During a 2003 road trip in Oakland, Brian and Indians teammate Carl Sadler helped apprehend two purse snatchers at a bar in San Francisco. One of his friends noticed a teenager walk into the bar, grab a woman's purse and take off running. Brian, nursing a strained right hamstring at the time, and Sadler chased the teen for two blocks while dodging traffic. Sadler eventually caught the thief while a bouncer nabbed the accomplice, and the teammates held the two for 15 minutes until police arrived. For their courageous efforts, Brian and Carl were awarded the Steve Palermo Award from the Baseball Assistance Team...Despite his Ohio roots, Brian is a diehard fan of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football team...Brian was a charter member of the Rays expansion mates Arizona Diamondbacks in 1998. The D-backs selected him from Cleveland with their first pick in the November 1997 Expansion Draft, immediately after the Rays drafted Tony Saunders first overall.
2007
Missed the entire season recovering from his second "Tommy John" surgery, which was performed on July 14, 2006 by Dr. Tim Kremchek...While nursing his left arm back to health, the northeast Ohio native served as the co-host of the "Tribe Report" TV show on SportsTime Ohio...he also broadcast Indians
Spring Training games and filled in for STO during the regular season.
2006
Signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers in January 2006 as he continued rehabbing from "Tommy John" surgery the previous July...aggravated the injury in July in just his second rehab start at extended spring training, and required a second operation (in the span of less than a year) to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament.
2005
Started the season in the Kansas City rotation, going 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA(23 ER/30.2 IP) in 6 games/starts before going on the 15-day
disabled list on May 9 with left elbow inflammation...transferred to the 60-day disabled list on June 11...made rehab appearances with
Wichita (AA) and Omaha (AAA)...underwent left elbow ligament replacement surgery, performed by Dr. Timothy Kremchek on July 21.
Summary: Earned lone win of the season in 2005 debut, allowing 3 runs in 6.0 innings on April 10 at Los Angeles of Anaheim...struck out the side in the first inning, marking the first time he had struck out the side since July 6, 2001 vs. Oakland...took loss despite a quality start in his next outing, on April 16 vs. Detroit, allowing 3
earned runs in season-high 7.2 innings pitched...allowed 13 ER in 9.0 innings over his next 2 starts, on April 21 at Minnesota and
April 27 vs. Minnesota, to raise ERA from 3.95 to 7.54...posted season-high 6 strikeouts in April 27 contest...recorded a quality start
in his next outing, on May 3 at Chicago (AL), allowing 3 runs in 6.0 innings...made final MLappearance of the season on May 8 at
Baltimore, allowing one run in 2.0 innings before leaving the game with left elbow inflammation...did not issue a walk in 4 of his 6
starts...held left-handed batters to an .080 (2-25) average...logged 6.0 or more innings in 4 of 6 starts.
Rehab:Assigned to Wichita (AA) on a rehab assignment on July 4...started for the Wranglers that night vs. Springfield, allowing 3
runs (2 earned) in 1.1 innings...transferred to Omaha (AAA) on July 9 to start vs. Oklahoma...allowed 3 runs in 4.1 innings in his final appearance of 2005...was shut down following the outing and underwent surgery on July 21.
2004
Went 6-12, 5.64 (104 ER/166.0 IP) in 35 games/26 starts for Kansas City...12 losses established a career-high...allowed 33 home runs, 2nd-most on the club and T5th-most in Royals history...made first career Opening Day start on April 5 vs. Chicago (AL), allowing 5 earned runs in 5.0 innings to take no decision...was first Royals left-hander to start on Opening Day since Danny Jackson
in 1987, also against the White Sox...lost franchise record 9 consecutive starts from April 25-July 19...lost 7 straight starts from April
25-May 27 before moving to the bullpen...lost next 2 starts, breaking club record with loss on July 19 vs. Baltimore...snapped string
of 9 straight losses as a starter on July 24 at Cleveland, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings in the 2nd game of a doubleheader...made first
relief appearance of the season on May 29, retiring both batters faced...tossed complete game shutout on August 4 vs. Chicago (AL),
recording 7 strikeouts and allowing just 2 hits... both hits allowed were doubles to Aaron Rowand...retired 17 consecutive batters at
one point...was Anderson's 4th complete game shutout...was the 30th two-hitter in Royals history, the first since Jeff Suppan tossed
a two-hitter on April 29, 2002 at Detroit...went 5-4, 4.12 (40 ER/87.1 IP) over final 15 games/14 starts to lower season ERAfrom 7.32
to 5.64...tossed complete game in final start of the season, on October 2 vs. Chicago (AL), allowing 2 runs on 7 hits in 9.0
innings...logged 5.0 or more innings in each of his last 12 starts...recorded a 3.79 ERA(8 ER/19.0 IP) in 9 relief appearances.
