Braden Looper
Braden Looper | |||||||||||||||
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![]() Looper with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009 | |||||||||||||||
Pitcher | |||||||||||||||
Born: Weatherford, Oklahoma, U.S. | October 28, 1974|||||||||||||||
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |||||||||||||||
MLB debut | |||||||||||||||
March 31, 1998, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |||||||||||||||
Last MLB appearance | |||||||||||||||
October 2, 2009, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |||||||||||||||
MLB statistics | |||||||||||||||
Win–loss record | 72–65 | ||||||||||||||
Earned run average | 4.15 | ||||||||||||||
Strikeouts | 669 | ||||||||||||||
Saves | 103 | ||||||||||||||
Teams | |||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Braden LaVerne Looper (born October 28, 1974) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams between 1998 and 2009.
High school
Looper was a scholar athlete while a student at Mangum High School in Mangum, Oklahoma. He graduated in 1993 with four letters each in baseball and basketball, and two in football, while also a member of the National Honor Society.
College and Olympics
Looper focused on baseball while attending Wichita State, and was inducted into their sports Hall of Fame in 2003. In 1994, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[1] In 1996, he competed in the College World Series, and was a first-team All-American as a junior. Looper was also a member of the bronze medal-winning Team USA in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Major leagues
St. Louis Cardinals
Looper was selected by the
Florida Marlins
Looper was inconsistent with the Marlins, working his way into the
New York Mets
In January 2004, Looper signed with the
In September 2005, Looper underwent shoulder surgery to repair a blown AC joint. This, in addition to the emergence of Aaron Heilman and acquisition by the Mets of other relief pitchers, kept the Mets from picking up his $5 million option for 2006.[2]
St. Louis Cardinals (second stint)
On December 15, 2005, Looper signed a three-year, $13.5M contract with the Cardinals to set up star closer and former Met Jason Isringhausen.[3] He was part of the 2006 World Series winning St. Louis Cardinals team. Primarily an eighth inning setup man, Looper posted a 9-3 record as the team's bullpen wins leader.
Beginning in the 2007 season Looper became a starting pitcher for the first time in his major league career.[4] Before the season began, Looper stated that his goal was to reach 200 innings pitched in the season.[5] In his first season as a starter, Looper reached career highs in wins (12), innings pitched (175), and strikeouts (84) in 30 starts (31 total appearances).
Milwaukee Brewers
On October 30, 2008, Looper filed for free agency.[6] On February 12, 2009, Looper signed a one-year deal with an option for 2010 with the Milwaukee Brewers.[7] Although Looper had a 14–7 record in 2009, he led the major leagues by allowing 113 earned runs. After the season the Brewers did not pick up the option on Looper for 2010, making him a free agent.
Retirement
After not pitching in the 2010 season, Looper was a non-roster invitee of the Chicago Cubs to spring training as a candidate to be either a starter or reliever on the team. Looper had stated that the Cubs were the only team he would attempt a comeback with. However, on March 25, Looper was informed he would not make the opening day roster, and he retired.[8]
References
- ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- ^ ESPN.com news services (2005-10-31). "Mets exercise option on Trachsel". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
- ^ "Cardinals, Looper agree to $13.5M, three-year deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. 2005-12-15. Archived from the original on 2006-06-25. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
- ^ Goold, Derrick. "'Not that Crazy': Redbirds believe Looper can be a starter" St. Louis Post Dispatch 16 Dec. 2006 STLtoday.com 30 Mar. 2007 <"STLtoday - Sports - Cardinals". Archived from the original on 2007-01-05. Retrieved 2007-03-31.>.
- ^ [1] Goold, Derrick. "Thrown for a Loop (The Cards' Unexpected Ace)" St. Louis Post Dispatch 25 April. 2007 STLtoday.com 29 Sep. 2007
- ^ "Looper to test market". mlb.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ "Looper inks one-year deal with Crew". mlb.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
- ^ "Chicago Breaking Sports News - Chicago Tribune". www.chicagobreakingsports.com. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs