In 1991 graduated from El Dorado High School in
Placentia, CA...attended Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA and then Florida Southern College in Lakeland, where he was named NCAA Division II National Player of the Year and Most Outstanding Player in the Division II World Series...
Florida Southern retired his jersey in 2006...is an accomplished artist whose projects included the cover of
the Dodgers' 2006 postseason media guide and a portrait of one of Brad Penny's prize-winning thoroughbred
horses...while with SF hosted "An Evening of Art with Brett Tomko" and auctioned off his drawings to benefit the Giants Community Fund...drew a charcoal sketch of Jackie Robinson that was reproduced and given away to 50,000 fans on 4/15/07, the 60th anniversary of Robinson's Major League debut...his father, Jerry, was credited with coining the name "Cavaliers" for Cleveland's NBA team after his submission was selected from 11,000 entries.
2011
From 4/24-5/24 made all 8 of his relief apps for the Rangers...spent the rest of the season
at Class AAA Round Rock.
2010
Coming off a nerve problem in his right arm that ended his 2009 season, didn't make his first appearance of the season until 6/22.
2009
Combined to finish 5-3, 3.77 in 6 starts and 15 relief apps for the Yankees and Athletics...joined Oak on 8/17 but made only 6 starts before a nerve issue in his right arm ended his season...on 9/14 at Tex, in his final appearance of the season, threw a complete game for the 100th victory of his career (9-0 win, 5h, 0bb, 3k, 114 pitches).
2007
SUMMARY: Signed with the Padres for the remainder of the 2007 season as a free agent on 9/4...appeared
in seven games for San Diego (four starts), going 2-1 with a 4.61 ERA (14 ER/27.1 IP) with 26 strikeouts as
compared to six walks...made his first start for the Padres 9/15 vs. SF, tossing 6.0 shutout innings allowing only
four hits while striking out five...his first three appearances with the Friars were out of the bullpen, posting
a 3.60 ERA (2 ER/5.0)...tossed 3.0 shutout frames in relief 9/7 at COL...began the season with the Dodgers
and was designated for assignment by Los Angeles on 8/24...in 40 games overall (19 starts) in 2007 with the
Dodgers and Padres, went 4-12 with a 5.55 ERA (81 ER/131.1 IP), 105 strikeouts and 48 walks...was 4-10 with
a 5.40 ERA (61 ER/101.2 IP) in his 19 starts and 0-2 with a 6.07 mark (20 ER/29.2 IP) in 21 relief outings.
ROTATING IN: Worked his way into the Padres rotation after tossing 6.0 shutout innings in his start against
the Giants on 9/15...made four starts overall with San Diego, going 2-1 with a 4.84 ERA (12 ER/22.1 IP),
recording 20 strikeouts as compared to five walks...the Padres were 3-1 in his four starts, winning each of
his first three.
WITH THE DODGERS: In 33 games (15 starts) with Los Angeles in 2007, was 2-11 with a 5.80 ERA (67
ER/104.0 IP), 79 strikeouts and 42 walks...was 2-9 with a 5.56 ERA (49 ER/79.1 IP) in his 15 starts and 0-2 with
a 6.57 ERA (18 ER/24.2 IP) in 18 relief appearances...designated for assignment by the Dodgers on 8/24.
2006
Began the year in the Dodgers rotation after signing a two-year deal as a free agent, and he finished the season as a short reliever in the bullpen. Was 2-1 with a 3.64 ERA (12 ER/29.2 IP) in 29 games out of the 'pen, and 6-6 with a 5.12 ERA (47 ER/82.2 IP) as a starter. Had a 2.36 ERA (14 ER/53.1 IP) at Dodger Stadium and 6.86 on the road. Was placed on the disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle on June 27, retroactive to June 24. Was activated from the disabled list on July 28 after missing 29 games, and volunteered to go to the bullpen. Picked up his first win as a reliever on Aug. 8 against the Rockies, exactly six years to the date he earned his first Major League save in 2000. In 15 games as a reliever during the month of August, he went 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA (5 ER/15.0 IP) and 16 strikeouts. After being converted to a reliever, batters hit just .246 (28-for-114) against him. Is an accomplished artist and worked on several projects throughout the season, including the cover design of the postseason media guide and a portrait of one of Brad Penny's thoroughbred horses. He allowed one earned run in one inning in the playoffs.
2005
Went 8-15 with 4.48 ERA in 33 games (30 starts) ... Led the Giants in losses (tied for third in NL), but also led club with three complete games (tied for sixth in senior circuit)...was 2nd among Giants hurlers for starts, and innings (190.2), while ranking third in both wins and strikeouts (114) ... Worked final 3.0 innings of SF's 9-2 triumph on June 30 at Arizona for his second career save and first since Aug. 8, 2000 at White Sox (with Seattle) ... Went distance twice in 10 days vs. Pirates, working 9.0 innings on April 29 at Pittsburgh and May 9 at SBC Park...retired the final 21 Bucs hitters on May 9, helping the Giants to their quickest game (1 hour, 49 minutes) since a 1 hour, 43 minute contest May 2, 1981 at Philadelphia (Game 2).
