Fireballing senior hoping for return to action after missing all of '04 season while recovering from "Tommy John" reconstructive elbow surgery (Dec., 2003) ... showed tremendous attitude and work ethic during rehabilitation ... expected to make full recovery for '05 season ... will have the option of applying for a fifth year of eligibility in '06 ... tireless worker who leads by example and is expected to be key veteran for '05 staff ... made big strides in his delivery and throwing from a more controlled arm-slot during limited '04 fall and winter workouts ... hoping to follow success stories of recent ND pitchers Danny Tamayo and Grant Johnson, who both returned from injury with a high level of production and success ... Tamayo missed sophomore season in '99 (elbow) before returning in '00 and then having a 1st team all-BIG EAST season in '01 (when he was a 10th-round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals) ... Johnson also missed his sophomore season ('03; shoulder surgery) and was eased back into action during impressive '04 season (1st team all-BIG EAST) before signing with Chicago Cubs as 2nd-round pick ... rated by Baseball America/Perfect Game as No. 145 draft-eligible college prospect for '05 season ... BA's season preview for the '05 season listed him as the BIG EAST's No. 6 overall prospect (4th among draft-eligible players), behind St. John's closer Craig Hansen, Pittsburgh 2B Jim Negrych ('06 draft-eligible), ND sophomore RHP Jeff Manship ('06), St. John's RHP Anthony Varvaro and Rutgers OF Johnny Defendis ... two ND juniors - OF Craig Cooper (60th) and closer Ryan Doherty (90th) - also were on the Sept. '04 PG/BA prospect list (they were not included on BA preview list of league's top-10 prospects) ... made some major progress in mechanics and command during '03 fall workouts, prior to injury ... known for electric set of pitches, with a fastball that has pushed into high-90s and hard-breaking curveball ... has classic pitcher's body (6-6, 190 pounds) ... compiled strong freshman season (3.95 ERA, 5-2 record, 64 strikeouts in 70.2 innings) that was overshadowed by huge postseason wins from his classmates Johnson and Chris Niesel - before starting 9-0 in '03 ... able to induce timely double-play groundballs ... opted to join Notre Dame program, despite being selected by Seattle Mariners in 7th round of '01 Major League draft ... projectable pitcher whose talent ceiling played large part in high draft status ... first two seasons with the Irish included 4.13 ERA and 14-5 record in 31 appearance (25 starts, 133 Ks, 109 walks, 122 hits, .238 opp. batting, 21 wild pitches, 11 hit batters in 141.2 IP) ... one of five Notre Dame '02 freshmen invited to play in prestigious Cape Cod League ... had challenging '02 summer with Hyannis Mets (7.17, 0-3, 12 GP/2 GS, SV, 21.1 IP, 21 H, 30 BB, 25 Ks) but went on to be rated by BA as No. 29 prospect in '03 CCL ... trained with Canadian National Team in summer of '03 before joining CCL's Cotuit Kettleers (1-0, 9.00, 7 GP, 9 IP, 4 H, 16 BB, 8 Ks) ... winning pitcher for Gold in decisive third game (3-2) of '01 Blue-Gold fall intrasquad series (5 IP, 2 R, 5 H, BB, 2 WP, 5 Ks) ... 17th Notre Dame pitcher ever to post 12-plus Ks in a game (12, vs. Western Michigan in '03) and 4th to do so since 1980, joining Darin Schmalz (`96) and current Major Leaguers Brad Lidge (`98) and Aaron Heilman (three times, '00-'01) - with Niesel and Tom Thornton adding 12-K games in '04 ... joined fellow RHP Tyler Jones as ND's two signees in '01 spring period ... latest in string of talented "late signees" for the Irish, with that group including pitchers Lidge and Tim Kalita and position players Jeff Wagner and Brant Ust ... made up for lack of varsity baseball at his high school by playing with Port Dover club, Team Ontario and Team Canada ... gained valuable experience playing throughout Canada, the U.S. and Dominican Republic ... third player from outside the 50 states (second Ontario native) among 800-plus all-time ND baseball monogram winners ... 2B and Ottawa native Robert Hoag lettered with the '39 Irish team while CF Joseph Ridge (Margarita, Canal Zone) lettered from '51-'53 ... posted 3.28 GPA in '04 spring semester (3.20 in fall of `04).

AS A JUNIOR: Missed entire 2004 season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery in December of 2003.

