Brian Essery

From BR Bullpen

Brian C. Essery

  • Bats Right, Throws Right
  • Height 6' 4", Weight 210 lb.

BR page

Brian Essery pitched three years in the independent leagues.

After college, Essery signed with the Welland Aquaducks. He was 1-2 with a 4.31 ERA in 1995, followed by a 4-6, 3.75 campaign in '96. Brian had a 2-3, 4.22 record for the 1997 Altoona Rail Kings. He then returned to his native St. Catharines, Ontario, to play amateur ball; he also worked for the Niagara Regional Police.

Essery joined the British national team system in 2007. In the 2007 European Championship, he got a crucial start against eventual Bronze Medalist Spain, giving up 3 runs in 5 innings in a no-decision as Britain beat former minor leaguer Xavier Civit. He tossed five shutout innings to top the Ukrainian national team in his next outing. In the Gold Medal game, he was called on to face the Dutch national team with a trip to the 2008 Olympics on the line. He was no match for David Bergman, who topped him in a 6-0 game with the offense provided by future major leaguer Roger Bernadina and another US pro, Hainley Statia. Essery gave up 8 hits and 6 runs (3 earned) in 6 1/3 IP.

In the 2009 Baseball World Cup, he was 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA for Britain; only Tom Boleska pitched better for the Brits. He got a crucial win over Croatia to help Great Britain get to round two, then lost to Nicaragua in his other decision. In the 2010 European Championship, the 36-year-old allowed four runs in seven innings, losing his only start to Sweden and Joakim Klaesson.

Essery coached for Britain in the 2011 European Championship Qualifier and 2014 European Championship.

Sources[edit]