Ryan Dempster

Ryan Dempster is a Major League Baseball player currently pitching for the Chicago Cubs.

Career

Dempster graduated from Elphinstone Secondary School]in 1995, where he played basketball and soccer. Dempster spent his first professional season of baseball in the Gulf Coast League in 1995. After being acquired by the Florida Marlins in 1996, Dempster spent the season in the Midwest League. In 1997, he pitched for the Brevard County Manatees, leading the league in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts. Dempster made a fast rise through the minor leagues in 1998 pitching for both the Portland Sea Dogs and the Charlotte Knights while also making his Major League Baseball debut with the Florida Marlins that season. In 1999, Dempster lead the Florida Marlins with 126 strikeouts and had seven wins in 25 starts. During his first full season with the Florida Marlins in 2000, Dempster made the All-Star team and finished the season with 14 wins while setting a Florida Marlins record with 209 strikeouts. A highlight of the season was a shutout of the New York Mets on May 7, allowing only a single to Mike Piazza. During the 2001 season, Dempster recorded his 500th career strikeout and finished the season with 15 wins. On July 11, 2002, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds and in late 2003 underwent surgery on his right elbow. Dempster's recovery was very quick, returning in the second half of the 2004 season pitching for the Chicago Cubs. Dempster continued as a starting pitcher until May of 2005 when he became the Chicago Cubs closer, saving 33 games in 35 chances for the season. The 2006 season saw Dempster struggle as a closer saving only 24 games in 33 chances and had nine losses. Dempster returned to the starting rotation at the beginning of the 2008 season. Dempster is known for a laid-back attitude, joking with fans and teammates while making a great impersonation of former Chicago Cubs announcer Harry Caray.Chicago Cubs: Ryan Dempster Player File