Graeme Lloyd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Graeme Lloyd |
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Lloyd with the Perth Heat in 2009
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| Pitcher | ||||||||||||||
| Born: 9 April 1967 Geelong, Victoria, Australia |
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| debut | ||||||||||||||
| 11 April, 1993, for the Milwaukee Brewers | ||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | ||||||||||||||
| 27 September, 2003, for the Kansas City Royals | ||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics | ||||||||||||||
| Win–loss record | 30–36 | |||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 4.04 | |||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 304 | |||||||||||||
| Teams | ||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2005 | |||||||||||||
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Medals
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Graeme John Lloyd (born April 9, 1967) is a former professional baseball pitcher from Australia. He played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). These teams included the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, and Kansas City Royals. He was known for his strong left-handed pitching.
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Playing Career: Pitching in Major League Baseball
Graeme Lloyd played for ten years in Major League Baseball. He was the third Australian to pitch in the MLB. Lloyd was always a relief pitcher. This means he came into the game after the starting pitcher. He finished his career with 30 wins and 36 losses. He also had 17 saves and 97 holds.
Graeme Lloyd's Pitching Style
At his best, Lloyd threw a fast pitch called a sinking fastball. This pitch could reach speeds of 90 miles per hour. He also used a slider, which is a pitch that curves. Later in his career, he added a palmball. This pitch is thrown by gripping the ball with the palm of the hand.
For much of his career, he was a left-handed specialist. This type of pitcher is used for a short time. Their job is to get out tough left-handed batters on the other team. They often come into the game late to face just one or two batters.
Winning the World Series with the Yankees
In August 1996, Lloyd was traded to the New York Yankees. This was a big move for his career. He became the first Australian-born baseball player to win a World Series in 1996.
In Game 4 of that World Series, Lloyd played a key role. He came into the game in the ninth inning. He helped the Yankees get out of a tough situation. After the Yankees took the lead, Lloyd returned to the mound. He struck out a batter before another pitcher finished the game.
Lloyd won his second World Series with the Yankees in 1998. They defeated the San Diego Padres. Graeme Lloyd is still the only Australian-born baseball player to have won two World Series.
In 1999, Lloyd was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. This trade was part of a bigger deal for star pitcher Roger Clemens.
Overcoming Challenges: The Tony Conigliaro Award
Graeme Lloyd missed the entire 2000 baseball season. He was recovering from surgery. In 2001, he received the Tony Conigliaro Award. This award honors an MLB player who shows great spirit and courage. It is given to someone who overcomes a big obstacle. Lloyd received it for his determination during his recovery.
International Career: Representing Australia
Graeme Lloyd also played for his home country, Australia. He represented Australia at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. This was a proud moment for him and his country.
Personal Life and Contributions
Graeme Lloyd has been involved in charity work. In 2000 and 2001, he was a spokesman for the Graeme Lloyd and Jon Mechanic Field of Dreams. This charity was named in honor of his late wife, Cindy. The charity aimed to help others.
Today, Graeme Lloyd continues to be involved in baseball. He is the pitching coach for the Melbourne Aces. This team plays in the Australian Baseball League.
See also
In Spanish: Graeme Lloyd para niños
- List of players from Australia in Major League Baseball
