Armando Benítez

Armando Germán Benítez (born November 3, 1972) in Ramón Santana, Dominican Republic), is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants. He is known for his lively fastball, which occasionally reaches 100 MPH, and his crafty splitter.

Related Topics:
November 3 - 1972 - Ramón Santana, Dominican Republic - Relief pitcher - Major League Baseball - San Francisco Giants - Fastball - Splitter

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Benítez was signed in 1990 by the Baltimore Orioles as a free agent. Coming up through the Orioles' farm system, he made his debut in 1994. While with the Orioles, he initially struggled, collecting a 5.66 ERA in 1995 and faltering in the postseason frequently. http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/B/Benitez_Armando.stm Nevertheless, he started to show some of his future potential in 1998, earning a 3.82 ERA and 22 saves in 71 games.

Related Topics:
1990 - Baltimore Orioles - Free agent - 1994 - ERA - 1998 - Saves

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Before the 1999 season, Benítez was traded to the New York Mets for Charles Johnson. During his first four seasons in New York, he became one of the Major Leagues' elite closers, saving 139 games. Unfortunately, he is not known to be a clutch player and blew his first World Series save opportunity. Regardless, several playoff contenders were in demand for his services. Midway through 2003, Benítez was traded to the New York Yankees, who intended to use him as a setup man for Mariano Rivera. Benítez had a 1.93 ERA in nine games before being traded again to the Seattle Mariners, where he finished the season.

Related Topics:
1999 - New York Mets - Charles Johnson - Closers - 2003 - New York Yankees - Setup - Mariano Rivera - Seattle Mariners

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In 2004, Benítez once again became a closer, taking a pay cut to join the Florida Marlins for one year. His season with the Marlins ended up being his best season to date; he saved 47 games in 51 chances and compiled a 1.29 ERA. In fact, after giving up a solo home run in his first game of the season, he did not allow another earned run until June 5, after an impressive streak of 30 scoreless innings. http://www.cnnsi.com/baseball/mlb/recaps/2004/06/05/6131_recap.html After the season, Benítez elected to become a free agent, signing a three-year contract with the San Francisco Giants that was worth a reported US$21 million.

Related Topics:
Florida Marlins - Home run - San Francisco Giants - US$

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