| Doug Fister | |
|---|---|
 Fister with the Houston Astros | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1984-02-04)February 4, 1984 (age 41) Merced, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 8, 2009, for the Seattle Mariners | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 8, 2018, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 83–92 |
| Earned run average | 3.72 |
| Strikeouts | 970 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Douglas Wildes Fister (born February 4, 1984) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theSeattle Mariners,Detroit Tigers,Washington Nationals,Houston Astros,Boston Red Sox, andTexas Rangers from 2009 through 2018.
Fister batted left-handed, and threw right-handed. He was born inMerced, California and attendedGolden Valley High School. He then attendedMerced College, and laterFresno State University. He spent four seasons (2006–2009) in theSeattle Marinersminor league organization before being promoted to their Major League roster in 2009.
Fister was born February 4, 1984, to Larry and Jan Fister.[1] Larry Fister is afire captain who playedfootball at Fresno State University from 1976 to 1977.[1] Jan is ahomemaker.[1] Fister has three siblings; a brother, Jacob and two sisters, Casey and Wendy.[1] He grew up in Merced, California where he began playing baseball at age six.
He was a fan of both theOakland Athletics andSan Francisco Giants as a child.[2] His favorite player wasCal Ripken Jr.[2] Fister also playedsoccer, football andbasketball as a child.[3] He shares a middle name (Wildes) with both his brother, father and grandfather.[3]
Fister attendedGolden Valley High School where he pitched and was the team's utility player.[1] He was a two-yearletterman and a first-team All-Central California Conference selection in hissenior season,[1] batting .456 with a home run and 12runs batted in (RBIs).[1] He was also named a first team all-conference selection in basketball, averaging over 30 points per game as a senior. He and former MLB catcherDusty Ryan graduated in the same class.
Fister attendedMerced College from 2003 to 2004. At Merced, he was a two-year letterman and participated in the 2003 Junior College All-Star Game.[1] In 2003, he was a preseason All-American.[1] Fister was drafted by theSan Francisco Giants in the 49th round of the2004 Major League Baseball draft but chose to transfer toDivision IFresno State University, where he played for theBulldogs. In2005, Fister led Fresno State withwins (7) and was second on the team ininnings pitched (932⁄3) and strikeouts (77).[1] He also appeared in 26 games atfirst base in 2005. That season, he was drafted by theNew York Yankees in the sixth round but chose to stay at Fresno State for his senior season. In 2006, Fister had an 8–6 record and a 4.10earned run average in 20 games. Following the season, Fister was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the seventh round of the2006 Major League Baseball draft.
Fister was selected by theSeattle Mariners in the seventh round of the2006 Major League Baseball draft, and signed on June 10, 2006.[4] He began his professional career that season with theClass-A Short-SeasonEverett AquaSox of theNorthwest League. Fister went 3–5 with a 2.25 ERA, foursaves, and 35strikeouts in 20 games; four starts. He was first on the AquaSox ingames finished (13), and ERA; tied for second in saves, and wins; and was third among pitchers ingames played (20).[5] The next season, 2007, Fister played with theDouble-AWest Tenn Diamond Jaxx of theSouthern League. That season, he went 7–8 with a 4.60 ERA, onecomplete game, and 85 strikeouts in 24 games, all starts. Fister led the Diamond Jaxx pitching staff in wins, andhome runs allowed (14); was tied for first in complete games; was second inhits allowed (156); and was third inlosses, games started, innings pitched (131),runs allowed (78), andearned runs allowed (67).[6]
Fister continued to play for the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx in 2008. On April 23, Fister was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Week.[7] Fister became the Southern League's first 10-game loser on July 10.[8] On the season, Fister went 6–14 with a 5.43 ERA, and 104 strikeouts in 31 games; 23 starts. Fister was first among Diamond Jaxx pitchers in losses, games started, innings pitched (1341⁄3), hits allowed (155), runs allowed (95), earned runs allowed (81), home runs allowed (12); and was second in wins, bases on balls (walks) allowed (45), and strikeouts.[9] He was also first in the Southern League in runs allowed; and was second in losses, and earned runs allowed.[10] At the end of the 2008 regular season, Fister played in theArizona Fall League (AFL) with thePeoria Javelinas.[11] In the AFL, Fister was involved inno decisions with a 3.32 ERA, and 22 strikeouts in 11 games, all in relief.
