Shawn Chacón facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shawn Chacón |
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Chacón with the New York Yankees in 2006
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: December 23, 1977 Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 29, 2001, for the Colorado Rockies | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| June 19, 2008, for the Houston Astros | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 45–61 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.99 | ||
| Strikeouts | 619 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Shawn Anthony Chacón (born December 23, 1977) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) until 2008, with his last team being the Houston Astros. During his time as a pitcher, he used different types of pitches, including a fast sinker, a big curveball, a slider, and a changeup.
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Early Life and Baseball Start
Shawn Chacón was born in Anchorage, Alaska. When he was four years old, he moved to a foster home in Greeley, Colorado, and was later adopted by Tony and Blanca Chacón. Shawn was a talented baseball player. He was chosen by the Colorado Rockies in the 1996 amateur draft. He decided to start his professional career right away, signing with the Rockies on June 18, 1996.
Shawn Chacón's MLB Journey
Playing for the Colorado Rockies
Shawn Chacón made his first appearance in Major League Baseball in 2001 with the Colorado Rockies. In his very first game as a starting pitcher, he helped his team win 14–7. By the end of that year, he had started 27 games.
In 2002, Shawn faced some challenges with his performance and also dealt with injuries. He pitched in 13 games before getting injured. After he returned, his performance wasn't as strong, and he was sent to a minor league team.
Shawn was chosen to represent the Rockies in the 2003 All-Star Game. This was a big honor! He had won 11 games before the All-Star break. However, he couldn't pitch in the game because of an elbow injury. He finished the 2003 season with 11 wins and a 4.60 ERA.
In 2004, Shawn took on a new role for the Rockies: the closer. A closer is a pitcher who finishes the game, usually in the last inning, to secure a win. Shawn had 35 saves that year, which was one of the highest in the league. However, he also had nine "blown saves," meaning he couldn't hold the lead in those games. His overall record was 1 win and 9 losses. In 2005, after playing 13 games, Shawn was traded to the New York Yankees. He finished his time with the Rockies with 24 wins and 45 losses.
Time with the New York Yankees
In July 2005, Shawn Chacón joined the New York Yankees. Many fans and reporters in New York were unsure about the trade at first. But Shawn was excited to be there and quickly showed his talent. In his first game as a Yankee, he pitched six innings without giving up any runs. He ended the season with the Yankees with 7 wins and 3 losses, and a good 2.85 ERA. He even played in his first postseason game, helping the Yankees win.
In 2006, sportswriters thought Shawn would be a very important pitcher for the Yankees. He started the season slowly but began to pitch better in April. However, after a tough game in May, he went on the injured list. When he returned, he struggled to pitch long enough in games, which put a lot of pressure on the team's relief pitchers. In July, he was moved from being a starting pitcher to pitching out of the bullpen.
Playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates
On July 31, 2006, Shawn Chacón was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He continued to be a starting pitcher for the Pirates, making nine starts.
In 2007, Shawn was mostly used as a relief pitcher for the Pirates, but he also started four games. He finished the season with 5 wins and 4 losses. After the season, he became a free agent, meaning he could sign with any team.
With the Houston Astros
On February 20, 2008, Shawn Chacón signed a one-year contract with the Houston Astros. In May 2008, he set a major league record by having 9 consecutive "no-decisions" to start a season. A no-decision means the pitcher doesn't get a win or a loss.
On June 25, 2008, the Astros announced that Shawn Chacón was suspended. This happened after a disagreement with the team's General Manager. The next day, his contract was ended by the Astros. Shawn did not play baseball again in 2008.
Later Career
In 2009, Shawn Chacón signed with the Newark Bears in the Atlantic League, which is an independent baseball league. He played seven games there. His good performance led him to sign a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics organization. He played for their AAA team, the Sacramento River Cats.
Images for kids
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Chacón with the New York Yankees in 2006
See also
In Spanish: Shawn Chacón para niños
