Peavy wins Major League Baseball's ERA title
Published on October 4, 2004 under Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
San Diego, CA â BayBear Hall of Fame pitcher Jake Peavy had his breakout season in 2004. Peavy emerged as the staff ace for the San Diego Padres leading them into playoff contention until the final week of the season. The Mobile native and former St. Paul's Standout won a career high 15 games this season and led all of Major League Baseball in Earned Run Average (ERA). Jake's 2.27 ERA is almost two runs lower that his 2003 average (4.11). Peavy also led the Padres team with 173 strikeouts this season.
Jake becomes the youngest player (at age 23) to win the ERA title since Dwight Gooden (at age 20) in 1985. Peavy is only the second Padre to ever with the title; Randy Jones (2.24 in 1975) was the other. Only seven pitchers finished 2004 with an ERA under three, one of which was former BayBear Oliver Perez, Peavy's 2002 teammate in Mobile.
Those seven players are:
Jake Peavy (Padres) 2.27
Randy Johnson (Diamondbacks) 2.60
Johan Santana (Twins) 2.61
Ben Sheets (Brewers) 2.70
Carlos Zambrano (Cubs) 2.75
Oliver Perez (Pirates) 2.98
Roger Clemens (Astros) 2.98
QUOTES:
Jake Peavy on the ERA Title: "The ERA title is not a personal achievement, it speaks volumes for the defense that was playing behind me and our relievers, who came in and got me out of jams."
"If anyone ever told me that I'd lead the league in ERA at 23 ... I don't know what to say," Peavy said. "It's a tremendous honor."
Padres Manager Bruce Bochey:
"From Day 1, he's felt that sense that he belonged, he looks like he's been out there 10 years."
Andy Robbins, Jake's High School Coach at St. Paul's:
The entire St Paul's community is proud of Jake and his accomplishments. The company that he joins on this prestigious list is overwhelming. This could not have happened to a better young man."
BayBears President/General Manager Bill Shanahan:
"The City of Mobile has a long history of baseball legends and Jake Peavy is very rapidly becoming another. The Major League Baseball ERA title is a tremendous achievement, especially at the age of 23. The BayBears organization is extremely proud of Jake and his outstanding season."
Southern League Stories from October 4, 2004
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- Peavy wins Major League Baseball's ERA title - Mobile BayBears
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