Halama Named Pitcher of the Month

By Atlantic League Independent Wire Services on June 5, 2009

Waldorf, MD – Southern Maryland left-handed starting pitcher John Halama has been named the Atlantic League’s Pitcher of the Month, for games played in April and May of this season.  Opening Day was April 23.  The award was somewhat of a foregone conclusion for Halama, who baffled Atlantic League batters while cruising to a 7-0 record in his first seven starts of the 2009 season.  Halama was not defeated until a 2-1 loss to the York Revolution on June 2 in the first game of a doubleheader at Regency Furniture Stadium.  Halama was still impressive in defeat though, tossing a complete game (doubleheader games are seven innings), striking out a season high seven batters.

As of his most recent outing on June 2, Halama is 7-1 in eight starts with a 2.17 earned run average.  His ERA is second in the Atlantic League, while his seven wins are top on the circuit, two ahead of the next closest players.  His 58 innings pitched lead the Atlantic League, and his 36 strikeouts place him third.  Halama has walked just 13 batters on the season.

On the ‘09 campaign Halama has thrown four complete games total; three of the seven inning variety in doubleheaders, and one nine-inning complete game May 28 at Long Island, where he allowed just seven hits and a run.  Halama’s last three starts have all been complete games.

At 37, Halama is still quietly confident that he can return to the Major Leagues, where he spent parts of five seasons.

“Whether I start or relieve, I know I can help somebody out on the big league level.  Thank God I haven’t been injured and that’s helped me to be able to come here, and be able to compete,” said Halama.  “So maybe being healthy tells me all the hard work has paid off, and will pay off,” he continued.

With a career Major League record of 56-48, Halama made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros in 1998, going 1-1 in six starts.  Halama was then sent to the Seattle Mariners in October of that year, as the player to be named later in the trade that sent hurler Randy Johnson from Seattle to Houston before the trade deadline earlier that season.  Halama would spend the next four seasons on the Mariners roster, amassing a 41-31 record in 130 appearances and 81 starts from 1999 through 2002.

Through free-agency, Halama would go on to suit up in the big leagues for the Oakland Athletics (2003), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004), and the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals in 2005.  Halama’s most recent season in the Major Leagues came in 2006, when he went 3-1 in 17 appearances and a start for the Baltimore Orioles.  Halama spent the 2007 season with the Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League and made 26 starts, before transitioning to the expansion Blue Crabs for 2008.  After sparkling in eight starts, going 4-1 with a microscopic 1.91 ERA, Halama was inked to a deal by the Cleveland Indians and assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons of the International League.  He would prove to be just as dependable for Buffalo, notching 16 starts with an 8-6 record and two complete games.

Halama has put together an impressive 128-90 record at all levels in his career.  He was originally drafted by Houston in 1994, and made his professional debut that summer in their organization at Class A Auburn in the New York-Penn League.  Halama has accumulated well over 1,000 strikeouts in his career, and is likely to pass 1,200 strikeouts for his career this season. (He currently stands at 1,185)  The lefty has 492 strikeouts at the Major League level.

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