Brandon Backe

Brandon Backe is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros. Backe was orginally drafted as second baseman but saw he had slim chance of making the majors in that position. After three years in minors, Backe changed to pitching and quickly found his niche. It wasn't until the 2002 season that Backe got his chance to pitch in the majors, but that year and the next saw him between majors and minors. In 2003, Backe was traded to the Houston Astros and then time and experience seemed to come to him. In a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Backe struck out three batters in just nine pitches. A strained muscle in his elbow meant that surgery was needed so Tommy John Surgery was performed in 2006. Backe had a great recovery and was back in the rotation with the Houston Astros. During a practice St. Louis Cardinals player Albert Pujols and Backe had a heated exchange as the Houston Astros left the field after batting practice on April 9, 2008.

Fast Facts:

1. Born: April 5, 1978
2. Birth Name: Brandon Allen Backe
3. Birth Place: Galveston, Texas
4. College: Galveston College
5. Bats: Right
6. Throws: Right
7. Win-Loss: 22-15 through 2007
8. Strikeouts: 223 through 2007
9. Earned Run Average: 4.63 through 2007
10. Foundation: Brandon Backe Foundation
11. Zodiac Sign: Aries

Minor League Teams

1. Orlando Rays
2. Princeton Devil Rays

Major League Teams

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
2. Houston Astros

Trade Stats

1. June 4, 1996: Selected by Milwaukee Brewers in the 36th round, did not sign.
2. June 2, 1998: Selected by Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 18th round, free-agent draft.
3. December 14, 2003: Traded by Tampa Bay Devil Rays to Houston Astros for Geoff Blum

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