Roy Halladay
Halladay pitching for the Phillies in 2011
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 34
Starting pitcher
Born: (1977-05-14) May 14, 1977 (age 35) Denver, Colorado
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 20, 1998 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics (through May 22, 2012)
Win–loss record	192-96 (.667)
Earned run average	3.24
Strikeouts	1,990
Complete games	66
Shutouts	20
WHIP	1.17
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (1998–2009) Philadelphia Phillies (2010–present)
Career highlights and awards
8× All-Star (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) 2× Cy Young Award winner (2003, 2010) Pitched a perfect game on May 29, 2010 against the Florida Marlins. Pitched a postseason no-hitter on October 6, 2010 against the Cincinnati Reds.

Harry Leroy "Roy" Halladay III^[1] (born May 14, 1977), nicknamed "Doc", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. His nickname, coined by the late Toronto Blue Jays announcer Tom Cheek,^[2] is a reference to Wild West gunslinger "Doc" Holliday.

He was the Blue Jays' first draft selection in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft, the 17th pick overall, and played for the team from 1998 through 2009, after which he was traded to Philadelphia. Halladay is known for his ability to pitch deep into games effectively, and he is currently the active major league leader in complete games with 66, including 20 shutouts.^[3]

On May 29, 2010, Halladay pitched the 20th perfect game in MLB history, beating the Florida Marlins by a score of 1–0.^[4] On October 6, 2010, in his first post-season start, Halladay threw the second no-hitter in MLB postseason history (Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series being the first) against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the 2010 NLDS.^[5][6] It was his second no-hitter of the year (following the May 29 perfect game), making Halladay the fifth pitcher in major league history (and the first since Nolan Ryan in 1973) to throw multiple no-hitters in the same season. Halladay has won two Cy Young Awards, in 2003 and 2010.

Early life[link]

Born in Denver, Colorado, he grew up in the suburb of Arvada; his father was a pilot for a food-processing company, while his mother was a homemaker. From an early age, Halladay loved baseball, trying every position on the field until, by age 14, his success on the pitcher’s mound attracted the attention of major league scouts. By the age of 13, he had began training with legendary Colorado baseball guru Bus Campbell, who had helped almost every promising pitcher from the Denver area, including Goose Gossage and Brad Lidge.^[7]

In 1995, after graduating from Arvada West High School,^[1] he was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the amateur draft, in the first round, as the 17th overall pick. He was promoted to the major-league club as a September call-up in 1998.^[8]

Career[link]

Toronto Blue Jays (1998–2009)[link]

1998–2001[link]

In his second career start, against the Detroit Tigers on September 27, 1998, Halladay had what would have been the third no-hitter ever pitched on the final day of a regular season broken up with two outs in the ninth. The feat would have joined the combined no-hitter by four Oakland Athletics pitchers (Vida Blue, Glenn Abbott, Paul Lindblad and Rollie Fingers) in 1975 and Mike Witt's perfect game in 1984. The bid was broken up by a Bobby Higginson solo home run. The home run was the only hit Halladay would allow in a 2–1 Blue Jays victory, as he recorded his first major league win. The game was completed in 1 hour 45 minutes.

During the 2000 season, Halladay sported a 10.64 earned run average (ERA) in 19 games, 13 of which he started, making his 2000 season the worst in history for any pitcher with at least 50 innings pitched.^[9] At the beginning of the 2001 season, Halladay was optioned to Class A Dunedin Blue Jays to rebuild his delivery.

Halladay's fastball was clocked up to 95 miles per hour (153 km/h), but it had little movement, and his pitches were up in the strike zone, which was ultimately the reason why his 2000 season was so unsuccessful. He worked with former Blue Jays pitching coach Mel Queen. The problem, Queen realized, was Halladay’s total reliance on his strength—his attempt to overpower batters with straight-ahead pitches. Within two weeks, Halladay had altered his arm angle for a more deceptive delivery, and added pitches that sank and careened.^[10] Instead of throwing over the top, he chose to use a three-quarters delivery (the middle point between throwing overhand and sidearm). Originally a fastball pitcher, he became reliant on keeping his pitches low across the plate, regardless of the type of pitch thrown. The adjustments proved successful. After a month and a half, he was promoted to class AA Tennessee, and a month later, to class AAA Syracuse. By mid-season, he was back in the Blue Jays’ rotation. He posted a 5–3 win–loss record with a 3.19 ERA for the Blue Jays in 16 starts in 2001.

2002–2006[link]

Halladay with Toronto in 2006

In 2002, Halladay had a breakout season, finishing with a 19–7 record, while posting a 2.93 ERA with 168 strikeouts in 239.1 innings. Halladay was named to the American League All-Star team. His 19 wins were the most by a Blue Jay since David Wells won 20 in 2000.

