Francisco Cordova
Born: 4/26/1972 in Cerro Azul, Veracruz, Mexico
MLB Debut: 1996-04-02 | Final Game: 2000-08-08
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 190 lbs
Biography
Francisco Cordova, born in 1972, was a talented pitcher whose career spanned from 1996 to 2004. He made a name for himself in Major League Baseball during a time when the game was experiencing a shift toward more offensive play, commonly referred to as the steroid era. Cordova showcased his skills primarily with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he developed a reputation for his reliable pitching and ability to strike out batters. Over the course of his career, he recorded a win-loss record of 42-47 and maintained a commendable earned run average (ERA) of 3.96, demonstrating his effectiveness on the mound.
Throughout his tenure in the major leagues, Cordova struck out a total of 537 batters and recorded 12 saves, contributing to his teams in various roles. His ability to navigate challenging lineups and perform under pressure made him a valuable asset to the pitching staff. Cordova's impact on the game can be seen not only in his statistics but also in his dedication to the craft, as he worked diligently to refine his skills throughout his career. As a player who bridged the gap between eras, Cordova remains a notable figure in the history of baseball, particularly for fans of the teams he represented.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 47 | 166 | 112 | 7 | 4 | 12 | 753.7 | 755 | 332 | 75 | 235 | 537 | 3.96 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | PIT | NL | 4 | 7 | 59 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 99.0 | 103 | 45 | 20 | 95 | 4.09 | 3150.3 |
| 1997 | PIT | NL | 11 | 8 | 29 | 29 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 178.7 | 175 | 72 | 49 | 121 | 3.63 | 2973.9 |
| 1998 | PIT | NL | 13 | 14 | 33 | 33 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 220.3 | 204 | 81 | 69 | 157 | 3.31 | 2529.2 |
| 1999 | PIT | NL | 8 | 10 | 27 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 160.7 | 166 | 79 | 59 | 98 | 4.43 | 1342.2 |
| 2000 | PIT | NL | 6 | 8 | 18 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 95.0 | 107 | 55 | 38 | 66 | 5.21 | 289.6 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 166 | 231 | 8 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 92 | 0.121 | 0.158 | 0.134 | 0.292 | -1929.6 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | PIT | NL | 59 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0.125 | 0.0 |
| 1997 | PIT | NL | 29 | 56 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 26 | 0.089 | -665.9 |
| 1998 | PIT | NL | 33 | 75 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 0.120 | -797.7 |
| 1999 | PIT | NL | 27 | 49 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 0.163 | -466.0 |
| 2000 | PIT | NL | 18 | 35 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 0.114 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 166 | 112 | 54 | 123 | 10 | 8 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | PIT | P | 59 | 6 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 1 |
| 1997 | PIT | P | 29 | 29 | 16 | 32 | 3 | 3 |
| 1998 | PIT | P | 33 | 33 | 12 | 30 | 1 | 1 |
| 1999 | PIT | P | 27 | 27 | 14 | 25 | 1 | 2 |
| 2000 | PIT | P | 18 | 17 | 6 | 20 | 3 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 166 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Player of the Week | Week of 1997-07-12 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | PIT | NL | $3,850,000 |
| 2000 | PIT | NL | $2,050,000 |
| 1999 | PIT | NL | $1,250,000 |
| 1998 | PIT | NL | $500,000 |
| 1997 | PIT | NL | $210,000 |
| 1996 | PIT | NL | $109,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $7,969,000 | ||