Long regarded as one of game's most durable left-handed relief pitchers, 35-year-old
hurler is tied with Eddie Guardado for 11th on all-time southpaw list with 796 lifetime appearances,
just 1 behind Rick Honeycutt (797) for 10th place...leads majors with 750 appearances
since 1998...has logged at least 60 games in each of last 10 years, while cresting 70-outing plateau
on 6 occasions...his 89 appearances for St. Louis in 2001 is ML single-season record for southpaw...
logged 1.80 ERA that year for Redbirds, 1 of 2 career campaigns with sub-2.00 ERA (also
1.79 in 2004)...has excelled against left-handed batters throughout career, yielding lifetime .238
avg. (245-for-1030) with only 15 HRs...originally 8th round pick by Cleveland in 1993 draft, has
compiled 34-39 lifetime ledger with 39 saves and 3.51 ERA over 796 big league contests (1 start)
with Indians (1997), Expos (1997-2000), Cardinals (2001-04), Orioles (2005) and Giants (2006-
07)...became 14th pitcher in ML history to strike out 1st 4 batters in inning, turning trick Aug. 17,
1999 at SF...fanned Brent Mayne, Shawn Estes (wild pitch), Marvin Benard and Ramon Martinez
in 7th inning.
Graduated from Lewisburg (PA) High School...attended West Virginia University,
where he was 1993 Atlantic-10 Conference Pitcher of Year...spends off-season as high school
wrestling coach...married (Martine, Oct. 10, 1999)...2 daughters (Audrey, April 14, 2002; and
Mia Rose, Sept. 20, 2006).
Postseason:
Excelled during 3 October trips with St.Louis in 2001, '02 and '04, forging 0.96 ERA (1er, 9.1ip) in 13 appearances...lost only decision, but did record pair of saves...in fact, has logged 9-consecutive scoreless outings in post season play, beginning with Game 2 of 2002 NLDS...saved both of Cardinals' victories in 2001 NLDS vs. eventual World Champion Arizona.
A Giant in the Community:
Has been community-driven during big league career...visited
with patients on trip to Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento...worked with Project
Homeless Connect clinic, which serves as one-stop-shop where San Francisco's homeless
can receive health services and other necessities...attended launch of Project Green, All-Star
Community Legacy program that commenced with citywide volunteer day to help clean and
green neighborhoods in San Francisco...visited Lafayette Elementary School as part of San
Francisco's Thank a Teacher Day...assisted with PLAY clinic (Promoting a Lifetime of Activity
for Youth) at AT&T Park...attended Giants Community Fund Guardsmen Dinner benefiting
children's charities...has participated in KNBR/Giants Winter FanFest...was Montreal's nominee
for 1999 Branch Rickey Award, handed out annually to honor MLB's outstanding individual who
personifies "Service Above Self"...also was Expos' nominee for 2000 Roberto Clemente Award,
given annually for excellence in community involvement...participated in numerous charitable
events for Cardinals Care and other organizations during his time in St. Louis, including St. John's
Mercy Pediatric Cancer and Hematology Center...delivered teddy bears to young fans at Cardinal
Glennon Children's Hospital, while also sponsoring ticket program for area youth...recorded "Give
Thanks America" message for U.S. troops...while in Baltimore, participated in Orioles Reach by
donating $7,000 to purchase tickets, hats, food and transportation to game for local children...also
attended Special Olympics, meeting with athletes.
2007
Logged 68 appearances with 1-2 record, 2 saves and 4.70 ERA during 2nd season
with Giants...ranked 2nd on club in appearances, 1 fewer than Brad Hennessey (69)...was
unscored upon in 54 outings (79.4%), while stranding 26 of 32 inherited runners (5th-best pct. in
NL at 81.3%)...posted saves June 7 at Arizona and Aug. 2 at Los Angeles...fashioned 1.07 ERA (3er,
25.1ip) over 32-outing stretch June 1-Aug. 9, including 14-effort scoreless streak July 1-31...however,
after lowering his season ERA to 3.00 on Aug. 9, was touched for 12 earned runs in just 10.0
innings (10.80 ERA) over final 19 outings.
