Vicente Padilla
Encyclopedia
Vicente de la Cruz Padilla (born September 27, 1977, in Chinandega
, Nicaragua
) is a Major League Baseball
pitcher
, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks
, Philadelphia Phillies
and Texas Rangers
. He is well known for being one of the few modern day pitchers to make use of the eephus pitch
, which he has been seen to throw as slow as 50 mph in-game. The pitch has earned the nickname of "soap bubble" by Dodgers fans and longtime announcer Vin Scully
.
in the 1998 Baseball World Cup
, helping his team win the Bronze medal as the closer
. He also appeared in the Central American Games
the same year, as his team finished in second place.
to improve his change-up, Padilla was signed as an international free agent
by the Arizona Diamondbacks
on August 31, 1998. He debuted in the minor leagues
in , playing for the Class-A Advanced High Desert Mavericks
and earning a swift promotion to the Class-AAA Tucson Sidewinders
.
Padilla made his Major League debut on June 29 against the Cincinnati Reds
, pitching in the ninth inning and giving up four hits and 3 runs without recording an out. He was credited with the loss and a blown save for the effort. He appeared in four more games in 1999. He also appeared in 27 games in relief for the Diamondbacks in 2000, finishing 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA. His first win was on May 9 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
along with three other players (Travis Lee
, Nelson Figueroa
and Omar Daal
) for pitcher Curt Schilling
.
He was moved to the starting rotation in and made his first start on April 3 against the Atlanta Braves
, working six innings and picking up the win. He finished the season 14-11 with a 3.28 ERA in 32 starts and was selected to appear in the All-Star Game
.
He battled injuries during the and seasons, posting a combined win
-loss record of 16–19.
After a disappointing 2005 season in which he posted a 4.71 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP
, Padilla was traded to the Texas Rangers
for Ricardo Rodríguez.
when he twice hit White Sox
catcher
A. J. Pierzynski
, and later in the season again caused a benches-clearing brawl against the Angels
when he repeatedly threw at Angels batters, showing particular interest in slugger Vladimir Guerrero
. In September Padilla hit Oakland Athletics
outfielder
Nick Swisher
after two pitches earlier in the plate appearances were inside that almost hit Swisher. Swisher then charged the mound starting a brawl and resulting in both players getting ejected. He also has a history of hitting former teammate Mark Teixeira
.
In 2006 he and Kevin Millwood
won 15 games; a total not matched by a Rangers pitcher until Scott Feldman
surpassed it in 2009.
His 11 road victories in 2008 matched a club record set by Rick Helling
(1998), later surpassed by Scott Feldman
(2009).
On July 22, 2009, Padilla tested positive for Swine Flu, and was believed to be the first major U.S. athlete to catch the disease.
On August 7, 2009, Padilla was designated for assignment
by the Rangers after going 8-6 with a 4.92 ERA in 18 starts. Ten days later Padilla was given his release. He was released because he was "regarded as a disruptive clubhouse presence."
. He made one start with the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
and then was activated on August 27 to start for the Dodgers against the Colorado Rockies
. He made seven starts for the Dodgers in August and September, finishing with a record of 4-0 and a 3.20 ERA.
On October 10, 2009, Padilla was the starting and winning pitcher in the clinching Game 3 of the National League Division Series
against the St. Louis Cardinals
, pitching seven innings of shut-out ball. He also pitched well in Game 2 of the NLCS
against the Philadelphia Phillies
, working 7.1 innings and only allowing one run in a game the Dodgers eventually won. However, he picked up the loss, giving up 6 earned runs in 3 innings of work, in the deciding Game 5, allowing the Philadelphia Phillies
to advance to the World Series
for the second straight year.
On November 3, 2009, Padilla was injured when he was accidentally shot in the leg at a shooting range in Nicaragua. It was not a serious injury.
On January 21, 2010, Padilla re-signed with the Dodgers, a one-year, $5.025 million deal, with $1 million of that in the form of a signing bonus.
On March 25, 2010, the Dodgers announced that Padilla would be the their opening day starter for the 2010 season. Due to a number of recurring injuries, Padilla only was able to start 16 games for the Dodgers in 2010, finishing 6-5 with a 4.31 ERA. His best performance was a complete game shutout against the San Diego Padres
on August 4. He made just three more starts after that before he was shut down for the season. After the season, Padilla re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, incentive-laden deal.
He was injured in spring training in 2011 and began the season on the disabled list, rejoining the team on April 23 as a reliever. In his new role, he picked up his first save since 2000 in a 10 inning game against the Florida Marlins
on April 27. He became the Dodgers closer for a brief time after Jonathan Broxton
was placed on the disabled list. However, he also wound up on the disabled list on May 14. He was first shut down with a forearm injury and later with neck problems, which required surgery. He was unable to return to the Dodgers in 2011, appearing in only 9 games, pitching 8.2 innings with a 4.15 ERA and 3 saves. This was the least amount of appearances for Padilla since his first season and the first year he did not start any games since 2001 with the Phillies.
and an eephus pitch
. The fastball is his main pitch: it tends to travel at about 93-94 mph. However, he is also one of the few pitchers in baseball to throw an eephus pitch: a slow curve that travels about 55 mph. Padilla rarely throws this pitch consecutively, though. He has never led the league in walks, but he tends to hit a lot of batters: his total of 106 hit batters (HB) is tied for 67th all-time, and he led the American League league in hit batters in 2006.
