Mark Melancon is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on March 28, 1985, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and attended the University of Arizona, where he played college baseball for the Wildcats.
Melancon was drafted by the New York Yankees in the ninth round of the 2006 MLB draft and made his major league debut with the team in 2009. He pitched for the Yankees for two seasons before being traded to the Houston Astros in 2010.
Melancon spent two seasons with the Astros before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2012. He pitched for the Red Sox for one season before being traded again, this time to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Melancon had his best seasons with the Pirates, where he served as the team's closer from 2013 to 2016. He was named an All-Star in 2013 and 2015 and led the National League in saves in 2015 with 51.
In 2016, Melancon was traded to the Washington Nationals, where he pitched for one season before signing a contract with the San Francisco Giants in 2017. He spent three seasons with the Giants before being traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2020.
Melancon was known for his ability to pitch in high-pressure situations and was considered one of the best closers in the game during his prime. He finished his career with a record of 30-27, 205 saves, and a 2.85 ERA.
Melancon announced his retirement from baseball on October 14, 2021, after 12 seasons in the major leagues. He cited a desire to spend more time with his family as the reason for his decision to retire.
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