Wilfredo Ledezma

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**Wilfredo Ledezma**
Ledezma on the mound during 2008 Spring Training
San Diego Padres — No. 49
Starting Pitcher
Born: January 21, 1981 (1981-01-21) (age 27)
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
Major League Baseball debut
April 2, 2003 for the Detroit Tigers
Selected MLB statistics (through May 20, 2008)
Win-Loss	15-21
Earned Run Average	5.14
Strikeouts	216
Teams
Detroit Tigers (2003-2007) Atlanta Braves (2007) San Diego Padres (2007-present)

Wilfredo Jose Ledezma (born January 21, 1981 in Guárico State, Venezuela) is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the San Diego Padres. He bats and throws left-handed.

As of the end of the 2005 season, Ledezma has compiled a Major League record of 9-14 with 108 strikeouts and a 5.73 ERA in 187.0 innings. Most of his professional career thus far has been spent in the minor leagues.

Ledezma was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1998. He was taken by the Tigers in the 2002 Rule 5 draft.

1 2006 season
2 2007 season
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] 2006 season

Ledezma obtained his first win in 2006 as a relief pitcher against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 25. His first Major League start occurred on August 7, 2006, as a last-minute replacement for rookie starter Justin Verlander. He threw for 5 2/3 innings and gave up no runs to the opposing team, the Cleveland Indians. Ledezma was also the winning pitcher in game 4 of the ALCS.

One of the most bizarre moments of the 2006 season occurred when Ledezma was given a rare spot start on September 8. After giving up five earned runs in 4.1 innings, an obviously distressed Ledezma returned to the dugout and proceeded to dismantle and, literally, eat his hat.^[1] The episode received little comment (aside from an awkward moment in the FSN broadcast of the game), which might well be best for everyone involved.

[edit] 2007 season

Ledezma was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Atlanta Braves for Macay McBride on June 20, 2007. On July 13, 2007, he was placed on the restricted list.^[2] He had gone home to Venezuela during the All-Star break, during which he accidentally damaged his visa and passport in the washing machine. The Braves activated him from the restricted list on July 19, 2007.