Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Tony Watson

Anthony Michael Watson, known professionally as Tony Watson, is a retired professional baseball pitcher who played eleven seasons in (MLB) from 2011 to 2021, primarily as a left-handed . Born on May 30, 1985, in , Watson was selected by the in the ninth round of the 2007 MLB Draft out of the University of Nebraska, where he had a standout college career including All-American honors. Watson's MLB debut came on June 8, 2011, with , where he quickly established himself as a reliable and occasional closer, contributing to the team's three consecutive appearances from 2013 to 2015. Over his career, he appeared in 689 games, compiling a record of 47 wins and 29 losses with a 2.95 () and 570 strikeouts in 648.1 . His most notable season was 2014, when he earned his only selection and posted a 10-2 record with a 1.92 in 63 appearances for . After spending his first seven seasons with (2011–2017), including a mid-season trade to the in 2017 that helped them reach the , Watson signed with the Giants as a after the 2017 season, playing there from 2018 to 2020. He signed with the as a for the 2021 season before being traded back to the Giants on July 30, 2021, appearing in 62 games that year with a 3.92 . Watson announced his on April 18, 2022, at age 36, reflecting on a career marked by consistency and durability in high-leverage situations.

Early career

High school and college

Tony Watson was born on May 30, 1985, in , where he developed an early interest in influenced by his family's athletic background; his father, Steve, and two uncles had all played as high school catchers. Watson attended Dallas Center-Grimes High School in Grimes, Iowa, where he starred as a for the Mustangs under coach Byron Peyton. As a senior in 2003, he posted a 0.10 over 69 —setting an Iowa single-season record—and threw three no-hitters while earning all-state honors and the Award as Iowa's top high school pitcher. Despite being selected by the Florida Marlins in the 23rd round of the 2003 MLB Draft, Watson opted to attend the to play for the Cornhuskers. He redshirted his freshman year in 2004 before emerging as a key starter from 2005 to 2007, helping the team reach three consecutive NCAA Regionals and the 2005 . As a in 2006, he led the with a 10-2 record and 2.87 , earning All-Big 12 first-team honors. In his senior season of 2007, Watson was named an All-American after compiling a 6-4 record with 81 strikeouts and a 4.09 over a team-high 96 , solidifying his development as a reliable left-handed starter before entering .

Minor leagues

Watson was selected by the in the ninth round, 278th overall, of the out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He signed with the organization for a $85,000 bonus and was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Pirates before making his debut in the short-season New York-Penn League with the . In 13 appearances for State College, Watson recorded a 6-1 record with a 2.52 over 53 2/3 , striking out 40 batters. He later appeared in four games for the low-Class A , going 1-1 with a 3.86 in 14 . In 2008, Watson advanced to high-Class A Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League, where he transitioned to a starting role and logged 151 2/3 innings across 27 starts, finishing 8-12 with a 3.56 ERA and 104 strikeouts. His performance earned a promotion to Double-A Altoona Curve in the Eastern League for 2009, but he struggled in a limited role, posting a 0-3 record and 8.22 ERA in 15 1/3 innings over eight appearances (five starts). Watson rebounded in 2010 back with Altoona, making 30 appearances (23 starts) and achieving a 6-4 record with a 2.67 ERA in 111 1/3 innings, including 105 strikeouts. Promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in the International League for 2011, Watson fully converted to a relief role, appearing in 28 games without a start and compiling a 3-3 record with a 2.36 ERA over 34 1/3 innings, allowing just 27 hits while striking out 35. This shift improved his velocity and command, helping him emerge as a late-inning option. Prior to his professional career, Watson had overcome a torn labrum in his shoulder that required surgery in early 2004, causing him to redshirt his freshman college season. Over his four seasons in the Pirates' minor league system (2007–2011), he amassed a 23-22 record with a 3.45 ERA in 312 1/3 innings across five levels. Watson's strong performance in 2011 paved the way for his call-up on June 7, when selected his contract from .

