Ryan Dempster
Encyclopedia
Ryan Scott Dempster is a Major League Baseball
starting pitcher
for the Chicago Cubs
. Dempster bats and throws right-handed. He has been both a starter and a reliever in his career.
and was traded to the Florida Marlins
. He has played for the Marlins (–), Cincinnati Reds
(2002–), and Chicago Cubs (–present). In August 2003, he underwent Tommy John surgery
on his right elbow and made a miraculous recovery from the surgery, taking a little under a year to recover from it, coming back in the last half of 2004 to pitch for the Cubs. In , after starting 6 games, Dempster was named the closer
for the Cubs, replacing LaTroy Hawkins
.
He collected 33 saves in 35 opportunities, the best save percentage
in the league; in both blown saves, he collected the win. He is the only Cub and one of just three players ever to both start a game and collect 30 saves in the same season. On October 1, 2005, the Cubs signed him through 2008 in a US$15.5 million contract extension.
, was considering promoting Dempster to a starting pitcher. However, the idea was short lived, as a struggling bullpen
forced Dempster to remain as closer. He recorded 16 saves in 18 opportunities before missing two weeks of playtime on account of an injured oblique muscle.
, Dempster's performance earned him a promotion to the third spot on the starting rotation, with the closer job going to Kerry Wood
. On April 3, 2008, he earned his first win as a home starter since a 2002 win with the Marlins against the Cubs. On May 15, 2008, Dempster recorded a career high 12 strikeout
s in a game. He pitched 8rd innings, and gave up only 6 hits
. On July 8, 2008 he became the first Cubs pitcher in 31 seasons to start 10–0 at home. Dempster finished the season with 17–6 record, with 2.96 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 201 and 2/3 innings. Dempster threw slider
s 32.9% of the time in 2008, more than any other NL starting pitcher.http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=4&season=2009&month=0
Dempster opened the Cubs 2008 postseason campaign against the Los Angeles Dodgers
on September 26, 2008.
Dempster accumulated a high pitch count early and, after he was unable to get outs with 0–2 counts twice, he surrendered a grand slam
to James Loney and was pulled in favor of Sean Marshall
.
He led the majors in sacrifice hits, with 19.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-situational-batting.shtml
Following the 2008 season, Dempster re-signed with the Cubs for four years and a reported $52 million.
slugger Ryan Braun
. Cubs manager Lou Piniella
commented, "You've got to tie Braun up from time to time. If you don't, he's going to feast on you." After reviewing the tapes, however, Major League Baseball found no wrongdoing on Dempster's part, and decided not to take any action against him.http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/05/dempster-cleared-by-mlb-bradley-decision-on-deck.html
Dempster finished the season with a 3.65 ERA and a record of 11-9 in 31 starts.
training.
When asked what would happen if the Cubs won the World Series
, Dempster jokingly commented,"I'd say the top of the Budweiser
building blows off. People storm the field. Huge chunks of ivy are ripped off the walls. Police cars are turned over on Addison
, on Waveland
, on Sheffield
, and you can't walk within a 45-block radius of Wrigley Field because people will be drinking there for seven to 10 days. What a great feeling." He is also known for his Harry Caray
impression. Most notably, he announced the Cubs' starting lineup while speaking like an elderly Caray (post-stroke) before a nationally televised baseball game on Fox Sports
.
In early June 2009, Dempster released a statement explaining that his daughter, Riley Dempster, had DiGeorge Syndrome
, also known as Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS), 22q11 deletion syndrome, and Shprintzen syndrome (after Dr. Robert Shprintzen who identified it in 1978). About 1 baby in 1800 is born with this genetic deletion which ubiquitously affects swallowing, breathing, and speech. Dempster did this because he wanted to help raise awareness of this genetic disease. When asked if she would lead a normal life, he replied, "Yeah, she will. There can be (problems), but so far all the signs are good. There’s a lot of work to do. They say there are 186 symptoms you can have. You just check off ones as you go along" After roughly 2 months in the hospital, Riley was able to go home in early June.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. Dempster bats and throws right-handed. He has been both a starter and a reliever in his career.
Professional career
He was drafted by the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
and was traded to the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. He has played for the Marlins (–), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(2002–), and Chicago Cubs (–present). In August 2003, he underwent Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
on his right elbow and made a miraculous recovery from the surgery, taking a little under a year to recover from it, coming back in the last half of 2004 to pitch for the Cubs. In , after starting 6 games, Dempster was named the closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
for the Cubs, replacing LaTroy Hawkins
LaTroy Hawkins
LaTroy Hawkins is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Through 2011, he was third of all active pitchers in career games pitched.-Minnesota Twins:...
.
He collected 33 saves in 35 opportunities, the best save percentage
Save percentage
Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops...
in the league; in both blown saves, he collected the win. He is the only Cub and one of just three players ever to both start a game and collect 30 saves in the same season. On October 1, 2005, the Cubs signed him through 2008 in a US$15.5 million contract extension.
2007
He emerged as one of the team's most consistent relievers in . At one point, Lou Pinella, the Cubs' managerManager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
, was considering promoting Dempster to a starting pitcher. However, the idea was short lived, as a struggling bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
forced Dempster to remain as closer. He recorded 16 saves in 18 opportunities before missing two weeks of playtime on account of an injured oblique muscle.
2008
During 2008 spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, Dempster's performance earned him a promotion to the third spot on the starting rotation, with the closer job going to Kerry Wood
Kerry Wood
Kerry Lee Wood is a National Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wood recorded over 200 strikeouts in four out of his first five seasons, with a high of 266 in 2003....
