Matt Thornton #37

Is married to Emily and has one child, Avery… is a 1995 graduate of Centreville High School (Mich.). Was selected by Detroit in the 27th round of the 1995 First-Year Player Draft, but did not sign… instead chose to attend Grand Valley State University (Mich.) on a basketball scholarship… played baseball and basketball for Grand Valley for three seasons. During the 2012 season, participated in an organ/tissue donor signing ceremony and in the White Sox "Charities Week" lunch with the military and was a member of the "True Heroes" program. Has visited numerous veterans hospitals, including the Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. (2011 and '12), the Hines VA Hospital (Ill.) in 2011 and Bethesda Naval Hospital (Md.) in 2009. Played video games with troops serving overseas as part of the "Pros vs. G.I. Joes" event. Teamed up with Easter Seals of Metropolitan Chicago to promote Autism Awareness Month in 2009.

2014

Was claimed off waivers on Aug. 5, 2014 from the Yankees and immediately became a reliable member of Washington's bullpen...Did not allow a run in 11.1 IP (18 G) during two-month stint with the Nationals...In 36.0 innings in 2014, allowed zero homers...Fared better against right-handed hitters (.236) than those from the left (.250) in 2014...Went 0-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 24.2 IP spanning 46 appearances with the Yankees.

2013

Combined to go 0-4 with a 3.74 ERA (43.1IP, 18ER) in 60 relief appearances with Chicago-AL and Boston. Opponents batted .285 (47-for-165, 4HR); LH .235 (19-for-81, 3HR), RH .333 (28-for-84, 1HR)… retired 40-of-60 first batters faced (66.7%)… prevented 29-of-42 inherited runners from scoring (69.0%). Began the season with the White Sox, going 0-3 with a 3.86 ERA (28.0IP, 12ER) in 40 games… held opponents scoreless in 31 of those appearances. Went a season-high 11 straight games without an earned run from 4/24-5/15 (7.0IP). Was traded to Boston on 7/12 in exchange for OF Brandon Jacobs. In 20 regular season relief outings with the Red Sox, went 0-1 with a 3.52 ERA (15.1IP, 6ER), holding opponents scoreless in 15 appearances. Of his 13 appearances at Fenway Park with Boston, 11 were scoreless (1.59 ERA, 11.1IP, 2ER)… posted a 9.00 ERA (4.0IP, 4ER) on the road with the Red Sox, allowing at least 1ER in three of those seven games. Made his Red Sox debut on 7/14 at Oakland, entering in the 11th inning and recording the loss after allowing 1ER in 0.2IP (1H, 2BB). Recorded a season-long 7.2-inning scoreless streak from 7/28-9/2. Was placed on the 15-day disabled list from 8/7 (retroactive to 8/5)-8/25 with a left oblique strain. Did not appear on a postseason roster for the World Series-champion Red Sox.

