Abe Colbert is a pitcher with the Louisville Sluggers of the Monty Brewster World Baseball Association. He just finished up his 12th season and has been seen by most of his peers as extraordinary. Not only because of his will to survive in the MBWBA (he is with his 6th big league franchise) but because he is a knuckleballer. While there have been great examples of pitchers who have done well with the knuckleball (Hoyt Wilhelm and Phil Niekro historically and Tim Wakefield and R.A. Dickey more recently) it has been somewhat of a lost art in the Monty. Most pitchers get by with great control, high velocity and an arsenal of great pitches. Abe has gotten by on moxie and the knuckleball.
Our story starts in the shadows of Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois. Born to Jack and Hazel Colbert in January of 1977 young Abe was big for his size. He enjoyed being in sports throughout his childhood and enjoyed baseball the most. Jack’s job with the local factory allowed a few extra dollars to spend on activities during the weekends and the family enjoyed attending games at the nearest Monty team, the Chicago Black Sox. Jack often joked about attending the games by telling Hazel that Abe was in trouble again, they were going to “The Courthouse” (Chicago’s stadium name). Hazel knew instantly that the only trouble Abe was going to get into is talking nonstop about his favorite players that he saw instead of doing his homework. Abe liked the game and was fascinated by how the pitchers could command the game. He set out to be a “major league” pitcher that could someday follow in the footsteps of his favorite player Bill Walters. Walters was a young starting pitcher in ’85 when he was traded from Greenville to Chicago and happened to catch the fancy of the young kid in Joliet. Walters pitched 6 full seasons for Chicago, winning around 60 games, and eventually played for a few more teams before winding up his career in Omaha. Young Abe followed the career of his favorite player and boyhood idol and it wasn’t lost on Abe that Walters gave it his all for 7 different teams before retiring in 1996 with Omaha. Abe even got to meet his idol in person when Walters was in Chicago with the New Orleans Crawdads during the ’95 season. Abe was able to have a ball signed during batting practice.
Abe continued to play ball and was planning on being part of his college team in 1998 at Stearns College. He was doing ok on the practice field for the Buckshots but his grades were not quite up to par so Abe transferred to Winn Dixie College. Abe finally made it onto his college baseball team for 1 season while at Winn-Dixie College. The results were unspectacular as he went 2-8 with a 6.98 ERA but he showed promise. He was a likable kid with a huge upside. And he had a knuckleball that seemed to mesmerize batters at times. Scouts visited some of his games while Abe pitched for the White Shirts because of another young pitcher named Jake Ens. Jake was the more polished pitcher and had a great season for Winn Dixie going 3-2 with a 2.94 ERA with 51 K’s in 52 IP with only 7 walks. Scouts were watching Ens but also noticed the young kid with that crazy knuckleball. There started to be some discussion that both pitchers may be selected in the upcoming 1999 Monty Brewster baseball draft. Jack and Hazel wanted Abe to finish his college education but knew that if Abe was drafted as high as some scouts were saying, it would be tough to turn their backs on baseball. When Abe was drafted 7th overall in the 1999 draft it was a shock to everyone’s system in Joliet. Not only was the hometown kid drafted in the 1st round of the Monty Brewster League but he was drafted by the closest team to Joliet, the Chicago Black Sox. The press release that following morning read
“by Michael Lee, a Chicago Tribune reporter
CHICAGO DRAFTS CLOSE TO HOME
Right now there are organizations and executives crunching numbers and trying to discover the next big thing in the MBBA. The Black Sox found themselves with the 7th overall pick in this years Amateur Draft, and they have just reportedly make their selection:
SP - ABE COLBERT.
The 22-year-old right-handed pitcher is definitely not a new name in Illinois. Abe, having grown up in southwest Chicago is a longtime Black Sox fan. He is one of the more highly touted pitching prospects in this year's draft. You won't see high heat from Abe, even though his fastball clocks in at 87-89 MPH. The pitch he is well known for is the Knuckleball--it's his signature 'out' pitch. Abe has a strong list of pitches in his arsenal: Knuckleball, Forkball, Changeup, Slider, Fastball.
