Jeff is one of those young men.  Armed with great self determination, the support of a loving family and a golden arm, Jeff has overcome impossible odds to make it to where he is today, a bona fide major league baseball player.

  Jeff has spent many years plying his trade in places such as Pittsfield, New York, St. Lucie, Florida,

  Jeff was a non-drafted free agent, who had walked on to every college he attended after never pitching in high school.  He quickly established himself as a top flight prospect with a dazzling performance in the 1994 season.  As quickly as it came, it disappeared.  He suffered a knee injury that wiped out most of  his 1995 season.  He returned in 1996 but not as a can't miss  prospect rather as a guy hoping to catch the eye of big league front office.  He pitched well, earning a promotion to AAA for 1997.  Meanwhile Jeff began pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League where he dominated hitters, the way he had done in 1994. 

  He struggled early in 1997 and stayed at AAA all year.  1998 began brilliantly for Jeff, he was the dominant reliever at AAA Norfolk, and was summoned by the Mets for his first stint with the big club.  He pitched well early on, earning his first win on July 12, 1998 against Montreal on Beanie Baby Day in New York.  He was sent down shortly after that, but was called up again in September to finish the season in New York.

  Jeff again pitched in Venezuela over the winter, but hurt his elbow and had to have surgery.  Due to the surgery, Jeff missed spring training and any hope of making the team out of spring training.  When he did return from his surgery, he was sent to AAA.  He was eventually called back up by the Mets, released, signed by the Indians, sent to Buffalo, called up by the Indians, released and reclaimed by the Mets.  He spent the final month of 1999 with the Mets.

  In October of 1999, Jeff became a six year minor league free agent and signed with Oakland.  He was invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee.  Most people had never even heard of Jeff, including some of his new teammates.  He faced a huge uphill battle to make the team.  With the same grit and determination that made this high school second baseman a highly touted pitching prospect, Jeff pitched brilliantly.  He gave up one run the entire spring and made the club. 

  Jeff has made the most of his opportunity, as he has been the A's best reliever all season.  The sheer fact that Jeff made it, is a tribute to Jeff himself, his wife Monica, his parents and the rest of his family!!  Good luck Jeff and here's to many more summers in the sun.