Érik Bédard

Érik Joseph Bédard (pronounced [eʁik beˈdɑʁ] baydar; born March 5, 1979) is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays. With Baltimore, Bédard was the staff ace, setting the franchise single-season strikeouts per nine innings record at 10.93 in 2007.[1]

This article is about the Major League Baseball player. For the short track speed skater, see Éric Bédard.
Érik Bédard
Bedard with the Houston Astros
Pitcher
Born: (1979-03-05) March 5, 1979
Navan, Ontario, Canada
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 17, 2002, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
July 12, 2014, for the Tampa Bay Rays
MLB statistics
Win–loss record71–82
Earned run average3.99
Strikeouts1,246
Teams

Early years

Bédard was born on March 5, 1979 in Navan, Ontario, a suburb of Ottawa. A Franco-Ontarian, Bédard began his baseball career in the Orleans Little League and the Ontario Baseball Association. He was a pitcher on the 1992 Orleans Junior Red Sox team which beat Glace Bay in the 1992 Canadian Championship.[2] Bédard did not play high school baseball, which is common in Canada due to the short season.

Although 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) and 120 pounds (54 kg) as a senior, he grew seven inches and gained 30 pounds (14 kg) during the summer between graduating from high school and beginning college. He accompanied a friend to a tryout at Norwalk Community College in Norwalk, Connecticut, and made the baseball team as a walk-on.[3]

While in college, he added 10 miles per hour to his fastball, gained another 30 pounds (14 kg), took the "lowest level" non-credit English language course to enhance his knowledge of the language, and became a junior college All-American.[4]

Professional career

Baltimore Orioles

As a left-handed starter, Bédard was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth round of the 1999 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Orioles, where he allowed only one earned run in 20.1 innings for an 0.44 ERA, 4th best among all minor league pitchers that year.[6] He spent the 2000 season with the Delmarva Shorebirds of the South Atlantic League, where he was 9–4 with a 3.57 ERA in 29 games (22 starts).[7] In 2001 with the Frederick Keys of the Carolina League, he led all Orioles farmhands with a 2.15 ERA[6] and compiled a 9–2 record in 17 starts.[7]

Bédard made his MLB debut on April 17, 2002, for the Orioles against the New York Yankees. He entered the game in the bottom of the eighth and allowed a single to the first batter he faced (Jason Giambi) before retiring Jorge Posada on a pop fly and striking out Robin Ventura swinging before he was replaced by another reliever.[8] He also appeared in a game on April 21 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and allowed an RBI single to the only batter he faced (Ben Grieve).[9] He was optioned to the Double-A Bowie Baysox two days later[6] and pitched in 13 games for them, including 12 starts, with a 6–3 record and a 1.97 ERA.[7] He was named the Eastern League's best pitching prospect by Baseball America.[6] However, Bédard left his start on June 26 with pain in his left elbow and would undergo "Tommy John" ligament replacement surgery on September 10.[6]

Bédard spent most of the 2003 season on the disabled list rehabbing his elbow[6] and returned to make only six short starts in the minors late in the season.[7] He received an invitation to big-league spring training the next year and made the most of his opportunity, beating out other pitchers for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.[6] In 2004, he posted a 4.59 ERA in 137⅓ innings of work. His strikeout numbers were 7.93 K/9, and he had 71 walks allowed.[5] Bédard was criticized for having a high pitch count (19.5 pitches/inning), forcing him to frequently make early exits from ballgames, and he was criticized for lacking a third type of pitch.

Bédard pitching for the Baltimore Orioles in 2006

Under the tutelage of pitching coach Ray Miller, who rejoined the Orioles in the middle of the 2004 season, Bédard refined his control of the changeup (his third pitch) to go along with his 91–93 mph fastball and slurve. In the beginning of 2005, he posted a 2.08 ERA, but after a sprained knee sidelined him for two months, he posted a 5.44 ERA.[5] He had one of his best statistical years in 2006, going 15–11 in 33 starts and posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. He also pitched a total of 196.1 innings, his highest in any season.[5]

Bédard was named the Orioles' 2007 Opening Day starting pitcher. On May 20, he recorded his first major league hit, a single up the middle in the 5th against the Washington Nationals. In his next at-bat, he looped an RBI single over shortstop, going 2–2 with a sacrifice in the game. On July 7, Bédard struck out 15 Texas Rangers, matching the Orioles franchise record set by Mike Mussina. In the same game, he faced the minimum number of batters (27), as the only two batters who reached base were later out on double plays. His 15 strikeouts also set the record for the most in a game by a Canadian. His performance throughout the month earned him the American League Pitcher of the month award for July 2007.[6]