2004
Emerged as Giants' top starter down stretch run, going 5-1 with 1.43 ERA (9 ER, 56.2 IP) in his final eight starts ... Went 11-7 with 4.04 ERA in 32 games (31 starts) during first year with SF...finished second on staff in wins, innings
(194.0) and strikeouts (108), while ranking third in starts (31) ... His 4.04 ERA was second-lowest of career, behind only his 3.43 mark over 22 games as rookie with Reds in 1997 ... Posted career-best six-game winning streak Aug. 15-Sept. 21...previous best was five-contest string June 6-July 2, 1997 while with Cincinnati ... Tossed first career shutout Aug. 26, blanking Marlins on four hits in 5-0 SF victory at Florida.
2003
Matched career high in victories during lone season with St. Louis, going 13-9 with 5.28 ERA in 33 games...ranked 2nd on Cardinals staff in wins, starts (32) and innings pitched (202.2), trailing only All-Star Woody Williams in each category...proved most effective during 2nd half as St. Louis remained in contention until season's final weekend, logging 8-3 mark with 4.57 ERA after All-Star Break to tie for 5th-most wins in NL.
2002
Returned to National League with San Diego, going 10-10 with 4.49 ERA...led Padres hurlers in starts (32) and complete games (3), while ranking 2nd on staff in wins, innings pitched (204.1) and strikeouts (126)...did not miss starting assignment all season until skipping final start due to stiff neck.
2001
Was 3-1 with 5.19 ERA in 11 games (4 starts) for AL West champion Mariners and 10-6 with 4.04 mark in 19 games (18 starts) for triple-A Tacoma...opened campaign in Seattle, but was optioned to Tacoma May 20...recalled Sept. 14 and was in big leagues for remainder of regular season...was at his best out of Mariners bullpen, logging 2-0 ledger with 3.86 ERA (7er, 16.1ip) in 7 relief appearances...was 1-1 with 6.38 ERA (13er, 18.1ip) in 4 starts...was starter and winning pitcher Oct. 4 vs. Texas, when Seattle tied 1998 Yankees' AL record with its 114th regular season victory.
2000
In 1st season with Mariners, made 2 starts at Tacoma before being recalled April 21 for remainder of season...posted 7-5 mark with save and 4.68 ERA in 32 games (8 starts) for AL Wild Card champion Seattle...went 3-3 with 3.99 ledger (22er, 49.2ip) in 24 relief efforts...pitched well at Safeco Field, going 4-2 with 2.68 ERA (13er, 43.2ip) in 16 home outings (3 starts)...logged 1st career stint on Disabled List June 7-24 with right shoulder tendinitis...earned 1st career save in opener of doubleheader Aug. 8 at White Sox, working final 3.0 innings of 12-4 triumph...recorded 4.70 ERA (4er, 7.2ip) in 3 post season efforts during Mariners' run to ALCS...worked 2.2 scoreless innings in Game 1 of ALDS at White Sox, allowing just 1 hit as Seattle rallied for 7-4, 10-inning victory...made pair of appearances in ALCS vs. Yankees, posting 7.20 ERA (4er, 5.0ip) despite holding NY hitters to 3 hits in 17 at-bats (.176).
1999
Made first career Opening Day start in final year with Reds...received no-decision in season lid-lifter, working 3.2 innings of SF's 11-8 victory at Cinergy Field...was 0-1 with 7.76 ERA (23er, 26.2ip) over 1st 5 starts before being optioned to triple-A Indianapolis April 29...won his only 2 minor league starts before being recalled May 16...posted 5-6 mark with 4.40 ERA (71er, 145.1ip) in 28 games (21 starts) rest of season.
1998
In 1st full season, led Reds in starts (34), innings pitched (210.2) and strikeouts (162), finishing 13-12 with 4.44 ERA...despite playing for club that finished season 8 games below .500, Reds were 18-16 in his opening assignments...34 starts tied for 5th-most in NL...became 1st Cincinnati pitcher to win at least 11 games in both of 1st 2 seasons since Art Fowler in 1954-55...his 24 wins over 1st 2 campaigns were most by Cincy hurler since Ross Grimsley won 24 in 1971-72 and most by Reds right-hander since Junior Thompson posted 29 victories in 1939-40.
1997
Opened season at Indianapolis, but was recalled by Reds May 24 to make ML debut...went 11-7 with 3.43 ERA in 22 games (19 starts) for Cincinnati, and tied for 7th in NL Rookie of Year voting...led all senior circuit freshmen in winning pct. (.611), tied for 2nd in wins and ranked 6th in innings pitched (126.0), 6th in strikeouts (95) and 7th in starts...matched Dave Burba for club high in victories, most by Reds rookie since Tom Browning won 20 games in 1985...made big league debut May 27, dropping 2-1 decision to Curt Schilling and Phillies at Riverfront Stadium...allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, walked 2 and struck out 3 over 6.0 innings of work...was optioned to Indianapolis following day, but was recalled for remainder of campaign June 6...earned 1st ML win in 2nd career start, June 6 vs. Mets...worked 6.0 frames in contest, yielding 1 run on 4 hits in 5-2 victory...also collected 1st big league hit, RBI-2B in 5th off Rick Reed that gave Cincinnati 2-1 lead.
1996
Was named Reds' top prospect by
Baseball America following 1st full professional season...was 11-7 with 3.88 ERA at double-A Chattanooga, ranking 2nd in Southern League with 164 strikeouts in 157.2 innings pitched.
1995
Made professional debut with 9 appearances (7 starts) for single-A Charleston, WV...had forged 4-2 mark with 1.84 ERA before being shut down in Aug. due to strained right shoulder.