Halladay continued his success in the 2003 season, posting a 22–7 record with a 3.25 ERA in 266 innings. He also recorded 204 strikeouts and only 32 walks, good for a 6.38 strikeouts-per-walk ratio. Halladay pitched the first extra-inning shutout in the major leagues since Jack Morris in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, leading the Blue Jays to victory over the Tigers on September 6. He pitched 10 innings and had not allowed a hit until Kevin Witt doubled with two outs in the top of the eighth.^[11] Halladay won the American League Cy Young Award, while being once again named an All-Star and leading the Blue Jays to a surprising 86 victories. He was named by his peers as the Players Choice Awards AL Outstanding Pitcher. He was also named the Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year and the Baseball Prospectus Internet Baseball Awards AL Cy Young award winner.

In 2004, Halladay was placed on the disabled list twice due to right shoulder problems. In just 133.0 innings, he went 8–8 with a 4.20 ERA. He walked 39 batters, seven more than he had walked in 2003 when he had pitched twice as many innings. He later revealed that he had been injured throughout the entire season with a "tired throwing arm", which he believed was from intense workouts in preseason.

The 2005 season began successfully for Halladay, as he posted a 12–4 record with a 2.41 ERA in 19 starts. He was selected to his third All-Star team and was slated to be the starting pitcher for the American League at the All-Star Game in Detroit. However, on July 8, Halladay's leg was broken by a line drive off the bat of Texas Rangers left fielder Kevin Mench.^[12] As a result, he was replaced in the All-Star Game by Matt Clement of the Boston Red Sox, while Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox was named the starting pitcher for the American League. Despite rehabilitation of his leg, Halladay would sit out the remainder of the season.

On March 16, 2006, Halladay signed a US$40 million, three year contract extension that would last through 2010.^[12] During that year, Halladay finished near the top of the MLB in wins with 16. He was named to the American League All-Star Team as a reserve on July 3, along with four of his Blue Jays teammates. It marked the second-most appearances in club history, and Halladay's fourth as an All-Star. Although Halladay's strikeout total was lower in 2006 than in previous seasons, his groundball-to-flyball ratio, complete games, and innings pitched were all among the American League leaders.

2007–2009[link]

Halladay pitching for the Blue Jays in 2009

Halladay was the American League pitcher of the month in April 2007, going 4–0, highlighted by a 10-inning complete game win over the Detroit Tigers. However, he pitched poorly in his two starts in May, and on May 11 was placed on the disabled list and underwent an appendectomy. He returned to the rotation in his usual form on May 31 against the Chicago White Sox. Halladay went 7 innings, giving up just six hits and allowing no runs on his way to his 100th career win. 2007 also saw Halladay hit his first career RBI. Against the LA Dodgers on June 10, his ground ball single to center field allowed John McDonald to score. He shut out the Seattle Mariners on July 22, allowing only three hits.

In 2008, for the sixth consecutive year, Halladay was Toronto's opening-day starter, improving his own club record.^[13] He lost 3–2 in a pitcher's duel with New York's Chien-Ming Wang. His first win of the season came in his next start against Boston, when he outpitched Josh Beckett in his season debut. In his third start, Halladay pitched a complete game against the Texas Rangers, in a 4–1 win. Three of his nine complete game efforts resulted in losses due to Toronto's underachieving offense early in the season. In fact, those three complete game losses came in three consecutive starts. On June 20 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Halladay was struck in the temple by a line-drive off the bat of Nyjer Morgan. The ball caromed off Halladay's head and was caught by third baseman Scott Rolen, ending the inning. Halladay was able to walk back to the dugout, but was taken out of the game for safety concerns. Although he was given a clean bill of health for his next start, it was later suggested by television commentators that Halladay may have in fact suffered a temporary lapse in recognition of what happened on the play. Halladay pitched his 10th career shutout against the Seattle Mariners on June 30. He limited them to four hits in his sixth complete game of the season. The shutout tied him with the Cardinals' Mark Mulder for 10th among active pitchers. On July 11, 2008, Halladay pitched his 7th complete game and second shutout of the season against the New York Yankees, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits for his 38th career complete game. Halladay was named to the American League All-Star Team as a reserve. He pitched in the fourth inning, yielding only one hit and striking out Lance Berkman. In his last start of the season, he fittingly pitched a complete game against the Yankees to win his 20th game of the year. In so doing, he became the first pitcher to win five games against the Yankees in a single season since Luis Tiant in 1974. In addition, he led the AL with a 1.05 WHIP. Halladay finished second in the 2008 American League Cy Young Award voting, behind Cliff Lee of the Indians.^[14] He also led the AL with 9 complete games, and struck out a career-high 206 batters (two more than his 2003 season) as well as posted a 2.78 ERA (the second-best of his career) that was second only to Cliff Lee's 2.54 ERA. Halladay also became just the fourth pitcher in major league history to post two seasons of 200 strikeouts and fewer than 40 walks. He was presented the George Gross/Toronto Sun Sportsperson of the Year award.^[15]

