Bartolo Colon "Big Sexy": 2015 NL Champion Mets Pitcher (2014 - 2016)
He began his minor league career at Burlington in the Rookie league in 1994, the next year he would go 13-3 with a 1.96 ERA at A ball Kinston.
MLB Career: Two years later, Colon made his MLB debut in the third game of the 1997 season for the soon to be AL Champion Cleveland Indians. Colon allowed four runs in five innings at Anaheim getting no decision.
He would be 0-2 through early June as he got his first career win, coming in Detroit against the Tigers. Colon would spend some more time at AAA Buffalo where he went 7-1, even throwing a no hitter, before returning to Cleveland. He ended up 4-7 and did not appear in the post season.
Indians Career: In 1998 Colon would post 14 wins, second to Charles Nagy & Dave Burba (15) on a powerful Cleveland team. He set a strange record that year when he threw twenty pitches to Ricky Gutierrez, who would eventually strike out. That season Colon made the first of his three All Star appearances.
1998 Post Season: He closed out the ALDS with a win over the Boston Red Sox, in a tight 2-1 Game #4 at Fenway Park. He pitched into the 6th inning, out pitching former Met, Pete Schourek. He then pitched a complete game win over the AL New York club in Game #3 of the ALCS, allowing one run on four hits.
In 1999 Colon won 18 games (second in the AL) posting a 3.95 ERA striking out 161 batters, while pitching over 200 innings for the second straight year.
1999 Post Season: He would pitch in two games of the ALDS loss against the Boston Red Sox going 1-1. In Game #1 he pitched into the 8th inning, striking out 11 batters & allowing two runs while getting the 3-2 win.
Colon would spend two more full seasons in Cleveland winning 14 or more games in both those years, while pitching over 200 innings & striking out over 200 batters as well.
Indians Career: In 1998 Colon would post 14 wins, second to Charles Nagy & Dave Burba (15) on a powerful Cleveland team. He set a strange record that year when he threw twenty pitches to Ricky Gutierrez, who would eventually strike out. That season Colon made the first of his three All Star appearances.
1998 Post Season: He closed out the ALDS with a win over the Boston Red Sox, in a tight 2-1 Game #4 at Fenway Park. He pitched into the 6th inning, out pitching former Met, Pete Schourek. He then pitched a complete game win over the AL New York club in Game #3 of the ALCS, allowing one run on four hits.
In 1999 Colon won 18 games (second in the AL) posting a 3.95 ERA striking out 161 batters, while pitching over 200 innings for the second straight year.
1999 Post Season: He would pitch in two games of the ALDS loss against the Boston Red Sox going 1-1. In Game #1 he pitched into the 8th inning, striking out 11 batters & allowing two runs while getting the 3-2 win.
Colon would spend two more full seasons in Cleveland winning 14 or more games in both those years, while pitching over 200 innings & striking out over 200 batters as well.
In 2000 his 212 Ks were second most in the AL. That year on September 18th, he pitched a one hit, 13 strike out shut out in New York over the AL New York club. In 2001 he struck out 201 batters (5th in the AL) but he gave up a lot of walks (90) HRs (26) & lost 12 games (8th most in the AL) while posting one of the highest ERAs of his career (4.09).
2001 Post Season: His Indians got to another ALDS in 2001, where he pitched eight shutout innings in the Series Opener, taking a win in Seattle over Freddy Garcia. Overall, the Indians lost the series in five games to the Seattle Mariners.
He began 2002 in Cleveland, going 10-4 with a 2.55 ERA, but at the trade deadline he was sent to the contending Montreal Expos. The Indians who would finish under .500 that year, but they received Grady Sizemore & Cliff Lee in that deal.
Expos Career: In Montreal, Colon went 10-4 as the 2002 Expos finished in second place under manager Frank Robinson.
Overall, Colon was a twenty-game winner on the season going a combined 20-8, with a 2.93 ERA, eight complete games, 149 strike outs in 233 innings pitched.
White Sox Career: Just before the start of the 2003 season, Colon was traded to the Chicago White Sox for Orlando Hernandez, Rocky Biddle & Jeff Liefer plus cash considerations.
That year the White Sox finished second under manager Jerry Manuel. Colon led the league in complete games (9) going 15-13, second on the staff in wins to Esteban Loaiza's who won 21. After that season, Colon signed a big contract with the Anaheim Angels.
