Peter Moylan's journey in Major League Baseball is a tale of perseverance and unexpected success. Born in Lesmurdie, Western Australia, Moylan initially pursued a career in baseball in his home country. His early years in the sport were marked by a stint with the Minnesota Twins organization in the late 1990s, but he was released before making it to the majors. Returning to Australia, Moylan worked as a pharmaceutical salesman and played baseball on the side, seemingly putting his professional baseball aspirations behind him.
However, Moylan's fortunes changed dramatically when he was selected to represent Australia in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. During the tournament, he caught the attention of scouts with his sidearm delivery and a fastball that reached the mid-90s. This performance led to a contract with the Atlanta Braves, marking the beginning of his MLB career.
Moylan made his debut with the Braves in April 2006. His unique pitching style, characterized by a sidearm delivery, made him a challenging opponent for hitters, particularly right-handers. Over the next few years, Moylan became a reliable option out of the Braves' bullpen. In 2007, he appeared in 80 games, posting an impressive 1.80 ERA, which solidified his role as a key reliever for the team.
Injuries, however, were a recurring challenge throughout Moylan's career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2008, which sidelined him for the entire season. Despite this setback, Moylan returned to the Braves in 2009 and continued to be an effective reliever. His ability to bounce back from injuries was a testament to his determination and work ethic.
Moylan's tenure with the Braves lasted until 2012, after which he had brief stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros. In 2015, he returned to the Braves organization, initially as a player-coach in the minor leagues. However, his performance on the mound earned him another shot in the majors, and he was called up to the Braves later that year.
In 2016, Moylan signed with the Kansas City Royals, where he enjoyed a resurgence in his career. He appeared in 50 games that season, maintaining a solid ERA and proving to be a valuable asset in the Royals' bullpen. Moylan's success with the Royals continued into the 2017 season, during which he led the American League in appearances with 79 games.
Moylan returned to the Braves for the 2018 season, bringing his career full circle. Although his performance was not as dominant as in previous years, his experience and leadership were valuable to the team. After the 2018 season, Moylan announced his retirement from professional baseball.
Throughout his career, Moylan was known for his distinctive pitching style and his ability to overcome adversity.
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