| Yovani Gallardo | |
|---|---|
 Gallardo with the Texas Rangers in 2015 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1986-02-27)February 27, 1986 (age 39) Penjamillo,Michoacán,Mexico | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 18, 2007, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 30, 2018, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 121–101 |
| Earned run average | 4.06 |
| Strikeouts | 1,584 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Member of the Mexican Professional | |
 Baseball Hall of Fame | |
| Induction | 2024 |
Yovani Gallardo (pronounced gah-YAR-doh; born February 27, 1986) is a Mexican former professionalbaseballpitcher. He was selected by theMilwaukee Brewers in the second round of the2004 Major League Baseball draft out ofTrimble Technical High School inFort Worth, Texas. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theMilwaukee Brewers,Baltimore Orioles,Texas Rangers,Seattle Mariners, andCincinnati Reds. Gallardo was anAll-Star in 2010, and won theSilver Slugger Award for pitchers that year.
Gallardo attendedGreen B. Trimble Technical High School inFort Worth, Texas. He committed to attendTexas Christian University (TCU) on acollege baseball scholarship to play for theTCU Horned Frogs.[1] TheMilwaukee Brewers selected Gallardo in the second round of the2004 Major League Baseball draft.[2] Gallardo signed with the Brewers, rather than enroll at TCU.
WithBrevard County Manatees of theClass A-AdvancedFlorida State League, Gallardo had ano-hitter for8+1⁄3 innings before surrendering atriple on June 9; Gallardo finished the game with 11strikeouts.[3] Splitting time between Brevard County and theHuntsville Stars of theClass AASouthern League, he led all minor league pitchers with 188 strikeouts in 155 innings of work, the most in a single season by a Milwaukee Brewers prospect.[4] His Double-A line included 13 starts and a 1.63earned run average (ERA).[4]
Gallardo started the season with theNashville Sounds of theClass AAAPacific Coast League.[4] On June 14, the Milwaukee Brewers announced the call-up of Gallardo to replace starterChris Capuano, who was placed on thedisabled list with a strained left groin.[5] Gallardo made his major league debut against theSan Francisco Giants on June 18, yielding 3earned runs in6+1⁄3 innings for thewin, with threewalks and four strikeouts.[6] In Gallardo's first at-bat in the majors, he hit an RBIdouble.[6]
For his second career start on June 24, Gallardo had a no-hitter into the 5th inning.[7] He would later take the no-decision when thebullpen blew the lead in the 8th.[7] After coming out of the bullpen for three games, Gallardo was inserted back into the starting rotation on July 17 when then-BrewersaceBen Sheets went on the 15-day disabled list with a right distal finger sprain.[8]
Gallardo started the season on the disabled list. He went on the 15-day DL on March 21,2008, with a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee.[9] Upon his return on April 20, Gallardo pitched well during the next three games, compiling a 1.80 ERA in twenty innings of work.[10]
During his start on May 1, Gallardo jumped to get out of the way of a divingChicago Cubs player –Reed Johnson – and landed awkwardly, bending his right knee extensively, during the 5th inning.[11] He continued to pitch through the 6th, but was later diagnosed with a tornanterior cruciate ligament (ACL).[11] Gallardo was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and was not activated until September 24.[9]
Gallardo was the starting pitcher in game 1 of the NLDS on October 1, 2008, against the Philadelphia Phillies.[12] He ended up taking the loss toCole Hamels.[12]
During Spring training for 2009, Gallardo was offered to pitch for Mexico in theWorld Baseball Classic, but turned it down to focus on getting ready for the 2009 season.[13] A few baseball commentators, notably Eric Karabell ofESPN, believed that Gallardo would be the Brewers' ace for the coming season.[14]
His first start was on April 8 against the Giants, lasting6+2⁄3 innings, giving up only 2 runs and striking-out 6en route to getting the win.[15] He made news in the 6th inning when he hit a three-run home run off ofRandy Johnson. He was the only pitcher to ever hit a home run off of Johnson.[16]
Gallardo pitched his first career complete game on April 24 against theHouston Astros.[17] Gallardo allowed only two runs on five hits, striking out seven.[17] His family was in attendance for the game, and were moved to behind the Brewers dugout for the final inning.[18]
Gallardo made baseball news again in his next start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Gallardo pitched 8 shutout innings and hit a home run in the 7th, which was the only run of the game. Gallardo became only the 26th pitcher in major league history to win a game 1–0 while hitting a home run, and joinedRed Ruffing andEarly Wynn as the only ones to do so while striking out 10 or more batters (Gallardo struck out 11, also a career high).[19] Gallardo tossed a 2-hitter on Memorial Day against the St. Louis Cardinals. He struck out 6 batters, one of themAlbert Pujols. He struck out 9 on May 31 against theCincinnati Reds. Gallardo pitched another 2-hitter on June 5, shutting out theAtlanta Braves 4–0. He struck out six Braves in the victory.
