Denny Neagle's journey through Major League Baseball is marked by a series of noteworthy achievements and transitions across several teams. Born on September 13, 1968, in Gambrills, Maryland, Neagle attended the University of Minnesota, where he honed his skills as a left-handed pitcher. His professional career began when he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the third round of the 1989 MLB Draft.
Neagle made his MLB debut with the Twins in 1991. During his time with Minnesota, he showed promise as a starting pitcher, but it wasn't until he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992 that his career began to gain momentum. With the Pirates, Neagle developed into a reliable starter, showcasing his ability to handle a significant workload. In 1995, he had a breakout season, posting a 13-8 record with a 3.43 ERA, which helped solidify his reputation as a dependable pitcher.
In 1996, Neagle was traded to the Atlanta Braves, a team known for its strong pitching staff. Joining the likes of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz, Neagle fit well into the Braves' rotation. His tenure with Atlanta was highlighted by an impressive 1997 season, during which he achieved a 20-5 record and a 2.97 ERA. This performance earned him an All-Star selection and placed him third in the National League Cy Young Award voting.
Neagle's success with the Braves led to a trade to the Cincinnati Reds in 1998. While with the Reds, he continued to perform well, maintaining solid statistics and providing veteran leadership to the pitching staff. However, his time in Cincinnati was relatively short-lived, as he was traded to the New York Yankees in 2000. With the Yankees, Neagle had the opportunity to pitch in the postseason, contributing to the team's run to the World Series. Although the Yankees ultimately lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Neagle's experience added depth to the Yankees' rotation.
Following his stint with the Yankees, Neagle signed a lucrative contract with the Colorado Rockies in 2001. His time in Colorado, however, was marred by injuries and inconsistency. Pitching at Coors Field, known for its hitter-friendly conditions, proved challenging for Neagle, and his performance suffered as a result. Despite these struggles, he remained with the Rockies until 2003, when injuries ultimately curtailed his career.
Throughout his time in the majors, Neagle compiled a career record of 124 wins and 92 losses, with an ERA of 4.24.
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