Chinandega
Chinandega is a town and the departmental seat of Chinandega department in Nicaragua. It is also the administrative centre of the surrounding municipality of the same name. The city has a population of 121,793 inhabitants with 151,000 in the municipality...
, Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
) is a Major League Baseball
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...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, who is a free agent. Padilla previously pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and Texas Rangers
Texas 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...
. He is well known for being one of the few modern day pitchers to make use of the eephus pitch
Eephus pitch
An Eephus pitch in baseball is considered a junk pitch with very low speed. The delivery from the pitcher has very low velocity and usually catches the hitter off-guard. Its invention is attributed to Rip Sewell of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1940s. According to manager Frankie Frisch, the...
, which he has been seen to throw as slow as 50 mph in-game. The pitch has earned the nickname of "soap bubble" by Dodgers fans and longtime announcer Vin Scully
Vin Scully
Vincent Edward Scully is an American sportscaster, known primarily as the play-by-play voice of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team on Prime Ticket, KCAL-TV and KABC radio...
.
International competition
Padilla pitched for NicaraguaNicaragua national baseball team
The Nicaragua national baseball team is the national baseball team of Nicaragua. Considered the best in Central America along with Panama It represents Nicaragua in international tournaments.- Placings :Olympic Games* 1992 : did not qualify...
in the 1998 Baseball World Cup
1998 Baseball World Cup
The 1998 Baseball World Cup took place in Italy from July 21 to August 2.Participating countries were split in two groups, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals...
, helping his team win the Bronze medal as 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...
. He also appeared in the Central American Games
Central American Games
The Central American Games are a multi-sport regional championships event, held quadrennial , typically in the middle year between Summer Olympics. The Games are for countries in Central America.-Editions:- References :*...
the same year, as his team finished in second place.
Arizona Diamondbacks
After working with former MLB pitcher Dennis MartínezDennis Martínez
José Dennis Martínez Emilia , nicknamed "El Presidente" , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher...
to improve his change-up, Padilla was signed as an international free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
on August 31, 1998. He debuted in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
in , playing for the Class-A Advanced High Desert Mavericks
High Desert Mavericks
The High Desert Mavericks are a minor league baseball team in Adelanto, California, USA. Their Major League parent club is the Seattle Mariners. They are a Class A - Advanced team in the California League and had been a farm team of the Kansas City Royals since 2005 before the switch...
and earning a swift promotion to the Class-AAA Tucson Sidewinders
Tucson Sidewinders
The Tucson Sidewinders were a minor league baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona. The team, which played in the Pacific Coast League, was the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major-league club....
.
Padilla made his Major League debut on June 29 against the 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....
, pitching in the ninth inning and giving up four hits and 3 runs without recording an out. He was credited with the loss and a blown save for the effort. He appeared in four more games in 1999. He also appeared in 27 games in relief for the Diamondbacks in 2000, finishing 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA. His first win was on May 9 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...
.
Philadelphia Phillies
On July 26, , Padilla was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
along with three other players (Travis Lee
Travis Lee
Travis Lee is a former Major League Baseball first baseman.Lee graduated from Capital High School in Olympia, Washington in 1993, where he also played football. Being ambidextrous Lee played as a lefty in baseball and as a QB for the Capital High football team threw with his right...
, Nelson Figueroa
Nelson Figueroa
Nelson Walter Figueroa, Jr. is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He attended Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts where he pitched for three years and earned a bachelors degree in American Studies...
and Omar Daal
Omar Daal
Omar Jesús Daal Cordero is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for 11 seasons, from through . Daal played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Montreal Expos , Toronto Blue Jays , Arizona Diamondbacks , Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles...
) for pitcher Curt Schilling
Curt Schilling
Curtis Montague "Curt" Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox. Schilling retired with a...
.
He was moved to the starting rotation in and made his first start on April 3 against the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, working six innings and picking up the win. He finished the season 14-11 with a 3.28 ERA in 32 starts and was selected to appear in the All-Star Game
2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 73rd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues that make up Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 2002 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the home of...
.
He battled injuries during the and seasons, posting a combined win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
-loss record of 16–19.
After a disappointing 2005 season in which he posted a 4.71 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP
Walks plus hits per inning pitched
In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched is a sabermetric measurement of the number of baserunners a pitcher has allowed per inning pitched. It is a measure of a pitcher's ability to prevent batters from reaching base...
, Padilla was traded to the Texas Rangers
Texas 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...
for Ricardo Rodríguez.
Texas Rangers
During the 2006 season, he also came under fire for his now infamous "lack of control" on the mound. Padilla caused a controversy in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
when he twice hit White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
A. J. Pierzynski
A. J. Pierzynski
Anthony John "A. J." Pierzynski is an American Major League Baseball catcher who is currently with the Chicago White Sox. Pierzynski previously played with the Minnesota Twins and San Francisco Giants . Pierzynski was also a wrestler for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Early life:Anthony John...