AS A SOPHOMORE: Turned in impressive start to 2003 season, posting 9-0 record and 2.21 ERA before late struggles ... tied Niesel for team lead in victories (9-3), 2nd in strikeouts (69) and games started (13), 3rd in innings (71.0) ... slipped to 4.31 final ERA (50 BB, 63 H, .245 opp. batting, 14 WP, 5 HB in 15 GP) ... his average of 8.75 Ks per 9 IP ranked 2nd on staff ... tied Niesel for team lead with 26 Ks "looking" ... ranked 4th on staff for lowest opp. batting with runners on (.238) while his average of 8.0 hits allowed per 9 IP was 5th-best ... opened with win over Newman, at ASU (6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 BB, K; 15-5) ... followed with strong no-decision vs. Wake Forest at Minnesota Metrodome (7 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 4 Ks, 2 DPs; 2-1 in 13) ... posted wins in Jacksonville over Navy (5 IP, 6 H, 3 R/2 ER, BB, 7 Ks; 7-3) and Creighton (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 Ks; 10-3) ... continued string of eight straight winning starts at Villanova (5 IP, 2 H, R, 4 BB, 7 Ks; 3-2) and at home vs. Georgetown (6 IP, 3 H, 2 R/1 ER, 5 BB, 8 Ks; 13-3) ... set Eck Stadium record for strikeouts by an ND pitcher, punching out 12 Western Michigan batters in 12-1 win (7 IP, R, 6 H, 104 pitches) ... kept rolling with home wins over Central Michigan (7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 4 Ks; 8-3), Seton Hall (6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 5 BB, 2 Ks; 9-3) and UConn (6 IP, 4 H, R, 6 BB, 6 Ks; 11-4), before losses to potent West Virginia squad and other top BIG EAST squads Virginia Tech and Rutgers ... pitched in relief at BIG EAST Tournament, vs. Rutgers (2.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R/4 ER, 7 BB, 3 Ks; 11-15).

AS A FRESHMAN: Rode rollercoaster 2002 season that ended with 3.95 ERA and 5-2 record in 17 appearances ... five of 12 starts came as No. 1 starter of a tournament or series ... totaled 64 Ks (third on staff) in 70.2 innings (59 BB, 59 H, 7 WP, 6 HB) ... held opponents to .231 batting, best among Irish pitchers with 25-plus innings ... touched for just one home run (324 batters) ... served up 18 double-play balls (most on staff), with 1.53 ratio of groundouts to flyouts (second-best) ... averaged 8.15 Ks and allowed just 7.01 hits (second-best on staff) per 9 IP ... made first appearance in relief at New Orleans (4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 6 BB, K; 7-8) ... had six Ks to beat Creighton in first start, as all-tournament pick at Irish Baseball Classic in San Antonio (6-2; 7 IP, 4 H, 2 UER) ... racked up 9 Ks to win 12-3 game at Georgetown (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB) ... added another BIG EAST win vs. St. John's (6.1 IP, 3 H, R, 6 BB, 5 Ks; 4-1), followed by no-decision vs. Pittsburgh (5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 Ks; 12-2) and 9-4 win at Seton Hall (7.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 6 BB, 7 Ks) ...overcame 5 walks, 3 hit batters and poor defense (3 UER) for solid start vs. Arizona State (4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 4 Ks; 9-4) ... picked up key 8-1 win over Villanova (4.2 IP, 3 H, R, 7 BB, K) ...logged 3.0 innings as starter in decisive 3-2 win over Rutgers at BIG EAST Tournament (3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 3 Ks) ... had impressive 4.2-inning stint to keep Irish in game during 12-5 loss at Florida State in game-2 of NCAA Super Regional (3 H, R, 4 BB, 5 Ks) ... FSU's famous fan section, "The Animals," unknowingly serenaded him with their customary rendition of "Oh, Canada" in 7th inning ... pitched in season-ending 5-3 loss to Stanford at College World Series (1.1 IP, 2 BB, K).

