Troy Percival

Troy Eugene Percival (born August 9, 1969 in Fontana, California) is a Major League Baseball closer who plays for the Detroit Tigers. Previously, he played with the California and Anaheim Angels (1995-2004).

Related Topics:
August 9 - 1969 - Fontana, California - Major League Baseball - Closer - Detroit Tigers - California

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Percival attended the University of California, Riverside and was drafted by the then California Angels in the 6th round of the 1990 amateur draft originally as a catcher. He batted .200 in his only season as a catcher and was converted to a pitcher when it was discovered that his return throws were actually faster than the pitches he was receiving. He made his major league debut as a reliever in 1995, and was mostly used as a setup man for Lee Smith. A year later, he was the regular closer for the Angels and had 36 saves with 100 strikeouts in 74 innings. He got a career-high 42 saves in 1998, and enjoyed his best season in 2002 with a 4-1 record, 40 saves, 68 strikeouts, and a 1.92 ERA.

Related Topics:
University of California, Riverside - 1990 - Catcher - Batted - Pitcher - Reliever - 1995 - Setup - Lee Smith - Save - Strikeout - ERA

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A four-time All-Star, Percival has compiled a 29-38 record with a 2.99 ERA in 586.2 innings. His 316 saves put him at 12th on the all-time list in Major League Baseball. However, his strikeouts per nine innings have gone down considerably from when he was an elite closer. In 2001, his K/9 rate was 11.08. In 2002, 10.86. In 2003, 8.76. And last year, it dropped all the way to 5.98. His fastball, once clocked consistently at 96 -100 MPH, was down to about 92 - 93 MPH in 2004, due to a degenerative hip condition that first appeared in 2003, which forced him to alter his pitching delivery. This could be the reason why the Angels decided it was Francisco Rodríguez's time, despite the fact that it was Percival, who recorded the save in the clinching game of the Angels franchise's only World Series Championship.

Related Topics:
All-Star - Major League Baseball - 2004 - 2003 - Francisco Rodríguez

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Percival signed with Detroit as a free agent following the 2004 season. However, after an indifferent start to his career at Comerica Park, during which time he converted 8 saves from 11 opportunites and posted an ERA of 5.76, Percival suffered a serious injury to his right forearm in early July. The severity of the injury was such that not only was the rest of his season put in doubt, but so was his career.

Related Topics:
Free agent - 2004 - Comerica Park

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