On April 6, 2009, Halladay made his team-record seventh straight Opening Day start for Toronto, defeating the Detroit Tigers. Halladay then also won his next two starts, on the road against the Cleveland Indians and the Minnesota Twins. Halladay would lose his next game to the Rangers giving up 5 earned runs over 8 innings only to go on and win his next 6 games to bring his record up to 8–1 with a 2.75 ERA. With season-ending injuries to planned 2009 Jays' starters Dustin McGowan and Shawn Marcum, and with #2 starter Jesse Litsch on the disabled list early in the season, Halladay led a staff of young, mostly inexperienced starters. Halladay was named the AL Player of the Week for the period ending May 17. Doc was 2–0 with a 1.13 ERA over 16.0 innings in his two starts the week prior.^[16] In a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 2, Halladay struck out 14 batters and threw 133 pitches, both career highs.^[17] On June 12, he left the game early because of a strained hip adductor muscle, commonly referred to as a pulled groin, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 17. On July 5, he was selected to represent Toronto at the All-Star Game. On July 14, he started the All-Star Game for the American League, pitching 2 innings and giving up 3 runs, of which 1 was unearned. That year, he was named #7 on the Sporting News' list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball. A panel of 100 baseball people, many of them members of the Baseball Hall of Fame and winners of major baseball awards, was polled to arrive at the list.^[18]

As of the conclusion of his start on September 20, 2009, Halladay was tied for the second-longest streak in the American League that season with a 24-inning scoreless streak.^[19] Halladay finished the season with a 17–10 record,^[20] giving him a career win percentage of .660, good enough for 18th all-time.^[21] In December, Sports Illustrated named Halladay as one of the five pitchers in the starting rotation of its MLB All-Decade Team.

Philadelphia Phillies (2010–present)[link]

On December 15, Halladay was traded from the Blue Jays to the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league prospects Travis D'Arnaud, Kyle Drabek, and Michael Taylor.^[22] He agreed to a contract extension worth US$60 million that includes a US$20 million vesting option for a fourth season.^[19]

2010[link]

Halladay pitching for the Phillies

On Opening Day, Halladay pitched seven innings while giving up a run against the Washington Nationals in his first game with the Phillies. He had nine strikeouts and allowed six hits. He also drove in his second career RBI and earned his first win of the season. He followed this start with a complete game on April 11 against the Houston Astros, giving up one unearned run while striking out eight and not giving up any walks in the Phillies' 2–1 victory.

Halladay pitched his first shutout in the National League, against the Atlanta Braves on April 21, becoming the first pitcher to reach four wins in the 2010 season. On May 1, Halladay pitched his second shutout of the season, limiting the New York Mets to three hits and striking out six.

On September 21, Halladay became the first Phillies pitcher to win 20 games in a season since Steve Carlton accomplished it in 1982. He was the first right-handed Phillies pitcher to accomplish the feat since Robin Roberts in 1955.^[23] One week later, on September 27, he completed his 21st victory, helping the Phillies clinch their fourth consecutive National League East title.

Halladay was named by his peers as the Players Choice Awards NL Outstanding Pitcher. He was also unanimously chosen as the recipient of the 2010 National League Cy Young Award, becoming the first Phillie to win the award since Steve Bedrosian in 1987 and only the fifth pitcher in MLB history to win the award in both leagues, joining Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martínez, Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens. He was likewise selected as the Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year, the USA Today NL Cy Young, the Baseball Prospectus Internet Baseball Awards NL Cy Young,^[24] and the winner of the NLBM Wilbur "Bullet" Rogan Legacy Award (NL Pitcher of the Year). He also was named the MLB "This Year in Baseball Awards" Starting Pitcher of the Year.^[25] Baseball America named him its Major League Player of the Year (including all positions in both leagues).^[26] MLB named him its "MLB Clutch Performer of the Year".^[27] He was given the Heart & Hustle Award by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. He was also named Pro Athlete of the Year by both the Sporting News^[28] and the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association^{[29][30][31][32]} and Sportsperson of the Year by the Philadelphia Daily News. The Philadelphia chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America presented him the "Steve Carlton Most Valuable Pitcher" and "Dallas Green Special Achievement" awards.

