Neal Cotts is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on March 25, 1980, in Lebanon, Illinois, and attended Illinois State University. Cotts was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 2001 MLB draft.
Cotts made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2003. He spent three seasons with the White Sox, primarily as a relief pitcher. In 2005, he was a key member of the team that won the World Series, pitching in six games during the postseason and earning a win in Game 2 of the World Series.
After the 2006 season, Cotts was traded to the Chicago Cubs. He spent two seasons with the Cubs, pitching primarily out of the bullpen. In 2008, he had a career-best season, posting a 2.29 ERA in 50 appearances.
Cotts then bounced around the league, playing for several teams over the next few years. He spent time with the Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers, and Minnesota Twins. He was primarily used as a left-handed specialist out of the bullpen, and he had some success in that role.
Cotts retired from baseball in 2017. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 483 games, posting a 3.96 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He struck out 441 batters in 429 innings pitched.
Cotts was known for his deceptive delivery and his ability to get left-handed hitters out. He was also a reliable pitcher who could be counted on to eat up innings out of the bullpen. While he was never a star player, he was a valuable member of several teams over the course of his career.
Off the field, Cotts was known for his charitable work. He and his wife, Katie, founded the Cotts Children's Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families with critically ill children. The foundation has raised millions of dollars over the years and has helped countless families in need.
Overall, Neal Cotts had a solid career as a Major League Baseball pitcher. While he was never a household name, he was a reliable and effective player who made a positive impact on the teams he played for. His charitable work off the field is also a testament to his character and his commitment to helping others.
⚾