Article: Derrick Turnbow, the One-Season Wonder

[reillymcshane]

Relief pitching is often volatile by nature. They can have fleeting moments (or seasons) of brilliance, followed by implosions that can send them into retirement. One of the most extreme examples of this is former Brewer relief pitcher Derrick Turnbow, who went from a waiver claim to an All-Star game to being done as a major league pitcher within four years.

 

Thomas Derrick Turnbow was born in Tennessee in 1978 and was selected in the fifth round of the 1997 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. Derrick Turnbow was developed as a starter in the minors, but in 2000 he was nabbed by the Angels in the Rule 5 draft, despite having no AA or AAA experience. The Angels moved Turnbow to the bullpen for the year - essentially stashing him on the major league roster so they wouldn't have to return him to the Phillies. He was sent back to the minors in 2001, and the shift to the bullpen was permanent. An arm injury cost Turnbow much of the next two years, and he struggled upon returning to the bullpen. He tantalized with his explosive fastball but frustrated with bouts of wildness, and after several seasons with the Angels organization, Turnbow was waived in October 2004. Milwaukee claimed the big right-hander.

Turnbow surprised many by making the club in 2005, and after Mike Adams struggled in the closer role, manager Ned Yost gave the job to Turnbow. He would have a magnificent season, posting 39 saves and a 1.74 ERA. He was second in the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award. The Brewers rewarded Turnbow with a three-year contract worth $6.5M. 

The 2006 season began well enough for Turnbow as he registered eight saves in the first month. But then the old bugaboo - his control - would rear its ugly head. His play was uneven for the next couple of months, but he still managed to record 23 saves and an All-Star game nomination. But then the wheels came off - and would never be put back on. His post-All-Star numbers were an ugly 0-5 record and an ERA of 11.29 - causing him to lose the closer's job.

Turnbow would rebound somewhat in 2007, managing a 4.63 ERA in 69 innings. But in 2008, things got ugly. He began the season walking 13 batters in six innings. The Brewers sent Turnbow to AAA, where things only got worse - 41 walks and ten wild pitches in 18 IP. The Brewers released him after the season.

Turnbow unsuccessfully attempted comebacks in 2009 and 2010 with the Rangers and Marlins, respectively, but with no luck. After his release during 2010 spring training, he decided to call it quits. Turnbow was 32.

After retiring, Turnbow stepped away from baseball, joining a financial planning firm where he now specializes in wealth management services. He lives in Seattle, Washington, with his family.

Turnbow is the classic example of a pitcher with a ton of ability (98 mph fastball, outstanding for the mid-to-late-2000s) but one who struggled with control. Many attributed his brilliant 2005 season to the work Turnbow did with pitching coach Mike Maddux. Fans loved the big, shaggy-haired righty who could throw heat with the best of them, and for one season, he was as good as any relief pitcher in baseball. Unfortunately, Turnbow could not repeat his success, and he quickly faded from the baseball scene. 

Turnbow's 39 saves in 2005 rank 4th all-time, and his all-time save mark of 65 ranks 80th. 

Please share your memories of former Brewer Derrick Turnbow.

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[JRob1125]

I still think he cost us the playoffs in 2007, and maybe 2006.

[JRob1125]

I still think he cost us the playoffs in 2007, and maybe 2006.

[damuelle]

Go back in the time machine and trade him to the Braves in July 2005 for some lower level prospects. Or that offseason for an even better haul.

We were breaking in 22-year olds Hardy and Weeks in 2005, with Fielder to follow in 2006. With such a young roster, it was probably best to cash in on a reliever who had come out of nowhere to record 21 saves by July 25, 2005.

Oh well, I’m glad Turnbow made some money.

[damuelle]

Go back in the time machine and trade him to the Braves in July 2005 for some lower level prospects. Or that offseason for an even better haul.

We were breaking in 22-year olds Hardy and Weeks in 2005, with Fielder to follow in 2006. With such a young roster, it was probably best to cash in on a reliever who had come out of nowhere to record 21 saves by July 25, 2005.

Oh well, I’m glad Turnbow made some money.

[kalle8]

Some brewersfan.net Poster back then created Turdero, a mash between Turnobow and Coco Cordero, I saved the image for this exact moment...

I always liked Derrick for his "wild" look, not as wild as his pitches, thou.

[kalle8]

Some brewersfan.net Poster back then created Turdero, a mash between Turnobow and Coco Cordero, I saved the image for this exact moment...

I always liked Derrick for his "wild" look, not as wild as his pitches, thou.

[owbc]

The turning point might have been the blown game on his bobblehead night against the Mets, 5/13/2006. 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL200605130.shtml

A rare sellout in those days and the Brewers smacked back-to-back bombs in the bottom 8th to overcome an 8-4 deficit and tie the game. I was with my dad and brother in the field bleachers for that game and the crowd was going absolutely nuts. 

Turnbow comes in for the top 9th and IMMEDIATELY gives up a solo bomb. As the stadium went silent, we notice something small and round fly over our heads from the loge bleachers and come to rest in right field next to Geoff Jenkins. 

It's Derrick Turnbow's head with the wavy hair, ripped from his bobble body and fired onto the field in disgust by a disappointed fan. I'm not necessarily a believer in voodoo, but Turnbow was never really the same after that moment...

After all of that drama Corey Koskie came about two inches from tying the game in the bottom 9th...and Bill Hall hit his famous pink bat HR the next day. So the game was largely forgotten, except in my family, where it remains one of the most legendary Brewers moments of all time. 

 

 

[owbc]

The turning point might have been the blown game on his bobblehead night against the Mets, 5/13/2006. 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL200605130.shtml

A rare sellout in those days and the Brewers smacked back-to-back bombs in the bottom 8th to overcome an 8-4 deficit and tie the game. I was with my dad and brother in the field bleachers for that game and the crowd was going absolutely nuts. 

Turnbow comes in for the top 9th and IMMEDIATELY gives up a solo bomb. As the stadium went silent, we notice something small and round fly over our heads from the loge bleachers and come to rest in right field next to Geoff Jenkins. 

It's Derrick Turnbow's head with the wavy hair, ripped from his bobble body and fired onto the field in disgust by a disappointed fan. I'm not necessarily a believer in voodoo, but Turnbow was never really the same after that moment...

After all of that drama Corey Koskie came about two inches from tying the game in the bottom 9th...and Bill Hall hit his famous pink bat HR the next day. So the game was largely forgotten, except in my family, where it remains one of the most legendary Brewers moments of all time. 

 

 

[DougX57]

The one great year was a great one and on my Strat-o-matic game, yep he was the man!!! After that,,,,,, ummmmmmm nope..

[DougX57]

The one great year was a great one and on my Strat-o-matic game, yep he was the man!!! After that,,,,,, ummmmmmm nope..

[stoutdude04]

Loved his intro song and disgusting slurve during that first season.  My buddies and I watched every televised game that year while in our college living.

[stoutdude04]

Loved his intro song and disgusting slurve during that first season.  My buddies and I watched every televised game that year while in our college living.