Brief Member of the 2006 N.L. Eastern Champion Mets Staff: Jorge Julio (2006)

Jorge Dandys (Tapia) Julio was born on March 3rd, 1979 in Caracas, Distrito Federal, Venezuela. The six foot one right handed fast ball pitcher, signed as an amateur free agent with the Montreal Expos in 1996.

Julio came to the majors in 2001 and took over the Orioles closer job from Buddy Groom the next season. He saved 25 games (10th in the AL) in 2002 posting a 1.99 ERA going 5-9 in 67 appearances. That season he was third in the rookie of the year voting. Julio came back with 36 saves (4th in the AL) in 2003 but also was 0-7 with eight blown saves, a 4.36 ERA, allowing ten HRs in 61 innings pitched.

In 2004 Julio saved 22 more games (7th in the AL) going 2-5 with a 4.57 ERA making 65 appearances, blowing four save opportunities. The next season B.J. Ryan took over the O's closer role, Julio still made 67 appearances getting credit for 11 holds posting a 5.90 ERA. He allowed 14 HRs & 47 earned runs in 71 innings pitched.

In January of 2006 Julio came to the New York Mets along with John Maine for Kris Benson & his wife Anna. Anna had been causing quite an uproar in New York with her sultry ways, the final straw being when she appeared at the Mets Christmas Party for the kids in a naughty sexy Mrs. Santa Claus outfit, showing lots of cleavage.

Julio made his debut in the second game of the 2006 season, but was pummeled by the Washington Nationals in the 10th inning, allowing five runs (two earned) on four hits in 2/3 of an inning taking the loss. He allowed runs in his first four Mets appearances & in his first five games allowed eleven runs, twelve hits & three HRs in just 5.2 innings of work. These outing certainly did not sit well with the fans, especially since the team was off to hot start and were the class of the National League. Julio was doomed in New York.

After finishing April with a 7.71 ERA he started out May earning a win against the Atlanta Braves on May 5th & earned a save the next day also against the Braves. On May 20th he took a loss in a subway series game at Shea Stadium, after giving up an 11th inning single to Andy Phillips.

Later in the week his time as a Met was over, Julio was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Orlando Hernandez. In his four month Mets career, Julio appeared in 18 games, going 1-2 with a save posting a 5.06 ERA, striking out 33 batters walking ten, giving up four HRs in 21 innings. He finished out the year doing well in Arizona saving 15 games, going 1-2 in 44 appearances posting a 3.83 ERA.

Over the next three seasons, Julio went on to pitch for the Florida, Marlins (2007) Colorado Rockies (2007), Cleveland Indians (2008), Atlanta Braves (2008) & Milwaukee Brewers (2009).

In 2010 & 2012 he pitched for the Bridgeport Bluefish in the Independent League. He had signed a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 but never made the team.

He finished out his MLB career going 17-34 saving 99 games with 448 strike outs 233 walks 65 HRs allowed while posting a 4.43 ERA in 453 appearances.