Ron Flores
Encyclopedia
Ronald Joel Flores is a left-handed
relief pitcher
who is currently a free agent
. He was selected by the Oakland Athletics
in the 29th round (870th overall pick) of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft
. He is the younger brother of Colorado Rockies
pitcher, Randy Flores
. Ron graduated from El Rancho High School
(Pico Rivera
, California) and he attended the University of Southern California
from 1998 to 2001. He was a member of USC's 1998 national championship baseball team. Flores earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Economics from USC.
In limited appearances with Oakland, Flores was mostly the second or third lefty in the bullpen. He pitched a career-high four shutout
innings for his first big league win on June 29, 2006 against the San Diego Padres
. His first Major League save came after he pitched a scoreless 10th inning in the final game of the 2006 season. On December 12, 2007, Flores signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, uniting him with his older brother, Randy Flores
. He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league
contract with the Cincinnati Reds, only to be released by the organization on April 1, 2009.
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
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...
who is currently a 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....
. He was selected by the 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....
in the 29th round (870th overall pick) of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft
2000 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Compensation picks:- Background :The Florida Marlins made Adrian Gonzalez of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA the first overall selection in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft...
. He is the younger brother of 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...
pitcher, Randy Flores
Randy Flores
Randy Alan Flores is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. Flores is a career left-handed relief specialist.-Early life and career:...
. Ron graduated from El Rancho High School
El Rancho High School
El Rancho High School is a public school located in the city of Pico Rivera, California, United States. It is a part of the El Rancho Unified School District.-History:El Rancho High School opened its doors in September 1952...
(Pico Rivera
Pico Rivera, California
Pico Rivera is a city located in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city is situated approximately 11 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, on the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin, and on the southern edge of the area known as the San Gabriel Valley...
, California) and he attended the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
from 1998 to 2001. He was a member of USC's 1998 national championship baseball team. Flores earned a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Economics from USC.
In limited appearances with Oakland, Flores was mostly the second or third lefty in the bullpen. He pitched a career-high four 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....
innings for his first big league win on June 29, 2006 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...
. His first Major League save came after he pitched a scoreless 10th inning in the final game of the 2006 season. On December 12, 2007, Flores signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, uniting him with his older brother, Randy Flores
Randy Flores
Randy Alan Flores is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. Flores is a career left-handed relief specialist.-Early life and career:...
. He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
contract with the Cincinnati Reds, only to be released by the organization on April 1, 2009.