Professional career

Pittsburgh Pirates

Tony Watson made his debut with the on June 8, 2011, in a game against the at , where he pitched a scoreless eighth in . He earned his first career on April 25, 2013, closing out a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies with two scoreless innings. From 2013 to 2015, Watson solidified his role as the primary setup reliever for closer , frequently pitching high-leverage in the seventh and eighth. His season marked a career peak, as he appeared in 78 games—tied for the lead—while posting a 10-2 , a 1.63 over 77.1 , and 46 holds, earning his first selection as the Pirates' representative. That year, Watson limited opponents to a .190 and struck out 8.9 batters per nine , showcasing his command and effectiveness against both left- and right-handed hitters. In 2015, Watson set a Pirates franchise record for a reliever with 25.1 consecutive scoreless innings from late May through mid-June, contributing to the team's strong bullpen performance during their division-winning campaign. Over his full tenure with the Pirates from 2011 to 2017, he appeared in 422 games, compiling a 31-16 record with a 2.68 , 30 saves, and 184 holds while striking out 366 batters in 414.1 innings. Building on his transition to a relief role in the , Watson refined his pitching arsenal in Pittsburgh, developing a sharp that complemented his sinker and to induce ground balls and limit hard contact. Watson played a key role in the Pirates' postseason appearances in 2013 and 2015. In the 2013 against the St. Louis Cardinals, he delivered 3 scoreless innings across two appearances, helping secure the victory over the earlier that week. During the 2015 Game against the Chicago Cubs, he pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of starter , though the Pirates fell 8-0. On July 31, 2017, amid a midseason slump, the Pirates traded Watson to the in exchange for minor league prospects Angel German and .

Los Angeles Dodgers

On July 31, 2017, the acquired left-handed reliever Tony Watson from the in exchange for minor league prospects Angel German and infielder . Joining a contending team in the midst of a tight race, Watson quickly integrated into the bullpen, taking on high-leverage setup duties as the Dodgers clinched the division title with 104 wins. Under pitching coach , Watson adapted to new strategies, including a mechanical tweak to his sinker grip that boosted his ground-ball rate from 42.9% with the Pirates to 60.7% in Los Angeles, enhancing his effectiveness against right-handed hitters. In 24 regular-season appearances with the Dodgers, Watson compiled a 2-1 record and a 2.70 over 20 , striking out 18 batters while issuing just six walks. This strong finish helped lower his overall 2017 ERA to 3.38 across 71 combined appearances with both teams, where he earned seven wins and ten saves. Watson's value extended into the postseason, where he became the Dodgers' most-utilized left-handed reliever, appearing in 11 of their 15 games across the NLDS, NLCS, and . He posted a 2-0 record with a 2.57 ERA in 7 , including wins in Games 4 and 6 of the against the Astros, contributing to ' pennant-winning effort despite falling short in seven games. Following the World Series, Watson elected free agency on November 2, 2017, and signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the San Francisco Giants on February 19, 2018, with incentives that could increase the value to $18 million.

San Francisco Giants (first stint)

Following a brief appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2017 World Series, Watson signed as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants on February 19, 2018, to a two-year contract worth a guaranteed $9 million, including a $3 million salary in 2018 and a player option for 2020 that he later exercised. In his first season with the Giants, Watson established himself as a reliable left-handed reliever out of the , appearing in 72 games and posting a 4–6 record with a 2.59 over 66 . His performance provided stability to a pitching staff that helped the team finish with a 73–89 record in the . Watson's ability to induce ground balls—grounding out 47.2% of batters faced—proved effective in , the Giants' home stadium known for its cool and pitcher-friendly dimensions that suppress extra-base hits. Watson's workload increased in 2019, but he faced late-career challenges, including a higher and an injury that sidelined him for the final weeks of the season. He made 60 relief appearances, recording a 2–2 mark with a 4.17 in 54 innings, as his command wavered with 9 home runs allowed, up from 4 the previous year. On September 4, 2019, Watson dove for a bunt and fractured his left wrist, landing him on the 60-day and limiting his availability down the stretch. The 2020 season, shortened to 60 games due to the , saw Watson return to form as a middle reliever before the Giants shifted roster needs. He appeared in 21 games, going 1–0 with a 2.50 over 18 and notching 2 saves, while maintaining a low 0.89 . Over his first stint with from 2018 to 2020, Watson compiled a 7–8 record with a 3.13 in 153 appearances and 138 , serving as a consistent presence in the despite the team's sub-.500 finishes each year.

