| Mario Soto | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1956-07-12)July 12, 1956 (age 69) Baní,Dominican Republic | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 21, 1977, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| June 16, 1988, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 100–92 |
| Earned run average | 3.47 |
| Strikeouts | 1,449 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Mario Melvin Soto (born July 12, 1956) is a Dominican formerpitcher, mostly as astarter, for theCincinnati Reds ofMajor League Baseball (MLB) from1977 through1988. He currently works in the Reds' front office.
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For most of his career, the Dominican right-hander was essentially a two-pitch pitcher. He possessed a hard fastball (clocked in the low-to-mid 90s) and complemented it with a bafflingcircle changeup, both thrown from the three-quarters position. Soto's changeup was particularly effective against left-handed hitters. On occasion, Soto would also throw aslider, which he turned to more in the latter stage of his career. He less frequently threw acurveball.
From1980 to1985, Sotostruck out 1,063 batters.
On May 12,1984, Soto came very close to throwing ano-hitter against theSt. Louis Cardinals. However, with two out in the top of the ninth inning and the Reds up 1–0,outfielderGeorge Hendrick spoiled the no-hitter with a game-tying solohome run. The Reds won the game for Soto in the bottom of the ninth, 2–1.
In1983, Soto finished second in voting for theNational League'sCy Young Award.Philadelphia'sJohn Denny was the winner. Statistically, 1983 and 1984 were Soto's best seasons. He compiled a 35–20 record with a 2.92earned run average and he established himself as the ace of the Cincinnati Reds' rotation. However, the Reds finished with losing records in both seasons.
In a 12-season career, all for Cincinnati, he was 100–92 with a 3.47ERA in 297 games, 224 of them starts. He had 72 careercomplete games and 13shutouts. He allowed 1,395hits, 667earned runs, 657bases on balls and struck out 1,449 batters in 1,7301⁄3innings pitched. He also earned foursaves (all during the 1980 season).
By 1986, Soto's performance had rapidly deteriorated due to shoulder injury. On April 29, 1986, against theMontreal Expos, Soto became the 11th pitcher in major league history to surrender four home runs in an inning.
On May 27, 1984, against theChicago Cubs atWrigley Field,third basemanRon Cey hit what was originally ruled a home run down theleft field line. Believing the ball had gone foul, Soto and Reds managerVern Rapp disputed the call, and during the argument, Soto shoved third-baseumpireSteve Rippley, who had made the call. After conferring, the umpires changed their decision and ruled it a foul ball, drawing a protest from the Cubs. However, for shoving Rippley, Soto was ejected, prompting him to charge the field. Cubs coachDon Zimmer stepped in front of Rippley to prevent Soto from attacking the umpire, only to himself be tackled by Soto and (inadvertently) catcherBrad Gulden, which triggered a 10-minutebrawl. Four days later, National League presidentChub Feeney suspended Mario Soto for five games.[1]
In the second incident, on June 16, the Reds were playing theAtlanta Braves inAtlanta. Braves playerClaudell Washington homered in the first inning off Soto. During Washington's second at-bat, Soto threw near Washington's chin and sent him to the ground, but Washington only stared at Soto. On Soto's first pitch of Washington's third at bat, Washington swung and let go of his bat in the direction of first base and walked toward the mound. UmpireLanny Harris attempted to intervene, but Washington threw Harris to the ground as he lunged toward Soto. Soto punched Washington with the baseball in his hand, and both benches cleared. Reds catcherDann Bilardello wrestled Washington to the ground and Soto threw the ball at Washington, but he struck Braves coachJoe Pignatano's shin instead. Soto was suspended five games and $5,000, and Washington received a three-game suspension and a $1,000 fine.[2]
In 2001, Soto was inducted into theCincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. He has also worked with the team as a pitching coach, helping several Reds pitchers develop a change-up. As of 2024, Soto was working for the Reds' front office in Player Development.[3] Soto is credited as the person who taughtEdinson Vólquez andJohnny Cueto their change-ups, which have been go-to strikeout pitches in their careers.[citation needed]
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