John Dopson, a right-handed pitcher, played in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He began his professional career when he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 10th round of the 1982 MLB Draft. Dopson made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 4, 1985, after being traded from the White Sox in 1984.
Dopson's time with the Pirates was brief, as he was traded to the Montreal Expos in 1986. It was with the Expos that he began to establish himself as a starting pitcher. In 1988, Dopson had a breakout season, posting a 3.04 ERA over 27 starts. This performance caught the attention of the Boston Red Sox, who acquired him in a trade before the 1989 season.
With the Red Sox, Dopson continued to be a reliable presence on the mound. In 1989, he started 24 games and recorded a 3.99 ERA. His tenure with Boston was marked by both solid performances and challenges, including injuries that affected his playing time. Despite these setbacks, Dopson remained a part of the Red Sox rotation through the early 1990s.
In 1992, Dopson had one of his most productive seasons with Boston, starting 30 games and achieving a 4.27 ERA. However, injuries continued to plague his career, limiting his appearances in subsequent seasons. After his time with the Red Sox, Dopson briefly joined the California Angels in 1994, which marked the end of his MLB playing days.
Throughout his career, Dopson was known for his ability to maintain composure on the mound and his effectiveness as a starting pitcher when healthy.
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