1. Overview
Mark Anthony Eichhorn is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher renowned for his unconventional sidearm and underhand pitching delivery, which became his signature after a career-altering shoulder injury. Born on November 21, 1960, in San Jose, California, Eichhorn spent 11 seasons in MLB, most notably with the Toronto Blue Jays from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. He was recognized as the 1986 American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year and played a crucial role as a middle reliever and set-up man for All-Star closer Tom Henke, contributing significantly to the Blue Jays' consecutive World Series championships in 1992 and 1993. Following his playing career, Eichhorn transitioned into coaching and remains involved in baseball, also participating in documentaries related to his son's Little League journey.
2. Early Life and Amateur Career
Mark Eichhorn's early life and educational background laid the foundation for his baseball career, which began before he entered the professional ranks.
2.1. Early Life and Education
Mark Anthony Eichhorn was born on November 21, 1960, in San Jose, California. Details about his childhood environment and specific academic background before college are limited, but his athletic talents developed early, leading him to pursue baseball at the collegiate level.
2.2. Amateur Baseball
Eichhorn attended Cabrillo College, a community college located in Aptos, California. His performance in college baseball attracted the attention of professional scouts, paving the way for his selection in the Major League Baseball draft. His amateur career concluded when he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1979.
3. Professional Career
Mark Eichhorn's professional career spanned from 1979 to 1996, marked by a significant shift in his pitching style due to injury, leading to a unique and effective tenure in Major League Baseball, especially with the Toronto Blue Jays.
3.1. Draft and Minor Leagues
Mark Eichhorn began his professional career after being selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the second round, 30th overall, of the MLB draft on January 1, 1979. He officially signed with the Blue Jays on May 18, 1979. Over the next few years, Eichhorn steadily progressed through the Blue Jays' minor league system, advancing through the Rookie League, Advanced A, AA, and AAA levels between 1979 and 1982. This period allowed him to develop his skills and prepare for the demands of Major League Baseball.
3.2. Major League Debut and Injury
Eichhorn made his Major League debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on August 20, 1982. He started seven games for the team during that season, but his fastball-reliant pitching style did not prove effective at the Major League level. Notably, in a game against the Seattle Mariners on September 24, 1982, he held a perfect game through 6.1 innings before giving up a home run, ultimately taking the loss. He did not secure a win during his initial stint. Following the 1982 season, Eichhorn participated in the Venezuelan Winter League, where he suffered a severe shoulder injury. This injury, diagnosed by Dr. Jobe as a rotator cuff tear, significantly impacted his ability to throw with his previous velocity and forced a fundamental change in his pitching approach.
3.3. Development of Unconventional Pitching Style
The shoulder injury he sustained in 1982 effectively robbed Eichhorn of his fastball velocity. Faced with this career-threatening setback, he made a pivotal decision to change his pitching form. At the recommendation of pitching coach Al Widmar and John Sullivan, who had coached Dan Quisenberry during his time in the Kansas City Royals' minor league system, Eichhorn transitioned from a traditional three-quarter arm slot to an unconventional sidearm/underhand delivery. In this new motion, his arm angle was significantly below the belt when he released the ball.
This change not only alleviated his shoulder pain but also allowed him to develop new effectiveness with various pitches. He became adept at throwing a sinker, slider, and changeup, consistently getting strikes with these pitches. His slider, in particular, developed a much larger break. This transformation effectively turned him into a soft-throwing pitcher, relying on deception, control, and the unusual movement of his pitches rather than velocity. While his fastball velocity remained exceptionally low for a Major League pitcher, his command and unique delivery made him an exceptionally effective player.
3.4. Success with the Toronto Blue Jays (1986-1988)
After his injury and the development of his new pitching style, Mark Eichhorn returned to the Major Leagues in 1986, marking the beginning of a highly successful period with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 1986, he made 69 appearances as a relief pitcher, posting an impressive 1.72 ERA, which was the best in the American League by more than three-quarters of a run, significantly ahead of Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens's 2.48 ERA. He also recorded 14 wins, tying for the most on the team, and 10 saves, while remarkably pitching 157 innings in relief. He was recognized as the 1986 American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year for his outstanding performance, setting Blue Jays team records for rookie relief pitchers in ERA, games pitched, wins, and strikeouts. Despite being only five innings short of qualifying for the ERA title, Eichhorn declined manager Jimy Williams' offer to start a game at the end of the season to secure the qualification.
In 1987, Eichhorn continued his strong performance, appearing in 89 games, which tied the American League record for relief appearances. While still effective, a slight issue emerged where his pitching form made him somewhat vulnerable to stolen bases. In 1989, he made a minor adjustment to his pitching form to address the stolen base issue, which helped in that regard. However, this adjustment inadvertently made it easier for right-handed batters to discern his breaking pitches, leading to a decrease in his overall performance.