Philadelphia Phillies

On February 17, 2021, the Philadelphia Phillies signed veteran left-handed reliever Tony Watson to a minor league contract with an invitation to , aiming to bolster their depth following his solid performance with the Giants in the shortened 2020 season. Watson, who had posted a 2.50 ERA over 18 innings in 21 appearances for the Giants in 2020, was assigned to the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, the . Despite showing promise in early spring training outings, Watson opted out of his contract on March 26, 2021, amid the ongoing and roster uncertainties, leading to his release by the organization without appearing in any official games. This brief association marked Watson's only connection to the Phillies, as he sought opportunities elsewhere before the start of the regular season.

Los Angeles Angels

Following his release from a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on March 26, 2021, Watson signed a one-year contract worth $1 million with the three days later, on March 29. The deal included an invitation to , positioning Watson as a left-handed reliever to bolster the Angels' alongside fellow signee . He earned a spot on the roster and made his first appearance for the team on April 1 against the , allowing one run in one inning. Watson's early season was interrupted by injury when he was placed on the 10-day on May 2 with a left calf strain sustained during a game against the New York Yankees. He missed seven games before being reinstated on May 9, following a brief rehabilitation assignment. Upon his return, Watson primarily worked in middle relief, appearing in low- to medium-leverage situations as part of a strained Angels that ranked among the league's worst in early in the year. Over 36 appearances with the Angels, Watson compiled a 3–3 record with a 4.64 , allowing 25 earned runs on 33 hits and seven home runs while striking out 25 and walking 14 in 36 . His command issues were notable, with a of 1.28 reflecting higher walk rates than in prior seasons, contributing to an overall ERA of 4.64 before his departure. On July 30, 2021, the Angels traded Watson to the Giants in exchange for left-hander Sam Selman and prospects José Marte and Ivan Armstrong.

San Francisco Giants (second stint)

On July 30, 2021, the San Francisco Giants acquired Watson from the in a for left-hander Sam Selman and right-handers Armstrong and Marte, marking his return to the organization after his initial tenure from 2018 to 2020. He was activated the following day and went on to make 26 relief appearances for the Giants, posting a 2.96 over 24.1 while securing 10 holds. Watson's contributions bolstered the Giants' during a dominant regular season, as the team finished with a franchise-record 107 wins to claim the title. advanced to the , where they fell to the in a five-game series, though Watson did not appear in the postseason. In late September 2021, Watson suffered a left strain and was placed on the 10-day on September 30, retroactive to September 29. He was activated from the on October 15 but did not pitch further that year. Watson elected free agency on November 3, 2021. Across the 2021 season with the Angels and Giants, Watson appeared in 62 games and recorded a 3.92 over 57.1 .

On April 18, 2022, Tony Watson announced his retirement from after 11 seasons, sharing the news via and an interview with , where he cited ongoing challenges in recovering from a left shoulder strain that sidelined him during the 2021 postseason with the Giants. Over his MLB career from 2011 to 2021, Watson appeared in 689 games, compiling a 47-29 record with a 2.90 , 32 saves, and 570 strikeouts in 648.1 , establishing himself as one of the most reliable left-handed relievers of his era and the all-time leader in holds with 246. In reflecting on his career, Watson highlighted his 2014 All-Star selection with the , where he set franchise records for holds and appearances by a reliever, as well as his contributions to three Pirates playoff teams (2013, 2014, 2015), the 2017 ' appearance, and the 2021 Giants' title. Watson's high school jersey (No. 4) was retired by Dallas Center- High School in , on , 2016, during a basketball game halftime ceremony, honoring his standout prep career that included three no-hitters and a 0.10 in his senior year of 2003. Following his retirement, Watson transitioned into baseball operations, joining the organization in November 2023 as a roving pitching instructor before being promoted to pitching strategist for the 2025 season, focusing on player development and analytics as of the 2025 season.

Personal life

Family

Tony Watson married Cassie Kleinsmith in November 2012. The couple has two children: a daughter, Wynnie, born on December 26, 2014, and a son, Theodore, born on May 25, 2017. During his time with the , Watson and his family resided in , while wintering in . Following his retirement in 2022, the family settled in . Watson's family provided steadfast support throughout his professional career, with relatives attending his 2014 festivities and the 2016 ceremony retiring his high school jersey at Dallas Center-Grimes in . Watson hails from an athletic family background; his father, , and two uncles played as high school catchers, while his cousin Brad Watson pursued a three-year pitching career.

