Baseball PlayerPitcherExpatriate PlayerBaseball Scout

Mike Anderson (pitcher)

Michael James Anderson is a former American baseball pitcher who played in MLB and the KBO League, notable for his 1998 Korean Series save, and later became a coach and scout.

1. Overview

Michael James Anderson (born July 30, 1966) is a former American baseball player who primarily pitched as a right-handed pitcher. His professional playing career included a brief stint in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Cincinnati Reds in 1993, followed by several years in Minor League Baseball. He then moved to the KBO League in South Korea, where he played for the LG Twins in 1998 and the Ssangbangwool Raiders in 1999. After retiring as a player, Anderson transitioned into coaching and scouting, serving as a pitching coach in the Chicago Cubs' farm system and later as a professional scout for the Texas Rangers. His career is notable for his historic save in the 1998 Korean Series, marking a significant achievement for an American-born player in the KBO.

2. Early Life and Background

Michael James Anderson was born on July 30, 1966. He grew up with his younger brother, Brian Anderson, who later became a prominent television play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers.

3. Professional Playing Career

Michael Anderson's professional baseball career spanned multiple leagues, beginning in North America before he moved to the KBO League in South Korea.

3.1. Major League Baseball

Anderson made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on September 7, 1993, pitching for the Cincinnati Reds against the St. Louis Cardinals. In that game, he pitched 1 and 2/3 innings, during which he allowed six hits and seven earned runs. Notably, he gave up two of the four home runs hit in a single game by Mark Whiten of the Cardinals. Anderson appeared in only two more MLB games after his debut. On December 10, 1993, he was traded by the Reds, along with Darron Cox and Larry Luebbers, to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Chuck McElroy. However, Anderson never made it to the major leagues with the Cubs.

3.2. Minor League Baseball

Prior to his MLB debut, Michael Anderson played in the minor leagues. After his brief tenure in Major League Baseball, he continued his career in the minor leagues, pitching until 1997. Following his time in the minor league system, he transitioned to playing internationally in the KBO League.

3.3. KBO League Career

Michael Anderson spent two seasons playing in the KBO League in South Korea, joining the league in 1998.

3.3.1. LG Twins (1998)

In his first year in the KBO League in 1998, Michael Anderson joined the LG Twins and served as the team's primary closer. However, he experienced a period of slump during the mid-season. This decline in performance led to tactical adjustments by LG Twins manager Chun Bo-sung. To compensate for Anderson's struggles, Chun Bo-sung made the strategic decision to frequently deploy Kim Yong-soo, who had primarily been a starting pitcher since mid-1996, in various roles including starter, reliever, and closer. Despite his mid-season difficulties, Anderson achieved a significant milestone in the 1998 Korean Series. He recorded a save in Game 3 of the series, becoming the first American-born pitcher to accomplish this feat in the Korean Series.

3.3.2. Ssangbangwool Raiders (1999)

After his season with the LG Twins, Michael Anderson signed with the Ssangbangwool Raiders for the 1999 season. The Ssangbangwool Raiders had not acquired a foreign player in 1998, making Anderson's acquisition, along with Jake Viano, a notable move for the team. During his single year with the Raiders, Anderson's performance was challenging, as he recorded 2 wins and 9 losses with an ERA of 6.75.

4. Post-Playing Career

Following the conclusion of his playing career, Michael Anderson transitioned into coaching and scouting roles within professional baseball. From 2000 to 2006, he served as a pitching coach within the Chicago Cubs' farm system. After his coaching tenure with the Cubs, Anderson became a professional scout for the Texas Rangers, contributing to their player development and acquisition efforts.

5. Legacy and Evaluation

Michael Anderson's baseball career, though relatively short in Major League Baseball, included a notable chapter in the KBO League. His save in Game 3 of the 1998 Korean Series for the LG Twins stands out as a historic achievement, as he was the first American-born pitcher to record a save in the championship series. While his subsequent season with the Ssangbangwool Raiders was less successful with a 2-9 record and a 6.75 ERA, his overall impact is remembered for his pioneering role as an American player in the KBO's championship history. His post-playing career as a pitching coach and scout further highlights his continued involvement and contribution to the sport.