Mike Capel

Mike Capel
Pitcher
Born: (1961-10-13) October 13, 1961
Marshall, Texas
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 7, 1988, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
August 14, 1991, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
Win–loss record 3–4
Earned run average 4.62
Strikeouts 43
Teams

Michael Lee Capel (born October 13, 1961) is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) right-handed pitcher who played for the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and Houston Astros. In 49 career games, Capel pitched 62.1 innings, struck out 43 batters, and had a career win–loss record of 3–4 with a 4.62 earned run average (ERA). While he played in MLB, Capel stood at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) and weighed 175 pounds (79 kg). A starting pitcher in college and parts of his minor league baseball career, he converted to relief pitching while in Chicago's minor league system.

The Philadelphia Phillies chose Capel in the 24th round of the 1980 MLB draft, but Capel did not sign with the team: instead, he opted to attend the University of Texas. Capel played on the 1982 USA College All-Star Team, which competed in the Amateur World Series in Seoul and placed third. The next year, Capel and the Texas Longhorns won the College World Series. After he was drafted by the Cubs, Capel left Texas and signed to play professional baseball; he played in six seasons of minor league baseball before he made his MLB debut in 1988. Capel spent the entire 1989 season in Triple-A, one level below the majors, but the Cubs released him at the end of the year. He agreed to terms with the Brewers and played in MLB after an injury opened a spot on Milwaukee's roster, but was again released at the end of the season. A free agent, the Astros signed Capel, and over the course of the season he pitched in 25 games for the team. He spent the final part of his career in the Astros farm system, and after he made the 1992 Triple-A All-Star team, Capel played his last season in 1993. After retirement, Capel worked as the general manager of a car dealership in Houston, Texas.

Early life

Capel was born on October 13, 1961, in Marshall, Texas, and attended Spring High School in Harris County.[1] As a child, he enjoyed watching the Astros play on weekends.[2] During his senior year in 1979, the Spring Lions won the AAAA conference state championship, and Capel was named to the All-State team, composed of the best high school players in the state.[3][4] He set several pitching records at Spring High School.[5] Future teammate Calvin Schiraldi called Capel a "hard thrower when he came out of high school" and "the top guy out of the state in 1980";[6] Roger Clemens said he was "probably the best pitcher in the state at that time".[5] The Philadelphia Phillies drafted Capel with the 605th overall pick in the 1980 MLB Draft, but instead of signing with the Phillies, he chose to attend the University of Texas.[7][8]

Collegiate career

Capel enrolled at the University of Texas in 1981, but did not play baseball, as stretched ligaments in his elbow forced him to miss his freshman season. Capel pitched sidearmed for the remainder of his collegiate career to compensate for a loss in the velocity of his fastball.[6] In 1982, he was named to the All-Southwest Conference team and pitched to a 9–0 win–loss record with a 3.68 ERA, as the Longhorns finished 59–6.[9][10] His 1982 winning percentage of 1.000 ties him with 10 others for the best single-season winning percentage in Longhorns history (with a minimum of nine decisions).[11] At the 1982 College World Series, Texas defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Stanford Cardinal, but losses to the Miami Hurricanes and the Wichita State Shockers eliminated them from play per the tournament's double-elimination format.[12] Capel played on the United States team in the 1982 Amateur World Series overseen by the International Baseball Federation. Starting against Australia, he pitched a 14–4 complete game victory, as the match ended after seven innings per the championship's ten-run rule.[13] The United States eventually placed third in the competition.[14][15]

The 1983 Longhorns finished with a 61–14 record and were ranked as the number one team in the nation by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.[16] That season, the Texas team featured four future MLB pitchers: Capel, Clemens, Bruce Ruffin, and Schiraldi.[17] In the 1983 College World Series, Capel allowed four hits in a complete game against the Michigan Wolverines as the Longhorns advanced to the World Series finals.[18] Facing the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Longhorns made Clemens their starting pitcher and won 4–3.[17] The championship was the fourth World Series title in University of Texas history, and their first since 1975.[19] Capel finished the season with a 13–1 record and a 2.98 ERA.[10] His career winning percentage (.957) ties him with Rick Burley for the fifth-best in Texas Longhorns history.[11] In June, before the College World Series, he was drafted by the Cubs with the 320th overall pick in the 1983 MLB draft.[20]

Professional career

Chicago Cubs

After he signed a professional contract with the Cubs, Capel no longer threw sidearmed.[6] Capel began professional baseball with the Class A Quad Cities Cubs, but was promoted to the Double-A Midland Cubs shortly into the season. Over 11 games, he finished with a 4–3 record and a 3.51 ERA.[21] In 1984, Capel split playing time between the Class A-Advanced Lodi Crushers and Midland; he led Midland in losses (10) and wild pitches (11) and had the second-worst ERA (6.31) on the team.[22] With Midland, Capel started 11 games out of the 16 in which he appeared.[21] On his 0–7 record for the Crushers, Tom Alexander of the Lodi News-Sentinel wrote that Capel's luck "has been all bad when it comes to wins".[23] Both Lodi and Midland finished their seasons with losing records.[22][24]

