Anthony Reyes

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**Anthony Reyes**

St. Louis Cardinals — No. 23
Starting pitcher
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
August 9, 2005 for the St. Louis Cardinals
Selected MLB statistics (through October 2, 2006)
Record	6-9
ERA	4.74
Strikeouts	84

Anthony Reyes (born October 16, 1981 in Whittier, California) is a right-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. Reyes is a Whittier, California native. Reyes is known to be superstitious, often wearing a flat-billed cap and long baseball socks. Contrary to popular belief, Reyes does not iron the bill of his hat, rather, he cuts out some of the inner lining of the hat, which allows for the bill to lie flatter due to the way the hat fits his head.

[edit] College Career

Reyes spent his college years at the University of Southern California from 2000-2003, and though he was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 15th round of the 2002 amateur draft, he elected to return to school for his senior year. He was drafted in the 15th round by St. Louis in 2003.

[edit] Professional Career

Reyes was eventually considered the top pitching prospect in the St. Louis farm system. He spent the 2004 season initially with the Palm Beach Cardinals, where he compiled a 3-0 record with a 4.66 ERA, and then later with the Tennessee Smokies, where he achieved a 6-2 record with a 2.91 ERA.

After a solid 2005 season with the Memphis Redbirds (AAA), Reyes was given a chance to prove himself in the major leagues. On August 9, at Miller Park, Reyes threw 6.1 innings in his debut start against the Milwaukee Brewers, earning the win and giving up just two runs on two hits. He was demoted immediately after the game, having fulfilled his role of giving the regular rotation an extra day's rest by manager Tony La Russa.

At the beginning of 2006, Reyes opened the season with Memphis. He has continued to pitch well, and in the case of any injury to a Cardinals starter, he would be the first promoted to fill the spot.

On June 23, 2006, Cardinals pitcher Mark Mulder was placed on the disabled list. As a result, Reyes was asked to start the final game of a three game series against the Chicago White Sox. In the previous two games the White Sox scored 33 runs against the Cardinals. In the third game Reyes threw 90 pitches, 67 for strikes, had six strikeouts and no walks, and carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. The only White Sox hit was a home run given up to Jim Thome. The Cardinals offense could not respond in kind and the White Sox won 1-0. Reyes pitched a complete game and took the loss.

During the 2006 Cardinals playoff run, Reyes was left off the roster for the National League Division Series vs. the San Diego Padres. However, after advancing to the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, the Cardinals recalled him to the roster in place of starting pitcher Jason Marquis. Reyes started Game 4 against the New York Mets and pitched four innings, taking a no-decision. He pitched the first game of the 2006 World Series for the Cardinals and earned the win, pitching 8 innings, retiring 17 batters in a row, only giving up 2 runs, and earning player of the game honors. Reyes and the Cardinals eventually won the Series, defeating the Detroit Tigers four games to one.

Anthony has a younger brother, Erik, who pitches for Concordia University in Irvine, California