Chris Young warms up in the bullpen before a game at Wrigley Field minutes before the 12:05 start (see scoreboard clock).

In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher (also referred to as the starter) is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher.

A starting pitcher in professional baseball usually rests three or four days after pitching a game, before pitching another. Therefore, most professional baseball teams have four or five starting pitchers on their rosters. These pitchers, and the sequence in which they pitch, is known as the rotation. In modern baseball, a five-man rotation is most common.^[1]

Workload[link]

Under ideal circumstances, a manager of a baseball team would prefer a starting pitcher to pitch as many innings as possible in a game. Most regular starting pitchers pitch for at least five innings on a regular basis, and if a pitcher is unable to do so, there is a high probability that he will, in the future, be relegated to duty in the bullpen. In modern baseball, a starting pitcher is rarely expected to pitch for more than seven or eight innings, at which point, responsibility for the game is passed to relief pitchers, including specialist pitchers such as set-up pitchers and closers.

Often, a starting pitcher is subject to a pitch count, meaning the manager will remove him from the game once he has thrown a specific number of pitches. The most common pitch count for a modern pitcher is in the neighborhood of 100, and it is now rare for a starting pitcher to throw more than 125 pitches in a game. Pitch counts are especially common for starting pitchers who are recovering from injury. In the early decades of baseball, it was not uncommon for a starting pitcher to pitch three hundred innings or more, over the course of a season. In addition, there are accounts of starting pitchers pitching on consecutive days, or even in both games of a doubleheader. It is believed that these feats were only possible because pitchers in the early years of the game, unlike modern starters, rarely threw the ball with maximum effort.

A starting pitcher who can be counted on to consistently throw many innings is known as a workhorse. A good example of a modern day workhorse pitcher is Roy Halladay, who is the current active leader in both complete games thrown and shutouts.^[2]

Statistics[link]

A starting pitcher must complete five innings of work in order to qualify for a "win" in a game he starts. Under NCAA baseball rules, which govern intercollegiate baseball, a starting pitcher who pitches fewer than five innings can still earn a win if he pitches for a certain amount of time that is determined before the start of the game. It is possible to be credited with a loss despite pitching fewer than five innings. A starter who works six or more innings while giving up three or fewer runs is said to have achieved a "quality start". A starter that finishes the game without having to be relieved by the bullpen is said to have thrown a "complete game". The pitcher that throws a complete game is almost always in a position for a win.

Pitch selection[link]

Starting pitchers usually have a variety of pitches to choose from, broken into a number of categories. Fastballs: A pitch thrown hard (anywhere from the upper 80's to over 100 mph) and which generally follows a mostly straight trajectory. There are a number of different types of fastballs. The 4-seam fastball is the hardest thrown pitch, but also has very little movement or break to it. The 2-seam fastball is slightly slower than the 4-seam (generally in the mid 80's to low 90's), but breaks slightly inward to the pitcher's throwing arm (i.e., a left-handed pitcher throwing a 2-seam fastball will have it tail slightly left-to-right). The cut fastball (cutter) is similar to the 2-seam in the direction of its break and velocity, but like a slider it breaks much later in its flight path, though not as sharply and travels faster than that breaking ball.

Hard breaking balls: The most prominent of the hard breaking balls is the slider. A slider is a pitch that breaks sharply in the direction of the pitchers arm travel (left to right for a left-handed pitcher). It travels slower than a fastball (usually in the upper 70's to mid 80's) but faster than the slower breaking balls. The other two hard breaking balls are variants of the fastball, the sinker_(baseball) and the split-finger fastball (splitter). Both of these pitches break downwards from the point of release, with the sinker generally tailing slightly to the pitchers arm travel and the splitter tailing opposite. Both pitches are usually thrown in the low to upper 80's, although some travel upwards of 90 mph. The major difference is in their grip and the timing of their break. Like the cut fastball to the 2-seamer, the splitter tends to break much later in its flight path than the sinker does.

Soft breaking balls: The most common soft breaking ball is the eponymous curve ball. The curve breaks in the direction of the pitchers arm travel from the point of release on through the entire arc of its flight. Curve balls travel from the low 60's into the mid 70's in speed. The other soft curve ball is known as the screwball. The screwball is a fairly rare pitch in modern baseball, as its manner of throwing puts a lot of stress on the arm and today's maximum velocity/maximum effort pitchers can tear up their arms trying to use this pitch. The screwball is essentially a reverse curve ball, as it breaks in the opposite direction of the pitchers arm travel.