In 2009, Fister began the season with the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx for the third time in his career. However, he was later promoted to theTriple-ATacoma Rainiers, and eventually the Seattle Mariners.
In just two games with the Diamond Jaxx, Fister went 1–0 and gave-up no earned runs. With the Rainiers, Fister went 6–4 with a 3.81 ERA, and 79 strikeouts in 22 games, 17 starts.
On August 7, Fister was promoted to the majors.[12] As a result, pitcherJason Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to make room for Fister on the Mariners' 25-man roster.[12]
In his major league debut against theTampa Bay Rays on August 8, Fister pitched one inning, struck out one, gave up onehit, and gave up one walk.[13] He made his first start on August 11 against theChicago White Sox and picked up the loss.[14] Fister's first win came on August 16 against the New York Yankees.[15] Fister finished the season with a major league record of 3–4 with a 4.13 ERA, and 36 strikeouts in 11 games, 10 starts.
In 2010, Fister started the first game for the Mariners inspring training.[16] Going into the season, Fister, and fellow starting pitchersGarrett Olson,Luke French and Jason Vargas competed for the Mariners' fifth spot in thestarting rotation.[17] Fister ended up getting a job in the rotation (as did Vargas). On April 19, Fister took ano-hitter into the seventh inning against theBaltimore Orioles until it was broken up byNick Markakis' leadoffsingle.[18] Although the Mariners suffered early season woes, theSeattle Post-Intelligencer praised Fister and fellow starter Jason Vargas as reasons for why the Mariners were not doing worse, stating, "If Doug Fister and Jason Vargas hadn't been excellent at the back end of the rotation, God knows wherethis club would be."[19]
In 2011, Fister was the Mariners' number three starter behindFélix Hernández andJason Vargas.
On July 30, 2011, Fister was traded to theDetroit Tigers along with relief pitcherDavid Pauley in exchange forCasper Wells,Charlie Furbush, Francisco Martinez, and aplayer to be named later. On August 17, the Tigers sent former first round pickChance Ruffin to the Mariners to complete the trade.[20] Before being dealt to the Detroit Tigers, Fister had a 3–12 record with a 3.33 ERA in 21 starts.
After his trade to the Tigers, Fister went 8–1 with a 1.79 ERA in 10 starts.[21] He finished the 2011 regular season 11–13, with an ERA of 2.83 that placed him fourth among American League pitchers.[22]
Fister was named the American LeaguePitcher of the Month for September after going 5–0 with a 0.53 ERA in five starts.[23]
Facing theNew York Yankees in the American League Divisional Series, Fister bounced back from a rough game 1 outing to earn the win in the decisive game 5. Fister limited the Yankees to one run on five hits and two walks over five innings in the Tigers 3–2 victory, which sent them to the American League Championship Series.[24]
In Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, he held theTexas Rangers' offense to two runs in 71⁄3 innings to get the win in a 5–2 Tigers victory.[25]
On April 7 while pitching against the Red Sox, Fister left the game due to an injury.[26] The next day, Fister was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strain of the costochondral muscle in his left side, an injury to the ribcage.Brayan Villarreal was recalled from Triple-AToledo to take his place on the roster.[27] On September 22, Fister threw his first career shutout, blanking theMinnesota Twins 8–0 on seven hits.[28] In his next start on September 27, Doug set an American League record by striking out nine batters in a row against theKansas City Royals. This was just one short of the major league record (10) set byTom Seaver in 1970.[29] He finished the 2012 regular season with a 10–10 record and a 3.45 ERA in 26 starts.
