John Axford

Amateur career

Axford grew up in Port Dover, Ontario, and attended Assumption College School in Brantford. Since the school lacked a baseball program, he played for Port Dover Minor Baseball, Team Ontario, and Team Canada, compiling a 37–12 record with a 1.88 ERA over four seasons. The Seattle Mariners drafted him in the seventh round of the 2001 MLB draft, but he chose to attend the University of Notre Dame on an athletic scholarship. He played summer baseball with the Hyannis Mets and Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in December 2003, he was inactive during his junior year. In three seasons with the Fighting Irish, he went 14–6, starting 26 of 36 games. Despite losing his scholarship as a redshirt senior in 2005, he earned a bachelor's degree in film, television and theatre. The Cincinnati Reds selected him in the 42nd round of the 2005 draft, but after a 3–8 season with a 5.01 ERA at Canisius College, the Reds declined to offer a contract.

He then pitched for the Melville Millionaires of the Western Major Baseball League, where a 19-strikeout performance drew the attention of the New York Yankees.

Professional career

The New York Yankees signed Axford as a minor-league free agent on August 11, 2006. In 2007, he played for three Class A teams and one Triple-A team, posting a combined 1–4 record in 27 games, and was released on December 14, 2007. After working as a cell phone salesman for Telus, he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on March 4, 2008. A 5–10 season with a 4.55 ERA for the Brevard County Manatees was followed by offseason work as a bartender at an East Side Mario's in Hamilton, Ontario.

Used exclusively as a reliever in 2009, he went 9–1 combined with the Manatees, Huntsville Stars, and Nashville Sounds. He was called up to the Brewers on September 7 and made his MLB debut eight nights later, allowing one earned run in one inning against the Chicago Cubs.

Starting 2010 in Nashville, he was promoted on May 15 and became the closer after Trevor Hoffman struggled. Axford finished his first full season with an 8–2 record, a 2.48 ERA, 24 saves in 27 attempts, and 76 strikeouts in 58 innings. He was named to Baseball America's 2010 All-Rookie Team as a relief pitcher.

Scouting report

When Axford entered the majors as the Brewers closer, he relied heavily on a power fastball thrown around 96–98 mph, occasionally reaching 100 mph, delivered on a downward plane with a snapping arm motion. His breaking pitches later became nearly as dominant, including a curveball at 79–80 mph with a sharp 12-to-6 break and a slider at 83–86 mph with a late, sharp break.

Personal life

John Axford studied film and television at Notre Dame, earning a bachelor's degree. A dedicated movie enthusiast, he used Twitter to forecast 14 out of 15 Oscar winners in 2013 and all 18 in 2014. He correctly predicted 17 winners in both 2015 and 2016, then hit 19 of 24 categories in 2017. Axford also participates in the Milwaukee Film Festival.

Did You Know?

• Axford won the 2011 Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year Award from the American Mustache Institute.
• He shared the 2011 Canadian Tip O'Neill Award with Joey Votto, marking the third time that award had been shared.
• Axford once struck out 19 batters in a seven-inning contest while pitching for the Melville Millionaires.
• Axford's streak of 49 consecutive save opportunities converted was the fourth-longest in MLB history.