Danny Kolb

[Michael Trzinski]

Daniel Lee Kolb was born in March 1975 in Sterling, Illinois. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 17^th round of the 1993 MLB Amateur Draft out of Walnut High School but chose not to sign. Kolb attended Illinois State University and was drafted after his sophomore season in the sixth round of the 1995 draft by the Texas Rangers.

The right-hander made his way through the Rangers chain as a starter and made his big-league debut in 1999 with the Rangers, appearing in 16 games as a reliever. He posted a decent 110 OPS+, averaging two innings per outing. Kolb shuttled between the minors and the Rangers the next three seasons before finishing the 2002 season in Arlington, where he pitched in 34 games and earned his first major league save and posted a 113 OPS+. The next spring, Kolb was released by Texas and signed by the Brewers a few days later.

Kolb began the 2003 season at Triple-A Indianapolis and after saving four games and posting a 29.5% K rate over 26 games, was called up to Milwaukee. Closer Mike DeJean blew his seventh save of the season and Kolb took over the role in mid-July. He finished the season with 21 saves, a 2.21 OPS+, and a FIP of 3.22.

The following season, Kolb made the NL All-Star team for his first and only time, saving 39 games—eighth best in the NL—and an OPS+ of 147. In December he was traded to the Atlanta Braves for prospect José Capellán, as the Braves needed a closer.

Kolb struggled in 2005, posting an ERA of 5.93 with only 11 saves before losing his closer job. After the season he was traded back to Milwaukee for Wes Obermueller. Kolb spent the year as a set-up man for closer Derrick Turnbow and earned one save and posted a 94 OPS+. Kolb signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and pitched in three games for them in 2007 before being released. He pitched at Triple-A Pawtucket for the Red Sox in 2008 before getting his release.

Kolb saved a total of 61 games for Milwaukee and posted a 134 OPS+ in 154 games over three seasons. His save total is tied for 10^th best in Milwaukee history.

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