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Kyle Lynn Farnsworth (born April 14, 1976) is an American former professional
baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...
. He played for the
Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
(1999–2004),
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...
(2005, 2008),
Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...
(2005, 2010),
New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
(2006–2008),
Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
(2009–2010),
Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...
(2011–2013),
Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
(2013),
New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
(2014),
Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...
(2014) in
Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
, and for the
Pericos de Puebla The Pericos de Puebla (English: Puebla Parrots) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Puebla. Their home ballpark is the Estadio de Béisbol Hermanos Serdán. Established in 1938, the Pericos have won five Mexican League ...
(2015) and the
Broncos de Reynosa Los Broncos de Reynosa (English: Reynosa Broncos) were a Mexican team that played in the Adolfo Lopez Mateos stadium in the city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas. The Broncos de Reynosa played in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol and it was part of the Zona ...
(2016) of the
Mexican League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...
. In 2017, Farnsworth was the pitching coach for the Brookhaven Bucks of the
Sunbelt Baseball League The Sunbelt Baseball League (SBL) is a non-profit collegiate summer baseball league with teams located in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia and Oxford, Alabama. The SBL is a member of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball, which is parti ...
.


High school and college

Farnsworth graduated from Milton High School in
Alpharetta, Georgia Alpharetta is a city in northern Fulton County, Georgia, United States, and part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. As of the 2020 U.S. census, Alpharetta's population was 65,818; in 2010, the population had been 57,551. History In the 1830s, ...
, in 1994. During high school, he played
baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
,
basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...
, and
football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
. He continued to play baseball in college at
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) is a public college in Tifton, Georgia. It is part of the University System of Georgia and offers bachelor's degree, baccalaureate and associate degrees. The college is named after Abraham Baldwin, a ...
(ABAC) in
Tifton, Georgia Tifton is a city in and the county seat of Tift County, Georgia, United States. The population was 17,045 at the 2020 census. The area's public schools are administered by the Tift County School District. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has ...
. Kyle was inducted into the ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.


Professional baseball career


Chicago Cubs

Farnsworth was drafted in the 47th round (1,290th overall) by the
Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
in 1994. He did not sign until May 12, 1995, after playing briefly at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He played for the Cubs from 1999 to 2004. He was the winning pitcher in the final baseball game played at
Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) ...
on October 1, 2000. Farnsworth was involved in a brawl in the season, against the
Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
. Reds pitcher Paul Wilson stepped out of the
batter's box A baseball field, also called a ball field or baseball diamond, is the playing field, field upon which the game of baseball is played. The term can also be used as a metonym for a baseball park. The term sandlot is sometimes used, although this ...
after an inside pitch, and started to yell at Farnsworth. Farnsworth then met Wilson a short distance from home plate, and speared him to the ground. He was suspended three games for his actions, but MLB reduced the suspension to two games. In the 2004 season, Farnsworth angrily kicked an electric fan in the Cubs' dugout after an outing in which he gave up six runs in one inning to the
Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...
. Farnsworth ended up severely bruising and spraining his knee in the process, and was placed on the
disabled list In Major League Baseball (MLB), the injured list (IL) is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players. Before the 2019 Major League Baseball season, 2019 season, it was known as the disabl ...
as a result.


First stint with the Detroit Tigers

On February 9, 2005, he was traded to the
Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...
for
Roberto Novoa Roberto Novoa (born August 15, 1979) is a Dominican former pitcher in Major League Baseball. Minor league career Novoa was signed on July 3, 1999, by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a non-drafted free agent. He played a season of rookie ball in 2000 a ...
, Scott Moore and Bo Flowers. Farnsworth was involved in a bench-clearing fight in the 2005 season while playing for the Detroit Tigers, against the
Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
at
Comerica Park Comerica Park is a baseball stadium located in Downtown Detroit. It has been the ballpark of Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers since 2000, when the team left Tiger Stadium (Detroit), Tiger Stadium. History Construction Founded in 1894, t ...
. After order appeared to have been restored, Farnsworth tackled Royals pitcher Jeremy Affeldt. Farnsworth was ejected from the game.


First stint with the Atlanta Braves

On July 31, 2005, he was traded to the
Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Eas ...
for pitchers Zach Miner and Román Colón.


New York Yankees

Following the season, Farnsworth signed with the
New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
, replacing
Tom Gordon Thomas Gordon (born November 18, 1967), nicknamed "Flash", is an American former professional baseball right-handed pitcher and current radio color commentator for the Boston Red Sox. Gordon played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kan ...
as the team's primary set-up man. The deal, worth $17 million over three years, was the second-highest offer Farnsworth received. The Texas Rangers reportedly offered a three-year, $16.5 million contract with a vesting option that would have taken the deal to $21 million, plus incentives. He struggled in the 2006 season, accumulating a 4.36 ERA in 72 games. His struggles continued into the 2007 season, as he recorded a 4.80 ERA in 64 relief appearances.


