Aaron Cook

Aaron Lane Cook (born February 8, 1979) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox. He was an All-Star in 2008 and received the Tony Conigliaro Award in 2005.

In high school at Hamilton High School in Ohio, Cook surrendered only one home run—to future major leaguer Kevin Youkilis of Sycamore High School.

The Rockies selected Cook in the second round of the 1997 MLB draft. He debuted on August 10, 2002, against the Chicago Cubs, pitching two innings and allowing a home run. His first start came on August 26 against the San Francisco Giants, where he threw six innings, allowing three runs and 13 baserunners in a no-decision. He finished 2002 with a 4.54 ERA over 35 innings across nine appearances (five starts).

Cook made the 2003 opening day roster as the Rockies’ No. 2 starter, opening against the Houston Astros. After a 5.00-plus ERA through 14 starts, he was demoted to Triple-A and replaced by Denny Neagle. He returned in July, mostly as a reliever, and finished his rookie season 4–6 with a 6.02 ERA in 124 innings, walking 57 against 43 strikeouts.

In 2004, Cook’s season ended early due to a pulmonary embolism in his throwing shoulder. During an August 7 start against the Cincinnati Reds, he experienced dizziness and shortness of breath; doctors found blood clots in his right shoulder that had spread to his lungs. On September 10, he underwent surgery in St. Louis to remove his first rib and relieve compression on a major vein. He finished with a 6–4 record in 16 starts.

Cook returned from the disabled list on July 30, 2005, allowing seven runs and 11 hits in four innings of a 9–2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. His first win came on August 15 against the Milwaukee Brewers, pitching six innings with two runs and nine hits. Over his final 12 starts, he went 7–1 with a 3.07 ERA, earning the 2005 Tony Conigliaro Award for his recovery.

In 2006, Cook stayed in the rotation all season, posting a 4.23 ERA over 32 starts with a 9–15 record and 92 strikeouts in a career-high innings total. His road ERA (4.62) was higher than his home ERA (3.96) despite pitching at Coors Field.

Cook was the Rockies’ opening day starter in 2007. On June 28, he allowed Craig Biggio’s 3,000th hit at Minute Maid Park. A strained side muscle sidelined him for nearly two months starting in August, and he missed the first two playoff rounds. After the Rockies won the NL pennant, he threw a simulated game and started Game 4 of the World Series against the Boston Red Sox, pitching six innings with three runs and two strikeouts in a 4–3 loss that sealed a series sweep. He finished the season 8–7 in 25 starts. The Rockies exercised a $4.5 million option, and Cook signed a three-year, $30 million extension with a team option for 2012.

In 2008, Cook won six straight starts from April 13 to May 9. He was selected to the All-Star Game, his only such appearance, and pitched three scoreless innings, escaping a no-out, bases-loaded jam after two errors and an intentional walk. He was a potential All-Star Game MVP candidate had the NL won. On July 1, he threw a 79-pitch complete-game shutout against the San Diego Padres. He finished with a career-high 16 wins and 96 strikeouts, leading the NL in hits allowed (236) and giving up 20 hits on 0–2 counts, the most in baseball.

Cook started 2009 strong, going 10–6 through late August before a shoulder injury cost him a month. He returned for two starts, including an eight-inning win over Milwaukee on October 1 that clinched a postseason berth. At the plate, he walked three times in that game, twice with the bases loaded. He started Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the Phillies, pitching five innings with three runs in a 5–4 win, but the Rockies lost the next two games and the series.

In 2010, Cook dealt with inconsistency and injuries, landing on the disabled list twice. In August, he went on the 15-day DL with a sprained toe. After returning in September, he suffered a non-displaced leg fracture in his second start back, ending his season with a 6–8 record and 5.08 ERA in 23 starts.

Cook’s 2011 season began late after he broke the ring finger on his throwing hand in spring training and nursed a sore elbow. He debuted in June and posted some of the worst numbers of his career, finishing 3–10 with a 6.03 ERA in 18 games (17 starts) as injuries cut his season short for the third straight year.