John Maine is a former professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. He was born on May 8, 1981, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Maine was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth round of the 2002 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2004 and played for them until 2005. In 2006, he was traded to the New York Mets, where he played until 2010. He also played for the Colorado Rockies in 2010 and the Miami Marlins in 2013.
Maine's best season was in 2007 with the Mets, where he had a record of 15-10 with a 3.91 earned run average (ERA) and 180 strikeouts. He also pitched a one-hit shutout against the Marlins in September of that year. However, Maine struggled with injuries throughout his career, which limited his playing time and effectiveness on the mound.
In 2011, Maine underwent shoulder surgery and missed the entire season. He attempted a comeback with the Boston Red Sox in 2012 but was released during spring training. He signed a minor league contract with the Marlins in 2013 but was released in May of that year after struggling in the minor leagues.
Overall, Maine had a career record of 41-36 with a 4.35 ERA and 523 strikeouts in 108 games (106 starts). He was known for his fastball, which could reach up to 95 miles per hour, and his slider, which was his primary breaking pitch.
After retiring from baseball, Maine returned to his hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he became a real estate agent. He also coaches youth baseball and is involved in various charitable organizations, including the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank and the Boys and Girls Club of America.
In conclusion, John Maine was a talented pitcher who had a successful career in MLB despite struggling with injuries. He will be remembered for his impressive 2007 season with the Mets and his contributions to the teams he played for throughout his career.
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