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Tony Saunders

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This article is about the American baseball pitcher. For the musician, see Tony Saunders (bassist).

Tony Saunders
Pitcher
Born: (1974-04-29) April 29, 1974 (age 50)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 5, 1997, for the Florida Marlins
Last MLB appearance
May 26, 1999, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
MLB statistics
Win–loss record13–24
Earned run average4.56
Strikeouts305
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Anthony Scott Saunders (born April 29, 1974) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1997 to 1999. He was the first player selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1997 MLB expansion draft. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and 205 pounds (93 kg) during his career, he threw and batted left-handed. His career ended prematurely, due to injury.

Career

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Saunders initially signed with the Florida Marlins' minor league system in 1992, a year before their expansion season. He required reconstructive surgery on his elbow in 1994.[1]

Florida Marlins

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Saunders joined the Marlins' opening day roster in 1997, and despite a knee injury which cost him seven weeks in the middle of the season finished with a 4–6 record in 22 starts, with his first three wins coming against the Atlanta Braves.[1] The Marlins earned a wild card berth in the 1997 playoffs, and after being left off the Division Series roster, Saunders was placed on the LCS roster against the Braves. He started Game 3 of the series, which Liván Hernández won in relief of Saunders.

In the World Series, Saunders started Game 4 against the Cleveland Indians, but took the loss after giving up six earned runs in two innings pitched; nonetheless, he earned a World Series ring as the Marlins defeated Cleveland in seven games.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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Saunders was one of many members of that team who left the Marlins following that season, joining the Rays for their inaugural season after being the first pick in the 1997 MLB Expansion Draft. Saunders was 9th in the American League in strikeouts, but also 1st in walks, as he struggled to a 6–15 record. Saunders' 1999 season was short-lived as he went 3–3 with a 6.43 ERA.

Injury

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On May 26, 1999, while pitching against the Texas Rangers, Saunders suffered a significant arm injury while pitching to Juan González.[2] As he delivered a 3–2 pitch to the Rangers slugger, his pitching arm suddenly snapped with enough force that the sound of it could be heard throughout the stadium. Saunders subsequently collapsed on the mound, screaming in pain and smacking his right arm on the ground. Within moments, team trainer Jamie Reed and teammates John Flaherty and Kevin Stocker rushed to his side. Saunders had to be carted off the field, as the pain was too much for him to walk. He was diagnosed with a humerus fracture and torn ligaments in his arm, an injury severe enough to end his season.[3][4]

Saunders attempted to rehab the injury and make a comeback, and was sent on a rehabilitation assignment in August 2000. He successfully pitched in two games for the Single–A Charleston RiverDogs, then moved to the High–A St. Petersburg Devil Rays.[5] On August 24, during his fifth rehab game, Saunders’s humerus snapped again.[6] With the break occurring in almost the same spot as it had before, Saunders retired immediately afterward, aged 26.[7] Saunders was the 2000 recipient of the Tony Conigliaro Award, which honors a major league player who "overcomes an obstacle and adversity".[8]

After baseball, Saunders worked as a stockbroker.[9] In 2005, Saunders announced a comeback, signing a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles, and making their spring training roster. He pitched one inning against the St. Louis Cardinals before he was reassigned to the minor leagues. He remained listed on the Bowie Baysox roster for the whole 2005 season, but never pitched in a game, although he did appear in nine games for the Mesa Miners of the Golden Baseball League.

References

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  1. ^ a b Kubatko, Roch (September 1, 1997). "Saunders, long-shot Marlin, has hometown team in sights Glen Burnie left-hander still can't 'believe I'm here'". Baltimore Sun.
  2. ^ "Tony Saunders Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  3. ^ "Rays' Saunders leaves hospital". CBS News. May 26, 1999.
  4. ^ "Video: Tony Saunders breaks arm while throwing a pitch". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  5. ^ "Saunders shines in third rehab start". Tampa Bay Times. August 13, 2000. p. 43. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Readling, Mike (August 25, 2000). "Saunders breaks arm again". Tampa Bay Times. p. 44. Retrieved May 21, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Pitcher Tony Saunders packs it in after breaking arm again". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. August 26, 2000.
  8. ^ "Oakland A's outfielder Stephen Piscotty wins 2018 Tony Conigliaro Award". MLB.com. December 14, 2018.
  9. ^ Skolnick, Ethan (September 30, 2003). "1997 Marlins: Where are they now". South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
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