Although he played for a losing team, Bédard's individual performance put him among those shortlisted to contend for the American League Cy Young Award.[10] Then-teammate Kevin Millar stated that Bédard "probably has the best curveball in baseball."[11] Bédard broke the franchise single-season strikeout record on August 26. The previous record was held by Mike Mussina, who had 218 in 1997.[6]

The results of an MRI on September 4 confirmed that Bédard suffered a strained oblique in his previous start on August 26.[12] Because the Orioles were eliminated from playoff contention later that week, manager Dave Trembley decided to shut down Bédard for the remainder of the season on September 9, prematurely ending his season by placing him on the 60-day disabled list.[13]

Bédard finished the season with a 13–5 record, posting a 3.16 ERA with 221 strikeouts. He was eligible for arbitration from the Orioles during the 2007–2008 offseason.[14]

Seattle Mariners

On February 8, 2008, Bédard was traded to the Seattle Mariners in a 5-for-1 deal sending outfielder Adam Jones and pitchers George Sherrill, Tony Butler, Chris Tillman and Kam Mickolio to the Orioles.[15] On February 13, Mariners manager John McLaren announced that he would be their Opening Day starter.[16] Bédard then signed a one-year, 7-million dollar deal with the Mariners on February 15, avoiding salary arbitration.[17] He was 6–4 with a 3.67 ERA in 15 starts for the Mariners in 2008[5] but on July 10, 2008, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with stiffness in his left shoulder.[18] He missed the rest of the season and underwent arthroscopic surgery on the shoulder on September 26.[6]

Bédard signs autographs in 2009 spring training

Bédard only played the first four months of the 2009 season before landing on the disabled list again due to a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder. He finished with a 5–3 record and a 2.82 ERA.[19]

On February 6, 2010, Bédard re-signed with the Mariners to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2011.[20] At the start of the 2010 season, there was hope he would return to the majors as soon as May or June 2010. Since then, he suffered multiple setbacks while rehabbing his shoulder and did not pitch in the majors in 2010, though he did appear in three minor league rehab games.[6][7]

After the 2010 season, the Mariners declined their 2011 option on Bédard's contract and re-signed him to an incentive laden non-guaranteed contract.[21] He appeared in 16 games for the Mariners to start the 2011 season, with a 4–7 record and a 3.45 ERA.[5]

Boston Red Sox
Bédard during his tenure with the Boston Red Sox in 2011

On July 31, 2011, Bédard and minor league pitcher Josh Fields were traded to the Boston Red Sox for minor league outfielders Trayvon Robinson and Chih-Hsien Chiang as part of a three team deal that also involved minor leaguers Tim Federowicz, Stephen Fife and Juan Rodriguez going to the Los Angeles Dodgers.[22]

Bedard made eight starts for the Red Sox in August and September. He never went more than six innings, and had one win, two losses and a 4.03 ERA.[23][24]

Pittsburgh Pirates
Bédard with the Pittsburgh Pirates

On December 7, 2011, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Bédard to a one-year, $4.5 million contract.[25] He was their 2012 Opening Day Starter.[26]

Bedard had 7 wins, 14 losses and an ERA of 5.02 in 24 starts, and was released on August 28.[27]

Houston Astros

After their move to the American League, the Houston Astros signed Bédard to a minor-league deal on January 21, 2013.[28] He recorded his first career save on opening day, March 31, 2013 with 3 1/3 innings of relief against rival Texas Rangers. On July 21, 2013, he pitched 6 and 1/3 innings of a no hitter when he asked to leave his no-hitter after 109 pitches.[29] In 32 appearances (26 starts) for the Astros, he was 4–12 with a 4.59 ERA.[5]

Tampa Bay Rays

On February 17, 2014, he signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.[30] He was released by the Rays on March 25 and became a free agent, exercising an "opt-out" clause in his contract after not making the starting rotation at the end of spring training.[31] A few days later, he changed his mind and agreed to report to the Durham Bulls, the AAA minor league affiliate of the Rays.[32]

On April 11 the Rays announced that Bédard had been called up from Durham to the major league team.[33] He pitched for the Rays until he was designated for assignment on July 28, 2014.[34] Bédard was released on August 3.[35] In 17 appearances (15 starts), he was 4–6 with a 4.76 ERA.[5]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On January 18, 2015, Bédard signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[36] On March 23 the Dodgers announced that Bédard would miss four to six weeks after he strained his back during a spring training appearance, ending any chance he had to make the opening day roster.[37] After spending the start of the season in extended spring training rehabilitating his injury Bedard was assigned to the Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on May 25.[38] He made three starts for the Quakes with a 1–1 record and 5.02 ERA[7] before announcing his retirement on June 11.[39]

