Quick Facts
LeoBiography
Jeffrey Charles Weaver (born August 22, 1976) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher. During his career, he pitched for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, St. Louis Cardinals, and Seattle Mariners. He is the older brother of fellow MLB pitcher Jered Weaver.
Professional career
Detroit Tigers
Weaver, a graduate of Simi Valley High School in Simi Valley, California, attended California State University, Fresno to play for the Bulldogs. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the first round of the 1998 amateur draft, and made his Major League debut a year later. He was the Detroit Tigers Opening Day starter in 2001 and 2002. In the 2002 season, he was traded to the New York Yankees in a three team deal that also involved the Oakland Athletics and Yankees prospects John-Ford Griffin, Jason Arnold, and Ted Lilly.
New York Yankees
Weaver's time with the Yankees was very turbulent, bouncing in and out of the starting rotation. In Game 4 of the 2003 World Series, he allowed a 12th inning walk-off home run to Álex González.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Following the 2003 season the Yankees traded Weaver to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Kevin Brown.
In 2005, he went 14-11, with a 4.22 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, 3 complete games and a career-high 157 strikeouts in 224 innings. Following the 2005 season, Weaver filed for free agency. The Dodgers offered him salary arbitration, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
On February 15, 2006, Weaver signed a 1-year deal with the Angels for $8.5 million. After posting a 3-10 record with a 6.29 ERA in Anaheim, he was designated for assignment on June 30. In a bit of an ironic coincidence, his younger brother, Jered Weaver, was recalled from the minor leagues and replaced Jeff in the starting rotation.
St. Louis Cardinals
On July 5, 2006, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired Weaver from the Angels in exchange for minor leaguer Terry Evans and cash considerations. He debuted with the team as a pinch hitter in a 14-inning game between the Cardinals and Dodgers on July 13, 2006, at Busch Stadium.
Jered and Jeff both appeared in the September 11, 2006, issue of Sports Illustrated that chronicled how Jeff Weaver's trade impacted Jeff and Jered both baseball-wise and in life away from the game. The younger Weaver was disappointed that his brother left without being around to see him make history by winning his first 9 career decisions.
After yielding six runs in four innings in his first start, Weaver played a key role in the Cardinals World Series win. He won important games for the Cardinals in the final weeks of the season, helping them win the National League Central Division, and he started and won Game 2 of the 2006 National League Division Series. Weaver started and was the losing pitcher for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets on October 12, 2006. He pitched five scoreless innings before giving up a two-run home run to Mets center fielder Carlos Beltrán in the sixth inning; as the Cards lost 2-0.
In Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on October 17, 2006, Weaver pitched 6 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, winning his second game of the 2006 postseason.
After losing Game 2 of the 2006 World Series to the Detroit Tigers, Weaver came back on October 27, 2006, in Game 5 to pitch 8 innings, giving up 4 hits and 1 earned run. He was credited with the win as the Cardinals clinched the series 4-1.
Seattle Mariners
On January 26, 2007, the Seattle Mariners signed Weaver as a free agent to a one-year deal worth $8–9 million. Weaver had a 14.32 ERA with only 22 innings pitched after six starts and was placed on the 15-day disabled list with "right shoulder tendinitis". It was speculated that this was a strategic move by the team to allow Weaver to take some time off and make a series of "Rehab" starts with a minor league affiliate. The hope was that he would be able to work out his problems without adversely impacting the Major League ball club; it seemed to work as Weaver pitched more effectively after his return. On June 20 versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, Weaver posted a 4-hit, complete game, 7–0 shutout, which was his first win with Seattle. Although he pitched well in July and August, he finished with a 7–13 record and 6.20 ERA and became a free agent after the season.
Back in the minors
On April 15, 2008, Weaver signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. However, after pitching in just nine minor league games, Weaver requested and was granted a release from his contract. On July 5, Weaver signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians, but did not appear in the majors with them, spending the rest of the season in AAA with the Buffalo Bisons.
Return to the Dodgers
He signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in February 2009 and was assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes. After a few appearances with the Isotopes, Weaver was recalled to the Dodgers on April 30 and he pitched four scoreless innings of relief against the San Diego Padres, his first appearance in a Major League game since 2007. He made his first start of 2009 vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 5 and allowed one run and struck out six in five innings.
On June 20, 2009, Jeff Weaver started for the Dodgers against the Los Angeles Angels. The opposing starter was his younger brother Jered Weaver. This was the first pitching matchup between brothers since 2002 when Andy and Alan Benes matched up and only the 15th such game since 1967. The Dodgers won 6-4, with Jeff getting the win and Jered taking the loss.
On October 7, 2009, Weaver was the winning pitcher in Game One of the 2009 National League Division Series between the Dodgers and his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the fourth post-season victory of his career. Weaver returned to the Dodgers for the 2010 season on another minor league contract. He once more made the opening day roster as a reliever.
On May 7, 2010, Weaver picked up his 100th career victory in a relief outing against the Colorado Rockies. He appeared in 43 games with the Dodgers in 2010, all in relief, and finished 5-1 with a 6.09 ERA.
Post-Baseball Career
Oaks Christian School
On September 28, 2016, Weaver was hired as the pitching coach for the Oaks Christian School Varsity Baseball team to work alongside head coach Royce Clayton.