Mark Clark was a right-handed pitcher who played for several Major League Baseball teams during his career. He was born on May 12, 1968, in Bath, Illinois, and attended Lincoln Land Community College before being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round of the 1988 MLB draft.
Clark made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 1991 and spent three seasons with the team before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1994. He had a breakout season with the Indians in 1995, posting a 14-11 record with a 3.73 ERA and helping the team reach the World Series. However, the Indians lost to the Atlanta Braves in six games.
After spending two seasons with the Indians, Clark was traded to the New York Mets in 1997. He struggled with injuries during his time with the Mets and was eventually released in 1999. He then signed with the Texas Rangers but was released after just one season.
Clark finished his career with the Boston Red Sox in 2000, where he served as a reliever. He retired at the end of the season with a career record of 74-67 and a 4.61 ERA.
Throughout his career, Clark was known for his control and ability to induce ground balls. He was also a solid hitter for a pitcher, finishing his career with a .179 batting average and two home runs.
After retiring from baseball, Clark worked as a pitching coach for several minor league teams, including the Quad Cities River Bandits and the Peoria Chiefs. He also served as a scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Overall, Mark Clark had a solid career as a pitcher in the MLB, with his best season coming in 1995 with the Cleveland Indians. While injuries and inconsistency plagued him later in his career, he was still able to contribute to several teams and leave a lasting impact on the game.
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