3.5. Transitions and Later Career (1989-1996)
Following his decline in performance in 1989, Mark Eichhorn was sold to the Atlanta Braves on March 29, 1990. His performance with the Braves remained subdued, and he was released by the team on November 20, becoming a free agent. On December 19, he signed a minor league contract with the California Angels, marking his return to the American League. With the Angels, Eichhorn experienced a resurgence in 1990 by re-introducing his forkball, a pitch he had previously stopped throwing. He continued to perform well in 1991, achieving results comparable to his dominant 1986 season.
On July 30, 1992, as part of a significant trade, Eichhorn was re-acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays from the Angels in exchange for Rob Ducey and Greg Myers. This marked his return to the Blue Jays after a four-year absence. He remained with the Blue Jays through the 1993 season before becoming a free agent on November 1. On December 14, he signed a two-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He had a strong 1994 season with the Orioles but missed the entire 1995 season due to injury, becoming a free agent again on November 8, 1995.
On February 6, 1996, Eichhorn signed with the California Angels for a second stint. He appeared in 24 games but spent significant time on the disabled list from June to August. His effectiveness had waned, reflected by a 5.04 ERA, and he officially retired from Major League Baseball after the 1996 season, making his final Major League appearance on September 14, 1996. Although his last MLB game was in 1996, he continued to pitch in the minor leagues in 1998 and 2000, officially retiring from all professional baseball on August 17, 2000.
3.6. World Series Championships (1992, 1993)
Mark Eichhorn made significant contributions to the Toronto Blue Jays' consecutive World Series victories in 1992 and 1993, returning to the team during their championship window. In 1992, the Blue Jays won the American League East Division. Eichhorn contributed to their postseason success, making one appearance in the American League Championship Series against the Oakland Athletics and one appearance in the 1992 World Series where the Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves four games to two, securing their first-ever World Series title.
The following year, 1993, Eichhorn continued his strong performance, contributing to the Blue Jays' second consecutive division title. He again made one appearance in the American League Championship Series against the Chicago White Sox and one appearance in the 1993 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Blue Jays once again emerged victorious, defeating the Phillies four games to two. The decisive Game 6 ended dramatically with Joe Carter hitting a walk-off, three-run home run, a moment still widely celebrated in baseball history. Eichhorn's reliability as a veteran reliever was crucial to these championship teams.
3.7. Retirement
Mark Eichhorn concluded his Major League Baseball playing career with his final appearance on September 14, 1996. While he officially retired from MLB after the 1996 season, he continued to play in the minor leagues for brief stints in 1998 and 2000. He formally announced his complete retirement from professional baseball on August 17, 2000, after an 11-year Major League career characterized by resilience and a unique pitching style.
4. Playing Style
Mark Eichhorn's playing style was defined by his distinctive and highly unconventional sidearm/underhand pitching delivery, developed after a shoulder injury curtailed his ability to throw with high velocity. When he released the ball, his arm angle was notably low, often below the belt. This unique motion made him a "soft-throwing pitcher" who relied on deception, movement, and precise control rather than overpowering velocity.
His primary pitches included a sinker, a slider, and a changeup. The unique arm slot gave his slider an exceptionally large break, making it a particularly effective out-pitch. While his low velocity was unusual for a Major League pitcher, his control and the deceptive nature of his delivery made him highly effective, particularly against right-handed batters. However, earlier in his career, his form was noted to be susceptible to stolen base attempts. Later, minor adjustments to his form to address this issue inadvertently made his breaking pitches more recognizable to right-handed hitters, impacting his performance. Despite these minor adjustments, his overall career was defined by this distinctive and often bewildering pitching approach, which allowed him to prolong his career and achieve significant success in the Major Leagues.
5. Post-Playing Career
After retiring from professional baseball, Mark Eichhorn remained actively involved in the sport through various coaching roles and community initiatives. He served as the pitching coach for Aptos High School in Aptos, California. His involvement with youth baseball extended to coaching his 12-year-old son, Kevin, on the Aptos Little League team. This team famously won the Little League West Regional and competed in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 2002. Their journey was chronicled in the PBS documentary Small Ball.
Eichhorn also participates in baseball clinics, sharing his knowledge and experience with aspiring young players. He has conducted these clinics alongside several of his former Toronto Blue Jays teammates, including Duane Ward, Lloyd Moseby, Candy Maldonado, Jesse Barfield, Kelly Gruber, Rance Mulliniks, Nigel Wilson, and Paul Spoljaric, demonstrating his continued dedication to the baseball community.
6. Personal Life and Family
Mark Eichhorn is married and has five children: four sons and one daughter. Their names and birth years are Kevin (born 1990), Brian (born 1991), Steven (born 1995), Sarah (born 1999), and David (born 2001).
His son, Kevin Eichhorn, followed in his father's footsteps in baseball. Kevin played on the Aptos Little League team coached by his father, which gained national attention through the "Small Ball" documentary for their 2002 Little League World Series appearance. Kevin was later drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third round, 104th overall, of the 2008 MLB Draft. He chose to sign with the Diamondbacks rather than attend Santa Clara University, where he had previously committed. On January 24, 2011, Kevin was traded to the Detroit Tigers organization in a deal involving pitcher Armando Galarraga. Kevin continued to pitch through the 2014 season, concluding his minor league career with a record of 26 wins and 23 losses, and a 3.73 ERA over 89 games.
