Chad Qualls is a former professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher for various teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on August 17, 1978, in Lomita, California, and attended Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California. Qualls was drafted by the Houston Astros in the second round of the 2000 MLB draft and made his debut in the league in 2004.
Qualls played for several teams during his career, including the Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins, Colorado Rockies, and the San Diego Padres. He was known for his consistency and durability as a relief pitcher, and he was often called upon to pitch in high-pressure situations.
Throughout his career, Qualls recorded a total of 74 saves, 797 strikeouts, and an earned run average (ERA) of 3.89. He was particularly effective against right-handed batters, holding them to a batting average of .238 over his career. Qualls was also known for his ability to induce ground balls, which helped him to get out of tough situations and limit the damage done by opposing teams.
One of Qualls' most memorable moments came in the 2007 National League Championship Series (NLCS) when he pitched a scoreless ninth inning to help the Diamondbacks defeat the Colorado Rockies and advance to the World Series. Qualls also played in the 2011 World Series as a member of the Phillies, although his team ultimately lost to the Yankees.
Qualls retired from baseball in 2018 after a 14-year career in the MLB. He finished his career with a record of 52-49 and a total of 844 appearances. Qualls was known for his professionalism and work ethic, and he was respected by his teammates and coaches throughout his career.
Overall, Chad Qualls had a successful career as a relief pitcher in the MLB. He was a reliable and consistent performer who was able to pitch effectively in a variety of situations. Although he never won a championship, Qualls was a valuable member of several teams and made a significant contribution to the sport of baseball.
⚾