Brandon Webb: Difference between revisions

{{CleanupUse baremdy URLsdates|date=AugustJuly 20222024}}

During his MLB career, Webb won the 2006 National League [[Cy Young Award]] and was a three-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|MLB All-Star]]. He was sidelined with injuries for much of 2009–2012 and, after several aborted comeback attempts, retired in 2013. He has the 18th highest [[Adjusted ERA+]] of all major league players with 142.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/earned_run_avg_plus_career.shtml|title=Career Leaders & Records for Adjusted ERA+|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

Webb was drafted by the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] in the 8th round of the [[2000 Major League Baseball draft]]. He made his first major league appearance on April 22, 2003, against the Expos.<ref>{{cite web |title=Major League Baseball |url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-2004-08-12-3556744-story.html |website=The Morning Call |access-date=24 June 2020 |date=12 August 2004}}</ref> Webb wound up finishing the {{mlby|2003}} season with 28 starts and a 10–9 record. He was honored with [[Baseball America Rookie of the Year]] Award and placed third in the [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award]] voting in the National League.

In {{mlby|2005}}, he posted a 14–12 record and an ERA of 3.54. He led the team in ERA, innings pitched (229) and wild pitches (14). After the season he signed a four-year contract extension worth a guaranteed $19.5 million (that included a team option for 2010).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060113&content_id=1295181&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari|title=D-Backs ink Webb to extension|access-date=August 8, 2008|work=[[MLB.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720064634/http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060113&content_id=1295181&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari#|archive-date=2011-07-20|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Through his first 13 starts of the {{mlby|2006}} season, Webb had a perfect 8–0 record, which included a 30 inning scoreless streak.<ref>{{cite webmagazine |last1=Taylor |first1=Phil |title=One pitch Wonder |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1108679/index.htm |websitemagazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=24 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319145501/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1108679/index.htm |archive-date=19 March 2014 |date=19 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1108679/index.htm |title=Diamondbacks righthander Brandon Webb started 8-0 and has - 06.12.06 - SI Vault |access-date=2014-03-19 |archive-date=2014-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319145501/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1108679/index.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> He suffered his first losing effort of the season on June 10, in a 5–0 loss to the [[New York Mets]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mets hand Webb first loss of the year in 5-0 whitewashing of Diamondbacks |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/games/2006-06-11-mets-diamondbacks_x.htm |website=USA Today|date=11 June 2006|access-date=24 June 2020}}</ref> An early contender to win the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] [[Cy Young Award]], Webb pitched in the [[2006 MLB All-Star Game]], recording one hitless inning.

Webb struggled in the second half of the season in part due to elbow soreness. He scored a win in an emotional outing versus the [[San Diego Padres]] on August 28, pitching seven effective innings. The win came a day after close friend and former UK teammate Jon Hooker and his new bride were among the victims of the doomed [[Comair Flight 5191]] leaving [[Blue Grass Airport|Lexington]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/x1192746534/Couple-s-life-together-was-just-beginning|title = Couple's life together was just beginning| date=28 August 2006 }}</ref>

Webb went on to finish the 2006 season with a record of 16–8 and an [[earned run average]] of 3.10, and was recognized with the NL [[Cy Young Award]]. His 16 wins tied five other pitchers for the most victories in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]]. Webb's win total marked the lowest for a starting pitcher who won the Cy Young in a full season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061114&content_id=1740358&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Webb takes home NL Cy Young|access-date=August 8, 2008|work=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> His 3.10 ERA was the fourth best in the majors.

In {{mlby|2007}} Webb logged an [[Arizona Diamondbacks]]a then-franchise record 42 [[scoreless innings streak]] as of the conclusion of his start on August 17, 2007, including three straight shutouts.<ref name="scoreless">{{cite web |title=Innings Pitched Records &Consecutive Scoreless Innings Pitched Records |url=httphttps://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_ipconsecutive_scoreless_innings_pitched.shtml |publisherwebsite=Baseball Almanac|access-date=April 23, 2009}}</ref> This is the twelfthfifteenth longest such streak in major league history, and the sixth longest since 1940, surpassed only by [[Orel Hershiser]] (59), [[Don Drysdale]] (58), [[Bob Gibson]] (47), [[Sal Maglie]] (45) and R.A. Dickey ({{frac|44|2|3}}).<ref name="scoreless"/> His three consecutive shutouts during the streak was the longest streak since [[Roger Clemens]] accomplished the same with Toronto in 1998. This streak came to an end when the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] scored in the first inning of his start on August 22, 2007. The franchise record was broken by [[Zac Gallen]] in 2022.

Webb carried the D'backs rotation in 2007, leading the team as it won the National League West crown. Webb finished with a record of 18-1018–10 with a 3.01 ERA. Webb pitched the first game of the 2007 playoffs against the [[Chicago Cubs]]. Webb pitched 7 innings of 1 run ball, striking out 9 en route to a win.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boeck |first1=Greg |title=Young D'backs ground Cubs, take playoff opener|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/playoffs/2007-10-04-cubs-dbacks-game1_N.htm |website=USA Today |access-date=24 June 2020 |date=4 October 2007}}</ref>

The Diamondbacks went on to sweep the Cubs but fell to the Rockies in the NLCS, Webb falling in the first game. Webb allowed 4 runs in 6 innings, taking the loss.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Raab |first1=Scott |last2=Levin |first2=Jay |title=The Mountain Comes to Arizona |url=https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a3581/baseballblog101207/ |website=Esquire |access-date=24 June 2020 |date=12 October 2007}}</ref> The Diamondbacks were ultimately swept 4-04–0.

