Braden Looper #41

Braden, a veteran of 12 major league seasons with St. Louis (1998, 2006-08), Florida (1999-2003), the Mets (2004-05) and Milwaukee (2009), joins Chicago with an invite to major league Spring Training after sitting out the 2010 season...Owns a 72-65 major league record with 103 saves and a 4.15 ERA (542 ER/1,176.0 IP) in 670 contests, including 97 starts...After 572 relief appearances to begin his career, moved into the starting rotation beginning in 2007 - has a 38-33 record with a 4.75 ERA (300 ER/568.1 IP) in 97 starts...The 572-consecutive relief outings before his first start were the third-most in big league history behind Todd Jones (632 relief appearances) and Chuck McElroy (603)...Began his big league career exclusively in relief through the 2006 season ... has a 34-32 record with 103 saves and a 3.58 ERA (242 ER/607.2 IP) in 573 games out of the bullpen...Has made at least 30 starts and won at least 12 games in each of his last three seasons pitched...Graduated from Mangum (Okla.) High School in 1993 as a member of the National Honor Society ... lettered four years in baseball and basketball and two years in football...As a high school senior, he was selected All-State in baseball, All-State Honorable Mention in basketball and All-Class in football ... was the team MVP in all three sports...At Wichita State University, went 8-6 with a 2.62 ERA and 26 saves in 70 games (65 in relief) in three seasons at the school...Was inducted into the WSU Shockers Sports Hall of Fame, February 1, 2003, at halftime of the school's basketball game vs. Southern Illinois...Competed in the 1996 College World Series and was a consensus First- Team All-American selection as a junior...Named Baseball America's top college prospect in 1996...Played with the U.S. National Team in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, garnering the bronze medal ... was 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 18 outings for Team USA.

2010

Braden elected free agency, November 13, 2009, and did not sign with an organization for the 2010 campaign ... his last big league appearance came with Milwaukee, October 2, 2009 at St. Louis.

2009

Braden joined Milwaukee's starting rotation, signing with the club on February 12, and set career marks with 14 victories and 34 starts ... his 194.2 innings pitched fell just 4.1 innings shy of his career high mark the previous season (199.0)...The Brewers were 20-14 in his 34 starts ... he produced 14 quality efforts...His 14 victories were the most by a Brewers righthander since Cal Eldred won 16 games in 1993...Led the staff in wins, starts and innings pitched (194.2)...Posted a 3.72 ERA in 20 games the team won ... had a 7.58 ERA in the 14 games the team lost when he pitched...Ranked second in the N.L. in run support (5.71), trailing only the Rockies Jorge DeLa Rosa (5.78)...Allowed 39 home runs, which led the majors and broke the franchise mark of 36, held by Wayne Franklin in 2003...Led the majors in runs allowed (123) and tied for the lead in earned runs allowed (113)...Led the club with 11 sacrifice bunts...Tied his career high with seven strikeouts, April 27 vs. Pittsburgh and June 9 vs. Colorado...Went 3-for-3 with one RBI, July 16 at Cincinnati ... became just the fourth pitcher in Brewers history to record three hits in a game...Joined Skip Lockwood (1970), Jim Lonborg (1972) and Brad Woodall (1998)...Following the season, had surgery on the meniscus in his right knee ... surgery was performed by Dr. William Raasch.

2008

In his final season with the Cardinals, and his second in the starting rotation, Braden went 12-14 with a 4.16 ERA (92 ER/199.0 IP) in 33 starts ... set career marks with 33 starts, 199.0 innings pitched and 108 strikeouts ... tied career high with 12 wins...Started the year with a 4-1 record and a 3.86 ERA (14 ER/32.2 IP) in his first six starts ... was 8-13 with a 4.22 ERA (78 ER/166.1 IP) in his final 27 starts...June 11 in Cincinnati, tossed a three-hit shutout, walking none and striking out four...Tossed 7.0 innings in six-straight starts from July 28-August 24 ... was 3-2 with a 2.36 ERA (11 ER/42.0 IP) in those six outings...Had a 3.65 ERA (49 ER/120.0 IP) in 20 outings when starting on four days rest ... had a 4.94 mark (43 ER/78.1 IP) in 13 starts with five or more days rest...Allowed a career-high four homers, July 10 vs. the Dodgers...Twice struck out a career-high seven batters: April 27 vs. Pittsburgh and June 9 vs. Colorado.

