Brian Warren

Brian Richard Warren
(Devil Man)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.
• School New Mexico State University, Massasoit Community College
• High School Bridgewater-Raynham High School

• Born April 26, 1967 in Brockton, MA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical IUnformation

Brian Warren spent four full seasons in AAA, once posting an ERA under 2, but never made the majors. He then bounced around Asia's 3 major leagues.

Detroit chain

Warren was not picked until the 43rd round of the 1990 amateur draft, selected by the Detroit Tigers. He debuted with the Bristol Tigers (1 R in 4 IP) and Niagara Falls Rapids (2-6, 2.17). He finished 8th in the New York-Penn League in ERA, just ahead of another world traveler, Linc Mikkelsen.

In 1991, Brian starred with the Fayetteville Generals (3-1, 2.10, .90 WHIP) and the Lakeland Tigers (8-2, 2.53, .98 WHIP). He tied for the most wins by a Tigers farmhand and just missed the Florida State League's top 10 in ERA. Warren spent 1992 with the AA London Tigers, going 7-9 with a 3.30 ERA. He tossed a one-hitter during the season. Warren split 1993 between London (3-3, 5 Sv, 5.83) and the Toledo Mud Hens (2-2, 3.44).

Reds system

The Cincinnati Reds acquired Warren in the next off-season. He debuted for them in 1994, going 5-2 with a save and a 3.14 ERA in 55 games for the Indianapolis Indians. He tied for the most appearances by a Reds farmhand that season. Brian was even better in '95, when he went 2-1 with 2 saves and a 1.61 ERA, leading Indianapolis. He only walked 9 in 56 innings. Despite his success, he did not make the majors.

In 1996, the right-hander went 2-3 with a 3.90 ERA in 50 games.

Rangers organization

For '97, Warren signed with the Texas Rangers. He was effective with the Oklahoma City 89ers, going 5-5 with 6 saves and a 3.62 ERA in 41 appearances.

Taiwan

Warren began his Asian journeys with the 1998 Chinatrust Whales, going 4-1 with 2 saves and a 2.49 ERA in 23 games in the Chinese Professional Baseball League.

Japan

After his strong start in Taiwan, Brian jumped to Japan's Nippon Pro Baseball in mid-season, signing with the Chiba Lotte Marines. He allowed only 18 hits in 29 innings in 1998, going 2-1 with 3 saves and a 0.93 ERA.

In 1999, the Brockton native was 1-2 with 30 saves and a 1.82 ERA. He surrendered just 38 hits (one homer) and 7 walks in 54 1/3 IP. He led the Pacific League in saves (3 ahead of Rodney Pedraza) and was named Fireman of the Year. He tied Shingo Takatsu for the most saves in NPB. The feat was impressive as Chiba Lotte was a sub-.500 team that year.

Warren ran into all kinds of problems in 2000. He went 3-2 with 16 saves and a 4.35 ERA for a significant decline in performance. Worse, his behavior made front page headlines in Japan. Warren was accused by a Seibu Lions coach of scuffing the baseball. The next day, instead of apologizing, he showed up with a screwdriver, fork and tape cutter all sticking out of his glove. In July, Osamu Higashio, the Lions manager, kept asking the umpire to check the ball, which kept passing inspection. After Warren saved the game, he raised a middle finger to Higashio. Brian was fined for the event, the first time in NPB history someone was fined for giving the finger.

Warren's other actions included calling his team "a second-rate s***" and saying "I can't wait to get out of here." He earned the nickname "Devil Man" for his behavior.

Korea and Mexico

The right-hander split 2001 between the Korea Baseball Organization's Hanwha Eagles (2-1, 3 Sv, 4.30) and the Mexican League's Monterrey Sultans (0-2, 2.87). He had now pitched professionally in at least six countries (the USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan and Korea).

Independent Leagues, Taiwan again and coaching

Warren began 2004 with the Bridgeport Bluefish after seemingly disappearing from the baseball map for two years. He was 1-0 with 3 saves and a 1.86 ERA in 21 games for Bridgeport. That earned the interest of the Sinon Bulls, who brought him back to Taiwan. He was less effective this time around, going 0-1 with 5 saves and a 5.25 ERA.

In 2005, the 16-year veteran went 0-1 with 4 saves and a 6.57 ERA for Bridgeport. He later was pitching coach and bench coach for the Bluefish. Brian in 2008 was the pitching coach for Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton, MA.

Sources

• The Meaning of Ichiro by Robert Whiting
• KBO Player page
• Japan Baseball Daily by Gary Garland
• Chinese Wiki Baseball
• Pat Doyle's Professional Baseball Player Database
• 1991-2006 Baseball Almanacs
• Article on Warren becoming a high school coach