{{short description|American baseball player (born 1979)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name=Bobby Korecky |image=DSC04933 Bobby Korecky.jpg |width=250 |caption=Korecky with the Arizona Diamondbacks |position=Relief pitcher |bats=Right |throws=Right |birth_date={{Birth date and age|1979|9|16}} |birth_place=Hillside, New Jersey, U.S. |debutleague = MLB |debutdate=April 26 |debutyear=2008 |debutteam=Minnesota Twins |finalleague=MLB |finaldate=June 11 |finalyear=2014 |finalteam=Toronto Blue Jays |statleague = MLB |stat1label=Win–loss record |stat1value=2–0 |stat2label=Earned run average |stat2value=7.39 |stat3label=Strikeouts |stat3value=11 |teams= *Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2008}}) *Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2009}}) *Toronto Blue Jays ({{mlby|2012}}, {{mlby|2014}}) }} '''Robert John Korecky''' (born September 16, 1979) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Toronto Blue Jays.
==High school== Korecky graduated from Saline High School (Michigan) in 1998, where he led the Hornets to the Division 1 state championship game. During his senior season, he led the team with an 11–1 record on the mound with a 1.43 Earned run average and 118 strikeouts in 78{{fraction|1|3}} innings pitched. Korecky also had a .516 batting average striking out only once in 155 at bats<ref>{{cite web |title=1998 Saline Varsity Baseball Stats |url=http://eteamz.active.com/salinehornetsbaseballcom/files/1998SHS-VARSITY--PlayerStats.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529043125/http://eteamz.active.com/salinehornetsbaseballcom/files/1998SHS-VARSITY--PlayerStats.pdf |archive-date=May 29, 2008}}</ref> on his way to setting the Michigan High School Baseball record for most hits in a season with 80.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michigan High School Baseball Record Book |url=http://www.mhsbca.org/indiv.records.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531012646/http://www.mhsbca.org/indiv.records.htm |archivedate=May 31, 2008 |website=Michigan High School Baseball}}</ref>
==College== Korecky is a graduate of the University of Michigan, which he attended for four years. His best season came in {{Baseball year|2001}}, when he went 6–4 with a 3.39 ERA over 12 starts and one relief appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mgoblue.com/sports/baseball/roster/bobby-korecky/23256| title=Bobby Korecky| website=University of Michigan| date=2001}}</ref> In 2001, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Chatham A's, and returned to the league in 2002 to play for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.<ref>{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League |url=http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf |accessdate=September 25, 2019 |website=Cape Cod Baseball League}}</ref>
==Professional career== ===Philadelphia Phillies=== Korecky was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 19th round (569th overall) in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=19th Round of the 2002 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=2002&draft_round=19&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He split his first professional season between the Single–A for the Batavia Muckdogs and the Lakewood BlueClaws, going a combined 4–4 with one save and a 2.61 ERA in 15 games (nine starts).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Bobby Korecky Minor, Fall, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=koreck001rob |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
In {{Baseball year|2003}}, Korecky pitched for the Single–A Clearwater Phillies. Converting full-time to a relief pitcher, Korecky went 5–4 with a 2.26 ERA in 49 relief appearances, and led the team with 25 saves as their primary closer.
