Tony Sipp, a left-handed pitcher, spent a decade in Major League Baseball, primarily known for his role as a relief pitcher. Born on July 12, 1983, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Sipp's journey to the majors began after he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 45th round of the 2004 MLB Draft. His path to the big leagues was not immediate, as he spent several years honing his skills in the minor leagues.
Sipp made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Indians on April 22, 2009. During his time with the Indians, he quickly established himself as a reliable option out of the bullpen. His ability to handle left-handed hitters was particularly valued, and he became a staple in the Indians' relief corps. Over the course of four seasons with Cleveland, Sipp appeared in 248 games, posting a 3.68 ERA and striking out 225 batters in 220.1 innings pitched.
In 2013, Sipp signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His tenure with the Diamondbacks was brief, as he struggled to find consistency on the mound. After appearing in just 37 games and recording a 4.78 ERA, Sipp was designated for assignment in August of that year. He then signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres but did not make an appearance for the team.
The following year, Sipp's career took a positive turn when he joined the Houston Astros in May 2014. With the Astros, he found renewed success and became an integral part of their bullpen. Sipp's performance in 2014 was impressive, as he posted a 3.38 ERA in 56 games. His ability to neutralize left-handed hitters was a crucial asset for the Astros, and he continued to be a dependable reliever over the next few seasons.
Sipp's best season with the Astros came in 2015 when he recorded a 1.99 ERA over 60 appearances. His efforts helped the Astros reach the postseason for the first time in a decade. Although his performance dipped in the subsequent years, Sipp remained a valuable member of the Astros' bullpen, contributing to their World Series championship run in 2017. During the postseason, he made several appearances, including in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After the 2018 season, Sipp became a free agent and signed with the Washington Nationals in March 2019. His time with the Nationals was short-lived, as he was released in August after posting a 4.71 ERA in 36 appearances. Despite this, Sipp's career concluded on a high note, as the Nationals went on to win the World Series that year, earning him a second championship ring.
Throughout his career, Tony Sipp was known for his ability to effectively face left-handed batters, utilizing a combination of a fastball and a sweeping slider. His role as a left-handed specialist was highly valued by the teams he played for, and he consistently provided depth and stability to the bullpens he was a part of. Sipp's career statistics include a 3.67 ERA, 523 strikeouts, and 408 innings pitched over 11 seasons in the major leagues.
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