Civil rights involvement

Tony Watson's connection to the civil rights movement stems from his great-uncle, Thomas E. Offenburger, who served as a press aide to Martin Luther King Jr. and as director of information for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) from 1966 until King's assassination in 1968. Offenburger, a white Iowan, played a key role in communicating the movement's message to broader audiences, including organizing press coverage for events like the 1966 Chicago freedom rally and the Cicero march, where he interviewed King directly. He continued his activism afterward, working as press secretary for Andrew Young for 14 years in various capacities, including Young's congressional and mayoral roles in Atlanta. Watson has expressed deep pride in this family heritage, describing it as a "piece of family history that everyone’s held onto" that shapes his perspective beyond baseball. During his tenure with the Giants in 2019, Watson highlighted this legacy in interviews, noting how stories from his father and uncle instilled an appreciation for the civil rights struggle's impact on and . He has participated in related commemorations, such as meeting in 2016 at , where Young shared memories of Offenburger's contributions, and has discussed the challenges faced by minorities in as influenced by his family's history. A 2019 profile in linked Watson's off-field worldview directly to Offenburger's involvement, emphasizing how it fosters his commitment to social awareness without personal activism. While Watson has not engaged in direct civil rights activism, the influence of his great-uncle's legacy is evident in his public reflections on themes during events like discussions within baseball circles. Following his retirement from in 2022, Watson has continued to honor this heritage through family storytelling, sharing anecdotes about Offenburger's experiences to educate others, though no formal charitable initiatives tied to civil rights have been reported.