In 250 ²⁄₃ innings pitched, Halladay finished the 2010 regular season with a 21–10 record and a 2.44 ERA, setting a career high with 219 strikeouts while issuing just 30 walks. He led the National league in wins, innings pitched, and complete games (9), including 4 shutouts. He became just the seventh pitcher in the history of Major League baseball to pitch 250 or more innings with 30 or fewer walks, the first pitcher to do so since Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1923 with the Chicago Cubs.^[33]

Perfect game[link]

On May 29, 2010, Halladay pitched the 20th perfect game in MLB history, against the Florida Marlins in Miami, retiring all 27 batters and striking out 11, allowing no hits, runs, walks, or errors.^[34] This was the first time in the modern era that two pitchers (Dallas Braden of the Oakland A's and Halladay) had thrown perfect games in the same month and that multiple perfect games had been achieved in the same season. When Halladay's former manager, Cito Gaston, called to congratulate him, Halladay was unable to take the call because he was busy with the post-game media frenzy.^[35] On August 24, 2010, to commemorate his perfect game, Halladay presented around 60 Swiss-made Baume and Mercier watches he had purchased to everyone in the clubhouse. The watches were presented in brown boxes that bore the inscription: "We did it together. Thanks, Roy Halladay." Additionally, the back of each watch was engraved with the date of the game, the line score, and the individual recipient's name.^[36]

Postseason no-hitter[link]

Roy Halladay and Don Larsen, the only two pitchers to throw postseason no-hitters in MLB history

On October 6, 2010, in his first postseason appearance, Halladay pitched a no-hitter (his second of the season), against the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of the National League Division Series (NLDS). He became the second player ever to pitch a no-hitter in the postseason, joining Don Larsen of the 1956 New York Yankees, who pitched a perfect game in the World Series. He also became the first pitcher since Nolan Ryan in 1973 to throw two no-hitters in a season, as well as the seventh pitcher to hurl both a perfect game and a regular no-hitter in his career, joining Cy Young, Addie Joss, Jim Bunning, Sandy Koufax, Randy Johnson and Mark Buehrle. Halladay allowed just one walk to right fielder Jay Bruce with two outs in the fifth inning, and faced just one batter above the minimum 27.^[37] This also marked the first time in Major League history that a pitcher threw a perfect game and a no-hitter in the same season. The fans voted his no-hitter as the "This Year in Baseball Awards" Postseason Moment of the Year.^[38] After the NLDS, however, the Phillies lost the NLCS in 6 games to the San Francisco Giants, who would go on to win the World Series.

2011[link]

On April 24, 2011, Halladay struck out 14 and allowed just 5 hits in the game as his team swept the San Diego Padres in all four games. Halladay took a two-hitter into the ninth before allowing three straight singles. He allowed just one run and won, 3–1.^[39]

In May, Halladay was named the 2011 winner of the John Wanamaker Athletic Award,^[40] by the Philadelphia Sports Congress, based on his 2010 season.^{[41][42][43][44][45][46]}

In June, Halladay was presented the Best Major League Baseball Player ESPY Award, for his performance since June 2010.

On July 12, Halladay was the NL starting pitcher in the All-Star Game.

Halladay went 19-6 in 2011, with a 2.35 ERA, and pitched 8 complete games, second most in the Majors. Halladay was named the game one and five starter as Philadelphia advanced to the NLDS to face the St. Louis Cardinals. They lost in five games. He finished second in the NL Cy Young voting to Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers.^[47] He was selected as one of the three starting pitchers on the MLB Insiders Club Magazine All-Postseason Team.^[48]

In December, Halladay was named the Sportsperson of the Year by the Philadelphia Daily News for the second consecutive year.^[49]

2012[link]

On April 5, 2012, Halladay threw 8 innings of shutout ball against the Pirates on Opening Day, giving up 2 hits while striking out 5.^[50]

On May 29, Halladay was placed on the 15-Day Disabled List with a shoulder strain. It was his first DL stint since 2009.^[51]

Approach to pitching[link]

Halladay in 2009, showing his characteristic sinker grip

Halladay's uniqueness is characterized by his ability to throw a hard two-seam sinking fastball ranging in the low 90s with pinpoint control. In addition, he throws a 4-seam fastball in the low 90s (which is rarely seen), a 12–6 curveball in the high 70s, a cut fastball from 90–92 mph which he had modified the grip for in 2007 at the suggestion of former catcher Sal Fasano.^[52] The change-up is one pitch that Halladay had problem commanding in the past, which he had used very rarely. But since joining the Phillies in 2010, Halladay started throwing a change-up pitch that is really a version of the split-finger fastball (called a split-change) that he uses as a strikeout pitch with the help of pitching coach Rich Dubee.^[53]