Although Abe had a rough go with the Winn-Dixie White Shirts, posting a 6.98 ERA, a 2-8 record, GM Ryan Collins saw promise and potential in the young man. "We definitely need to address our Rotation. Juan Nieves is in the last year of his contract and Washington Jones is 38 years old and already informed the organization he will test the market--but we will not be pursuing Washington for another season. Gary Lammond will be coming back, unless he doesn't change [Collins referring to Lammond's recent 1.2 inning outing where he posted a 30+ ERA]. And then JP Morgan is also just a one-year signing from this off-season. So as you can see, our starting pitching is going to be our focus in this next year...and this is the beginning. Abe will not come in and change the rotation...we want to make sure that he is groomed and placed in a situation where he can shine as bright as we think he can."”
The Colbert’s were ecstatic about the selection as it meant that Jack could watch Abe’s growth through the local papers and hopefully get an understanding of how the big league club thought about the young knuckleballer with a huge upside but not much luck to date. Jack knew deep down that the experiences in college and then being drafted, in the first round by his local team nonetheless, would light a fire under Abe that would carry him a long way.
Other GM’s in the league were offering their take on the young knuckleballer as well. Buffalo Bison GM Chris Ramsey stated “7th overall, Chicago Black Sox: SP Abe Colbert - Old Abe is a bit of an enigma. He has great stuff and can go late into the game, but has a bit of a control issue. Perhaps if he focused his efforts on throwing just 3 pitches (Currently has 5 pitches he throws), he would have more success?” Fellow GM TimB stated “Abe Colbert 1999 1:7
Has great variety but only one real pitch of quality an almost unplayable Knuckleball. Probably the most major league ready pitcher. Another playing in Monclava.” The skills were there, but could they be harnessed in a way that would allow Colbert to play at a high level?
A very interesting side note is that in the same draft Jake Ens was drafted ahead of Colbert with the 2nd overall pick by the Phoenix Talons. The early assessment of the pick was lukewarm “2nd overall, Phoenix Talons: SP Jake Ens - Jake brings some decent potential, but this writer doesn't believe he was the best pitcher out there. Ens only has two really effective pitches and he lacks endurance. In his 9 starts in college, he wasn't able to average over 6 innings per start.” Colbert told reporters that he was just as happy for Ens when he got drafted 2nd as he was for himself when he was drafted 7th.
Abe was getting ready to head down to Monclova, Ohio to throw for the Black Sox’s rookie league team. He started 9 games for the Aqua Sox going 2-7 with a fairly high ERA of 5.06. It was announced at that point that the Chicago Black Sox previous GM had left the team and the owner brought in GM Shugi. Abe was worried as he didn’t know if the new regime would value a weird knuckleballer as much as the previous front office did but the following press release put his fears to rest.
“But that’s not the only bad news I have, not the only negative observation I made in my few days here as GM.
Our minor league system is not bad, but lacks talent in various areas. We are 9th in the list of minor league system of Baseball America, our top prospects are Mike Hall, Abe Colbert, and Steve Faulkner. They are nowhere near of being major league ready, aside of Faulkner maybe. And theres not much there to be found at first glance besides those three. With the exception of our AAA team all other farm teams of ours show a negative record this year, our A team even only plays at the moment at a .234 percentage. Signs that we lack good prospects all over the place, not too much help here to be found for our main team for this or the next season at least.”
Colbert’s resolve was instantly reinforced when he was promoted to Single A Boulder of the Charlie Plegler League to help do something about that dreadful .234 winning percentage. While Abe didn’t do well, he held his own and didn’t show a drop in talent as he rose to Single A. he finished the 1999 season with a 1-4 record in 7 starts with a 5.13 ERA.
Good fortune was not to last as GM Shugi had a very short stay with Chicago. Later that season he left and was replaced by a new GM, TimB. Colbert was dropped back down to Rookie league Monclova but made it a goal to prove his worth to the new GM. He fought hard for a 4-9 record for the 2000 Monclova squad and finished with a 3.78 ERA. Colbert was named as the #27 prospect in the MBBA and he was eager to prove his worth. While he was hopeful that the decent improvement would get him a slot at Single A Boulder the following season it did not happen. He pitched another year for Monclova and this time provided a 2.58 ERA in 11 starts. Not only had Colbert done what was asked of him, he was showing that a young knuckleball pitcher could have success on the professional level. He kept working hard knowing someday he would get the nod from the big league club.
