Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee (born August 30, 1978) is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers.
Lee won the American League Cy Young Award in 2008.[1]
Lee was drafted by the Florida Marlins with the 12th pick of the 8th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft out of Benton High School in his hometown of Benton, Arkansas, but instead chose to attend Meridian Community College in Mississippi. Later, Lee was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 20th round of the 1998 amateur draft, but did not sign, opting to attend the University of Arkansas.
In the 2000 amateur draft, he was chosen in the 4th round by the Montreal Expos and signed in July of that year. During 2002, Lee played for Double-A Harrisburg, and compiled a 7–2 record with a 3.23 ERA in Eastern League play by mid-summer.
Lee pitching for the Cleveland Indians on April 18,
2008.
In June 2002, the Expos traded Lee along with Brandon Phillips, Lee Stevens, and Grady Sizemore to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Bartolo Colón and Tim Drew.[2]
Following the trade, Lee pitched seven games with the Akron Aeros before he was promoted to the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple A affiliate within the Cleveland farm system. He compiled a 3–2 record with the Bisons before being called up to the Indians during September of that season. Lee made his major league debut in a start against the Minnesota Twins on September 15, 2002, giving up a lone run in 5.1 innings, resulting in a loss due to lack of run support.[3] He pitched once more that season, giving up one run in five innings against the Kansas City Royals, resulting in a no decision for Lee but a loss for the team.[4]
Lee won at least 14 games in each of his first 3 full seasons and pitched more than 200 innings in both 2005 and 2006. He finished the 2005 season with an 18–5 record and a 3.79 ERA, earning him 4th place in the AL Cy Young Award voting that year.[5] In 2006, the Indians rewarded him with a midseason, 3-year, $14 million contract extension through the 2009 season.[6]
In 2007, Lee suffered a groin strain during a spring training start, forcing him to begin the regular season on the disabled list. He returned to the Indians rotation in May, but struggled to a 4–9 record and a 5.38 ERA in his first 16 starts. On July 21, Lee hit Texas Rangers' right fielder Sammy Sosa in the head with a pitch on a night when the Rangers were honoring Sosa for hitting his 600th home run. The beaning sparked an altercation between Lee and Indians' catcher Víctor Martínez and led to a players-only meeting immediately after the game.[7] Lee encountered even more problems on July 26, 2007, when he gave up 7 runs in 4 innings against the Boston Red Sox. When he left the ballgame, the fans booed him and right before he entered the dugout, he tipped his cap to the fans. The next day, July 27, the struggling left-hander was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.[8] He was called back up on September 1 when rosters expanded, but only appeared in 4 games, all out of the bullpen.
In 2008, Lee had a career year. Despite the Indians playing with a .500 winning percentage for the season, Lee started the 2008 season with much success. Lee was one of only eight pitchers since 1920 to win 19 or more of his first 21 decisions. He was the first Cleveland pitcher to win his first six starts since Greg Swindell in 1988. He also recorded his first career shutout on April 25, 2008, against the Kansas City Royals, allowing just 3 hits and 0 walks.[9] He had the lowest On-base percentage-against at .163 through five starts since 1909. For his efforts and success, he was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for April, when he went 5–0 with a 0.96 ERA.[10] Lee was selected to his first All-Star game in 2008, and was selected to start the game. Lee worked two scoreless innings for the American League team, surrendering only a Chipper Jones base hit and striking out three.[11]
Lee at the 2008 All-Star Game parade
On August 26, Lee won his 19th game of the season, yielding only 2 runs to the Detroit Tigers.[12] This victory set a new career high for Lee, besting his previous mark of 18 wins set during the 2005 season. On September 1, Lee won his 20th game of the season, throwing a shutout. He was the first Indian to reach 20 wins since Gaylord Perry in 1974.[13] In August, for the second time in the 2008 season, Lee was named American League Pitcher of the Month. He went 5–0 with a 1.86 ERA in the month. On September 12, Lee won his 22nd game, making his record 22–2 on the season. This marked the first time a pitcher had gone 20 wins over .500 since Bob Welch in 1990.[14] Overall to end the year, Lee went 22–3 with a 2.54 ERA and 170 strikeouts. He started 31 games, completed 4, and had 2 shutouts. He pitched a total of 223⅓ innings. Lee ended the season as the American League champion for both wins and ERA.