Other pitches: Two other major pitch styles are used by pitchers today, one far moreso than others. The changeup, or palmball, is a slow pitch that is thrown with the same arm motion and arm velocity of a fastball, but with a much different grip that keeps the ball from achieving the same speed, usually the changeup is 10-20 mph slower than the pitcher's fastballs. This visual distortion from a fast arm swing and a slower pitch is used to disrupt the hitter's timing. The other major pitch style is the knuckleball. The knuckleball is a very difficult pitch to master, for both the pitcher (due to its unique grip and delivery manner) and for his catcher (due to the pitch being thoroughly unpredictable in its travel).

See also[link]

• Setup man
• Middle reliever
• Closing pitcher
• Left-handed specialist
• Long reliever
• List of World Series starting pitchers

Notes[link]

1. ^ For an evaluation of the relative merits of a four-man and a five-man rotation, see Rany Jazayerli, "Doctoring The Numbers: The Five-Man Rotation, Part 3," BaseballProspectus.com (August 30, 2002).[1]
2. ^ http://articles.mcall.com/2011-05-05/sports/mc-sports-buzz-050511_1_colonial-league-softball-volleyball-fans-nationals

v t e Baseball positions Pitchers by role Ace pitcher Starting pitcher Relief pitcher Middle relief pitcher Long reliever Setup pitcher Closer Left-handed specialist by style Fireballer Power pitcher Control pitcher Groundball pitcher Flyball pitcher Switch pitcher Defensive players by number Pitcher (1 / P) Catcher (2 / C) First baseman (3 / 1B) Second baseman (4 / 2B) Third baseman (5 / 3B) Shortstop (6 / SS) Left fielder (7 / LF) Center fielder (8 / CF) Right fielder (9 / RF) by type Infielder Outfielder Utility player Utility infielder Position player Battery Fourth outfielder Corner outfielder Offensive players by role Batter Runner Batting order (1–9) Designated hitter Pinch hitter Pinch runner Lead off Leadoff hitter Cleanup hitter by style Clutch hitter Contact hitter Switch hitter Non-players Official scorer Umpire Manager Coaches General manager Related Disabled list Phantom ballplayer

Franklin Morales
Boston Red Sox – No. 46
Pitcher
Born: (1986-01-24) January 24, 1986 (age 26) San Juan de los Morros, Venezuela
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
MLB debut
August 18, 2007 for the Colorado Rockies
Career statistics (through May 25, 2012)
Win-Loss	8-13
Earned run average	4.57
Strikeouts	157
Teams
Colorado Rockies (2007–2011) Boston Red Sox (2011–present)

Franklin Miguel Morales (born January 24, 1986, in San Juan de los Morros, Venezuela) is an Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. A power-throwing left-hander, Morales was seen as one of the leading prospects in the Rockies farm system. He has a very good fastball, but his control is still developing.^{[citation needed]} He had come up as a starting pitcher, and in 2010 was moved into the bullpen to serve as the Rockies closer.

Baseball career[link]

Colorado Rockies[link]

He made his Major League debut on August 18, 2007, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up one run, but got a no-decision. In 2007, Morales was selected to the All-Star Futures Game at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Morales is known for his very distinctive and effective pickoff-move.

On April 29, 2008, Morales was optioned to the Colorado Rockies Triple-A affiliate Colorado Springs Sky Sox in response to sub-par performance during the early 2008 Major League season.

In spring training in 2009, Morales led all pitchers in pickoffs, with 5, in 28 innings.[1]. He began the regular season in the starting rotation, but after struggling early he was optioned to the AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox. He was called back up and has been pitching from the bullpen since July 7.

Boston Red Sox[link]

On May 19, 2011, Morales was acquired by the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later or cash considerations.^[1] On May 22, he made his debut appearance for the Red Sox in a game against the Chicago Cubs.

On January 16, 2012, Morales signed a one-year deal worth $850K with the Red Sox, avoiding arbitration.^[2]

References[link]

External links[link]

	Baseball portal
	Venezuela portal

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

Collin Peterson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 7th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1991
Preceded by	Arlan Stangeland
Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee
In office January 4, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Bob Goodlatte
Succeeded by	Frank Lucas
Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 10th district
In office January 4, 1977 – January 5, 1987
Preceded by	John Moonan
Succeeded by	Cal Larson
Personal details
Born	(1944-06-29) June 29, 1944 (age 67) Fargo, North Dakota
Political party	Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
Spouse(s)	Divorced
Residence	Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Alma mater	Moorhead State University
Occupation	accountant
Religion	Lutheran
Military service
Service/branch	United States Army National Guard
Years of service	1963–1969

Collin Clark Peterson (born June 29, 1944), is the U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 7th congressional district, serving since 1991, and the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and is the dean of the Minnesota congressional delegation. The district, Minnesota's largest and most rural district, includes the entire northwestern area of the state. It includes Moorhead, Fergus Falls, Bemidji, Detroit Lakes, Thief River Falls, Willmar, Marshall, and Alexandria.