2003
Split the season between Cleveland and Kansas City, going 14-11, 3.78 (83 ER/197.2 IP) in 32 games/31 starts...14 wins were a career-high, while his 197.2 innings pitched were his most since tossing 213.1 innings for Arizona in 2000...started the season with Cleveland, going 9-10 with a 3.71 ERA(61 ER/148.0 IP) in 25 games/24 starts...was acquired by Kansas City on August 25 along with a player to be named later or cash in exchange for minor leaguers Trey Dyson and Kieran Mattison...went 5-1 with a 3.99 ERA
(22 ER/49.2 IP) in 7 games/starts with Kansas City...recorded complete games in 2 of his 7 starts with the Royals, his first CGs since
2001 with Arizona...tossed a complete game, 7-hit shutout on September 5 at Anaheim...also threw a complete game on September 20 at Chicago (AL)...named Royals Pitcher of the Month for September, going 4-0, 3.35 (14 ER/37.2 IP) in 5 games/starts during the month...tossed at least 5.0 innings in 27 of 31 starts...beginning June 13, was 11-5, 3.23 (47 ER/131.0 IP) over final 20 games/starts to lower ERAfrom 4.86 to 3.78.
2002
Season came to an abrupt halt on September 21 in
Colorado when he suffered a season-ending injury to his left
foot...The Arizona lefthander, who had already experienced an
injury-plagued 2001 campaign, was hit by a Ben
Petrick line drive in the third inning at Coors Field causing an
incomplete fracture of his fifth metatarsal and
removed any doubt of him being on Arizonabs post-season
roster.
Injury capped another tough season for Anderson, who
opened the year with an 0-5 mark spanning 15 outings,
8 of which were starts (5.08ERA)...His season-ending record
of 6-11 with a 4.79 ERA was also a bit deceptive
since he left 5 games with a lead only to see it disappear
after his departure, including a 6-3 advantage in his final
start at the time of the broken foot.
He opened the year in the starting rotation, working 3 times
and losing once before going to the pen for 6
consecutive appearances, also losing once in that stretch
from April 17 to May 1...As the month of May began,
Brian continued to work in both roles after going 0-2 w/a 7.25
ERA in 8 April games (3GS, 22.1IP, 33H, 18ER).
Finally broke into the win column on June 5, tossing an
inning of relief at home against Houston and earning a
5-4 victory in the 13-inning affair...He resumed his role as a
starter and lost a June 11 interleague decision to the
Yankees in the Bronx before his luck began to change for the
better...Brian finally snapped his drought as a starter
with a 6-3 victory at home over Baltimore on June 18, his first
win in that role since July 22, 2001, a span of 17
consecutive starts in which he was 0-8 with 9 no decisions.
The win over the Obs started a stretch in which he was 4-1
in 5 starts, highlighted by his first 3-game winning streak
since the 1998 season...The streak began in his home of
Cleveland, posting a 4-2 decision over the Tribe on June
29, allowing 2 runs over 7.1 innings...He followed by defeating
the Giants and Dodgers on July 4 and July 13,
respectively...The winning streak was followed up with 4
consecutive no-decisions from July 28-August 3, the
last 3 of which he left with a lead, but the bullpen could not
hold though the DbBacks eventually wound up with
wins.
