Jose Mesa is a former professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career. He was born on May 22, 1966, in Pueblo Viejo, Dominican Republic.
Mesa began his professional baseball career in 1981 when he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an amateur free agent. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 1987. He played for the Orioles for four seasons before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1992.
Mesa had his best years with the Indians, where he played from 1992 to 1997. He was a key member of the team's bullpen and helped them reach the World Series in 1995. Mesa was known for his fastball, which he could throw at speeds of up to 98 miles per hour. He also had a slider and a changeup in his pitching arsenal.
After leaving the Indians, Mesa played for several other teams, including the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Detroit Tigers. He continued to be a reliable relief pitcher throughout his career, although he never reached the same level of success he had with the Indians.
Mesa retired from baseball in 2007 after playing for 19 seasons. He finished his career with a record of 80-109, 321 saves, and an ERA of 4.36. He also appeared in three All-Star Games during his career.
Despite his success on the field, Mesa was involved in several controversial incidents during his career. In 1997, he was involved in a brawl with the Milwaukee Brewers, which resulted in him being suspended for three games. In 2002, he was arrested for DUI and was suspended for two games by the Phillies.
Mesa's baseball career was not without its ups and downs, but he will always be remembered as a reliable relief pitcher who helped his teams win games. He was known for his fierce competitiveness and his ability to pitch in high-pressure situations. Today, he works as a pitching coach for the Gulf Coast League Phillies.
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