From 1985–86, he played for the Double-A Pittsfield Cubs of the Eastern League. In 1986, Capel only pitched in relief, had a career-best 1.87 ERA over 62.2 innings pitched, and led his team with 13 saves.[25] After he was promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, Capel split time between starting and relieving roles in 1987.[6] At 7–10, Capel tied for Iowa's lead in wins and losses, and led the team in strikeouts, with 75; his 7 wins became a career high, and his loss total matched a career high set in Midland three years earlier.[21] After the season, Ray Sons of the Chicago Sun-Times said Capel "may be ready for middle relief in Chicago", and Dave van Dyck listed him as a prospect for the 1988 season.[26][27][28] During winter, Capel, Greg Maddux, Manny Trillo, Damon Berryhill, and several other Cubs played for teams in the Caribbean. Capel played for the Águilas del Zulia of Venezuela and led the team with five saves.[29][30]

"Honestly, it doesn't feel that good. I didn't deserve the win. If I would have done my job, it would have been Al [Nipper]'s win. I never dreamed my first win would be like that."

Capel on his first career MLB win[31]

Capel played in spring training ball as he tried to make Chicago's opening day roster.[6] After the Cubs acquired Mike Bielecki from the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 31, 1988, they assigned Capel to Triple-A despite a Sun-Times prediction that he would be on the MLB roster.[32][33] Prior to the acquisition, when Al Nipper was supposed to become the Cubs' fifth starter, Capel was to take his spot in the bullpen.[32] The Cubs recalled Capel and Mark Grace to the majors on May 3, while Drew Hall and Rolando Roomes were optioned to Iowa; at the time, he had a 1.54 ERA and two saves in Triple-A ball.[34] On May 7, Capel made his MLB debut: he pitched the final 1.2 innings of a game against the San Francisco Giants, allowing no runs and no hits but issuing a walk in a 2–1 Cubs loss.[35] His first career win came the following day against the Giants, although he blew a save by giving up a two-run home run to Bob Brenly and lost a 5–4 lead. The Cubs ultimately won 13–7.[36] Capel continued to pitch for the club until June 30, when the Cubs optioned him to Iowa to open a roster spot for Rich "Goose" Gossage to come off the 15-day disabled list (DL).[37]

He returned to the MLB club on August 8 to replace Schiraldi, but was demoted on August 13 before making an appearance, as Chicago activated Les Lancaster from the DL.[38][39] Capel rejoined the club on August 31, and pitched in five more games before the season's end.[40][41] Over his first MLB season, Capel pitched in 20 games and allowed 16 earned runs over 29.1 innings for a 4.91 ERA.[1] He pitched the entire 1989 season for Iowa, appearing in 64 games for the team.[21] On October 15, Capel was granted free agency by the Cubs; he signed with the Brewers two months later.[1]

Milwaukee Brewers

Capel competed against 22 other pitchers for an MLB roster spot in the Brewers' spring training camp.[42] The Brewers optioned Capel to their Triple-A affiliate, the Denver Zephyrs, on April 5, before the start of Milwaukee's 1990 season.[43] On May 17, Denver placed Capel on the DL with a strained Achilles tendon, which opened a roster spot on the Zephyrs and allowed the Brewers to send Jaime Navarro back to Denver.[44] When the Brewers needed a replacement for the injured Bill Wegman, Capel was called up to the major leagues.[45] For his Brewers debut, Capel faced five batters and allowed four runs (two charged to Capel) against the Baltimore Orioles.[46] His strikeout of Billy Ripken was the only MLB out Capel recorded in 1990. On June 8, he made his second and final outing with the Brewers and allowed four runs (three charged to Capel) against the Toronto Blue Jays; combined, batters hit .857 against Capel as he finished the season with a 135.00 ERA.[47][48] When Greg Vaughn, returning from a turf toe injury and a sprained left ankle, was activated from the DL on June 11, Capel was sent to Triple-A.[49] He finished the season with Denver where he had a 4–3 record with a 4.26 ERA.[21] On October 4, the Brewers granted Capel free agency; he signed with the Astros on January 5, 1991.[21]

Houston Astros

"All I want is another chance. I'm not a flashy pitcher. I'm not outstanding. But I have knowledge for the game and I respond to pressure situations. Too often teams look at a pitcher's velocity, his size and what round he was taken when they consider signing him. They don't look at you as a person. I'm looking for that chance to meet someone who would recognize me as a pitcher who has the right makeup. I believe I can be an asset to any club."

