Clay Buchholz is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for multiple teams during his career. He was born on August 14, 1984, in Nederland, Texas, and attended McNeese State University in Louisiana. Buchholz was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the supplemental first round of the 2005 MLB draft.
Buchholz made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2007 and quickly made a name for himself by throwing a no-hitter in just his second career start. He finished the season with a 3-1 record and a 1.59 ERA in four starts. In 2008, Buchholz struggled with injuries and inconsistency, but he bounced back in 2009 with a 7-4 record and a 4.21 ERA in 16 starts.
Buchholz continued to pitch for the Red Sox through the 2016 season, earning two All-Star selections and a World Series championship in 2013. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in December 2016 and spent two seasons with the team before being released in August 2018.
Buchholz signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in May 2019 and was called up to the major leagues in June. He pitched well for the Diamondbacks, posting a 2-3 record and a 6.56 ERA in nine starts. However, he became a free agent at the end of the season and did not sign with a team for the 2020 season.
Throughout his career, Buchholz was known for his impressive fastball and curveball, as well as his ability to generate ground balls. He finished his career with a 101-66 record and a 3.96 ERA in 208 starts and 11 relief appearances. He also struck out 1,092 batters in 1,273 innings pitched.
Off the field, Buchholz was known for his charitable work, including his support of the Jimmy Fund, a charity that raises money for cancer research and patient care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He also founded the Clay Buchholz Foundation, which supports children in need in his hometown of Nederland, Texas.
Overall, Clay Buchholz had a successful career as a Major League Baseball pitcher, earning accolades and championships along the way. While he may not have played in the league for as long as some of his peers, he made a lasting impact on the game and will be remembered as one of the top pitchers of his era.
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