Guide Note:

R.A. Dickey is a right-handed pitcher in the starting rotation of MLB's Seattle Mariners.

Dickey was born in Nashville, Tennessee on October 29, 1974. He attended college at the University of Tennessee, where he was selected as an All-American. He was a starting pitcher for the United States Baseball team in 1996, at the Atlanta Olympic Games.

Dickey was a first-round draft pick of the Texas Rangers in the 1996 College Baseball Draft. A routine team physical resulted in the discovery that Dickey was missing the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching are, this is a key ligament for a pitcher. The Rangers reduced their $812,000 bonus offer to just $75,000. Dickey accepted knowing no other team would risk signing him.

Legendary pitcher Orel Hershiser Suggested that in order to prolong his career he need to learn to throw the knuckle ball. Dickey labored several years in the learning to throw and control his knuckle ball. Finally in the 2006 season he was called-up to the Majors to try out his knuckleball. After giving up six runs in his first outing he was sent back to the Triple A Oklahoma Redhawks.

The 2007 season was spent with the Milwaukee Brewers' Triple A affiliate team, the Nashville Sounds. At the end of the 2007 season became an unrestricted free agent.

In November 2007 he signed with the Minnesota Twins. In December he was claimed by the Seattle Mariners in the Rule 5 draft. MLB's Rule 5 prevents teams from stockpiling player in the minor leagues by allowing them to be drafted by another team willing to give them a Major League contract. Dickey was sent to the Mariners' Triple A affiliate, for some developmental starts. On April 14, 2008 he was recalled by the Mariners and put into the starting rotation.

Fast Facts:

1. Born:October 29, 1974 in Nashville, Tennessee
2. Height: 6'3"
3. Weight: 220 Lbs.
4. Position: Pitcher
5. Major League Debut: April 22, 2001
6. Career Record: 16-19 (through 2007)
7. ERA: 5.72 (through 2007)
8. Strikeouts: 171 (through 2007)
9. Bats: Right
10. Throws: Right

Minor League Teams:

• Oklahoma RedHawks (AAA)
• Tulsa Drillers (AA)
• Frisco RoughRiders (AA)
• Nashville Sounds (AAA)
• Tacoma Rainiers (AAA)

Major League Teams:

• Texas Rangers
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Minnesota Twins
• Seattle Mariners