Angels Career: In 2005 he had his overall best season, making the All-Star team, winning the AL Cy Young Award. Bartolo led the league in wins (21) going 21-8 with a .724 winning %. Colon was the first Angels pitcher to win a Cy Young Award since Dean Chance did it back in 1964. He struck out 157 batters (8th in the league) pitching 222 innings (7th in the league) posting a 3.48 ERA (8th in the league).
2005 Post Season: The Angels won their Division & beat the AL New York club in the ALDS but lost to the Chicago White Sox in the ALCS.
In Game #5 of the ALDS, he partially tore his rotator cuff & spent most of 2006 on the DL, making just ten starts.
In 2007 he returned but was still battling injuries. He went 6-8 with a career high 6.34 ERA in 19 games.
Red Sox Career: 
In 2008 he signed with the Boston Red Sox. He began the year hurt & rehabbing in May, pitched a one hitter at AAA Pawtucket.
In 2008 he signed with the Boston Red Sox. He began the year hurt & rehabbing in May, pitched a one hitter at AAA Pawtucket. On June 1st he beat the Baltimore Orioles, to get to 3-0. Personally, he won his 150th career game but would go back on the DL until mid-September. Overall, he only pitched seven games for the Red Sox going 4-2.
In September he went to the Dominican Republic to handle personal matters & decided to stay. He was placed on the restricted list & remained there as the Sox played the post season, losing to Tampa in the ALCS.
White Sox Return: In 2009 the White Sox gave him another chance, he went to 3-6 for Ozzie Guillen's third place Sox, but more injuries shut him down in late June, ending his season.
In September he went to the Dominican Republic to handle personal matters & decided to stay. He was placed on the restricted list & remained there as the Sox played the post season, losing to Tampa in the ALCS.
White Sox Return: In 2009 the White Sox gave him another chance, he went to 3-6 for Ozzie Guillen's third place Sox, but more injuries shut him down in late June, ending his season.
That March he received a transplant of stem cells to repair tissue in the right shoulder. MLB studied the controversial surgery, but no foul play was found or any use of human growth hormones.
Colon announced a comeback & got a one-year deal with the AL New York club. He made the team out of Spring Training & went 8-10 on the season with a 4.00 ERA.
Athletics Career: In 2012 he signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics. Bartolo debuted for Oakland in the second game of the season, played in Japan. There he pitched eight innings against the Seattle Mariners, allowing one run on three hits with six strike outs.
Colon went 6-8 into mid-July before winning four of his next five starts.
On August 22nd, 2012, he tested positive for synthetic testosterone, a performance enhancing substance in violation of MLB's Drug programs.
Quotes: Colon apologized to fans: "I accept responsibility for my actions and I will serve my suspension as required by the Joint Drug Program."
Quotes: Colon apologized to fans: "I accept responsibility for my actions and I will serve my suspension as required by the Joint Drug Program."
This came less than two weeks after Melky Cabrera was also suspended.
The Athletics went on to surprise everyone by winning their division & getting to the ALDS where they lost to the Detroit Tigers.
In 2013, The Athletics gave Colon another one-year deal and he turned out to be a good signing for GM Billy Beane. In April Colon was 3-0 with a 3.38 ERA & twenty strike outs. After losing two straight decisions in early May, he went on a personal eight game winning streak.
On May 31st he tossed a complete game five hit shutout over the Chicago White Sox, for his third straight win. In four starts from May 26th through June 11th, he allowed just one earned run in 29 innings pitched while going 4-0 & lowering his ERA to 2.92.
The Athletics went on to surprise everyone by winning their division & getting to the ALDS where they lost to the Detroit Tigers.
In 2013, The Athletics gave Colon another one-year deal and he turned out to be a good signing for GM Billy Beane. In April Colon was 3-0 with a 3.38 ERA & twenty strike outs. After losing two straight decisions in early May, he went on a personal eight game winning streak.
On May 31st he tossed a complete game five hit shutout over the Chicago White Sox, for his third straight win. In four starts from May 26th through June 11th, he allowed just one earned run in 29 innings pitched while going 4-0 & lowering his ERA to 2.92.
At the break he was an incredible 12-4 and went on to go 6-2 down the stretch, with four straight wins in September.
The Athletics won another AL Western title, as Colon was 18-6,with the third best win-loss % in the AL. Colon led the league with three shut outs & was third with three complete games.