Second stint with the Tigers

On July 30, 2008, Farnsworth returned to the Tigers in a trade for
Iván Rodríguez Iván Rodríguez Torres (born November 27, 1971), nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball catcher who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Ran ...
. He became a free agent following the season.


Kansas City Royals

On December 13, 2008, the Royals reached an agreement with Farnsworth on a two-year, $9.25 million deal. On June 17, 2009, Farnsworth's left, non-pitching hand was bitten while he was breaking up a fight between two of his
American bulldog The American bulldog is a large, muscular dog breed, breed of mastiff-type dog. Their ancestors were brought to the British North American colonies where they worked on small farms and ranches. History Dog breeds defined to any standard onl ...
s—Strike and Rambo. The cuts were deep enough to reach, but not cut, a
tendon A tendon or sinew is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue, dense fibrous connective tissue that connects skeletal muscle, muscle to bone. It sends the mechanical forces of muscle contraction to the skeletal system, while withstanding tensi ...
. Farnsworth later taped his finger, tucked it into his glove, and went to practice telling manager Trey Hillman that he could pitch. When asked which of his dogs bit him, Farnsworth replied: "I don't know. I reached in there and started grabbing dogs and throwing dogs. And one of them got me. One of those things that happens. It's never pretty. I've had to do it a few times, and it's ugly."


Second stint with the Braves

On July 31, 2010, Farnsworth was re-acquired by the Braves along with
Rick Ankiel Richard Alexander Ankiel (; born July 19, 1979) is an American former professional baseball center fielder and pitcher. He spent most of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the St. Louis Cardinals, but also played for the Kansas City Roya ...
for
Gregor Blanco Grégor Miguel Blanco Pedraza (born December 24, 1983) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, and Arizona Diamondbacks. ...
, Jesse Chavez and Tim Collins.


Tampa Bay Rays

On January 15, 2011, Farnsworth agreed to a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the
Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. They are one of two major ...
. The deal included a club option for the 2012 season. For 2011 Farnsworth posted a record of 5-1 with 25 saves as Tampa Bay's closer and a career-low 2.18 ERA in 63 relief appearances. On October 31, 2011, the Rays exercised Farnsworth's option for the 2012 season. On February 5, 2013, Farnsworth signed a one-year contract worth $1.25 million. Unlike his first two years with the Rays, Farnsworth was ineffective in 2013, and was designated for assignment and then released in August 2013, just before another economic incentive would kick in.


Pittsburgh Pirates

On August 16, 2013, Farnsworth signed a minor league contract with the
Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
, He had his contract selected to the major league roster on September 1. He recorded his first Pirates save against the Texas Rangers on September 11, 2013. He became a free agent following the season.


New York Mets

On February 3, 2014, Farnsworth signed a minor league contract with the
New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
. He was released on March 23. On March 26 the Mets re-signed Farnsworth to a minor league contract. He was called up to the majors on April 2 to replace the injured Bobby Parnell. On April 20, Farnsworth was named the new Mets closer after another blown save by Parnell's replacement,
José Valverde José Rafael Valverde (born March 24, 1978) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets. He is nickname ...
. Farnsworth earned his first save as closer the next day in a 2–0 shutout of the
St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Centra ...
. Farnsworth earned his second save as Mets closer three days later on April 23, giving up a run on three hits but managing to hang on for a 3–2 win over the Cardinals. The next day on April 24, Farnsworth was passed up for a save opportunity in favor of
Daisuke Matsuzaka is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher, who pitched professionally for 23 seasons, 16 of them in NPB, 7 in MLB. He is currently a baseball color commentator, critic, Sports journalism, reporter, and YouTuber. Daisuke is nicknamed i ...
. However, after the game, Mets manager
Terry Collins Terry Lee Collins (born May 27, 1949) is an American former professional baseball manager. He managed the Houston Astros, the Anaheim Angels and New York Mets in Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball ...
stated that Farnsworth was still the closer and that the Matsuzaka was the backup option. On April 26, Farnsworth gave up a 10th inning home run to
Miami Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League East, East Division. The ...
catcher
Jarrod Saltalamacchia Jarrod Scott Saltalamacchia (; born May 2, 1985) is an American former professional baseball catcher. Between 2007 and 2018, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Rangers, Boston Red So ...
, allowing Miami to go on to win 7–6, and earning Farnsworth the loss. On May 3 in a game against the
Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...
, Farnsworth gave up a walk off two-run home run to pinch hitter Charlie Culberson, earning Farnsworth a blown save and his second loss of the season. On May 10, Farnsworth earned his third loss of the season, giving up a go-ahead single to
Ryan Howard Ryan James Howard (born November 19, 1979), nicknamed "the Big Piece", is an American former professional baseball first baseman. Howard spent his entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, from to . He is ...
, which resulted to a 5–4 loss to the
Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
. Farnsworth rebounded on May 12, getting his third save of the season in the opening game of the
Subway Series A Subway Series in Major League Baseball (MLB) is one played between teams based in New York City, currently the New York Yankees and New York Mets, and historically the Yankees versus the New York Giants or Brooklyn Dodgers. The venues for g ...
against cross town rivals the
New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
. This was Farnsworth's last appearance as a member of the Mets. On May 14, the Mets outrighted Farnsworth to Triple-A to avoid guaranteeing him a full season's contract. In 19 games with the Mets, he had recorded a 3.18 ERA and three saves in four chances. Farnsworth stated that he would refuse the assignment and wanted to find a new team that would allow him to "play against this team." The next day on May 15, Farnsworth officially elected free agency.