In spite of his reputation as a ground ball pitcher who works at an efficient pace, Halladay's strikeout totals have increased steadily in recent years as a result of his fastball velocity and his willingness to use his curveball and change-up in strikeout counts. Halladay's efficiency and durability are reflected in his total innings pitched every year, also due to his ability to strike out hitters in addition to induce ground ball outs to escape jams. He usually leads the league in innings pitched and complete games, while ranking among the leaders in WHIP and ERA.

Prior to and during each start, Halladay has a distinct trademark in which he goes into a complete "isolation mode", immersing himself in complete concentration and in more or less his own words: To plan every pitch he would pitch while on the mound. During this time, he does not talk to anyone except the manager or the pitching coach. He will not even reply to a "hello" or wave from a teammate or spectator, nor talk to the media until he has been relieved or has completed a game.^[54]

Personal life[link]

Halladay has two children with his wife Brandy. He and his wife were raised as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although they are now non-practicing.^[54] During the offseason, Halladay and his family live in Odessa, Florida.^[15][55]

While he was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, Halladay and his wife invited children and their families from the Hospital for Sick Children into "Doc's Box" at Rogers Centre during Blue Jays games. The remodeling of the suite to be more kid-friendly was documented in an episode of Design Inc.. As part of Halladay's contract with the Blue Jays, he also donated US$100,000 each year to the Jays Care Foundation.

He was the Blue Jays' nominee numerous times for the Roberto Clemente Award for his work with underprivileged children.^[56] For the same reason, he was also the Blue Jays' nominee in 2008 for the Players Choice Awards Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award.^[57]

Halladay was announced by 2K Sports as the cover athlete for Major League Baseball 2K11.^[58]

See also[link]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• List of highest paid Major League Baseball players
• List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
• List of Philadelphia Phillies award winners and league leaders
• List of top 100 Major League Baseball strikeout pitchers
• List of Toronto Blue Jays team records
• List of Major League Baseball earned run average champions
• List of Major League Baseball wins champions

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Roy Halladay

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Roy Halladay, Perfect Game: May 29, 2010. Philadelphia Phillies official website

Jayson Werth
Werth at his introductory press conference with Washington
Washington Nationals – No. 28
Right fielder
Born: (1979-05-20) May 20, 1979 (age 33) Springfield, Illinois
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 2002 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics (through April 18, 2012)
Batting average	.264
Home runs	143
Runs batted in	476
Hits	840
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (2002–2003) Los Angeles Dodgers (2004–2005) Philadelphia Phillies (2007–2010) Washington Nationals (2011–present)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (2008) All-Star (2009)

Jayson Richard Gowan Werth (born May 20, 1979) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws right-handed.

Background[link]

Werth was born in Springfield, Illinois, and comes from an athletic family. One sister, Hillary, was a scholarship track athlete at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), while his other sister, Hannah, is a scholarship volleyball player for the University of Nebraska and his brother Adam plays soccer for Syracuse University. He is the son of Jeff Gowan, who led all Division I wide receivers in receptions while playing football for Illinois State University in 1976, and played in the St. Louis Cardinals minor-league affiliate, the Johnson City Cardinals in 1978,^[1] and Kim Schofield Werth, who competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the long jump and 100 meters. He is also the grandson of Ducky Schofield and nephew of Dick Schofield, both Major League Baseball infielders, and stepson of Dennis Werth, who played in parts of four seasons with the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees from 1979 through 1982. Werth is married with two children.^[2]

Baseball career[link]

Early career[link]

Werth had a lot of success as a youngster, playing for the top youth traveling teams in Springfield, IL. His teams began traveling at 7 years old and dominated the State of Illinois Youth Baseball with 4 consecutive State Championships (never finishing worse than 4th in Nationals) in Khoury League with the Bunn Brewers. He then played for a National power, the Springfield Flame where Werth and his teammates won the State and Midwest Regional Championship and finished Third in the 1993 Sandy Koufax World Series in Spring, Texas behind Pico Rivera, California and a Dallas, Texas team that included Major Leaguer Vernon Wells. Werth also was selected to play for the U.S. Junior Pan Am Games in 1995. He gained more attention while attending Glenwood High School in Chatham, Illinois, where he compiled a .652 batting average in his senior year with 15 home runs in 31 games and also helped his team to State Championship in 1996 (his Junior year).^{[citation needed]}

Werth initially planned on playing college baseball at the University of Georgia,^{[citation needed]} but changed his plans when he was drafted in the first round (22nd overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft.

