Jeff Mutis (born December 20, 1966) is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

Jeff Mutis
Pitcher
Born: (1966-12-20) December 20, 1966 (age 57)
Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
June 15, 1991, for the Cleveland Indians
Last MLB appearance
July 31, 1994, for the Florida Marlins
MLB statistics
Win–loss record4–11
Earned run average6.48
Strikeouts73
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Formative years

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Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on December 20, 1996, Mutis was a graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School. While pitching for Allentown Central, Mutis was recruited heavily by Seton Hall University, Clemson University, and Rollins College. Although his stated preference was Duke University, he chose Lafayette College for its academic reputation. Despite telling the New York Yankees in the fifteenth round that his commitment to Lafayette College was strong, Mutis was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the thirty-fourth round of the 1985 Major League Baseball draft; howeverm he chose not to sign at that time.[1]

Career

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Mutis was subsequently drafted by the Indians in the first round (27th pick) of the 1988 Major League Baseball draft. In 1993, he was selected from waivers by the Florida Marlins, and he played his final major league game with the Marlins on July 31, 1994.

Mutis was released by the Marlins on July 15, 1995, following a move from a starting pitcher to closer. Mutis recorded two saves in twenty-seven games, earning a 3.72 average with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, but was pitching through back pain.[2] He subsequently signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization for the 1996 season, pitching with the Triple-A Louisville Redbirds. It was his last season in affiliated baseball.

In 1997, Mutis signed with the independent Allentown Ambassadors of the Northeast League as the team's first former Major Leaguer, returning to play professionally for his home town's first professional team since 1962. Mutis joined the team as a part-time player following turning down invitations to pitch in Mexico so that he could raise his family.[3] Mutis started two games for the Ambassadors before retiring.[4]

That same year, Mutis completed his Economics and Business degree at Lafayette.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "JEFF MUTIS LAFAYETTE'S HERALDED FRESHMAN SURPRISING HIMSELF AND HIS COACH". The Morning Call. Allentown, PA. April 27, 1986. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  2. ^ "RELEASE LEAVES JEFF MUTIS AT CAREER CROSSROAD". The Morning Call. Allentown, PA. July 15, 1995. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  3. ^ "THE AMBASSADORS SIGN NATIVE SON JEFF MUTIS * THE LEFT-HANDER WILL PITCH MOSTLY AT HOME WITH AN OCCASIONAL WEEKEND AWAY GAME". The Morning Call. Allentown, PA. May 10, 1997. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Where Are They Now? - Jeff Mutis '89". Easton, PA. March 31, 2014. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
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