Ramiro Mendoza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ramiro Mendoza |
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Mendoza in 1999
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: June 15, 1972 Los Santos, Panama |
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| debut | |||
| May 25, 1996, for the New York Yankees | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 1, 2005, for the New York Yankees | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 59–40 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.30 | ||
| Strikeouts | 463 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Ramiro Mendoza (born June 15, 1972) is a former professional baseball pitcher from Panama. He was known by the nickname "El Brujo", which means "The Witch Doctor." Ramiro played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for ten seasons.
He played for two famous teams: the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Ramiro was a right-handed player, meaning he batted and threw with his right hand. While he started some games, he was mostly known as a middle relief pitcher. This means he would come into games after the starting pitcher. He used different types of pitches, like a sinker, a slider, a four-seam fastball, and a changeup. During his career, Ramiro Mendoza was part of five teams that won the World Series, which is baseball's biggest championship!
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Ramiro Mendoza's Baseball Journey
Ramiro Mendoza had a successful nine-year career in Major League Baseball. He finished with a record of 59 wins and 40 losses. He also recorded 463 strikeouts and had an earned run average (ERA) of 4.30. An ERA shows how many earned runs a pitcher gives up per nine innings.
Playing for the New York Yankees
Ramiro Mendoza started his MLB career with the New York Yankees in 1996. In his first year, he had a record of 4 wins and 5 losses. He did not play in the postseason that year.
Early Years and First World Series Wins
In 1997, Ramiro improved, winning 8 games and losing 6. He pitched in 15 games as a starter and also helped out as a reliever. He also got to play in his first two postseason games.
The year 1998 was his best season for statistics. He won 10 games and only lost 2, which was a career best. His ERA was also very good at 3.25. In the postseason, he pitched without giving up any runs against the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees then swept the San Diego Padres in the 1998 World Series, and Ramiro earned his first World Series championship ring!
In 1999, Ramiro had a record of 9 wins and 9 losses. He mostly pitched from the bullpen as a reliever. He was not on the team for the first round of the playoffs. However, he rejoined the team for the Championship Series and even got a save. In the 1999 World Series, the Yankees swept the Braves, and Ramiro earned another World Series ring.
Later Years with the Yankees
Ramiro's performance got a bit better in 2000. He won 7 games and lost 4. He even pitched his last complete game that year. Despite this, he was not on the postseason roster.
In 2001, he had a record of 8 wins and 4 losses and returned to the postseason. He pitched well in the Division Series and Championship Series, allowing very few runs. In the 2001 World Series, the Yankees lost to the Diamondbacks in a close seven-game series.
In 2002, Ramiro played in 62 games, again with an 8-4 record. The Yankees were defeated by the Angels in the Division Series. After the 2002 season, his contract with the Yankees ended.
Time with the Boston Red Sox
In December 2002, Ramiro Mendoza signed a two-year contract with the Boston Red Sox. In 2004, he had a memorable game against his old team, the Yankees. He pitched two innings without giving up any hits, helping the Red Sox win a close game.
Ramiro won another World Series championship with the Red Sox in 2004. He played in the American League Championship Series that year.
Returning to the Yankees
After having shoulder surgery, Ramiro Mendoza returned to the New York Yankees in September 2005. His time with the Yankees in 2005 was very short, as he only pitched one inning. After the 2005 season, he signed a minor league contract with the Yankees.
Later Career and Retirement
Ramiro Mendoza also played for his home country, Panama, in the World Baseball Classic tournaments in 2006, 2009, and 2013.
In 2009, he signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. However, he left spring training after not passing a physical exam. After this, he retired from Major League Baseball. He played one more season for the Newark Bears in an independent league in 2009.
See also
In Spanish: Ramiro Mendoza (beisbolista) para niños
