Guillermo Mota 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 July 25, 1973, in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Mota began his professional baseball career in 1990 when he signed with the New York Mets as an amateur free agent. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with the Montreal Expos in 1999.
Over the course of his career, Mota played for several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, and San Francisco Giants. He was known for his fastball, which could reach speeds of up to 97 miles per hour, as well as his slider and changeup.
Mota's best season came in 2003 when he played for the Dodgers. He appeared in 76 games and recorded a 1.97 earned run average (ERA) with 71 strikeouts in 68.2 innings pitched. He also earned 10 saves that season. Mota was named the Dodgers' Pitcher of the Year and was selected to the National League All-Star team.
In 2004, Mota was traded to the Marlins, where he continued to pitch well. He recorded a 1.00 ERA in 29 games for the Marlins before being traded again, this time to the Boston Red Sox. Mota struggled with the Red Sox, however, and was left off the team's postseason roster.
Mota bounced back in 2005, signing with the Cleveland Indians and recording a 3.52 ERA in 73 games. He was traded to the Mets in 2006 and helped the team reach the National League Championship Series. Mota struggled in the postseason, however, giving up several key runs in the Mets' loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mota continued to pitch for several more years, playing for the Brewers and Giants before retiring in 2012. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 743 games and recorded a 3.94 ERA with 732 strikeouts in 908.2 innings pitched. He also earned 60 saves.
Mota's career was not without controversy, however. In 2006, he was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. He later admitted to using steroids and apologized for his actions.
Despite this setback, Mota remained a respected member of the baseball community. He was known for his work ethic and his willingness to mentor younger players. After retiring from baseball, he became a coach and mentor for young players in the Dominican Republic.
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