2012

Recorded a career-high 26 holds, the second-highest total in White Sox history behind Barry Jones (30 in 1990) ... registered 20 holds for the fifth consecutive season and made at least 60 appearances for a club-record seventh straight year, the only reliever in baseball to accomplish both feats ... ranked among the American League relief leaders in losses (t1st, 10), appearances (6th, 74) and holds (6th) ... his 74 appearances matched a career high (also 2008) and tied for the eighth-most in team history ... the 10 losses were the most by a Chicago reliever since Wilbur Wood in 1970 (13) and tied for the fourth-most by a Major League reliever since 1995 ... went 3-7 (42.9 percent) in save situations ... allowed 31.3 percent (10-32) of inherited runners to score ... first batters faced went 15-70 (.214) ... left-handers hit .256 (31-121) and righties were at .258 (32-124) ... posted a 2.67 ERA (10 ER/33.2 IP) at home ... went 3-3 with a 1.80 ERA (4 ER/20.0 IP) and two saves with no rest ... allowed just one earned run over 12 games (11.0 IP) in April (ERA was 4.50 from May-July) ... limited the opposition to a .218 (12-55) average with RISP ... opened the season with a nine-game scoreless streak (8.0 IP), the longest season-opening streak of his career ... picked up his first win on 4/7 at Texas, working 1.0 scoreless IP (400th career game with the White Sox) ... recorded his 500th career strikeout on 4/11 at Cleveland (Travis Hafner) ... registered the save on 4/29 vs. Boston, his first since 7/2/11 vs. the Cubs ... suffered his first blown save and loss on 5/4 at Detroit (2 ER/0.2 IP) after surrendering a game-ending home run to Jhonny Peralta ... was charged with his third blown save but picked up his second win on 5/18 at the Cubs (0 ER/0.2 IP) ... made nine consecutive scoreless appearances (8.1 IP) from 5/14-30 ... his scoreless streak was snapped on 6/1 (2 ER/1.0 IP) despite registering his ninth hold ... recorded his 426th strikeout with the White Sox on 5/29 at Tampa Bay, passing Keith Foulke for second-most among relievers in franchise history ... set a Sox record for relievers with his 425th appearance on 6/1 vs. Seattle (500th career appearance) ... suffered consecutive losses on 6/15 and 6/17 at Los Angeles-NL ... surrendered a game-ending single to Dee Gordon on 6/17 ... registered his second save on 7/7 vs. Toronto with 1.1 scoreless IP ... reached 500.0 career IP on 7/23 vs. Minnesota ... earned consecutive wins on 7/31 at Minnesota and 8/3 vs. Los Angeles-AL ... recorded a hold in three straight appearances from 8/14-21 ... made nine straight scoreless appearances from 9/5-20 (7.0 IP) ... worked a hitless ninth inning on 9/15 at Minnesota for his third save ... was charged with his 10th loss in his final outing on 10/2 at Cleveland.

2011

Went 2-5 with a 3.32 ERA (22 er/59.2 iP), three saves, 20 holds and 63 strikeouts in his sixth season with the White Sox...registered at least 20 holds for the fourth straight season, the only reliever in baseball to accomplish the feat...made at least 60 appearances for the sixth consecutive season, extending his franchise record...only the Yankees Mariano Rivera (14) owns a longer current streak of 60-game seasons...moved from 13th place to seventh on the franchise's all-time appearance list, passing Roberto Hernandez, Keith Foulke, Eddie Cicotte, Doc White, Hoyt Wilhelm and Mark Buehrle during the season...recorded a 2.45 ERA (14 ER/51.1 IP) in 52 games after 5/1 (8.64 ERA in April)...his five losses marked a career high, and the 63 strikeouts were his fewest since 2007 (55)...owned a 2.52 ERA (7 ER/25.0 IP) on the road, compared to 3.89 (15 ER/34.2 IP) at home...allowed 12 unearned runs, the most among Major-League relievers...opponents hit .206 (21-102) in the second half, down from .293 (39-133) before the Midsummer Classic...left-handers hit .260 (27-104), his highest average since 2007 (.283)...allowed 25.0 (9-36) percent of inherited runners to score...first batters hit .228 (13-57)...threw more than 1.0 IP on 16 occasions, posting a 1.38 ERA (4 ER/26.0 IP) in those games...made eight appearances with no rest and posted a 6.75 ERA (3 ER/4.0 IP)...opponents stole a career-high 13 bases, tied for second-most among AL relievers...posted a 0.00 ERA (9.2 IP) with two of his three saves during interleague play...suffered blown saves in four consecutive outings from 4/6-13, allowing 10 hits and 10 runs (four earned) in 4.0 IP...did not allow an earned run in 14 straight appearances from 6/5-7/18...retired all six batters faced on 7/2 at the Cubs for his third save...earned victories on 9/8 vs. Cleveland and 9/20 at Kansas City...ERA was 2.98 on 9/8 before he allowed five earned runs in 8.1 IP over his final eight outings.