===Minnesota Twins=== On December 17, 2003, Korecky was traded to the Minnesota Twins as a player to be named later, completing an earlier trade that sent Carlos Silva and Nick Punto to the Twins for Eric Milton.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/18/sports/transactions-611620.html |title=TRANSACTIONS |language=en-US |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 18, 2003 |access-date=December 27, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=December 4, 2003 |title=Phils get Milton from Twins |url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/sports/2003/12/04/phils-get-milton-from-twins/50933771007/ |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Cape Cod Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
In {{Baseball year|2004}}, Korecky played for the Double–A New Britain Rock Cats and served as their closer. Making a team-high 55 relief appearances, he went 3–4 with a 3.36 ERA and had 31 saves.<ref name=":0" /> Korecky was also named to the Eastern League postseason All-Star game. Korecky played for the Rock Cats again in {{Baseball year|2005}}, but was limited to just two games after undergoing Tommy John surgery.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=May 13, 2014 |title=TwinsCentric: The Twins and Tommy John surgery |url=https://www.startribune.com/twinscentric-the-twins-and-tommy-john-surgery/259033131/ |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Star Tribune}}</ref>
Korecky returned in {{Baseball year|2006}} and played for the Rock Cats again and the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. In a combined 50 games, he went 6–5 with 13 saves and a 3.30 ERA.<ref name=":0" /> In {{Baseball year|2007}}, Korecky played for the Red Wings again. Appearing in a career high 66 games, he went 5–6 with a career-high 35 saves and a 3.71 ERA.<ref name=":0" /> Korecky was named to the International League midseason All-Star game that year. On November 20, 2007, Korecky's contract was purchased by the Twins, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thesier |first=Kelly |date=November 20, 2007 |title=Twins promote three to 40-man roster |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071120&content_id=2305518&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123063539/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071120&content_id=2305518&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=November 23, 2007 |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}}</ref>
On April 25, {{mlby|2008}}, Korecky was promoted to Minnesota from Rochester for the first time when All-Star Francisco Liriano was sent down.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oklobzija |first=Kevin |date=2008-04-25 |title=Korecky gets big-league call |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-korecky-gets-big/165250605/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |work=Democrat and Chronicle |page=7D |publication-place=Rochester, New York |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Thesier |first=Kelly |date=April 25, 2008 |title=Recovering Liriano sent to Triple-A |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080425&content_id=2587679&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506100556/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080425&content_id=2587679&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=May 6, 2008 |access-date=May 4, 2008 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}}</ref> He made his Major League debut April 26 against the Texas Rangers, pitching one inning, giving up one run on one hit and two walks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2008 |title=Minnesota Twins vs Texas Rangers Box Score: April 26, 2008 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX200804260.shtml |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
In only his sixth major league appearance, on May 19, 2008, he made a name for himself in the Twins organization by becoming the first Twins pitcher to get a hit in an American League game since the introduction of the designated hitter, while also picking up his first major league victory in a 7–6, 12-inning victory over the Texas Rangers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thesier |first=Kelly |date=May 20, 2008 |title=Korecky, Clark pace Twins' win |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080519&content_id=2732587&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521115712/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080519&content_id=2732587&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=May 21, 2008 |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}}</ref> The hit—and the at-bat—occurred in the only ML plate appearance of Korecky's career.<ref name=":1" />
===Arizona Diamondbacks=== On February 18, 2009, Korecky was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Phil |date=February 17, 2009 |title=Minnesota Twins hated to lose Bobby Korecky |url=https://www.twincities.com/2009/02/17/minnesota-twins-hated-to-lose-bobby-korecky/ |access-date=February 17, 2009 |website=St. Paul Pioneer Press |language=en-US}}</ref> He pitched five games in relief for Arizona in 2009, posting a 13.50 ERA.<ref name=":1" />
===Winnipeg Goldeyes=== Korecky signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on February 9, 2010. However, the Angels were unaware that Korecky had surgery while with Arizona, and they released him on May 27.<ref name=":1" /> He subsequently spent the season with the independent Winnipeg Goldeyes of the Northern League, going 0–2 with 10 saves and a 5.32 ERA in 23 relief appearances.<ref name=":0" />
===Toronto Blue Jays=== right|thumb|Korecky pitching for the Bisons on June 11, 2015 Korecky signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on March 6, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Germain |first=Mat |date=March 10, 2011 |title=Jays Sign Reliever Bobby Korecky |url=https://jaysjournal.com/2011/03/10/jays-sign-reliever-bobby-korecky/ |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=Jays Journal |publisher=FanSided |language=en-US}}</ref> He split the 2011 season between the Double–A New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Triple–A Las Vegas 51s, posting a 4–3 record with 13 saves and a 2.04 ERA in 44 combined appearances.<ref name=":0" /> He appeared in one game for the Blue Jays in the 2012 season, and spent the rest of that season with the 51s.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
On October 4, 2012, Korecky was outrighted to the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 4, 2012 |title=Blue Jays Outright Three |url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121004&content_id=39490028&vkey=pr_tor&c_id=tor |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102074848/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121004&content_id=39490028&vkey=pr_tor&c_id=tor |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |accessdate=October 4, 2012 |work=Toronto Blue Jays |publisher=MLB.com}}</ref> He became a free agent on October 10.
On April 6, 2013, Korecky was assigned to Triple–A Buffalo. On April 8, he was placed on the disabled list.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2013 |title=Lawrence promoted to Bisons |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-44219158 |access-date=April 8, 2013 |website=Buffalo Bisons |publisher=Minor League Baseball}}</ref> He was activated from the disabled list on April 16.