Again, other GM’s were taking notice as Al-Hoot, Hawaii’s GM, stated in his 2002 Chicago Black Sox team preview “Other pitching prospects for Chicago include highly-lauded 25-year-old knuckleballer
Abe “Ape” Colbert, little-discussed southpaw Gerard Thompson (23 years old),
reliever Denis Charette (21), and newly-acquired Anthony Brown (24) who came to
Chi-town in the Greenville trade.”
Abe’s hard work and dedication paid off during the 2002 year when he started the year in AA Beloit for the Blue Sox of the Warren Cox league and was named as the #5 prospect in the MBBA. Abe couldn’t believe his good fortune. While parts of 3 years down in rookie ball would turn most players off, Abe saw it as a sign. 3 years of hard work paid off by being brought up to Beloit. Not only was he promoted, but his family from Lockport, IL could attend most of his games. They likely could not have done that while he was pitching for Boulder. Abe looked on the bright side of things, like he always does. Abe did ok in 6 starts in Beloit but had a 1-4 record with a 5.66 ERA. He kept working through all of the bad play and his hard work paid off in a promotion to AAA Carolina. Colbert was happy to be playing for the Flight of the Rupert Horn Memorial League so soon after starting AA ball. He kept working hard and posted a 7-7 record with a 3.86 ERA in 22 starts for Carolina. He recorded 18 strikeouts, a Rupert Horn Memorial League record, while playing for the Flight against the Death Valley Scorpions. The next month he pitched a complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts against Clash City. Something just started to click for Colbert.
During the 2002 campaign Al-Hoot sat down with Chicago GM TimB for his recurring Champchat feature. A short excerpt regarding Colbert is as follows;
“9. Which players are the future of the Black Sox?
In terms of the major league roster Charlie Scott and Steve Faulkner are key figures who
we hope to build around. Looking into the future, Murray aside we have high hopes for
Mike Hall, and Gerard Thompson. We also have Abe Colbert a great young
Knuckleballer who is performing well in AAA and will probably get his call up soon.”
As the season was winding down in Carolina, Colbert received a visit in the clubhouse from the team’s coach. Colbert figured it was going to be a discussion regarding the offseason programs the team had lined up and plans for his training. However, Colbert’s wildest dreams were about to be realized. The big league club was calling his name. After 4 years of back and forth in the minors, and at the age of 25, he was getting the opportunity to put on the uniform that he saw so often as a young kid growing up in Joliet. He was going to be a Black Sox pitcher!
In September of 2002 Abe walked out onto the green grass of The Courthouse in front of dozens of family and friends and pitched for the team he idolized as a kid growing up in Joliet, the Chicago Black Sox. He had made it. Abe was starstruck and appeared in 9 games, 1 of them a start, for the Black Sox that fall. He pitched 18.2 innings and gave up 32 hits, 6 of them homers, with 17 walks and 16 strikeouts. While most players would be let down by the performance, Abe took it as a sign that he needed to get to work during the offseason.
TimB’s Sox Sentinel report that offseason confirmed why Abe was working so hard; “The one bright spot in a dismal season in Chicago was that they won the race to draft first in the 2003 draft. Having drafted SP Clarence Murray second overall in the 2002 draft, there was much speculation as to who would get the nod from the Sox this time around. The good thing for Chicago is just about any of the top prospects would fill a hole so flexibility wasn’t a problem. In reality however it came down to a choice between SP Tom McDonald and SP Carl Macneill In the end the Sox went with Mcdonald though the choice was a tough one and they fluctuated between the two right up to making the pick. If Chicago manage to persuade the 19 year old to sign on they will have added another piece to a promising looking future rotation Mike Hall , Abe Colbert and Dave Corrigan alongside Murray and McDonald.” That’s right, Abe was being mentioned as part of the struggling team’s plans for the future. Note, the MacNeill name will surface again, but next time it will be to Abe’s detriment.
Abe worked hard that offseason and started the 2003 year at AAA Carolina. He was right where he wanted to be and was ready for the work. He started 17 games for the Flight, going 6-6 with a good 3.06 ERA. Again he received the talk late in the season that he was going up to Chicago’s big league team and would pitch out of the pen. Abe was grateful and was eager to show that he had worked hard to get there. He pitched in 20 games for the Black Sox but something was wrong. He only received 1 start and he only pitched 18.2 innings. His ERA was slightly better (7.23 versus 8.68) but still not promising. After 2 September stints with Chicago he didn’t have much stat wise to show for his hard work. He continued to work in the offseason and true to the GM’s prediction he was slated as part of the big league squad heading into the 2004 season. One thing surprised Abe though, he was not listed as a starter out of spring training.