Lee's 2008 winning percentage of 88% was the twelfth best of all time, and the fourth best by a pitcher starting a minimum of 30 games, Behind only Randy Johnson, Ron Guidry, and Lefty Grove (all also left-handers). Lee's winning percentage is the second best in Indians history, behind Johnny Allen's 93.8% (15 wins, 1 loss, in 24 games) in 1937.
Lee earned several awards following his 2008 season. These included the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award, the Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Pitcher of the Year, The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award, The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award, and the Warren Spahn Award for best left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. On November 13, 2008, Lee was awarded the AL Cy Young Award. This made Lee the second straight Indian (and third overall) to win the award, following former teammate CC Sabathia, who won it in 2007.
Lee's debut with the Phillies in 2009
On June 14, 2009, Lee took a no-hitter into the 8th inning vs. St. Louis, striking out 6 and walking 2. Lee allowed 3 hits in a complete-game shutout, improving his record to 4–6 and his ERA to 2.88.
On July 29 (just before the July 31 trading deadline), the Indians traded Lee—along with outfielder Ben Francisco—to the Philadelphia Phillies, in exchange for Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson, and Jason Knapp.[15]
In his first career game with the Philadelphia Phillies, Lee pitched a complete game in a 5–1 victory. He took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and had two hits as a batter, including his first career double and a run scored. Through his first five games with the Phillies, Lee amassed a 5–0 record, 39 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched, and a 0.68 ERA.
Charlie Manuel named Lee his Game 1 starter for the World Series after he posted a 2–0 record in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Lee would be pitching against his former Indians teammate C.C. Sabathia.
Lee pitched a complete game in Game 1 of the 2009 World Series, winning the game 6–1 over the New York Yankees. He allowed no earned runs during this outing.[16][17] He was the first pitcher since Deacon Phillippe in Game 1 of the 1903 World Series to pitch a complete game in the World Series with 10 or more strikeouts and no walks. Because Phillippe allowed two earned runs in his start, Lee was the first to do so without allowing an earned run.[18] In his next start (Game 5), Lee earned another victory, allowing five runs and three walks while striking out three in seven innings; the Phillies won, 8–6. The New York Yankees, however, went on to win their 27th World Series title.
Lee pitching for the Seattle Mariners in 2010
On December 16, 2009, the Phillies traded Lee to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for J. C. Ramírez, Phillippe Aumont and Tyson Gillies.[19][20]
Lee appealed a five game suspension handed down on him for throwing over the head of Chris Snyder during a Spring Training game.[21] Both the suspension and the accompanying fine were overturned.[22] Lee made his Mariners debut against the Texas Rangers on April 30, where he earned a no-decision in a 2–0 Mariners loss. He got his first win with the Mariners on May 11, in a 5–1 win against the Baltimore Orioles. Lee pitched 3 consecutive complete games in June. He made the 2010 AL All-Star team but attended as a Ranger. With the Mariners, Lee went 8–3 with a 2.34 ERA, an 0.945 WHIP, and a 89/6 K/BB ratio. However, the Mariners struggled, and Lee was placed on the trade market.[23]
On July 9, after a deal with the New York Yankees broke down, Lee was traded to the Texas Rangers with Mark Lowe for Justin Smoak and prospects Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke and Matt Lawson.[24]
On August 6 against the Oakland Athletics, Lee earned his 100th career win going eight innings and allowing only one run with seven strikeouts.
Lee pitched Game 1 of the American League Division Series against Tampa Bay on October 6, 2010, same day when Phillies' pitcher Roy Halladay threw a no-hitter against the Reds in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. He threw 7 innings, gave up one run, no walks, and struck out 10. There have been eight post-season pitching performances of at least 10 strikeouts and no walks in baseball history. Lee has pitched the last four, including two in the 2010 ALDS. In Game 5 of the series, Lee set the ALDS series strikeout record and tied the MLB record with 21. He pitched a complete game, striking out eleven batters and allowing one run, getting the win. Lee also has the highest strikeout since with 11 when dealing with a winner take all situation.
