Former Algebra Teacher Wins MLB Debut

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CBS/AP) -- Bobby Cramer, a former substitute teacher who started this season in the Mexican League, won his big league debut Monday by pitching the Oakland Athletics over the Kansas City Royals 3-1.

Cramer held the Royals to one run and four hits in 5 1-3 innings. He struck out four and walked one.

Cramer (1-0), a left-hander who turns 31 next month, started his pro career in 2003 in the Tampa Bay system.

He was a high school math teacher and worked in pipeline maintenance while out of baseball in 2005-06, and played in an independent league in 2008.

Cramer played at Long Beach State and was signed by Tampa Bay before being released in 2005.

Following his release, Cramer would play adult-league baseball one day a week, while working for Shell Oil in Southern California.

In 2007, the former Angels season ticket holder signed with Oakland.

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