Joseph Francis Saunders was born on June 16,1981 and is an American former professional baseball pitcher.
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20 Facts About Joe Saunders
2.
Joe Saunders pitched in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.
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3.
Joe Saunders was drafted in the first round by the then Anaheim Angels in 2002.
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4.
Joe Saunders began the 2007 season in the rotation while Colon remained on the disabled list.
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5.
Joe Saunders wore the initials "VT" on his cleats and drew the Virginia Tech logo on the back of the pitcher's mound before the start of the game.
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6.
Joe Saunders picked up the win after pitching six shutout innings.
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7.
Joe Saunders was optioned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on April 21,2007, to make room for Colon's return.
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8.
Joe Saunders made two spot starts for when a pitcher on the Angel's normal rotation was injured: for Colon on June 2,2007, against the Baltimore Orioles and for Jered Weaver on June 22,2007, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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9.
Joe Saunders was called up for a third time on July 21,2007, to replace Ervin Santana in the starting rotation when Santana was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.
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10.
In 2008, Joe Saunders entered spring training in a competition with Santana for the role of 5th starter in the Angels rotation.
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11.
Joe Saunders gave up only one earned run, lowering his ERA to 3rd best in the American League in the process.
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12.
Joe Saunders then became the first American League pitcher to get 11 wins, giving up only two earned runs to the Philadelphia Phillies on June 21,2008.
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13.
Joe Saunders was the opening day pitcher for the Angels in the 2009 season.
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14.
Joe Saunders was the winning pitcher when the Orioles defeated the Texas Rangers in the inaugural Wild Card Game, pitching.
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15.
On February 12,2013, Joe Saunders agreed to a one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners.
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16.
On July 8,2014, Joe Saunders signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals and was assigned to the Triple-A Omaha Royals.
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17.
Joe Saunders signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners on February 20,2015.
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18.
Joe Saunders opted out of his minor league deal with the Mariners on May 1,2015.
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19.
Joe Saunders relies on a fastball at around 89 to 91 MPH with sink to it, a curveball, a slider and his best pitch, a changeup.
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20.
Joe Saunders is married to his Virginia Tech classmate and former Hokie softball player, the former Shanel Garofalo.
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