Early life, education, and early political career[link]

Collin Peterson was born in Fargo, North Dakota, grew up on a farm in Baker, Minnesota, and received his B.A. at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Peterson was a member of the Minnesota Senate for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (the Minnesota branch of the Democratic Party) from 1977 to 1986, representing a district in northwestern Minnesota. In 1976, he defeated Republican nominee Frank DeGroat 55%-45%.^[1] In 1982, he won re-election against State Representative Cal Larson by just 200 votes, or 0.8% difference.^[2]

U.S. House of Representatives[link]

Elections[link]

1980s

In 1984, he ran for Minnesota's 7th congressional district in Northwestern Minnesota, held by Republican Arlan Stangeland. Peterson lost 57%-43%.^[3] In 1986, he ran in a rematch and narrowly lost by just 121 votes.^[4] In 1988, he ran again but lost in the DFL primary to State Senator Marv Hanson 55%-45%.^[5]

1990s

In 1990, he ran for a fourth time and won the primary. In the general election, he finally defeated seven-term Stangeland 54%-46%.^[6] In 1992, he narrowly won re-election by a 50–49% margin against former State Representative Bernie Omann.^[7] In a 1994 rematch, Peterson won again by a 51–49% margin, despite the Republican Revolution.^[8] In 1996, he won re-election with 68% of the vote, and won every county in the CD.^[9] In 1998, he won re-election with 72% of the vote.^[10]

2000s

During this decade, he never won re-election with less than 65% of the vote.

2010s

In 2010, Peterson survived another Republican wave election. This time, he defeated Lee Byberg 55%-38%, his worst election performance since 1994.^[11]

Tenure[link]

Peterson was one of the seven original founders of the Blue Dog Coalition of moderate Democrats in the House.

Peterson is considered to be the most moderate Democrat in the Minnesota delegation in the 109th Congress, scoring 50% conservative by a conservative group^[12] and 57% progressive by a liberal group.^[13] He is somewhat conservative on social issues; he strongly opposes abortion and has been one of the few Democrats to vote against even stem cell research and the vast majority of gun control measures. He has voted to ban physician assisted suicide and also to approve the flag desecration amendment. Peterson also supports the federal marriage amendment and the death penalty. His socially conservative views are not surprising given the makeup of his district. The 7th contains some of the most conservative counties in the state. As previously mentioned, it is also the state's most rural district; many DFLers outside the Twin Cities are hunters and trappers who oppose gun control.

On economic issues, however, he is somewhat closer to the liberal wing of his party: he has voted against most free trade agreements, the Freedom to Farm Act, and the Telecom Act of 1996. He also voted against both versions of the Patriot Act and he has been sharply critical of the No Child Left Behind Act, which he contends is unfair to rural students. Since becoming ranking Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, Peterson has voted more often with liberal Democrats. However, political commentators often note that Peterson once dated former Congresswoman Katherine Harris, who, as the Republican Secretary of State of Florida during the 2000 presidential election, infuriated Democrats by certifying George W. Bush as the election winner.^[14]

Peterson was one of the few Democrats to vote in favor of the Military Commissions Act of 2006.^[15]

Peterson was a cosponsor of the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005<refr>H.R. 884: Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005, GovTrack.us</ref>^[16] which would provide job protection for three million illegal immigrant agricultural workers and their families, and extend the visas of legal immigrant agricultural workers.

In 1998, Peterson gained attention by proposing a constitutional amendment that would allow the residents of Minnesota's Northwest Angle to vote on whether they wanted to secede from the United States and join the Canadian province of Manitoba.

In January 2005, he was selected by the House Democratic Caucus to succeed former Texas Congressman Charlie Stenholm as the Ranking Member on the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. He became the committee's chairman after the Democrats won control of the House two years later.