2013 Post Season: In the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, Colon got the start in Game #1 against Max Scherzer. Colon allowed ten hits & three runs in the 3-2 loss.
New York Mets Career: In December of 2013, The New York Mets gave the forty-year-old Colon a big $20 million two-year deal.
2014: On April 2nd, Colon debuted in the Mets second game of the season, the first Citi Field night game. He had a rough outing allowing HRs to Gio Gonzales & Ian Desmond, surrendering three runs on nine hits in the 5-1 loss.
2014: On April 2nd, Colon debuted in the Mets second game of the season, the first Citi Field night game. He had a rough outing allowing HRs to Gio Gonzales & Ian Desmond, surrendering three runs on nine hits in the 5-1 loss.
His next outing was much better, pitching seven shutout innings in Atlanta, scattering six hits striking out five in a combined 4-0 shutout over the Braves.
Serving Up 4 HRs: On April 13th, on an early West Coast trip to Anaheim, Colon had a nightmare night. He gave up nine runs on eleven hits including a season high four HRs in a 14-2 debacle of a loss to the Angels.
On April 19th, the Mets were leading the Braves 1-0 in the 3rd inning with two on & one out with Freddie Freeman at bat. Colon got Freeman to hit a ground ball down third base near the line, but after Colon fielded the ball, he threw wildly to first base, allowing two runs to score. He ended up on the losing end of a 7-5 loss to fall to 1-3. Although in his first four starts the Mets offense has only given him one run of support in each game.
Serving Up 4 HRs: On April 13th, on an early West Coast trip to Anaheim, Colon had a nightmare night. He gave up nine runs on eleven hits including a season high four HRs in a 14-2 debacle of a loss to the Angels. On April 19th, the Mets were leading the Braves 1-0 in the 3rd inning with two on & one out with Freddie Freeman at bat. Colon got Freeman to hit a ground ball down third base near the line, but after Colon fielded the ball, he threw wildly to first base, allowing two runs to score. He ended up on the losing end of a 7-5 loss to fall to 1-3. Although in his first four starts the Mets offense has only given him one run of support in each game.
On April 24th, he beat the St. Louis Cards at Citi Field, allowing one run with four hits in seven innings of work, collecting a season high eight strike outs. On May 1st in Colorado, he had a disaster of a night, allowing his second highest amount of runs on the season. He gave up seven runs on ten hits in six innings of work, taking his fourth loss raising his ERA to 5.65.
On May 6th he took another loss in Miami in the midst of a Mets six game losing streak.
On May 12th, in a subway series game in the Bronx, he took no decision, giving up seven runs (six earned) on eleven hits through 5.2 innings. That night the Mets offense scored nine runs, hitting four HRs in the 9-7 win.
On May 12th, in a subway series game in the Bronx, he took no decision, giving up seven runs (six earned) on eleven hits through 5.2 innings. That night the Mets offense scored nine runs, hitting four HRs in the 9-7 win.
Personal Six Game Win Streak: Bartolo's next start was much better as he pitched eight innings, allowing just two runs in a 5-2 win at Washington. It was the start of a six-game win streak for him.
On May 28th, he had what was possibly his best start of the year. He shut out the Pirates at Citi Field, pitching into the 8th inning, allowing just five hits with a season high nine strike outs.
On May 28th, he had what was possibly his best start of the year. He shut out the Pirates at Citi Field, pitching into the 8th inning, allowing just five hits with a season high nine strike outs.
From June 13th through June 24th, he pitched into the 8th inning in all three starts. He gave up just four earned runs in 23.1 innings, for a 1.54 ERA. He walked just two batters striking out 16, while earning wins against the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals & Oakland A's. Double at the Plate: On June 18th, Bartolo collected his first hit in nine years when he hit a double off the Cardinals Lance Lynn in a 3-2 win at St. Louis. He delighted his teammates with laughter as he ran to second base.
In his next three starts, he suffered three straight losses to fall back to .500 at 8-8.
On July 23rd, Colon beat the Mariners in Seattle allowing just two runs & three hits over 7.1 innings of work in a 3-2 victory over Taijuan Walker.
On July 28th, at Citi Field he pitched into the 8th inning for the ninth time of the year. Although he allowed ten hits, he only gave up a run & struck out six in a 7-1 victory over the Phillies.
Bartolo became just the third Dominican pitcher to reach 200 wins after Juan Marichal & Pedro Martinez. Bartolo also became the third pitcher to win his 200th game in a Mets uniform, joining Pedro Martinez & Orel Hershiser.
