Blaine Neal

Blaine Neal, born in 1978, was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 2001 to 2005. Neal made his mark during an era characterized by high offensive outputs and evolving pitching strategies, as Major League Baseball transitioned through the early 2000s. He played the majority of his career with the Florida Marlins and the San Diego Padres, contributing as a reliable arm out of the bullpen. Throughout his tenure in the majors, Neal finished with a record of 5-4 and an earned run average (ERA) of 5.08. He struck out 93 batters over his career, showcasing his ability to get hitters out but also highlighting the challenges he faced with consistency. Despite not recording any saves, Neal played a crucial role in various games, often coming in during critical situations to mitigate scoring threats. His time in MLB, while not marked by overwhelming statistics, underscored the importance of depth in pitching staffs during a competitive era, where teams increasingly relied on specialized roles within their bullpens.