2007

Converted to starting pitcher and finished 2nd on the team in wins (12), games started (30) and innings pitched (175.0) despite missing time (6/18-7/1) due to right shoulder fatigue. Went 7-1 with a 1.69 ERA in nine day starts and finished tops in all of baseball with his overall 1.82 daytime ERA. Conversely, went 5-11, 6.75 ERA in 20 starts at night. During his 30 starts had a 1.45 ERA (78.2 IP/13 ER) in his 12 wins, 9.79 ERA (60.2/66) in his 12 losses and 4.08 ERA (35.1/16) in six no-decisions. Made quality starts in 18 of his 30 starts and was second on the team in quality starts. In 15 starts at Busch Std., went 7-4 with a 3.34 ERA vs. 5-8, 6.72 in 15 road starts. Limited opponents to a .223 (46-206) batting average with two outs. Held opponents to just four hits in each of five starts from 8/11-9/2 and had a scoreless streak of 14.0 innings from 8/28-9/2. In three of his Sept. starts had an 11.57 ERA (18 ER/14 IP)...in his other two starts allowed only one run in 14.0 IP (0.64 ERA). Posted his 400th career strikeout in 5/6 start vs. HOU. Made 30 starts to begin the season before pitching 0.1 inning of relief in the team's final game (9/30 at PIT). Made his first M.L. start on 4/4 vs. Mets...dropped a 10-0 decision, but allowed only three runs in his 6.0 IP, all coming in his 6th & final inning...threw 93 pitches. Pitched 7.0 shutout innings, allowing two hits, 4/9 at PIT in a 3-0 Cards win. Won his third-straight start with a 2-1 win over the Cubs on 4/20 at CHI. Allowed a 1st inning run on three singles, but then allowed just 2 hits over his next 6.0 IP. Needed just 89 pitches to go 7.0 IP. Limited the Reds to just one run (6th inn. solo HR - J. Hamilton) in 7.0 IP 4/25 & had first ND. Cards plated four 8th inning runs & won the game, 5-2. Won his 4th decision on 5/6 vs. HOU, 3-1...allowed a 1st inning run before blanking the Astros over his final five innings. Improved to 5-2 with 5-0 win at SD on 5/12, as he allowed just three hits over 7.0 IP while fanning career-high 7. Tossed 6.0 innings in a no-decision and allowed three runs on four hits in his first start off the DL (rt. shoulder strain) 7/2 vs. ARI...retired 15 of the first 16 batters faced before solo HR by C. Snyder to lead off 6th inning. Won 7/16 at FLA to snap a 4-game losing streak. Tossed 6.1 innings and allowed two runs on five hits and had his most strikeouts since 5/12 (9 starts ago) with four. Allowed seven runs to the Braves 7/21 in a 14-6 loss in which he lasted just 2.2 innings, his shortest outing as a starter. Evened his record at 8-8 with 11-1 win over CHI on 7/26 as he held the Cubs to one run (D. Lee-HR) in 7.0 innings. It was his 1st win at Busch since 5/24. Matched season-high for wins (9) with a 10-5 victory on 8/6 vs. SD, allowing 4 runs (3 HR's) in 6.1 IP...Cards scored 10 runs in their 5th, as they tied ML record with 10 consecutive hits in the inning. Set career high with his 10th win on 8/11 vs. LA. Had a no-hitter into the 5th before Garciaparra led off the inning with an infield hit. Went 6.0 innings and threw 85 pitches on a 95-degree day. Victimized by 2-run HR to J. Jones 8/17 at CHI, his only runs allowed in 2-1 loss. Went 7.0 scoreless at HOU on 8/28 in a 7-0 shutout. Allowed four hits in his fourth-straight start, walked only one and fanned 4 on100 pitches in the start. Recorded 7.0 scoreless innings in a second-straight start 9/2 vs. CIN. Extended scoreless streak to 14.0 innings. Gave up four hits and no walks in 4th-straight win at home. Did not get a decision vs. the Cubs in Game 1 of a DH on 9/15, a 3-2 loss. Allowed only one run and three hits over 7.0 innings and retired 18 of his final 19 batters faced. Underwent surgery in Oct. to shave bone from his left (non-throwing) shoulder.