7. Career Statistics
Mark Eichhorn played for 11 seasons in Major League Baseball, accumulating a notable record as a relief pitcher. His career statistics highlight his consistency and effectiveness, particularly after adopting his unconventional pitching style.
His final Major League fielding percentage was .992, committing only two errors across 243 total chances over 885.2 innings and 563 games. His only fielding miscues occurred on August 19, 1987, against the Oakland Athletics, and on July 4, 1992, against the Toronto Blue Jays.
| Year | Team | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | W | L | HLD | ERA | WHIP | IP | H | R | ER | BB | HBP | HR | SO | WP | BK | BFP | ERA+ | FIP | BF | Pit / PA | Strikes% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | TOR | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -- | 5.45 | 1.42 | 38.0 | 40 | 28 | 23 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 171 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1986 | TOR | 69 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 14 | 6 | -- | 1.72 | 0.96 | 157.0 | 105 | 32 | 30 | 45 | 14 | 7 | 166 | 2 | 1 | 612 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1987 | TOR | 89 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 6 | -- | 3.17 | 1.27 | 127.2 | 110 | 47 | 45 | 52 | 13 | 6 | 96 | 3 | 1 | 540 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1988 | TOR | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -- | 4.19 | 1.59 | 66.2 | 79 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 4 | 6 | 28 | 3 | 6 | 302 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1989 | ATL | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | -- | 4.35 | 1.30 | 68.1 | 70 | 36 | 33 | 19 | 8 | 1 | 49 | 0 | 1 | 286 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1990 | CAL | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 5 | -- | 3.08 | 1.43 | 84.2 | 98 | 36 | 29 | 23 | 0 | 6 | 69 | 2 | 0 | 374 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1991 | CAL | 70 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | -- | 1.98 | 0.93 | 81.2 | 63 | 21 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 311 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1992 | CAL | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -- | 2.38 | 1.22 | 56.2 | 51 | 19 | 15 | 18 | 8 | 0 | 42 | 3 | 1 | 237 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1992 | TOR | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -- | 4.36 | 1.35 | 31.0 | 35 | 15 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 6 | 0 | 135 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1992 Total | 65 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | -- | 3.08 | 1.27 | 87.2 | 86 | 34 | 30 | 25 | 8 | 2 | 61 | 9 | 1 | 372 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| 1993 | TOR | 54 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -- | 2.73 | 1.35 | 72.2 | 76 | 26 | 22 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 47 | 2 | 0 | 309 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1994 | BAL | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | -- | 2.16 | 1.14 | 71.0 | 62 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 4 | 5 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 290 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1996 | CAL | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -- | 5.04 | 1.55 | 30.1 | 36 | 17 | 17 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 135 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| MLB Total (11 years) | 563 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 48 | 43 | -- | 3.00 | 1.24 | 885.2 | 825 | 328 | 295 | 270 | 63 | 40 | 640 | 25 | 11 | 3702 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Year | Team | G | PO | A | E | DP | FPCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | TOR | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1986 | TOR | 69 | 16 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 1987 | TOR | 89 | 2 | 30 | 1 | 2 | .970 |
| 1988 | TOR | 37 | 5 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 1989 | ATL | 45 | 9 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 1990 | CAL | 60 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1991 | CAL | 70 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 |
| 1992 | CAL | 42 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 0 | .941 |
| 1992 | TOR | 23 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1992 Total | 65 | 5 | 19 | 1 | 0 | .960 | |
| 1993 | TOR | 54 | 7 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 1994 | BAL | 43 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 1996 | CAL | 24 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| MLB Total | 563 | 61 | 180 | 2 | 9 | .992 |
His uniform numbers throughout his career were:
- 28 (1982)
- 38 (1986-1988, 1994)
- 49 (1989)
- 45 (1990 - mid-1992)
- 34 (mid-1992 - mid-1992)
- 48 (mid-1992 - 1993)
- 58 (1996)
8. Legacy
Mark Eichhorn's legacy in Major League Baseball is primarily defined by his resilience and his unique, highly effective pitching style. After a severe shoulder injury early in his career, he reinvented himself, transitioning from a fastball-reliant pitcher to a deceptive sidearmer. This transformation not only saved his career but also allowed him to achieve significant success. He is particularly remembered for his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he became a crucial component of their bullpen in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
His 1986 season, where he was named American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year and posted a remarkable 1.72 ERA in relief, stands as a testament to his immediate impact with his new approach. Eichhorn's ability to pitch effectively with low velocity, relying on pinpoint control and the unusual movement of his pitches, made him a challenging opponent for batters and a valuable asset to his teams. His contributions as a key middle reliever and set-up man for the Blue Jays were instrumental in their consecutive World Series championships in 1992 and 1993, solidifying his place in the franchise's history. Beyond his on-field performance, Eichhorn's dedication to baseball continues through his post-playing career as a coach, contributing to the development of young talent, including his own son, Kevin.