Stan Belinda was a professional baseball player who played as a relief pitcher for several teams during his career. He was born on August 6, 1966, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and attended Allegany College of Maryland before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round of the 1986 MLB draft.
Belinda made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 1989 and quickly established himself as a reliable relief pitcher. He was known for his fastball and slider, which he used to strike out batters and induce ground balls. In 1990, he helped the Pirates win the National League East division title and reach the NLCS, where they lost to the Cincinnati Reds.
Belinda continued to pitch well for the Pirates over the next few seasons, earning a reputation as one of the top relievers in the league. He was named to the National League All-Star team in 1992 and helped the Pirates win another division title in 1993. However, his time with the Pirates came to an end in 1996 when he was traded to the Kansas City Royals.
Belinda struggled with the Royals, posting a 5.19 ERA in 1996 and a 6.75 ERA in 1997. He was released by the Royals in 1998 and signed with the Cincinnati Reds, where he bounced back with a solid season in 1998. He pitched for the Reds for two seasons before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2000.
Belinda's time with the Red Sox was short-lived, as he struggled with injuries and was released in August of 2000. He retired from baseball shortly thereafter, finishing his career with a 52-39 record, a 4.15 ERA, and 99 saves.
Despite his relatively short career, Belinda was a key contributor to several successful teams and was widely respected by his peers. He was known for his work ethic and his ability to pitch in high-pressure situations, making him a valuable asset to any team he played for.
⚾