Steve Ontiveros, a right-handed pitcher, played in Major League Baseball (MLB) primarily during the late 1980s and 1990s. Born on March 5, 1961, in Tularosa, New Mexico, Ontiveros attended the University of Michigan, where he honed his skills on the mound before entering the professional ranks. His journey to the majors began when he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 1982 MLB Draft.
Ontiveros made his MLB debut with the Athletics on June 14, 1985. During his early years with Oakland, he demonstrated potential as a pitcher, though his career was frequently interrupted by injuries. Despite these setbacks, Ontiveros managed to carve out a role for himself within the Athletics' pitching staff. His tenure with Oakland lasted until 1988, after which he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.
His time with the Phillies was brief, as he only appeared in a handful of games during the 1989 season. Ontiveros then found himself bouncing between teams, including a stint with the Seattle Mariners in 1990. However, it was his return to the Athletics in 1994 that marked a turning point in his career. That year, Ontiveros enjoyed one of his best seasons, posting a 5-2 record with a 2.65 ERA over 24 games. His performance earned him a spot on the American League All-Star team, a testament to his skill and perseverance.
In 1995, Ontiveros signed with the Boston Red Sox, where he continued to pitch effectively, albeit in a limited role. His career, however, was again hampered by injuries, which led to sporadic appearances on the mound. Despite these challenges, Ontiveros remained a reliable option when healthy, known for his ability to keep hitters off balance with a mix of pitches.
Ontiveros's final MLB appearance came in 2000 with the Boston Red Sox. Over his career, he compiled a 34-31 win-loss record, a 3.67 ERA, and 19 saves. While injuries prevented him from achieving greater consistency, Ontiveros's perseverance and skill allowed him to maintain a presence in the major leagues for over a decade.
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