Francisco Cordero is a former professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on May 11, 1975, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Cordero began his professional baseball career in 1994 when he signed with the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in 1999 with the Tigers.
Cordero played for several teams during his career, including the Tigers, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, and Toronto Blue Jays. He was primarily used as a closer, and he was known for his ability to throw a fastball in the mid-90s and a devastating slider. Cordero was a three-time All-Star, and he finished in the top ten in saves in the National League six times.
Cordero's best season came in 2004 when he was playing for the Rangers. He recorded 49 saves, which was the second-highest total in the American League that year. He also had a 2.13 earned run average (ERA) and struck out 83 batters in 69 innings pitched. Cordero finished fifth in the voting for the American League Cy Young Award that year.
Cordero's career came to an end in 2012 when he was released by the Blue Jays. He finished his career with a record of 47-53, 329 saves, and a 3.38 ERA. He struck out 760 batters in 796 innings pitched. Cordero ranks 15th on the all-time saves list, and he is one of only 29 pitchers in MLB history to record 300 or more saves.
Off the field, Cordero was known for his charitable work. He established the Francisco Cordero Foundation, which provides assistance to underprivileged children in the Dominican Republic. He also participated in several charity events throughout his career, including the Texas Rangers' annual Winter Caravan.
In conclusion, Francisco Cordero was a successful relief pitcher in MLB for over a decade. He was known for his ability to throw a fastball in the mid-90s and a devastating slider. Cordero was a three-time All-Star, and he finished in the top ten in saves in the National League six times. He finished his career with a record of 47-53, 329 saves, and a 3.38 ERA. Cordero ranks 15th on the all-time saves list, and he is one of only 29 pitchers in MLB history to record 300 or more saves.
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