Athletes - Tom Gordon

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	Athletes - Tom Gordon

Thomas Gordon (born November 18, 1967 in Sebring, Florida), nicknamed "Flash", is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. Previously, he played with the Kansas City Royals (1988–95), Boston Red Sox (1996–99), Chicago Cubs (2001–02), Houston Astros (2002), Chicago White Sox (2003) and the New York Yankees (2004–05). He signed a three-year deal worth $18 million with the Phillies before the 2006 season.

High school career

Gordon attended Avon Park High School in Avon Park, Florida, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball.

Major League Baseball Career

Gordon started his career as a Royal, and was signed away by Boston where he was converted from a starter to a closer. In 1998, Gordon set the club's single-season saves record (46) and was named to his first All-Star Team. His success continued in 1999 setting a major league record with his 54th consecutive save in June, but a nagging elbow injury limited him to just 21 appearances, which required ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (or UCL), that forced him to spend 2000 on the disabled list.

After stops in Houston and both sides of Chicago, Gordon landed in New York. He was an invaluable addition to the Yankees bullpen, serving as a set-up for closer Mariano Rivera, or as a middle reliever in tough situations. Basically, Gordon is a 95-MPH fastball thrower and his success is tied to when and how often he uses his excellent curve. In the past two seasons, Gordon has made increasingly effective use of a power cut fastball and slider.

Gordon has compiled a career 122-111 record with 1733 strikeouts, a 3.99 ERA, 114 saves, and 1896.2 innings in 671 games (203 as a starter).

Now in Philadelphia with the Phillies, Gordon returns to the closer role, replacing Billy Wagner, who signed with the Mets rather quickly into the 2005 offseason.

Highlights

Two-time All-Star (1998, 2004)
Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award (1998)
Led AL in saves (1998)
Led AL in games finished (69, 1998)
Set a MLB record with 54 consecutive saves (1998-99)
Led AL in Holds (36) 2004

Trivia

Gordon is also known by his unique signal after striking out a batter; he's pointing towards God and showing his appreciation.
Gordon is known for having one of the best curveballs in baseball.
He was referenced as the object of infatuation for the young protagonist of the 1999 Stephen King novel The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Tom Gordon ]

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