Danys Báez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Danys Báez |
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Báez with the Baltimore Orioles
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| Pitcher | ||||||||||||||
| Born: September 10, 1977 Pinar del Río, Cuba |
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| debut | ||||||||||||||
| May 13, 2001, for the Cleveland Indians | ||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | ||||||||||||||
| July 16, 2011, for the Philadelphia Phillies | ||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics | ||||||||||||||
| Win–loss record | 40–57 | |||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 4.25 | |||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 505 | |||||||||||||
| Saves | 114 | |||||||||||||
| Teams | ||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||
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Danys Báez González, born on September 10, 1977, is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. These include the Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies.
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Danys Báez: A Baseball Journey
Starting with the Cleveland Indians
Danys Báez began his professional baseball journey when he signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1999. In his second year, he played for both the Indians and their Triple-A team, the Buffalo Bisons. He made a great start in his first game, pitching a scoreless inning against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. For the rest of that year, he had a record of 5 wins and 3 losses, with a good ERA of 2.91.
In 2002, Báez became a starter for the Indians. He won his first start on April 5 against the Detroit Tigers. That season, he started 26 games, finishing with 9 wins and 10 losses, and an ERA of 4.44. In August, he took on the role of closer for the team.
Báez continued to pitch for the Indians in 2003 as a relief pitcher. He worked as both a setup man and a closer. He recorded 25 saves that season.
Playing for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
In 2004, Báez joined the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as a free agent. He became their main closer. He successfully saved 30 out of 33 games, which was his best performance in saves. This ranked him seventh among all closers in Major League Baseball.
On January 14, 2006, Báez was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He moved with Lance Carter, while the Dodgers sent Edwin Jackson and Chuck Tiffany to Tampa Bay. The Dodgers planned for Báez to be their closer until their injured star, Éric Gagné, returned. However, Báez was removed from the closer role in May after struggling in four save chances.
Time with the Atlanta Braves
Báez was traded again on July 28, 2006, this time to the Atlanta Braves. He joined the Braves along with infielder Willy Aybar. In return, the Dodgers received shortstop/third baseman Wilson Betemit. In Atlanta, Báez became the set-up pitcher for the Braves' new closer, Bob Wickman.
Joining the Baltimore Orioles
On November 26, 2006, Báez signed a three-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He started as the set-up pitcher for the Orioles' closer, Chris Ray. However, Ray got a serious injury in late July, so Báez stepped in as the team's closer.
On March 29, 2008, Báez had to go on the disabled list because he needed Tommy John surgery on his elbow. This meant he missed the entire 2008 baseball season.
Báez made a good return from his elbow surgery the next year. On May 22, 2009, he even got his first hit in a Major League game off Kip Wells of the Nationals.
Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies
On December 31, 2009, Danys Báez agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. The team officially announced this on January 5, 2010. In 2010, Báez played in 51 games for the Phillies. He had an ERA of 5.48.
In 2011, Báez appeared in 29 games for Philadelphia. His ERA was 6.25 before the Phillies decided to release him on July 22. He was officially released on August 1.
Retirement from Baseball
Danys Báez announced that he was retiring from professional baseball on February 27, 2012.
Personal Life and Background
Danys Báez left the Cuban national team during the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His parents later joined him in the United States five years after he left Cuba.
See also
In Spanish: Danys Báez para niños
- List of baseball players who defected from Cuba