Along with John Conyers, in April 2006 Peterson brought an action against George W. Bush and others alleging violations of the Constitution in the passing of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.^[17] The case (Conyers v. Bush) was ultimately dismissed.^[18]

In May 2007, Peterson was the lone Democrat to vote against the Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act.^[19]

On January 28, 2009, Peterson was amongst the seven Democrats who voted in the House together with the unanimous Republican opposition against President Obama's stimulus package (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009).^[20][21]

On May 6, 2009, Peterson voiced his opposition to climate change legislation proposed by the Obama Administration saying, "I will not support any kind of climate change bill – even if you fix this – because I don't trust anybody anymore. I've had it." Peterson predicted that an Environmental Protection Agency proposal to assess indirect effects of ethanol production on greenhouse gas emissions, combined with the climate change legislation, could "kill off corn ethanol."^[22]

On March 21, 2010, Peterson voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.^[23]

From 2003 through 2005, $14.7 billion in crop subsidies went to the congressional districts of members on the House Committee on Agriculture, an analysis by the non-partisan Environmental Working Group found. That was 42.4% of the total subsidies. Peterson is reported to have brought $874 million to his District.^[24] In Peterson's district, which includes sugar beets, wheat and poultry, 58% of the $2.8 billion paid out in crop subsidies from 1995 to 2005 went to 10% of recipients, according to the Environmental Working Group, which tracks farm spending. The chairman says he has no problem with that. "Ten percent of the farmers produce 90% of the food," he says.

In December 2005, Peterson joined with several other Congressmen to form the Second Amendments, a bipartisan rock and country band set to play for United States troops stationed overseas over the Holiday season.^[25]

On July 27, 2009, a controversy erupted after Peterson was quoted in a Politico.com article saying, "25 percent of my people believe the Pentagon and Rumsfeld were responsible for taking the twin towers down. That's why I don't do town meetings." The state Republican Party denounced the remark as "outrageous and offensive". Peterson apologized for the comment, which he described as "off-hand".^[26]

In 2010, he was endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee^[27] and the National Rifle Association.^[28]

In 2011, he co-sponsored HR 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.^[29] The bill contained an exception for "forcible rape," which opponents criticized as potentially excluding drug-facilitated rape, date rape, and other forms of rape.^[30] The bill also allowed an exception for minors who are victims of incest.^[29]

Committee assignments[link]

• Committee on Agriculture (Ranking Member)
  • As ranking member of the full committee, Rep. Peterson may sit as an ex officio member of all subcommittees.
• Military Veterans Caucus, Co-chair

Electoral history[link]

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

1990

Personal life[link]

Peterson lives in Detroit Lakes, just east of Moorhead.

References[link]