2010

Established career bests with a .191 (41-215) opponents average, 2.67 ERA (18 ER/60.2 IP) and eight saves in his fifth season with the White Sox ... his 2.67 ERA (2.670) was slightly lower than his 2.67 ERA (2.673) in 2008 ... was named to his first American League All-Star Team ... recorded 21 holds, the second-most in his career ... along with Keith Foulke (1999- 2000), Roberto Hernandez (1995-96) and Hoyt Wilhelm (1963-65), became one of four Sox relievers to record at least 80 strikeouts in back-to-back seasons (87 in 2009 and 81 in 2010) ... was the first Chicago relief pitcher to lead the AL in strikeouts since Foulke in 2000 (91) ... also ranked among the AL relief leaders in strikeouts per 9.0 IP (1st, 12.02), inherited runners scored percent (1st, 12.9), holds (8th) and opponent average (9th) ... left-handers hit .175 (17-97) with 44 strikeouts, down from .208 in 2009 ... threw more than 1.0 IP 12 times with a 0.89 ERA (2 ER/20.1 IP) ... went 0-3 with a 5.61 ERA (16 ER/25.2 IP) and two blown saves vs. AL Central opponents, including a 9.53 ERA (6 ER/5.2 IP) against Minnesota ... worked 2.0 hitless IP with four strikeouts for his first win on 4/12 at Toronto ... matched his career high with five strikeouts on 4/23 vs. Seattle and 5/7 at Toronto ... surrendered a home run 6/8 vs. Detroit, ending a string of 43 straight games without a homer (45.0 IP) ... was charged with the blown save in the Midsummer Classic on 7/13 at Angel Stadium (1 ER/0.1 IP), allowing a three-run double to Atlanta's Brian McCann ... made 22 straight scoreless appearances from 6/15-8/9 (18.0 IP) ... served up the game-ending homer to Jim Thome on 8/17 at Minnesota ... was on the disabled list from 8/25-9/3 (retroactive to 8/18) with left elbow inflammation ... threw at least 1.1 IP in each of his final six outings.

2009

established career highs in saves (four), wins (six), holds (24), IP (72.1) and strikeouts (87) in his fourth season with the White Sox...his 70 appearances were four shy of his career best set in 2008 (74) and ranked sixth among American League left-handers...ranked among AL relief leaders in strikeouts (4th), holds (t5th) and strikeouts per 9.0 IP (9th, 10.82)...went 4-9 in save situations (4-6 after the All-Star break)...was moved into the closer's role on 9/22 after Bobby Jenks suffered a strained calf...left-handers hit .208 (21-101), up from .170 in 2008...pitched on no rest 15 times and posted a 1.35 era (2 ER/13.1 IP)...threw more than 1.0 IP on 19 occasions with a 1.21 ERA (4 ER/29.2 IP)...tossed a season-high 2.0 IP three times, including back-to-back outings on 8/26 at Boston and 8/28 at New York-AL...earned back-to-back victories on 5/31 vs. Kansas city (0 ER/1.2 IP) and 6/1 vs. Oakland (0 ER/1.0 IP, 3 K)... struck out six consecutive batters over two outings on 6/1-6, one shy of the club record set by Joe Cowley on 5/28/86 at Texas...he and his wife, Emily, welcomed their first child, daughter Avery Annette, on 7/27...became the franchise leader with his 72nd hold with the Sox on 8/8 vs. Cleveland, moving past Damaso Marte...pitched for the United States in the second World Baseball Classic, going 0-0 with a 7.71 ERA (4 ER/4.2 IP) and five strikeouts in five relief appearances.

