Dan Wheeler: Early 2000s Mets Pitcher (2003-2004)
He won double figures twice in the minors getting him to the big leagues by 1999.
MLB Career: He went 0-4 in Tampa that season and would pitch there for three years, as a middle reliever.
Olympic Team: He was a member of the 2000 US Olympic team, helping Team USA beat Mexico to advance to the final rounds.
Mets Career: He signed on with the New York Mets as a free agent for the 2003 season. He began the year at AAA Norfolk, where he went 4-2 finishing up ten games while posting four saves along the way.
He was promoted to the Mets staff that summer, debuting on June 18th, 2003. In his first game he a pitched three scoreless innings, against the Florida Marlins, earning a save.
His next appearance came in that summers' subway series where he finished out a 7-3 Mets loss at Shea Stadium. Wheeler spent the rest of the year pitching late relief & finishing off ten games.
Olympic Team: He was a member of the 2000 US Olympic team, helping Team USA beat Mexico to advance to the final rounds.
Mets Career: He signed on with the New York Mets as a free agent for the 2003 season. He began the year at AAA Norfolk, where he went 4-2 finishing up ten games while posting four saves along the way.
He was promoted to the Mets staff that summer, debuting on June 18th, 2003. In his first game he a pitched three scoreless innings, against the Florida Marlins, earning a save. His next appearance came in that summers' subway series where he finished out a 7-3 Mets loss at Shea Stadium. Wheeler spent the rest of the year pitching late relief & finishing off ten games.
He earned his second save on July 22nd against the Philadelphia Phillies. On September 1st, he earned his first Mets win, beating the Atlanta Braves at Shea Stadium.
Overall, he pitched in 35 games going 1-3 with a 3.71 ERA & two saves.
2004: The next season he began the year with the Mets, even getting one start in April. On April 8th, he earned a no decision, after allowing three runs in four innings, against the Milwaukee Brewers.
In May, he earned two victories, both in extra inning relief appearances. On May 9th, Kaz Matsui won the game with a walk off double. On May 16th he got the win on the road in Houston, when Jason Phillips hit a 12th inning HR.
In May, he earned two victories, both in extra inning relief appearances. On May 9th, Kaz Matsui won the game with a walk off double. On May 16th he got the win on the road in Houston, when Jason Phillips hit a 12th inning HR.
On July 9th, he earned a relief win on Florida, getting him to 3-0 although his ERA was at 4.42.
Subway Series History: Wheeler pitched in five Subway Series games in his short time in New York, getting beat up in every outing, allowing six runs in seven innings.
Subway Series History: Wheeler pitched in five Subway Series games in his short time in New York, getting beat up in every outing, allowing six runs in seven innings.
At the end of August 2004 he was traded to the Houston Astros for minor leaguer Adam Suess.
Wheeler would pitch in parts of four seasons with Houston, getting to two post seasons.
Astros Post Seasons: He would pitch four games in the 2004 NLCS, earning a win in Game #4. The Astros lost the series to the Atlanta Braves.
He returned to the post season in 2005 getting all the way to the World Series, as the Astros lost to the Chicago White Sox.
In 2006, he filled in at closer for the injured Brad Lidge collecting nine saves. going 3-5 in a career high 75 appearances.
In July of 2007, he was traded back to his old Tampa Rays team for former Met Ty Wiggington.
In the Rays 2008 AL Pennant season, Wheeler saved 13 games second to Troy Percival (28 saves) going 5-6 with a 3.12 ERA in 70 appearances.
2008 Post Season: He collected a save in Game #1 of the ALDS win over the White Sox. In the ALCS he blew two saves to the Boston Red Sox but was credited with a hold in final Game #7.
In the Rays 2008 AL Pennant season, Wheeler saved 13 games second to Troy Percival (28 saves) going 5-6 with a 3.12 ERA in 70 appearances.
2008 Post Season: He collected a save in Game #1 of the ALDS win over the White Sox. In the ALCS he blew two saves to the Boston Red Sox but was credited with a hold in final Game #7.
2008 World Series: Wheeler made it to his second
World Series, pitching in three games allowing two earned runs in 2.2 innings to the Philadelphia Phillies. He earned a hold in Game #2, then gave up a HR to Jason Werth in Game #4.
World Series, pitching in three games allowing two earned runs in 2.2 innings to the Philadelphia Phillies. He earned a hold in Game #2, then gave up a HR to Jason Werth in Game #4.
He would spend four seasons in Tampa from 2007-2010 getting to another post season in 2010. He would pitch one inning in Game #2 of the 2010 ALDS loss to the Texas Rangers.
Overall in 21 post season appearances he was 1-0 with a save & a 3.38 ERA.
In 2011-Wheeler signed with the Boston Red Sox going 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA in 47 games.
In 2012 he pitched with the Cleveland Indians for 12 games & was granted free agency. For 2013 he got signed by the Kansas City Royals but was released in May.Career Stats: In his 13-year career he has pitched in 589 games going 25-43 with a 3.98 ERA & 43 saves. He struck out 555 batters & walked 194 in 640 innings of work.
Family: Wheeler is married to Stephanie Staats Wheeler, who is the daughter of long time Rays broadcaster Dewayne Staats.
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