Capel on his 1992 season[2]

Capel began his 1991 season with the Triple-A Tucson Toros; the Astros added Capel to their MLB roster on June 7. Two days later, against the New York Mets, Capel allowed the game-winning home run to Howard Johnson in the top of the 11th inning.[50] Against the Mets on June 14, Capel, starting pitcher Pete Harnisch, and closer Jim Clancy combined for a four-hitter.[51] His final MLB appearance came on August 14 against the San Diego Padres, when he pitched one inning in relief of Jim Corsi in a 4–1 loss.[52] Capel said that pitching for Houston was "the high point of my career".[2] Over 25 games pitched, Capel finished the season with a 1–3 record and a 3.03 ERA.[1]

To reduce their roster to 35 players, the Astros assigned Capel and seven others to the Toros prior to the 1992 MLB season.[2][53] Capel was selected to the Triple-A All-Star Game to replace Tim Scott, whom the Padres promoted to MLB. He told Javier Morales of the Arizona Daily Star that "this is one of the greatest thrills of my career", and he hoped it showed the Astros that he could pitch in MLB.[2] Doug Jones worked as Houston's closer in 1992, however, and Capel never played for the MLB club.[54] For the Toros, Capel had a 6–6 record and a 2.19 ERA with a team-leading 18 saves.[55] The following season, the Montreal Expos invited Capel to their spring camp as a non-roster invitee.[56] Capel elected to remain with the Astros organization where he allowed 26 earned runs in 32.2 innings and pitched the entire season in Triple-A.[57] The Toros, managed by Rick Sweet, finished first in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) South Division with an 83–60 record and made the playoffs.[58][59] Unlike the 1993 MLB playoffs, in which four teams competed, only two teams could make the PCL playoffs. In the championship series, the Toros faced the Portland Beavers, champions of the North Division and holders of a PCL-best 87–56 record.[60] In a best-of-seven series, the Toros defeated the Beavers four games to two.[59] After the season, the Astros did not re-sign Capel.[1] While playing in MLB, Capel stood at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) and weighed 175 pounds (79 kg).[1]