2006

Was unscored upon in 50 of his 69 games and had 9 wins - a career high and most by Cards reliever since 1996 (Mark Petkovsek-11)...His 9 wins were T2nd in majors among relievers (Francisco Cordero - TEX/MIL, 10)...Strung together a career-high 6-game winning streak from 7/9-9/12 in which he had a 2.64 ERA (9 er/30.2 ip) over 25 games...Appeared in 11 Sept./Oct. outings and was 1-2 with a 2.19 ERA (12.1 ip/3 er) while finishing seven games...Suffered 2nd-straight loss & 2nd blown save 9/22 at HOU in the Cardinals first save opp. since 9/6...Had his career-high six-game winning streak snapped in 9/18 loss at MIL. Retired final 3 batters 9/16 vs. SF...Worked 2.0 IP on 9/12 vs. HOU & picked up 9th win when Pujols hit GWing 9th-inning double...Had 2.0 scoreless IP in 9/7 win at ARI. Collected 8th win 8/31 vs. FLA...osted his 17th hold on 8/22 at NY with 0.2 IP, stranding tying run at 3rd in the 8th...Worked 1.2 scoreless IP on 8/18 at CHI & recorded three groundouts in his perfect IP on 8/16 vs. CIN...Tossed a season-high 2.2 IP on 8/12 at PIT, his 1st action since departing game 8/8 at CIN with back spasms...Allowed a hit in 1.0 IP on 7/30 at CHI. Blanked Cubs for 2.0 IP on 7/28 & worked scoreless 8th 7/27...Won three straight outings for 1st time in career from 7/9-15...Got the win with 2.0 IP on 7/9 at HOU. Worked into a bases loaded jam in the 10th, but K'd the last two faced to end the inning & retired three in the 11th...Allowed runs in 4-straight outings 6/28-7/4 until a perfect 1.0 IP 7/8 at HOU...Gave up two runs 7/2 vs. KC. Allowed 2 runs for his 1st loss of the year 6/30 - the first multiple runs allowed since giving up 3 at SF on 5/22...Had allowed just 2 earned runs during that span (15.2 IP, 16 games, 1.15 ERA)...Pitched 2.0 perfect innings 6/27 vs. CLE, striking out 2. Retired the side in order in the 8th 6/24 at DET to earn his 13th Hold...Got three outs in the 9th on 6/16 vs. COL to seal a victory...Retired the side in the 8th on 6/15 at PIT & got first two outs in the 8th 6/13 at PIT, earning a pair of holds...Retired 9-straight batters in his first 3.0 IP during 5/29-6/7 homestand & was credited with win #3 on 5/31 vs. HOU...Induced double-play ball with 1st & 2nd, 0 outs in 8th inn. 5/24 at SF... collected his first extra-base hit, a double in the 9th inn...Had 9.2 scoreless IP streak snapped on 5/6, allowing 3 runs & HR in 0.2 IP...Was 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA in 10 April outings (11.2 IP / 2 ER)...Worked 8th inn 4/29 vs. WSH & earned the win when Pujols hit a go-ahead HR...Earned Win #1 on 4/16 vs. CIN, despite BlnSv in 8th when he allowed 2-run double...Made his 2006 Cardinals debut 4/7 at CHI & went 2.0 solid innings, allowing a double...Appeared in seven of team's 16 postseason games...allowed double and groundout in 8th inning of World Series Game 4, runner later scored...closed out wins in both Game 1 and Game 3 of WS with 1.0 IP each...recorded the first two outs in the 7th inn. of NLCS Game 6, but then allowed two runs on three straight singles...worked the final 3.0 innings of LCS Game 4 loss with only blemish a solo HR by C.Beltran...pitched scoreless 8th in LCS Game 2...went 1.2 innings in DS Game 3, stranding two IR's.

2005

Underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean out the arthritic AC joint in his right shoulder on October 3rd...NY Mets Medical Director Dr. David Altcheck performed the procedure at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan...Was 10th in the National League with 28 saves...was one save shy of his career high set in 2004...Six of his final seven saves preserved a one- or two-run lead...Collected his 100th career save in a 4-1 win on 8/22 at ARI...hurled a scoreless frame...Held righthanded batters to a .210 (26-for-124) batting average...Had a 1.50 ERA (2 ER/12.0 IP) with six saves in 11 games in July...Was second in the NL with 26 Rolaids Relief points in May...only San Diego's Trevor Hoffman had more (36)...Was the winning pitcher on 4/16 vs. FLA in a 4-3 victory...worked 1.0 inning...Recorded his third save of the season on 4/25 vs. ATL in a 5-4 win...retired Julio Franco with two runners aboard to preserve the victory...Finished New York's 2-0 win on 5/13 vs. STL with a scoreless inning to pick up his ninth save...Combined with Pedro Martinez to shut out the Marlins, 1-0, on 5/27...pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 11th save...Notched his 12th save in a 2-1 victory vs. ARI on 6/1...struck out Matt Kata with two runners aboard to end the game...Picked up his second win on 6/11 vs. LAA in a 5-3 triumph...Recorded his 15th save with a scoreless inning in a 4-3 win on 6/23 at PHI...Earned his third win on 7/19 vs. SD with 2.0 scoreless innings in a 3-1, 11-inning victory...Picked up his fourth win with 2.0 scoreless frames on 8/2 vs. MIL in a 9-8, 11-inning win...Closed out a 1-0 win with a scoreless ninth inning for his 24th save on 8/19 vs. WSH...Pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 27th save in a 1-0 triumph on 8/26 at SF.