Prior to making his major-league debut, the Orioles traded Werth to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher John Bale. Werth broke into the major leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002.

Los Angeles Dodgers[link]

On March 29, 2004, Werth was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Jason Frasor after compiling two seasons in Toronto.

During spring training, on March 2, 2005, Werth was hit by a pitch from A.J. Burnett that broke his left wrist. Despite the injury, Werth was able to play in 102 games during the 2005 season, hitting .234 with 7 home runs (compared to 16 the previous year, in fewer at-bats). Eight months later, Werth underwent exploratory surgery which revealed two ligament tears that were repaired; however, his discomfort never subsided. On May 21, 2006, Werth had cortisone injected into his wrist; the wrist was placed in a cast for three to four weeks. On June 28, Werth suffered another wrist injury, but returned August 2 against the Chicago Cubs and went 3-for-6, with 4 RBI and 1 stolen base. These injury problems caused him to miss the entire 2006 season.

Philadelphia Phillies[link]

Jayson Werth batting

On December 19, 2006, Werth signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Werth had a career high five hits on August 26, 2007, against the San Diego Padres, and extended his streak on August 27, 2007, against the New York Mets to nine hits in consecutive plate appearances, topping Pete Rose's mark of 8-for-8 during the 1979 season.^[3]

In 2008, Werth began the season platooning with Geoff Jenkins in right field, but soon found himself playing every day in the early part of the season while regular center fielder Shane Victorino was on the disabled list. On May 16, he had a career night against the Blue Jays. He hit three home runs in one game, including a grand slam, a three-run home run, and a solo shot which put him one round-tripper short of hitting for the "homer cycle." He also tied the Phillies team record with 8 RBIs in one game.^[4] For the season, he led the majors in home runs against left-handed pitchers, with 16.^[5] On October 29, 2008, the Phillies won their second World Series title.

Despite being eligible for arbitration after the 2008 season, Werth agreed to a two-year contract with the Phillies worth $10 million on January 21, 2009.^[6]

Werth with the Phillies

On May 12, 2009, Werth made a pure steal of home plate in a bases-loaded situation against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which came in the seventh inning after previously stealing both second and third base. Werth stole four bases in the game, leading the team to a 5–3 victory, and again tying a Phillies record.^[7] On June 27, Werth became the 14th player in Toronto's Rogers Centre history to hit a home run into the stadium's 500 level. On July 10, Werth was named to the NL All-Star Team as a replacement for New York Mets' outfielder Carlos Beltran. On July 21, in a home game against the Chicago Cubs, Werth hit his first career walk-off home run, in the 13th inning against Jeff Samardzija, to deliver a 4–1 victory for the Phillies. He led the majors in pitches per plate appearance during the 2009 season, with 4.50.^[8] In Game 5 of the 2009 National League Championship Series, Werth hit home runs in the first and seventh innings, in a game which the Phillies won 10–4, clinching the series. Baseball fans voted Werth the 2009 "Unsung Star of the Year" in MLB's This Year in Baseball Awards.^[9]

Washington Nationals[link]

Werth playing for the Nationals against the Baltimore Orioles in May 2011

On December 5, 2010, Werth signed a seven-year contract with the Washington Nationals worth $126 million, the 14th richest contract in baseball history. He was introduced to the media on December 15, 2010 with his number 28 jersey.^[10]

Werth had a difficult 2011, highlighted by a June in which he had a .154 batting average, a .291 on-base percentage, and a .286 slugging percentage. On the season, Werth had a .232 batting average, with 20 home runs and 58 runs batted in.^[11]

On May 6, 2012, Werth broke his left wrist attempting to make a diving catch against his old team, the Philadelphia Phillies. The wrist is the same one that had caused him to miss much of the 2005 and all of the 2006 season. The injury was described as a "clean break," but Werth will consult with the same wrist specialist who treated him in 2005, to determine if there is any ligament damage. Werth is expected to be out for "months." The next day, Werth underwent surgery on the left wrist and is expected to be out for 12 weeks (3 months).^[12]

See also[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jayson Werth

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• Third-generation Major League Baseball families

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Lidz, Franz (August 23, 2010). "Get Out Of My Hair! He bristles at attention, whether it's for his bushy beard or his stellar play. But ignoring Jayson Werth is not an option". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1173389/index.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-20. 

