Erik Bedard, a left-handed pitcher from Canada, made his presence felt in Major League Baseball with a career that spanned over a decade. Born on March 6, 1979, in Navan, Ontario, Bedard's journey to the majors began when he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth round of the 1999 MLB Draft. His early years in the minor leagues were marked by steady development, and he eventually made his MLB debut with the Orioles on April 17, 2002.
Bedard's tenure with the Orioles saw him evolve into a reliable starting pitcher. By the 2006 season, he had established himself as one of the team's top pitchers, finishing the year with a 15-11 record and a 3.76 ERA. His performance in 2007 was even more impressive, as he posted a 13-5 record with a 3.16 ERA and 221 strikeouts, earning him recognition as one of the American League's top pitchers. That year, he led the league in strikeouts per nine innings, showcasing his ability to dominate opposing hitters.
In February 2008, Bedard was traded to the Seattle Mariners in a high-profile deal that underscored his value as a top-tier pitcher. His time in Seattle, however, was marred by injuries that limited his effectiveness and availability. Despite these setbacks, Bedard managed to deliver solid performances when healthy, maintaining a respectable ERA and strikeout rate.
After his stint with the Mariners, Bedard's career took him to several other teams. In 2011, he signed with the Boston Red Sox but was soon traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of a three-team deal. His time with the Pirates was short-lived, and he was released in August 2012 after struggling with consistency.
Bedard continued to pursue his career in the majors, signing with the Houston Astros for the 2013 season. He made 26 starts for the Astros, recording a 4.59 ERA and 138 strikeouts. In 2014, he joined the Tampa Bay Rays, where he made 15 appearances, including 14 starts, before being designated for assignment in July.
Throughout his career, Bedard was known for his strong left-handed pitching, characterized by a powerful fastball and a sharp curveball. His ability to generate strikeouts was a hallmark of his game, and he finished his MLB career with a total of 1,246 strikeouts over 1,303 innings pitched. Despite the challenges posed by injuries, Bedard's perseverance allowed him to maintain a presence in the league for several years.
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