2004

Ranked 10th in the National League with 26 saves and tied for fourth in games finished (60)...Also was eighth among NL relievers in innings pitched (83.1)...With his 70th appearance on September 28th at Atlanta (Game One), he became one of only three pitchers in Major League history to make 70 or more outings in six straight seasons...Mike Myers (1996-2001) also did it six straight years while Buddy Groom did it seven consecutive seasons (1996-2002)...Finished with 71 appearances...Set a career-high with his 29th save on September 28th in Game One of doubleheader at Atlanta in a 2-1 victory...Recorded his 28th save on September 26th vs. Chicago in a 3-2 win to tie his career-high...Also had 28 saves in 2003 with Florida...Earned his 20th save on July 21st vs. Montreal in a 5-4 triumph to register his second consecutive 20-save season...Faced 118 batters without issuing a walk from June 2nd-August 4th...Issued a free pass to the Brewers' Brady Clark to snap the streak...The streak was the longest by a Mets pitcher since Rick Reed went 126 batters without a walk in 2001...His consecutive scoreless innings streak without permitting an earned run was snapped at 21.2 innings on May 21st vs. Colorado...It was the second longest such streak in franchise history by a Met reliever to begin a season...Only Cal Koonce had a longer streak at 25.2 innings in 1968...Also was unscored upon in 13.1 innings of work from April 25th-May 19th...Constructed a 0.00 ERA (0 earned runs in 10.1 innings) in April, a 2.16 ERA (four earned runs in 16.2 innings) in May, a 2.31 ERA (three earned runs in 11.2 innings) in July and a 2.63 ERA (four earned runs in 13.2 innings) in August...Seven of his last eight saves preserved a one-run victory (August 4th at Milwaukee, August 12th vs. Houston, August 14th vs. Arizona, September 18th at Pittsburgh, September 22nd at Montreal, September 26th vs. Chicago and September 28th at Atlanta in Game One)...Tied his career-high tossing 3.0 innings on August 21st at San Francisco...It marked the third time he worked 3.0 innings, last was on July 12, 2002 with Florida at Chicago...Preserved four straight contests in consecutive games from May 31st-June 3rd (three at Philadelphia and one vs. Florida)...Combined to work 4.0 shutout innings in those games...The last Mets reliever to notch four saves in four straight contests was Armando Benitez from August 18-22, 2001...Earned his first save with the Mets on April 11th vs. Montreal (in Puerto Rico), preserving a 4-1 victory...Posted his second win in as many nights on June 19th vs. Detroit when he worked 2.0 scoreless innings with three strikeouts in a 4-3 victory in 10 innings...Picked up his first win as a member of the Mets on June 18th vs. Detroit...Worked a scoreless inning in a 3-2 victory...Did not permit a run at home in his first 9.2 innings (April 12th-May 19th)...Was unscored upon in 26 of his 38 outings at Shea...Went 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA (10 earned runs in 48.0 innings) in 40 games prior to the All-Star break...Closed out the ninth inning on July 4th vs. the Yankees for his 16th save in a 6-5 triumph...Notched his first, five-out save of the season in a 6-5 victory at Milwaukee on August 4th...Had four, four-out saves (May 12th at Arizona, July 1st at Cincinnati, July 6th at Philadelphia and July 18th vs. Philadelphia)...Opponents were just 1-for-13 (.077) against him with the bases loaded.

