Steve Kline to Serve as San Jose Giants Pitching Coach
Kline completes the 2012 San Jose Giants coaching staff that includes manager Andy Skeels, hitting coach Gary Davenport, athletic trainer David Getsoff and strength and conditioning coach Dustin Brooks.
Kline is set to begin his fourth season as a pitching coach in the San Francisco organization. Last year, he directed the GreenJackets to the fourth-lowest ERA in the South Atlantic League (3.70) as Augusta rallied to the second half South Division title and a berth in the playoffs. Under Kline's tutelage, Shawn Sanford won the 2011 South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year award, Jorge Bucardo ranked second in the league in ERA during the 2010 campaign and Eric Surkamp amassed the most strikeouts of all Giants minor leaguers in 2009.
Kline pitched 11 years in the big leagues with the Cleveland Indians (1997), Montreal Expos (1997-2000), St. Louis Cardinals (2001-04), Baltimore Orioles (2005) and San Francisco Giants (2006-07). He compiled a career record of 34-39 with a 3.51 ERA and 39 saves over 796 appearances. Kline pitched in 89 games in 2001 with St. Louis, a Major League single-season record for a left-handed pitcher at the time. He also logged a 1.80 ERA that year for the Cardinals, one of two career campaigns with a sub-2.00 ERA (also 1.79 in 2004). Kline led the National League in appearances for three straight seasons from 1999-2001. He was originally an eighth round selection by Cleveland in the 1993 draft.
The 11-time California League champion San Jose Giants begin the 2012 season on Thursday, April 5 at Modesto. The home opener at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for Thursday, April 12 against the Bakersfield Blaze. For more information on tickets, please call (408) 297-1435 or visit sjgiants.com.