2008

established career bests in appearances (74), iP (67.1), era (2.67) and strikeouts (77) in his third season with the white Sox ... set a career high with 20 holds and matched his career high with fi ve wins (2006) ... his 2.67 era was down from 4.79 in 2007 ... his 74 appearances were the second-most among american league left-handers and tied for fi fth-most by a southpaw in Sox history ... ranked among AL relief leaders in games (t5th), strikeouts per 9.0 iP (6th, 10.29) and strikeouts (t6th) ... was 1-6 in save situations with a 2.95 ERA (6 ER/18.1 IP) ... ERA was 2.33 in the fi rst half and 3.14 after the All-Star Break ... the 2.33 fi rst-half era was 2.89 lower than the same point in 2007 (5.22) ... went 4-1 with a 2.88 era at home and 1-2 with a 2.45 era on the road ... posted a 1.80 era during the day (3.19 at night) ... limited left-handers to a .170 (19-12) average, while righties hit .218 (29-133) ... fi rst batters faced were 8-50 (.160) ... allowed 37.5 percent (21-56) of inherited runners to score ... appeared with no rest 22 times, posting a 2.37 era (5 er/19.0 iP) ... registered at least two strikeouts 18 times ... went at least 1.0 iP 43 times ... was 3-0 with a 1.23 era (1 er/7.1 iP) in eight interleague outings ... owned a 5.87 ERA (5 ER/7.2 IP) in his fi rst seven games, then posted a 1.80 ERA (7 ER/35.0 IP) in his next 41 appearances ... earned the win after suffering a blown save on 5/18 at San Francisco (1 er/0.2 iP) ... surrendered the game-ending home run to gabe gross on 6/1 at tampa Bay ... picked up wins in back-to-back outings on 6/9 vs. Minnesota and 6/13 vs. Colorado ... struck out four in a win on 6/28 vs. the Cubs with 1.2 scoreless IP ... earned his fi rst save of the season on 6/30 vs. Cleveland (0.1 IP) ... made 12 straight scoreless appearances from 6/4-30 (11.0 IP) ... established career bests with 3.0 IP and fi ve strikeouts on 8/5 vs. Detroit.

2007

Established a career high with 68 appearances in his second season with the White Sox, going 4-4 with a 4.79 ERA (30 ER/56.1 IP) ... his 4.79 ERA was up from his 3.33 mark in 2006 and the 56.1 IP were 0.2 IP less than his career best (57.0 IP in 2005) ... tied for the team lead in appearances with Boone Logan and ranked second with 17 holds ... the 68 games are tied for 10th on the club's all-time list by a left-hander ... went 2-7 in save situations (0-3 on the road) ... owned a 5.22 ERA (17 ER/29.1 IP) in the first half and a 4.33 ERA (13 ER/27.0 IP) after the All-Star Break ... averaged 7.1 strikeouts per 9.0 IP, as opposed to 10.7 in the second half ... posted a 4.13 ERA (13 ER/28.1 IP) with a .221 average on the road, compared to a 5.46 ERA (17 ER/28.0 IP) and a .313 mark at U.S. Cellular Field ... lefties hit .283 (26-92), an increase from .211 in 2006 ... three of four home runs came against right-handers ... did not give up a home run in his final 38 games (35.2 IP) ... first batters faced hit .246 (15-61) ... allowed 31.7 percent (20-63) of inherited runners to score ... pitched with no rest on 16 occasions (3.14 ERA) ... opponent No. 2-4 hitters combined to bat .341 (29-85) ... boasted a 2.92 ERA (8 ER/24.2 IP) when pitching more than 1.0 IP (15 games) ... amassed 14 games with multiple strikeouts ... ERA was 7.50 in April, 0.90 in May and 8.10 in June ... compiled an 11.81 ERA (7 ER/5.1 IP) during interleague play ... made his second Opening Day roster with the Sox ... suffered back-to-back blown saves on 4/4-5 vs. Cleveland ... earned his first save on 5/16-1 vs. the Yankees, retiring all four batters faced ... made 11 consecutive scoreless appearances from 4/27-5/25 (8.1 IP) ... went 0-2 with a 6.89 ERA (12 ER/ 15.2 IP) from 5/27-7/6 ... was tagged for five runs in 1.1 IP in a loss on 6/13 at Philadelphia ... was charged with the loss on 8/16 at Oakland, surrendering a game-ending, three-run homer to Kurt Suzuki in the 10th inning ... picked up his second save on 9/8 vs. Minnesota, striking out three over 1.1 IP ... agreed on a three-year contract extension on 4/1 (club options for 2010-11) ... married the former Emily Latimer on 3/14 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

