Chad Cordero | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Upland, California, U.S. | March 18, 1982|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
August 30, 2003, for the Montreal Expos | |
Last MLB appearance | |
July 9, 2010, for the Seattle Mariners | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 20–15 |
Earned run average | 2.89 |
Strikeouts | 298 |
Saves | 128 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Chad Patrick Cordero (born March 18,1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Cordero played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Montreal Expos / Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners.
Cordero's best season was in 2005,when he was an All-Star and won the Rolaids Relief Man Award. During the period of 2005–2007,he recorded 113 saves,second most in the National League behind Trevor Hoffman's 131. [1]
At age 18,Cordero was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 26th round of the 2000 MLB draft,but he chose to enroll at Cal State Fullerton,where he was a standout reliever. With an ERA of under 1.83 he made the 1st team All-America Freshman team and was selected to the Big West All-Conference team,the latter of which he repeated in each of his next two years. In 2003,he was the Fullerton Regional MVP (College World Series),and then was drafted by the Expos in the 1st round (20th overall).
Cordero pitched briefly in 2003,and then appeared in 69 games for the Expos in 2004,compiling an ERA of 2.94,usually appearing as a closer. He earned a save in the last Montreal Expo victory in Hiram Bithorn Stadium on July 11,2004. He also threw the final pitch for the Expos at Olympic Stadium on September 29,2004,and the final pitch for a win on October 2 against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. [2]
The Expos became the Washington Nationals in 2005,and Cordero had a career-best season. In June 2005,Cordero tied the major league record for saves in one month with 15. He shares the record with Lee Smith and John Wetteland. He also converted his 24th consecutive save,breaking the club record held by Mel Rojas. On September 9,2005,Cordero's 44th save broke the franchise record. He completed the 2005 season with 47 saves,leading the major leagues,and was selected to the National League pitching staff for the 2005 MLB All-Star game,facing one batter,Iván Rodríguez,and striking him out. He was the 2005 Washington Nationals Player of the Year,and won the National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award.
In February 2006,Cordero and his teammate Brian Schneider were chosen to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. During the season,however,his production tailed off. While he still got 29 saves (8th best in the league),his ERA went from 1.82 to 3.19.
In the beginning of the 2007 season,Cordero faced a tough time against batters. By May 6,his ERA was 4.70. Cordero admitted he was distracted by the illness of his ailing grandmother, [3] and missed six games for personal bereavement leave. He came back a changed man,and starting May 16 made 12 consecutive appearances without allowing a run. On June 13,Cordero (at age 25 years and 86 days) became the second youngest player in baseball history to reach 100 saves in a career. (Francisco Rodríguez is the youngest at 24 years and 246 days old.) [4] Echoing his final pitches at Olympic Stadium and Hiram Bithorn Stadium in 2004 Cordero closed out the final Nationals game at RFK stadium getting a save on September 23,2007. [5] He is likely the only pitcher in major league history to throw the final pitch at three different home stadiums for the same franchise.[ citation needed ]
Cordero missed almost all of the 2008 season after undergoing surgery to repair a labrum tear,an injury he suffered in April. [1] On October 30,2008,the Nationals sent him outright to AAA Syracuse,and he rejected the assignment,becoming a free agent. Among other reasons for Cordero's rejection was that he was displeased with how he found out that he would be "non-tendered" by the Nationals at the end of the season—via an impromptu comment made by Nationals' GM Jim Bowden on a radio show in July. [6]
On March 12,2009,Cordero signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners with an invitation to spring training. He was to compete for the closer role once he fully recovered from surgery,but was unable to make a minor league appearance until July. [1] He was called up to the Mariners on June 3,2010,taking the spot of the retired Ken Griffey Jr. [1] On July 15,2010,he refused a minor league assignment from the Seattle Mariners and became a free agent.
On July 22,2010,Cordero agreed on a minor league deal with the New York Mets and was assigned to Triple A Buffalo. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.
On January 4,2011,Cordero signed a minor league contract with an invite to spring training with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was released on May 15. [7]
On June 3,2011,Cordero signed with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association of Professional Baseball. [8] with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball,but retired on June 20,2011. [9] In 7 games 6 innings of relief he struggled mightily going 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA with 5 strikeouts.
On February 13,2013,Cordero signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim due to his desire to play again. [10] He was assigned to the Inland Empire 66ers of the California League,the (high) Class-A affiliate of the Angels,to begin the season. [11] He elected free agency following the season on November 4.
