Justin Germano
| Justin Germano | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Boston Red Sox | |
| Born: August 6, 1982 | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| May 22, 2004 for the San Diego Padres | |
| Career statistics (through May 6, 2011) |
|
| Win-loss record | 8–20 |
| Earned run average | 4.98 |
| Strikeouts | 153 |
| Teams | |
Justin William Germano (born August 6, 1982) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox organization.
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[edit] Early life
Germano is from Claremont, California, where he broke Mark McGwire's Claremont Little League record for most home runs in a season. He graduated from Claremont High School in 2000.[citation needed]
[edit] Professional career
[edit] San Diego Padres
He was drafted in 2000 by the San Diego Padres. Germano made his major league debut with the San Diego Padres on May 22, 2004, getting the win as the starting pitcher against the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched five innings, allowing five hits, four runs (three of them on a three-run home run by Chase Utley in the third inning), four walks, and five strikeouts. As a hitter, he would have two at-bats and went hitless.
[edit] Cincinnati Reds and return to San Diego
He was traded along with Travis Chick from the Padres to the Cincinnati Reds on July 23, 2005 for Joe Randa. On July 31, 2006, Germano was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Rheal Cormier. On March 19, 2007, Germano was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres. He made 23 starts for the Padres in 2007 where he went 7-10 with a 4.46 ERA.
Germano is the first ever MLB pitcher to throw a major league pitch in China, starting for an exhibition game as the Padres starter against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The ball from that first pitch now resides in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY.
[edit] Japan
Just after the 2008 season ended, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks signed Germano as a free agent. Despite pitching well in spring training and not giving up a single run, Germano did not win a spot on SoftBank's Opening Day roster, as the Hawks were at the limit of foreign players on the roster (Chris Aguila, Kameron Loe, D.J. Houlton, and Brian Falkenborg). However, with Aguila and Loe failing to play well, Germano's chance came during Interleague play. Germano's first start came against the Hiroshima Carp, Germano was credited with the complete-game victory, giving up only two hits.
He continued to pitch well throughout the season. Germano finished the season with a 5-4 record and a 4.38 ERA. In September it was revealed that Germano had been pitching with an inflamed Achilles' tendon, and was knocked out for the rest of the season and the playoffs.
The Hawks stated that they intended to bring Germano back after the offseason started, However, he turned it down, stating he wanted to return to pitch in the States.
[edit] Cleveland Indians
On March 17, 2010, Germano signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.[1] On July 30, 2010 Germano was called up by the Cleveland Indians to join the bullpen for the Friday night game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Germano was designated for assignment by the Indians on May 19, 2011 to make room on the active roster for Luis Valbuena.
On July 26, 2011, Germano threw a perfect game while on assignment with the Indians' Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. He threw 60 strikes in 95 pitches to help lead the Clippers to a 3-0 victory over the Syracuse Chiefs. This was the first perfect game in Clippers history, and only the fifth to be thrown in the history of the International League.[2]
[edit] Korea
Germano was sold to the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization on August 5, 2011.[3]
[edit] Boston Red Sox
On January 10, 2012, Germano signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox. He also received an invitation to spring training.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/03/cleveland_indians_sign_rhp_jus.html Cleveland Indians sign RHP Justin Germano to minor league deal
- ^ http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2011/07/27/germano-throws-a-perfect-game.html?sid=101
- ^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben. "Justin Germano Signs With Samsung Lions". MLBTradeRumors.com. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/08/justin-germano-signs-with-samsung-lions.html. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Justin Germano |
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
- 1982 births
- Living people
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- People from Pasadena, California
- Baseball players from California
- Eugene Emeralds players
- Fort Wayne Wizards players
- Lake Elsinore Storm players
- Mobile BayBears players
- Portland Beavers players
- Louisville Bats players
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons players
- San Diego Padres players
- Cincinnati Reds players
- Cleveland Indians players
- American expatriate baseball players in Japan
- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks players
- Expatriate baseball players in South Korea
- Samsung Lions players
