Dave Schmidt's journey in Major League Baseball began when he was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 26th round of the 1979 amateur draft. A right-handed pitcher, Schmidt made his MLB debut with the Rangers on September 10, 1981. Over the next few years, he established himself as a reliable pitcher, primarily in a relief role.
During his tenure with the Rangers, Schmidt demonstrated his ability to handle various pitching situations. In 1983, he appeared in 45 games, posting a 3.08 ERA, which was a testament to his effectiveness on the mound. His performance earned him more opportunities, and he continued to be a valuable asset for the Rangers' bullpen.
In 1985, Schmidt was traded to the Chicago White Sox, where he continued to showcase his skills as a relief pitcher. His time with the White Sox saw him transition into a starting role as well. In 1986, he started 24 games and recorded a 3.31 ERA, proving his capability as a starter. This versatility allowed him to adapt to the needs of his team, whether it was coming out of the bullpen or taking the mound as a starter.
Schmidt's career took another turn when he joined the Baltimore Orioles in 1987. With the Orioles, he primarily served as a reliever, although he did make some starts. His steady performance continued, and in 1987, he recorded a career-high 14 saves. Schmidt's ability to close games added another dimension to his pitching repertoire.
After his stint with the Orioles, Schmidt signed with the Montreal Expos in 1992. His time with the Expos was brief, as he only appeared in 10 games before retiring from professional baseball. Throughout his career, Schmidt was known for his consistency and adaptability, traits that allowed him to maintain a lengthy career in the major leagues.
Over the course of his MLB career, Dave Schmidt appeared in 494 games, starting 97 of them. He finished with a career ERA of 3.88, along with 41 saves and 479 strikeouts.
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