Baseball has produced many great stars, among them is top pitcher Sean Doolittle who plays for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Drafted by the Oakland Celtics as the 41st overall selection in the 2007 MLB Draft, Doolittle was named an All-Star in 2014 and is a gold medalist with Team USA at the World University Championships.
Doolittle is an above average player and he has recorded huge success since the start of his career. He set a franchise record for most strikeouts during his high school career at Shawnee High School. Read on, to know more about Sean Doolittle Biography, Stats, Contract, Salary, Wife and other interesting facts below.
Biography of Sean Doolittle
Sean Robert Doolittle was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on September 26, 1986. His father is an Airforce veteran while his cousin Jimmy Doolittle is a pilot, best known for the Doolittle Raid of Japan during World War II. Sean grew up in Tabernacle Township, New Jersey where he attended Shawne High School. He started playing baseball at an early age and he participated in the international youth baseball league called The Babe Ruth Baseball. At Shawnee, Dolittle excelled as a pitcher, breaking the state record for most strikeouts in a game. He also led Shawnee to a state championship.
After graduating, Doolittle enrolled at the University of Virginia where he played as a first baseman and starting pitcher. He set a record for most wins in a career that was later surpassed by Danny Hultzen. He joined the United States National Collegiate Baseball team in 2005 after which he led the team to gold at the World College Championship held in Havana in 2006.
Professional career, contract, statistics
Drafted as a first baseman/outfielder, Sean Doolittle was selected by the Oakland Athletics as the 41st overall pick in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his professional debut in June of that year and made his appearance in the major league in 2009.
In the 2009 season, Doolittle had a stellar season finishing 10th in the Oakland Farm System. He then suffered knee injuries which ruled him out for the remainder of the 2010 season. Doolittle returned during the 2011 season and was converted to a pitcher. He played his first championship game as a pitcher in Arizona that year.
The following year, he proved to be one of the best left pitchers on the Oakland team, recording 26 professional innings. He also had three strikeouts against the Texas Rangers and his first career save against Masahiro Tanaka’s New York Yankees, leading his team to win the AL West on the final day of the season.
In April 2014, Doolittle was awarded a contract extension with a five-year deal worth $10.5 million. He finished the season as one of the best “closest players” in the league and was named to the 2014 All-American Team, where he faced three batters and recorded two strikeouts for the team. .
During the 2015 season, Doolittle appeared on the disabled list due to a shoulder injury. In rehab, he pitched the seventh inning against the Omaha Storm Chasers in June 2017. He was also traded to the Washington Nationals alongside Ryan Madson. He recorded his first save for the Nationals in their win over the Los Angeles Angels that same year.
Salary and net worth
An insight into his net worth and salary income, Doolittle has earned a substantial amount after his five-year contract with the Oakland Athletics. The contract, worth $10.5 million, includes an option to buy out $500,000 last year. However, his net worth is still under review and cannot be determined at this time. As one of the top Nationals pitchers, Doolittle currently earns a base salary of around $4,350,000.
Married life: who is his wife (Eireann Dolan)?
For every successful man, there is always a caring and supportive woman. Doolittle is not only successful in his baseball career, but he is also successful in his love life. He shares an amazing love story with his sweetheart named Eireann Dolan. Dolan is a prolific writer and former broadcaster for CSN California. Like her husband, she grew up in a military family. Dolan graduated from the University of San Diego where she studied theology and religious studies.
The amazing couple met in 2012 through mutual friend and former Oakland Athletics A pitcher, Brandon McCarthy. At the time, Dolan was working as a comedian for McCarthy who suggested they (Doolittle and Dolan) hook up. After they hooked up, the duo started their relationship. They shared similar interests which led them to offer various charities including fundraising to equip new housing for American veterans in the Sacramento area. They also hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for Syrian refugees in Chicago, among others.
After five and a half years of a successful romantic relationship, the couple got engaged in February 2012. A few months later, they sealed their love in nuptial bliss. Their wedding took place on October 2, 2017, a day after the end of the 2017 MLB season. The happy couple have a happy married life. They don’t have children yet but may have plans to have them in the future.
Other Facts You Should Know About Sean Doolittle
1. Sean Robert Doolittle was born in Rapid City, South Dakota and raised in a military family.
2. He led Team USA to gold at the World University Championships held in 2006 and was named MLB All-Star in 2014.
3. Doolittle is 6ft 2in tall and weighs 92kg.
4. He met his lovely wife Eireann Dolan through Brandon McCarthy in 2012.
6. Doolittle ran off to tie the knot with Dolan after the final game of the 2017 Major League Baseball season.
7. The couple actively support the LGBT community