Joe Hesketh, a left-handed pitcher, made his entry into Major League Baseball with the Montreal Expos. Born on February 15, 1959, in Lackawanna, New York, Hesketh attended the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he honed his skills on the mound. His professional career began when he was drafted by the Expos in the 17th round of the 1980 MLB Draft.
Hesketh's debut in the major leagues came on August 7, 1984, when he took the mound for the Expos. During his rookie season, he quickly demonstrated his potential by posting a 2.49 ERA over 13 games, including 12 starts. His performance earned him a spot in the starting rotation, and he continued to be a reliable pitcher for the Expos over the next few seasons.
In 1985, Hesketh's season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, limiting him to only 15 starts. Despite this setback, he managed to maintain a respectable 3.29 ERA. The following year, he returned to the mound, but injuries continued to plague his career. Over the next few seasons, Hesketh's role fluctuated between starting and relieving, as he worked to regain his form.
In 1989, Hesketh was traded to the Atlanta Braves, where he spent a brief period before being released. He then signed with the Boston Red Sox, where he found a more stable role. With the Red Sox, Hesketh transitioned primarily into a relief pitcher, a role in which he found some consistency. During his time with Boston, he became a valuable member of the bullpen, providing depth and experience.
Hesketh's tenure with the Red Sox lasted until 1993, after which he signed with the Oakland Athletics. His stint with the Athletics was short-lived, as he appeared in only a handful of games before being released. He then returned to the Expos organization, where he finished his professional career in the minor leagues.
Throughout his career, Hesketh was known for his ability to adapt to different roles on the pitching staff. Whether as a starter or reliever, he brought a level of professionalism and skill to the teams he played for. His career statistics include a win-loss record of 60-47, an ERA of 4.05, and 622 strikeouts over 321 games.
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