External links[link]

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Charles Hazen "Charlie" Morton (October 12, 1854 – December 9, 1921) was an American Major League Baseball outfielder, manager, and League executive. As a manager, he led a team whose members included the first African-American players in Major League history.^[1]

After retiring from the major leagues, Morton served intermittently as an official and went on to become an influential minor league baseball executive.

Major league career[link]

Morton played for, and managed in, the American Association, with the Toledo Blue Stockings in 1884 and the Detroit Wolverines in 1885. He played one season prior to managing, 1882, and managed the 1890 Toledo Maumees after his playing career was over.^[2] He compiled a career managerial record of 121 wins and 153 losses.^[3]

He was the manager for the 1884 Toledo Blue Stockings, who had transferred into the American Association from the Northwestern League after the 1883 season.^[4] It was this team that included Moses Fleetwood Walker and his brother Welday Walker, who are now considered the first African-American players to play in Major League Baseball.^[1] On August 10, 1883 before a scheduled exhibition game, Cap Anson and his Chicago White Stockings had told Morton that his team would not play on the same field as the Walker brothers. Even though he had initially given Walker the day off due to injuries, Morton then re-inserted Moses in the game. He did this to force Anson to either play or lose his portion of the gate receipts.^[1] Anson decided to play that day, but when Chicago came to town the following year, they had already signed an agreement that the Walker brothers would not play.^[1]

Later years[link]

After his playing career, Morton spent much of his time as an executive, most notably as the founder and president of the Ohio-Pennsylvania League during its existence from 1905 through 1912.^[5] By the end of its seven-year lifespan, the league had enlisted the membership of no less than 40 ball clubs based in over 20 cities.^[5] Morton also served as an official, umpiring a number of games during the 1886 season.^{[citation needed]} He died in Massillon, Ohio at the age of 67, and was buried at Glendale Cemetery in Akron, Ohio.^[6]

See also[link]

• List of Major League Baseball player–managers

References[link]

External links[link]

• Career statistics at Retrosheet

Adam Wainwright
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 50
Starting pitcher
Born: (1981-08-30) August 30, 1981 (age 30) Brunswick, Georgia
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 11, 2005 for the St. Louis Cardinals
Career statistics (through May 27, 2012)
Win-Loss	70–40 (.636)
Earned run average	3.07
Strikeouts	775
ERA+	135
Teams
St. Louis Cardinals (2005–present)
Career highlights and awards
2x World Series champion (2006,2011) All-Star selection (2010) 2009 Gold Glove Award winner 2009 Most Outstanding NL Pitcher (Players Choice Award) Hit Home Run on first pitch of first Major League at-bat (May 24, 2006)

Adam Parrish Wainwright (born August 30, 1981) is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St. Louis Cardinals on September 11, 2005 against the New York Mets.

Early career[link]

A highly valued prospect coming out of Glynn Academy, Wainwright planned to play college baseball for Georgia Tech, signing a letter of intent with the Yellow Jackets.^{[citation needed]} But, when he was selected 29th overall in the first round of the 2000 amateur draft by his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves, Wainwright chose to forgo college and go straight to the pros, signing a contract with the Braves that included a $1.25 million bonus.

In December 2003, Wainwright was sent to the Cardinals along with pitchers Jason Marquis and Ray King in a trade that sent outfielder J. D. Drew and utility man Eli Marrero to the Atlanta Braves. After two somewhat uneven seasons in the Cardinals' minor-league system, Wainwright made his MLB debut for St. Louis on September 11, 2005.

Major League career[link]

2006[link]

Wainwright made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster as a relief pitcher after having been a starter for his entire minor-league career. On May 24, 2006, in his first career at bat, Wainwright hit a home run against Noah Lowry of the San Francisco Giants[1]; he became the 22nd batter in Major League history to hit a home run off his first pitch thrown in his first at-bat, and the 11th National Leaguer.^[1]

Wainwright pitched capably as a middle reliever, but when Cardinal closer Jason Isringhausen underwent season-ending hip surgery in September, Wainwright was pressed into service as the closer. He saved two crucial games on Sept. 27 and Sept. 30 as St. Louis held off a late charge by Houston and won the NL Central Division championship.

The Cardinals, who made the postseason despite an unexceptional 83–78 record, rolled through October to win their 10th world championship in franchise history. Wainwright, the new closer, took center stage:

• On October 8, 2006, Wainwright closed out the final game of the Cardinals' National League Division Series, ending the San Diego Padres' season and propelling the Cardinals to the 2006 National League Championship Series.

• On October 19, 2006, in the final game of the National League Championship Series, Wainwright, with the bases loaded, struck out Carlos Beltran looking on a curveball, ending the New York Mets' season and sending the Cardinals to the World Series.

