- August 13th, 2024, 1:57 pm
#662478
Since we have a "Flames in the Minors" thread, I thought that, given the success of our fellow alums, we should also have a "Flames in the Majors" thread.
For those who keep track (such as myself), here is the list of Liberty Flames in MLB... Looking forward to being able to add to this list as the years go on.
Sid Bream (1983 - 1994): Played in over 1000 games as a member of the Dodgers, Pirates, Braves, and Astros. Hit .264 in his career, and famously scored the winning run in Atlanta's game seven victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1992 NLCS.
Lee Guetterman (1984 - 1996): Towering (6'8") southpaw, he debuted for the Seattle Mariners and at one point had the highest ERA in the league before finding success as a reliever for the New York Yankees. Earned 13 saves in place of the injured closer Dave Righetti in 1989; led the team in wins with 11 the following season. Also played for the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, and Seattle Mariners. Career ended with a 38-36 record against a 4.33 ERA).
Randy Tomlin (1990 - 1994): Spent entire MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, earning a 30-31 record in four seasons. Finished eighth in the National League in ERA (2.98) in 1991. Won 14 games in 1992 and helped lead the Pirates to a first place finish in the NL East, a season ultimately felled by Sid Bream's game seven heroics. Elbow injuries led to an early end to his career. Later became the pitching coach at Liberty University.
Doug Brady (1995): Earned a "cup of coffee" with the Chicago White Sox at the tail end of the 1995 season. Hit .190 in 23 at-bats. Played a few more seasons of minor & independent league baseball before retiring.
Josh Rupe (2005 - 2011): Played in 17 games during the 2001 season with Liberty before transferring to Louisburg College. Spent time with the Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, and Baltimore Orioles, almost exclusively as a reliever. Finished his career with a 5-3 record and a 5.06 ERA.
Ian Parmley (2017): Called up to the Blue Jays as an injury replacement. Made his debut on June 23rd, 2017, and went 0-3. Never had the chance to hit again; played two more games as a late-inning defensive replacement before being designated for assignment a week after his call-up.
Ryan Cordell (2018 - 2020): Promoted to the Chicago White Sox late in the 2018 season and played nearly 100 more games with them the following season. Played briefly with the New York Mets in the 2020 season. Career batting average just over the Mendoza Line (.202). Stole four bases during his MLB career, which undersells his savant-level speed: was rated in the 98th and 96th percentile in sprint speed in his two seasons in the big leagues.
Fraser Ellard (2024 - present): Debuted with the 2024 Chicago White Sox (for those keeping track, that's three LU alums who debuted with the White Sox). Ellard pitched well for a Sox team that would set a MLB record for most losses in a season. In 25 games as a middle reliever, Ellard posted a 2-3 record with a 3.75 ERA, 0.2 WAR, and one save.
Will Wagner (2024 - present): The son of future Hall of Famer Billy Wagner, Will tallied hits in his first three plate appearances, becoming the fourth player in Blue Jays history to do so. He finished his first season batting .305, with 2 HR and a .788 OPS in 24 games played.
Manager:
Tony Beasley (2022): Served as the interim manager of the Texas Rangers at the end of the 2022 after the dismissal of head coach Chris Woodward; amassed a 17-31 record. Was retained by new manager Bruce Bochy and served as the third base coach during the 2023 season, during which he helped the Rangers win the first World Series championship in franchise history.
For those who keep track (such as myself), here is the list of Liberty Flames in MLB... Looking forward to being able to add to this list as the years go on.
Sid Bream (1983 - 1994): Played in over 1000 games as a member of the Dodgers, Pirates, Braves, and Astros. Hit .264 in his career, and famously scored the winning run in Atlanta's game seven victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1992 NLCS.
Lee Guetterman (1984 - 1996): Towering (6'8") southpaw, he debuted for the Seattle Mariners and at one point had the highest ERA in the league before finding success as a reliever for the New York Yankees. Earned 13 saves in place of the injured closer Dave Righetti in 1989; led the team in wins with 11 the following season. Also played for the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, and Seattle Mariners. Career ended with a 38-36 record against a 4.33 ERA).
Randy Tomlin (1990 - 1994): Spent entire MLB career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, earning a 30-31 record in four seasons. Finished eighth in the National League in ERA (2.98) in 1991. Won 14 games in 1992 and helped lead the Pirates to a first place finish in the NL East, a season ultimately felled by Sid Bream's game seven heroics. Elbow injuries led to an early end to his career. Later became the pitching coach at Liberty University.
Doug Brady (1995): Earned a "cup of coffee" with the Chicago White Sox at the tail end of the 1995 season. Hit .190 in 23 at-bats. Played a few more seasons of minor & independent league baseball before retiring.
Josh Rupe (2005 - 2011): Played in 17 games during the 2001 season with Liberty before transferring to Louisburg College. Spent time with the Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, and Baltimore Orioles, almost exclusively as a reliever. Finished his career with a 5-3 record and a 5.06 ERA.
Ian Parmley (2017): Called up to the Blue Jays as an injury replacement. Made his debut on June 23rd, 2017, and went 0-3. Never had the chance to hit again; played two more games as a late-inning defensive replacement before being designated for assignment a week after his call-up.
Ryan Cordell (2018 - 2020): Promoted to the Chicago White Sox late in the 2018 season and played nearly 100 more games with them the following season. Played briefly with the New York Mets in the 2020 season. Career batting average just over the Mendoza Line (.202). Stole four bases during his MLB career, which undersells his savant-level speed: was rated in the 98th and 96th percentile in sprint speed in his two seasons in the big leagues.
Fraser Ellard (2024 - present): Debuted with the 2024 Chicago White Sox (for those keeping track, that's three LU alums who debuted with the White Sox). Ellard pitched well for a Sox team that would set a MLB record for most losses in a season. In 25 games as a middle reliever, Ellard posted a 2-3 record with a 3.75 ERA, 0.2 WAR, and one save.
Will Wagner (2024 - present): The son of future Hall of Famer Billy Wagner, Will tallied hits in his first three plate appearances, becoming the fourth player in Blue Jays history to do so. He finished his first season batting .305, with 2 HR and a .788 OPS in 24 games played.
Manager:
Tony Beasley (2022): Served as the interim manager of the Texas Rangers at the end of the 2022 after the dismissal of head coach Chris Woodward; amassed a 17-31 record. Was retained by new manager Bruce Bochy and served as the third base coach during the 2023 season, during which he helped the Rangers win the first World Series championship in franchise history.
Last edited by Liberty4Life on September 30th, 2024, 1:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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