Cordero has three children:Riley,Cooper,and Tehya. Tehya died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 2010. [12] He was married to Jamie Cordero but the couple is now separated. Chad has no relation to Francisco Cordero,another MLB closer sharing his last name and playing at the same time as him.
Shawn Richard Hill is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays. He was part of Team Canada at the 2004 Summer Olympics, which finished fourth.
Eisler Liván Hernández Carrera is a Cuban-born former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball. Over a 17-year career, he played for nine different teams and was named to two All-Star Games. He was named the MVP of the 1997 World Series with the Florida Marlins. He is the half-brother of pitcher Orlando "El Duque" Hernández.
John Karl Wetteland is an American former baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (1989–2000). He pitched for four teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers. A relief pitcher, Wetteland specialized as a closer, recording 330 saves during his career. With the Yankees, he won the 1996 World Series over the Atlanta Braves and won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award for saving four games in the series. After his playing career, he served as a coach for the Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners. In 2019, Wetteland was arrested and indicted on charges of sexually abusing a child under the age of 14. These charges were later dismissed.
Todd Michael Williams is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He attended East Syracuse-Minoa High School graduating in 1989. He then attended Onondaga Community College before signing a professional baseball contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers of the Major League Baseball (MLB) in 1991. Over the course of his professional career Williams played for 10 different organizations, including all or parts of eight seasons in the Major Leagues. He is a retired 18-year professional baseball player, with eight years of Major League Baseball experience. Williams was also a member of the USA Baseball team three separate years, with the highlight of winning a Gold Medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics held in Sydney, Australia.
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves.
José Ramón Nova Mesa is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1987 through 2007. He played for the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, and Detroit Tigers. He retired with 321 career saves.
Jon Erich Rauch is an American former professional baseball pitcher. At 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m), he is tied with Sean Hjelle as the tallest player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. He is also an Olympic Gold Medalist in baseball.
Thomas Derrick Turnbow is an American former professional baseball right-handed relief pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Anaheim Angels and Milwaukee Brewers.
Jesús Colomé de la Cruz is a former professional relief pitcher. He played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Edward Adrian Guardado is an American former Major League Baseball relief pitcher and current bullpen coach. Guardado played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Seattle Mariners (2004–2006), Cincinnati Reds (2006–2007), and the Texas Rangers. He was named as a bullpen coach for the Twins in 2014.
Joseph Jason Putz is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Justin Todd Coffey is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was born in Forest City, North Carolina.
Rafael Soriano is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, and Chicago Cubs.
The 2007 Washington Nationals season began with the team trying to win its first National League East title since moving to Washington. During the offseason, the team replaced manager Frank Robinson with former Montreal Expos coach Manny Acta. They lost several players through free agency and trades. The most notable of those are José Guillén, Ramón Ortiz, Alfonso Soriano, and José Vidro. The Nationals signed few major league free agents. Their most experienced free agent signing was Dmitri Young. Luis Ayala, Alex Escobar, Cristian Guzmán, Nick Johnson, Michael O'Connor and John Patterson were expected to return from season-ending injuries.
The 2005 Washington Nationals season was the first for the team formerly known as the Montreal Expos since moving to Washington, D.C., and 37th overall for the franchise. The team signed four key free agents during the off-season: Vinny Castilla, José Guillén, Cristian Guzmán and Esteban Loaiza. Although they recorded an 81–81 record, the Nationals nevertheless finished last for a second consecutive year although they were only nine games behind the National League East champion Atlanta Braves.
Ross Emery Detwiler is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the first round of the 2007 MLB draft and made his MLB debut late that season. He also played in MLB for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, and Cincinnati Reds.
The 2003 Montreal Expos season was the 35th Major League Baseball (MLB) season for the Montreal Expos, and the team's penultimate season in Canada. The team competed as members of the National League East. The Expos played most of their home games at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, while also playing 22 home games at Estadio Hiram Bithorn in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Byron Scott McLaughlin is an American former professional baseball player, alleged counterfeit shoes manufacturer and convicted money launderer. His baseball career spanned nine seasons, four of which were spent in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Seattle Mariners (1977–1980), and the California Angels (1983). McLaughlin, a right-handed pitcher used primarily in relief, compiled a major league record of 16–25 with a 5.11 earned run average, five complete games, 16 saves, and 74 strikeouts in 3781⁄3 innings pitched.
Drew Patrick Storen is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds.
The 2010 Seattle Mariners season was the 34th season in franchise history. The Mariners finished the season with 61 wins and 101 losses. As the Texas Rangers won their first pennant that season, the Mariners became one of only two teams to have never played in the World Series, along with the Washington Nationals.