Personal life

In February 1986, Capel pitched in the University of Texas Alumni v. Varsity game, which ended in a 14–14 tie.[61] Capel started to use dipping tobacco in 1976 and in March 1988 had a non-cancerous lesion removed from his lip; he tried to quit the product in March 1988.[62][63] Capel met his wife, Elizabeth, at Roger Clemens' wedding.[2] Outside of baseball, he is a "close" friend of Clemens, and during Clemens' 2012 perjury trial, Capel testified on his work ethic and character.[64][65] In 2012, Capel worked as the general manager of a car dealership in Houston.[66]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Mike Capel". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Morales, Javier (July 13, 1992). "Capel hopes for ticket back to major leagues". Arizona Daily Star. (subscription required (help)).
  3. ↑ "William P. Clements, Jr. Papers". Texas A&M University. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Spring Lions Baseball: Outstanding Lions". Spring High School. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  5. 1 2 Dodd, Mike (October 21, 2003). "Passing torch, with heat". USA Today. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 van Dyck, Dave (March 14, 1988). "A long and winding road: Capel making most of shot at big leagues with Cubs". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 6, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  7. ↑ "24th Round of the 1980 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Sports Briefs". The Victoria Advocate. January 22, 1981. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Texas Baseball History: SWC Honors". University of Texas. CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  10. 1 2 "History: Texas Baseball: 2010 Media Guide" (PDF). University of Texas. CBSSports.com. p. 149. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  11. 1 2 "Records: Texas Baseball: 2010 Media Guide" (PDF). University of Texas. CBSSports.com. pp. 125, 131. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  12. ↑ Madden, W. C.; Peterson, John E. (2005). The College World Series. Arcadia Publishing. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-7385-3379-7.
  13. ↑ "Sports News Briefs; U.S. Wins, 14-4". The New York Times. September 7, 1982. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Roster: XXVII Baseball World Cup". International Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on July 16, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Results: XXVII Baseball World Cup". International Baseball Federation. Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Experience counts in college series". The Gadsden Times. June 1, 1983. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  17. 1 2 Madden, W. C.; Stewart, Patrick J. (2004). The College World Series: A Baseball History, 1947–2003. McFarland. pp. 147–149. ISBN 978-0-7864-1842-8.
  18. ↑ "Texas Tops Michigan, 4–2". The Miami Herald. June 11, 1983. p. 5C.
  19. ↑ "Championship History". NCAA. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  20. ↑ "13th Round of the 1983 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Mike Capel Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  22. 1 2 "1984 Midland Cubs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  23. ↑ Alexander, Tom (July 31, 1984). "Light hitting Crushers play Reno four times". Lodi News-Sentinel. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
  24. ↑ "1984 Lodi Crushers". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  25. ↑ "1986 Pittsfield Cubs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  26. ↑ "1987 Iowa Cubs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
  27. ↑ Sons, Ray (December 10, 1987). "Smith deal OK on closer look". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 6, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  28. ↑ van Dyke, Dave (March 7, 1988). "Frey tries to become Mr. Fix-It– New faces must plug Cub leaks". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 5, 2013. (subscription required (help)).
  29. ↑ "Guia Multimedia" [Multimedia Guide] (in Spanish). Águilas del Zulia. pp. 41, 54. Archived from the original (FlashPaper) on November 24, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  30. ↑ "Sox, Cubs Caribbean Averages". Chicago Sun-Times. February 28, 1988. (subscription required (help)).
  31. ↑ Gould, Herb (May 9, 1988). "Cubs rip Giants — with gust(o): Stiff winds give fielders fits, aid homers". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 11, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  32. 1 2 van Dyke, Dave (April 1, 1988). "It's time to break camp: Cubs get Bielecki, Salazar, cut 2". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 10, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  33. ↑ "Jeff Pico Profile". Chicago Sun-Times. June 1, 1988. Retrieved August 9, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  34. ↑ van Dyke, Dave (May 3, 1988). "Grace hits boost Cubs". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 11, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  35. ↑ "San Francisco Giants 2, Chicago Cubs 1". Retrosheet. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  36. ↑ "May 8, 1988 San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  37. ↑ "Around the Major Leagues". The Washington Post. June 30, 1988. Retrieved August 12, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  38. ↑ Bierig, Joel (August 8, 1988). "Cubs' failures leave Zimmer in the dark". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 12, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  39. ↑ "Pirates deal Jones, for starter LaPoint". The News Journal. August 13, 1988. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  40. ↑ Goddard, Joe (August 31, 1988). "Cubs Bits". Chicago Sun-Times. (subscription required (help)).
  41. ↑ "Mike Capel 1988 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  42. ↑ "Brewers invite 7 to camp". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. February 9, 1990. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  43. ↑ "Around the Majors". The Washington Post. April 5, 1990. Retrieved August 18, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  44. ↑ Munsey, Marc (May 17, 1990). "Redfield Sets Record in Z's win over 89ers". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved August 15, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  45. ↑ Christl, Cliff (June 5, 1990). "An acute need for pitching: With Wegman on the disabled list, Capel is called up from Denver". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 21, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  46. ↑ "Baltimore Orioles 8, Milwaukee Brewers 7". Retrosheet. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  47. ↑ "Toronto Blue Jays 11, Milwaukee Brewers 5". Retrosheet. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  48. ↑ Haudricourt, Tom (June 9, 1990). "Blue Jays rally, trounce Brewers". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  49. ↑ "Vaughn activated". Telegraph Herald. Woodward Communications, Inc. June 11, 1990. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  50. ↑ "Padres rock Pittsburgh for Maddux". Chicago Sun-Times. June 9, 1991. Retrieved October 7, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  51. ↑ "Expos beat Braves on pinch single". Chicago Sun-Times. June 15, 1991. Retrieved October 7, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  52. ↑ "San Diego Padres 4, Houston Astros 1". Retrosheet. Retrieved October 7, 2012.
  53. ↑ "Astros trim roster by 8; Dibble out for month". Austin American-Statesman. March 26, 1992. Retrieved September 30, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  54. ↑ "1992 Houston Astros". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  55. ↑ "1992 Tucson Toros". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  56. ↑ "Transactions". The New York Times. January 19, 1993. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  57. ↑ "1993 Tucson Toros". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  58. ↑ "1993 Tucson Toros". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  59. 1 2 "Past Champions". MILB.com. Pacific Coast League. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  60. ↑ Jorgensen, Loren (April 10, 1994). "Going by Recent PCL History, Buzz Should Be in Pennant Race". Deseret News.
  61. ↑ "Alumni and Longhorns bat to a tie". The Alcalde. Emmis Communications. 74 (4): 26. March–April 1986. ISSN 1535-993X. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  62. ↑ van Dyck, Dave (March 21, 1988). "Cubs up to snuff– and scared". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 13, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  63. ↑ van Dyck, Dave (May 6, 1988). "Cubs Bits". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 13, 2012. (subscription required (help)).
  64. ↑ Traynor, Elizabeth (May 30, 2012). "Former Clemens teammate speaks to pitcher's work ethic, personal drive". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  65. ↑ Schlegel, John (May 30, 2012). "Defense brings out Clemens-friendly testimony". MLB.com. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  66. ↑ Schoenberg, Tom (May 30, 2012). "Clemens Prosecutors Rest Perjury Case Against Ex-Pitcher". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
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