Article: Chris Sáenz Had One Memorable Day in The Show

[reillymcshane]

One game. Like Moonlight Graham and a handful of other guys, Chris Sáenz had his one day in The Show - then was gone. But unlike Graham (and most of those other guys), Sáenz had a day to remember.

Chris Sáenz was born in Tucson, Arizona, in 1981. He was a 28th round pick by the Brewers in 2001 out of Pima Community College in Tucson. He began his career as a reliever, but moved to the rotation after two season. The results were middling, mostly due to control issues. But Sáenz could strike out batters - averaging a strikeout per inning during his minor league career, and the team was intrigued by his potential.

In 2004, Sáenz began the season at AA Huntsville. He had only pitched in three games when he was informed that the Brewers needed him for an emergency start after an injury to Chris Capuano - as well as a 15-inning game two days earlier. The 22-year-old right hander was to face the St. Louis Cardinals, whose powerful lineup included Scott Rolen, Albert Pujols and Jim Edmunds .

On April 24, 2004, in front of more than 22,000 fans at Miller Park, Sáenz was brilliant. He threw six innings, giving up only two hits and three walks against seven strikeouts - all while picking up his first - and only - major league decision: a win. Sáenz struck out the first batter he faced and at one point retired 14 straight. His only major scare was in the first inning, when Edgar Renteria drove a fly ball to the deepest part of the park only to have it hauled in by Scott Podsednik . It was a stunning performance, but Sáenz knew it was only a one-game ride. The club had already told him he was heading back to AA after the game. Little did he know he would never return to the big leagues.

Sáenz headed back to AA but suffered a serious arm injury later that year, which lead to Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss not only the rest of the season, but all of 2005. The Brewers released him the following year. He tried to make a comeback with the Angels organization in 2007, but the results were disastrous. A stint in indy ball was no better, and after the 2008 season his career was done. He was 26 years old.

Sáenz played all of one game in his major league career, but there was something of a fairy tale to it. Plucked from obscurity, he found himself on the biggest stage in the world and - for one day - was awesome.

He is only the fourth pitcher in baseball history, and the first since 1899, to start in his only major league game, give up no runs (earned or unearned) with at least six innings pitched, and record the win. His lifetime MLB record is 1-0 with an ERA of 0.00. Many people call it the best one-day career in baseball history.

You can't help but not feel bad for Sáenz. Like lots of players, injuries derailed his career. But there's something kind of cool to his story. Who can walk around saying they won their only major league game? Or say they have a lifetime ERA of 0.00? And to do it against the powerful (and hated) Cardinals. It's probably great at parties.

After baseball, Sáenz went back to school, and got his degree from Arizona State. He and his family would eventually move to Chicago, where he works as a railroad engineer.

Please share your thoughts on Chris Sáenz's amazing one game career.

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[JackNicholson1974]

Two moments in the mid 2000s standout to me. One is the foul ball HR a young Corey Hart hit in his first and only AB in 2004. The other was the Saenz game. Both played one game that year. Saenz was magical and never came back, Hart struck out on what could have been an equally magical appearance. And then their careers went in absolute opposite directions.  Thanks for the article.

[brewers4eric]

I remember seeing the highlights of Saenz's start on Sportscenter while I was on my honeymoon in Jamaica.  I thought I knew most of the prospects in the minors but I had no idea who he was.  He mowed them down.  Thanks for the article.  

[Joseph Zarr]

Of all the thoughts racing through his mind after that glorious Start in April of 2004, I can nearly guarantee you one was not: "I'm going to be a railroad engineer!". Life has such a fascinating way of taking you on a journey - Minor League ball players live this on a near daily basis. Saenz's story is another in a long line of: It's really really hard to make it to the Big Dance. And, it's even harder to make it back. And, it's hardest to stay. Thank you for sharing this one @reillymcshane.

[Seth Stohs]

I really enjoy stories like this... Guys gets a chance, has a great moment, can always call himself a big-leaguer. 

[reillymcshane]

On 7/11/2022 at 12:02 PM, Seth Stohs said:

I really enjoy stories like this... Guys gets a chance, has a great moment, can always call himself a big-leaguer. 

Yeah, no one can take away that day. It's pretty cool.