Mark Gubicza is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals and the Anaheim Angels during his career. He was born on August 14, 1962, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia.
Gubicza was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the second round of the 1981 Major League Baseball draft. He made his Major League debut on April 6, 1984, and quickly established himself as a reliable starting pitcher for the Royals. He was known for his strong arm and his ability to pitch deep into games.
Gubicza had his best season in 1988 when he went 20-8 with a 2.70 ERA and finished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting. He was named an All-Star that season and helped lead the Royals to the American League Championship Series.
Gubicza continued to pitch well for the Royals throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was a workhorse for the team, pitching over 200 innings in six different seasons. He also had a reputation for being a tough competitor who never backed down from a challenge.
In 1996, Gubicza was traded to the Anaheim Angels, where he played for two seasons before retiring after the 1997 season. He finished his career with a record of 132-136 and a 3.96 ERA. He also had 1,366 strikeouts in 2,583 innings pitched.
After retiring from baseball, Gubicza became a broadcaster for the Angels and later for Fox Sports. He has also been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Mark Gubicza Foundation, which raises money for children with cancer.
Overall, Mark Gubicza had a successful career as a Major League pitcher. He was a two-time All-Star and helped lead the Royals to the playoffs twice during his tenure with the team. He was known for his toughness and his ability to pitch deep into games, and he remains a beloved figure among Royals fans to this day.
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