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Jason Schmidt

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Jason Schmidt
Jason Schmidt at spring training in Florida, 2008. Photo by Craig Y. Fujii
Los Angeles Dodgers – No. 29
Starting pitcher
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
debut
April 28, 1995, for the Atlanta Braves
Career statistics
(through August 3, 2009)
Win-Loss130-95
Earned run average3.95
Strikeouts1,756
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Jason David Schmidt (born January 29, 1973, in Lewiston, Idaho) is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. On December 6, 2006, he signed with the Dodgers, and received a three-year, $47 million contract. [1]

Before signing with the Dodgers, he played for the San Francisco Giants (2001-06), Pittsburgh Pirates (1996-2001), and Atlanta Braves (1995-96) by whom he had been drafted in the eighth round, 206th overall, of the 1991 draft.

Career

High School

Schmidt attended Kelso High School in the state of Washington, where he played football and basketball in addition to baseball. In 1991 as a senior he tossed a no-hitter, striking out 20 of 21 batters he faced. He was named Washington's Gatorade State Player of the Year and All-State MVP in baseball. He was offered a scholarship to the University of Arizona but chose to sign with the Atlanta Braves after they drafted him in the 8th round of the 1991 MLB Draft.

Early days in the Braves organization

Schmidt made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Braves in 1991, starting 11 games and finishing with a 3-4 record and 2.38 ERA. He worked his way through the Braves farm system from 1992-95, playing with the Pulaski Braves (1992-rookie league), Macon Braves (1992-Class A), Durham Bulls (1993-Class A), Greenville Braves (1994-Class AA) and Richmond Braves (1995-Class AAA).

He made his major league debut in relief on April 28, 1995 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Schmidt recorded his first ML victory in his first start, pitching eight scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs on September 3, 1995.

In 1996 he started in the season in the Braves rotation but also spent time in Richmond and on the disabled list before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates (with Ron Wright) for Denny Neagle on August 30, 1996.

Pittsburgh Pirates

As a member of the Pirates, Schmidt won 10, 11, and 13 games in 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively. However, he was on a losing team each season in Pittsburgh. He was the last player on the team to wear number 42, as all of Major League Baseball retired it for Jackie Robinson in 1997. Schmidt then switched to number 22 for the remainder of his stay with the team, and has worn number 29 after leaving the Pirates.

Schmidt pitching for the San Francisco Giants in 2006
Schmidt pitching for the San Francisco Giants in 2006

San Francisco Giants

Schmidt was then acquired by the Giants in 2001 with John Vander Wal in exchange for Armando Rios and Ryan Vogelsong. Schmidt saw more success in San Francisco. Between his stints in Pittsburgh and San Francisco during the 2001 season, Schmidt compiled 13 wins. Schmidt re-signed as a free agent with San Francisco that winter, in what would become a 5 year $41 million deal. He went on to win 13 again in 2002 when the Giants made a World Series appearance, but lost to the Anaheim Angels. Jason started Games 1 and 5 of the 2002 World Series. In 2003, he won 17 games. Schmidt threw a 2-0 shutout in Game 1 of the 2003 NLDS, beating Josh Beckett, but his team lost once again in the playoffs, this time to the Florida Marlins. Jason was an All-Star this year as well as the league leader with a 2.34 earned run average. He placed second to Eric Gagné in the 2003 National League Cy Young voting.

On May 18, 2004, Jason Schmidt pitched a one-hitter against the Chicago Cubs and Matt Clement [2]. The Giants won the game, 1-0. This performance was overshadowed by Randy Johnson's perfect game the same day. Schmidt also pitched a one-hitter against the Boston Red Sox. Schmidt would go on to win 18 games in 2004 and be voted the TSN Pitcher of the Year in the National League, and 4th in Cy Young voting. He also set a San Francisco single-season record of 251 strikeouts, which was broken when Tim Lincecum struck out 265 in 2008.

Plaque commemorating Schmidt's 16 strike out game located on the public walkway behind right field.
Plaque commemorating Schmidt's 16 strike out game located on the public walkway behind right field.

On June 6, 2006, Schmidt struck out 16 batters against the Florida Marlins, which ties the all-time Giants Franchise record for most strikeouts in a single game, originally set by Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson of the New York Giants on October 3, 1904, against the St. Louis Cardinals. On top of that, he now holds the record for most strikeouts by a San Francisco Giant, previously held by Gaylord Perry, who threw 15 strikeouts on July 22, 1966 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Schmidt pitched a complete game in the process. In a memorable ninth inning, when a wild pitch moved base runners onto second and third with no outs, and the Giants with a 2-1 lead, Schmidt proceeded to strike out the heart of the Marlins' lineup in order; cleanup hitter Miguel Cabrera, Josh Willingham, and then Jeremy Hermida.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Schmidt signed a three-year $47 million deal[1] with the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2007 season. After only three starts he missed 45 days with a right shoulder injury before being reactivated from the DL on June 5. He started three games after his return from the DL, the last two created more concern. On June 18 he was returned to the DL and underwent exploratory surgery to find the cause of his ineffectiveness. The damage to his shoulder was more severe than expected and he missed the rest of the 2007 season due to injury. The Dodgers hoped to have Schmidt back before the end of the 2008 season, but manager Joe Torre later said that Schmidt would not be back, making only a few rehab starts in the minors during the year.

Heading into 2009, Schmidt was expected to compete for a spot in the Dodger's rotation but pitched poorly in spring training and began the season once more on the disabled list. After several rehab starts in the minors, Schmidt was activated on July 20, 2009 to start against the Cincinnati Reds, his first appearance in a Major League game since 2007. He went five innings, allowed three runs and picked up the win. [3] He made another start on July 26th against the Florida Marlins, but pitched poorly allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in 3 innings and was credited with the loss. [4] He started against the Atlanta Braves on July 31 and pitched 6 shutout innings, getting the win as the Dodgers won 5-0.

Personal life

Schmidt considers his place of childhood, Kelso Washington, home. A 1991 graduate of Kelso High School where he lettered in Football, Basketball and Baseball. At Kelso, he once threw a seven-inning, 20-strikeout no-hitter against Hoquiam High School. He and his wife Bethany have three children: Makynlee (born January 14, 2001), Mason (born January 29, 2004), and Madden (born April 22, 2007).

Like many baseball players, Schmidt has several superstitions. He never steps on the foul line when walking to or from the pitching mound. He always has a family breakfast of French Toast on game day. And never talks to media the day before he starts. [citation needed]

He is a born-again Christian. Of note, his uncle, the late G. Raymond Carlson, was General superintendent of the Assemblies of God (1986-93). Schmidt has been active with City Ministries International, bringing inner city kids to games and giving a post game testimony. [citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b ESPN.com news services (2006-12-08). "Dodgers ink Schmidt to three-year, $47M contract". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
  2. ^ Box Score of Schmidt's One-Hitter http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=240518116
  3. ^ Two years in making, Schmidt wins for LA
  4. ^ Marlins knock around Schmidt in finale
Preceded by National League ERA Champion
2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by National League All-Star Game Starting Pitcher
2003 		Succeeded by

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