Tom Candiotti was a professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for over 16 seasons. He was known for his signature knuckleball pitch, which he used to great effect throughout his career.
Candiotti began his career in the minor leagues, playing for various teams before being called up to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1983. He played for the Brewers for two seasons before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1986. It was with the Indians that Candiotti began to establish himself as a reliable pitcher, earning a reputation for his knuckleball pitch.
In 1991, Candiotti signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he played for four seasons. During his time with the Dodgers, he continued to impress with his knuckleball, earning a spot on the National League All-Star team in 1991. He also helped the Dodgers reach the playoffs in 1995, where they made it to the National League Championship Series.
After leaving the Dodgers, Candiotti played for several other teams, including the Oakland Athletics, Toronto Blue Jays, and Arizona Diamondbacks. He continued to pitch well, using his knuckleball to keep batters off balance and earning a reputation as a reliable starter and reliever.
Candiotti retired from baseball in 1999, finishing his career with a record of 151 wins and 164 losses. He had a career earned run average (ERA) of 3.73 and struck out 1,470 batters. He was also known for his durability, having pitched over 200 innings in a season six times during his career.
Despite never winning a Cy Young Award or a World Series championship, Candiotti was respected by his peers and fans for his skill and dedication to the game. He was known for his work ethic and his willingness to help younger players improve their skills.
After retiring from baseball, Candiotti worked as a broadcaster for several teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Toronto Blue Jays. He also worked as a pitching coach for the Italian national baseball team, helping them qualify for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Overall, Tom Candiotti was a talented and respected pitcher who used his knuckleball to great effect throughout his career. He was a reliable starter and reliever who earned the respect of his peers and fans for his skill and dedication to the game.
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