Gallardo struggled with his stamina in the final two months of the season, and was finally benched for the remainder of the year in mid-September. Gallardo started 30 games for the Brewers, with a record of 13–12 with a 3.73 ERA. He struck out 204 batters over 185 innings pitched, becoming only the 4th Brewer pitcher to strike out 200+ batters.
On April 7, the Brewers signed Gallardo to a five-year, $30.1 million contract extension through the 2014 season, with an $13 million option for 2015.[20] Gallardo pitched his first career complete-game shutout on May 28 at Miller Park against the New York Mets, outdueling Mets aceJohan Santana 2–0. Gallardo was selected to his first All-Star game in the 2010 season, but just after he was elected, he got injured.
On August 27, 2010, Gallardo was robbed at gunpoint at a Milwaukee supermarket. He and clubhouse attendant Alex Sanchez handed over jewelry and money to the robbers. Sanchez was struck on the head with the butt of the gun.
Gallardo had a solid 2010 season, going 14–7 with a 3.84 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 185 innings pitched, plus two complete-game shutouts. Gallardo also was stellar at the plate, batting .254 with 4 home runs, 10 RBIs, and a .504 slugging percentage. Gallardo was awarded the National League Silver Slugger award as the best hitting pitcher.
Gallardo was named the opening day starter for the second straight year after a rib injury placedZack Greinke on the DL. On April 5, his second start of the season, Gallardo recorded his third complete-game shutout in his career. The opposing Atlanta Braves were only able to record two hits and two walks. Gallardo also recorded a hit and scored the only run of the game.
On April 23, he hit his ninth home run of his career off of the Astros' Nelson Figueroa as the Brewers won 14–7. On May 7, Gallardo pitched a no-hitter into the 8th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, but it was ended by a lead-off single by Daniel Descalso in the 8th that just slipped past a diving Craig Counsell. It turned out to be the only hit of the game for St. Louis as Gallardo finished the 8th inning by retiring the next 3 batters and Brewers closerJohn Axford closed out the 9th inning in a 4–0 Brewers win. Gallardo walked 4 batters and struck out 6 in the game.
On his August 21 start against theNew York Mets, Gallardo earned his 14th win of the season, matching his career high. The win was also his 50th career win in the majors.
On September 17, Gallardo set a new career high in strikeouts with 13 against theCincinnati Reds, including 4 in one inning, with Brandon Phillips reaching on a wild 3rd strike. Gallardo became the second Brewer ever to strike out 4 batters in one inning, withManny Parra being the other. Gallardo also won his 17th game of the season, the most by a Brewer sinceChris Capuano won 18 games in 2005.
On September 23, in his final regular season start, Gallardo struck out 11 Marlins. It was the third straight start in which Gallardo struck out at least 11 batters, and it ensured him another 200 strikeout season, his third in a row. As a result of this game, he became the first Brewers pitcher to notch 3 straight double digit strikeout starts, as well as 3 straight 200+ strikeout seasons. The only other pitchers to have three seasons of at least 200 strikeouts at 25 or younger over the last 20 years areKerry Wood (1998, 2001 and 2002) andFélix Hernández (2009, 2010 and 2011).
