Chad Cordero

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Chad Cordero

Washington Nationals — No. 32
Closer
Born: March 18, 1982 (1982-03-18) (age 26) Upland, California
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
August 30, 2003 for the Montreal Expos
Selected MLB statistics (through May 4, 2008)
Win-Loss	20-14
Saves	128
Earned Run Average	2.78
Strikeouts	292
Teams
Montréal Expos (2003-2004) Washington Nationals (2005-present)

Chad Patrick Cordero (born March 18, 1982 in Upland, California) is currently a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Nationals. He broke into the big league ranks with the Montréal Expos.

[edit] College Years

At age 18, Cordero was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 26th round of the 2000 draft, but he chose to enroll at Cal State Fullerton, where he was a standount reliever. With an ERA of under 1.83 he made the 1st team All-America Freshman team and was selected to the Big West All-Conference team, the latter of which he repeated in each of his next two years. In 2003 he was the Fullerton Regional MVP (College World Series), and then was drafted by the Expos in the 1st round (20th overall).

[edit] Pro career

[edit] First two years

He pitched briefly in 2003, and then appeared in 69 games for the Expos in 2004, compiling an ERA of 2.94.

[edit] 2005 - the breakout year

Chad Cordero in 2007

Cordero with the Nationals in 2008.
Photo by Chris Nelson

The Expos became the Washington Nationals the following year, and Cordero had a career best season. In June 2005 Cordero tied the major league record for saves in one month with 15. He shares the record with Lee Smith and John Wetteland. In addition, he also converted his 24th consecutive save, breaking the club record held by Mel Rojas. On September 9, 2005 Cordero's 44th save broke the franchise record. He completed the 2005 season with 47 saves, leading the major leagues, and was selected to the National League pitching staff for the 2005 MLB All-Star game, facing one batter, Iván Rodríguez, and striking him out. He was the 2005 Washington Nationals Player of the Year, and won the National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award.

[edit] 2006 and on

In February of 2006, Chad Cordero and his teammate Brian Schneider were chosen to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. During the season, however, his production tailed off. While he still got 29 saves (8th best in the league), his ERA went from 1.82 to 3.19.

In the beginning of the 2007 season, Cordero faced a tough time against batters. By May 6 his ERA was 4.70. Cordero admitted he was distracted by the illness of his ailing grandmother^[1], and missed six games for personal bereavement leave. He came back a changed man, and starting May 16 made 12 consecutive appearances without allowing a run. On June 13, Cordero (at age 25 years and 86 days) became the second youngest player in baseball history to reach 100 saves in a career. (The Angels' Francisco Rodriguez is the youngest at 24 years and 246 days old.)^[2]

[edit] Trivia

• Cordero enters to Metallica's "King Nothing" during games.
• When Cordero enters a game, RFK Stadium's scoreboard displays the phrase "Hail to the Chief!", a reference to his nickname ("The Chief").
• Cordero has three siblings: two brothers, Alan and Matthew, and a sister, Ashley.
• Chad Cordero graduated from Don Antonio Lugo High School in Chino, CA., in 2000.
• Cordero is well-known for wearing the bill of his hat almost completely flat and having it pulled very close down to his eyes when he pitches.
• Chad drives a Chrysler 300, Clearwater Blue Pearl is the color
• Cordero's off season home is in Fullerton, CA

[edit] See also

• List of Major League Baseball saves champions
• List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
• Montreal Expos all-time roster
• Washington Nationals all-time roster

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or The Baseball Cube
• Sportsnet player data