Ryan Madson

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Madson in the ninth round (254th overall) of the 1998 Major League Baseball draft. He made his major league debut in 2003. In 2005, he finished with a 4.14 earned run average in 87 innings. The Phillies converted him back to a starting pitcher, the role he held throughout his minor league career in 2006. But after struggling as a starter, he was returned to the bullpen to make room for Cole Hamels.

By 2008 Madson had become part of the "bridge to Lidge (closer Brad Lidge)", developing into an outstanding set-up man. With a devastating changeup, Madson found increased velocity, hitting as high as 97 miles per hour in the NLCS. Madson earned his first playoff victory when the Philles defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2008 NLCS. He pitched ​1 ²⁄₃ innings, striking out one while allowing one hit and one walk.

When Brad Lidge was placed on the disabled list on June 9, 2009, Ryan Madson was the Phillies' choice for interim closer.[3][4][5] Madson got his first save in his new role on June 10, 2009, against the New York Mets.[6]

In Game 6 of the 2010 National League Championship Series, Madson was the losing pitcher when he gave up a solo home run to Juan Uribe in the eighth inning of a 3–2 loss to the San Francisco Giants.[7]

Madson began the 2011 season once again as the Phillies' main set-up reliever. However, with Lidge and José Contreras on the disabled list in May 2011, Madson was chosen to close for the Phillies. as of August 21, 2011, Madson converted 23 saves in 25 opportunities and retained the closer role even after Lidge returned from the DL in July. Madson finished the season with 32 saves, 62 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.37.

A free agent, Madson was close to negotiating a four-year, $44 million contract to remain with the Phillies, but Phillies general manager Rubén Amaro, Jr. reneged on the verbal agreement and instead signed Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year $50 million deal to replace Madson as the team's closer.[8]

During the 2011–12 offseason, Madson agreed to a one-year $8.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds.[9] Before the end of spring training, Madson had a torn ligament in his right elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery, and missed the entire 2012 season.[10] He never pitched for the Reds, as he declined his option on October 31 and became a free agent.[11]

On November 28, 2012, Madson agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[12][13] He began the 2013 season on the 15-day disabled list as he attempted to recover from the Tommy John surgery.[14] Later in the season, the Angels transferred Madson to the 60-day disabled list.[15] He was released on August 5 without appearing in a game.[16][17]

Madson tried out with several teams in January 2014 but received no minor league deals from them, so he retired.[8][18]

After missing three seasons because of his recovery from injury, Madson agreed to a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals in January 2015, that included an invitation to spring training.[19] The deal would allow Madson to earn $1 million if he reached the majors and made his incentives. Royals advisor Jim Fregosi Jr. had asked Madson to tutor high school prospect Johnny Morell, which eventually led to Madson joining the team.[18]

Madson formed an effective late game reliever in the Royals' bullpen alongside Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera, after closer Greg Holland was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery shortly before the postseason.[18] In Game 4 of the 2015 ALDS against the Houston Astros, Madson gave up two home runs which put the Royals behind 6-2 with six outs until elimination, however the Royals rallied to win the game and eventually the series. In Game 6 of the 2015 ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays, Madson surrendered a game-tying two run homer to José Bautista, but the Royals scored the game winning run in the bottom of the same inning to win the game and the series.[8]

On December 11, 2015, Madson signed a three-year contract worth $22 million with the Oakland Athletics.[20] In his first season, Madson was given the closer job while lefty Sean Doolittle recovered from injury. Madson saved 30 games despite blowing 7 saves, he finished with a 3.62 ERA in 63 games. In 2017, Madson was relieved of the closer role and was placed as the setup man. Through 40 games, he had a 2.06 ERA while improving his K/9 from 2016.

On July 16, 2017, Madson was traded to the Washington Nationals, along with Sean Doolittle, for Blake Treinen, Sheldon Neuse, and Jesus Luzardo.[21] Madson drew criticism from some when on August 4, 2018 he hit Reds star first baseman Joey Votto on the knee with a 96 mph fastball on the first pitch, apparently in retaliation for an accidental hit by pitch of Nationals star Bryce Harper. Votto, who screamed profanity at Madson in anger over the pitch, ended up going on the DL.

On August 31, 2018, Madson was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for minor league pitcher Andrew Istler.[22] Madson was the winning pitcher in game 7 of the 2018 NLCS.