Todd Stottlemyre, a right-handed pitcher, embarked on his Major League Baseball career when he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 1985 MLB Draft. He made his debut with the Blue Jays on April 6, 1988, stepping onto the mound as part of a team that was building towards becoming a powerhouse in the American League.
During his tenure with the Blue Jays, Stottlemyre became an integral part of the team's pitching rotation. He played a role in the Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993. In the 1992 World Series against the Atlanta Braves, Stottlemyre started Game Four, contributing to the team's first-ever championship win. The following year, he was part of the squad that defeated the Philadelphia Phillies to secure another title, although his performance in the series was mixed.
After his time with Toronto, Stottlemyre was traded to the Oakland Athletics in 1995. His stint with the Athletics was brief, as he was traded again in the same year to the St. Louis Cardinals. With the Cardinals, Stottlemyre found a more stable role, spending three seasons with the team. His time in St. Louis was marked by consistent performances, and he achieved a career-high 14 wins in the 1996 season.
In 1998, Stottlemyre signed with the Texas Rangers, but his time there was short-lived due to injuries. He then moved to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1999, where he played until 2002. While with the Diamondbacks, Stottlemyre was part of the team during its early years in the league and contributed to their development as a competitive team. However, injuries continued to plague his career, limiting his effectiveness and playing time.
Throughout his career, Stottlemyre was known for his competitive spirit and tenacity on the mound. He finished his MLB career with a win-loss record of 138-121, an earned run average (ERA) of 4.28, and 1,587 strikeouts. His career spanned 15 seasons, during which he played for five different teams.
Off the field, Todd Stottlemyre is part of a baseball family legacy. His father, Mel Stottlemyre, was a renowned pitcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball, and his brother, Mel Stottlemyre Jr., also played in the majors and became a pitching coach. This family background in baseball provided Todd with a unique perspective and understanding of the game from an early age.
After retiring from professional baseball, Stottlemyre transitioned into a career in finance and became a motivational speaker and author. His post-baseball endeavors reflect his interest in personal development and helping others achieve success in various aspects of life.
⚾