2011 Topps #479 Justin Duchscherer (Orioles)
This is the newest inductee into the "zero-year club".
After about two or three years of collecting cards of Duchscherer, I think I have finally memorized how to spell his last name.
Duchscherer (pronounced Duke-sher) is one of the classic examples of a talented player who just cannot stay healthy for whatever reason.
He was an All-Star reliever in 2005, finishing the year with a 2.21 ERA in 85 2/3 innings. The reason I started collecting Duchscherer stems from that 2005 All-Star game. He was also an All-Star in 2008, this time as a starter. He'd finish the season with a 10-8 record and a paltry 2.54 ERA.
However, he's only pitched 28 big-league innings since his All-Star season in '08. Injuries coupled with a bout with depression have limited his action. He missed all of the 2009 season, and started just five games in 2010, going 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA.
He'd sign with the Orioles as a free agent in February of 2011. However, a hip injury forced him to miss the entire season.
The O's released him in August of last year. Duchscherer never got the chance to pitch a single game for Baltimore.
He's still a free agent. Even with all the injuries, I really hope an organization is willing to take a chance on him with a low-risk minor league deal.
It could pay huge dividends.
It's the former A's pitcher curse. Of all the good pitchers developed by the "genius" of Billy Beane, only Tim Hudson has been successful away from Oakland's cavernous stadium.
ReplyDeleteBarry Zito, Mark Mulder, Rich Harden, Justin Duchscherer.
These are the reasons I don't expect much out of Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill this year. Actually I am kind of apathetic toward Gonzalez, but I really (selfishly) hope Cahill isn't as good since he is a D-Bag(ck) now.
I think you meant he never pitched in a game for the O's. I hoped he would get healthy, but it was not to be. Oh well.
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