2006

Went 5-3 with a 3.33 ERA (20 ER/54.0 IP) and two saves in 63 relief appearances in his first season with the White Sox ... the 63 games ranked eighth among American League left-handers ... was acquired from Seattle in exchange for outfielder Joe Borchard on 3/20 ... established career highs in wins, saves, holds (18) and appearances ... the 18 holds rank 10th on the club's all-time, single-season list ... led the Sox and tied for ninth in the AL in holds ... converted 2-5 save opportunities ... averaged 3.5 walks per 9.0 IP (21 BB), down from 6.6 in 2005 ... four of his walks were intentional ... was 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA (9 ER/29.2 IP) and two saves at home, compared to 2-2 with a 4.07 ERA (11 ER/24.1 IP) and two blown saves on the road ... allowed four of five home runs at home and vs. right-handers ... averaged 9.7 strikeouts per 9.0 IP (34 SO/31.2 IP) prior to the All-Star Break, and 6.0 per 9.0 IP (15 SO/22.1 IP) in the second half ... opponents hit .229 (46-201) and lefties .211 (16-76) ... limited first batters faced to a .224 (13-58) average ... allowed 27.1 percent (13-48) of his inherited runners to score ... 50 of his 63 appearances were scoreless ... threw at least 1.0 IP 32 times ... pitched in back-to-back games 11 times and with one day of rest 24 times ... held the opposition's No. 3-6 hitters to a .171 (18-105) average ... did not allow a run in seven appearances against Detroit (6.0 IP) ... threw 1.0 scoreless IP in his Sox debut on Opening Night vs. Cleveland ... went a season-high 2.2 IP on 4/7 at Kansas City ... issued three intentional walks in that game, the most by a White Sox pitcher since Wayne Edwards on 5/1/91 at Milwaukee ... did not pitch between 4/14-28 due to a sore lower back ... his string of eight scoreless outings (9.0 IP) ended on 6/1 at Cleveland, suffering his first loss (3 ER/1.0 IP) ... recorded his first victory on 6/9 vs. Cleveland ... earned his first career save on 7/6 vs. Baltimore ... did not record a strikeout in 13 consecutive outings from 7/28-8/26 (10.0 IP) ... registered his second save on 9/9 vs. Cleveland ... did not allow a run in 10 of his last 11 outings (6.1 IP).

2005

Went 0-4 with a 5.21 ERA (33 ER/57.0 IP) in 55 relief appearances in his first full season with Seattle ... limited opponents to a .248 (54-218) average, including a .235 (27-115) mark vs. right-handers ... averaged 9.0 strikeouts per 9.0 IP (57 SO) ... was 0-1 in save situations and notched five holds ... 37 of his 55 appearances were scoreless ... did not allow a run in seven occasions when pitching in consecutive games (6.1 IP) ... posted an 8.20 ERA (17 ER/18.2 IP) during the day, compared to a 3.76 (16 ER/38.1 IP) at night ... first batters hit .277 (13-47) ... allowed 34.1 percent (14-41) of inherited runners to score ... lasted at least 1.0 IP on 31 occasions, including a season-high 3.1 IP on 4/10 vs. Texas and 7/28 vs. Cleveland ... struck out at least two batters 13 times ... was charged with the loss in his first two outings, allowing five runs in 3.2 IP ... matched his career high with five strikeouts on 5/17 vs. the Yankees (3.0 IP) ... surrendered three homers and six runs in a loss on 5/11 at the Yankees ... made 13 scoreless appearances from 5/27-6/28 (8.1 IP) ... posted a 2.45 ERA (2 ER/7.1 IP) in June ... suffered blown save and loss on 8/29 vs. the Yankees (1 ER/1.0 IP).

