Derek Holland is a former professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on October 9, 1986, in Newark, Ohio, and grew up in Ohio and Texas. Holland attended Wallace State Community College in Alabama, where he played college baseball for two years before being drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 25th round of the 2006 MLB draft.
Holland made his MLB debut for the Rangers in 2009 and quickly established himself as a reliable starting pitcher. He had a breakout season in 2011, when he went 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA and helped lead the Rangers to their second consecutive World Series appearance. Holland pitched a gem in Game 4 of the World Series, throwing 8.1 scoreless innings and striking out seven batters to help the Rangers win the game.
Over the course of his career, Holland played for several teams, including the Rangers, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was known for his versatility as a pitcher, as he could pitch both as a starter and a reliever. Holland had a career record of 81-86 with a 4.61 ERA and 1,243 strikeouts in 1,383 innings pitched.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Holland was also known for his colorful personality and sense of humor. He was a fan favorite wherever he played and was often seen joking around with teammates and fans.
Holland announced his retirement from baseball in October 2021, bringing an end to his 12-year career in the MLB. He cited a desire to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests as the reasons for his retirement.
Overall, Derek Holland had a successful career as a pitcher in the MLB, earning the respect and admiration of fans and teammates alike. He will be remembered for his talent on the field and his infectious personality off the field.
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