Ben Christensen

Benjamin Jay Christensen

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 205 lb.
• School Wichita State University
• High School Goddard (KS) High School

• Born February 7, 1978 in Waterloo, IA USA

BR Minors page

Biography

Pitcher Ben Christensen was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the 1999 amateur draft. A hard throwing right-hander, Christensen posted a 21-1 career record at Wichita State University. He was considered to be one of the best pitching prospects in the draft, but his value plummeted after he seriously injured Anthony Molina, a third baseman for the University of Evansville. Christensen battled injuries over the course of a six-year minor league career; he totaled just 12 wins.

The Anthony Molina Incident

Molina was due to lead off an inning for the University of Evansville. As Christensen warmed up on the mound, Molina took practice swings 24 feet from home plate. Wichita State's coach, Gene Stephenson, taught his pitchers to "brush back" on-deck hitters standing too close. Christensen threw a pitch at Molina's head, the unsuspecting victim looked up just as the ball collided with his face. Molina was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries. The hitter's vision fell from 20/10 to 20/400. Christensen was suspended for the remainder of the season.