2003

Led the Marlins pitching staff with 74 appearances, his fifth straight season with more than 70 games pitched...Is one of five pitchers in major league history to appear in 70 or more games in five consecutive seasons (1999-2003)....Posted a career-best six wins with a 3.68 ERA and 28 saves, which was tied for eighth in the National League, in 34 opportunities(82.4%)...Held batters to a .241 batting average...Finished the season with 80.2 innings pitched, 13th among NL relievers...Compiled a 2.34 groundball-to-flyball ratio...Matched his career-best with his fifth win on August 29th vs. Montreal..Set a career-high with his sixth victory on September 12th v.s Atlanta...Converted eight of his first nine save chances, from April 11th-May 28th, including successful saves in three straight appearances, May 24-May 28th...Had a blown save on May 30th vs. Cincinnati before converting saves in four more consecutive outings, May 31st-June 11th...Began the season with 6.0 scoreless outings in his first seven appearances, March 31st-April 11th, converting 7.0 innings, for a 1.29 ERA...Did not allow a walk over those sseven games, while fanning six...Over the month of June, he allowed only one run over nine games and 11.1 innings of work (0.79 ERA)...went five-for-five in save opportunities, striking out nine and walking one...Pitched a season-high nine straight scoreless outings, from June 15th-July 5th, covering 12.0 innings...The Marlins went 8-1 in those nine games...Allowed a career-high five runs on four hits in 0.2 innings on September 14th vs. Atlanta, the second time he allowed five runs in a game (May 17, 2002 at San Francisco)...Posted a 2.85 ERA in 41 home games...His ERA was 0.94 over hs first 22 home games (through July 18th), allowing three runs in 28.2 innings, with four walks and 24 strikeouts over 28.2 innings...Allowed a game-tying home run to Ken Griffey, Jr. in the ninth inning on May 30th vs. Cincinnati, the first home run he allowed since August 9th, 2002 at Arizona, a stretch of 51 games...The home run also snapped a streak of 50 home games without allowing a home run, dating back to April 17, 2002 vs. Philadelphia...Matched his career-best with four strikeouts twice: April 23rd vs. Milwaukee and July 23rd at Atlanta, the third and fourth, four-strikeout games of his career...Tossed more than 1.0 inning 14 times, posting a 2.88 ERA over those games...Pitched a season-high 2.0 innings eight times and registered a 2.25 ERA with a .164 opponent batting average in those contests...Recorded his frist major league hit on July 26th, off Philadelphia's Jose Mesa in a five-run bottom of the eighth in a 10-5 Florida win...Has contructed a 2-0 mark iwth a 1.98 ERA (five earned runs, 23.1 innings) in 21 career contests at Shea Stadium.

2002

Established career-highs in games, innings pitched and ERA...took over the Marlins All-Time lead in games pitched on 8/21 when he made appearance number 275 at LA, surpassing Antonio Alfonseca's record of 274...went 13 for 16 in save opportunities...completed his season with 14 straight scoreless outings, dating back to 8/31 vs. PIT...pitched 16.0 innings, allowing six hits and one walk with nine strikeouts...matched a career-high by pitching his second career 3.0-inning relief outing on 7/12 at Wrigley Field in Chicago...his first 3.0-inning appearance came on 4/21/99 at SF.

2001

Became the first pitcher for Florida to appear in 70 games in three different seasons...finished the season as the Marlins' closer after Antonio Alfonseca's season ended on 9/30...converted three of six save opportunities.

2000

Appeared in 73 games for the Marlins, which tied for ninth in the National League, and finished tied for second on the club with five relief victories...registered his first career major league save on 6/16 at PIT -- it was the first save by a Marlins reliever other than Antonio Alfonseca over a span of 88 games, since Dennis Springer's save on 8/17/99 at LA...won his final five decisions of the season out of the bullpen, 6/3-9/10, the longest winning streak of his career...his five-game relief winning streak was tied for eighth in the major leagues.

1999

Following off-season trade to Florida, completed his first full season in the majors after starting the year on a Major League Opening Day roster for the second time in his career...led National League rookie pitchers with 72 appearances, also setting a Marlins rookie record for games pitched...made his Florida debut on 4/6 vs. the Mets, allowing one unearned run over 2.0 innings...tossed 3.0 hitless innings on 4/21 at SF to mark his longest outing of his career, striking out a career-high four batters...earned his first major league win on 6/3 vs. St. Louis after tossing 2.0 scoreless innings.

1998

Began the season with Memphis (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League and had his contract purchased by the Cardinals on 3/30...was optioned back to Memphis on April 11th...made four appearances with the Cardinals, including striking out the side in his major league debut on 3/31 vs. LA...Todd Zeile was his first big league strikeout.

1997

Opened the season in the starting rotation at Prince William (A) of the Carolina League...made his first professional start on 4/8 against Winston-Salem, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing six hits and two earned runs...promoted to Arkansas (AA) of the Texas League on 6/6 and was moved to the bullpen...went 1-1 with a 5.56 ERA and three saves in his first 10 Double-A outings...ended the season on the Disabled List with a strained right shoulder.

1996

Worked out of the bullpen for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League...over 21 games he posted a 3-1 record with one save and a 2.65 ERA.