Matt Herges is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on April 1, 1970, in Champaign, Illinois, and attended Illinois State University. Herges was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 8th round of the 1992 MLB draft.
Herges made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 1999 and played for them until 2001. He then played for the Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, Florida Marlins, and Colorado Rockies. Herges was primarily used as a relief pitcher during his career, but he did make some starts early on.
Herges had a solid career as a reliever, posting a career ERA of 3.94 and a record of 37-35. He recorded 33 saves and struck out 497 batters in 608 innings pitched. Herges was known for his durability and consistency, as he pitched in at least 50 games in six different seasons.
One of Herges' best seasons came in 2004 when he was a member of the San Francisco Giants. He posted a 3.33 ERA in 72 appearances and recorded six saves. Herges was a key member of the Giants' bullpen that season, helping them reach the playoffs.
Herges also had some memorable moments during his career. In 2006, he recorded his first and only career hit while playing for the Florida Marlins. He also pitched in the 2007 World Series as a member of the Colorado Rockies, although they ultimately lost to the Boston Red Sox.
After the 2009 season, Herges became a free agent and did not sign with a team for the 2010 season. He then signed with the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese Central League for the 2011 season. Herges pitched well in Japan, posting a 2.52 ERA in 47 appearances.
Herges retired from professional baseball after the 2011 season. He then became a pitching coach in the Los Angeles Dodgers' minor league system. Herges has since worked as a pitching coach for several other organizations, including the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In conclusion, Matt Herges had a solid career as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for several teams during his career and was known for his durability and consistency. Herges had some memorable moments during his career, including pitching in the World Series and recording his first career hit. He has since become a pitching coach and continues to work in baseball.
⚾