Veteran southpaw has fashioned .585 winning pct. in Giants uniform (103-73), which ranks 2nd only to Juan Marichal (.630, 238-140) in SF history...his 259 starts are 3rd most in club's West Coast history, trailing only Marichal (446) and Gaylord Perry (283)...has made 2nd most starts by left-handed starter in franchise history (259), surpassed only by Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell (433)...is only 21st pitcher in franchise history to win 100 contests for club, logging 100th triumph July 31, 2004 vs. St. Louis...Perry was last Giant to win 100th, defeating LA May 16, 1970...joins Marichal (238), Perry (134) and Mike McCormick (104) as only quintet to have reached century mark in SF annals...his personal 128-85 lifetime ledger is 5th-highest winning pct. (.601) for active left handers, trailing only Randy Johnson (246-128, .658), Andy Pettitte (155-82, .654), David Wells (212-136, .609) and Tom Glavine (262-171, .605)...also ranks 13th among all active pitchers for winning pct. (140 decisions)...became 1st Giants' left-hander to start back-to-back Opening Days since club moved to San Francisco, drawing assignments in 2003 and '04...last southpaw in franchise history to make consecutive opening starts was Johnny Antonelli, who did it 3 straight years from 1955-57 in NY...Giants are 159-100 (.614) in 259 starts since arrival in 1996, including 60-33 mark in 93 outings over 2002-04 seasons (.645)...has allowed 3 earned runs-or-less in 226 of 318 career starts (71.1%)...owns personal 117-27 lifetime ledger (.813) when yielding 3-or-fewer total runs...has yielded 2-or-fewer walks in 249 of 318 career starts (78.3 %)...has fashioned 68-36 career road record (.654) for 5th highest winning pct. among all active pitchers with at least 60 road decisions...has been stopper throughout Giants career, as SF is 70-40 (.636) when he starts following loss...has posted 48-35 (.578) personal ledger in those outings...ran off at least 10 wins in 7-consecutive seasons from 1997-2003 to become 1st Giants left-hander to accomplish feat since Hall-of-Famer Carl Hubbell ran off 15-straight campaigns (1928-42)...last SF pitcher to accomplish feat was another Cooperstown resident, right-hander Juan Marichal (11 straight years, 1961-71)...is only SF left hander to win at least 14 games in 4 different campaigns (1998, '99, 2001 and '02)...has yielded 2-or-fewer walks in 249 of 318 career starts (78.3 %)...owns 14-5 lifetime Interleague ledger with 4.70 ERA (77er, 147.1ip) over 26 starts...would rank 3rd for winning pct. (.737) if he had enough decisions to qualify (20 decisions), behind only Mark Mulder (15-5, .750) and Greg Maddux (17-5, .739)...in fact, his 14 wins are 6th, with Maddux leading with 17 victories...has gone 175 starts since his last complete game June 29, 1999 vs. Colorado.
Graduated from Nashville (IL) High School in 1988...had high school jersey #16 retired in ceremony Feb. 2, 2001...earned degree in finance from Murray (KY) State in 1992...married (Karla Gill, Nov. 9, 1996)...2 daughters (Hope Elaine, June 14, 2000 and Halle Jade, Feb. 16, 2004).
Postseason:
Veteran has been stalwart of Giants' rotation during each of club's 4 playoff runs since 1997, advancing to post season with SF in 1997, 2000, '02 and '03...in 8 lifetime playoff outings (6 starts), owns 1-1 record with 3.79 ERA (18er, 40.1ip)...is tied for 3rd in franchise post season annals with 6 career starts, while tying Russ Ortiz for most NLDS career opening assignments (3)...over his last 4 post season appearances (3 starts), owns 2.14 ERA (5er, 21.0ip)...has been quite successful as reliever in playoffs, tossing 8.1-scoreless frames over 2 appearances...Giants won 3 of his 4 starts in 2002 post season, including pennant-clinching victory in Game 5 of NLCS vs. St. Louis...logged 2.70 ERA (3er, 10.0ip) in 2 World Series outings vs. Angels, including stellar 6.0-frame effort (3er) in Giants' series-tying, 4-3 victory in Game 4...tossed 4.0 innings of 1-hit, shutout relief in Game 7 at Anaheim.