On August 24th, he won his twelfth game of the season (12-10), in an 11-3 win at Dodger Stadium.
Colon started out September with a seven inning two run performance in Cincinnati, beating the Reds in another productive Mets offensive night where they put up 14 runs.
15th Victory: On September 28th, Colon made his last start of the year. He gave up three runs in six innings striking out four in an 8-3 win over Houston at Citi Field. The win earned him his 15th victory of the year, giving the Mets more than they had expected of him when they signed him at the start of the season.
The Mets had signed Colon in hope he would eat up innings, just as he did. Personally, Colon had not surpassed the 200 innings mark in nine years.
He also gave up 218 hits (2nd most in the NL) with 22 HRs (10th in the league) & 92 earned runs (7th most in the NL).
Mets Folk Hero:
All in all, he became a Mets folk hero. He was a role model to slightly overweight fans. A hero to fans & athletes over forty as well. The fans loved to watch him swing the bat, especially when his helmet would fall off. They oved it even more when he got to run the bases.
He also gave up 218 hits (2nd most in the NL) with 22 HRs (10th in the league) & 92 earned runs (7th most in the NL).
Mets Folk Hero:
All in all, he became a Mets folk hero. He was a role model to slightly overweight fans. A hero to fans & athletes over forty as well. The fans loved to watch him swing the bat, especially when his helmet would fall off. They oved it even more when he got to run the bases. His Mets teammates got a real kick out of him, getting a bunch of laughs & motioning to fan him down to cool him off from the dugout.
In the off season, there was some minor trade talks about Colon, but nothing came of it.
In the off season, there was some minor trade talks about Colon, but nothing came of it.
2015 NL Championship Season: Colon was slated to be the Opening Day starter for thee 2015
season, as the veteran pitcher on a young staff.
season, as the veteran pitcher on a young staff.
This also gave a chance for the Mets to have Jacob deGrom start the home Opener at Citi Field. It also gave some extra rest for Matt Harvey in the three slot.
Opening Day Win: On Opening Day in Washington D.C. Colon gave the Mets six solid innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out seven in the 3-1 win.
Opening Day Win: On Opening Day in Washington D.C. Colon gave the Mets six solid innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out seven in the 3-1 win.
RBI Hits & Mets 11 Game Win Streak: On April 12th in Atlanta, Colon went seven innings, giving up three runs on six hits earning the 4-3 win over the Braves. In the top of the 4th inning, Wilmer Flores led off with a double, then with one out Colon singled off Alex Wood bringing in Flores with his first RBI of the year. It was Bartolo's first RBI in ten years since the 2005 season.
The win was the Mets first in a franchise record eleven straight victories.
On the mound, he put he in another strong performance, in seven innings of work he allowed one run on six hits, striking out five in the 4-1 win to get to 3-0.
Only Pitcher Over 40 to Go 4-0: This got Colon to 4-0 with a 2.77 ERA, something no one saw coming. He was the first pitcher in the past 80 years to start out the season at 4-0 aged forty or older.
On April 29th he earned his first loss of the season coming in South Florida.
pitch into the 8th inning, allow just one run, with no walks, while striking out a season high nine batters in the 5-1 win. Colon earned his 5th win to get to 5-1.
On Mother's Day in Philadelphia, Colon became the majors first six game winner as he beat the Phillies in another outing where he did not allow a walk.
No Walks Issued Streak: Colon extended his streak having not issued a walk, back to the first game of the season not issuing a base on balls in 40 1/3 innings.From there Colon suffered two straight losses. On May 20th, he had a season worst nine run, eleven hit debacle in a 9-0 loss to the Cardinals. He rebounded winning his next two starts, beating the Phillies & Marlins at Citi Field.
At the start of June, he was 8-3 but then went into a terrible six game losing streak going O for July. In five July starts he gave up six runs or more twice. On July 18th in St. Louis, he served up eight runs (seven earned in a 9-8 loss to the Cards.
On July 29th he had one of his worst outings of the year, getting knocked out of the game in the 3rd inning, after giving up six runs on ten hits to the Padres.
But on July 1st, he shut out the Chicago Cubs for seven innings at Citi Field but got no decision as Jon Lester shut out the Mets for seven innings & the Mets bullpen lost the game in extra innings.
