View source for Bob Wickman

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[[Image:Bob Wickman.jpg|thumb]]
'''Robert Joe Wickman''' (born [[February 6]], [[1969]] in [[Green Bay, Wisconsin]]) is a former [[Major League Baseball]] [[relief pitcher]]. Wickman played for the [[New York Yankees]] ({{by|1992}}-{{by|1996}}), [[Milwaukee Brewers]] (1996-{{by|2000}}), [[Cleveland Indians]] (2000-{{by|2006}}), [[Atlanta Braves]] (2006-{{by|2007}}), and [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] (2007). He batted and threw [[right-handed]]. 

During a childhood farming accident, Wickman lost part of his index finger on his right hand, to which he credited much of the sinking motion on his [[fastball]].

==School career==
At [[Oconto Falls, Wisconsin|Oconto Falls]] High School, Wickman played football, [[baseball]] and basketball, being named an All-State pick in basketball. After high school, he attended [[University of Wisconsin-Whitewater]] and was selected by the [[Chicago White Sox]] in the {{by|1990}} amateur draft (2nd round). In 1992, he was sent by [[Chicago]] to the [[New York Yankees]] in the same trade that brought [[Steve Sax]] to the White Sox.

==Major league career==
On [[May 7]], 2006, Bob Wickman became the Indians’ all-time franchise leader in [[Save|saved games]] with 130, surpassing the record previously held by [[Doug Jones]].

On [[July 20]], 2006, Wickman was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Single-A [[Rome Braves|Rome]] [[catcher]] [[Max Ramírez]]. Wickman then served as Atlanta's closer, recording his first save on [[July 24]].

On [[September 20]], 2006, Wickman signed a one-year contract extension to stay with the Atlanta Braves for the 2007 season.

On [[August 24]], 2007, due to recent struggles, the Braves released Wickman. This move came after he gave up a [[walk-off home run]] to the [[Cincinnati Reds|Reds]]' [[Adam Dunn]] in extra innings. Wickman complained after the game that he didn't like pitching in non-save situations.

On [[September 7]], 2007, Wickman signed a contract with the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]], a move that signaled that he had backed off his disdain for non-save situations, given that the team had an established [[closer]] in [[Jose Valverde]]. Wickman pitched in 8 games for the Diamondbacks, going 0-1 with a 1.35 [[Earned run average|ERA]]. He became a free agent after the season, subsequently retiring.

==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball saves champions]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders]]

==External links==
*{{baseball-reference|id=w/wickmbo01}}

{{start box}}
{{succession box
| title  = [[List of Major League Baseball saves champions|American League Saves Champion]]
| years  = [[2005]]<br>(with [[Francisco Rodríguez]])
| before = [[Mariano Rivera]]
| after  = [[Francisco Rodríguez]]
}}
{{end box}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wickman, Bob}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American baseball players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:American League saves champions]]
[[Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players]]
[[Category:Atlanta Braves players]]
[[Category:Cleveland Indians players]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Brewers players]]
[[Category:New York Yankees players]]
[[Category:Closers]]
[[Category:Major league players from Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Birmingham Barons players]]
[[Category:Columbus Clippers players]]
[[Category:Akron Aeros players]]
[[Category:2000 American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:2005 American League All-Stars]]
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME              = Wickman, Bob
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH     = 1969
| PLACE OF BIRTH    =
| DATE OF DEATH     =
| PLACE OF DEATH    =
}}