A Giant in the Community:
Long an active member in San Francisco community, donated $25,000 dollars worth of tickets in 2004 to Camp Okizu and other underserved community members or non-profit groups...also hosted Camp Okizu reception for kids with cancer...this past season, taped PSA for Genentech's Strike Out Cancer Program and participated in organization's Strike Out Cancer Day at SBC Park...also served as 2004 Spokesperson for FOX Sports Net Bay Area Stay in School Challenge...has greeted fans entering gates at SBC Park prior to 2003 and 2004 home openers...is active participant in Giants' Wives post-game auctions and clinics to raise money for Jr. Giants and Comfort for Kids, which provides specialized medical care to children throughout Bay Area who are facing life-threatening illness...for past 2 seasons, has attended receptions to promote 1st 2 editions of Giants Wives' cookbook, which benefits Giants Community Fund...has participated in Giants' Summer Reading Program by hosting children's book readings at San Francisco Public Library and lending his image to promotional giveaways...over 40,000 kids participated in 2003 Summer Reading Program...was also involved in children's book drive...filmed 2003 PSA to help raise public awareness on issue of domestic violence...spoke to over 100 female youth athletes prior to National Pro Fastpitch clinic at SBC Park during 2003 campaign, while in 2002 he met with San Francisco AAA High School championship teams and threw out 1st pitch at annual game held at ballpark...participated in 2001 Garth Brooks' "Touch 'Em All" Foundation day at SBC Park...in 2000, was Giants spokesman for Giants Breast Cancer Awareness Day, filming PSA to increase awareness...involved in American Cancer Society, including anti-tobacco lecture at San Francisco's Visitacion Valley Middle School...participated in Strike Out Cancer Day at Candlestick Park in 1999, acting as spokesman and purchasing over 1,000 hats for children with cancer that day...serves as local chapter honorary chairman for "Walking Dog Campaign" to raise funds for St. Judes Hospital, one of leading cancer centers in nation...led youth baseball clinics for children at Children's Health Council and Ronald McDonald House in South Bay...also taught baseball clinics for underprivileged and terminally ill children at ballpark, including members from Make-A-Wish foundation and Jr. Giants...signs autographs at Giants Kids Club functions and lends his time to Giants Community Fund.
2004
With 9-12 ledger, suffered his 1st losing campaign since combining to go 6-8 with Expos and Giants in 1996...despite pitching with sports hernia throughout campaign, still led Giants with 33 starts, while ranking 4th in victories...reached 30-start plateau for 7th time in last 8 years...SF was just 16-17 in his 33 starts, with 7 defeats being by 1 run...however, Giants won 6 of his last 9 outings...pitched extremely well down stretch, going 2-1 with 2.87 ERA (10er, 31.1ip) in his final 5 starts with Giants posting 4-1 mark...limited opponents to .223 avg. (25-for-112) and 4 HRs...ERA dropped .36 points during 5-start stretch (from 5.09 to 4.73)...became only 4th SF Giant to win 100 games since club moved West with his 8-7 victory July 31 over St. Louis in his 248th start/250th appearance with team...endured longest winless drought to open campaign of career, spanning 6 starts...previously, had gone 3 starts twice before victory ('95 and '02)...had 7.06 ERA (23er, 29.1ip) over 1st 6 starts, while yielding .359 avg. (47-for-131)...posted his 1st win of season May 7 in Cincinnati, working 8.0-scoreless frames in SF's 6-1 win...starting with triumph over Reds, logged 4.31 ERA (77er, 160.2ip) in his last 27 starts, while going 9-9...delivered pinch bunt single Aug. 18 vs. Montreal, 1st pinch hit by Giants pitcher since Allen Watson June 18, 1996 vs. Florida.
2003
SF's Opening Day starter was hampered by injuries for 1st time in career, being limited to 27 starts by pair of stints on DL with left shoulder tightness...still managed to go 10-5 with 4.53 ERA and finish 3rd on staff for wins and 2nd for innings (147.0)...in fact, .667 winning pct. tied for 7th in NL...Giants were 19-8 (.704) in his 27 opening assignments...yielded 2-or-fewer walks in 19 of 27 starts (70.4%)...made 1st trip to DL during career July 9-24 with shoulder strain...was disabled 2nd time beginning Aug. 1, day after not being able to make his start in Chicago...opened with 7-1 record for his best start since going 8-0 in 1993...endured 10-start winless stretch June 6-Sept. 10...was touched for 7.74 ERA (39er, 45.1ip) over span, yet SF still went 6-4...made 1st career Opening Day start March 31 in San Diego, receiving no decision in SF's eventual 7-5 win at Qualcomm Stadium...became 1st left hander to start Giants' lid-lifter since Shawn Estes March 31, 1998 at Houston...was 9th southpaw Opening Day starter for Giants since they moved to San Francisco in 1958...only Vida Blue made more than 1 opening start (1979 and '81)...Johnny Antonelli (1959), Bob Knepper (1980), Al Holland (1982), Atlee Hammaker (1985), Dave Dravecky (1988), Terry Mulholland (1995) and Estes (1998) are only left-handed Opening Day starters...toed rubber in Game 3 of NLDS at Florida, working 1st 5.0 innings and receiving no-decision in SF's eventual 4-3, 11-inning loss...yielded 2-run, 1st-inning HR to Pudge Rodriguez, but blanked Marlins on just 1 hit over next 4.0 frames and departed with score tied 2-2.