On July 23rd, he took another tough loss in Los Angeles as Clayton Kershaw shut out the Mets 3-0. In that game Colon pitched eight innings giving up just one run.
On August 3rd in Miami, he threw eight innings of one run ball, striking out five as the Mets beat up on the fish 12-1 in a 15-hit attack. Colon got to .500 on the year at 10-10. It was the 14th time in his career he reached double figures in wins.
On August 3rd in Miami, he threw eight innings of one run ball, striking out five as the Mets beat up on the fish 12-1 in a 15-hit attack. Colon got to .500 on the year at 10-10. It was the 14th time in his career he reached double figures in wins.
On August 9th he took a loss at Tampa, then followed with two no decisions.
Record Scoreless Innings Streak & Player of the Week Award:
Colon shut out the Phillies for seven innings, allowing just five hits & two walks. He struck out eight and went on to earn the win putting him at .500 (11-11) again on the year.
It was the first time since his July 1st start that he did not allow a run. The Mets went on to win it 9-4, At the plate Colon went 0-3.
August 29th, 2015: 
In a disappointing 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox, Manager Terry Collins used Bartolo in a rare relief appearance to help out a depleted bullpen. The ageless wonder came on & pitched a scoreless 9th inning striking out two Red Sox.
In a disappointing 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox, Manager Terry Collins used Bartolo in a rare relief appearance to help out a depleted bullpen. The ageless wonder came on & pitched a scoreless 9th inning striking out two Red Sox.August 31st, 2015: The Phillies came to Citi Field to face the first place Mets who were holding a 5.5 game lead over the Nationals.
Colon matched his season high nine strike outs, pitching eight shutout innings, scattering four hits while walking one. He earned his 12th win (12-11) of the season. His scoreless innings streak was now up at 16. That week Bartolo Colon won the NL Player of the Week Award.
September 5th- Shut Out: The first place Mets, were now 15 games over .500 as they visited South Florida to play the Miami Marlins.On this night, Colon may have had his best outing of the year. He pitched a complete game shutout, striking out two, allowing nine hits without walking anyone in the 7-0 shut out.
With his glove he made one of the most outstanding plays of the year as he fielded a slow ground ball along the first base line, then tossed the ball behind his back to first baseman Daniel Murphy for the amazing out. Everyone had a smile on their face as he entered the dugout being congratulated by his teammates.
Mets Record: With the shut out, he became the oldest Mets pitcher in team history to throw a shutout.
The Mets hit three HRs that night, a three-run shot from Travis d'Arnaud, a two-run shot from Juan Lagares & a solo shot from Wilmer Flores.
September 10th, 2015: The first place Mets (79-61) were fresh off a sweep of the second place Nationals in D.C. The Met lead was now seven games & a magic number was set at 17 to clinch the Division. Colon took the mound in Atlanta, trying to extend his scoreless innings streak against a struggling Braves team, who trailed the Mets by 22.5 games in the standings.
Colon came on & threw six more scoreless innings. In the bottom of the 7th, Nick Swisher led off with a base hit, then Jace Peterson triple scoring Swisher to end the streak at 31 innings. Colon fell just shy of the Mets franchise record of 32 & two thirds scoreless innings set by R.A. Dickey. Record Setter: In the game, after the 3rd inning Colon reached the 28-scoreless inning mark. He passed Cy Young & Warren Spahn as pitchers 42 years of age or older who had not allowed a run in as many innings.
The Mets rolled along to a 7-2 win, as Colon bested his record to 14-11 with a 4.13 ERA, 129 strike outs & just 22 walks in 176 innings pitched (29 starts). Colon has the best walks per nine innings ratio in the NL.
The Mets rolled along to a 7-2 win, as Colon bested his record to 14-11 with a 4.13 ERA, 129 strike outs & just 22 walks in 176 innings pitched (29 starts). Colon has the best walks per nine innings ratio in the NL.
Career Highs in Hits & RBIs: In the top of the 4th inning, Bartolo singled off Shelby Miller bringing in Kevin Plawecki with the Mets third run. For Colon it was his 8th hit of the year & his fourth RBI as well, both setting career highs. He also raised his batting average to .148 on the season.
Colon would get three more starts allowing three runs in each game, pitching five or more innings in each outing as well. He took two more losses with a no decision & made a relief appearance in the Mets 1-0 win, in the final game of the regular season coming against the Washington Nats.