2004

Split the season between Class AAA Tacoma and Seattle ... went 1-2 with a 4.13 ERA (15 ER/32.2 IP) in 19 games (one start) with the Mariners ... was used mostly out of the bullpen for the first time since 2000 ... gave up just two home runs ... began the season with the Rainiers ... was recalled from Tacoma on 4/26, but did not pitch ... was optioned back to Tacoma on 4/29 ... was recalled for the second time on 6/25 and appeared in three games ... made his major-league debut on 6/27 vs. San Diego, tossing 4.0 scoreless IP ... suffered the loss in his lone start on 7/10 at the White Sox (3 ER/5.0 IP) ... issued seven walks ... picked up first win and struck out five on 8/28 vs. Kansas City (0 ER/3.0 IP) ... did not allow a run in his final seven games (7.2 IP) ... was 0-1 with a 1.54 ERA in 10 games with Lara of the Venezuelan Winter League ... Went 7-5 with a 5.42 ERA (50 ER/83.0 IP) in 16 games (15 starts) with Class AAA Tacoma ... totaled 63 walks and 74 strikeouts ... surrendered just four home runs ... began the season with the Rainiers ... struck out a season-high 11 batters on 6/20 at Sacramento ... registered his only complete game on 7/18 at Fresno (L, 2 ER/8.0 IP).

2003

Began the season on the disabled list after undergoing "Tommy John" surgery in the offseason ...combined to go 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA (13 ER/43.1 IP) in eight starts with Class A Inland Empire, Class AA San Antonio and Tacoma ... was reinstated from the disabled list on 5/12 ... struck out a season-high nine batters on 5/17-1 vs. Lake Elsinore (4.2 IP) ... was promoted to San Antonio on 5/19 and went 3-0 with a 0.36 ERA (1 ER/25.0 IP) and 18 strikeouts in four starts ... was placed on the disabled list on 6/24 with cervical spine herniation and missed the remainder of the season.

2002

Missed the majority of the season with left elbow problems ... was 1-5 with a 3.63 ERA (25 ER/62.0 IP) in 12 starts with San Antonio ... opponents batted .237, including a .196 (9-46) average by left-handers ... was placed on the disabled list on 6/5 with left elbow tendinitis and missed the remainder of the season ... underwent "Tommy John" surgery in June.

2001

Was named the Mariners Minor League Pitcher of the Year after going 14-7 with a 2.52 ERA (44 ER/157.0 IP) and 192 strikeouts in 27 starts with Class A San Bernardino ... led the Seattle farm system in strikeouts and ranked second in victories ... averaged 11.0 strikeouts per 9.0 IP ... earned California League Pitcher of the Year honors ... led the CL in strikeouts, ranked second in wins and third in ERA and strikeouts per 9.0 IP ... established a career high in wins, starts, IP and strikeouts ... was named the CL Player of the Week for 5/7-13 ... struck out 13 on 7/21 vs. San Jose (6.0 IP).

2000

Spent his second season with Class A Wisconsin ... went 6-9 with a 4.01 ERA in 26 games (17 starts) ... began the season working out of the bullpen .... was on the disabled list from 6/2-23 with left triceps tendinits ... was used as a starting pitcher upon his return from the disabled list.

1999

Posted a 4.91 ERA in 25 games (one start) in his first season with Wisconsin ... made his only start on 7/17-2 vs. Clinton (2 ER/2.0 IP).

1998

Made his professional debut with Advanced Rookie Everett ... appeared in only two games before missing the remainder of the season with pain in his left elbow ... was signed by Mariners scout Ken Madeja.