Chicago had recently signed starting pitcher Sammy Bodeen to a 4 year deal worth more than $28 million. Wayne Brady was coming off of a season in which he started 13 of 26 games and had a strong 3.70 ERA. The 32 year old seemed to be hitting his stride. Young phenom Mike “Fresh Prince” Hall was a hotshot pitcher drafted a year after Colbert, 7th overall just like Colbert, but was being brought along at a quicker pace. 35 year old Paul Martin was a dependable, back of the rotation starter. Veteran Buster Pridemore seemed to have beaten out young Colbert for the final slot in the rotation.
After 4 relief appearances in early April Abe had walked 7 batters and gave up 5 hits in only 2.2 innings of work. His issues were enough to land him on the dreaded “Walk-off Watch” list;
Walkoff Watch;
2004 - Sim #1 thru #3 Outcomes
Apr 2: Benicio Herrera (CLG) v Paul Hogan (LV); 9th; SINGLE scores Wallace Holmes; 2-1
Apr 4: Martin Franco (LB) v Brendan Meyer (SEA); 9th; TRIPLE scores Jasper Reed; 4-3
Apr 5: Jake Mills (OMA) v Abe Colbert (CHI); 11th; WALK scores Tobias Kelly; 3-2 (d)
Then Abe’s world came crashing down. The Black Sox sent Abe back down to AAA Carolina. That wouldn’t have been horrible and Abe could have worked his way back up to Chicago but there was a waiver claim.
The GM who had discussed Abe with the press earlier in his career was set to snatch up the young pitcher the second he hit the waiver wire. GM Al-Hoot of the Hawaii Tropics put in a claim on Colbert that was accepted. Colbert was now a Tropic. King of the silver lining, Abe decided to view this as an opportunity. Yes, he wasn’t pitching for the team he idolized growing up, but he appreciated that Chicago did as much as they could.
“Abe "Ape" Colbert snagged from Chicago
Hawaii signs 27-year-old knuckleballer
Holds RHML single game record for Ks
Abe Colbert was once the rage of the Windy City. Picked seventh overall in the first round
of the 1999 amateur draft by the Black Sox, Colbert was ranked #27 prospect in each of the
next two seasons and #5 prospect for 2002.
Called up that season, perhaps prematurely, Colbert had an 8.68 ERA in 18.6 innings.
He also set an RHML single-game record for strike outs with 18 against Hawaii's Triple-A
affiliate Death Valley on a hot June day when the butterfly had an exceptional case of the
hiccups.
The Illinois native was courted by Hoot all 2002 but the Black Sox GM Tim Brown refused to
part with the "Ape." Colbert had signed for over a $1m bonus and was hot stuff in the Sox
system. That system is now so flooded with pitching prospects that Colbert was waived.
In three seasons for Chicago Colbert threw 40 innings, allowing 10 home runs and 65 hits.
ERA? 9.00. Hawaii feels the Ape is still untested. He was 6-6 in 17 games started last season in
Triple-A with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.
Hawaii team spokesperson Stitch Lilo has said that Colbert's knuckler should show an extra bit
of movement in the O'ahu winds.”
Colbert was immediately plugged into the starting rotation and played decently for the Tropics, pitching in 27 games, 22 of which were starts, going 6-8 with a 5.65 ERA in 127 innings. He had an issue with giving up the long ball, 30 homers, and issuing too many walks (87). It seems like the control issues that could be hidden a bit in AAA were front and center in the Monty. The initial overview of the 7th overall pick in June of 1999 still rung true “He has great stuff and can go late into the game, but has a bit of a control issue.” Abe finished 2004 with the big league club and he started there again in early 2005, however, this time he was in the pen. Hawaii had big timers like Jake Kestle, Billy Wallace, Rory West and a young kid names Carl MacNeill starting and there wasn’t room for Abe. He pitched in 33 relief appearances compiling a 5.73 ERA. Abe appeared again in the ‘Walkoff Watch’ feature;
2005 - Sim #4 & #5 Outcomes
Date: Hero (TM) v Goat (TM); INN(deficit: 0=tied, -1, -2, etc.); details of scoring play; final(special note if applicable)
May 1: Aaron Staff (PHX) v Abe Colbert (HAW); 9th(2); 2-RUN HR scores Aaron Staff, Vicente Vásquez; 4-3
May 1: Duane Whitley (MON) v Juan Quintero (DM); 9th(1); SINGLE scores John Neely, Roman Empire; 7-6(p)
Abe would start to signal the Walk-off Watch announcement as a bit of a death knell as Hawaii decided to place the knuckleball pitcher on waivers.