Lee continued his postseason mastery into the 2010 ALCS, when he allowed just two hits while striking out 13 New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in an 8–0 Texas victory in Game 3.[25] Lee has also become the first person to pitch three 10-plus strikeout games in one post-season.[26]
However, facing the San Francisco Giants' Tim Lincecum in the 2010 World Series, Lee gave up seven runs (six earned) and did not make it through five innings, en route to an 11–7 loss.[27] Lee faced Lincecum again in Game 5 of the World Series with the Giants having a 3–1 series advantage, but he surrendered a three-run home run to Edgar Renteria, which resulted in a 3–1 loss as the Giants won the series.[28]
On December 15, 2010, Lee signed a free-agent contract with Philadelphia for 5 years and $120 million with a vesting option for a sixth year.[29] He turned down the Yankees’ seven-year offer for $148 million.[30] He joined a rotation consisting of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton at the start of the season, and in doing so, had commentators dub it one of the best rotations ever assembled. In returning to the Phillies, Lee said, "I never wanted to leave in the first place."[29]
On April 2, 2011, Lee's first start back with the Phillies, he pitched seven innings, allowing four hits and three runs, while striking out eleven and walking none. On May 6, he struck out a career-high 16 Atlanta Braves, allowing three runs in a 5–0 Philadelphia loss.[31] On June 28, Lee pitched a third consecutive complete game shutout in a 5–0 victory over the Boston Red Sox.[32] Lee was awarded with the National League Pitcher of the Month award for the month of June. Lee went 5–0 and had a 0.21 ERA. Lee threw 3 consecutive shutouts and had a scoreless streak of 34 innings. By the end of that month, he had also personally outscored teams he opposed (he scored 2 runs in the month while only allowing 1 run).[33]
On July 9, Lee hit his first major league home run against Tommy Hanson of the Atlanta Braves after a ten-pitch at-bat. Although the Phillies would eventually lose the game, 4–1, with Lee providing the only Phillies run, it was the first home run by a Phillies pitcher since Chan Ho Park in April 2009. Lee then went on to hit his second major league home run on August 9 against Ted Lilly of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the same game, Lee also recorded his 17th career double-digit strikeout game in a 2–1 Phillies win. [34]
On Sept 26, 2011, Lee was the winning pitcher in a 4–2 game against the Atlanta Braves. Pitching 6 innings of 5 hit 2 run ball, striking out 6 and walking none. He finished up the regular season with a 17–8 record, but more significantly helped the Philadelphia Phillies to a 100-win season. It marks the third time in franchise history that the Phillies have won 100 or more games in a season.[35]
Lee's repertoire features a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, and cut fastball, slider, as well as a circle changeup and a knuckle curve.
Lee and his wife Kristen have a son named Jaxon (4/29/01) and a daughter, Maci (4/5/03). Jaxon was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four months, but after undergoing treatments, is now in remission.[36] Lee remains very close friends with former teammate CC Sabathia.[37]
- ^ "Cy Young Award winners". MLB.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/awards/mlb_awards_content.jsp?content=cy_history. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ "Indians deal Colon for Stevens, prospects". ESPN.com. June 28, 2002. http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0627/1399893.html. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
- ^ Withers, Tom (September 15, 2002). "Twins wrap up AL Central title". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/games/2002-09-15-twins-indians_x.htm. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
- ^ "Tucker's clutch single gives Royals a boost". ESPN.com. September 21, 2002. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=220921107. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
- ^ "COLON 1ST ANGELS' CY YOUNG WINNER IN 41 YEARS". Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). 2005. http://www.baseballwriters.org/awards/2005/2005_AL_cy.html. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
- ^ "Indians sign Lee to three-year, $14M extension". ESPN.com. August 8, 2006. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2543171. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
- ^ Hoynes, Paul (July 23, 2007). "Cleveland Indians' meeting called after Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez have altercations". Cleveland Live, Inc.. http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1185179800236630.xml&coll=2&thispage=1. Retrieved July 26, 2007.
- ^ "Indians send Cliff Lee down to minors". Cleveland Live, Inc.. July 27, 2007. http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2007/07/indians_send_cliff_lee_down_to.html. Retrieved July 27, 2007.
- ^ Castrovince, Anthony (April 25, 2008). "Lee completely dominant in nightcap". MLB.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080424&content_id=2584406&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
- ^ Briggs, David (May 3, 2008). "Lee named AL Pitcher of the Month". MLB.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080503&content_id=2635722&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
- ^ Hoch, Bryan (July 16, 2008). "Night is Young: AL walks off in 15th". MLB.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080715&content_id=3137808&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
- ^ Castrovince, Anthony (August 26, 2008). "Lee wins No. 19 for Tribe's ninth straight". MLB.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080826&content_id=3370842&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
- ^ Herrick, Steve (September 1, 2008). "Dominant Lee breaks 20-win mark". MLB.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080901&content_id=3402684&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
- ^ Gribble, Andrew (September 12, 2008). "Lee wins 22nd as Indians rout Royals Left-hander first hurler to be 20 games above .500 since 1990". MLB.com. http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080912&content_id=3464274&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
- ^ Castrovince, Anthony, "Lee, Francisco traded to Phillies: Indians acquire four top prospects in six-player pact", July 29, 2009. Cleveland Indians official website; MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- ^ World Series Game 1 Final: Phillies 6, Yankees 1 New York Times
- ^ Game 1 Recap – ESPN.com, ESPN, 2009-10-29.