• On October 27, 2006, in Game 5 of the 2006 World Series, Wainwright struck out Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge with a slider to win the world championship.

2007[link]

Wainwright moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation for 2007. With Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter lost for the year due to elbow surgery, Wainwright emerged as the most reliable Cardinals starter. On August 10, he threw the first complete game of his career in a 2–1 loss to Los Angeles. (It would be the only nine-inning complete game for the Cardinals in all of 2007). By September he had established himself as the staff ace in the absence of Chris Carpenter, going 9–6 with a 2.94 ERA since mid-May. Wainwright finished his first year as a starter by leading the Cardinals in almost every pitching category—games started, innings pitched, strikeouts, and wins—and compiling a 3.70 ERA and a 14–12 record.

2008[link]

In March 2008, Wainwright passed on free agency, signing a four-year deal with the Cardinals worth $21 million, with two club options for 2012 and 2013 that could push the value of the deal to $36 million.^[2] He suffered a finger injury in June that caused him to miss 2½ months of the season but still finished 11–3 with a 3.20 ERA, easily the best in the Cardinal rotation.

2009[link]

On August 19, 2009, at Dodger Stadium, Wainwright had a no hitter going vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers for 5⅓ innings before it was broken up by Orlando Hudson with a clean single to left field.
He pitched the NL Central Division clinching game-winner against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, 6–3, on September 26, going 8 innings, walking one, striking out 11 and giving up just two earned runs while pitching out of an eighth-inning jam for his ML-leading 19th win.^[3]

On October 28, 2009, he won the NL Most Outstanding Pitcher (Players Choice Award).^[4]

Wainwright also was a top contender for Cy Young with teammate Chris Carpenter and eventual winner Tim Lincecum. He became only the second pitcher (Trevor Hoffman being the first) ever to get the most first place votes and not win the award.^[5]

He won his first Gold Glove Award on November 11, 2009.^[6]

2010[link]

He finished the season 20–11 with a 2.42 ERA, 5 complete games, 213 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.05, all a career best. His 20 wins and 2.42 ERA were both good for second place in the National League (only Josh Johnson had a better ERA, while Roy Halladay had 21 wins). He also pitched two shutouts this season, the first two of his career. His first was against the Brewers on June 4 and the other against the Marlins on August 6.^[7]

Wainwright pitched in his first All Star Game. He faced 5 batters, throwing 17 pitches, 10 strikes and 7 balls. He allowed no runs, while giving up 1 hit, a double off the glove of fellow Cardinal's teammate Matt Holliday, and had 1 walk with 2 strikeouts.^[8]

Wainwright was the runner-up for the 2010 NL Cy Young Award, finishing second in voting behind unanimous winner Roy Halladay.^[9]

2011[link]

On February 24, the Cardinals announced that Wainwright would be out the entire 2011 season after undergoing necessary Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after indicating discomfort in pitching batting practice on February 21. The procedure was be done by George Paletta, the Cardinals' physician.^[10][11] He would miss all of 2011 and possibly the first few months of the 2012 season because recovery time is usually 12 to 15 months. His 2012 and 2013 options totaling $21 million will not automatically vest if he is on the disabled list at the end of the 2011 season.^[12]

The Feb. 28 surgery in St. Louis was described as "successful". Paletta performed the same surgery on Chris Carpenter, Jaime Garcia, Kyle McClellan and others. Wainwright will remain in St. Louis for two weeks before joining his teammates in Florida. The typical rehabilitation time for a starting pitcher is approximately 12 to 15 months.^[13]

2012[link]

On May 22, he threw his first complete game shutout since August 6, 2010 and the third of his career in his ninth complete game. It was a 4-hit, 4-0 win at home against the San Diego Padres, striking out nine and walking only one.^[14]

Pitching style[link]

Wainwright is a sinkerballer, throwing it an average of about 90 mph. He also throws a good deal of cutters (84–88) and curveballs (72–76). Less commonly, he also throws a four-seam fastball (90–92) and changeup (83–86). He uses all of his pitches against left-handed hitters, but he does not use the changeup against right-handers. Wainwright's most-used pitch in 2-strike counts is his curveball.^[15]

Personal life[link]

In the off-season, Wainwright resides on St. Simons Island, Georgia, with his wife Jenny and their 2 daughters, Baylie Grace, born September 10, 2006, and Morgan Addison, born October 22, 2008. A third daughter is expected. Wainwright has also openly expressed his Christian faith.^[16][17]

See also[link]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• List of Major League Baseball wins champions
• List of players with a home run in first major league at-bat

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Adam Wainwright

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Wainwright player profile page at stlcardinals.scout.com