Kevin Millwood

Kevin Millwood
Seattle Mariners – No. 25
Pitcher
Born: December 24, 1974 (1974-12-24) Gastonia, North Carolina
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 14, 1997 for the Atlanta Braves
Career statistics (through 2011 Season)
Win-loss record	163–140
Earned run average	4.10
Strikeouts	1,976
Teams
Atlanta Braves (1997–2002) Philadelphia Phillies (2003–2004) Cleveland Indians (2005) Texas Rangers (2006–2009) Baltimore Orioles (2010) Colorado Rockies (2011)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star selection (1999) Pitched a no-hitter on April 27, 2003

Kevin Austin Millwood (born December 24, 1974, in Gastonia, North Carolina) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners organization. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies. He is currently signed to a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Personal life

Millwood graduated from Bessemer City High School in North Carolina. He has a ballpark named for him in Bessemer City, where little league baseball games are held. He was known at school as "El Diablo".

Baseball career

Atlanta Braves

Millwood was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 11th round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft. After a couple of years in the minors, Millwood made his debut with the Atlanta Braves on July 14, 1997. A year later, he won 17 games. Millwood formed a part of the Braves' star pitching rotation, which also consisted of Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine, which at that time was regarded by many as the best in the National League.

The 1999 campaign was one of Millwood's best. He posted career-highs in wins (18, also achieved in 2002), ERA (2.68), strikeouts (205) and WHIP (0.996). He finished third in the National League Cy Young voting (losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks' Randy Johnson) and 26th on the National League MVP ballot. He was selected an All-Star in 1999, his only appearance in the Midsummer Classic.

Philadelphia Phillies

Before the 2003 season, Millwood was traded by the Braves to the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Johnny Estrada, probably in order to cut their payroll in the midst of economic difficulties. He went 14-12 with his new team, including throwing a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants on April 27 coming in the Phillies final season at the stadium. This was one of only two no-no's ever thrown at the now-demolished Veterans Stadium. The other was thrown by Terry Mulholland. He also led the majors in stolen bases allowed, with 41.

Cleveland Indians

In 2005, Millwood signed a one-year contract as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians. He came back from injury well, leading the American League in ERA (2.86). However, he managed a record of only 9-11, due to poor run support. During 2005, he again led the majors in stolen bases allowed, with 33. He was tied for 6th in the balloting for the Cy Young Award.

Texas Rangers

On December 26, 2005, the Texas Rangers signed Millwood to a five-year, $60 million deal.

In 2006, he and Vicente Padilla won 15 games; a total not matched by a Rangers pitcher until Scott Feldman in 2009.

In 2008, when batters did hit the ball against him, it was with uncommon success, as his .358 batting-average-against on balls in play was the highest in the major leagues. 26% of all balls put in play against him were line drives, the highest percentage in the majors.

Through the end of the 2008 season, Millwood had compiled a career 143-111 record with 1,707 strikeouts and a 4.02 ERA in 2,115.2 innings. He had a 3-3 career playoff record, with an ERA of 3.92.

Baltimore Orioles

Millwood was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on December 9, 2009, for Chris Ray and a player to be named later (later became left-handed pitcher Ben Snyder, a Rule 5 pick from San Francisco).

During the 2010 season, Millwood went 4-16 with a 5.10 earned run average, leading the league in losses.

New York Yankees

On March 25, 2011, Millwood was signed to a minor league contract by the New York Yankees. After making three starts in the minor leagues, he opted out of his contract on May 1.

Boston Red Sox

Millwood signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on May 19, 2011. He was released on August 7, exercising an opt-out clause.

Colorado Rockies

On August 8, 2011, Millwood signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies. Millwood was called up August 10 to fill a void after an injury to Juan Nicasio.

Seattle Mariners

On January 22, 2012, it was reported that the Seattle Mariners had signed Millwood to a minor league contract.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball ERA champions
• List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
• List of Texas Rangers Opening Day starting pitchers

External links

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

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Robert Person	Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day Starting Pitcher 2003-2004	Succeeded by Jon Lieber
Preceded by Derek Lowe	No-hitter pitcher April 27, 2003	Succeeded by Roy Oswalt, Pete Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Octavio Dotel, & Billy Wagner
Preceded by Johan Santana	American League ERA Champion 2005	Succeeded by Johan Santana
Preceded by Kerry Wood	Fewest hits per nine innings (NL) 1999	Succeeded by Chan Ho Park