Joe Inglett

Joseph Steven Inglett (born June 29, 1978) is an American former professional baseball utility player.

Major League career

Cleveland Indians

He made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians on June 21, 2006.

Inglett spent the 2007 minor league season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He played 107 games for the Bisons, batting .253 with 4 home runs and 57 RBI. Inglett was designated for assignment on September 6, 2007, to clear room for David Dellucci, who was coming off the 60-day DL.

Toronto Blue Jays

He was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays on September 14, 2007, and played in two games before the season ended.

In 2008, Inglett was a utility player for the Toronto Blue Jays and played games at every position besides first base and catcher, including pitcher. He also pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Inglett was nicknamed "Voodoo Joe" by former Blue Jays' manager John Gibbons.^[1] He has also been nicknamed "Mighty Joe" by radio announcer Jerry Howarth. The "Voodoo Joe" nickname came from the fact that twice in the 2008 season, Inglett was sent down to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for returning regular players, only to be called back the same day because of new injuries. Both times, Inglett was able to return within a few hours of leaving.

On August 21, 2008, Inglett went 4-for-5 with a double, a stolen base, and 3 runs scored in a 14-3 pounding over the New York Yankees.

During the 2008 season, a string of injuries plagued the Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup, Inglett was used as a utility player as David Eckstein, John McDonald, Scott Rolen and Vernon Wells spent time on the disabled list. He played 66 games at second base, 6 games at third base, 2 games at shortstop and 34 games at the outfield positions.

In 2009 spring training, Inglett was expected to play in the majors again but was sent down to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s, along with relief pitcher Jeremy Accardo. Later in the season, Inglett was called up from Las Vegas along with Casey Janssen and Ricky Romero. On May 22, Inglett made his season debut pinch-hitting for Roy Halladay and struck out looking.

Texas Rangers

On December 4, 2009, Inglett was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers.^[2] On January 25, 2010, Inglett was designated for assignment.

Milwaukee Brewers

On January 27, 2010, Inglett was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers. On July 27, 2010, Inglett pitched one inning of relief against the Cincinnati Reds, who were leading 12–4 heading into the 9th inning.^[3] Lobbing pitches no faster than 57 mph,^[4] he allowed no runs on no hits and no base runners with just six pitches in a 3-up 3-down inning. He was non-tendered a contract at the end of the season and, therefore, became a free agent. He led the league in pinch hits in 2010.

Tampa Bay Rays

On February 18, 2011, Inglett signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal included an invite to spring training.^[5]

Houston Astros

On March 27, 2011, the Houston Astros acquired Inglett from the Rays in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.^[6] He was designated for assignment on April 28,^[7] only to have his contract re-purchased on May 8.^[8] He was outrighted to the minors again on May 12.^[9] He was released on May 27.^[10]

Personal life

Inglett graduated from Mesa Verde High School in 1996.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• The Sports Courant player page