- ^ Retrosheet Boxscore: Pittsburgh Pirates 7, Boston Americans 3, Retrosheet, 2009-10-29.
- ^ Mariners finalize deal with Phils for Lee MLB.com
- ^ Baker, Geoff (December 16, 2009). "It's a done deal — Mariners acquire Cliff Lee". The Seattle Times. Associated Press (Seattle, Washington: Frank A. Blethen). http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2010522667_mari17.html. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ^ "Yahoo! Sports – Sports News, Scores, Rumors, Fantasy Games, and more". Sports.yahoo.com. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Akke2oVxmGvIU26XJvjQS5MRvLYF?slug=ap-mariners-leehearing. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ By Doug Miller / MLB.com (April 20, 2010). "MLB rescinds Lee's suspension | Mariners.com: News". Seattle.mariners.mlb.com. http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100420&content_id=9437930&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com (June 29, 2010). "Rangers acquire Lee from Mariners | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100709&content_id=12103300&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ Evan Grant (October 18, 2010). "Rangers 8, Yankees 0: Cliff Lee dominates Yankees; more baseball to be played in Arlington". DallasNews.com. http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/10/rangers-8-yankees-0-cliff-lee.html. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ Koster, Kyle; suntimes.com (October 19, 2010). "Not breaking: Cliff Lee is really, really good; suntimes.com". Chicago Sun-Times. http://blogs.suntimes.com/sportsprose/2010/10/not_breaking_cliff_lee_is_real.html. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
- ^ "Rangers get shellacked in Series debut". Texas.rangers.mlb.com. 2010-10-27. http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101027&content_id=15857476&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
- ^ "Rangers' title dreams dashed by Lincecum". Texas.rangers.mlb.com. http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101101&content_id=15947884&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
- ^ a b Longman, Jere (December 16, 2010). "Lee Returns, Saying He 'Never Wanted to Leave'". New York Times: p. B13. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/sports/baseball/16phillies.html?pagewanted=print.
- ^ Vecsey, George (February 27, 2011). "Tosses and Turns of Yankees-Phillies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 27, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5wpI7fgKh.
- ^ "Lowe outduels Lee, Braves beat Phillies 5–4". sportsillustrated.com (Sports Illustrated / CNN). May 6, 2011. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/gameflash/2011/05/06/38246_recap.html?eref=sircrc. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
- ^ D.J. Short (June 28, 2011). "Cliff Lee delivers third consecutive complete game shutout". NBC Sports. http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/28/cliff-lee-delivers-third-consecutive-complete-game-shutout/. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
- ^ Jayson Stark (2011-06-29). "Cliff Lee put together a historic June". espn.go.com. http://espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/stark_jayson/id/6716124/a-historic-month-cliff-lee. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
- ^ Matt Gelbmagelb (2011-08-10). "Cliff Lee Bashes Second Home Run of Season, Phils Win". The700level.com. http://www.the700level.com/08/10/11/Cliff-Lee-Bashes-Second-Home-Run-of-Seas/landing_phillies.html?blockID=547082&feedID=8510&qv=1. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
- ^ "Offense keeps clicking; Phils reach 100 wins". mlb.com (MLB). September 26, 2011. http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_09_26_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=phi#gid=2011_09_26_phimlb_atlmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=phi. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
- ^ Cliff Lee: Biography and Career Highlights at MLB.com
- ^ "Old Friends Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia Set to Square Off in World Series Game 1 - New York Yankees". NESN.com. 2009-10-28. http://www.nesn.com/2009/10/old-friends-cliff-lee-and-cc-sabathia-set-to-square-off-in-world-series-game-1.html. Retrieved 2012-05-09.
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| Name |
Lee, Cliff |
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American baseball player |
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August 30, 1978 |
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Benton, Arkansas |
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