2006
Off-season trade acquisition lived up to billing, logging 58-scoreless efforts over his team-high 72 appearances (80.6%)...was 3rd among Giants relievers with 3.66 ERA...stranded 36 of 52 inherited runners (69.2%)...fashioned 2.08 ERA (6er, 26.0ip) and .213 avg. against (19-for-89) over 34 road outings...however, those numbers jumped to 5.26 (15er, 25.2ip) and .327 (34-for-104), respectively, in 38 contests at AT&T Park...finished year pitching some of his best baseball, going 2-0 with save and 2.45 ERA (4er, 14.2ip) over his last 22 outings (including 20-scoreless efforts)...recorded 1st win as Giant April 17 at Arizona...earned 1st save in exactly 2 years Aug.22 vs. Arizona, recording final out to finish SF's 7-6 victory...was 1st rescue since Aug.22, 2004 vs. Pittsburgh (while with St. Louis).
2005
Worked in 67 games during lone season in Baltimore, after signing free agent deal with Orioles over winter...went 2-4 with 4.28 ERA, his highest since posting 5.98 mark as rookie in 1997...however, returned to form during 2nd half, logging 2.83 ERA (9er, 28.2ip) in 25 appearances after All-Star Break...in fact, posted impressive 1.86 ledger (4er, 19.1ip) over his final 17 outings...served 4-game suspension July 22-25, stemming from ejection June 27 vs. Yankees...was tossed by home plate umpire Marty Foster following balk call, his 3rd of season...prior to campaign, had not been nailed for balk since 2nd career ML contest in 1997.
2004
Forged career-low 1.79 ERA in 67 appearances, including 59 scoreless outings, for NL champion St. Louis...remarkably, did not allow earned run over 33 contests at home (25.2ip)...limited lefthanded batters to miniscule .143 mark (12-for-84) with 2B and HR...sensational season was derailed late, as he landed on Disabled List Aug. 28-Sept. 29 with strained groin and finger injury...made just 3 post season appearances, logging 2 perfect NLDS outings vs. LA (1.1ip), but yielding hits to both hitters faced in NLCS vs. Houston...did not pitch in World Series vs. Boston.
2003
Led Cardinals and tied for 5th in NL with 78 appearances...earned all 3 saves over 1st 2 weeks of season, with each rescue coming against Milwaukee...pitched in both games of Sept. 2 doubleheader at Wrigley Field, combining for 1.1-scoreless innings.
2002
Had another solid season for St. Louis, going 2-1 with 6 saves and 3.39 ERA in 66 games...was even better following All-Star Break, going 2-0 with 4 saves and 2.89 ERA (12er, 37.1ip)...missed month of action due to left lateral/tricep strain, injury that forced him to DL April 29-May 31...allowed HR to Brian Giles Aug. 12 at Pittsburgh, 1st long ball he had allowed to left-handed batter in 131 games since joining Cardinals (153 at-bats)...tossed 15.1-shutout innings and registered 3 saves over 10 dominating Sept. outings, while holding opposition to .185 mark (10-for-54)...worked in 6 of Redbirds' 9 playoff games, combining for 3.2-scoreless innings.
2001
Received 1 BBWAA vote for NL Most Valuable Player after forging 1.80 ERA in 89 appearances, ML single season record for left-handed pitcher...ERA marked 2nd-lowest by NL reliever, while workload established St. Louis single-season mark by any hurler...also went 3-3, while converting 9 of 10 save opportunities...yielded just .203 avg. against (53-for-261), while left-handers mustered paltry .149 mark (15-for-101) with no extra-base hits...was unscored upon in 38 of 40 outings June 30-Sept. 30, including string of 30-consecutive scoreless outings July 5-Sept. 1...after yielding 2 runs July 3 at Milwaukee, tossed career-best 28.2-shutout innings before San Diego plated run Sept. 4... had memorable outing Aug. 18 vs. Philadelphia, earning victory while also singling off Dennis Cook for 1st ML hit...appeared in 4 of 5 games of NLDS loss to Arizona, nailing down saves in Games 2 and 4.