See also

References
  1. "Orioles trade Bedard to Mariners for five prospects". ESPN.Go.com. Associated Press. February 9, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  2. Sherwin, Fred (April 5, 2005). "Orleans Little League Baseball – Erik Bédard". OLLB – Orleans Little League Baseball. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  3. David Picker, New York Times, Soft-Spoken Bédard Has Others Talking, August 15, 2007
  4. Fordin, Spencer (July 30, 2007). "Bedard arrives on a road less traveled O's young ace took an unlikely route to stardom in Majors". MLB.com. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  5. "Eric Bedard Statistics and History". Baseball Reference.
  6. "Eric Bedard bio". mlb.com.
  7. "Eric Bedard minor league statistics & history". Baseball Reference.
  8. "April 17, 2002 Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees play-by-play and box score". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  9. "April 21, 2002 Baltimore Orioles at Tampa Bay Devil Rays play-by-play and box score". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  10. "AWARDS WEDNESDAY: A-ROD DROPS, WRIGHT RISES" Archived December 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine NYPOST.com. August 15, 2007.
  11. "Red Sox-Orioles Preview" Archived August 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine CBC.ca. August 10, 2007.
  12. "MRI confirms Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard has strained oblique" canadianpress.google.com. September 4, 2007.
  13. "Bedard Done for the Season" baltimoresun.com. September 9, 2007.
  14. "2007 Arbitration Eligibles". Mlbcontracts.blogspot.com. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  15. Street, Jim (February 8, 2008). "Mariners seal deal for Bedard Fireballing lefty arrives as Seattle sends five players to O's". MLB.com. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  16. Street, Jim (February 13, 2008). "Bedard named Opening Day starter Experience determining factor over Hernandez". MLB.com. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  17. Street, Jim (February 15, 2008). "Bedard inks one-year deal with Mariners Left-hander obtained in trade with Orioles in early February". MLB.com. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  18. Street, Jim (July 10, 2008). "Bedard might miss DL with Batista injury Right-hander leaves game against A's in third inning". MLB.com. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  19. Street, Jim (November 6, 2009). "Bedard, Batista, Chavez opt for free agency". MLB.com. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  20. Street, Jim (February 6, 2010). "Mariners bring back lefty Bedard". MLB.com. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  21. Baker, Geoff (December 2, 2010). "Mariners sign Erik Bedard to a one-year deal". The Seattle Times.
  22. "Red Sox acquire starting left-hander Erik Bedard from Seattle". Boston Red Sox. MLB. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  23. Annie Maroon, WEEI, Friday's Red Sox-Astros Matchups: Ryan Dempster vs. Erik Bedard, April 26, 2013
  24. Didier Morais, NESN, Erik Bedard Signs With Pittsburgh, December 7, 2011
  25. Langosch, Jenifer (December 7, 2011). "Bucs ink Bedard to one-year contract". MLB. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  26. Gleeman, Aaron (March 23, 2012). "Pirates choose Erik Bedard as Opening Day starter". NBC.com. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  27. Nowak, Joey (August 28, 2012). "Pirates release veteran lefty Bedard".
  28. "Twitter / ShiDavidi: Canadian Erik Bedard signs". Twitter.com. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  29. "Erik Bedard of Houston Astros asked to leave no-hit bid in 7th inning – ESPN". Espn.go.com. July 21, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  30. Rays Baseball at Twitter.com
  31. ESPN, Tampa Bay Rays Release Veteran Erik Bedard, March 25, 2014
  32. Aaron Gleeman, NBC Sports, Erik Bedard changes his mind about Triple-A, re-signs with the Rays, March 28, 2014
  33. Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times, Bedard Called Up, Will be in Bullpen Sunday Archived April 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, April 11, 2014
  34. Matt Baker, Tampa Bay Times, Erik Bedard Designated for Assignment Archived August 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, July 28, 2014
  35. @RaysProspects on Twitter.com, "Rays have officially released LHP Erik Bedard and RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo." August 3, 2014
  36. Baer, Bill (January 18, 2015). "Dodgers sign Erik Bedard to a minor league deal". NBC Sports. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  37. Moreno, Matthew (March 23, 2015). "Dodgers News: Erik Bedard Likely To Miss 4–6 Weeks With Back Strain". Dodgers Nation.com.
  38. "San Jose Giants: On Deck". MiLB.com. St. Petersburg, Florida. May 24, 2015. Nik Turley (0–0, ---) is slated to start on the mound for San Jose while the Quakes are expected to counter with former major leaguer Erik Bedard (0–0, ---).
  39. Hoornstra, J.P. (June 11, 2015). "Pitcher Erik Bedard halts comeback with Dodgers, announces retirement". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
Preceded by
J. J. Putz		 American League Pitcher of the Month
July 2007		 Succeeded by
Andy Pettitte
Preceded by
Johan Santana		 AL hits per nine innings leader
2008		 Succeeded by
Daisuke Matsuzaka

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