Kent Bottenfield's journey through Major League Baseball is a tale of perseverance and adaptability. Born on November 14, 1968, in Portland, Oregon, Bottenfield's professional career began when he was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the fourth round of the 1986 MLB Draft. His early years in the minor leagues were a period of development, as he honed his skills as a pitcher.
Bottenfield made his MLB debut with the Montreal Expos on July 6, 1992. His time with the Expos was brief, and he soon found himself moving through several teams, including the Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, and Chicago Cubs. These years were marked by Bottenfield's efforts to establish himself as a reliable pitcher, often transitioning between starting and relief roles.
A turning point in Bottenfield's career came when he joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1998. It was with the Cardinals that he experienced his most productive season in 1999. That year, Bottenfield achieved a career-high 18 wins, earning him a spot on the National League All-Star team. His performance that season was characterized by a solid ERA and a knack for keeping his team competitive in games.
Following his standout season with the Cardinals, Bottenfield was traded to the Anaheim Angels in 2000. His time with the Angels, however, was marred by injuries, which affected his performance on the mound. Despite these challenges, he continued to pitch for the Angels and later for the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros.
Bottenfield's career in the major leagues concluded in 2001. Over the course of his career, he compiled a win-loss record of 46-49, with an ERA of 4.54 and 572 strikeouts. While his time in MLB was marked by ups and downs, Bottenfield's ability to adapt to different roles and teams demonstrated his persistence in the face of challenges.
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