3/1/2000 - "Painter" Portfolio

This past November, Blue Jay fans were shocked to hear of a trade that would send former Cy Young winner Pat Hentgen and reliever Paul Spoljaric to the St. Louis Cardinals for RHP Matt DeWitt, C Alberto Castillo and LHP Lance Painter. While the credentials of Hentgen and Spoljaric are well known to Jay fans, those of the newest Blue Jays might not be. Hopefully, this column will be able to shed a little light on the most highly touted of the new arrivals, Lance Painter.

Painter was born in Bedford, England on July 21st, 1967, but graduated from Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wisconsin, having pitched a perfect game in his senior year. He went on to attend the University of Wisconsin where he pitched for the college's baseball team.

In the June 1990 Free Agent Draft, Painter was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 25th round (681st overall) but would never see the majors in a Padres uniform. He spent the 1990 season in Class A Spokane where he went 7-3 with 3 saves in 23 appearances, notching a 1.51 ERA. Over the next three years in the minors, Painter would compile a record of 31-16.

On November 17, 1992, during the Expansion Draft, Painter was selected in the second round by the Colorado Rockies. The next season, the Rockies first, Painter would make his major league debut, taking the loss against San Diego May 19th. On August 29th, two days after being recalled from the minors again, however, he would pick up his first major league victory, and an RBI in a 6-1 win over the New York Mets. At Shea Stadium that day, Painter would pitch a five-hit complete game, the only time he would go the distance in his major league career thus far.

On September 18th, Painter would make his first major league appearance in relief against the Dodgers. In all, Painter would finish 1993 having gone 2-2 with a 6.00 ERA in 10 appearances (6 starts, 4 relief appearances).

1994 would see Painter make two stints in the majors. His 4-6 record and 6.11 ERA was enough to be named the Rockies Rookie of the Year by the Colorado chapter of the BBWAA.

Despite the award, Painter would find himself back at Triple A-Colorado Springs until after the All-Star break in 1995. He would earn his first major league save on August 16th, getting the final out in a 6-4 win over Cincinatti.

He wasn't expected to stay in the bullpen, as Colorado manager Don Baylor wanted a left-hander in the rotation. Baylor also expressed doubts that Painter didn't have the mentality to make the 60+ appearances that most relievers were expected to make.

During the abbreviated spring training of 1995, Painter sprained his ankle and would begin the season on the disabled list.

That season, Painter went 3-0 with one save and a 4.37 ERA in 33 appearances. On July 12th, 1995, Painter would join the major leagues for good (save for going to AAA Louisville for rehabilitation for less than 2 weeks in 1997).

That year also say the first post-season appearance by Painter, as he started Game 2 of the Divisional Series against Atlanta. He gave up 3 runs in 5 innings as Atlanta went on to win 7-4.

1996 was Painter's first full-season in the majors, but he made just one start, a loss to Montreal on April 7th. On August 4th, he faced just one batter in a game against Chicago. The next day, he was placed on the disabled list. On September 13th, he had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrium in his left shoulder.

1996 was also the end of his stay in Colorado, he was claimed on waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals on December 2nd.

His first season in St. Louis was limited to just 14 appearances, as he spent two stints on the DL due to a right hamstring injury. He still managed a 1-1 record with a 4.76 ERA.

In 1998, he appeared in a career high 68 games, and logged 21 holds, which tied him for third in the National League. 1998 also saw career highs in wins (4) and ERA (3.99). He also impressed by allowing only 19 percent of inherited runners to score, and limiting left-handed batters to a .205 batting average and just 2 home runs. Against Atlanta on July 31st, Painter earned just the second save of his career by striking out the final two batters with the bases loaded with the 9th.

On January 15, 1999 the Cards agreed to terms with Painter, offering him a two-year deal with a club option for the 2001 season. The deal made Painter $800,000 in 1999. In 1999, Painter appeared in 56 games. While he only started 4 of those games, he finished with a 4-5 record, (4.83 ERA) and earned save number 3.

Having become a naturalized U.S. citizen after the end of 1994 baseball season, the 6-foot-one, 197-pound Painter now resides in Highland Ranch, Colorado with his wife Kelly and his daughter, Jordan Anne, (born on May 5, 1998).

John M. Milner firmly believes that Joe Carter's home run in the 1993 World Series was one of the turning points of his life. Discuss this, his columns, baseball or life in general with him at docmilner@yahoo.ca.

Don't see the navigation? Click here.