Vicente Padilla

Vicente Padilla is a right-handed pitcher in the starting rotation of MLB's Texas Rangers.

Vicente Delacruz Padilla was born on September 27, 1977 in Chinandega, Nicaragua, the oldest of five siblings. He trained with former MLB pitcher Dennis Martinez in 1998 to improve change-up, slider and curve ball. He pitched for Nicaragua in the XXXIII Baseball World Cup in 1998.

In 1999 he was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks as a non-drafted free agent. After spending two season in the Diamondbacks' farm organization, improving his pitching, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in mid-season in 2000.

While in Philly Padilla was known for a 96 mph fastball and his wicked breaking pitches. Padilla battled injuries and a noted lack of control during his tenure in Philadelphia. Several dugout clearing brawls occurred after he beaned a batter. At the end of the 2006 season Padilla became an unrestricted free agent.

Padilla was the final pitcher in the 2002 All-Star Game which was called a tie after the National League team used all available pitchers in the contest. This game is still noted as the All-Star Tie Controversy and resulted in changes on how the pitching staffs are selected for the All-Star games.

In 2006, as a free agent, Padilla signed a three-year deal with the Texas Rangers valued at $33.75 million contract, plus an option for a fourth year.

• High Desert Mavericks (A)
• Tucson Sidewinders(AAA)
• Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (AAA)
• Clearwater Threshers (A)
• Fresno Grizzlies (AA)

• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Philadelphia Phillies
• Texas Rangers

• Mahalo's Guide to the Texas Rangers
• Baseball-Reference.com: Career Stats
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Weight: 220 Lbs.
  • Rookie Year: 1999

• 1977: Born September 27th in Chinandega, Nicaragua

• 1998: Signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks

• 1999: High Desert Mavericks (A)

• 1999: Tucson Sidewinders(AAA)

• 2000: Traded to Philadelphia Phillies

• 2002: He was the pitcher on the mound during the All-Star Game, and was the only remaining pitcher on the NL team and he could not pitch any more innings. Game called a tie

• 2004:Called back to the Phillies but was sent back to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

• 2006: Was traded to the Texas Rangers

• 2007: Sent to the Fresno Grizzlies (AA)

• 2008:Starting Pitcher with the Texas Rangers

• MLB.com: Vicente Padilla Team Merchandise

• eBay: Vicente Padilla Merchandise

• Amazon.com: : Vicente Padilla Merchandise

• Google Products: Vicente Padilla Merchandise

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