Clayton Richard, a left-handed pitcher, spent over a decade in Major League Baseball, primarily known for his time with the San Diego Padres. Born on September 12, 1983, in Lafayette, Indiana, Richard's athletic prowess was evident from a young age. He excelled in both baseball and football during his high school years, which eventually led him to the University of Michigan. There, he continued to play both sports, but ultimately, baseball became his professional path.
Richard's journey to the majors began when he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the eighth round of the 2005 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut with the White Sox on July 23, 2008. During his time with Chicago, Richard showed promise as a starting pitcher, which caught the attention of other teams. In July 2009, he was traded to the San Diego Padres as part of a deal for Jake Peavy, a move that would define much of his career.
With the Padres, Richard found a more permanent home and became a regular in their starting rotation. His first full season with San Diego in 2010 was a highlight, as he posted a 14-9 record with a 3.75 ERA over 33 starts. Richard's ability to induce ground balls and eat innings made him a reliable option for the Padres. He continued to pitch for San Diego through the 2013 season, although his performance was hampered by injuries, including a shoulder issue that required surgery.
After his initial stint with the Padres, Richard's career took him to several teams. He signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014 but was released before the season began. He then joined the Pittsburgh Pirates on a minor league deal, eventually making his way back to the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 2015. Richard's role with the Cubs was primarily as a reliever, and he was part of the team during their 2015 playoff run.
In 2016, Richard returned to the Padres after being released by the Cubs mid-season. This second tenure with San Diego saw him transition back into a starting role. Over the next few years, Richard provided veteran leadership and stability to a young Padres pitching staff. In 2017, he led the National League in complete games with two, a testament to his durability and old-school pitching style.
Richard's time with the Padres concluded after the 2018 season, and he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in December of that year. His stint with the Blue Jays in 2019 was marred by injuries, limiting his effectiveness and leading to his release in August. Despite these challenges, Richard's career is remembered for his perseverance and ability to adapt to different roles on the pitching staff.
Throughout his MLB career, Clayton Richard was known for his sinkerball, which helped him generate groundouts and navigate through lineups.
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