Desi Relaford

Desmond Lamont Relaford

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 155 lb.
• High School Sandalwood High School
• Debut August 1, 1996
• Final Game July 28, 2007
• Born September 16, 1973 in Valdosta, GA USA

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Biographical Information

Infielder/outfielder Desi Relaford was convinced that he could pitch in the major leagues. Despite being a mere 5' 8" and scarcely 160 pounds, he had a fantastic arm. He got his chance to pitch for the New York Mets during a blowout vs. the San Diego Padres in 2001. Moving to the mound from shortstop to pitch the 9th inning, he faced three batters and retired all of them, even striking out a batter, pitcher Jose Nunez; he even reached 91 mph on the radar gun.

In 2002, he almost got another chance. As it looked like the game was getting out of hand, Seattle Mariners skipper Lou Piniella, not wanting to burn out his entire bullpen, decided to start getting Relaford loose in case his pitcher could not get out of the current inning. As one of the post-game analysts on radio put it: it was so bad that Lou had Desi Relaford warming up in the bullpen, "and for those of you who don't know, Desi Relaford is not a pitcher." The rally was squelched, however, and Relaford never pitched in the bigs again. He did however pitch the last 2 innings of a game for the Oklahoma RedHawks in 2007. He gave up 1 hit, 1 walk, and 1 unearned run.

Relaford became bench coach of the Daytona Tortugas in 2018.

Related Sites

• Jimmie Scott's High & Tight: The Desi Relaford Interview
• Desi Relaford's facebook page