gold star for USAHOF

29. Jose Valverde

29. Jose Valverde
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: March 24, 1978 in San Pedro de Macoris, Sa D.R.
  • Weight: 265 lbs.
  • Height: 6'4"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: June 01, 2003
  • Final Game: May 26, 2014
  • Rolaids Relief Man Award - 2007
  • TSN All-Star - 2007
  • TSN Reliever of the Year - 2007
  • Rolaids Relief Man Award - 2011
  • Cy Young - 2007
  • Cy Young - 2011
  • MVP - 2007
  • MVP - 2008
 
WLERAGGSSVIPSO
27333.616260288630.3692
 

In the first four seasons of Jose Valverde’s Major League career, he seemingly was fighting for the closers role with the Diamondbacks.  When he would win it, injuries would take it away or a slump might have cost him the role.  In that time frame the Dominican reliever who would become known as “Papa Grande” would accumulate 56 Saves.  That wasn’t bad, but it was in 2007 where he was the undisputed closer of the team where he did more than enough to land him on this list.

That season Valverde secured a National League-leading 47 Saves and was so impressive that he finished 6th in Cy Young voting and 14th in MVP voting.  Unfortunately for the Arizona Diamondbacks, they were at a stage in their franchise where they could not afford the pay increase he would likely receive and he was traded to Houston.  Valverde would have another two 40 Save seasons in his career, one with Houston and one with Detroit.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Acquired: Signed as an Amateur Free Agent. 2/6/97.
  • Departed: Traded to the Houston Astros for Chris Burke, J.C. Gutierrez and Chad Qualls 12/14/07.
  • Games Played: 253
  • Notable Statistics: 9 Wins
    14 Losses
    3.29 ERA
    181 Games Finished
    98 Saves
    260 Innings Pitched
    331 Strikeouts
    3.40 FIP
    1.173 WHIP
    2.98 SO/BB
    5.7 bWAR

    4 Playoff Games
    0 Wins
    1 Loss
    1.93 ERA
    3 Games Finished
    1 Save
    4.2 Innings Pitched
    8 Strikeouts
    1.29 WHIP
    2.00 SO/BB
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    All-Star (2007)
    Rolaids Relief Award (2007)
    Most Saves (2007)

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