Current Mets Pitching Coach: Dave Eiland (2018-2019)

Dave Eiland was born on July 5th, 1966 in Dade City Florida. The six foot three right hander began his college career with the Florida Gators at the University of Florida. He then transferred to attend the University of South Florida at Tampa. The start pitcher was drafted in the seventh round of the 1987 draft by the A.L. New York club.

Eiland made his MLB debut in Milwaukee on August 3rd 1988 getting a start in a 6-5 loss to the Brewers. He pitched seven innings of three hit ball, allowing a run with no decision. 

Trivia: In that game he made MLB history, being the only player to give up a HR to the first batter he ever faced, then hit a HR in his first at bat. Eiland served up a HR to the his first batter, non other than Hall of Famer, Paul Molitor. Then Eiland himself hit his HR in his very first at bat. It would be his only HR in 22 career at bats.

Eiland would pitch between the minors & the majors for most seasons throughout his career. In 1990 he even won the International Pitcher of the Year Award while with the Columbus Clippers.

He would see limited action over the next four years with the A.L. New York club from 1988-1991 going 5-8 in that time. The journeyman pitcher would go the San Diego Padres (1992-1993) back to New York (1995) & then in Tampa with the Devil Rays from 1998-2000. 

Trivia: In 1998 Eiland acted as a double for actor Kevin Costner in the film For the Love Of The Game.

In a ten year career Eiland was 12-27 with a 5.74 ERA, striking out 153 batters while walking 118 in 373 innings of work in 92 appearances.

Retirement: After his playing days he began his coaching career, starting out in the AL New York clubs organization from 2000-2008. That year he replaced Ron Guidry as the teams pitching coach. In 2010 he took a brief leave of absence & was fired at the end of the year.

After a year in the Tampa organization, he landed the job as pitching coach with the Kansas City Royals. He would get to the World Series twice with his Royals staff under manager Ned Yost.

In 2014 his AL Champion staff was fourth in wins, ERA, runs & walks with the most saves in the AL, behind closer Greg Holland. In 2015 the World Champion Royals beat the NL Champion Mets in the World Series. That year Eiland's staff were first in wins, second in saves & HRs, third in ERA, runs & earned runs.

After two seasons of finishing .500 & lower, he was let go by the Royals. When the New York Mets named Mickey Calloway as their manager for 2018, Eiland got the job as Mets pitching coach, replacing Dan Warthen.

Quotes: “I’ve had other jobs, other opportunities in my career, but I’ve never been more excited than I am now. I don’t think I’ve ever been more ready for this position than I am now. I’m very much looking forward to it. I know the demands of New York. I know the expectations. I know the energy, the passion, and I’m looking forward to getting right back in the middle of that. I want to be held accountable for how this staff pitches. I want those responsibilities. I want those demands. I know how good it is to win there. That’s the driving force.”

An unsuccessful year for the Mets resulted in Eiland's staff coming in eleventh in wins (77) fifth in losses (85) they allowed the second most walks (484)  & were tenth in ERA (4.07). Their best stat was coming in fourth in strike outs (1446).

With an improved bullpen & hopefully a healthy staff, Eiland is expecting a much better 2019.