David Aardsma's journey through Major League Baseball (MLB) is a testament to the perseverance and adaptability required to sustain a career in professional sports. Born on December 27, 1981, in Denver, Colorado, Aardsma attended Cherry Creek High School before moving on to play college baseball at Penn State University and later at Rice University. His time at Rice was marked by success, as he helped lead the team to a national championship in 2003.
Aardsma's professional career began when he was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the 2003 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut with the Giants on April 6, 2004, showcasing his skills as a relief pitcher. During his rookie season, Aardsma appeared in 11 games, posting a 6.75 ERA. Despite the rocky start, his potential was evident, and he continued to refine his abilities.
In 2005, Aardsma was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he spent parts of two seasons. His time with the Cubs was marked by inconsistency, as he struggled to find his footing in the bullpen. However, he gained valuable experience and continued to develop his pitching repertoire.
The 2007 season saw Aardsma move to the Chicago White Sox, where he appeared in 25 games. His performance improved, and he recorded a 6.40 ERA. The following year, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox. During his stint with Boston, Aardsma pitched in 47 games, achieving a 5.55 ERA and striking out 49 batters over 48.2 innings.
Aardsma's career took a positive turn when he joined the Seattle Mariners in 2009. As the team's closer, he found a new level of success, recording 38 saves with a 2.52 ERA in his first season. His performance earned him the Mariners' Pitcher of the Year award. In 2010, he continued to excel, saving 31 games with a 3.44 ERA. Unfortunately, injuries began to take a toll, and Aardsma underwent Tommy John surgery in 2011, sidelining him for the entire season.
After recovering from surgery, Aardsma signed with the New York Yankees in 2012. He made a brief return to the majors, appearing in one game for the Yankees. The following year, he signed with the Miami Marlins but was released before the season began. Aardsma then joined the New York Mets, where he pitched in 43 games, posting a 4.31 ERA.
In 2014, Aardsma signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians but was released before the season started. He later joined the St. Louis Cardinals organization, pitching for their Triple-A affiliate. In 2015, Aardsma signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played for their Triple-A team, the Oklahoma City Dodgers. He was released mid-season and subsequently signed with the Atlanta Braves, appearing in 33 games and recording a 4.70 ERA.
Throughout his career, Aardsma demonstrated resilience and adaptability, navigating the challenges of injuries and team changes.
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