Mike Bacsik: Former Mets Pitcher (2002 - 2003)

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 Michael Joseph Bacsik was born November 11th, 1977, in Dallas Texas. He is the son of Mike Bacsik who pitched five years in MLB for the Texas Rangers (1975-1977) & Minnesota Twins (1979-1980) he was 8-6 with a 4.43 ERA in 73 appearances.

Mike the younger Bacsik. began his career with the Cleveland Indians making three appearances in 2001.

On December 11th, 2001, he was traded along with Roberto Alomar & Danny Peoples to the New York Mets in exchange for Matt Lawton, Jerrod Riggan, Earl Snyder & Billy Traber.

Mets Career: Bacsik made his Mets debut on July 5th, in Florida making a start against the Marlins. He went five innings giving up two runs on six hits earning his first win. On July 15th, he made his second start, this time again against the Marlins but at Shea Stadium. Bacsik would pitch a complete game victory, allowing three runs on seven hits, striking out seven & walking three. Bacsik was a surprising 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA.

On August 22nd, he gave up three runs in San Francisco taking a 3-1 loss to Ryan Jensen & the Giants bullpen. On September 3rd he earned his third win, this one also came over the Marlins. He made one more start taking a loss at Montreal. 

On the year he was 3-2 with a 4.37 ERA, striking out 30 walking 19 in 55.2 innings in eleven appearances making nine starts for the fifth place Mets in Bobby Valentines final season as manager.

2003: Bacsik made the Mets staff out of Spring Training, under new skipper Art Howe. Bacsik was penciled in as a reliever. On March 31st, he gave up two HRs to the Cubs Corey Patterson in a horrific nine run outing, although only four of them were earned. He made one more appearance pitching a scoreless inning before being sent back down. 

He returned in June, getting a start on June 8th, where he gave up five runs to the Mariners in a 7-0 Jamie Moyer shut out over New York. On June 5th he earned a win over the Angels in Anaheim then a loss in Florida before being sent down again.

He was granted free agency then signed with the Phillies (2004) Nationals (2006) & Diamondbacks (2006) but was released each time. The Nationals gave him another chance & signed him again, this time he made the team.

On May 24th he earned his first MLB win in five years as he took a 4-3 win over Cincinnati. From there he lost five straight decisions. In July he won three of four including a win over his old Mets teammates. 

Trivia: On August 7th, 2007: Bacsik went into the record books on the wrong end, as he gave up
Barry Bonds 756th career HR passing Hank Aaron on the all-time list.

On the year he made 51 appearances going 5-8 with a 5.11 ERA. He was granted free agency & his MLB career ended.

Career Stats: In a five-year career Bacsik was 10-13 with a 5.46 ERA striking out 97 batters & walking 60 in 216 innings in 51 appearances (35 starts).

Retirement: After his playing days, he had a career in media with sports radio in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. He had done an internship there before his baseball career started as well. In 2010 he was fired after making offensive comments about the San Antonio Spurs on social media.

He has also worked as an analyst on ESPN & FOX Sports. Mike also instructs a spin class in Dallas.

Family: Mike & his wife have three children.

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