Jason Grilli

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Jason Michael Grilli (born November 11, 1976 in Royal Oak, Michigan) is a right-handed pitcher who currently plays for the Detroit Tigers. Following his high school career at Baker High School in Baldwinsville, New York, Jason was drafted in the 24th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Yankees, but chose not to sign. Instead, he opted to played college baseball at Seton Hall University, which he attended from 1995-1997. After a standout collegiate career, Jason was drafted in the 1st round (4th overall) of the Major League Baseball draft by the San Francisco Giants. In 1999, Grilli was a key component of a mid-season trade that brought Livan Hernandez to the Giants, and sent Grilli and pitcher Nate Bump to the Florida Marlins.

Jason spent the 2004 season with the Chicago White Sox organization after being selected in the Rule V draft. In 2005, he signed a minor-league contract with the Detroit Tigers. After helping the AAA affiliate Toledo Mud Hens to a league championship (he clinched the championship game), he joined the parent club for a late-season audition.

Jason Grilli pitched for Team Italy in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He also had a fine spring training and earned a spot in the Tigers bullpen as a long-reliever, allowing for his first extended stint in the majors.

Jason is the son of former major league pitcher Steve Grilli, who pitched for parts of four seasons in the late 1970s, including three with the Detroit Tigers. Jason wears number 49 in honor of his father, and the two still talk after every game Jason makes an appearance in [1].

Jason was nicknamed "Cheese Man" by third-base coach Gene Lamont.

In Game 4 of the ALCS, Grilli threw 12 consecutive balls, walking 3 of the batters resulting in bases loaded. Grilli was in the shadows of the other starting pitchers such as Jeremy Bonderman, and angered fans. Leyland pulled him right after. The Detroit Tigers ended up winning the game 6-3.