Wikipedia

Mike Montgomery (baseball)

Michael Paul Montgomery (born July 1, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and Kansas City Royals, and in the KBO League for the Samsung Lions.

Mike Montgomery
Montgomery with the Chicago Cubs in 2017
Long Island Ducks – No. 37
Pitcher
Born: (1989-07-01) July 1, 1989 (age 35)
Mission Hills, California, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Professional debut
MLB: June 2, 2015, for the Seattle Mariners
KBO: July 3, 2021, for the Samsung Lions
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Win–loss record23–34
Earned run average3.84
Strikeouts415
KBO statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record2-5
Earned run average5.37
Strikeouts55
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft, and made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2015. The Mariners traded him to the Chicago Cubs in 2016. Montgomery recorded the final out in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, earning the save and sealing the Cubs' first World Series title since 1908.

Professional career

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Kansas City Royals

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Montgomery was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the first round, with the 36th selection, of the 2008 MLB draft out of William S. Hart High School in Santa Clarita, California.[1] In 2012, he posted a combined record of 5–12 in 27 starts while splitting the season between the Royals' Double A and Triple A clubs.[2] On November 20, 2012, the Royals added Montgomery to the 40-man roster in anticipation of the upcoming Rule 5 Draft of Minor League players.[2]

Tampa Bay Rays

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On December 9, 2012, Montgomery was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays (along with Jake Odorizzi, Patrick Leonard, and Wil Myers) in exchange for James Shields and Wade Davis.[3] He was optioned to AAA on March 11, 2013.[4]

Seattle Mariners

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On March 31, 2015, Montgomery was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Erasmo Ramírez.[5] After an injury sidelined James Paxton, the Mariners called Montgomery up to the majors for the first time on June 2, 2015. He started that night against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field, giving up one run, four hits, and walking two while striking out four and leaving after six innings with a 2–1 lead. He was on track to earn his first major league win, but the Mariners lost the game.[6]

On June 23, 2015, Montgomery became the first Mariners left-handed pitcher to ever throw a complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts and no walks, getting the win against the Kansas City Royals 7–0.[7][8] Following his first career complete game shutout, Montgomery pitched his second consecutive shutout on June 30, 2015. He allowed one hit, a double in the 7th inning, to the San Diego Padres in a 5–0 win.[9] He was the first Mariners pitcher since Freddy García in 2001 to throw complete game shutouts in consecutive starts.[citation needed]

Montgomery made the Mariners' opening day roster in 2016 as a reliever.[citation needed]

Chicago Cubs

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On July 20, 2016, the Seattle Mariners traded Montgomery and prospect Jordan Pries to the Chicago Cubs for prospects Daniel Vogelbach and Paul Blackburn.[10] After allowing a three-run home run to the first batter he faced as a Cub,[11] Montgomery performed well during the remainder of the season. He pitched in 17 games (including five starts), with a 2.82 ERA with the Cubs.[12]

Montgomery had a strong postseason performance in 2016, playing an instrumental role in the team's championship run. Cumulatively he went 1-1, including 11 appearances, 14+1⁄3 innings pitched, and a 3.14 ERA.[13] Most notably, Montgomery relieved Carl Edwards Jr. in the bottom of the 10th inning in Game 7 of the World Series. With a runner on first base and two outs in a one-run game, he finished the game with a ground out to third base. Montgomery earned his first career save, winning the World Series for the Chicago Cubs for the first time in 108 years.[14]

 
Mike Montgomery pitches the final out in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.

In 2017, Montgomery made 44 appearances (14 starts), and a 3.38 ERA for the season.[1] His record was 7–8, along with three saves. His performance through mid-May was exceptional, with his ERA dropping to 1.08. After gradually rising to 4.01 in mid-July, it leveled out in the remainder of the season.[1] Montgomery hit his first career home run off Atlanta Braves pitcher R. A. Dickey on July 19.[15]

In contrast with his 2016 performance, Montgomery struggled in the 2017 post-season. Between the division series against the Washington Nationals and the league championship series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montgomery had five appearances and 4+1⁄3 innings pitched. He allowed three home runs, finishing with a 16.62 postseason ERA.[citation needed]

In 2018, Montgomery had a 5–6 record with a 3.99 ERA in 124 innings.[1] He started the 2019 season with a 1–2 record and a 5.67 ERA in 27 innings.[1]

Kansas City Royals (second stint)

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On July 15, 2019, Montgomery was traded back to the Royals, with the Cubs receiving catcher Martín Maldonado in exchange.[16] Despite Montgomery being primarily a reliever and spot starter during his major league career, the Royals used him exclusively as a starting pitcher.[citation needed] He made 13 starts and pitched 64 innings while winning two games and losing seven.[1] With the 2020 Kansas City Royals, Montgomery appeared in 3 games, with 5.06 ERA and four strikeouts in 5+1⁄3 innings pitched.[17] On October 30, 2020, Montgomery was outrighted off the Royals roster and became a free agent instead of accepting a Triple-A assignment.[citation needed]

