Edwin Jackson (baseball) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Edwin Jackson

Jackson with the Washington Nationals in 2012

Pitcher

Born: September 9, 1983 (age 41)
Neu-Ulm, Bavaria, West Germany

Batted: Right

Threw: Right

debut

September 9, 2003, for the Los Angeles Dodgers

Last appearance

September 28, 2019, for the Detroit Tigers

MLB statistics

Win–loss record

107–133

Earned run average

4.78

Strikeouts

1,508

Teams

Career highlights and awards

All-Star (2009)
World Series champion (2011)
Pitched a no-hitter on June 25, 2010

Medals

Men's baseball

Representing United States
Olympic Games
Silver	2020 Tokyo	Team

Edwin Jackson Jr. (born September 9, 1983) is a former professional baseball pitcher from Germany and America. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2003 to 2019. During his career, he played for 14 different teams, which is more than any other player in MLB history!

Jackson achieved some amazing things in baseball. He was chosen as an All-Star in 2009. He also threw a very rare no-hitter game on June 25, 2010. Plus, he was part of the St. Louis Cardinals team that won the 2011 World Series, which is a huge championship in baseball.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Edwin Jackson was born in Neu-Ulm, Germany, because his dad was serving in the United States Army there. He spent some of his early childhood in Germany before moving to Louisiana and then to Columbus, Georgia. He is one of 27 MLB players born in Germany.

Edwin went to Shaw High School in Columbus, Georgia. He played outfield for the school's baseball team. In his senior year, he helped his team win the 2001 GHSA AAAA State Championship title.

Playing in the Major Leagues

Los Angeles Dodgers (2003–2005)

The Los Angeles Dodgers picked Edwin Jackson in the sixth round of the 2001 MLB draft. Even though he played outfield in high school, the Dodgers helped him become a pitcher. He made his first big league appearance on his 20th birthday, September 9, 2003. In that game, he pitched very well and even beat famous pitcher Randy Johnson to get his first MLB win!

Tampa Bay Rays (2006–2008)

In 2006, Jackson was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. He mostly pitched in relief at first. In 2007, he became a full-time starting pitcher for the Rays. He improved a lot during the season. In 2008, he tied with another pitcher, James Shields, for the most wins by a Rays pitcher with 14 victories.

Jackson pitching for the Tigers in 2009

Detroit Tigers (2009)

Edwin Jackson joined the Detroit Tigers in 2009. He had a great start with the team. He was even chosen to play in the 2009 All-Star Game for the American League team! He pitched a perfect inning in that game.

Arizona Diamondbacks (2010)

In 2010, Jackson was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hit his first ever home run in a Major League game on April 11, 2010.

A huge moment in his career happened on June 25, 2010. Edwin Jackson pitched a no-hitter against his old team, the Tampa Bay Rays! This means he pitched an entire game without allowing any of the opposing batters to get a hit. It was a very rare and exciting achievement. He was the first German-born pitcher to throw a no-hitter.

Chicago White Sox (2010–2011)

Later in 2010, Jackson was traded to the Chicago White Sox. He was the first pitcher in a long time to be traded in the same season that he threw a no-hitter!

St. Louis Cardinals (2011)

Jackson during the 2011 World Series victory parade

In 2011, Edwin Jackson was traded again, this time to the St. Louis Cardinals. He joined the team and helped them win the 2011 World Series championship! This was a major highlight of his career. After the season, he became a free agent.

Washington Nationals (2012)

Jackson signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals in 2012. He had a solid season with them, winning 10 games.

Chicago Cubs (2013–2015)

In 2013, Jackson signed a four-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. He pitched for the Cubs for a few seasons. In 2015, the Cubs decided to release him, meaning he was free to sign with another team.

Atlanta Braves (2015)

After leaving the Cubs, Jackson signed with the Atlanta Braves for the rest of the 2015 season. He even recorded his first career save in his final game with the team.

Miami Marlins (2016)

In 2016, Jackson signed a contract with the Miami Marlins. He played for them for a short time before being released.

San Diego Padres (2016)

Later in 2016, Jackson joined the San Diego Padres. He made his first start for them in July.

Baltimore Orioles (2017)

In 2017, Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was called up to play for them briefly.

Jackson with the Orioles in 2017

Return to Washington (2017–2018)

Jackson returned to the Washington Nationals in 2017, signing another minor-league contract. He pitched well in the minor leagues and was called back up to the Nationals. He earned a win in his first start back.

Oakland Athletics (2018)

In 2018, Jackson signed with the Oakland Athletics. When he played for them, he tied the Major League record for playing on 13 different teams! He also earned his 100th career victory with the Athletics.

Toronto Blue Jays (2019)

In 2019, Jackson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. This made him the first player ever to play for 14 different teams in MLB history! He played a few games for them before being released.

Return to Detroit Tigers (2019)

Later in 2019, Jackson signed a minor-league contract to return to the Detroit Tigers. He was called up to the major league team again. After the 2019 season, he became a free agent.

Return to Arizona Diamondbacks (2020)

In 2020, Jackson signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks again. However, the minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so he didn't play any games that year.

High Point Rockers (2021)

In 2021, Jackson played for the High Point Rockers in a special league. He did this to get ready for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

On September 10, 2022, Edwin Jackson announced that he was retiring from baseball.

International Career

Jackson with the United States national baseball team in 2021

In 2021, Edwin Jackson was chosen to be on the United States national baseball team. This team played in the qualifying games for baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics (which were held in 2021). After the team qualified, he was named to the Olympic roster. The U.S. team won the silver medal at the Olympics, losing to Japan in the final game.

Pitching Style

Edwin Jackson was known for using mainly two strong pitches: a fast pitch called a four-seam fastball that went about 95 miles per hour, and a powerful slurve (a type of slider) that was in the upper 80s. He also sometimes used a changeup and a curveball.

Edwin Jackson (baseball) facts for kids

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