Thousand Oaks High School Baseball Alumni
Chuck Crim
(born July 23, 1961 in Van Nuys, California), is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers, the California ngels and the Chicago Cubs from 1987 to 1994.Crim went to school at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he was an All-American pitcher. He was drafted by the Brewers in the 17th round of the 1982 MLB amateur draft. He was a starter in his first two minor league seasons, before becoming a relief pitcher in 1984, finishing second in the Texas League in saves.
Crim played with the Brewers from 1987 to 1991.
While with the Brewers, Crim led the American
League in games pitched in both 1988 and 1989.
He was traded to the California
Angels on December 10, 1991 for reliever Mike
Fetters and a minor-league player. Crim played two seasons with the Angels
before being released on May
31, 1993.
The Chicago Cubs signed him on January
11, 1994.
He retired following the season.
Chuck Crim knows what it's like to make it to the TOP. He also knows how
hard it is to stay there, with great understanding of what it takes mentally
and physically to find true success. Chuck is now proud to offer his extensive
experience and instruction to players with a passion for the game, through
his Intensive Online Pitching Instruction & Interactive website @ www.ultimatepitchingcoach.com
Chuck Crim grew up in Southern California, following in his mother's baseball
footsteps...(she was an exceptional fast-pitch ballplayer in her day!).
Chuck was a California All-Star and led his Thousand Oaks High School Lancers
to the C.I.F. playoffs.
Though he was drafted as the 2nd pick of the Chicago Cubs in 1979, he opted
for a full-scholarship to the University of Hawaii as a starting pitcher.
The Aloha Spirit blessed Chuck, where he led the University of Hawaii Rainbow
Warriors to the College World Series in 1980, with his rookie 15-0 record.
As a freshman, Chuck was an honored member of the 1980 USA All-Star Team
(Olympic equivalent prior to baseball in the Olympic competitions), as
well as receiving NCAA All-American Honors.
Chuck signed to play Professional Baseball in 1982 with the Milwaukee Brewers
and spent 5 years developing in their minor league system, leading leagues
in complete games and winning both the Texas League and the Pacific Coast
League Championships. He was called up to the Big Leagues in 1987, making
the team out of Spring Training in a Cinderella story of success.
He holds two of the Brewer victories in a record setting 1987 season opener
with 13 wins and 0 losses. Chuck led the American League in Pitching Appearances
in 1988 and 1989, nearly doing so again in 1990 (hindered by a torn ribcage
muscle). He was rated "TOP Set-Up Man" by Sporting News 1988-1990 and remains on the Brewer's All-Time Leaders List.
California Here I Come!
In the winter of 1991, after 5 very successful years at the Major League
level with the Brewers, just as he was coming up for free agency, Chuck
was traded to the California Angels. He had done so well that he played
himself out of the small market finances of the Brewers, who couldn't afford
to negotiate against other more financially secure organziations, so rather
than losing the investment in Chuck, the Brewers opted for a trade to the
California Angels, and received two players in return.
Chuck enjoyed the prospect of coming back to his home state and having
the opportunity to play in front of family and friends, which he did through
the 1993 season. It was a season of difficult circumstances, many surrounding
Chuck's battle with a nagging shoulder injury.
The season was further hampered by an unfortunate bus accident that occurred
as the Angels traveled from New York to Baltimore. Chuck narrowly escaped
the accident himself, changing buses at the last minute to join a card
game on the other bus with some teammates, while those on bus #1 fell victim
to a driver falling asleep at the wheel.
Several players and coaches were injured in the accident, the most severe
being manager Buck Rogers who spent over a month in the hospital undergoing
surgery. After the accident, with assistant coach Marcel Lachman at the
helm in Buck Rogers absence, Chuck had great success. However, at the return
of Rogers, Chuck found himself sitting on the bench for weeks at a time,
and the writing was on the wall.
After a stellar performance out of the bullpen in Seattle against the Mariners,
Buck Rodgers released Chuck, who then went home to rehabilitate his shoulder
for the next phase of his career.
Chicago is My Kind of Town!
In 1994 Chuck signed with America's "Sweetheart" team, the Chicago Cubs, playing once again for his Brewers manager and baseball guru, Tom Trebelhorn. It was an amazing season, with a complete rehabilitation of his shoulder injury. It was astounding to play in legendary Wrigley Field with such tremendous support from the community, and to get to know Harry Carey on a daily basis! Everything looked as though it couldn't be more perfect....then came the Baseball Strike.
Having always been a "team player Chuck supported his union and unfortunately ended up a free-agent casualty of the Baseball Strike. It was so disheartening that he retired from Major League Baseball at the top of his game, to follow another lifelong dream...to fish the B.A.S.S. fishing tournament circuit.
In 1996 Chuck became the pitching director for SHO-ME Baseball Camp, a
legendary instructional camp in Branson Missouri. Working with up to 80
kids per week, Chuck honed his coaching and analysis skills, as well as
deepening his own understanding of the intricacies of the game. At SHO-ME
he coached with such greats as Gaylord Perry, Steve Garvey, and Ozzie Smith,
and remained there for 6 years before moving back to Southern California.
Chuck's 13 years in professional baseball was a dream come true, but one
that was only acheived through incredibly hard work and determination.
He learned what it takes to succeed and honed his skills, playing with...talking
to...and studying Hall of Famers such as Robin Yount and Paul Molitor,
pitching with success against such greats as Cal Ripkin Jr. and Mark McGuire.
Chuck retired from the position of Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Canyon
High School in Canyon Country, California, in 2005, where for 3 years he
coached 70+ players in his baseball program. Chuck spent two summers mentoring
players through a charity organization called Players of Promise, and continues
to help players with a desire to take their game to the next level with
private pitching instruction.
In the fall of 2006, another one of Chuck's dreams came true...he was hired
by the Los Angeles Dodgers, his childhood dream team....to be an area scout
in California. Not only is it great to be back in professional baseball,
but more importantly, he is grateful for the opportunity to provide the
chance of a lifetime to talented players of the future who dream of playing
Major League Baseball one day.