Shawn Anthony Chacón (born
on December 23, 1977 in Anchorage
, Alaska
) is a
Major League pitcher, currently with the Oakland Athletics organization. He
last played in the Majors for the
Houston
Astros. He throws an 88–92 mph
sinker, a big
curveball, a
slider, and a
changeup.
Early years
Chacón was
born in Anchorage,
Alaska
, but has only dim recollection of his biological
mother and none of his father (he believes his biological father
was African-American and his mother Latina). His mother placed him
in a Greeley,
Colorado
foster home
when he was 4, and he was adopted by Tony and Blanca
Chacón.
"There's no way I could have ended up any better than I am," Chacón
told the
Rocky Mountain News.
"Some (adopted) people go back and ask, 'Why?' I don't want to ask,
'Why?' The only thing I'd say is, 'Thank you.' "My parents were not
able to have children, which is why they adopted me. We are pretty
blessed to have each other."
Chacón was a star at
Greeley
Central High School, one of only two athletes to ever have his
jersey number retired in the 123-year history of the school (Former
basketball player and current Northern Colorado coach
Tad Boyle was the other).
Professional career
Colorado Rockies
Chacón was recruited by
Arizona
State, but chose to play professionally after he was drafted by
the
Colorado Rockies in the 3rd
Round of the amateur draft. Chacón made his MLB debut in as a
member of the Rockies. He developed into a capable starter and was
Colorado's All-Star representative, finishing 11-8 with a 4.60
ERA. That year he won 11 games
before the All Star break; the only other Rockies pitchers to have
done that through 2009 are
Aaron
Cook (2008) and
Jason Marquis
(2009). The next year, he was converted into a
closer and put up one of the most bizarre
stat lines in baseball history. Chacón was 9th in the National
League with 35
saves, but his record
was 1-9 and his ERA 7.11. Chacón was 1-7 in as a starter before
being traded to the Yankees.
New York Yankees
He was acquired by the Yankees in July 2005 for minor league
pitchers
Ramon
Ramirez and
Eduardo Sierra. Many
New York fans and members of the
tough
New York media
criticized the trade, calling it a bandage and not a solution, much
like how the Yankees saw starts from
Tim
Redding,
Darrell May and
Sean Henn in 2005. Chacón was excited to be coming
to New York, and he did not waver under the initial pressure and
criticism. In his first start as a Yankee, he pitched six
innings without allowing an
earned run against the
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
He finished 7–3 with a 2.85 ERA for the Yankees. Chacón made his
postseason debut in Game 4 of the
2005 American League
Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He
pitched 6⅓ innings and allowed just 2 runs in a Yankee win.
Before the season, sportswriters thought that Chacón would be a big
key to the Yankee rotation. Chacón, however, got off to a slow
start, but started pitching well in late April. On May 16, the
Texas Rangers scored 7 runs
off Chacón. After the terrible start, Chacón went on the 15-day
disabled list. Chacón came off the DL
on June 11. After coming off the DL, Chacón couldn't pitch 5
innings, forcing the Yankees to use their tired bullpen. On
July 6, Chacón was sent to the bullpen after
giving up seven runs in 1⅓ innings against the
Cleveland Indians on
July 4. He was replaced in the rotation by
Kris Wilson.
Pittsburgh Pirates
During the July 31, 2006, mid-season non-waiver trade deadline, he
was dealt for the less expensive
Craig
Wilson.
Chacón was used as a starter by the
Pirates, making 9 starts and going 2-3
with a 5.48 ERA.
In , Chacón was mainly used as a reliever by the Pirates, but also
made 4 starts. He went 5–4 with a 3.94 ERA in 64 games for the
Pirates in 2007. Chacón became a
free
agent after the season.
Houston Astros
On February 20, 2008, Chacón signed a one-year deal with the
Houston Astros worth $2
million.
On June 25, 2008, the Astros announced that Chacón was suspended
indefinitely for insubordination after a physical altercation with
Astros
General Manager Ed Wade. The incident began after Chacón repeatedly
refused to leave the team dining room to speak with Wade in his
office. Chacón claimed that Wade raised his voice and verbally
attacked him, telling him to "look in the mirror", though Wade has
denied raising his voice or verbally attacking Chacón. In a fit of
rage Chacón grabbed the much smaller Wade by the neck and threw him
to the ground. When Wade tried to get up Chacón repeatedly knocked
him back down before other players could intervene to stop the
assault. On whether he regretted the incident Chacón stated "If
there's any regret, I just wish they had just let me alone". Wade
was not injured by the assault. Chacón was placed on waivers by the
Astros on June 26, 2008.
Newark Bears
On May 1, 2009, Chacón signed a one year deal with the
Newark Bears of the
Atlantic League.
Oakland Athletics
On June 18, 2009 Chacon Signed A Minor League Contract With The
Oakland Athletics.
Personal
On October 5, 2009, Chacón was arrested at a Colorado bowling alley
on charges related to unpaid gambling markers in Nevada. Chacón
faces a felony charge in connection with three bad checks written
for $50,000 to Caesars Palace in March.
On the leaderboards
Chacón is among the Rockies all-time leaders in various pitching
categories. A
T indicates a tie on the list.
- T-4th, career ERA (5.20, shared with Kevin Ritz)
- 12th, career wins (24)
- 1st, career hits allowed per 9 innings (8.85)
- 2nd, career strikeouts per 9 innings (6.27)
- 7th, career saves (35)
- 2nd, single season saves (35, 2004)
- 8th, career innings pitched (554⅓)
- 9th, single season strikeouts (134, 2001)
- 8th, career strikeouts (385)
Chacón holds the Major League record for number of consecutive no
decisions to start a season with nine
References
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