“"Problem is," says team spokesperson Stitch Lilo,"142 of those hits have
been homers." Which is second in the JL to Louisville and three less than
Atlantic City.
Hawai'i is shedding its pitching staff of the worst offenders in allowing the
long ball.
Which is why Hawai'i put knuckleballer Abe Colbert on waivers (who was
claimed by New Orleans only to be released--which sucks, because now he
won't negotiate even a MiL contract with Hawai'i). Michael Duran Duran will
be the next to go.
Guy's got great stuff, said the Wave Watchers, but he can't keep the ball in the
park.”
Abe immediately got claimed by New Orleans in what was becoming a trend. Abe was used to the process by now, although he didn’t necessarily like it, and reported to New Orleans. He met with the team’s front office and was coordinating workouts with the pitching staff when the news first came out. New Orleans thought that they had a spot for Colbert on their big league roster but after further review did not want to sacrifice another players spot to make room. On August 4, 2005 Colbert was outright released for the first time in his career. Discussions with other teams started quickly and after numerous feelers Abe signed with the Madison Wolves to fill a back end spot in their rotation. Madison was known for filling their final roster spots with players that “still had some gas left in the tank” and Abe was eager to get a fresh start with a strong squad. Abe had an up and down stint with Madison. Early into his tenure with Madison, GM Al-Hoot reached out to Madison, “How's Abe Colbert working out for you?” Wolves GM Chris Wilson responded “A 1 hitter with 6 walks in his first start with the win. Was bombed in his 2nd start.” Well, his 3rd start was just as bad and after 3 starts, a 1-1 record with a 7.71 ERA and giving up 5 homers and 11 walks in 14 innings, Colbert was released for the second time in his career (and 2nd time in 2 months).
With no idea of where he may end up, or what to do, he went back to Joliet to meet with family and friends. He was officially at a crossroads. Jack sat down with his son and discussed the ups and downs of big league ball. The pressure of starting on the same team as a bonafide big leaguer like Ens. The skull sucking drudgery of rookie league ball for 3 solid years. The callups to AA and AAA. Stepping on the grass at The Courthouse with young kids watching Abe, like Abe used to watch his own idols. Jack then asked his son, that at the age of 28, was it worth it to step away from the game he loved? Abe wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Not now, maybe not ever. With new resolve the pair set out to contact any teams interested in acquiring Abe’s rights.
Discussion started with Birmingham GM bigmike13 and late in 2005 Colbert became a Bandit, signing a 1 year contract worth 800k. Abe’s old GM, Chris Wilson, reviewed the Frick League Midwest that season and had this to say;
“Key Additions: Robert Laperle (1.0), Luis Sachse (1.8), Abe Colbert (-1.2)
The biggest move the Bandits made this season was acquiring closer Luis Sachse from the European League. Sachse has saved 92 games over the last 3 seasons as a member of the Belfast squad. Laperle provides a decent bat and an outstanding glove in the outfield. The addition of knuckleballer Abe Colbert can't help Birmingham's chances much.
Standings Prediction
1. Marquette Suns 89-73
2. New Orleans Crawdads 87-75
3. Birmingham Bandits 85-77
4. Des Moines Kernals 79-83”
Colbert was set in the bullpen again but had added confidence from his 2005 season with Hawaii. He knew he could pitch, he just had to perform. He appeared in 49 games with Birmingham going 2-3 with 4 saves. He pitched 98 innings giving up only 85 hits, but 18 were for homeruns. Overall he had a good season but was still working through his control issues. Colbert signed a 1 year arbitration deal worth 900k to stay with Birmingham for 2007 but was put on waivers, for the 3rd time in his career, by Birmingham before the season started.
