Aaron Michael Heilman (born November 12, 1978 in
Logansport, Indiana) is a sidearm-throwing Major
League Baseball pitcher for the New York Mets.
Heilman attended Logansport High School in
Logansport, Indiana, and was a letterman in
baseball. In baseball, he led his team to two
regional titles, and as a senior, was a team M.V.P.
and an All-State selection. Heilman graduated from
Logansport High School in 1997.
He made his major league debut at Shea Stadium on
June 26, 2003 in a 6-1 loss to the Florida Marlins.
Heilman has pitched poorly as a starting pitcher,
posting an ERA of 5.93 as a starter for 2003, 2004
and the beginning of 2005. He was converted to a
relief pitcher for the rest of 2005 and excelled
with an ERA of only 2.18. However, Heilman's finest
game came as a starter on April 15, 2005, when he
made a start in place of the injured Kris Benson and
pitched a one-hit complete game shutout.
In the second half of the 2005 season, he held a
0.68 ERA, tops in the league.
Heilman is married and resides in Port St. Lucie,
Florida.
In Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS, Heilman surrendered a
tie breaking, two-run home run in the top of the
ninth inning to Yadier Molina of the St. Louis
Cardinals, putting St. Louis ahead 3-1. St. Louis
would hold on to the lead to win the National League
pennant, while Heilman suffered the loss for the
Mets.
When entering games at Shea Stadium, the home of the
Mets, Heilman alternates coming out to the songs
"London Calling" by The Clash and "(Don't Fear) The
Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult. He has had three
straight consistent years of an ERA under 4 as a
reliever, a feat that is rarely achieved.
Immediately after being moved to the bullpen,
Heilman repeatedly stated that he would rather be a
starting pitcher. However, Mets brass felt that he
is of more help to the team working out of the
bullpen, which is where he remained.