Fister pitched in the second game of the ALDS against the Oakland A's, picking up a no decision in a 5–4 victory while giving up two runs in seven innings.[30] He also got a no-decision in Game 1 of the2012 ALCS against the New York Yankees, despite surrendering no runs in6+1⁄3 innings of work.[31] Fister was struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of Giants outfielderGregor Blanco during the second inning of Game 2 of the2012 World Series. Fister continued to pitch the game, holding the Giants to one run over six innings before turning it over to the bullpen.[32]
Fister was injury-free in 2013, making 32 starts for the Tigers. He set career highs in wins (14), win percentage (14–9, .609) and strikeouts (159), while finishing the regular season with a 3.67 ERA.
Doug made a start in Game 4 of the2013 ALDS against theOakland Athletics, with the Tigers facing elimination. He gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings of work. The Tigers won the game with a late rally, so Fister did not factor in the decision.[33] In Game 4 of the2013 ALCS against theBoston Red Sox, Fister gave up just one run on eight hits, striking out seven over six innings and earning the win in a 7–3 Tigers victory.[34]
Following the 2013 season, Fister was named a finalist for theGold Glove Award for the pitcher position alongsideMark Buehrle andR. A. Dickey.[35] Fister finished the season with no errors for a perfect 1.000fielding percentage. Additionally, he led all American League pitchers in putouts (23) and double plays started (5), and was seventh in assists (29).[36]
On December 2, 2013, Doug Fister was traded to theWashington Nationals for utility manSteve Lombardozzi Jr. and left-handed pitchersIan Krol andRobbie Ray.[37]
During spring training with the Nationals, Fister developed a strained lat muscle on his right side that put him on the disabled list to start the 2014 season.[38] He returned on May 9 against theOakland Athletics where he gave up five earned runs on nine hits in4+1⁄3 innings. He bounced back in his next start, against theArizona Diamondbacks, Fister gave up one earned run on five hits in seven innings. Fister finished the season with a 16–6 record over 164 IP, tallying 98 strikeouts, a 1.08 WHIP (5th in the NL among qualified starters), and a 2.41 ERA (4th in the NL).[39][40] Fister placed 8th in NL Cy Young voting with one 4th place vote and three 5th place votes for a total of five points.[41]
Fister pitched in 25 games for the Nationals in 2015, 15 of which were starts. He posted a 5–7 record, 4.19 ERA, and 63 strikeouts in 103 innings pitched.[42]
On January 28, 2016, Fister signed a one-year, $7 million contract with theHouston Astros.[43] He became a free agent at the end of the season.
On May 20, 2017, Fister signed a minor-league contract with theLos Angeles Angels. On June 21, he opted out of his Angels contract and was placed on waivers.[44]
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On June 23, 2017, Fister was claimed offwaivers by theBoston Red Sox.[45] On June 25, Fister made his first start with the Red Sox, going 6 innings and striking out 6 batters, allowing 3 earned runs and in a 2–4 loss against theLos Angeles Angels. On an August 22 start in Cleveland, Fister allowed a lead off home run toFrancisco Lindor to briefly tie the score at 1–1, but this would turn out to be the only hit registered by the Indians as Fister would go on to pitch a complete-game 1-hitter and not allow a hit to the final 28 batters faced in the game in an eventual 9–1 Red Sox win. He became a free agent following the season.
On November 28, 2017, Fister signed a one-year, $4 million, contract with theTexas Rangers that included an option for the following season.[46] He made 12 starts for the Rangers in 2018 before suffering a season-ending right knee strain on June 9. The Rangers declined his option after the season.
On February 13, 2019, Fister announced his retirement from professional baseball.[47]
Fister threw four pitches, and was mainly a groundball pitcher. His two seam fastball was thrown at 88–91 miles per hour (142–146 km/h). His other pitches were acutter (85–87 miles per hour (137–140 km/h)), acurveball (73–79 miles per hour (117–127 km/h)), and achangeup (80–84 miles per hour (129–135 km/h)). The curveball was his best swing-and-miss pitch, with a careerwhiff rate of over 30%. Fister finished third and fourth in 2010 and 2011, respectively, in lowestwalks per nine innings ratio.[48]
Fister ran 10 miles (16 km) on days he did not pitch.[49]
Fister stands 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and was among the tallest players in the major leagues.[50]
Fister and his wife have two daughters.[47]
