Former Mets Pitcher Turned Baseball Agent: Jeff Musselman (1989-1990)

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Jeffrey Joseph Musselman was born on June 21, 1963 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The six foot left handed pitching Musselman, attended Harvard University and was the last player tp make it to the majors from the school. He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth round of the 1985 draft. He went through the ranks of the minor leagues quickly, after going 5-1 at AA Knoxville he was promoted to AAA going 12-8 overall on the year.

After a brief call up in 1986, the left-handed rookie impressed everyone in 1987 while pitching out of the Blue Jays bullpen as a reliever. He led the A.L. in winning percentage (.706%) going 12-5 with three saves, while posting a 4.15 ERA, making the Topps All Star Rookie team. He never amounted to the potential he showed in his rookie year, dropping to 8-5 the next season when the Blue Jays made him a starter. Musselman had a rough start in April 1989 posting a 10.29 ERA in his first three games, getting him sent down to the minors. He went 5-2 at AAA Syracuse returning to the club at the end of July, when he was traded to the New York Mets for 1986 World Series Hero, and Mets Hall of Famer Mookie Wilson.

Musselman made his Mets debut as a reliever on August 3rd 1989, in the sixth inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He allowed one run taking the loss. His first week in New York was a busy one, on August 6th he got a win against the Montreal Expos benefiting from a Kevin McReynolds walk off HR in the 14th inning.

The next day the Phillies beat him in the bottom of the 9th inning with a Charlie Hayes single at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. On August 10th a six run Mets 6th inning, earned him a win in the second game of a double header at Shea Stadium. He finished the year pitching mostly as a middle reliever going 3-2 with a 3.08 ERA in twenty appearances.

He returned in 1990 but wasn’t as effective going 0-2 with a 5.63 ERA before getting sent down to AAA Tidewater at the end of June. He went 4-3 there in ten games as a starting pitcher. He was called back up in September making his last two MLB experiences. Musselman was let go to free agency & spent the next two seasons in the minors, pitching in the Pacific Coast League for the Oakland A’s organization. There he was 12-16 with an ERA near five. In his five year MLB career, Musselman was 23-15 with three saves 125 strike outs 123 walks & a 4.31 ERA pitching in 142 games.

Retirement: After his playing days he kept working in baseball, but switched over to an agents role. He is currently a Vice President at the offices of super agent Scott Boras.

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