Willie Blair, a right-handed pitcher, embarked on his Major League Baseball journey after being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 11th round of the 1986 MLB Draft. His professional debut came on April 11, 1990, with the Blue Jays, marking the beginning of a career that would see him play for several teams over more than a decade.
Blair's time with the Blue Jays was brief, as he was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1991. During his stint with the Indians, Blair began to establish himself as a reliable pitcher, although he primarily played in a relief role. His tenure with Cleveland lasted until 1993, when he was traded to the Houston Astros. It was with the Astros that Blair began to see more opportunities as a starting pitcher, showcasing his ability to adapt to different roles on the pitching staff.
In 1994, Blair joined the Colorado Rockies, a team that was still in its early years of existence. Pitching in the high altitude of Denver presented unique challenges, but Blair managed to navigate them, contributing to the Rockies' efforts during his time there. The following year, he moved to the San Diego Padres, where he continued to split his time between starting and relieving.
Blair's career took a significant turn in 1997 when he was traded to the Detroit Tigers. It was with the Tigers that he enjoyed one of his best seasons. That year, he posted a 16-8 record with a 4.17 ERA, demonstrating his capability as a starting pitcher. His performance in 1997 was a highlight in his career, earning him recognition and respect within the league.
After his successful run with the Tigers, Blair was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1998. His time with the Diamondbacks was short-lived, and he soon found himself back with the New York Mets, although he did not play a game for them before being traded again to the Colorado Rockies. Blair's second stint with the Rockies was followed by a return to the Tigers in 1999, where he continued to contribute as a veteran presence on the pitching staff.
Blair's final seasons in the majors were spent with the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers, wrapping up his career in 2001. Over the course of his career, Blair compiled a win-loss record of 60-86, with an ERA of 5.04 and 759 strikeouts. His ability to adapt to various roles on the pitching staff and his perseverance through trades and team changes defined his time in the major leagues.
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