Francisco Cordero, a right-handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic, built a career in Major League Baseball (MLB) primarily as a relief pitcher and closer. Born on May 11, 1975, in Santo Domingo, Cordero began his professional journey when he was signed by the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent in 1994. His early years in the minor leagues showcased his potential, and he eventually made his MLB debut with the Tigers on August 2, 1999.
Cordero's time with the Tigers was brief, as he was traded to the Texas Rangers in 1999. It was with the Rangers that he began to establish himself as a reliable bullpen arm. By 2002, Cordero had taken on the role of closer for Texas, a position he held until 2006. During his tenure with the Rangers, he developed a reputation for his powerful fastball and effective slider, which helped him accumulate a significant number of saves.
In 2006, Cordero was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he continued to excel as a closer. His performance in Milwaukee was impressive, earning him an All-Star selection in 2007. That year, he recorded 44 saves, setting a franchise record for the Brewers at the time. His success with the Brewers made him a sought-after free agent, and he signed a lucrative contract with the Cincinnati Reds in November 2007.
Cordero's stint with the Reds further solidified his reputation as a reliable closer. He played for Cincinnati from 2008 to 2011, during which he was selected for two more All-Star games in 2008 and 2009. His ability to consistently close out games was a valuable asset for the Reds, and he became one of the league's top closers during this period.
In 2012, Cordero signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, but his time with the team was short-lived. He struggled to maintain his previous level of performance and was traded to the Houston Astros later that year. Unfortunately, his stint with the Astros did not see a return to form, and he was released by the team in September 2012.
Throughout his MLB career, Francisco Cordero amassed 329 saves, placing him among the top closers in the history of the game at the time of his retirement.
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