Jon Garland
Encyclopedia
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....
, who is currently a free agent.
High school career
At John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, CaliforniaGranada Hills, Los Angeles, California
Granada Hills is a district in the San Fernando Valley region of the City of Los Angeles.It is located just north of the North Hills and Northridge districts, west of the Mission Hills and Sylmar districts, and just east of the Porter Ranch district. It is accessible by the Ronald Reagan , San...
, Garland won All-State Player of the Year twice, and won 1st team High School All-American honors once.
Minor League
Garland was selected by the Chicago CubsChicago 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...
with the 10th pick of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft
1997 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1997 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1997...
and pitched in 10 games for the Arizona League Cubs with a 3-2 record and a 2.70 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
to finish the season. He began with the Single-A Rockford Cubbies, but was traded to the Chicago 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...
just before the trade deadline for relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Matt Karchner
Matt Karchner
Matthew Dean Karchner , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1995-2000....
who had previous success in the majors, but was having a down season with the White Sox (5.15 ERA). Unfortunately for the Cubs, Karchner did not fare any better with them that season (5.14 ERA) and was released in while Garland dominated the minor leagues on his way to securing a spot in the White Sox's rotation for seven seasons.
Garland started with High-A Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem Warthogs
The Winston-Salem Dash is a minor league baseball team in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League and have been a farm team of the Chicago White Sox since 1997...
and after 19 starts and a 3.33 ERA, Garland was promoted to Double-A Birmingham
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
. In , he was the White Sox's #2 prospect and went 9-2 with a 2.26 ERA for Triple-A Charlotte
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
before earning a promotion to the major leagues. For his success in Triple-A, Garland was voted a Triple-A All-Star and International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
All-Star and to Baseball America's 2nd team Minor League All-Star team and the International League Most Valuable Pitcher. He started with Charlotte again, but was back in the majors after only 5 starts.
Chicago White Sox
Garland made his major league debut as the youngest player in the American LeagueAmerican League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
at age 20 on July 4, 2000, against the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, but gave up 7 earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
s before being chased from the game after 3 innings. In 15 games in 2000, all but 2 of them starts, he had a 4-8 record and a 6.46 ERA. In , Garland started in the minors, but was called up and made his first appearance of the year on May 2. Garland spent the rest of the year mixing his time between the 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"...
and rotation.
In , he became a full-time starter and posted average seasons the next three years. In 2002, he was 12-12 with a 4.58 ERA, in , he was 12-13 with a 4.51 ERA, and in , he was 12-11 with a 4.89 ERA. Garland's season was very strong; he went 18-10 with a 3.50 ERA, 115 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, and led the AL with 3 shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s. He also made the All-Star Team
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 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...
, pitching 1 scoreless inning, and helped the White Sox win the American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
Division and the 2005 World Series
2005 World Series
The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917.Home-field...
. In Garland's first career postseason start, he threw a complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
, 4-hitter
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....
, with 7 strikeouts against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, in the ALCS
2005 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, IllinoisIn the series opener, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won 3–2 in their third game in as many nights and as many cities. The Angels took the lead in the second inning on a Garret Anderson home run. The Angels added two...
. In his other postseason start, in 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...
, Garland pitched 7 innings and gave up only 2 earned runs.
Following the 2005 season, Garland signed a three-year $29 million contract, avoiding salary arbitration
Arbitration
Arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
. 2006 was similar to his seasons before 2005. Despite having a 4.51 ERA, he went 18-7 and his 46 combined wins from 2004 to 2006 were tied for the sixth most in the majors over that period. He also hit his first major league home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
on June 18, 2006, off 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....
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...
Esteban Yan
Esteban Yan
Esteban Luis Yan is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League...
. During the 2006 offseason, Garland was nearly traded to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for Taylor Buchholz
Taylor Buchholz
Taylor Buchholz is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Biography:...
, Willy Taveras
Willy Taveras
Willy Taveras is a Major League Baseball center fielder.-Houston Astros:Taveras played in 10 games at the end of the Astros season, mostly as a pinch runner....
, and Jason Hirsh
Jason Hirsh
Jason Michael Hirsh is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who is a free agent.Hirsh was a dominant minor league pitcher in 2005–06, winning the Double-A Texas League Pitcher of the Year Award and the Triple-A Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Award in successive seasons, as he went...
. The trade fell apart after White Sox general manager Kenny Williams became concerned with the health of Buchholz.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
After another average season in , Garland was traded on November 19, 2007, to the Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos 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...
for shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Luis Cabrera, nicknamed "O-Cab" and "The OC", is a Colombian-American baseball infielder.He won a World Series championship in 2004 with the Boston Red Sox. He has played for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins,...
. The Angels, who had depth at shortstop, liked Garland's durability and he did not disappoint in ; he extended his streak of at least 32 games started to 7 consecutive seasons.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On January 29, , Garland signed a one-year deal with the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona 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...
with an option for 2010. He was 8-11 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 starts for the Diamondbacks.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Garland was traded to 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...
on August 31, 2009 for a player to be named later (Tony Abreu
Tony Abreu
Etanislao Toni "Tony" Abreu [ah-BREH-yu] is a Major League second and third baseman currently in the Kansas City Royals organization. He is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed....
). He was already in Los Angeles as the Diamondbacks were playing the Dodgers that day. Television camera showed Garland being told of the trade during the sixth inning. He made his Dodgers debut on September 3, 2009 pitching against his old teammates. During this game, the Diamondbacks broadcasters found their key of the game from a 9th grader which was, "Keep your friends close, keep Jon Garland closer." He pitched in six games for the Dodgers, finishing 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA but was left off the post-season roster. After the season, the Dodgers declined the $10 million option on Garland for the 2010 season, making him a free agent.
San Diego Padres
On January 26, 2010, Garland agreed to a one-year deal with the San Diego PadresSan 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...
.
Jon Garland recorded the 1000th strikeout of his career on May 30, 2010 which helped beat the Nationals 3-2 in extra innings. He finished the season 14-12 with a 3.47 ERA in 33 starts.
Return to Los Angeles Dodgers
On November 26, 2010, Garland signed a 1 year $5 million deal with an option for 2012 to return to the Dodgers as the fifth starter in their rotation. He started nine games with the Dodgers and had a 1-5 record and a 4.33 ERA when he was placed on the disabled list on June 2 with shoulder discomfort. On July 5, it was announced that he would have surgery on his shoulder and would not pitch again during the 2011 season.On October 4, 2011, the Dodgers announced that they were declining Garland's 2012 option and paying him a buyout of $500,000.
Personal life
Garland's longtime girlfriend is USA softballSoftball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Lovie Jung. His agent is Craig Landis, who is the son of former White Sox 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...
Jim Landis
Jim Landis
James Henry Landis is a retired American baseball player. Landis was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent in 1952 shortly after graduating from Richmond High School...
.
Garland appeared in an episode of The Bernie Mac Show
The Bernie Mac Show
The Bernie Mac Show is an American sitcom featuring comic actor Bernie Mac and his wife Wanda raising his sister's three kids: Jordan, Bryana and Vanessa. The show aired for five seasons , concluding with a half-hour series finale on Fox....
.
Garland's cousin is PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
professional Brian Vranesh
Brian Vranesh
Brian Vranesh is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.Vranesh was born in Northridge, California. He attended the College of the Canyons. He turned professional in 1999 and has no professional wins...
.
Garland went to Van Gogh Elementary and Robert Frost Middle School in Granada Hills.(California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
)
External links
- Player snapshot, stats, game logs and news http://scoreboards.aol.com/baseball/mlb/player/110767/player.aspx