Bret Saberhagen, a right-handed pitcher, began his Major League Baseball career with the Kansas City Royals. Drafted in the 19th round of the 1982 MLB Draft, he quickly rose through the ranks, making his debut with the Royals in 1984. That year, he posted a solid 10-11 record with a 3.48 ERA, showing promise as a young pitcher.
In 1985, Saberhagen's performance reached new heights. He played a crucial role in leading the Royals to their first World Series title. His regular season record of 20-6, along with a 2.87 ERA, earned him the American League Cy Young Award. During the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Saberhagen was instrumental, pitching two complete games and earning the World Series MVP award.
Saberhagen continued to excel in the following years. In 1987, he led the American League in ERA with a 3.36 mark, despite a 7-12 record. Two years later, in 1989, he had one of the best seasons of his career. He finished with a 23-6 record and a 2.16 ERA, once again earning the Cy Young Award. His performance that year included 12 complete games and four shutouts, demonstrating his ability to dominate on the mound.
After several successful seasons with the Royals, Saberhagen was traded to the New York Mets in 1991. His time with the Mets was marred by injuries, but he still managed to achieve notable performances. In 1994, he posted a 14-4 record with a 2.74 ERA and led the league with a remarkable strikeout-to-walk ratio of 11.00, showcasing his precision and control.
Saberhagen's career continued with the Colorado Rockies and later the Boston Red Sox. With the Red Sox, he experienced a resurgence, particularly in 1998 when he went 15-8 with a 3.96 ERA, helping the team reach the playoffs. Despite battling injuries throughout his career, Saberhagen's ability to adapt and perform at a high level remained evident.
In 2001, Saberhagen attempted a comeback with the Red Sox but ultimately retired after the season. Over his career, he accumulated a 167-117 record, a 3.34 ERA, and 1,715 strikeouts.
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