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From 1971-2000, only six relievers with less than five saves at mid-season were selected to the All Star game. Despite their value to their clubs, middle-relievers and setup men were rarely considered All Star material. Perhaps that’s why Jeff Nelson identified making the 2001 All Star game as his greatest baseball thrill in the questionnaire above. The quintessential setup man, Nelson enjoyed a 15-year career in which he recorded 33 saves.

Nelson believed he had earned his way onto the All Star team in 2000, only to be snubbed by the man selecting the team – his own manager Joe Torre. By August, Nelson and Torre were at each other’s throats, engaging in a shouting match after the skipper lifted his reliever in a 3-3 game.

A free-agent at season’s end, Nelson bolted from the Yankees in favor of the Seattle Mariners. By the time the All Star team was selected – again by Torre – Nelson was performing at his best. He had 53 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings to go along with his 2.29 ERA. Nelson was infuriated when his former manager went with Mariano Rivera to join six Yankee teammates on the All Star squad. However, this story would have a happy ending.

Rivera, who would end up leading the AL with 50 saves, opted out of the All Star game after developing inflammation in his right ankle. Torre then made amends and selected Nelson to his first and only All Star team.

The decision certainly meant a great deal to Nelson.

“…as a setup man in the Major Leagues, it is tough to make the All Star team,” Nelson writes. “Even though I blessed to win four World Series rings with the Yankees, the All Star game was my biggest moment.”

Nelson’s selection started a trend. From 2001-2009, the number of non-closer All Star relievers jumped to ten. Today many middle inning relievers boast multiple All Star appearances. Just maybe they owe Joe Torre and Jeff Nelson a tip of the cap.

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Born and raised in the great state of Maryland, Jeff Nelson lived there until embarking on his professional playing career in baseball. The hurler prepped at Catonsville High School, ten miles from the Baltimore hospital where he was born. Nelson then enrolled at the Community College of Baltimore County’s Catonsville campus.

After one collegiate season, Nelson was drafted by the Dodgers in the 22nd round of the 1984 draft. His professional debut came in 1984. Eight years later he became a big leaguer with the Seattle Mariners.

During his 15 years in the majors, Nelson established himself as one of the premier setup men in the game. A four-time World World Series champion, Nelson was at his best when it mattered most. With runners in scoring position and two out he held batters to a .191 batting average.

In 2017 Nelson was inducted into the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. That organization boasts 10 Cooperstown men among its membership. Though Nelson will never receive a Hall of Fame plaque, he goes down as one of the game’s great setup men.

Shown here is a letter from Sam Sibler, the chairman of the Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame. In the October 26, 1962 correspondence Sibler informs 16-year MLB vet Bill Nicholson of his selection for the state’s honor.

Nicholson was a four-time National League All Star. Twice he led the Senior Circuit in home runs and RBI. With three 6.0 WAR campaigns, Nicholson’s career WAR stands at 41.9. He earned votes in MVP balloting five seasons, and finished in the top three for the award in 1943 and 1944.

Nicholson’s career 132 OPS+ is equal to Cooperstown’s Tony Gwynn, Rafael Palmeiro, and one point higher than Rod Carew, and Wade Boggs. He left the game with 1,484 career hits, 235 dingers, and 948 RBI.