Javier Vázquez
From BR Bullpen
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
[edit] Biographical Information
Pitcher Javier Vázquez was selected by the Montreal Expos in the fifth round of the 1994 amateur draft and made his pro debut that year with the GCL Expos, going 5-2 with a 2.53 ERA. He quickly progressed through the Expos system, reaching the majors in 1998. He was a mainstay in the Montreal organization for the next six seasons, averaging more than 10 wins a year. He has moved continually from team to team since that time.
After the 2003 season, Vazquez was traded to the New York Yankees and after one year there, he was sent to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of the deal that brought Randy Johnson to New York. After a season in Arizona, he was sent to the Chicago White Sox, with whom he had what was his finest season up to that point in 2007 when he went 15-8 with a 3.74 ERA and 213 strikeouts. He bettered that in 2009, when he finished third in the Cy Young Award vote while pitching for the Atlanta Braves.
On September 23, 2010 he tied a major league record with 3 hit batsmen in an inning while pitching in his second stint for the Yankees. On June 21, 2011, now with the Florida Marlins, he became the third pitcher since 1900 to pitch shutout ball in 6 or fewer innings while allowing 10 or more hits - the others were Bill Lee in 1974 and Chuck Rainey in 1983. On August 30th, he struck out the 2500th batter of his career in a 6-0 win over the New York Mets. The active major league leader in strikeouts, Vazquez was only the 30th pitcher in major league to reach that total. He had started the season poorly, but finished with a flourish, earning National League Pitcher of the Month honors in September when he went 5-0, 0.71. He reached 10 wins for the 12th consecutive season, and had a 29-inning scoreless streak during the month. He finished 13-11, 3.69, but was 10-4, 2.15 after the All-Star break. Still, he spoke of retirement after the season, citing all the years spent toiling on the mound away from his family as a factor that could make him decide to call it quits.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL All-Star (2004)
- NL Shutouts Leader (2001)
- 15 Wins Seasons: 3 (2001, 2007 & 2009)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 9 (2000-2003 & 2005-2009)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 5 (2001, 2003 & 2007-2009)
