Bob MacDonald (baseball)

Robert Joseph MacDonald (born April 27, 1965 in East Orange, New Jersey) is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during six season at the major league level for the Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and New York Mets.

MacDonald went to college at Rutgers University, and was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 19th round of the 1987 amateur draft. MacDonald played his first American professional season with their Rookie league Medicine Hat Blue Jays, Class A (Short Season) St. Catharines Blue Jays, and Class A Myrtle Beach Blue Jays in 1987, and his last with the Mets and their Triple-A Norfolk Tides in 1996. In 1997, he played in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers.

Bob, from 2007-2012 managed a semi-pro slow pitch softball team in Clearwater, FL. His record as manager hovered around .500. Highlights include a decisive win against 5 time league champs The Tilted Kilt. "It may be the pinnacle of my playing career," says Bob after finally beating the Tilted Kilt in the summer of 2010. "The squad has really begun to gel over the last year, and understanding the fundamentals at every level is important to winning on a consistent basis." On 4/26/2012 Bob nearly hit for the "grand" cycle going 5-5 with a Grand Slam (first career), 3 doubles and a single; 7 RBIs. Many at the field that night commented it may have been the most impressive hitting display by an ex-major league pitcher who was left-handed and over 45 years of age.

Moreover, Bob MacDonald has become somewhat of a local over 40 basketball legend. A voracious rebounder, you will often see Bob throwing deep outlet passes hitting players right in stride for easy lay-ups. Bob still is working on his outside game in which Coach Will White from Boca Ciega High School once said, "If you have a little child learning how to shoot, don't have them watch Bob MacDonald."

In his addition to his love of sports, Bob also has a passion for cooking. He has competed in a local chili competition over the past several years. Most recent results: 2011-2nd, 2010-3rd, 2009-1st. In 2012 & 2014, he's added a 1st Place finish for "Most Outstanding Dip", further expanding his culinary repertoire.

Finally, though gravitating to the sport much later in life than most, Bob has trained and competed in Beer Pong. Oddly enough, a southpaw during his baseball days, Bob shoots right-handed. Together, Bob and teammate Stephen Patt have competed in the annual “Jersey Shore Invitation Doubles Beer Pong Tournament”, held every August in Ocean County. In 2012, Bob and Steve finally broke through and won the Tournament – and nearly repeated the following year, finishing in second place. As homage their professionalism, in 2013 JUST BS BREWERY launched a Special Edition “Championship 80-Shilling Brown Ale” to commemorate their accomplishment.

Bob is happily married (Cathy) and has two girls. He also has a certified therapy labradoodle (Frank) that visits a local elementary school. First Grade students earn points throughout the week, and top students then have the opportunity to read to Frank. Reading lexile scores have increased dramatically through this program. Frank has also visited Nursing Homes in the area as well.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube