off-field worldview directly to Offenburger's involvement, emphasizing how it fosters his commitment to social awareness without personal activism. While Watson has not engaged in direct civil rights activism, the influence of his great-uncle's legacy is evident in his public reflections on themes during events like discussions within baseball circles. Following his retirement from in 2022, Watson has continued to honor this heritage through family storytelling, sharing anecdotes about Offenburger's experiences to educate others, though no formal charitable initiatives tied to civil rights have been reported.

References

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