Jason Motte is a former professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. He was born on June 22, 1982, in Port Huron, Michigan, and attended Iona College in New Rochelle, New York.
Motte began his professional baseball career in 2003 when he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 19th round of the MLB draft. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in 2008. In his rookie season, he appeared in 11 games and recorded a 0.82 earned run average (ERA).
Over the next few seasons, Motte established himself as a reliable relief pitcher for the Cardinals. He was known for his fastball, which regularly reached speeds of over 95 miles per hour. In 2011, he played a key role in the Cardinals' World Series championship run, recording five saves in the postseason.
Motte continued to pitch for the Cardinals until 2014 when he became a free agent and signed with the Chicago Cubs. He struggled with injuries during his time with the Cubs and was eventually released in 2015. He then signed with the Colorado Rockies but was again plagued by injuries and only appeared in nine games for the team.
In 2016, Motte signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves and was called up to the major leagues in May. He appeared in 46 games for the Braves that season, recording a 3.94 ERA. He then signed with the Colorado Rockies for the 2017 season but was released in August after struggling with a 5.31 ERA.
Overall, Motte played in 10 seasons in the major leagues, appearing in 415 games and recording 44 saves. He had a career ERA of 3.30 and struck out 396 batters in 397 innings pitched. He was known for his toughness on the mound and his ability to pitch in high-pressure situations.
After retiring from baseball, Motte became involved in philanthropy work, founding the Jason Motte Foundation to support cancer research and patient care. He also works as a baseball analyst for the Cardinals' television network.
⚾