Right now you're probably thinking 'another effing baseball article?' Well I apologize, MLZ and I are actually excited for baseball season this year. Johan Santana is being shut down again for most likely the 2013 season and probably forever. Remember this week visits the ups and downs of a polarizing career.

Johan Santana was originally a member of the Houston Astros, but was left unprotected after the 1999 season and was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the Rule 5 Draft (sorry to pour salt in the wounds Astros fans). After teetering between the bullpen and starting rotation, Santana's career took off in 2004.

 

The 2004 season for Santana is regarded as one of the best seasons for a starting pitcher in baseball history. Santana was the first pitcher since 1961 to give up 4 or fewer hits in 10 straight starts. After the All-Star break, Santana put up these numbers: 13-0 record, 11.13 K/9, 1.21 ERA, 4.74 H/9. He also set the Twins season record for strikeouts with 265.

 

En route to his first Cy Young award, Santana posted a 20-6 record, leading the American League in strikeouts (265), ERA (2.61), K/9 (10.46), WHIP (0.92), Opponents Batting Average (.192), OBP (.249), SLG (.315), OPS (.564), and only allowed 54 walks in 228 innings pitched.

 

After a solid 2005 season, Santana returned to Cy Young form in 2006. He became the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden in 1985 to win the Major League Pitching Triple Crown. He had a 2.77 ERA 245 Strikeouts and 19 wins. Santana was unanimously voted the Cy Young award.

 

After a sub-par 2007 season, despite a Gold Glove award, Santana was traded to the New York Mets and signed a 6 year $137.5 million contract. Santana finished 3^rd in NL Cy Young voting.

 

Santana then had season ending surgery in 2009, 2010 (which caused him to miss all of 2011), and in 2012. In 2012 he did play for a brief period, including pitching the first No-Hitter in Mets history on June 1 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

 

Santana is a 2 time Cy Young winner, 4 time All Star, and Gold Glove winner. Although he may never pitch another game, he is a Hall of Famer in my eyes, and arguably the best pitcher during the 2000-2010 decade and should be remembered by everyone. We may never see another Changeup this good.

 

ap3

Sunday, March 31, 2013