New York Mets

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On February 14, 2021, Montgomery signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets with an invitation to spring training.[18] On March 28, 2021, Montgomery was released by the Mets.[19]

New York Yankees

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On April 5, 2021, Montgomery signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.[20] On June 1, Montgomery opted out of his minor league contract and became a free agent.[21] He had recorded a 7.56 ERA in four games for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.[1]

Samsung Lions

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On June 1, 2021, Montgomery agreed to a contract with the Samsung Lions of the KBO League.[22] During a game on September 10, Montgomery was warned about the league's 12-second pitch rule and subsequently ejected. In response to his ejection, Montgomery struck an umpire with a rosin bag, and threw his uniform on the field of play before retreating to the clubhouse.[23]

New York Mets (second stint)

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On March 15, 2022, Montgomery signed a minor league contract to return to the New York Mets.[24] He made 22 appearances (17 starts) for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, struggling to a 2–10 record and 6.72 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 69+2⁄3 innings pitched.[1]

On February 2, 2023, Montgomery signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[25] He was released prior to the season on April 18, 2023.[26]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On June 6, 2023, Montgomery signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers.[27] He pitched in 18 games (16 starts) for Oklahoma City, logging a 4–4 record and 5.26 ERA with 68 strikeouts across 77 innings.[1] Montgomery elected free agency following the season on November 6.[28]

Long Island Ducks

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On April 30, 2024, Montgomery signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[29] In 22 games (21 starts) for the Ducks, he posted a 6–7 record and 5.65 ERA with 72 strikeouts over 100+1⁄3 innings of work.

Personal life

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Montgomery and his wife, Stephanie, were married in August 2018 during a Cubs off-day.[30] Their first child, a son, was born April 2019.[31]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Mike Montgomery Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  2. ^ a b Kaegel, Dick (November 20, 2012). "Royals make moves to finalize 40-man roster". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  3. ^ Chastain, Bill (December 9, 2012). "Rays deal Shields to Royals for Myers, prospects". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  4. ^ Chastain, Bill (March 11, 2013). "Rays send 11 players to Minor League camp". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  5. ^ Chastain, Bill (March 31, 2015). "Rays acquire righty Ramirez in trade with Mariners". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  6. ^ "Yankees 5, Mariners 3, June 2, 2015, 7:10 pm PDT, Safeco Field". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  7. ^ Schoenfield, David (June 23, 2015). "Tuesday's Power Rankings". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  8. ^ "Mariners 7, Royals 0, June 23, 2015, 7:10 pm PDT, Safeco Field". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  9. ^ "Mariners 5, Padres 0, June 30, 2015, 7:10 pm PDT, Petco Park". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  10. ^ "Cubs land Montgomery from Mariners in 4-player deal". MLB.com.
  11. ^ Gonzales, Mark (July 23, 2016). "Brewers pester Cubs, John Lackey". chicagotribune.com.
  12. ^ "Mike Montgomery Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  13. ^ "Mike Montgomery Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  14. ^ Bastian, Jordan; Muskat, Carrie. "Chicago Cubs win 2016 World Series". MLB. Archived from the original on November 30, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  15. ^ "Montgomery homers as Chicago Cubs beat Braves 8-2 for 6th straight win". Daily Herald. Associated Press. July 19, 2017.
  16. ^ Rieper, Max (July 15, 2019). "Royals trade Martín Maldonado to the Cubs for Mike Montgomery". Royals Review.
  17. ^ "Mike Montgomery Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  18. ^ https://twitter.com/Mets/status/1361057155470798850. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. ^ "Mets Notes: Lindor, Montgomery, Roster Cuts". MLB Trade Rumors. March 28, 2021.
  20. ^ "Yankees To Sign Mike Montgomery". MLB Trade Rumors. April 5, 2021.
  21. ^ "Mike Montgomery to Opt Out of Yankees Deal". May 31, 2021.
  22. ^ Yoo, Jee-ho (June 2, 2021). "KBO's Lions sign ex-MLB pitcher Mike Montgomery". Yonhap. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  23. ^ "Ex-MLB pitcher Mike Montgomery throws rosin bag, hits ump in KBO game". ESPN.com. September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  24. ^ "Mets To Sign Mike Montgomery To Minor League Deal". March 16, 2022.
  25. ^ "Acereros: El Ligamayorista Mike Montgomery llega a la Furia Azul".
  26. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 18 de abril de 2023". MiLB.com (in Spanish). April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  27. ^ Stephen, Eric (June 6, 2023). "Dodgers sign Kole Calhoun, Mike Montgomery to minor league contracts". SB Nation. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  28. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. November 8, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  29. ^ https://x.com/liducks/status/1785334584713826607?s=46&t=UN5XGiNzRq3-vt33N7zCTw [bare URL]
  30. ^ "Mike Montgomery gets married on Cubs' off-day". Chicago Tribune. August 21, 2018.
  31. ^ "Mike Montgomery Sharp in First Rehab Start as New Father". April 18, 2019.
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