Chad Billingsley is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies. He was born on July 29, 1984, in Defiance, Ohio, and attended Defiance High School. He was drafted by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2003 MLB draft and made his debut in 2006.
Billingsley was known for his strong fastball and curveball, which helped him become a reliable starter for the Dodgers. He had a successful rookie season in 2006, finishing with a 7-4 record and a 3.80 ERA. He continued to improve over the next few seasons, becoming one of the Dodgers' top pitchers.
In 2008, Billingsley had his best season, finishing with a 16-10 record and a 3.14 ERA. He was named to the National League All-Star team and helped lead the Dodgers to the NLCS. He continued to pitch well over the next few seasons, but injuries began to take a toll on his performance.
In 2013, Billingsley underwent Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the entire season. He returned to the Dodgers in 2014 but struggled with his command and was eventually moved to the bullpen. He became a free agent after the season and signed with the Phillies.
Billingsley pitched for the Phillies in 2015 but struggled with injuries and was limited to just seven starts. He announced his retirement from baseball in 2016 at the age of 31.
Overall, Billingsley had a solid career in the majors, finishing with a 83-64 record and a 3.72 ERA. He was a reliable starter for the Dodgers for many years and was a key part of their success in the late 2000s. Despite his injuries, he was able to make a successful comeback and finish his career on his own terms.
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