Early Career
Miceli was signed by the Kansas City Royals as an amateur free agent in 1990, but never saw time at the major league level for Kansas City. Instead, he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates (July 31, 1993) with pitcher Jon Lieber in exchange for pitcher Stan Belinda. Miceli made his major league debut on his birthday, September 9, 1993.
The Pirates tried Miceli as both a starter and in the bullpen, but the right-hander found his niche as a reliever, collecting a career high 21 saves in 1995. Unfortunately, Miceli battled a high ERA in Pittsburgh, a tendency that has followed him throughout his career. The Pirates dealt Miceli to the Detroit Tigers (November 1, 1996) for pitcher Clint Sodowsky.
Miceli's stint in the Motor City was short, but productive, recording over 82 innings all in relief. The oft-traded reliever was moved once again to the San Diego Padres with fellow pitcher Donne Wall and minor leaguer Ryan Balfe, for outfielder Trey Beamon and reliever Tim Worrell.
Miceli was an important piece of the Padres 1998 National League Champion team. An ineffective 1999 campaign saw Miceli on the move again this time to the Florida Marlins.
Read more about this topic: Dan Miceli
Famous quotes containing the words early and/or career:
“Betwixt the black fronts long-withdrawn
A light-blue lane of early dawn,”
—Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892)
“Like the old soldier of the ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty. Goodbye.”
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964)