Houston Astros

On May 17, 2014, Farnsworth signed a major league deal with the
Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...
. He was outrighted off the roster on June 26 and elected to become a free agent. At the time, Farnsworth had a 6.17 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched with the Astros.


Pericos de Puebla

On July 2, 2015, Farnsworth signed with the
Pericos de Puebla The Pericos de Puebla (English: Puebla Parrots) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Puebla. Their home ballpark is the Estadio de Béisbol Hermanos Serdán. Established in 1938, the Pericos have won five Mexican League ...
of the
Mexican League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...
. He became a free agent following the season. He appeared in 17 games 17.2 innings of relief going 1-0 with a 2.04 ERA and 12 strikeouts.


Broncos de Reynosa

On April 9, 2016, Farnsworth signed with the
Broncos de Reynosa Los Broncos de Reynosa (English: Reynosa Broncos) were a Mexican team that played in the Adolfo Lopez Mateos stadium in the city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas. The Broncos de Reynosa played in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol and it was part of the Zona ...
of the
Mexican League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...
. He was released on April 2, 2017. He appeared in 18 games (5 starts) throwing 39 innings going 1-3 with a 6.92 ERA with 11 strikeouts and 2 saves.


Post-baseball career

Football In August 2014, after being cut by the Houston Astros, Farnsworth tried out for the Orlando Phantoms, an amateur
football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
team in the
Florida Football Alliance The Florida Football Alliance (FFA) was an American football semi-professional league based out of Boynton Beach, Florida. Founded in May 2007, the league opened its first season of operation on January 19, 2008, and remains the oldest continuous ...
. He had not played football since he was a freshman in high school in 1992. Farnsworth made the Phantoms and played
defensive end Defensive end (DE) is a defensive position in the sport of gridiron football. This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formation (American football), formations over the years have substantially ...
in the 2015 season. He finished the season with 11
sack A sack usually refers to a rectangular-shaped bag. Sack may also refer to: Bags * Flour sack * Gunny sack * Hacky sack, sport * Money sack * Paper sack * Sleeping bag * Stuff sack * Knapsack Other uses * Bed, a slang term * Sack (band), ...
s. Farnsworth played for the Phantoms again in 2016. He also claimed to have received an offer to play professionally in a football league in Australia before the league canceled its inaugural season. In 2017, Farnsworth was again a major part of Orlando's defense.


Bodybuilding

Farnsworth competed in the 2022 National Physique Committee Southern USA Championships in Orlando. He placed first in three categories.


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Farnsworth, Kyle 1976 births American expatriate baseball players in Mexico Latter Day Saints from Georgia (U.S. state) Atlanta Braves players Baseball players from Wichita, Kansas Broncos de Reynosa players Charlotte Stone Crabs players Chicago Cubs players Daytona Cubs players Detroit Tigers players Durham Bulls players Gulf Coast Cubs players Houston Astros players Indianapolis Indians players Iowa Cubs players Kansas City Royals players Living people Major League Baseball pitchers Mexican League baseball pitchers New York Mets players New York Yankees players Northwest Arkansas Naturals players Omaha Royals players Pericos de Puebla players Pittsburgh Pirates players Rockford Cubbies players Baseball players from Atlanta Tampa Bay Rays players West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx players Algodoneros de San Luis players