Marco Estrada is a former professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on July 5, 1983, in Sonora, Mexico, and grew up in California. Estrada attended Long Beach State University, where he played college baseball for the Long Beach State 49ers.
Estrada began his professional baseball career in 2005 when he was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the sixth round of the MLB draft. He spent several years in the Nationals' minor league system before making his MLB debut in 2008. Estrada pitched in relief for the Nationals, appearing in 25 games and posting a 6.04 ERA.
In 2010, Estrada was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he spent the next six seasons. He was primarily used as a relief pitcher during his time with the Brewers, but he also made several starts. Estrada had his best season with the Brewers in 2014 when he posted a 4.36 ERA in 34 games (18 starts). He also pitched in the postseason that year, helping the Brewers reach the National League Championship Series.
After the 2015 season, Estrada became a free agent and signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. He had a strong first season with the Blue Jays, posting a 3.13 ERA in 34 starts and helping the team reach the American League Championship Series. Estrada continued to pitch well for the Blue Jays over the next few seasons, but he struggled with injuries in 2018 and 2019.
Estrada announced his retirement from baseball in 2020. Over his 12-year career, he appeared in 283 games (211 starts) and posted a 4.36 ERA. He struck out 1,192 batters and walked 311 in 1,303 innings pitched. Estrada was known for his excellent changeup, which he used to keep hitters off balance.
Off the field, Estrada was known for his charitable work. He and his wife, Sal, founded the Estrada Foundation, which supports various causes in their hometown of Sonora, Mexico, and in the United States. The foundation has provided scholarships to students, donated equipment to schools and hospitals, and supported disaster relief efforts.
In conclusion, Marco Estrada had a successful career as a pitcher in MLB, spending time with the Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Toronto Blue Jays. He was known for his excellent changeup and his charitable work off the field. Estrada retired in 2020 with a 4.36 ERA and a reputation as a respected and well-liked player.
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