Josías Manzanillo, a right-handed relief pitcher from the Dominican Republic, spent over a decade in Major League Baseball, playing for several teams throughout his career. Born on October 31, 1967, in San Pedro de Macorís, Manzanillo began his professional journey when he was signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 1983. He made his MLB debut with the Red Sox on September 25, 1991.
Manzanillo's career was characterized by his role as a journeyman reliever, moving between teams and providing bullpen depth. After his stint with the Red Sox, he joined the Milwaukee Brewers in 1992. The following year, he found himself with the New York Mets, where he played from 1993 to 1995. During his time with the Mets, Manzanillo experienced one of the more memorable moments of his career. In 1993, he was struck in the groin by a line drive hit by Manny Ramírez, an incident that was notable for the fact that he was not wearing a protective cup at the time. Remarkably, he recovered and continued to pitch effectively.
After leaving the Mets, Manzanillo's career included brief periods with several teams. In 1996, he played for the New York Yankees and then moved to the Seattle Mariners in 1997. His tenure with the Mariners was followed by a return to the Mets in 1999. Manzanillo's second stint with the Mets was short-lived, and he soon found himself with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he played from 2000 to 2002. During his time with the Pirates, he provided reliable relief pitching, appearing in a significant number of games each season.
In 2003, Manzanillo signed with the Cincinnati Reds, continuing his role as a bullpen asset. He concluded his MLB career with the Florida Marlins in 2004. Over the course of his career, Manzanillo appeared in 267 games, posting a win-loss record of 13-15, an earned run average (ERA) of 4.71, and 189 strikeouts. His career was marked by his ability to adapt and contribute to various teams, often stepping into challenging situations on the mound.
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