In an interesting twist of fate that is to strange for a ‘made for TV movie’ so it has to be true, the Chicago Black Sox claimed Colbert off of waivers and placed him on their big league squad. 3 years after the team released him, Colbert was a Black Sox player again. Back with Chicago in 2007 Colbert started 21 of the 41 games he appeared in and posted a strong 4.46 ERA. He went 10-10 and earned the most wins in a season of his career thus far. He pitched 171 innings and had the first positive WAR season of his career (+3.0). Colbert was finding his groove starting games and earning wins for his hometown team again. In the ups and downs of professional baseball this was a peak moment for Colbert.
Again, fresh off of signing a $1.1 million arbitration deal, Colbert was going into the offseason intent on working hard to prepare for what he thought was another shot at being a big league starter. You should know by now, things don’t go as expected for Abe Colbert.
In a sad twist of fate, right when he was starting to get things on track and after arguably the best season of his professional career, the 31 year old Colbert injured his shoulder early in spring training and was put on the disabled list for 3 months. When he returned in mid-July he was immediately released by Chicago. His 2nd stint with Chicago was over and Abe was again looking for a team to pitch with.
His prospects were looking dim as not many teams wanted to take a mid-season risk on a 31 year old knuckleballer with suspect stats and now with an injury history. As luck would have it Abe’s teammate from Winn Dixie College, big league starter Jake Ens, told Phoenix management about Abe’s talents. After a few discussions with Phoenix, Abe signed a 1 year deal for 490k. It turns out that Phoenix only seemed to be doing a favor for one of it’s best players as Colbert last only 2 games with the team, 1 start and 1 relief appearance, giving up 5 walks and 10 hits in 5 innings. Barely more than a month after he signed the deal with Phoenix they released Colbert outright. This was the 4th time in his career that Colbert was released by a team.
Chicago still saw some value in Colbert, and for the 3rd time, offered him a position with the club in the form of a 1 year contract worth 430k. Crazy talk, right?! While Colbert signed with the team and was part of their squad, he never threw a single pitch for Chicago this time around. Chicago still had plans for Colbert during the 2008-2009 offseason as they signed him to a 1 year extension worth 950k. However, due to additional arms being part of the team, Colbert was designated for assignment by Chicago during spring training.
In another “you couldn’t have dreamed this up” scenario, Phoenix claimed Colbert off of waivers less than 1 year after they released Colbert. One month after being claimed by Phoenix he was designated for assignment and was again claimed off of waivers. This was the 5th time in his career that Colbert was designated for assignment and claimed by a team, this time Louisville.
Sluggers GM felipe stated;
“GM Hopkins announced the rescue of knuckleballer, Abe Colbert, today from the depths of the Phoenix farm system.
"When I saw those Talon trying to send down Colbert to AAA Flagstaff, it got my blood boiling,"confirmed GM Hopkins,"Doesn't everyone know that a guy that can throw an 87 mph fastball, AND a knuckleball is a cinch to win twenty games? Oh, those Knuckle-heads in Phoenix..."
Colbert is an undistinguished seven year MBBA veteran, who started 21 games last season for Chicago and registered a 10 and 10 record. He had a career high K:BB ratio of almost 2:1, significantly better than his career average; which either indicates a flukey year or a new-found mastering of the tremendously difficult to master, knuckler.
Colbert had 166 strike-outs last season, would have lead Louisville's 2008 pitching staff, and his ten wins would have placed him second behind Allen Izzatt. Colbert is definetly an intriguing option for the Louisville roattion, and is defintely more exciting than the prospect of trotting out Chris Allen or Pat Hughes every fifth day.”
Even after 4 outright releases and 5 waiver claims Colbert still draws attention from GM’s across the league as can be witnessed by Omaha GM Agrudez’s remarks;
“Damnit... the ONE sim I don't check the waiver wires...
trade him to me, PLEASE!”
Phoenix’s GM Nerfherder added;
“I hope he works out for you. He's intriguing enough for me to grab him off of the waiver wire twice. Got lit up like a Christmas tree in spring training.”
Birmingham’s GM Bigmike13 added;
“He did a great job for me the one year i had him. good pick up Louisville”
Even Hawaii’s GM Al-Hoot piped in saying;
“As a reliever, he might have the freak decent season. But otherwise, yes, please start him against Hawaii as often as you can. I would say every other game, since he's a knuckleballer...”