2002
Veteran southpaw tied for club lead in wins (14 with Russ Ortiz) and starts (33), while leading club in ERA (3.23)...broke 200-inning barrier for 1st time in career (203.2)...joined Livan Hernandez (216.0) and Ortiz (214.1) as 1st Giants trio to log 200 innings in same season since 1991 (Bud Black, John Burkett and Trevor Wilson)...reached 30-start level for 6th consecutive year...ranked among NL leaders in ERA (9th), home ERA (8th - 3.02), night ERA (8th - 3.07) and fewest walks per 9 innings (9th - 2.4)...logged 1-1 mark with 5.25 ERA (14er, 24.0ip) in 5 post season appearances (4 starts)...suffered loss in Game 2 of NLDS at Atlanta, but bounced back to post win in 9-6 decision over Matt Morris and St. Louis in Game 1 of NLCS at Busch Stadium...locked horns with Morris in classic pitchers' duel in Game 5 of NLCS, tossing 6.0-shutout innings (6h,1bb,2so) before leaving scoreless contest, eventually won by Giants 2-1 to capture NL flag...fashioned 2.70 ERA (3er, 10.0ip) in 2 World Series efforts (1 start)...in fact, was scoreless over his last 7.0 innings in Fall Classic...SF posted 25-8 mark in 33 regular season outings (.758)...allowed 3 earned runs-or-less in 26 of 33 starts (78.8%) while working at least 6.0 innings in 22 outings (66.7%)...was 7-2 with 2.81 ERA (24er, 77.0ip) over his final 13 starts...owned 6-decision winning streak April 16-May 18, posting 2.49 ERA (13er, 47.0ip) over 7 starts...streak was his longest since also stringing together 6 straight victories May 21-July 2, 1998...notched 100th career victory May 8 at NY, defeating Shawn Estes and Mets by 8-2 count...had 11 hits, marking 4th straight year with double digits (high: 14, 1998)...tied for 3rd in NL with 13 sacrifice hits.
2001
Established career highs in games (34), starts (34) and losses (12)...14 victories were 3rd highest total of his tied for staff lead in starts, while ranking 2nd for victories and 3rd in innings (195.1)...reached 30-start plateau for 5th consecutive season...jumped out to 12-7 record with 4.50 ERA over his 1st 25 starts...was 2-5 with 4.21 ERA (24er, 51.1ip) over his last 9 starts...9 of his 14 victories came following Giants defeats...in 20 starts after club defeats, was 9-7 with 4.65 ERA (63er, 122.0ip) and worked at least 6.0 innings 14 times...owned career-high 4-game losing skid Aug. 18-Sept. 3, tying his previous long established July 1-Sept. 15, 1996...was 10-for-51 (.196) with 4 runs, 5 RBI and 2 walks in last 28 starts, after opening year 0-for-7.
2000
Logged his lowest ERA (3.96) over previous 3 seasons, but posted smallest win total (11) over that period...still tied for 4th on staff for wins, 4th in ERA, 3rd for starts (31) and 4th for innings (184.0)...more importantly, SF went 20-11 in his 31 starts...reached 30-start plateau for 4th straight year...started 1st regular season game at Pacific Bell Park, suffering 6-5 defeat April 11 to Los Angeles...opposing runners went 1-for-7 with 1 pickoff while attempting to steal...SD's Damian Jackson became 1st player to steal base off him Sept. 16 since MIL's Brian Banks stole 2 bags June 22, 1999...posted 10th victory Sept. 10 vs. San Diego, yielding 2 runs over 7.0 innings of 10-2 victory...became SF's 5th 10-game winner, making staff only 4th in club history to accomplish feat (1968, '73 and '82)...will always remember 4th victory of 2000 campaign June 14 vs. Cincinnati as his wife Karla gave birth to daughter Hope following contest...tossed 4.1-scoreless innings in relief of Shawn Estes in Game 2 of NLDS vs. Mets.