2000
Tied for ML lead with 83 appearances, matching White Sox' Kelly Wunsch...marked 3rd-highest single-season total in Montreal history...also logged career-high 14 saves during final year with Expos, just 3 shy of club record for lefty (17 by Woodie Fryman in 1980)...was Montreal's nominee for Roberto Clemente Award, given annually for excellence in community involvement... inherited closer's role following loss of Ugueth Urbina and Dustin Hermanson's return to rotation May 31...immediately established club record by saving 5 games in as many days, earning rescues June 1-5.
1999
Was again workhorse of Expos' bullpen, leading NL with 82 appearances...struck out 69 batters in 69.2 innings, while yielding .218 avg. against (56-for-257)...recorded career-high 7 wins...was placed on DL April 11-26 with inflammation in left elbow...struck out career-high 6 batters, all consecutively, Aug. 17 at SF - just 1 whiff shy of Expos record for consecutive punchouts (Steve Renko in 1972 and Pedro Martinez in 1997)...included was 1st 4 batters of 7th inning (14th pitcher in ML history to accomplish feat)...was Montreal's nominee for Branch Rickey Award, handed out annually to honor MLB's outstanding individual who personifies "Service Above Self".
1998
Broke Expos' single-season appearance record by left-handed reliever for 1st time, as his 78 outings surpassed Dan McGinn's 30-year-old mark of 74 in 1969...was optioned to triple-A Ottawa March 30, making 2 appearances before April 10 recall...was leading NL in appearances Sept. 19, but suffered left knee sprain while warming up in Philadelphia bullpen and missed final 8 games of season... injury was suffered when spike got caught in wet clay...recorded 1st ML save Aug. 9 vs. Arizona, striking out 4 over 2.0 innings.
1997
Opened year with Cleveland before being traded to Montreal Aug. 1...was winning pitcher in Opening Day ML debut April 2 at Oakland, retiring only batter faced (Scott Speizio) to maintain 6-6, 6th-inning tie...Indians scored 3 runs in top of 7th en route to 9-7 victory...worked career-high 4.2-relief innings April 9 at Seattle...made only career start May 24 vs. Baltimore, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits over 1.2 innings...was optioned to triple-A Buffalo May 25...was recalled for 3.0-inning relief outing June 29, but then was returned to minors and was pitching for Buffalo at time of trade... made 26 appearances for Expos, going 1-3 with 6.15 ERA...logged 2.92 mark in 14 Sept. outings (4er, 12.1ip)...collected 1st NL win Sept. 25 vs. Florida, pitching 2.0-scoreless relief frames in 3- 2 triumph.
1996
Spent 2nd season at double-A Canton-Akron in Indians organization, going 8-12 with 5.46 ERA in 25 games (24 starts)...struck out Canton franchise-record 13 batters Aug. 9 vs. New Britain...pitched for Oriente Caribbeans in Venezuelan Winter League, going 3-0 with 0.36 ERA in 14 games.
1995
Spent entire season at Canton-Akron, but was limited to just 14 starts due to mid-season arm injury that sidelined him for over 2 months...pitched in Arizona Fall League for Tempe Rafters.
1994
Was named winner of Bob Feller Award as Cleveland's best minor league pitcher after going 18-5 with 3.01 ERA in 28 starts for single-A Columbus...victory total was Columbus franchise record, and tied for most in all of minor league baseball...led South Atlantic League in wins, innings pitched (185.2) and strikeouts (174), while tying for lead in starts.
1993
Began professional career with short-season Burlington after being drafted, but was quickly promoted to single-A Watertown.