Even GM’s who haven’t had Colbert play for them (and there aren’t that many!) were discussing him when Greenville’s GM Greeney03 added;
“Now, this is the real knuckleballer.”
Colbert had a rough start in Louisville when GM Felipe’s end of April report was released;
“Chris Allen is up to his old tricks in the Slugger bullpen. After being named the Slugger mopup guy, he's turned in 20 innings of 1.33 ERA with a 3:1 K:BB ratio. He's being left in the pen for now, but if Cleo Blanco and Abe Colbert don't get their shit together by the end of May, he may re-join the Louisville rotation.”
GM Felipe’s end of May report;
“Experienced thirty-two year-old knuckleballer Abe Colbert, has recovered form the slow start to his Louisville career, and posted a May record of 2-2 over 5 starts with 38.1 IP. Thats over 7 innings a start! His May ERA of 3.29 in the lowest of any Slugger starter and his strikeout number of 42 also leads the Slugger staff for May, despite Colbert earning one less start than his rotation mates.
Colbert joined the Louisville Sluggers off of waivers from Phoenix in April 2009. He has compiled a 2-3 record over 7 starts since the waiver claim.”
Edward Murphy’s shutout tracker confirmed that Colbert was pitching well;
“Pitching ruled for the Louisville Sluggers team May 21 and 22, against the California Crusaders in back-to-back shutout wins.
Knuckleball pitcher, Abe Colbert, went the distance against the California Crusaders on Thursday May 21 2009, recording the first shutout of two.
Abe, who last month was claimed off the waiver wire, scattered three hits , and ties the Louisville Sluggers regular season game record for strikeouts with 15 . It was his first career shutout. He’s now (2-3) with a 5.91 ERA for the season.
Abe has been in a revolving door of teams getting picked up then released. This may be the moment that the team will stand up and take notice. This is Abe’s first shutout game in the big leagues.”
The inexplicable route that Colbert has taken to remain in the big leagues was highlighted by New Orleans GM JimBob2232;
“Is there a more well-traveled player than Abe Colbert?
Drafted by Chicago in 1999. Then....
Waived and Claimed by Hawaii in 2004.
Waived and Claimed by New Orleans in 2005.
Released by New Orleans, signed with Madison in 2005.
Released by Madison, signed with Birmingham in 2005.
Waived and Claimed by Chicago in 2007.
Released by Chicago, signed with Phoenix in 2008
Released by Phoenix, signed again with Chicago in 2008
Waived and Claimed by Phoenix in 2009.
Waived and Claimed by Louisville in 2009.
If I counted correctly that is 7 teams....and the poor guy is just 32!
Don't buy a house Abe. If you do though....I recommend Chicago. Chances are You'll be back!”
GM Felipe’s end of July report;
”You know, its weird...the Sluggers actually had two starters who finished over .500 in July. That just doesn't happen very often. One was knuckleballer, thrity-two year-old, Abe Colbert, who was picked up off of waivers earlier this season...he went 3-1, and held opponents to a .202 BAVG over 33 innings in 5 starts. The other one was THE VIPER. Daniel Richie went 4-0 and averaged 8 innings a start over 5 starts, striking out 34 while walking a paltry 6! And, to think the entire MBBA laughed when Genius Hopkins boasted he'd turn around the thirty-four year-old...who's laughing now, bitches?”
Again on Edward Murphy’s shutout tracker;
“Louisville Sluggers vs Valencia Stars
For the second time this season Abe Colbert was part of a shutout game. This time Abe and Luis Villa combined for a shutout of the Valencia Stars on July 16, 2009. Abe went 8.2 innings, with 7 K’s and gave up 5 walks. Going into the ninth Abe had a NO-NO, except for one out, line drive double by Steven Tyus depriving Abe of his first NO-NO. That was the only hit in the game.”
GM Felipe’s end of August awards;
“It was a strange month in many ways...the Sluggers had FOUR starters that reached at least three victories in the month. Knuckleballer, Abe Colbert, led the way with 4 wins and 39 K's over 42 innings, but sported a 4.89 ERA. The Viper and Spaniard Victor Paez both sported 3-1 records in August. But the man who took home the hardware for August, was Jesus Ramos. Ramos came over from Carolina to replace departing legend Allen Izzatt, and promptly helped the Slugger fans to forget all about Izzatt. Ramos went 3-3 in August for the Slugs, completing 2 games out of 6, while mowing down 40 batters over 40 innings, with a 4.24 ERA.”