The Blue Jays re-signed Korecky on December 16, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 16, 2013 |title=Blue Jays sign Goedert, Ohka |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-66015420 |access-date=December 16, 2013 |work=Buffalo Bisons |publisher=Minor League Baseball}}</ref> His contract was selected from Triple-A Buffalo on May 30, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last=Zarum |first=Dave |date=May 30, 2014 |title=Blue Jays promote Korecky, option Rasmussen |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/jays-call-up-korecky-option-rasmussen-to-aaa/ |accessdate=May 30, 2014 |work=Sportsnet}}</ref> Korecky retired the four Kansas City Royals batters that he faced that night, and he was then placed on optional waivers in order to send him back to Buffalo.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 31, 2014 |title=Bobby Korecky placed on optional waivers, will remain on Blue Jays' 40-man roster |url=http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2014/5/31/5767580/bobby-korecky-placed-on-optional-waivers |accessdate=May 31, 2014 |work=Bluebird Banter |publisher=SB Nation}}</ref> He was designated for assignment on July 11 to make room for Dan Johnson on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 11, 2014 |title=Bisons All-Star Johnson gets Jays' call |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-84181680 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |work=Buffalo Bisons |publisher=Minor League Baseball}}</ref> After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Bisons again on July 13. Korecky made just two appearances for Toronto in 2014, posting an 8.10 ERA with two strikeouts in 3{{frac|1|3}} innings pitched.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Bobby Korecky Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/korecbo01.shtml |accessdate=September 28, 2014 |work=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> He elected free agency after the season ended.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 30, 2014 |title=Tuesday Tidbits: Minor League Free Agents, Drew Hutchison, Blue Jays Roster Tree |url=http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2014/9/30/6870693/tuesday-tidbits-minor-league-free-agents-drew-hutchison-blue-jays |accessdate=September 30, 2014 |work=Bluebird Banter |publisher=SB Nation}}</ref>
Korecky signed another minor league deal with the Blue Jays on November 1, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |author=White |first=R.J. |date=November 1, 2014 |title=Blue Jays resign Bobby Korecky to minor-league deal |url=http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/24778274/blue-jays-resign-bobby-korecky-to-minor-league-deal |accessdate=November 1, 2014 |work=CBS Sports}}</ref> He elected free agency on November 7, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=International League Transactions |url=http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_trn&lid=117 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009052057/http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_trn&lid=117 |archive-date=October 9, 2018 |accessdate=November 8, 2015 |work=Minor League Baseball}}</ref>
On November 9, 2015, Korecky re–signed with the Blue Jays organization on a new minor league contract.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=663931067246637056 |user=LottOnBaseball |title=#BlueJays minor-league moves last week, via @BaseballAmerica…https://web.archive.org/web/20230715204010im_/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CTbBoKqWUAAgy4b?format=png&name=small |first=John |last=Lott |date=2015-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715204010/https://twitter.com/LottOnBaseball/status/663931067246637056 |archive-date=2023-07-15}}</ref> In 13 appearances for Triple–A Buffalo, he compiled a 4.30 ERA with 21 strikeouts across 23 innings pitched. Korecky elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eddy |first=Matt |date=November 8, 2016 |title=Minor League Free Agents 2016 |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/ |access-date=August 3, 2024 |website=baseballamerica.com |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Baseballstats|mlb=445090|espn=8230|br=k/korecbo01|fangraphs=4608|brm=koreck001rob}} *[https://www.mlb.com/video/korecky-s-first-career-hit Korecky's first career hit]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Korecky, Bobby}} Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:Águilas Cibaeñas players Category:American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players Category:Batavia Muckdogs players Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Category:Cardenales de Lara players Category:Chatham Anglers players Category:Clearwater Phillies players Category:Lakewood BlueClaws players Category:Las Vegas 51s players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Mesa Desert Dogs players Category:Michigan Wolverines baseball players Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:Naranjeros de Hermosillo players Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico Category:Navegantes del Magallanes players Category:American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela Category:New Britain Rock Cats players Category:New Hampshire Fisher Cats players Category:People from Hillside, New Jersey Category:Reno Aces players Category:Rochester Red Wings players Category:Baseball players from Union County, New Jersey Category:Tigres de Aragua players Category:Toronto Blue Jays players Category:Toros del Este players Category:Winnipeg Goldeyes players Category:Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox players