Matt Thornton is a former American professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 14 seasons. He was born on September 15, 1976, in Three Rivers, Michigan, and attended Centreville High School in Centreville, Michigan.
Thornton played college baseball at Grand Valley State University, where he was a standout pitcher. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the first round of the 1998 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with the team in 2004.
Throughout his career, Thornton played for several teams, including the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, and San Diego Padres. He was primarily used as a relief pitcher and was known for his fastball, which could reach speeds of up to 98 miles per hour.
Thornton's best season came in 2010 when he was with the White Sox. He appeared in 61 games and had a 2.67 earned run average (ERA) with 12 saves. He was named to the American League All-Star team that year and finished the season with a 5-4 record.
Over the course of his career, Thornton appeared in 766 games and had a 3.41 ERA with 23 saves. He struck out 642 batters in 662 innings pitched and had a career record of 36-46.
Thornton retired from baseball in 2016 at the age of 39. He currently works as a special assistant to the general manager for the Chicago Cubs.
In addition to his baseball career, Thornton is also known for his charitable work. He and his wife, Sarah, founded the 1 More Foundation, which supports families and children affected by cystic fibrosis. The foundation was inspired by their son, who was diagnosed with the disease at a young age.
Overall, Matt Thornton had a successful career as a relief pitcher in MLB. He was known for his fastball and was a valuable asset to the teams he played for. He also made a positive impact off the field through his charitable work.
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