Former Yankee Wetteland hospitalized for 'mental' issue

Our Thoughts and Prayers are with John and his Family.

Former Yankee Wetteland hospitalized for 'mental' issue
By ANDY SOLTIS

Last Updated: 7:36 PM, November 12, 2009

Posted: 6:20 PM, November 12, 2009

Former Yankees World Series MVP John Wetteland was rushed to a hospital today after police responded to his Texas home for a report of a possible suicide.

Cops from the Denton County sheriff’s office rushed to the 43 year-old one-time closer’s home after they received a phone call at12:30 p.m. that a possibly suicidal person was inside.

A person identified Wetteland then walked out of his Bartonsville house with his hands up saying that he "needed help," according to Texas TV station, CBS 11.

Officials said Wetteland was later hospitalized with what was described as a mental health issue.

Police in Bartonsville refused comment until later today.

Wetteland, who said he abused drugs and alcohol as a teenager, later became a born-again Christian and Bible school teacher.

During his 12-year pitching career in the major leagues he pitched for four teams, beginning with the Dodgers and Expos.

His peak came with the Yankees during 1995-1996. He led the American League with 43 saves in 1996.

He set a record that year with seven post-season saves and tried another record with four saves in the World Series

But he left the Yanks as a free agent after that season and signed a 4-year, $23-million contract with the Texas Rangers.

He was plagued by arm problems but managed to be selected to his third and final All-Star game in 1999.

He retired when his Rangers contract expired in 2000, with a total of 330 saves and a career ERA of 2.97.

Wetteland’s major league career resumed in 2006 when he was hired as bullpen coach of the Washington Nationals.

He was fired early in the season and served for two years as an assistant baseball coach and Bible teacher at Liberty Christian School near his home.

He returned to the majors before the 2009 season when he was signed by the Seattle Mariners to be bullpen coach for new manager Don Wakamutsu.

A Mariners spokesman said yesterday he had no information on his hospitalization in Texas.

Wetteland met his wife Michelle while he played for the minor league San Antonio Missions. They have four children.