• Minnesota Legislators Past and Present

1. ^ "MN State Senate 10 Race - Nov 02, 1976". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=748811. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
2. ^ "MN State Senate 10 Race - Nov 02, 1982". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=432458. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
3. ^ "MN District 7 Race - Nov 06, 1984". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=51846. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
4. ^ "MN District 7 Race - Nov 04, 1986". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=38470. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
5. ^ "MN District 7 - DFL Primary Race - Sep 13, 1988". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=429185. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
6. ^ "MN District 7 Race - Nov 06, 1990". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=34098. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
7. ^ "MN District 7 Race - Nov 03, 1992". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28028. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
8. ^ "MN District 7 Race - Nov 08, 1994". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28913. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
9. ^ "MN District 7 Race - Nov 05, 1996". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29552. Retrieved 2012-01-15. 
10. ^ "MN District 7 Race - Nov 03, 1998". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30698. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
11. ^ "MN - District 07 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=496785. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
12. ^ "Congressional Voting Scorecard 2005" (PDF). SBE Council’s Congressional Voting Scorecard 2005. Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. June, 2006. http://www.sbecouncil.org/uploads/Ratings2005Scorecard.pdf. Retrieved November 2, 2006. 
13. ^ "Leading with the Left". Progressive Punch. http://www.progressivepunch.org. Retrieved November 2, 2006. 
14. ^ "Article | The American Prospect". Prospect.org. July 16, 2010. http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=10306. Retrieved July 20, 2010. 
15. ^ "GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 6166 [109th]: Military Commissions Act of 2006". Govtrack.us. September 27, 2006. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2006-491. Retrieved July 20, 2010. 
16. ^ Bill Text 109th Congress (2005–2006) S.359.IS, THOMAS
17. ^ "11 House Members to Sue Over Budget Bill". ABC News. Associated Press. April 27, 2006. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1898817. Retrieved February 20, 2007. ^{[dead link]}
18. ^ "Judge Dismisses Budget Bill Lawsuit". ABC News. Associated Press. November 6, 2006. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2633701. Retrieved November 28, 2006. ^{[dead link]}
19. ^ Clerk of the House of Representatives (May 23, 2007). "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 404". House of Representatives Roll Call. http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll404.xml. Retrieved May 24, 2007. 
20. ^ Clerk of the House of Representatives (January 28, 2009). "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 46 on "Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year ending 2009"". House of Representatives Roll Call. http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll046.xml. Retrieved January 31, 2009. 
21. ^ Kevin Díaz (January 30, 2009). "Rep. Peterson: Stimulus is flawed". Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/congress/38731832.html?elr=KArks8c7PaP3E77K_3c::D3aDhU6:_0c:QyDiiUiacyKUU. Retrieved January 31, 2009. 
22. ^ Sally Schuff (May 6, 2009). "Peterson cries foul on EPA ethanol proposal, vows not to support climate change bill". Feedstuffs. http://www.feedstuffs.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=F4D1A9DFCD974EAD8CD5205E15C1CB42&nm=Breaking+News&type=news&mod=News&mid=A3D60400B4204079A76C4B1B129CB433&tier=3&nid=2ED25D0552384C0396608AE0F548F8E9. Retrieved May 7, 2009. 
23. ^ "Peterson Statement on Health Care Vote" (Press release). Mar. 21, 2010. http://collinpeterson.house.gov/press/111th/Peterson%20Statement%20on%20Health%20Care%20Vote.html. Retrieved Mar. 25, 2010. 
24. ^ Dilanian, Ken, " Billions go to House panel members' districts", USA Today. July 26, 2007.
25. ^ 1^{[dead link]}
26. ^ Roper, Eric (July 29, 2009). "Peterson apologizes for slap at constituents". http://www.startribune.com/local/51861647.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUT. Retrieved July 28, 2009. ^{[dead link]}
27. ^ National Right to Life PAC Endorses Chip Cravaack for Congress in Minnesota 8th Congressional District^{[dead link]}
28. ^ Birkey, Andy (October 4, 2010). "National Rifle Association endorses Walz". The Minnesota Independent. http://minnesotaindependent.com/71742/national-rifle-association-endorses-walz. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
29. ^ ^{a b} "Full text of House Resolution 3: No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act". Govtrack.us. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h112-3. Retrieved January 15, 2012. 
30. ^ "What is 'forcible rape' exactly?". The Washington Post. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2011/02/what_is_forcible_rape_exactly.html. 

• Collin Peterson at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

External links[link]

• Congressman Collin Peterson official U.S. House site
• Peterson for Congress official campaign site
• Biography at WhoRunsGov.com at The Washington Post
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Congressional profile at GovTrack
• Congressional profile at OpenCongress
• Issue positions and quotes at On the Issues
• Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
• Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Appearances on C-SPAN programs
• Campaign 2006: Collin Peterson profile from Minnesota Public Radio
• Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2005

Cliff Lee
Lee at ESPN Weekend in 2011
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 33
Starting pitcher
Born: (1978-08-30) August 30, 1978 (age 33) Benton, Arkansas
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 15, 2002 for the Cleveland Indians
Career statistics (through May 16, 2012)
Win–loss record	119–70
Earned run average	3.61
Strikeouts	1,357
Complete games	26
Teams
Cleveland Indians (2002–2009) Philadelphia Phillies (2009) Seattle Mariners (2010) Texas Rangers (2010) Philadelphia Phillies (2011–present)
Career highlights and awards
3× All-Star (2008, 2010, 2011) 2008 AL Cy Young Award 2008 AL Comeback Player of the Year 2008 Cleveland BBWA Man of The Year 3× AL Pitcher of the Month 2× NL Pitcher of the Month

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]

Professional baseball career[link]

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.

Cleveland Indians (2002–09)[link]

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]

2007 season[link]

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.

2008 season[link]

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.

2009 season[link]

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.

Philadelphia Phillies (2009)[link]

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.

2009 World Series[link]

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.

Seattle Mariners (2010)[link]

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]

Texas Rangers (2010)[link]

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 pitching in Game 5 of the 2010 World Series

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]

Return to Philadelphia Phillies (2011–present)[link]

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]

Pitching Style[link]

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.

Personal[link]

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]

See also[link]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• List of Major League Baseball wins champions
• List of Major League Baseball ERA champions

References[link]

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)