Ryan Madson is a former American professional baseball pitcher who played for various teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career. He was born on August 28, 1980, in Long Beach, California, and attended Valley View High School in Moreno Valley, California.
Madson was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth round of the 1998 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Phillies in 2003 and spent the first nine seasons of his career with the team. During his time with the Phillies, Madson was primarily used as a relief pitcher and was a key member of the team's bullpen. He helped the Phillies win the World Series in 2008 and was a National League All-Star in 2011.
After leaving the Phillies, Madson played for several other teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, and Washington Nationals. He continued to be a reliable relief pitcher and was known for his ability to throw a fastball in the mid-90s and a changeup that was difficult for batters to hit.
Madson's career was not without its challenges, however. He missed the entire 2012 and 2013 seasons due to injuries and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012. He also struggled with control issues at times, which led to high walk rates and a few blown saves.
Despite these setbacks, Madson remained a valuable player throughout his career. He finished his career with a 3.38 earned run average (ERA) and 91 saves in 630 appearances. He also had a 1.17 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) and struck out 759 batters in 753 innings pitched.
Madson retired from baseball in 2019, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. He currently lives in Temecula, California, with his wife and children.
Overall, Ryan Madson had a successful career as a relief pitcher in MLB. He was a key member of several teams and helped lead the Phillies to a World Series championship in 2008. Despite some injuries and control issues, he remained a reliable pitcher throughout his career and was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
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