Former Mets Relief Pitcher: David Aardsma (2013)

David Allan Aardsma was born on December 27th 1981 in Denver, Colorado. The six foot three right hand pitcher attended Cherry Creek High School which also produced five other MLB players; Josh Bard, Brad Lidge, John Burke, Darnell & Donzell McDonald.

After one year at Penn State he transferred to Rice University playing for the Rice Owls, making All American. In 2003 he set school records in saves & helped his team win the College World Series. That same year he was the San Francisco Giants first round draft pick, the 22nd pick overall.

The next season he made the club right away, getting a win in relief in the second game of the season. By late April, after a good start, his ERA crept to near five & he was sent down to AAA. He briefly returned later in the year, totaling eleven games that season.

In 2005 he was traded to the Chicago Cubs along with Jerome Williams in exchange for Latroy Hawkins. He went 3-0 for the 2006 Cubs making 45 appearances. He would become a journeyman pitcher going to the Chicago White Sox (2007) the Boston Red Sox (2008) & landing in Seatlle in 2009.

He spent two years as the Mariners closer, having career highs in saves with 38 (4th in the AL) & appearances (73) while posting a career best; 2.52 ERA in 2009. He was the replacement for closer; J.J. Putz who came to the New York Mets. That year he was expected to make the All Star team but did not get elected. In 2010, Aardsma went 0-6 but recorded 31 saves with a 3.44 ERA in 53 appearances.

In 2011 he needed Tommy John surgery & was not offered arbitration. He was signed by the AL New York club where he got to appear in just one game.  In early 2013 he signed a deal with the Miami Marlins & eventually opted out of the contract. In May he signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets.

He pitched eight games at AAA Las Vegas, saving three games posting a 1.12 ERA. This got him a promotion to the Mets bullpen in early June, he was most effective as a left hand hitting specialist. Aardsma debuted at Citi Field on June 8th, pitching the 12th inning of a 2-1 loss to the Marlins. He made ten appearances in June & on July 1st got credit for an extra inning 1-0 Mets win. Andrew Brown singled with the walk off RBI against the Arizona D-backs.

On July 29th in Miami he got credit for his second win. In August he would take two losses, both serving up HRs. The first came in 12th inning at Citi Field to Kansas City's Justin Maxwell. The next was at San Diego to the Padres; Nick Kendall. In 39 innings he allowed seven HRs. Overall in 43 appearances he was 2-2 with two holds, two blown saves & a 4.31 ERA.

Amamda Aardsma

In October 2013 he was granted free agency & signed with the Cleveland Indians but was released. He then signed on with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2014 he pitched in the Cardinal minor leagues going 4-0 after being promoted to AAA Memphis.

Family: He is the brother of model / actress Amanda Aardsma. 

Amanda was a 1997 Miss Teen contestant & has played in roles on CSI, Judging Amy, Temptaion & the movie Hyenas.