The Story of MLB Pitcher Mike Bielecki
Looking back at Major League Baseball players is a way to look at how the sport has grown and relive some of the careers of players who influenced players who are playing today. Whether they had star-studded careers or careers as an average big leaguer they still had an impact on the game. In this writing piece of random MLB players, we are looking back at right-handed pitcher Mike Bielecki, born on 7/31/59 in Baltimore Maryland. Mike started playing the game he loved at Dundalk High School. Bielecki found a love for pitching when he was moved from the outfield to the mound. After high school, Bielecki moved on to play baseball in college at Valencia Community College in Orlando Florida. In January of 1979, he was drafted in the 6th round by the Kansas City Royals. Bielecki and the Royals never came to an agreement on a contract so Mike did not sign. However, Mike continued playing and when the secondary phase of the June amateur draft came along he was drafted in the first round (8th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Arriving at rookie-level ball within the Pirates organization at 19 years old Mike pitched well in 51 innings starting in all 9 of his games played with a 2.29 ERA. After this performance, Bielecki would move up through the minor league levels pitching in single and double-A. At 23 in Mike’s second double-A season, he finished with a 15–7 record and a WHIP just over one at 1.19. This solid season would help him get the opportunity to make his Major League Baseball debut in 1984.
At 24 years old Mike Bielecki would make his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his first season at the big league level, he would only pitch 4.1 innings however, Mike did not give up a single run keeping his ERA at zero. In his next three seasons with the Pirates, Mike performed as an average pitcher starting most of the games that he would appear in. After the 1987 season, Bielecki would be traded to the Chicago Cubs where in his first year he had a decent year pitching in 19 games while starting 7 of them. He went 2–2 with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Something clicked for Mike going into his second season with the Cubs in 1989. This by far was the best season in his Major League career. In this year he finished 9th in Cy Young voting and went 18–7 pitching 212 innings. Mike started all 33 games that he played in and completed 4 of them, 3 of which were complete-game shutouts. In this season he had a 3.14 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 147 strikeouts. After this extraordinary year, Bielecki would follow it up with well-pitched seasons that were his prime in his career. He pitched well for the Cubs giving them over 160 innings over the next three seasons. Mike was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 1991 toward the end of the year. He would start off the 92' season with his new team the Braves. In 19 games in his first full season with the Braves, he started in 14. Despite having a 2–4 record he finished the year with a 2.57 ERA along with a 1.28 WHIP. Mike pitched 80 innings this year and following this year with the Braves would start the next season in 93' with the Cleveland Indians. Mike was with Cleveland and would start every one of his 13 games. Mike began battling with injuries toward the end of his career which would limit the amount he could pitch as well as his results. With Cleveland in those 13 starts, he pitched 68 innings and would give up 90 hits. In the next season in 94,' Mike would return to Atlanta to pitch for the Braves. Battling injuries Mike only came out of the bullpen pitching just alright. In the offseason Mike found himself packing his bags to pitch for yet another team, the California Angles where in 22 games he would pitch half out of the bullpen and start the other half. Mike didn't pitch that great giving up 80 hits in 75 innings with a 5.97 ERA. After the 1995 season entering the final 2 years of his career, Bielecki would find himself back with the Braves. In 1996 Mike pitched very well out of the bullpen making sort of a comeback. Mike pitched with a 2.63 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP this year making 40 appearances; 35 entering out of the bullpen. In the final year of his career, he pitched 57 innings out of the bullpen for the Braves. Mike was 37 years old this season and was losing his battles to arm injuries.
Mike Bielecki pitched 14 seasons in the Majors, bouncing around from starting to a reliever role. Mike finished with a record of 70–73 with a 4.18 ERA and 1.407 career WHIP. Playing with 5 different teams. Mike battled through several arm injuries which ultimately ended his career. After his Major League Baseball career Mike Bielecki still gives back to the baseball community by participating in youth development camps with the Cubs and Braves. On the back of his baseball card, it states that throughout his life Mike enjoyed collecting records. Overall Mike Bielecki had his ups and downs throughout his big league career from pitching very well with the Cubs in 89' and getting a pitching appearance in his home city Baltimore on the day Cal Ripken Jr. set the record of most consecutive games played, from battling injuries to keep living his dream of pitching at the Major League level.
Every other Wednesday I will be posting a random former MLB player story. I have a collection of cards and will be randomly picking a card and whichever player I pick I will write about no matter how well or poorly they played in their career.
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