1999
Logged 15 victories, 2nd highest total of career behind 1998's 16-win mark...finished 2nd on staff in wins (15), while tying for lead in starts...also ranked 3rd on club with 184.2 innings...Giants went 21-12 in his starts (.636) for 2nd best winning pct. among rotation members, behind only Russ Ortiz' .667 mark (22-11)...received 3rd best run support per 9.0 innings in National League with 6.63 mark (136 runs)...finished 2nd in circuit for lowest percentage of stolen bases allowed by pitcher, yielding 33.3% (4 steals in 12 attempts)...only Terry Mulholland's 20.0% mark was better...allowed 3 earned runs-or-less in 20 of 33 starts (60.6%)...got off to rough start, surrendering 13.50 ERA (19er, 12.2ip) while going 1-1 over 1st 4 outings...rebounded to go 14-9 with 4.81 ERA (92er, 172.0ip) over final 29 starts...tossed 4th career complete game June 29 vs. Colorado as Giants cruised to 10-1 victory.
1998
Led Giants with career-high 16 victories...also made career-best 33 starts...ranked among NL leaders in wins (tied for 10th) and run support per 9.0 innings (1st, 7.76 - 158 runs in 183.1ip)...logged career-best 16th victory Sept. 22 in SF's 14-2 romp over Pittsburgh...fired 2-hit, complete game for win July 28 in Montreal, 6-1 SF triumph vs. former team...yielded just infield single (in 1st) over initial 8.0 frames...added 2-for-4 effort with 2B and RBI at plate...his 2B in 8th inning marked 1st extra-base hit of his career, snapping string of 212 at-bats without extra-base knock...made his 100th big league appearance April 25 vs. Milwaukee, when he picked up his 3rd win of year...14 hits established career-best, surpassing his previous best of 9 knocks in 1997.
1997
Completed 1st full year with Giants and emerged as one of SF's most reliable starters down stretch...won final 4 decisions, posting 1.97 ERA (7er, 32.0ip) in 5 outings during September...finished 8-2 in his last 14 starts, during which he logged 2.74 ERA (27er, 88.2ip)...his 13 victories surpassed his previous best of 8 (without defeat) during his rookie campaign in 1993...logged career standard in strikeouts (115)...Giants won 20 of his 32 starts...switched his uniform number 3 times during campaign, moving to #46 for his last 8 starts (5-1, 2.74 ERA - 15er, 49.1ip)...began year with #42, going 2-2 with 3.61 mark (27er, 67.1ip) in 12 outings before it was retired on Giants' Jackie Robinson Day June 7...went 6-4 with 3.77 ERA (31er, 74.0ip) in 12 starts wearing #45 (before yielding number to Terry Mulholland)...led SF pitchers with 5 RBI...had no decision in Game #1 of NLDS vs. Florida, yielding 1 run over 7.0 innings...left pitchers' duel with Kevin Brown knotted 1-1, but Marlins scored once in 9th to win 2-1.
1996
Appeared with 4 different clubs, starting year with Montreal and finishing campaign with Giants...in between, also pitched for triple-A Ottawa (Montreal) and triple-A Phoenix (SF)...was acquired by Giants July 30 from Montreal (with RHP Tim Scott) in exchange for RHP Mark Leiter...combined for 6-8 record with 3.97 ERA (45er, 102ip) in 20 appearances (19 starts) at Major League level, while posting 2-4 mark with 3.76 ERA (17er, 40.2ip) in 8 starts at triple-A...began season in Expos' rotation, going 2-2 with 4.45 ERA (16er, 32.1ip) in 7 starts through May 9...following loss May 9 vs. Houston in which he lasted just 1.2 innings (7h, 4er, 1bb), was optioned to Ottawa...after just 1 start with Lynx, was recalled by Expos...went back into rotation, posting 3-4 mark with 4.66 ERA (24er, 46.1ip) in 9 starts from May 26-July 15...however, after dropping 2 straight and receiving no decision in 2.0-inning effort July 15 at Atlanta (5-4 Montreal loss, 7h,4r,3er), was optioned again to Ottawa...made 2 starts with Lynx (1-1, 3.75 ERA, 5er,12ip), then was traded to Giants...made SF debut Aug. 4 at Houston, working 2.1 frames of relief...marked 1st career ML relief appearance, having started previous 59 contests in Majors...was optioned Aug. 7 to Phoenix, in order to work as starter...pitched for Firebirds through conclusion of their regular season and into 1st round of Pacific Coast League Playoffs...made 1 start in Firebirds 3-game sweep of Las Vegas in opening round of PCL playoffs, receiving no decision in 2-1, 13-inning win Sept. 5...was recalled Sept. 10 by Giants, missing PCL finals as SF needed starter to replace Shawn Estes (strained muscle in left side)...made 3 starts rest of season for Giants, going just 1-2 but posting 1.71 ERA (4er, 21ip).
