Jason Schmidt was a professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on January 29, 1973, in Lewiston, Idaho, and grew up in Kelso, Washington. Schmidt attended Kelso High School, where he played baseball and basketball. He was a standout athlete and was named the Washington State Player of the Year in baseball in 1991.
Schmidt was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the eighth round of the 1991 MLB draft. He spent several years in the Braves' minor league system before making his MLB debut in 1995. Schmidt played for the Braves for four seasons, from 1995 to 1999, before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1999.
Schmidt's career took off with the Pirates, where he became one of the team's top pitchers. He had a breakout season in 2001, when he posted a 13-9 record with a 3.45 ERA and 196 strikeouts. Schmidt continued to excel with the Pirates, earning his first All-Star selection in 2003. He finished the season with a 17-5 record, a 2.34 ERA, and 208 strikeouts, which earned him the National League ERA title.
In 2006, Schmidt signed a three-year, $47 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. He struggled with injuries during his time with the Giants, and his performance declined. Schmidt made only 10 starts in 2007 and missed the entire 2008 season due to shoulder surgery. He attempted a comeback in 2009 but was released by the Giants in August of that year.
Overall, Schmidt had a successful career in MLB, finishing with a record of 130-96 and a 3.96 ERA. He was a three-time All-Star and won the National League ERA title in 2003. Schmidt was known for his fastball, which could reach speeds of up to 98 miles per hour, as well as his curveball and slider.
After retiring from baseball, Schmidt returned to his hometown of Kelso, Washington, where he became a volunteer assistant coach for the Kelso High School baseball team. He also worked as a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers and as a television analyst for the Giants. Schmidt was inducted into the Kelso High School Hall of Fame in 2013.
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