, and later in the season again caused a benches-clearing brawl against the Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
when he repeatedly threw at Angels batters, showing particular interest in slugger Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Alvino Guerrero is a free agent Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter.In , he was voted the American League MVP...
. In September Padilla hit Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Nick Swisher
Nick Swisher
Nicholas Thompson "Nick" Swisher is an outfielder for the New York Yankees. Swisher is a switch hitter who throws left-handed....
after two pitches earlier in the plate appearances were inside that almost hit Swisher. Swisher then charged the mound starting a brawl and resulting in both players getting ejected. He also has a history of hitting former teammate Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...
.
In 2006 he and Kevin Millwood
Kevin Millwood
Kevin Austin Millwood is an American professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies.-Personal life:Millwood graduated from Bessemer City High School in North Carolina...
won 15 games; a total not matched by a Rangers pitcher until Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman was a news anchor for News 12 Long Island for 22 years.-Early life:Feldman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, graduated from the University of Denver in 1971. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and National Guard....
surpassed it in 2009.
His 11 road victories in 2008 matched a club record set by Rick Helling
Rick Helling
Richard Allen Helling is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-High school and college:...
(1998), later surpassed by Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman was a news anchor for News 12 Long Island for 22 years.-Early life:Feldman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, graduated from the University of Denver in 1971. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and National Guard....
(2009).
On July 22, 2009, Padilla tested positive for Swine Flu, and was believed to be the first major U.S. athlete to catch the disease.
On August 7, 2009, Padilla was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Rangers after going 8-6 with a 4.92 ERA in 18 starts. Ten days later Padilla was given his release. He was released because he was "regarded as a disruptive clubhouse presence."
Los Angeles Dodgers
On August 19, 2009, Padilla signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles DodgersLos 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...
. He made one start with the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
and then was activated on August 27 to start for the Dodgers against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. He made seven starts for the Dodgers in August and September, finishing with a record of 4-0 and a 3.20 ERA.
On October 10, 2009, Padilla was the starting and winning pitcher in the clinching Game 3 of the National League Division Series
2009 National League Division Series
The National League Division Series consisted of two concurrent best-of-five game series that determined the participating teams in the 2009 National League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a "wild card" team played in the two series. The NLDS began on Wednesday, October 7 and...
against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, pitching seven innings of shut-out ball. He also pitched well in Game 2 of the NLCS
2009 National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven baseball game series pitting the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League Championship and the right to represent the National League in the 2009 World Series. The Phillies defeated the Dodgers four...
against the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, working 7.1 innings and only allowing one run in a game the Dodgers eventually won. However, he picked up the loss, giving up 6 earned runs in 3 innings of work, in the deciding Game 5, allowing the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
to advance to the World Series
2009 World Series
The 2009 World Series was the 105th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Philadelphia Phillies, champions of the National League and defending World Series champions, and the New York Yankees, champions of the American League...
for the second straight year.
On November 3, 2009, Padilla was injured when he was accidentally shot in the leg at a shooting range in Nicaragua. It was not a serious injury.
On January 21, 2010, Padilla re-signed with the Dodgers, a one-year, $5.025 million deal, with $1 million of that in the form of a signing bonus.
On March 25, 2010, the Dodgers announced that Padilla would be the their opening day starter for the 2010 season. Due to a number of recurring injuries, Padilla only was able to start 16 games for the Dodgers in 2010, finishing 6-5 with a 4.31 ERA. His best performance was a complete game shutout against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on August 4. He made just three more starts after that before he was shut down for the season. After the season, Padilla re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, incentive-laden deal.
He was injured in spring training in 2011 and began the season on the disabled list, rejoining the team on April 23 as a reliever. In his new role, he picked up his first save since 2000 in a 10 inning game against 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...
on April 27. He became the Dodgers closer for a brief time after Jonathan Broxton
Jonathan Broxton
Jonathan Roy Broxton is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
was placed on the disabled list. However, he also wound up on the disabled list on May 14. He was first shut down with a forearm injury and later with neck problems, which required surgery. He was unable to return to the Dodgers in 2011, appearing in only 9 games, pitching 8.2 innings with a 4.15 ERA and 3 saves. This was the least amount of appearances for Padilla since his first season and the first year he did not start any games since 2001 with the Phillies.
Pitching style
Padilla has two different pitches: a fastballFastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
and an eephus pitch
Eephus pitch
An Eephus pitch in baseball is considered a junk pitch with very low speed. The delivery from the pitcher has very low velocity and usually catches the hitter off-guard. Its invention is attributed to Rip Sewell of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1940s. According to manager Frankie Frisch, the...
. The fastball is his main pitch: it tends to travel at about 93-94 mph. However, he is also one of the few pitchers in baseball to throw an eephus pitch: a slow curve that travels about 55 mph. Padilla rarely throws this pitch consecutively, though. He has never led the league in walks, but he tends to hit a lot of batters: his total of 106 hit batters (HB) is tied for 67th all-time, and he led the American League league in hit batters in 2006.