References

  1. [1]
    Tony Watson Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News
    Tony Watson Bio ; Fullname: Anthony Michael Watson ; Nickname: Tone Ranger ; Born: 5/30/1985 in Sioux City, IA ; Draft: 2007, Pittsburgh Pirates, Round: 9, Overall ...
  2. [2]
    Tony Watson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More
    Tony Watson ; Position: Pitcher ; Bats: Left ; Throws: Left ; Born: May 30, 1985 in Sioux City, IA us.
  3. [3]
    Tony Watson - San Francisco Giants Relief Pitcher - ESPN
    View the profile of San Francisco Giants Relief Pitcher Tony Watson on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.
  4. [4]
    Tony Watson - Baseball 2004 - University of Nebraska - Huskers.com
    All-American Tony Watson pitched his way to a 6-4 record and led the team with a career-high 81 strikeouts. He also was the team-leader in innings pitched with ...
  5. [5]
    Tony Watson, lefty reliever and one-time MLB All-Star, retires after ...
    Apr 18, 2022 · Tony Watson, a veteran of 11 big-league seasons, announced his retirement on Monday in a statement to The Athletic.Missing: date | Show results with:date
  6. [6]
    Iowan Tony Watson, former MLB All-Star relief pitcher, retires
    Apr 18, 2022 · His final season was 2021, when he appeared in 26 games and finished with a 2.96 ERA. Watson suffered shoulder strains the last week of the ...Missing: date | Show results with:date
  7. [7]
    Giants reliever Watson embraces connection with civil rights ...
    May 17, 2019 · Tony Watson's father Steve and two uncles were high school catchers as well. Cousin Brad Watson pitched three years in the minors after being ...
  8. [8]
    Watson honored with DC-G jersey retirement
    Jan 30, 2016 · Watson's time at DC-G was memorable. The class of '03 standout had an ERA of 0.10 in his senior year, which set an Iowa single-season record. He ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
  9. [9]
    Dallas Center-Grimes Baseball - Iowa High School Sports
    ... state tournament results, state champions, and more ... 2003 (3A-1st/Elite) P - Tony Watson, Sr., Dallas Center-Grimes 2nd time. 2005 ...
  10. [10]
    Watson Strong in First Career MLB Appearance - Huskers.com
    Jun 9, 2011 · A three-year letterwinner for the Huskers (2005-07), the left hander helped lead NU to three straight NCAA Regionals and a College World Series ...
  11. [11]
    Tony Watson - BR Bullpen - Baseball-Reference.com
    In 2005, he had a 6-1, 2.82 record and was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball. The next year, he turned in a 10-2, 2.87 campaign. He was third ...
  12. [12]
    Tony Watson - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball
    Nickname: Tone Ranger ; Born: 5/30/1985 in Sioux City, IA ; Draft: 2007, Pittsburgh Pirates, Round: 9, Overall Pick: 278 ; College: Nebraska ; MLB Debut: 6/08/2011.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  13. [13]
    Tony Watson | MLB Contracts & Salaries - Spotrac.com
    Retired from Professional Baseball. Jul 30, 2021. Traded to San Francisco (SF) from Los Angeles (LAA) for Sam Selman, Ivan Alexander Armstrong and Jose Marte ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  14. [14]
    Tony Watson Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics
    High School: Dallas Center Grimes HS (Grimes, IA). School: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Lincoln, NE) · Last Game: September 28, 2021 (Age 36-121d) vs. ARI ...
  15. [15]
    Tony Watson - MLB, Minor League, College Baseball Statistics
    Sioux City, Iowa. High School. Dallas Center Grimes (Grimes,IA). Colleges. University of Nebraska (Lincoln,NE). Drafted/Signed. 2007-9-278-Pittsburgh Pirates.Missing: achievements tournaments
  16. [16]
    Pittsburgh Pirates: From 2012 – 2015 Tony Watson Took the Ball ...
    May 5, 2020 · During these four years Watson was a work horse for the Pirates. He ranked 3rd among MLB relievers in innings pitched over the course of these ...Missing: minor progression<|control11|><|separator|>
  17. [17]
    Pirates, LHP Tony Watson go to arbitration, $400,000 apart - ESPN
    Feb 15, 2017 · He was an All-Star in 2014, when he was 10-2 with a 1.63 ERA, and he had a 1.91 ERA in 2015. Watson is eligible for free agency after this ...Missing: holds | Show results with:holds
  18. [18]
    Dodgers acquire Tony Watson from Pirates - MLB.com
    Jul 31, 2017 · In five minor league seasons, he's combined for a 3-15 with 5.10 ERA in 81 games (15 starts) after signing with the Dodgers as a non-drafted ...
  19. [19]
    Pittsburgh Pirates: Closer Tony Watson deserves more praise
    Mar 4, 2020 · For starters, Watson's go-to pitch is a sinker. After that, he employs a change-up and slider in his repertoire. The first thing that jumps ...
  20. [20]
    Dodgers Acquire Tony Watson From Pirates - MLB Trade Rumors
    Jul 31, 2017 · The Pirates have announced that they've traded former closer Tony Watson to the Dodgers for infielder Oneil Cruz and righty Angel German.
  21. [21]
    Dodgers find lefty help in trades for Tony Watson, Tony Cingrani
    Jul 31, 2017 · The Dodgers acquired left-handed relievers Tony Watson from the Pirates and Tony Cingrani from the Reds ahead of Monday's trade deadline.
  22. [22]
    The Dodgers have turned Tony Watson into a ground ball machine
