Jeff Bittiger
{{Infobox MLB player| name=Jeff Bitteger| image=| caption=| positionplain=Relief pitcher| team=Philadelphia Phillies| number=34| bats=Right| throws=Right| birthdate=April 13, 1962| birthplace=Template:City-state| debutdate=September 22| debutyear=1986| debutteam=Philadelphia Phillies| statyear=1989| stat2label=Saves| stat2value=12| stat1label=Win-Loss| stat1value=4-6| stat3label=Earned run average| stat3value=4.77| stat4label=Strikeouts| stat4value=53| teams=
- Philadelphia Phillies (1986–1986)
- Minnesota Twins (1987–{{by|1987)
- Chicago White Sox (1988–[[1989)
in baseball|1989)
]] Jeffrey Scott Bittiger (born April 4, 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey) was a relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Minesota Twins, and Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball.
College career
Bitteger attended Jersey City State University.
Professional career
Bitteger broke into Major League Baseball as a starter for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1986. He was also a position player (shortstop and third base) in the Minors, but decided to give his best shot to the majors when the Philadelphia Phillies offered him a spot in their rotation. He started only three games, and had a 5.70 ERA in 14 2/3 IP. In 1987 he pitched infrequently for the Minesota Twins, first as a starter, then as a middle man. He pitched one inning in the Twins loss to the Kansas City Royals, giving up two hits and one earned run. The Twins went on to beat the Royals and eventually win the World Series in October of 1987. The next year, 1988, Bitteger played for the Chicago White Sox, pitching in a career high 25 games, and starting seven of those. In his seven starts Bitteger went 2-4, and had no decision the other game. He did not record a single save. His ERA for 1988 was 4.26 in 61 2/3 IP. He gave up 33 hits, 59 ER, 31 HR, 11 PBB, 29 IBB, and recorded one balk. The next year Bitteger pitched in only two games, starting one, which he lost, and holding a 6.85 ERA for the year in 9 2/3 IP. Bitteger left the MLB after that season.
Trades
Bitteger was selected by the New York Mets in the 7th round of the 1980 draft (on June 3, 1980). He languished in the minor leagues until January 16, 1986 when the Mets traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies. He played for the Phillies until December 8, 1986, when he was released. He was signed by the Atlanta Braves just 12 days later on December 20, 1986, but was released by that organization April 4, 1987. Again, he was signed quickly; on April 15, 1987 he was signed by the Minnesota Twins, who released him after the season on November 12, 1987. On January 22, 1988 he was signed by the Chicago White Sox, who kept him until November 9, 1989, when they traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Tracy Woodson.