Jake Westbrook is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for three different teams during his career. He was known for his sinkerball, which induced many ground balls and double plays.
Westbrook was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 1996, but he was traded to the Montreal Expos before making his MLB debut. He made his debut with the Expos in 2000 and played for them until 2004, when he was traded to the Cleveland Indians.
Westbrook had his best years with the Indians, where he was a consistent starter and won 44 games from 2004 to 2008. He was also a key member of the Indians' playoff teams in 2007 and 2008.
In 2010, Westbrook was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he helped the team win the World Series in 2011. He pitched well in the playoffs, including a complete game shutout in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Westbrook's career came to an end in 2013, when he announced his retirement after 13 seasons in the majors. He finished his career with a record of 105-103 and an ERA of 4.32. He was known for his durability and consistency, as he pitched over 200 innings in a season three times and had a career ERA+ of 97.
Off the field, Westbrook was known for his strong Christian faith and his charitable work. He and his wife started the Jake Westbrook Foundation, which supports various causes in their hometown of Athens, Georgia.
Overall, Jake Westbrook had a solid career as a starting pitcher in the majors. He was never a dominant pitcher, but he was reliable and consistent throughout his career. He was a key member of several playoff teams and helped the Cardinals win a World Series in 2011.
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