PREP & PERSONAL: One of Canada's top prospects while playing for club and national teams (Assumption College Prep does not sponsor baseball) ... ranked by BA and Toronto Star as Canada's top prep prospect for '01 Major League draft, before being selected in 7th round by Seattle Mariners ... his four-year career stats with Port Dover, Team Ontario and Team Canada: 37-12, 1.88 ERA in 278 IP (432 Ks, 173 BB; 14 Ks, 5.6 BB per 9 IP; 2.5 K-to-BB ratio) ... combined '01 stats: 11-2, 1.31, 124 Ks, 42 BB in 75.6 IP ... went 10-1 in '00 with Port Dover Midgets and Team Ontario (1.46, 68 IP, 118 Ks, 45 BB) ... posted 10-3 combined record and 1.24 ERA in '99 with Port Dover and Team Ontario Jr.'s (65 IP, 101 Ks, 46 BB) ... split 12 decisions with Port Dover Bantams in '98 (3.52, 69 IP, 89 Ks, 40 BB) ... invited to Team Canada Spring Training ('01) ... member of '01 Team Canada Youth Team ... posted save with Team Canada ('01) at Disney Sports Center in Orlando, for games vs. pro rookie-level teams ... won decision vs. Team USA during summer of '01 (Joplin, Mo.) ... competed in Dominican Republic vs. teams from Dominican Summer League, posting 1-1 record ... member of Team Ontario 18 that placed 5th at '01 NABF World Series ... played on 2000 Team Ontario squad that claimed bronze at Canadian National Championships and silver at NABF World Series ... closing pitcher for Team Ontario in wins that clinched '99 and '00 Provincial Championships ... participated in Chicago White Sox Area Code tryouts ... invited to 2000 Team One Showcase (at ND) ... helped lead Port Dover to three Provincial titles ... member of 2000 Port Dover team that was named "Team of the Year" by Baseball Ontario ... four-time all-star at Southern Counties All-Star Game ... Port Dover's '98 minor player of the year ... participated in high school volleyball, badminton and track and field ... set school high jump record as a junior ... played hockey for 12 years as a defenseman (until sophomore year) ... honor student and member of student government cabinet ... born April 1, 1983, in Simcoe, Ontario ... son of Brian and Vera Axford ... full name is John Berton Axford ... a film, television and theatre major, enrolled in the College of Arts and Letters.

Axford's Career Stats(dnp in 2004 due to injury)

John Axford: From the IBL to potential Rookie-of-the-Year 

Since taking over the Milwaukee Brewers closer’s role from the faltering Trevor Hoffman, the mustachioed 6’5″ 195lbs. Axford has racked up 20 saves. Axford is somewhat of an unknown to most baseball fans.  Where did this guy come from?  Like many overnight successes, there is a back-story of a lot of hard work involved.

Axford first showed up on the Canadian baseball radar when he pitched for  Team Ontario. A prized high school pitching prospect, he impressed scouts by being able to throw a 96mph fastball with hard breaking stuff.    He parlayed his success into a scholarship at Notre Dame where he pitched for 3 years, despite being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2001.

In his 3rd year Axford tore his ulnar collateral ligament, requiring Tommy John reconstructive surgery.  Axford took longer than most to recover from the surgery and as a result his scholarship was not renewed.   Despite this tremendous setback, Axford was still drafted by the Cincinatti Reds in the 2005 MLB entry draft.  This was the scouting report on him at the time:

RHP John Axford flashed first-round potential in the Cape Cod League in 2003, but had Tommy John surgery that December. He has been slow to come back, missing all of 2004 and working just three innings this spring. He had a low-90s fastball and a plus curveball before he got hurt, though his command was sporadic. Because he’s a redshirt junior, a team could take him as a draft-and-follow.

Axford didn’t sign.

As a result of his scholarship not being renewed, Axford transferred to New York state’s Canisius College, a popular school for Canadian collegiate ballplayers. That season Axford was 3 -8 with a 5.01 earned run average in 14 starts. Axford walked 75 and struck out 75 in 70 innings.  That summer he pitched in the Western Baseball League, an independent Canadian circuit.  That same year Axford signed with the Brantford Red Sox of the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL), an independent league based in Ontario.   Although he struggled in his only start for Brantford (4IP, 5BB, 7H, 5ER, 1HR, 6K) he managed to open the eyes of some scouts, including the Milwaukee Brewers.

Axford struck out plenty of hitters in the Western Baseball League, enough so that the New York Yankees were impressed enough with his peripheral numbers to sign him as a free agent late in the 2006 season.  The Yankees intended to use him to fill out the depth chart on their minor league rosters.  

After seeing Axford pitch live in a game, Yankees minor league director Pat Roessler said to him “you keep spotting your fastball the way you’re doing and you’ll be a big leaguer.” Unfortunately for John, he was unable to spot the fastball.  Across all levels he pitched in in the Yankees organization, Axford put up a walk rate of 6.4 BB per 9 innings pitched.  The only other 2 pitchers in all of baseball to have a walk rate that high were Dontrelle Willis and Oliver Perez.  Axford was subsequently released.