Colbert’s first season in Louisville ended with a 10-9 record, 5.06 ERA and a 2.3 WAR which made Hawaii GM Al-Hoot exclaim “If only we had a decent knuckleballer.” Not to be overlooked was Colbert’s performance against California on May 21, 2009 when he pitched a 3 hit shutout with 15 strikeouts and only 1 walk. Maybe knuckleballers do get better with age!
Colbert signed a 3 year deal for a total of $6.2million with the Sluggers during the 2009-10 offseason. Not only is this the first multi-year deal of Colberts career, it was the first time he has signed a contract for more than $1.1million.
Colbert had good seasons for Louisville the next 3 seasons;
2010 – 13-13, 3.25 ERA, 4.2 WAR
2011 – 8-18, 4.45 ERA, 3.0 WAR
2011 Top Performers, sim 12 by Al Hoot;
Pitcher
GS 86
Well, I lied. Apparently you can still get on the Big Board without throwing a complete game and striking out double digits of batters. Even if the pitcher himself makes errors on back to back plays!
Everybody's favorite knuckleballer, Abe Colbert allowed one single (to Ed Mansfield) in a 1-0 duel over Vancouver's Roy Buckley to open a three-game series in Louisville. Colbert hit the batter after Mansfield but ended the inning with a strike out. Colbert didn't run into trouble again until the 7th, when he misplayed two balls in a row off the bats of Mansfield and Jeremy Finch. With two outs, he walked the bases full; then he ended the inning with a strike out. Colbert exited the game with one out in the 9th, and the aptly named Luis Villa of Louis Ville got his 13th save.
The Louisville home screen makes it easy to see that Colbert is hot: 2-2, 1.91 ERA in his last 5 starts. After the 1-0 win above, his ERA came down below 4.00 for the first time since Opening Day.
At the end of May, Colbert was 1-9, 5.66 and I had written off last season's 13-13, 3.25 to....something...for a pitcher who's no stranger to ERA's in the fives and sixes--and higher. And even though Colbert has gone only 4-3 since May, he's allowed 48 hits and 20 earned runs (11 unearned!) in 73.1 innings, as compared to allowing 81 hits and 48 earned runs (1 unearned) in 76.1 innings in April and May. He's even raised his QS% to over 50.
There: that's my player spotlight. Do I get 3 points?
2012 – 15-14, 4.19 ERA, 4.6 WAR
Felipe end of 2011 season review;
“Rotational workhorse, knuckleballer, Abe Colbert, struggled most of the season, but still logged the most innings (218.1 a personal record) and was at the top of several JL leader boards; starts (33) good for 5th, 186 K (good for 7th), 7.67 k/9 innings (good for 8th) and was fifth in hits given up over 9 innings (8.2). Worryingly though, he also topped the JL in losses (18), and was second overall in free passes (100).
2011/2012 offseason;
Louisville Sluggers: Executed the last optional contract year of SP Abe Colbert.
JohnC’s 2012 Slugger preview;
Starting Pitching:Abe Colbert will probably get the nod on opening day for the Sluggers. The veteran is coming off an 18 loss season, so I am guessing that things can only get better? He did give up less hits then innings pitched, however a career high 100BB's hurt him. The Sluggers are hoping that Colbert will rebound as he is in his FA season.
Felipe’s 2012 offseason trade block;
SP Abe Colbert; Colbert is awesome, AND a knuckleballer...he's stalling on his latest contract offer...AND he's a type A free agent...we would like to get something more than that for him, if he won't sign for us...
From his start in Joliet to his season with Louisville Abe Colbert has been a fighter. His 69 career wins and career 4.59 ERA pale in comparison when placed against his will to win and his tenacity to stay in the game he learned to love as a kid. After 4 outright releases and 5 separate waiver claims Abe is still pitching strong. While it appears his stint with Louisville has been the best he has had to offer it wouldn’t surprise me if his 7th team (assuming one of the teams he has played for doesn’t vow for his services again) earns the biggest reward from Abe. I’ll reiterate, this is a story about perseverance.