1995
Started season as Montreal's 4th starter...was optioned to Ottawa with Curt Schmidt May 7 as Expos recalled Ugueth Urbina and Gabe White...was 0-2 with 10.56 ERA in 2 starts before demotion...marked 1st time in career he had lost consecutive starts...returned to Expos Aug. 27 to take place of suspended Carlos Perez and showed old form as he hurled 1-hit, 1-0 shutout vs. San Francisco and Mark Leiter...was Expos' 1st 1-hitter since Ken Hill Aug. 6, 1993...faced 28 Giants, completing game in 1:54 - quickest Expos' game of season...was 5-1 with 1.82 ERA in 7 starts for Montreal after returning from triple-A...underwent arthroscopic surgery Oct. 3 to repair torn meniscus in left knee...procedure was performed by Dr. Larry Coughlin at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Montreal.
1994
His 7-3 record seemed incongruous to his 5.17 ERA...by winning 1st 2 decisions, extended his consecutive wins streak from start of his career to 10...won 1st start April 6 at Houston, running streak to 9 wins in row, then had 3 straight no decisions...won 10th straight April 29 vs. Padres, striking out 7...posted 3 more no decisions before recording his 1st career loss May 21 at Pittsburgh... his mother, Marjorie, passed away in Hoyleton, IL May 29, as result of long battle with cancer...returned home to be with family for as long as needed...was then optioned to Ottawa June 1...rejoined Expos in Chicago, after his mother's funeral, while technically on Lynx option, throwing on side June 3 and in simulated game at Wrigley June 5...returned with Expos to Montreal before flying to Toledo June 7 for his 1 actual Ottawa appearance...recalled from option for June 11 start vs. New York, his 1st in 21 days...went 5.0 innings for win June 22 at St. Louis, his 1st win since April 29 vs. San Diego...was victor in Expos' 2,000th win in history, 14-0 triumph at San Diego July 8.
1993
Was named NL Rookie Pitcher of Year by
The Sporting News and 8th best '93 Major League rookie by
Baseball America...began his trek to stardom in majors July 7...made 14 big league starts, posting perfect 8-0 record with 2.73 ERA...had total of 29 starts at 3 levels...climbed depth of Expos' organization left-handers on basis of strong double-A performance and propelled himself rest of way, upon promotion, with excellence at triple-A Ottawa...beat Greg Brummett and San Francisco in big league debut July 7...allowed walk and single to first 2 batters of game and then retired 18 in a row...8.1 innings was 2nd longest pitching debut in club history to Carl Morton's 9.0 innings with no decision in 1-0 loss to Cubs April 11, 1969...beat John Smoltz and Atlanta 7-2 in complete game 5-hitter Aug. 6...was 1st complete game...collected 1st ML hit in 2nd, 2-run single to left...started triple play in 1-0 victory over Cubs Aug. 23...triple play was via line drive to mound by Rey Sanchez with runners on 1st and 2nd on move...he threw to shortstop Wil Cordero who stepped on 2nd and tagged runner from 1st...was leading double-A Eastern League in ERA when he was promoted to triple-A Ottawa May 27.
1992
Tied for 1st in Midwest League in shutouts (2)...was 3rd in Expos' organization in strikeouts (153) and 5th in ERA (2.58)...was 2nd on Rockford staff in wins (11).
1991
Broke in with Gulf Coast Expos after being selected in 19th round of June draft...combined to go 4-2 with 1.21 ERA for Gulf Coast and single-A Sumter...was promoted to Sumter in late July and responded by winning 3 consecutive starts (0.48 ERA, 18.2ip).