Gallardo finished with a 17–10 record for the season with a 3.52 ERA, and 207 strikeouts (fifth in the league) in 207.1 innings pitched. His 17 wins were fourth in the NL.[21]
In Game 1 of the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Gallardo pitched 8 innings, only surrendering 4 hits and a walk, and one earned run on a solo home run byRyan Roberts. His nine strikeouts tied a franchise record for most strikeouts in a postseason game for the Brewers. Gallardo earned a win as the Brewers went on to win 4–1. Gallardo started game 5 of the NLDS, lasting 6 innings. Control was a problem for him throughout the game, bouncing multiple pitches in front of home. He threw 66 strikes in a 112-pitch, 6-inning effort. Gallardo didn't receive the decision, surrendering 1 earned run as the Brewers went on to win 3–2 in 10 innings.
Gallardo finished in 7th place in Cy Young voting, the first time Gallardo had ever received votes for the award.
On July 15, Gallardo achieved a new career high, striking out 14 Pittsburgh Pirates, the most strikeouts in a game for a Brewer sinceBen Sheets struck out 18 Atlanta Braves in 2004. Gallardo had another solid season in 2012, going 16–9 with a 3.66 ERA, and 204 strikeouts in 204 innings pitched. Gallardo also led the National League with 33 games started.
Gallardo pitched for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, where he pitched in one game, against USA. Gallardo pitched3+1⁄3 innings, giving up one run and striking out 4.
Gallardo struggled through the beginning of the 2013 season, losing 4 games in a row at one point, and was on the disabled list in early August before rebounding to go 4–1 to close the season.
Gallardo had the worst season of his career in 2013, going 12–10 with a 4.18 ERA. For the first time in a full season, Gallardo failed to reach 200 strikeouts, striking out only 144 batters in almost 181 innings pitched.
On May 27, Gallardo achieved the rare feat of getting a walk-off hit after pinch-hitting against T.J. McFarland of the Baltimore Orioles in the bottom of the 10th inning. After McFarland intentionally walked Mark Reynolds, Gallardo hit an RBI double, resulting in a 7–6 victory for the Brewers.
On January 19, 2015, Gallardo was traded to theTexas Rangers in exchange forCorey Knebel,Luis Sardiñas andMarcos Diplan.[22] Gallardo pitched for the Rangers in Game 1 of the 2015 ALDS against theToronto Blue Jays, earning the win. He became a free agent following the season.
On February 25, 2016, Gallardo signed a two-year, $22 million contract with theBaltimore Orioles, with a team option for a third year.[23] In his lone season with the Orioles, Gallardo turned in his worst season of his career. He finished the year with a 6–8 record, 5.42 ERA, and 85 strikeouts in 118 innings.[24]
On January 6, 2017, Gallardo was traded to theSeattle Mariners in exchange forSeth Smith.[25] After struggling through the first half of the season for Seattle, Gallardo was moved to the bullpen on June 22. He was reinstated to the starting rotation in August due to his strong performance as a reliever and the many injuries that had been crippling the Mariners' starting pitching. However, due to several poor appearances and new pitching acquisitions, he was relegated to the bullpen once more.
In 2017, he was 5–10, with a 5.72 ERA.[26] He had his option declined on November 2, 2017, and became a free agent.
On December 21, 2017, Gallardo signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[27] The Brewers released him on March 26, 2018.[28]
On March 31, 2018, Gallardo signed a one-year contract with theCincinnati Reds.[29] He was designated for assignment on April 10,[30] and elected free agency on April 12.[31]
On April 13, 2018, Yovani Gallardo signed a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers.[32] He was called up on June 17 to replaceDoug Fister in the rotation. He elected free agency on October 29.
Gallardo had a five-pitch repertoire consisting of afour-seam fastball, acurveball, aslider, achangeup, and acutter. His fastball was generally clocked between 92 and 95 mph, occasionally reaching as high as 96, the curve was thrown hard in the upper 70s to lower 80s, and the slider was usually in the mid-80s and had a late sharp break. When he was in the minors, his curveball was considered the best curveball in the minor leagues. He somewhat phased out his changeup in the later years of his career. He then began to throw a cutter in the upper 80s to supplement his changeup.
Gallardo is married to Patricia; the couple has a son named Yovani, Jr.They also have 2 twins name Zayra, and Zoey Gallardo[33] They reside inFort Worth, Texas.