Included in that stretch was terrific performance at home
against San Diego on July 28, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits
in an 8-inning stint while establishing a career-high with 11
strikeouts (previous high was 8)...Won only once over
his next 5 starts to fall to 6-11...Brianbs outstanding pickoff
move prevailed once again in 2002, nabbing 8 runners
to match his 2001 total...Anderson has 42 pickoffs since
arriving in Arizona for the 1998 season.
2001
Brian had a tough regular season finishing w/a 4-9 mark and 5.20 ERA while twice going on the DL...He
closed the year in a relief role with his last 6 outings coming out of the pen...His relief work toward the end included
a key game at home on 10/4, just 4 days from the end of the season...He entered with Arizona leading 5-3 and
a man aboard, but retired 7 of the 8 men he faced over 2.1 innings to record the win, his first since 7/22, and first
in relief since 8/29/99...His first disabling injury occurred 2 days before his third scheduled start when he awoke
on the morning of 4/20 with a low back strain...Anderson had been bothered since his final spring training tune-up
with an injury to his left thumb, the result of a line drive off of Glenallen Hillbs bat in an exhibition game against
Anaheim on 3/31...After a rehab start on 4/27, returned to work on 5/2 in Montreal, allowing 3 runs (1 earned)
over 5.0 innings in a 4-3 loss...He broke into the win column on 5/17 at Cincinnati, but the 7-2 triumph which
featured a 2-hour, 53-minute rain delay, with B.A. working 3.0 innings prior to the showers, then returning for
3.0 shutout frames once play resumed...On 6/2 vs. San Diego he tossed 6.1 shutout innings before leaving with
a left groin strain and was placed on the DL for the 2nd time...Was out of action until a AAA rehab assignment
on 6/26...He was reactivated for a start on 7/1 against Colorado, working 7.0 frames of a no decision...Brian
snapped his 2-month victory drought in San Francisco on 7/22 with 8.0 innings in a 12-4 triumph...It was
Andersonbs last win until 10/4, going 0-3 in a 6-start stretch that resulted in a move from the rotation to the bullpen
after a loss in Philadelphia on 8/24...Brian made 4 appearances for the Diamondbacks, working 3 times in relief
before incurring a tough 2-1 loss as the starter in Game #3 of the World Series against Roger Clemens and the
Yankees...On an evening that began with President George W. Bush throwing out the first pitch, Anderson allowed
2 runs on 5 hits over 5.1 innings in the Bronx, finishing with 107 pitches in his longest outing since working 6.0
frames on 8/31...Earned the opportunity to start in the Fall Classic after an outstanding relief performance in Game
#4 of the NLCS in Atlanta, posting an 11-4 win to give the DbBacks a 3-1 lead in the series...He entered in relief
of Albie Lopez and worked 3.1 innings allowing a run on 4 hits for his first post-season victory since 10/15/97,
in the ALCS with Cleveland over Baltimore...Was 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 4 post-season appearances (1GS, 12.2IP,
12H, 4ER)...His career post-season numbers feature a 2-1 ledger and 2.43 ERA (29.2IP, 8ER).
2000
Brian opened the year going 5-0 through 10 starts to extend his personal winning streak to 11 straight dating
back to 7/24/99...In that span he was the starting pitcher in 17 consecutive Arizona victories tying the Yankeesb
Whitey Ford (1961) for the third longest streak in the post expansion era (since 1961) according to Elias...Only
Tom Filer (1982-88 with the Cubs, Blue Jays and Brewers) and Chuck Finley (1997-98 with Anaheim) had longer
streaks...Finished second in the N.L. in fewest walks per 9-innings with a 1.6 mark...He led the staff with 10
pickoff/caught stealing, tying Al Leiter and John Halama for the major league lead...He finished with 14 no
decisions, tops among all N.L. starting pitchers.
1999
He opened the year in the pen and was 0-1 with a save in his first 8 appearances, allowing 11 earned runs
in 10.1 innings (9.58 ERA)...The save was the first regular season save of his career, working the final 3.1 innings
vs. the Giants on 4/16...He was optioned to AAA on 5/8, made a pair of starts, then returned to the big league club
12 days later to replace the injured Todd Stottlemyre in the rotation...Brian tossed a 3-hitter in a 4-0 win at home
over the Cubs on 8/17, his second career shutout...He closed the year with a career-high 6-game winning streak
with a 2.09 ERA, spanning 13 appearances (9 starts)...Also contributed with the long ball, hitting the first of his
major league career on 8/4 vs. SF at home, taking Mark Gardner deep... Made his only post-season appearance
of b99 in the fourth game of the series against the Mets, tossing 7.0 outstanding innings in Shea Stadium on
10/9 (7H, 2R/ER).
