Wes Avi Littleton (born September 2, 1982) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher who spent his entire three-year playing career in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Texas Rangers (2006–2008). He is noted for being credited with a save after pitching the final three scoreless innings in a 30–3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of a two-night doubleheader at Camden Yards on August 22, 2007. The final 27-run differential broke the previous MLB record of 19 for largest winning margin for a save. The New York Times noted that "there are the preposterous saves, of which Littleton's now stands out as No. 1."[1][2]
Wes Littleton | |
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![]() Littleton with the Texas Rangers in 2008 | |
Relief pitcher | |
Born: (1982-09-02) September 2, 1982 (age 40) Hayward, California | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
July 4, 2006, for the Texas Rangers | |
Last MLB appearance | |
September 26, 2008, for the Texas Rangers | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 5–3 |
Earned run average | 3.69 |
Strikeouts | 55 |
Teams | |
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A sidearm pitcher, he made his major league debut in the ninth inning of a 3–2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Ameriquest Field in Arlington on July 4, 2006. He faced two batters, retiring Vernon Wells on a groundout to the third baseman and Troy Glaus on a called third strike.[3] Littleton failed to make the Rangers' big league roster to start the 2007 season, and was optioned to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks, but was later called up to play for Texas.
On November 28, 2008, Littleton was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later, minor league pitcher Beau Vaughan.[4][5] On March 17, 2009, Littleton was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Littleton signed a minor league contract on March 1, 2010, with the Seattle Mariners. He spent the 2012 season with the Amarillo Sox of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball before retiring.[citation needed]
Littleton has African American and Samoan heritage.[6][7] He worked as a DJ during the offseason.[7]