Webb began the {{mlby|2008}} season with nine straight wins, becoming the first Major League pitcher to do so since [[Andy Hawkins]] won his first ten in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280515129|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626125537/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280515129|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 26, 2020|title=D-backs' Drew flirts with cycle to help Webb to rare 9–0start|access-date=November 9, 2008|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> Going into the All-Star break Webb was atop the Majors in wins, standing at 13–4 with an ERA of 3.21 and a WHIP of 1.13.<ref>{{cite web |title=Webb wins MLB-leading 13th game |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-brandon-webb-wins-major-league-leading-13th-game-2008jul08-story.html |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=24 June 2020 |date=9 July 2008}}</ref> He made the All-Star team and threw a scoreless 14th inning with two strikeouts at Yankee Stadium.

Webb pitched on opening day against the [[Colorado Rockies]], but was limited to just four innings. On April 7, 2009, he was placed on the disabled list with right shoulder [[bursitis]]. On August 3, 2009, Dr. Keith Meister of the Rangers performed surgery on his right shoulder, ending his season. Despite the injury, after the 2009 season ended the Diamondbacks picked up Webb's $8.5 million option for 2010. The team would have had to pay a $2 million buyout had it declined.<ref>[httphttps://sportswww.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4629217 Webb has option picked up by Arizona], [[ESPN]]. Published November 6, 2009. Retrieved November 9, 2009.</ref> Webb spent the year rehabbing his injury and did not appear at all in 2010.

Webb became a free agent at the conclusion of the season and on December 26, 2010, agreed to a one-year contract with the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101226&content_id=16368886&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231072228/http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101226&content_id=16368886&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex | archive-date=2010-12-31 | title=Webb agrees to one-year deal with Rangers}}</ref> Webb made his first appearance in a game in more than two years on May 30, 2011, pitching for [[Frisco RoughRiders|Double-A Frisco]]. Over {{frac|3|1|3}} innings, he allowed five runs on eight hits, struck out two, walked two and hit a batter.

Webb officially retired from Major League Baseball on February 4, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130204&content_id=41387790&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|title=Former NL Cy Young Award winner Webb retires|work=MLB.com|last=Gilbert|first=Steve|date=February 4, 2013|access-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=httphttps://www.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8914430/ex-cy-young-winner-brandon-webb-formerly-arizona-diamondbacks-retires|title=Brandon Webb retires at 33|work=ESPN.com|last=Crasnick|first=Jerry|date=February 4, 2013|access-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref> In May 2013, he filed a workers' compensation claim against the Texas Rangers for shoulder, neck, back, arm, and musculo-skeletal system injuries.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://spreadsheets.latimes.com/workers-comp-mlb/popup/ADJ8901313.html | title=Brandon Webb| access-date=2023-10-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927223853/http://spreadsheets.latimes.com/workers-comp-mlb/popup/ADJ8901313.html | archive-date=2013-09-27}}</ref>

Webb was mainly known for his [[Sinker (baseball)|sinker]], regarded on a par with [[Roy Halladay]] and [[Chien-Ming Wang]]'s as among the best in baseball at its best.<ref>{{Cite web|url=httphttps://sportswww.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2007/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2793207|title=Crasnick: Webb throws one hellacious sinker|date=12 March 2007}}</ref> He threw it in the 87–91&nbsp;mph range, a [[curveball]] (72–75), [[changeup]] (77–80), and occasionally a [[cut fastball|cutter]] against left-handed hitters.<ref name="brooks">{{cite web|url=http://brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=425630|title=Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Brandon Webb|publisher=Brooks Baseball|access-date=15 August 2012}}</ref>

In December 2007, the [[Kentucky Transportation Cabinet]] renamed a section of [[U.S. Route 60 in Kentucky|U.S. Route 60]] the "Brandon Webb Highway" in honor of Webb.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_348235852.html|title=Community honors its baseball hero|access-date=August 8, 2008|work=dailyindependent|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030041055/http://www.dailyindependent.com/local/local_story_348235852.html#|archive-date=2008-10-30|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2005 Webb established Brandon Webb's K Foundation, a charity that aims to "improve the lives of critically and chronically ill children throughout Arizona by providing daily support and life changing experiences."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brandonwebb.org/index.php|title=Brandon Webb's K Foundation|access-date=15 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306214536/http://brandonwebb.org/index.php#|archive-date=2012-03-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Succession box|title=[[National League (baseball)|National League]] [[Pitcher of the month]]|years=April 2008|before=[[Jake Peavy]]|after=[[Todd Wellemeyer]]}}

[[Category:National League (baseball) wins champions]]