1998
Was selected with the 2nd overall pick (Arizonabs first) in the first round of the expansion draft 11/18/97
by the Diamondbacks... He led the majors by allowing just 1.0 walk per 9-innings, surrendering 24 freebies,
besting Rick Reed and Jose Lima (1.2) in the N.L., and David Wells (1.2) in the A.L....He closed the year with 1
walk in his last 6 starts, featuring a streak of 156 consecutive batters faced between walks...Anderson picked off
12, tying Floridabs Jesus Sanchez and Detroitbs Justin Thompson for the major league lead...He tossed the first
complete-game shutout of his career, a 3-hitter in Pittsburgh that resulted in a 1-0 decision on 9/3...The home
run ball was his achilles heel, allowing 39, tying Coloradobs Pedro Astacio for most in the majors...He was voted
the initial winner of the team bGood Guyb Award by the Arizona chapter of the BBWAA.
1997
Hampered with shoulder problems at various points during the season...Took his game to another level with
an outstanding performance in the post-season...Began the season in AAA Buffalo after his option out of spring
training on 3/31...Was slowed in the spring by a sprained left knee, suffered while shagging flies during BP on
3/7...Was at the AAA level from the beginning of the season until his recall by Cleveland on 6/11...Struck out a
career-high 7 batters and picked up his first ML win in 1997 in his start vs. Cincinnati on 7/17...Won 3 straight
decisions, 6/17-7/4, before being scratched from his 6th start in Minneapolis on 7/11 just before game time with
a sore left shoulder...Was placed on the 15-day disabled list on 7/13 (retroactive to 7/5) with tendonitis in his left
shoulder, his 3rd career stint on the DL at the ML level...Was sent on a 30-day rehab assignment to AAA Buffalo
on 8/3 and made 2 starts before being activated from the DL on 8/13 and optioned to AAA Buffalo...Spent the
remainder of the AAA regular season and playoffs in Buffalo...At AAA he was on the disabled list from 5/2-22 with
stiffness in his left shoulder...Held American Association hitters to a .238 (78-328) average against...Posted a
mark of 2-0 w/a 3.31 ERA in the American Association playoffs for the A.A. Champion Buffalo Bisons (16.1IP, 14H,
6R/ER, 0BB, 15SO)... Walked just 11 batters in 48.0 innings pitched (2.0BB/9.0IP), which would have finished
4th in the AL had he had the innings to qualify...Went a combined 1-0 in the post-season with a 1.80 ERA and a
save in 6 relief appearances (10.0IP, 3H, 2ER, 3BB, 9S0)...Held the opposition to a .088 (3-34) average against
in the post-season...Was not active for the Division Series but was on the ALCS and World Series roster when
Mike Hargrove went with an 11-man pitching staff...Although not eligible at the start of post-season, he replaced
the injured John Smiley on the playoff roster for the ALCS...Was the winning pitcher in the Tribebs 1-0, 11-inning
win at Baltimore in Game 6 of the ALCS...Pitched a scoreless 10th inning before Tony Fernandezb solo homer in
the top of 11th inning put the Tribe ahead to give them their 2nd American League title in 3 years
1996
Was acquired from the California Angels in Spring Training in exchange for Jason Grimsley and Pep Harris
and enjoyed very productive season between AAA and the big leagues...Spent three stints at the big league level
with the Tribe after beginning the season in AAA Buffalo after his option out of Spring Training on 3/31...Made
Indians debut on 5/18 vs. the Texas...Optioned back to AAA on 6/10...Was in AAA from 6/10 until making an
emergency start for the Tribe on 8/4 vs. Baltimore (5.1IP, 7H, 1R) in place of the injured Dennis Martinez, who
warmed up in the bullpen prior to game time but couldnbt pitch due to a sore right elbow...Recalled for the 8/4
start and notched his first win as an Indian & first since 8/1/95 vs. Seattle...Win was preserved by a great catch
by Kenny Lofton off BJ Surhoff in the 8th inning...Was optioned back to Buffalo the next day (8/5)...Recalled for
a third and final time on 9/8...Spent the remainder of the season at the big league level...Finished the AAA season
for Buffalo with an 11-5 record and an ERA of 3.59 in 19 starts (128.0IP, 125H, 57R/51ER, 28BB, 85SO)...Was
named the LHP on the American Association Post-Season All-Star Team...His 3.59 ERA was the 6th lowest mark
among A.A. pitchers while his 11 wins finished tied for 4th...Was the winning pitcher in the Tribebs Central Division
clincher on 9/17 in Chicago...Picked up 3rd win in the 9-4 Tribe win...Pitched only 0.1 innings after Sept. 17 due
to a tired arm and some soreness in the left shoulder.
