Matt Anderson
Born: 8/17/1976 in Louisville, KY, USA
MLB Debut: 1998-06-25 | Final Game: 2005-07-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'4" | Weight: 200 lbs
Full name: Matthew Jason Anderson
Biography
Matt Anderson, born in 1976, was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1998 to 2005. Known for his power arm and ability to close games, Anderson made a notable impact in Major League Baseball during the early 2000s. He played a significant role as a relief pitcher, finishing his career with a record of 15-7, an earned run average (ERA) of 5.19, and accumulating 224 strikeouts along with 26 saves. His contributions were particularly impactful for teams seeking a reliable option in high-leverage situations.
Anderson's career coincided with a transitional period in baseball as the game began to evolve with a greater emphasis on specialized pitching roles. He was often relied upon in crucial moments, showcasing his capability to handle pressure, which is essential for a pitcher in a closing or relief role. While his ERA reflects some of the challenges he faced, his strikeout numbers indicate his ability to overpower hitters, a trait that defined his playing style. After his retirement, Anderson's legacy remained as part of a generation of pitchers who helped shape the modern bullpen strategy in the game.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 7 | 257 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 256.7 | 249 | 148 | 30 | 157 | 224 | 5.19 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | DET | AL | 5 | 1 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44.0 | 38 | 16 | 31 | 44 | 3.27 | 173.3 |
| 1999 | DET | AL | 2 | 1 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38.0 | 33 | 24 | 35 | 32 | 5.68 | -2221.5 |
| 2000 | DET | AL | 3 | 2 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 74.3 | 61 | 39 | 45 | 71 | 4.72 | 395.0 |
| 2001 | DET | AL | 3 | 1 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 56.0 | 56 | 30 | 18 | 52 | 4.82 | 2544.7 |
| 2002 | DET | AL | 2 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11.0 | 17 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 9.00 | -313.8 |
| 2003 | DET | AL | 0 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 23.3 | 25 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 5.40 | -931.3 |
| 2005 | COL | NL | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10.0 | 19 | 14 | 11 | 4 | 12.60 | -1435.2 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 257 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | DET | AL | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1999 | DET | AL | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 2000 | DET | AL | 69 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 2001 | DET | AL | 62 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 2002 | DET | AL | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 2003 | DET | AL | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 2005 | COL | NL | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 257 | 0 | 16 | 23 | 2 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | DET | P | 42 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | DET | P | 37 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | DET | P | 69 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | DET | P | 62 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | DET | P | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 | DET | P | 23 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 | COL | P | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 257 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | DET | AL | $3,200,000 |
| 2002 | DET | AL | $1,800,000 |
| 2001 | DET | AL | $355,000 |
| 2000 | DET | AL | $255,000 |
| 1999 | DET | AL | $240,000 |
| 1998 | DET | AL | $170,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $6,020,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice University | Houston | TX | 1995, 1996, 1997 |