Armando Benítez
Encyclopedia
Armando Germán Benítez is a relief pitcher
who is currently a free agent
.
as a free agent
. Coming up through the Orioles' farm system, he made his debut in . While with the Orioles, he initially struggled, collecting a 5.66 ERA
in and faltering in the postseason frequently. In the 1996 ALCS he yielded the infamous Jeffrey Maier
home run. By 1998 he started to show some of his future potential earning a 3.82 ERA and 22 saves in 71 games. In 1997 Benitez had a break out year, as he excelled in the set up role for Orioles' closer Randy Myers, forming a lethal 1-2 punch at the back end of the Orioles bullpen and propelling them to the A.L. East pennant.
in a three-team deal, in which catcher Charles Johnson joined the Orioles while Todd Hundley
was sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers
, with Roger Cedeno
also joining Benitez in New York. Benitez initially served as the setup man for longtime Mets closer
John Franco; however, when Franco went down with an injury mid-way through the 1999 season, Benitez assumed the job and was named the full-time Mets closer even after Franco's return. During his first four seasons in New York, he subsequently became one of the Major Leagues' elite closers, saving 139 games. But it was also a painful time for Mr. Benítez, who battled gout
during the 2000 season, due to overindulging in shellfish
. Unfortunately, his frequent failures in big games became infamous, including blowing his first World Series save opportunity and blowing several key games late in the season. This led to the nickname of "BLOWnítez" because of all his blown saves. As a result, Benítez's failures in clutch situations overshadowed most of the success he had in his career in New York. Regardless, several playoff contenders were interested in his services. Midway through , as Benítez labored trying to convert saves through the year, he was traded to the New York Yankees
, who intended to use him as a setup
man for Mariano Rivera
. Benítez had a 1.93 ERA in nine games before being traded again to the Seattle Mariners
, where he finished the season.
for one year. His season with the Marlins ended up being his best season to date; he saved 47 games in 51 chances and compiled a 1.29 ERA. In fact, after giving up a solo home run
in his first game of the season, he did not allow another earned run until June 5, after an impressive streak of 30 scoreless innings. After the season, Benítez elected to become a free agent, signing a three-year contract with the San Francisco Giants
that was worth a reported US$21 million.
Benítez struggled for much of the season, at one point blowing three consecutive save opportunities. Benítez's season ended prematurely after being placed on the 60-day disabled list
with arthritis
in both knees.
He ended the season with 17 saves in 25 opportunities.
Benítez started well, converting all of his first seven save opportunities. However, in May, Benítez picked up two blown saves and three losses, including a blown save and a loss against his former team, the Mets, where he committed two balk
s.
After the game Benítez commented, "I didn't do my job", contrasting with his previous game where he picked up the loss yet claimed, "I did my job." MLB.com
writer Chris Haft reported that this added "little to the family atmosphere" at the Giants ballclub.
Benítez had once before said, "I did my job," even when tallying a blown save, during a Giants loss to the Nationals
in 2006.
On May 31, 2007, he was traded back to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Randy Messenger
. Giants general manager Brian Sabean acknowledged that Benítez was not liked by the Giants fanbase, saying he had become a "whipping boy", adding "the fans, the press and maybe some people in the clubhouse felt he needed to go".
Chris Haft noted that Benítez had "incurred the wrath of San Francisco fans with his perceived attitude as well as his performance", further writing "he maintained his tendency to shrug off accountability for poor performances, prompting the crowds at AT&T Park to boo him after the slightest lapse."
Benítez's first return to AT&T Park
after being traded to the Marlins came on July 29, 2007. He was greeted with "thunderous boos" from the Giants fans.
On October 29, 2007, Benítez officially filed for free agency, ending his second tenure with the Marlins.
and was given chance to compete for a bullpen job in spring training. After starting the season in the minors, he was eventually added to the active roster in May. However, on June 7, he was designated for assignment and released. On May 2, 2009 Benitez signed a deal to play with the Long Island Ducks.
, an Independent League team in the Atlantic League, before signing a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.
and assigned to their triple-A affiliate the Round Rock Express
. On his minor league return, Benitez gave up back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs against Memphis Redbirds hitters.
. Benitez was released on July 15 and immediately signed to play his third stint with the Newark Bears
. Following the season, he became a free agent.
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
Baltimore Orioles
Benítez was signed in by the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. Coming up through the Orioles' farm system, he made his debut in . While with the Orioles, he initially struggled, collecting a 5.66 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in and faltering in the postseason frequently. In the 1996 ALCS he yielded the infamous Jeffrey Maier
Jeffrey Maier
Jeffrey Maier is an American baseball fan best known for an incident in which he was involved as a twelve-year-old at a baseball game, when he deflected a batted ball in-play into the stands during Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series between the New York Yankees and the...
home run. By 1998 he started to show some of his future potential earning a 3.82 ERA and 22 saves in 71 games. In 1997 Benitez had a break out year, as he excelled in the set up role for Orioles' closer Randy Myers, forming a lethal 1-2 punch at the back end of the Orioles bullpen and propelling them to the A.L. East pennant.
