Brett Tomko

Major League Baseball pitcher Brett Tomko currently plays for the Kansas City Royals.

Tomko was first drafted on June 2, 1994 by the New York Mets, but declined to sign to attend college. He enrolled at Florida Southern College, where in 1995 his team won the NCAA Division II Championship. Tomko was selected as the NCAA Division II Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year following the championship tournament.

Tomko was drafted again, this time signing with the Cincinnati Reds on June 28, 1995. He was immediately placed with the Reds' minor league affiliates, for his first few years of conditioning. Tomko was called up on May 27, 1997 to make his MLB debut with the Reds. He continued to split his playing time between the Reds and their affiliates over the next two seasons, averaging just over 30 games with the Reds each year.

On February 10, 2000, Tomko was traded to the Seattle Mariners. Again he spent the majority of his playing time with the Mariners' minor league teams, over the next two seasons. Tomko made his first post season appearance in 2000, where the Mariners lost the American Leauge championship Series to the New York Yankees.

Tomko was then traded to the San Diego Padres on December 15, 2002. After only one year with the Padres, he was granted free agency. On January 12, 2004, Tomko signed as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants. He averaged just over 30 games a season with the Giants over the next two seasons. He again entered free agency in November 2005.

On January 3, 2006, Tomko signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He continued with the Dodgers through September 2007, when he was released, then signed with the San Diego Padres.

Tomko signed with the Kansas City Royals on January 20, 2008.

Fast Facts:

Full name: Brett Daniel Tomko
Born: April 7, 1973
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio
Made MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds
Originally drafted by the New York Mets, but decided to to Florida Southern College