. On April 3, 2008, he earned his first win as a home starter since a 2002 win with the Marlins against the Cubs. On May 15, 2008, Dempster recorded a career high 12 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s in a game. He pitched 8rd innings, and gave up only 6 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
. On July 8, 2008 he became the first Cubs pitcher in 31 seasons to start 10–0 at home. Dempster finished the season with 17–6 record, with 2.96 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 201 and 2/3 innings. Dempster threw slider
Slider
In baseball, a slider is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball....
s 32.9% of the time in 2008, more than any other NL starting pitcher.http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=4&season=2009&month=0
Dempster opened the Cubs 2008 postseason campaign against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
on September 26, 2008.
Dempster accumulated a high pitch count early and, after he was unable to get outs with 0–2 counts twice, he surrendered a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
to James Loney and was pulled in favor of Sean Marshall
Sean Marshall
Sean Christopher Marshall is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. After three minor league seasons, Marshall was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster in November . He was married to Alexis DelChiaro at the time a morning anchor at KSAZ in Phoenix, AZ...
.
He led the majors in sacrifice hits, with 19.http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2008-situational-batting.shtml
Following the 2008 season, Dempster re-signed with the Cubs for four years and a reported $52 million.
2009
In May 2009 MLB indicated that the Commissioner's Office would review Dempster's up-and-in pitch to Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
slugger Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
. Cubs manager Lou Piniella
Lou Piniella
Louis Victor Piniella is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
commented, "You've got to tie Braun up from time to time. If you don't, he's going to feast on you." After reviewing the tapes, however, Major League Baseball found no wrongdoing on Dempster's part, and decided not to take any action against him.http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/05/dempster-cleared-by-mlb-bradley-decision-on-deck.html
Dempster finished the season with a 3.65 ERA and a record of 11-9 in 31 starts.
Personal life
Dempster is widely known for his laid-back attitude, constantly joking with fans and teammates, and is said to be a positive contribution to a team's clubhouse. Dempster's fun and easy-going personality was especially evident when, in comments to an Arizona newspaper in March 2007, Dempster stated that if his career as a closer began to tumble, he would pursue ninjaNinja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
training.
When asked what would happen if the Cubs won the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, Dempster jokingly commented,"I'd say the top of the Budweiser
Budweiser
Budweiser is a German adjective describing something or someone from the city of České Budějovice in Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic.Beer brewing in České Budějovice dates back to the 13th century...
building blows off. People storm the field. Huge chunks of ivy are ripped off the walls. Police cars are turned over on Addison
Addison
-United States:*Addison, Alabama*Addison, Connecticut*Addison, Illinois*Addison, Kentucky*Addison, Maine*Addison, Michigan*Addison , New York**Addison , New York*Addison, Ohio*Addison, Pennsylvania*Addison, Tennessee*Addison, Texas...
, on Waveland
Waveland
Waveland may refer to:in the Atlantic Ocean* The islet of Rockall, designated as an independent state by Greenpeacein the United States* Waveland, Florida* Waveland Avenue, a bordering street of Wrigley Field , in Chicago, Illinois...
, on Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, and you can't walk within a 45-block radius of Wrigley Field because people will be drinking there for seven to 10 days. What a great feeling." He is also known for his Harry Caray
Harry Caray
Harry Caray, born Harry Christopher Carabina, was an American baseball broadcaster on radio and television. He covered four Major League Baseball teams, beginning with a long tenure calling the games of the St...
impression. Most notably, he announced the Cubs' starting lineup while speaking like an elderly Caray (post-stroke) before a nationally televised baseball game on Fox Sports
Fox Sports (USA)
Fox Sports is a division of the Fox Broadcasting Company . It was formed in 1994 with Fox's acquisition of broadcast rights to National Football League games...
.
In early June 2009, Dempster released a statement explaining that his daughter, Riley Dempster, had DiGeorge Syndrome
DiGeorge syndrome
22q11.2 deletion syndrome, which has several presentations including DiGeorge syndrome , DiGeorge anomaly, velo-cardio-facial syndrome, Shprintzen syndrome, conotruncal anomaly face syndrome, Strong syndrome, congenital thymic aplasia, and thymic hypoplasia is a syndrome caused by the deletion of a...
, also known as Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS), 22q11 deletion syndrome, and Shprintzen syndrome (after Dr. Robert Shprintzen who identified it in 1978). About 1 baby in 1800 is born with this genetic deletion which ubiquitously affects swallowing, breathing, and speech. Dempster did this because he wanted to help raise awareness of this genetic disease. When asked if she would lead a normal life, he replied, "Yeah, she will. There can be (problems), but so far all the signs are good. There’s a lot of work to do. They say there are 186 symptoms you can have. You just check off ones as you go along" After roughly 2 months in the hospital, Riley was able to go home in early June.
Awards and honors
- National League All-StarMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
(20002000 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 2000 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 71st playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
) (20082008 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 79th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, home of the New York Yankees, on...
) - Named one of the 99 "Good Guys" in professional sports by The Sporting NewsThe Sporting NewsSporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
. - Tip O'Neill AwardTip O'Neill AwardThe Tip O'Neill Award is an award given out by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame to the Canadian baseball player "judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to the highest ideals of the game of baseball." It is named for Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer...
(2000) - Played in the NHL All-Star Celebrity ChallengeNHL All-Star Celebrity ChallengeThe NHL All-Star Celebrity Challenge was a benefit hockey game to raise money for Hockey's All-Star Kids and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The games featured celebrities teaming up with NHL alumni on two teams led by Jerry Bruckheimer and David E. Kelley...
on January 30, 2002.