    Oct 2, 2017 · The rise in ground balls is reflected in the significant increase in Watson's soft hit percentage, which, when paired with the improvement of ...
  23. [23]
    2017 Dodgers review: Tony Watson | True Blue LA
    Dec 25, 2017 · Stats: 2.70 ERA in 24 games, 18 K, 6 BB in 20 IP. Salary: $5.6 million, of which the Dodgers paid just under $1.9 million. Game of the year.
  24. [24]
    Dodgers 3-1 Astros (Oct 31, 2017) Game Recap - ESPN
    Oct 31, 2017 · Dodgers beat Astros 3-1, force World Series to Game 7. ByAssociated ... Tony Watson got Marwin Gonzalez to line out to leaping second ...Missing: NLCS | Show results with:NLCS
  25. [25]
    Tony Watson Player Card | Baseball Prospectus
    Birth Date: 1985 May 30. Birthplace: Sioux City, IA, USA. Height: 6' 3". Weight ... Retired 4/18/22. 1 year/$3M (2020). Re-signed by San Francisco. 11/19 ...
  26. [26]
  27. [27]
    Giants, Tony Watson Reach New Deal - MLB Trade Rumors
    Dec 22, 2019 · Watson's option for 2020 is guaranteed at $2.5MM, and Bob Nightengale of USA Today relays that Watson will have the opportunity to earn $7.5MM ...Missing: value | Show results with:value
  28. [28]
    2018 San Francisco Giants Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com
    2018 San Francisco Giants Statistics ; Record: 73-89, Finished 4th in NL_West (Schedule and Results) ; Manager: Bruce Bochy (73-89) ; General Manager ...
  29. [29]
    Phillies Sign Tony Watson - MLB Trade Rumors
    Feb 17, 2021 · The Phillies are in agreement on a minor league contract with veteran left-handed reliever Tony Watson, reports Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.
  30. [30]
    Phillies reach deal with Tony Watson - MLB.com
    Feb 17, 2021 · They and left-hander Tony Watson agreed to a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training. Watson, 35, went 1-0 with a 2.50 ERA in 21 ...Missing: traded August 2020
  31. [31]
    Tony Watson Opts Out Of Phillies Deal; Kintzler, Joyce Make Roster
    Mar 26, 2021 · Veteran left-handed reliever Tony Watson has opted out of his minor league contract with the Phillies, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
  32. [32]
    Angels To Sign Steve Cishek, Tony Watson - MLB Trade Rumors
    Mar 29, 2021 · Both Cishek and Watson will get one-year, $1MM contracts, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
  33. [33]
    Los Angeles Angels add Tony Watson, Steve Cishek - ESPN
    Mar 29, 2021 · The Angels have agreed to $1 million, one-year contracts with left-hander Tony Watson and side-arming right-hander Steve Cishek.
  34. [34]
    Angels place Tony Watson on IL, activate James Hoyt
    May 2, 2021 · The left-hander hasn't pitched since last Wednesday because of a strained left calf. The veteran southpaw said he had been trying to remedy ...Missing: call- | Show results with:call-
  35. [35]
    Tony Watson returns from injury; Angels call up José Suarez
    May 9, 2021 · ... designated for assignment on Thursday. “I mean, I didn't hear confrontation,” Maddon during a pregame Zoom on Sunday. “Well, that's the ...
  36. [36]
    Giants To Acquire Tony Watson From Angels - MLB Trade Rumors
    Jul 30, 2021 · The Giants are acquiring reliever Tony Watson from the Angels, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com (Twitter link). The Giants will send Sam Selman ...
  37. [37]
    Tony Watson Announces Retirement - MLB Trade Rumors
    Apr 18, 2022 · That included three straight excellent campaigns with the Pirates in 2013-15, during which time the University of Nebraska product tossed ...
  38. [38]
    Former Pittsburgh Pirates Star Takes Front Office Job with Tampa ...
    Nov 13, 2023 · A veteran of 11 big league seasons from 2011-21, Watson retired in 2022 due to shoulder problems, and the 38-year-old is now moving into a new ...
  39. [39]
    Rays name Minor League coaching staffs for 2025 - MLB.com
    Jan 21, 2025 · Tampa Bay Rays Team Logo Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay; Toronto Blue Jays ... Pitching Strategist Tony Watson, spent last season as Roving Pitching ...Missing: front 2023
  40. [40]
    OFFENBLOGGER: In celebration of our MLB All-Star Tony Watson
    Jun 16, 2014 · When Beverly married Bob Watson, we found baseball's genetic mainstream. He was a 6 ft. 5 in. catcher from Des Moines who played for old Iowa ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  41. [41]
    Tony Watson hopes to build off All-Star season
    Mar 9, 2015 · "It was warm," said Watson, a graduate of Dallas Center-Grimes High School. Watson played at the University of Nebraska, so he is well aware ...
  42. [42]
    Major League Baseball Pitcher's High School Jersey Retired
    Feb 2, 2016 · Tony Watson, our great-nephew who is an outstanding relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, came home Friday night, Jan. 29, to Dallas Center-Grimes High ...
  43. [43]
    Great-uncle of Pirates' Tony Watson was part of Rev. King's inner circle
    Jan 17, 2016 · Tom Offenburger, Tony Waton's great-uncle, worked as director of information for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
  44. [44]
    MLK connection lets Giants reliever see beyond the game
    Apr 2, 2019 · Tony Watson's father Steve and two uncles were high school catchers as well. Cousin Brad Watson pitched three years in the minors after ...