**DEFINITION:**
Sam McConnell is a former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the early 2000s.
**Sam McConnell**
Sam McConnell (born August 30, 1975) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played briefly in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2001 season.
## Early Life and Education
McConnell was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he played college baseball before being drafted into professional baseball.
## Professional Career
McConnell was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1997 MLB Draft. He spent several years in the minor leagues, developing his pitching skills. He made his MLB debut on June 13, 2001, with the Pirates. During his short stint in the majors, McConnell appeared in a handful of games as a relief pitcher. After the 2001 season, he continued to play in minor league systems before retiring from professional baseball.
## Playing Style
As a right-handed pitcher, McConnell was primarily used in relief roles. His pitching repertoire included a fastball and breaking pitches, typical of relief pitchers of his era.
**META_DESCRIPTION:**
Sam McConnell is a former MLB pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001. He had a brief major league career following several years in the minor leagues.