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Stephen Randolph
Stephen Randolph (35688752701) (cropped).jpg
Randolph at the 2017 Arizona Diamondbacks Alumni Game
Pitcher
Born: (1974-05-01) May 1, 1974 (age 51)
Okinawa, Japan
Batted: Left Threw: Left
Professional debut
MLB: March 31, 2003, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
NPB: July 25, 2009, for the Yokohama BayStars
Last appearance
MLB: September 28, 2007, for the Houston Astros
NPB: August 4, 2010, for the Yokohama BayStars
MLB statistics
Win–loss record 10–7
Earned run average 5.52
Strikeouts 134
NPB statistics
Win–loss record 7–11
Earned run average 3.39
Strikeouts 142
Teams

Stephen LeCharles Randolph (born May 1, 1974) is an American left-handed pitcher. He played baseball professionally in both Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan. He was known for his strong left arm on the pitcher's mound.

Stephen Randolph's Baseball Journey

Starting Out in Baseball

Stephen Randolph began his professional baseball career when the New York Yankees picked him in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft. This draft is where professional teams choose talented young players. He had been playing baseball at the University of Texas, Austin. For three years, he played in the Yankees' minor league system, which is like a training ground for future big-league players.

In late 1997, another team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, chose him in a special draft for minor league players. He then joined the Diamondbacks' minor league system. He stayed there until 2003, mostly playing for the Tucson Sidewinders.

Making it to the Major Leagues

Stephen Randolph made his big debut in Major League Baseball on March 31, 2003. He played for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched for a short time in that game as a reliever.

He became an important part of the Diamondbacks' bullpen (the group of relief pitchers) in both 2003 and 2004. He played in 50 games in 2003 and 45 games in 2004, helping his team from the pitcher's mound.

Moving to New Teams

In January 2005, the Arizona Diamondbacks traded Stephen to the Chicago Cubs. However, the Cubs released him (let him go) at the end of spring training. He then spent 2005 playing for minor league teams connected to the San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals. In 2006, he played for the Charlotte Knights, a team in the Chicago White Sox organization.

On January 4, 2007, Stephen Randolph signed a minor league deal with the Houston Astros. He was called up to the Astros' main team on April 25 from their Triple-A team, the Round Rock Express. This happened when another pitcher, Rick White, was injured.

Stephen only played in two games for the Astros before they made a roster change on April 27. He was sent back to the minor leagues. He was called up again on June 19 when Brad Lidge got injured. But on June 28, he was again sent back to the minor leagues.

On May 8, 2008, the Astros traded Stephen to the Philadelphia Phillies. He was sent to the Phillies' Triple-A team, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. At the end of that season, he became a free agent, meaning he could sign with any team.

In January 2009, he signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was assigned to their AAA team, the Albuquerque Isotopes. On July 3, the Dodgers traded him to the Kansas City Royals.

Playing Baseball in Japan

Later in 2009, on July 25, Stephen Randolph was sold to the Yokohama BayStars, a professional baseball team in Japan. He played for them until August 4, 2010, before his professional baseball career came to an end.

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