“They told me in all honesty they had time and money invested in other players and it probably would be better for me to go to another organization.”

Following the season Axford continued to work out indoors while bartending at East Side Mario’s in Dundas, Ontario.  Those same Brewers scouts who watched him play in Brantford were tipped off to his indoor workouts.  Brewers scout Jay Lapp then arranged a private workout at The Baseball Zone in Mississauga. 

“It was surprising that he’d been released,” said Lapp, who recommended the right-hander to Brewers’ assistant-GM Gord Ash following the workout.

Ash invited Axford to the Brewers’ spring training facility in Arizona to get a closer look at him. He was signed in march of 2008 and assigned to Brevard County of the high-A Florida State League.

Axford struggled in 2008 as the control problems that plagued him at Canisius showed up again.  Axford was 5-10 with a 4.55 ERA walking 73 and striking out 89 in 95 innings. Things weren’t looking good for a 25 year old failed prospect stuck in the Florida State League. 

“We knew we were getting a guy that had a good live arm, but there were a lot of mechanical issues with him,” Brewers GM Bob Melvin said. “There were some up and down moments and some times when we weren’t sure he was going to throw enough strikes.”

“If [pitchers] have good live arms and their walk rates are high, I think you’ve got to be patient,” Melvin said. “One of the toughest things in the game is to be patient.”

However, in 2009 things Axford got the magic back.  Coming out of spring training, the Brewers decided Axford was best suited to a relief role and assigned up to Brevard County again to repeat the level.  The Brewers tinkered with a few mechanical flaws in Axford’s delivery and his walk rate dropped.

“Guys with good arms, I say the same thing,” Melvin said. “Their walks can be reduced once they feel comfortable with their deliveries.”

Axford hit the ground running in a breakout year.  He raced through 3 minor league levels on his way to a September callup with Milwaukee. His walk rate? A career-low 3.1 per 9IP.  He made his big league debut on September 15th at Wrigley Field vs. the Cubs in the 8th inning.

“Everyone told me to soak it all in,” Axford said. “I walked three guys, allowed a run and I think I only remember three pitches that I threw.”

“The first pitch was a strike to Bobby Scales, a curve ball to strikeout Kosuke Fukudome and a ball that got away from me and almost hit Derek Lee in the head.”

Combining his numbers at single-A Brevard, AA Huntsville and AAA Nashville, Axford went 9-1 in relief with a 2.43 ERA. He got his control back; Axford walked 38 and struck out 89 in 68 1/3 innings.  With Milwaukee he posted a 3.52 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .179 BAA in 7 relief appearances.  The cherry on top was inducing an Albert Pujols pop-up in the bottom of the 10th inning on the final day of the 2009 season.

“Bring that with you next spring,” said Brewers manager Ken Macha.

And bring it with him he did.

Axford showed up in Peoria in spring training throwing smoke, striking out 7 and walking only 2.  Although he didn’t make the opening day roster,  Axford pitched well at AAA Nashville, striking out 19 while walking only 5 in 13 innings.  His mid 90′s fastball was back with a mid 80′s slider and 80 mph curve.

John Axford strikes out Justin Morneau for the save

With legendary closer Trevor Hoffman struggling to begin the season, going 5 for 10 in save opportunities with a 12.21 ERA, Axford was given the closer’s role temporarily to allow Hoffman to take a breather.

“It was a little strange,” Axford said. “Actually, a lot strange. It was kind of surreal.”

Axford has gained significant notoriety with his reliability in closing out games, not to mention significant popularity with the ladies for his magical mustache.

In fact, Axford’s mustache has its own Facebook page. The mustache can also be found on Twitter.  Its bio states: “The talk of Milwaukee…Best ride in town. A real ladies’ stache.”  Sad to say that the mustache is no more – Axford was only growing it until he got to see his wife, Nicole, who he hadn’t seen since spring training.  It has now morphed into a goatee.

Axford works a 5-out save

Axford has given up only 1 HR in 55 major league innings and walked 27.  It just goes to show that if you strike out enough guys and keep the ball in the yard, you can get away with a few extra walks.  Axford’s career path has been anything but conventional, and if he does succeed in a high-leverage role, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time that a reliever emerges out of relative obscurity.  This is another story that serves as incentive to keep perservering through life’s obstacles and to never give up on your dream.

Trevor Hoffman is carried off the field after saving

his 600th game, John Axford looks on