Hector Mercado

Infobox MLB retired
name=Hector Mercado
position=Pitcher


bats=Left
throws=Left
birthdate=birth date and age|1974|4|29
city-state|Cataño|Puerto Rico
debutdate=April 4
debutyear=2000
debutteam=Cincinnati Reds
finaldate=May 11
finalyear=2003
finalteam=Philadelphia Phillies
stat1label=Win-Loss Record
stat1value=5-4
stat2label=Strikeouts
stat2value=127
stat3label=ERA
stat3value=4.55
teams=
*Cincinnati Reds (2000-01)
*Philadelphia Phillies (2002-03)
highlights=

Hector Mercado (born April 29, 1974) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, born in Cataño, Puerto Rico. Mercado played four years in Major League Baseball. He played for the Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies during his career. Mercado was listed at 6' 3" in height, and 235 lb. in weight. Mercado batted and threw left-handed during his baseball career.citeweb|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mercahe01.shtml|publisher=www.baseball-reference.com|title=Statistics of Hector Mercado|accessdate=2008-07-25]

Baseball career

Bouncing around the minors

On June 1, by|1992, Hector Mercado was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft. Mercado signed with the Astros on June 4. On December 9, by|1996, Mercado was again drafted, but this time by the Florida Marlins from the Houston Astros in the 1996 minor league draft. On December 15, by|1997, Mercado was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Florida Marlins in the 1997 rule 5 draft, and on the exact same day, Mercado was traded by the Phillies to the New York Mets for Mike Welch. Nearly two years later, on August 4, by|1999, the New York Mets released Mercado, making him a free agent. Mercado signed with the Cincinnati Reds on December 31.citeweb|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mercahe01.shtml#TRANS|title=Transactions of Hector Mercado|publisher=www.baseball-reference.com|accessdate=2008-07-25]

Major League Baseball career

Debut

Hector Mercado made his major league debut on April 4, by|2000 with the Cincinnati Reds at the age of 25. On that day, the Milwaukee Brewers were playing against the Cincinnati Reds at Cinergy Field, with 16,761 people attending the game. Mercado was called on to relieve Scott Sullivan in the 9th inning. Mercado allowed one hit, one run, and ended the inning and game with an ERA of 9.00. The Reds lost the game 5-1.citeweb|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN200004040.shtml|title=April 4, 2000 baseball game with the Milwaukee Brewers against the Cincinnati Reds|publisher=www.baseball-reference.com|accessdate=2008-07-25]

Bouncing around again

On March 30, by|2002, the Cincinnati Reds sent Mercado to the Philadelphia Phillies to complete an earlier deal made on March 28. The Cincinnati Reds sent Hector Mercado to the Philadelphia Phillies for Reggie Taylor. He was granted free agency on September 29, by|2003, having played in his final major league game on July 11 of that year. Nearly two years later, Mercado was signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals, on February 2, by|2005, only to be released before the season began. He caught on with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League, and on June 23, 2005, Mercado was purchased from them by the Texas Rangers. On October 15, 2005, Mercado was yet again granted free agency, signing with the Detroit Tigers on January 4, by|2006. On July 7, 2006, the Detroit Tigers released Mercado, ending his career.

References

External links

* [http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=mercahe01 Baseball Almanac]
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/6432/ Sports Illustrated]
* [http://www.thebaseballnexus.com/player/mercahe01 The Baseball Nexus]
* [http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/?pl_id=21896 Baseball America]