Hipólito Pichardo
Encyclopedia
Hipólito Antonio Pichardo Balbina (born August 22, 1969 in Esperanza, Dominican Republic
) is a former right-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
who played for three teams between and . He batted and threw right-handed.
Pichardo filled various pitching roles, as a starter
or coming out from the bullpen
as a closer
or a middle reliever
. He reached the majors in 1992 with the Kansas City Royals
, spending seven consecutive years with them before moving to the Boston Red Sox
(2000–01) and Houston Astros
(2002). He enjoyed a fine rookie season, when he finished with a record
of 9-6 and a 3.95 earned run average
in 24 starts, including a one-hit shutout
against the Boston Red Sox
as Luis Rivera's double
in the sixth inning was the only safety.
In 1993, Pichardo went 7-8 and posted career highs in strikeout
s (74) and innings pitched
(165). After that, he suffered arm problems and was demoted to the bullpen. In 1999 he underwent right elbow surgery and lost the entire season. He returned in 2000 with the Red Sox and went 6-3 with one start and one save in 38 appearances. After going 2-1 in 2001, he lasted only one-third of an inning with Houston in 2002, his last major league season.
In a 10-season career, Pichardo posted a 50-44 record with a 4.44 ERA and 20 saves in 350 games, including 68 starts.
Esperanza, Dominican Republic
Esperanza is a municipality of the Valverde province in the Dominican Republic. Within the municipality there are four municipal districts : Boca de Mao, Jicomé, Maizal and Paradero....
) is a former right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played for three teams between and . He batted and threw right-handed.
Pichardo filled various pitching roles, as a starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
or coming out from the bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
as a 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...
or a middle reliever
Middle relief pitcher
In baseball, middle relief pitchers are relief pitchers who commonly pitch in the 6th or 7th innings or in situations where several innings worth of work is required . In the National League, a middle reliever often comes in after the starting pitcher has been pulled for a pinch hitter...
. He reached the majors in 1992 with the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, spending seven consecutive years with them before moving to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(2000–01) and Houston Astros
Houston 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...
(2002). He enjoyed a fine rookie season, when he finished with a record
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
of 9-6 and a 3.95 earned run average
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 24 starts, including a one-hit shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
as Luis Rivera's double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
in the sixth inning was the only safety.
In 1993, Pichardo went 7-8 and posted career highs in strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s (74) and innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
(165). After that, he suffered arm problems and was demoted to the bullpen. In 1999 he underwent right elbow surgery and lost the entire season. He returned in 2000 with the Red Sox and went 6-3 with one start and one save in 38 appearances. After going 2-1 in 2001, he lasted only one-third of an inning with Houston in 2002, his last major league season.
In a 10-season career, Pichardo posted a 50-44 record with a 4.44 ERA and 20 saves in 350 games, including 68 starts.