Jake Peavy

Lore & Background

Peavy was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 15th round (472nd overall) of the 1999 MLB draft out of high school (St. Paul's Episcopal School). He won the 2007 NL Cy Young Award after recording the Pitching Triple Crown that year, leading the National League with 19 wins, 240 strikeouts, and a 2.54 ERA. He was traded from the White Sox to the Red Sox in 2013, and helped them to a World Series title later that season. A year later he was traded to the San Francisco Giants, with whom he won another title that season. He is the second starting pitcher after Don Gullett to win two consecutive World Series championship titles with different teams, one in each league.

In Their Own Story

The sun dips low behind the mountains at Petco Park, casting long shadows across the infield dirt. Jake Peavy adjusts his cap, wiping sweat from his brow before taking the mound for the seventh inning. The crowd hums with anticipation, knowing he is the only one who can shut down this lineup. He nods to the catcher, winds up, and delivers a sinker that tears through the air, promising another strikeout in a night destined for memory.

Reader's Guide

Peavy was called up from Double-A to make his major league debut on June 22, 2002, against the New York Yankees at Qualcomm Stadium. He emerged as the Padres' ace in 2004, compiling a 15–6 record and leading MLB with a 2.27 ERA. He was selected for the National League All-Star team in 2005 and 2007. He won the pitching Triple Crown in 2007 and the NL Cy Young Award as a unanimous choice. He signed a four-year, $14.5 million contract in 2005 and a four-year, $52 million extension in 2007. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox on July 31, 2009.

Did You Know?

• Peavy is one of ten players in Major League history to have won back-to-back World Series championships on different teams.
• He allowed Barry Bonds' 700th career home run on September 17, 2004, and was the final pitcher Bonds ever faced on September 26, 2007.
• Peavy was the captain of Team USA in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
• He struck out Jeff DaVanon for his 1000th career strikeout on August 2, 2007.