Bobby Cramer

Robert Thomas Cramer

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 210 lb.
• School Long Beach State University
• High School Loara High School
• Debut September 13, 2010
• Final Game June 9, 2011
• Born October 28, 1979 in Anaheim, CA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Bobby Cramer made nine appearances with the Oakland Athletics, debuting just prior to his 31st birthday.

Cramer was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 38th round of the 2001 amateur draft but never appeared in their system. He had Tommy John surgery in 2002 and was picked up by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, appearing for the Hudson Valley Renegades (0-1, a save, 1.69) and Bakersfield Blaze (3.55 in 5 games). He went 6-4 with 4 saves and a 3.32 ERA in 35 games for the 2004 Charleston RiverDogs, allowing only a .224 average and striking out four times as many as he walked with a WHIP barely over 1. Tampa Bay rewarded him by releasing him and he retired from baseball for a spell. In 2007, he signed with the A's and pitched for the Midland Rockhounds (5-1, 1.89 in 12 games, 50 strikeouts, 10 walks in 52 1/3 innings) and the Stockton Ports (4-1, 3.80 in 9 games). He pitched for the independent Orange County Flyers in 2008, posting a 7-4, 3.93 record with 92 strikeouts to 16 walks in 91 2/3 innings. For 2009, Cramer was rumored to be headed to Italy's Parma club but instead was picked up once more by the A's. He bounced between Stockton (1-0, 1.59), Midland (3-4, 3.35) and the Sacramento River Cats (1-1, 6.43). At 29, he made it to AAA for the first time but fared poorly.

Cramer's big redemption came in 2010 when he signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo and went 13-3 with a 2.95 ERA while walking only 28 in 128 innings. He led the Mexican League in wins, complete games (5), shutouts (3), strikeouts (123) and WHIP (1.12), while finishing .06 behind ERA leader Mac Suzuki. Cramer won Pitcher of the Year honors. That got him yet another contract with Oakland. Sent to Sacramento, he continued to shine, going 2-2 with a 1.94 ERA in seven starts. He was called up to the big leagues in September, allowing a double to the first batter he faced, fellow rookie Jarrod Dyson, while facing the minimum through three in a start against the Kansas City Royals. Mike Aviles took him deep in the 4th but Bobby left with a 3-1 lead in the 6th and got the victory. Overall, he went 2-1, 3.04 in 4 starts for Oakland, with 13 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. He made five relief appearances the following year (with a 1.08 ERA in 8 1/3 innings) but was released in July, ending his career.

Notable Achievements

• 2010 Pitcher of the Year Mexican League Tigres de Quintana Roo

Sources

• Mister baseball
• 2004-2008 Baseball Almanacs

Related Sites

• Bobby Cramer on mlb.com