Justin Masterson

Justin Masterson
Cleveland Indians – No. 63
Starting pitcher
Born: (1985-03-22) March 22, 1985 Kingston, Jamaica
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 24, 2008 for the Boston Red Sox
Career statistics (through 2013 season)
Win–loss record	53–63
Earned run average	4.03
Strikeouts	839
Teams
Boston Red Sox (2008–2009) Cleveland Indians (2009–present)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star (2013) American League leader in Putouts by a pitcher (2010) Struck out four batters in a single inning (August 4, 2011)

Justin Daniel Masterson (born March 22, 1985) is a Jamaican-born American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. Masterson was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. Masterson was rated as the 64th-best prospect going into that year's draft by Baseball America.^[1] Masterson stands 6'6", and weighs 250 pounds.

Masterson was the first Red Sox pitcher since the park's 1912 opening to make his first four consecutive starts in Fenway Park and not lose any of them.^[2]

Early life

Masterson was born in Kingston, Jamaica, where his father served as dean of students at the Jamaica Theological Seminary.^[3] A few years later, Masterson moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. He attended Beavercreek High School in Beavercreek, Ohio where he first played baseball as a catcher, pitcher, and first baseman. His mother works as a teacher at Parkwood Elementary School in Beavercreek, Ohio, and his father is a pastor.

Masterson attended Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana, where he played as a starting pitcher. While at Bethel, he hit 10 home runs during his sophomore year. He then attended San Diego State University. As a relief pitcher, Masterson pitched out of the bullpen in the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2005, saving 10 games for Wareham while posting a 1.15 ERA.

Pitching

Masterson pitches at a low three-quarter arm delivery with a sliding motion, which some compare to Dennis Eckersley's delivery. His pitching arsenal includes a fastball that reaches 97 mph, a sinker, a slider, and an occasional change-up. It has been claimed that his best pitch is his plus-sinker with a heavy drop.^[4]

Masterson throws a variety of fastballs that vary in speed and break, with the speeds reaching between from the upper 80s to the mid 90s. The speed of his slider is in the low 80s, and his change-up ranges from 77 to 81 mph. He can vary his sinker at speeds of 84 to 96 mph, sometimes catching batters off balance.

Career

Boston Red Sox

Masterson during his tenure with the Boston Red Sox in 2008.

Masterson was signed to the minors by Dan Madsen, and was both a starter and reliever in his minor league career for the Lowell Spinners. In 2007, his second season, Masterson was promoted from the Class A Lancaster JetHawks to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. Masterson's twelve wins that season ranked second among all Red Sox minor leaguers.^[5]

After joining the Sea Dogs, Masterson said, "I've had the confidence to be a great pitcher all along. I went to a smaller school and really proved that I had the ability to pitch, and whatever route I took to get me where I am I'm not worried about it."^[6]

In 2006, Masterson was named to the Baseball America short season all-star team.^[7][8][9] Masterson was converted to starting pitcher in early 2007, after a stint as a relief pitcher for Short Season Lowell in 2006.

The Red Sox invited Masterson to spring training during early 2008.^[10] On April 24, 2008, he made his Major League debut against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in an emergency call-up start. He pitched six full innings and allowed one run. Masterson was immediately sent back to Portland following the game. On May 20, 2008, Masterson made his second appearance, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing three hits and one run with three walks and five strikeouts and picking up his first win in the Majors.

After five starts with the major-league club, it was announced that he would stay in the majors through Daisuke Matsuzaka's return from the disabled list due to Bartolo Colón's back injury.^[11] On July 7, 2008 Masterson was sent back to the Pawtucket Red Sox, a move manager Terry Francona stated was made to transition Masterson from a starter to a relief pitcher.^[12] Masterson was recalled on July 20 due to an injury to David Aardsma^[13] In his first relief appearance, he was solid against the Seattle Mariners, shutting down the hitters and working 2 and 2/3 scoreless innings. The game took place at Seattle's Safeco Field.

Masterson picked up the first postseason win of his career in Game Five of the 2008 American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in the Red Sox' 8–7 victory.^[14]

Cleveland Indians

Masterson pitching for the Indians in 2009

On July 31, 2009, Masterson was traded along with minor league prospects Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price to the Cleveland Indians for Victor Martinez.^[15]

Masterson pitched his first professional complete game shutout on June 9, 2010 against the Red Sox, his former team, pitching a two-hitter.

Upon the conclusion of the 2011 season, a season in which Masterson went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA and 216 IP, he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. The surgery was required after enduring an injury in 2007 as a member of the Red Sox.^[16]

On April 5, 2012, Masterson was the Opening Day pitcher for the Indians against the Toronto Blue Jays in what proved to be the longest Opening Day game in major league history, a 7-4 loss in 16 innings. Masterson threw 8 innings, giving up 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 10 and earned a no-decision.^[17]

On April 2, 2013 Masterson became the back to back Opening Day starting pitcher for the Indians.^[18] He defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 2012 Cy Young winner, R.A. Dickey. Masterson's second win was against David Price, Rays 2012 Cy Young winner. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Masterson became just the third player in MLB history to beat both reigning Cy Young winners in the same season — and the first to do in his first two starts of the season..^[19]

Personal life

Masterson married Meryl Ham on November 3, 2007.^[20]

During his tenure with the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians, Masterson's entrance song has been Skillet's "Rebirthing".

Masterson is a Christian and often speaks of the importance of God in his life.^[21] He spoke at the Pentagon's weekly prayer breakfast in June 2009.^[22]

Philanthropy

Justin and Meryl are philanthropists. They founded a non-profit, Fortress Foundation in 2013 with the help of business partner Matt Zappasodi, and Cullinane Law.

November 2013: Feed their future campaign with Mark Zimmerman from Moody Radio Cleveland and Bright Hope in Nairobi, Kenya.

April 2013: Partnered with Bright Hope.^[23]

February 2013: Partnered with Not For Sale Team.^[24]

2008: Partnered with One Child Matters, Baseball project in Dominican Republic

See also

• List of Major League Baseball pitchers who have struck out four batters in one inning

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Justin Masterson.

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Justin Masterson
• Baseball America article
• Kennebec Journal article