Mets, Yankees, Mariners
Before the season, Benítez was traded to the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in a three-team deal, in which catcher Charles Johnson joined the Orioles while Todd Hundley
Todd Hundley
Todd Randolph Hundley is a former Major League Baseball catcher and outfielder. He is the son of former Chicago Cubs catcher Randy Hundley...
was sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, with Roger Cedeno
Roger Cedeño
Roger Leandro Cedeño , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and switch-hitting batter who had an 11-year career playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, and St. Louis Cardinals.Signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as an undrafted amateur free agent in...
also joining Benitez in New York. Benitez initially served as the setup man for longtime Mets closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
John Franco; however, when Franco went down with an injury mid-way through the 1999 season, Benitez assumed the job and was named the full-time Mets closer even after Franco's return. During his first four seasons in New York, he subsequently became one of the Major Leagues' elite closers, saving 139 games. But it was also a painful time for Mr. Benítez, who battled gout
Gout
Gout is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis—a red, tender, hot, swollen joint. The metatarsal-phalangeal joint at the base of the big toe is the most commonly affected . However, it may also present as tophi, kidney stones, or urate...
during the 2000 season, due to overindulging in shellfish
Shellfish
Shellfish is a culinary and fisheries term for exoskeleton-bearing aquatic invertebrates used as food, including various species of molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms. Although most kinds of shellfish are harvested from saltwater environments, some kinds are found only in freshwater...
. Unfortunately, his frequent failures in big games became infamous, including blowing his first World Series save opportunity and blowing several key games late in the season. This led to the nickname of "BLOWnítez" because of all his blown saves. As a result, Benítez's failures in clutch situations overshadowed most of the success he had in his career in New York. Regardless, several playoff contenders were interested in his services. Midway through , as Benítez labored trying to convert saves through the year, he was traded to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, who intended to use him as a setup
Setup pitcher
In baseball, a setup pitcher is a relief pitcher who regularly pitches before the closer. They commonly pitch the 7th and/or 8th innings, with the closer pitching the 9th....
man for Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
. Benítez had a 1.93 ERA in nine games before being traded again to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, where he finished the season.
Florida Marlins
In , Benítez once again became a closer, taking a pay cut to join the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
for one year. His season with the Marlins ended up being his best season to date; he saved 47 games in 51 chances and compiled a 1.29 ERA. In fact, after giving up a solo home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in his first game of the season, he did not allow another earned run until June 5, after an impressive streak of 30 scoreless innings. After the season, Benítez elected to become a free agent, signing a three-year contract with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
that was worth a reported US$21 million.
San Francisco Giants
His tenure with the Giants was mired by injuries and a high percentage of blown saves, never recapturing the form he showed in 2004 with the Marlins. His first season with the Giants started badly when Benítez tore a pair of tendons in his right hamstring while running to cover first in late April. The injury had him sidelined until August, when he returned to the mound after a difficult rehab.Benítez struggled for much of the season, at one point blowing three consecutive save opportunities. Benítez's season ended prematurely after being placed on the 60-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
with arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
in both knees.
He ended the season with 17 saves in 25 opportunities.
Benítez started well, converting all of his first seven save opportunities. However, in May, Benítez picked up two blown saves and three losses, including a blown save and a loss against his former team, the Mets, where he committed two balk
Balk
In baseball, a pitcher can commit a number of illegal motions or actions that constitute a balk. In games played under the Official Baseball Rules, a balk results in a dead ball or delayed dead ball. In certain other circumstances, a balk may be wholly or partially disregarded...
s.
After the game Benítez commented, "I didn't do my job", contrasting with his previous game where he picked up the loss yet claimed, "I did my job." MLB.com
MLB.com
MLB.com is the official site of Major League Baseball and is overseen by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L.P. . MLB.com is a source of baseball-related information, including baseball news, statistics, and sports columns...
writer Chris Haft reported that this added "little to the family atmosphere" at the Giants ballclub.
Benítez had once before said, "I did my job," even when tallying a blown save, during a Giants loss to the Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
in 2006.
On May 31, 2007, he was traded back to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Randy Messenger
Randy Messenger
Randall Jerome Messenger is a right-handed relief pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball. He is tall and weighs , and made his Major League debut on June 22, , for the Florida Marlins. Messenger graduated from Sparks High School in 1999.Messenger is nicknamed Big Mess...
. Giants general manager Brian Sabean acknowledged that Benítez was not liked by the Giants fanbase, saying he had become a "whipping boy", adding "the fans, the press and maybe some people in the clubhouse felt he needed to go".
Chris Haft noted that Benítez had "incurred the wrath of San Francisco fans with his perceived attitude as well as his performance", further writing "he maintained his tendency to shrug off accountability for poor performances, prompting the crowds at AT&T Park to boo him after the slightest lapse."
Benítez's first return to AT&T Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
after being traded to the Marlins came on July 29, 2007. He was greeted with "thunderous boos" from the Giants fans.
On October 29, 2007, Benítez officially filed for free agency, ending his second tenure with the Marlins.
Toronto Blue Jays
On March 11, 2008, Benítez agreed to a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
and was given chance to compete for a bullpen job in spring training. After starting the season in the minors, he was eventually added to the active roster in May. However, on June 7, he was designated for assignment and released. On May 2, 2009 Benitez signed a deal to play with the Long Island Ducks.
Newark Bears
Benitez started the 2009 season with the Newark BearsNewark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
, an Independent League team in the Atlantic League, before signing a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.
Houston Astros
On August 22, 2009 Benitez was signed to a minor league deal by the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and assigned to their triple-A affiliate the Round Rock Express
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
. On his minor league return, Benitez gave up back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs against Memphis Redbirds hitters.
Florida Marlins- 3rd stint
On June 24, 2010 Benitez signed a minor league deal with the Florida Marlins and was assigned to their triple-A affiliate, New Orleans ZephyrsNew Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
. Benitez was released on July 15 and immediately signed to play his third stint with the Newark Bears
Newark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
. Following the season, he became a free agent.
Accomplishments
- Twice All-StarMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
(2003–04) - National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award (2001)
- #23 all time in Saves (289)