1995
Began second full season in the starting rotation...Posted 6-8 mark with a 5.86 ERA in 18 games
(17GS)...Left 5/5 outing vs. Seattle in the 4th inning due to a strained left biceps muscle...Placed on the 15-day
disabled list the next day (5/6)...Activated from 15-day DL on 6/20...Recorded first win of the season that night
vs. KC (6.1IP, 3H, 1ER)...Won career-best 5 consecutive starts between 7/6-8/1...Over the span he compiled an
ERA of 3.38 (42.2IP, 16ER)...Completed first game of his career on 7/22 vs. Detroit (9.0IP, 6H, 3R/ER) in 13-3
Angels win...Lost club-high 6 consecutive decisions between 8/6 and 9/5, including 5 straight starts beginning
8/16...Gave up 4 homers in the second inning in a span of 8 pitches on the night Cal Ripken tied Lou Gehrigbs
record for consecutive games played...Surrendered club-high 24 homers...Posted 1.62 ERA (16.2IP, 3ER) with
Andy Allanson behind the plate...Played winter ball in Venezuela following the season.
1994
Recalled from Vancouver on 4/9, replacing Mark Langston, who was placed on the 15-day DL with bone
chips in his elbow... Started contest following afternoon in Milwaukee defeating the Brewers, 4-1, for his first
major league win...Took 3-hit shutout into the 9th before being relieved...Suffered non-displaced fracture of his
left thumb on 5/6 vs. Oakland when ground ball hit by Oaklandbs Geronimo Berroa struck the hand with one out
in the first inning...Placed on DL the following day...Activated off DL on 6/6...18 starts ranked most in majors
among rookie pitchers as he was named The Sporting News AL Rookie Pitcher of the Year...7 wins ranked 2nd
in AL among rookies and most in majors among LH rookies... Tied for most balks in the league with 5 (Al Leiter).
Recalled from Vancouver on 4/9, replacing Mark Langston, who was placed on the 15-day DL with bone
chips in his elbow... Started contest following afternoon in Milwaukee defeating the Brewers, 4-1, for his first
major league win...Took 3-hit shutout into the 9th before being relieved...Suffered non-displaced fracture of his
left thumb on 5/6 vs. Oakland when ground ball hit by Oaklandbs Geronimo Berroa struck the hand with one out
in the first inning...Placed on DL the following day...Activated off DL on 6/6...18 starts ranked most in majors
among rookie pitchers as he was named The Sporting News AL Rookie Pitcher of the Year...7 wins ranked 2nd
in AL among rookies and most in majors among LH rookies... Tied for most balks in the league with 5 (Al Leiter).
1993
1993 Drafted by California in the 1st round (3rd overall) of the June free agent draft after completing junior season
at Wright State University (Dayton, OH)...Signed contract on 7/30...Initially assigned to minor league complex in
Mesa, AZ and joined AA Midland on 8/18...Sent to AAA Vancouver on 8/31...Had contract purchased from
Vancouver, 9/7...Made ML debut on 9/10 at Toronto...Made first ML start on 9/30 at Minnesota ...Became
youngest Angels starter since Mike Witt in 1981 (20years, 7 mos., 27 days).
