Jason Schmidt

This is a page about my favorite player Jason Schmidt and this is his biography so read it and you will understand why I think he is a great player.

Right-hander has cemented his place as one of game's elite pitchers over last 3 seasons, ranking among statistical leaders since Opening Day 2003 and finishing in top 4 of NL Cy Young voting following 2003 and 2004 campaigns...was recognized by his peers following 2004 campaign, receiving honors as the Players' Choice NL Outstanding Pitcher of Year and The Sporting News' NL Pitcher of Year...2-time All-Star has been one of majors' best pitchers over 2003-05 seasons, going 47-19 with 3.24 ERA (218er, 604.2ip) over 90 starts...during span, ranks among top ML starting pitchers in wins (T5th), ERA (10th), winning pct. (3rd -.712), strikeouts (3rd - 624), avg. against (2nd - .214), complete games (T8th - 9) and shutouts (2nd - 6)...became 1st Giant pitcher to register consecutive 200-strikeout seasons since Gaylord Perry in 1969-70, whiffing 208 in 2003 and SF-record 251 in 2004...by earning All-Star accolades in 2003 and 2004, became 1st Giants starting pitcher to go to consecutive Mid-Summer Classics since Rick Reuschel in 1988-89...won National League ERA title in 2003 (2.34) and finished 2nd in voting for Cy Young award, behind Dodgers' Eric Gagne...Giants have posted 89-40 ledger (with tie) in his 130 starts (.685) since his arrival July 30, 2001...has forged 67-28 personal ledger as Giant with 3.30 ERA...in fact, became fastest SF pitcher to reach 50-win plateau with club, accomplishing feat in 89th start (6-4 victory July 27, 2004 at San Diego)...Hall-of-Famer Juan Marichal held previous mark, garnering 50th win in his 97th start (July 2, 1963) en route to SF-record 238 triumphs (courtesy: David Smith/Retrosheet)...ranks 5th on SF list with 885 strikeouts, while placing 16th on franchise list...at plate, has 4 HRs as Giant to tie for 2nd among SF hurlers, with Jim Gott, John Montefusco and Russ Ortiz...only Don Robinson had more in his Giants career with 6...in 272 career starts, has posted 190 outings that have lasted 6.0 innings or longer (69.9%)...has limited opponents to 3 earned runs or less in 177 of those opening assignments (65.1%)...has registered double digits in strikeouts 23 times during career, including 20 times in last 4 years...has recorded at least 10 wins each of last 5 years (2001-05), while accomplishing feat in 8 of his 11 big league campaigns. Graduate of Kelso (WA) High School, where he played baseball, football, and basketball...named Washington's Gatorade State Player of Year and All-State MVP in baseball in 1991...also tossed prep no-hitter as senior, striking out 20 of 21 batters faced...was offered a scholarship to University of Arizona, but signed with Atlanta after being selected by Braves in 8th round of June 1991 draft...married (Bethany Bohannon, Nov. 1, 1997)...daughter (Makynlee Taylor, Jan. 14, 2001)...son (Mason Tyler, Jan. 29, 2004).
To top

Postseason

Has continued regular season success into October, going 3-1 with 3.06 ERA (11er, 32.1ip) while limiting opponents to .217 avg. (26-for-120) in 5 lifetime starts...SF is 4-1 in his 5 playoff starts during 2002 and '03 post seasons...ranks among franchise's post season career leaders in wins (T4th), innings (T7th) and strikeouts (T2nd, 32)...tossed 3-hit shutout against Florida in Game 1 of 2003 NLDS to became 8th pitcher in franchise history to twirl post season shutout (12th time) and 1st since Dave Dravecky blanked Cardinals 5-0 in Game 2 of 1987 NLCS at St. Louis...was also Giants' most effective playoff starter in 2002, going 2-1 with rotation-best 4.24 ERA (11er, 23.1ip) in 4 October starts...logged pair of 8-strikeout games and fanned 27 overall...8 strikeouts in game were most by SF pitcher in playoffs since Dave Dravecky also whiffed 8 in 1987 NLCS (Game 6 at STL)...earned 4-3 victory in Game 1 of 2002 World Series at Anaheim, allowing 3 runs over 5.2 innings.
To top

2005 career highlights

Despite missing time twice due to injuries, and not having vintage stuff on consistent basis, still went 12-7 with 4.40 ERA in 29 starts...was 4th among NL starters with avg. of 8.63 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (165so in 172.0ip), trailing only CHI's Mark Prior, SD's Jake Peavy and PHI's Brett Myers...put SF in position to win, as Giants were club-best 18-11 (.621) in his opening assignments...his personal .632 winning pct. ranked 11th among senior circuit starters...paced SF with 16 quality starts, during which club posted 14-2 ledger...fought through injuries all year, including stint on Disabled List May 10-23 with right shoulder strain...regained arm strength, and went 9-3 with 3.11 ERA (34er, 98.1ip) in 11 starts June 17-Sept. 2...struck out 92 over span, while holding opponents to .229 avg. (84-for-367)...however, suffered right groin strain during Sept. 7 start at LA, and left contest with 1 out in 5th inning...pitched only twice in season's final 3 weeks, including 4.0-inning start in Sept. 29 loss at San Diego...that setback snapped 5-game winning streak, as he posted 3.59 ERA (19er, 47.2ip) over 8-start stretch beginning Aug. 5...was 6-2 in 13 starts overall after All-Star Break, posting 3.66 ERA (32er, 78.2ip)...yielded paltry .216 avg. (63-for-291) during 2nd half, 5th-best among NL starters...made 1st Opening Day start in SF uniform (2nd career), defeating Dodgers 4-2 April 5 at SBC Park...won 1st 2 starts, then suffered through 9-start stretch April 16-June 11 in which he won just once...established season best for Giants starter with 19.0-consecutive scoreless innings, from final inning of June 11 start vs. Cleveland through 2nd inning of June 28 effort at Arizona...logged trio of double-digit strikeout performances, whiffing 10 June 22 vs. Arizona, July 19 at Atlanta and Sept. 2 at Arizona...slugged 5th career HR May 24 vs. LA (solo clout off Jeff Weaver).