Doug Linton's journey through Major League Baseball (MLB) is a testament to perseverance and adaptability. Born on February 9, 1965, in Santa Ana, California, Linton attended the University of California, Irvine, where he honed his skills as a pitcher. His professional career began when he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 43rd round of the 1986 MLB Draft.
Linton made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on August 3, 1992. During his time with the Blue Jays, he primarily served as a starting pitcher. In his debut season, he appeared in 14 games, starting 11 of them, and posted a 5-2 win-loss record. His performance contributed to the Blue Jays' successful season, although he did not participate in their postseason run to the World Series title.
After his stint with the Blue Jays, Linton's career saw him move across several teams. In 1993, he was claimed off waivers by the California Angels, where he played for parts of two seasons. His time with the Angels was marked by a transition to a more flexible role, as he pitched both as a starter and a reliever. This adaptability became a hallmark of his career.
Linton's journey continued as he joined the New York Mets in 1994. His tenure with the Mets was brief, and he spent much of the season in the minor leagues. In 1995, he signed with the Kansas City Royals, where he found more stability. Over two seasons with the Royals, Linton appeared in 45 games, starting 18 of them. His role as a swingman, capable of starting games or coming out of the bullpen, was valuable to the team.
The late 1990s saw Linton move to the Baltimore Orioles, where he played during the 1999 season. His time with the Orioles was short-lived, and he spent the following years bouncing between the majors and minors, as well as playing internationally. In 2000, Linton signed with the Colorado Rockies, where he made 10 appearances. He then spent time in the minor league systems of several teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees.
Linton's career took an international turn when he played in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) for the LG Twins in 2002. This experience abroad added a unique chapter to his career, showcasing his willingness to explore opportunities beyond MLB.
Returning to the United States, Linton signed with the Baltimore Orioles for a second time in 2003. He made his final MLB appearances that year, pitching in 10 games. After the 2003 season, Linton retired from professional baseball, concluding a career that spanned over a decade and included stints with multiple teams across different leagues.
Throughout his career, Doug Linton was known for his ability to adapt to various roles on the pitching staff.
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