Colon finished the year at 14-13, tied with Jacob deGrom for most wins on the Mets staff. His 14 wins were also 7th most wins in the NL. He posted a 4.16 ERA, struck out 136 batters while walking just 24 in 194 innings of work (most innings pitched on the Met staff).
His 1.110 walks per nine innings was the best in the league & his strike outs per walk ratio of 5.667 fourth best. He also allowed the most hits in the league (217) & 25 HRs in 33 games (31 starts which was most on the Met staff)
2015 Post Season: In 2015 Colon got to his fifth post season & would make his first World Series appearance.
2015 NLDS: In the NLDS manager Terry Collins used Colon out of the bullpen as a reliever. He saw action in three games of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching four innings giving up two runs on two hits while striking out three.
Howie Kendrick which scored a run. In the Mets big 13-7 win in Game #3 at Citi Field, he pitched two innings giving up a HR. In the Game #4 to Clayton Kershaw Colon pitched two scoreless innings of relief.
2015 NLCS: In the Mets NLCS victory over the Chicago Cubs, Colon made one appearance. In the Game #4 clincher, at Wrigley Field, he came into the in relief of Steven Matz in the 5th inning getting the third out.
He pitched 1.1 scoreless innings earning the victory, helping the Mets in the 8-3-win completing the series sweep advancing to the World Series.
2015 World Series: In the World Series loss to the Kansas City Royals Colon made two relief appearances.In the Game #1 loss at Kansas City, he came in relief of the tie game in the 12th inning. In the bottom of the 14th inning, Alcides Escobar reached base on David Wrights error.
Ben Zobrist then singled to right field. After an intentional walk to Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer's sac fly scored Ben Zobrist with the walk off game winner.
In the Mets Game #4 loss at Citi Field, he came in relief in the 6th inning retiring Salvador Perez with the final out of the inning. In Game #5 Colon came on in the 12th inning after the Royals went ahead. He served up an RBI double to Cain then retired the last two batters. The Mets failed to score in the bottom of the 12th & the series was over.
After the Pennant: On December 17th he signed a one year $7 million deal to stay with the New York Mets.
On April 9th he got his first start of the year, taking a loss at home to the lowly Phillies. That night he gave up five runs in six innings while fanning seven.
On April 15th he returned to Cleveland, making a start where his career began in 1997. He pitched into the 6th inning giving up two runs, earning the victory in the 6-5 Mets win.
After a pair of no decisions he reached another career milestone. Most Wins by a Dominican Pitcher: On May 2nd at Citi Field, Bartolo earned his career victory #220, passing Pedro Martinez on the all-time Dominican born pitchers win list.
Colon benefited from 1st inning HRs by David Wright, Yoenis Cespedes & Lucas Duda. Bartolo shut out the Braves for eight innings, issuing no walks, scattering seven hits with seven strike outs in the 4-1 Mets win.
That night he also scorched a foul ball while batting just missing a bases clearing hit.
First Career HR: On May 7th, in San Diego, Colon made the record books once again. At age 42, he became the oldest player in MLB history to hit his first career HR. The historic HR made him the second oldest Mets to ever hit a HR & one of three Mets players along with Willie Mays & Julio Franco to hit HRs at age 42.
Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen got so excited he said “This is one of the great moments in the history of baseball! Bartolo Colon has gone deep!”
Quotes: Bartolo Colon: I don't even know how to explain it. I'm very thankful, I thank God & am very grateful. It means a lot." He also said it was the biggest moment of his career.
Quotes: Bartolo Colon: I don't even know how to explain it. I'm very thankful, I thank God & am very grateful. It means a lot." He also said it was the biggest moment of his career.
From May 23rd to July 2nd, he did not allow more than two earned runs in any of the eight starts lowering his ERA to 2.87 one of the best in the NL. From June 9th to the All-Star Break, he went 3-1 with wins at Milwaukee& at home to the Cubs & Pirates. In the month of June, he walked jut two batters in 27 innings pitched.
2016 All Star: At the All Star break he was 7-4 with a 2.87 ERA getting named to the NL All Star team by his manager Terry Collins.
Bartolo joined Mets teammates Noah Syndergaard & Jeurys Familia at the Mid-Summer Classic. It was his fourth All Star appearance & his first in the National League.
runs in 4.1 innings of work. On July 30th at Citi Field where the Rockies knocked him around for five runs on seven hits, in five innings of work.
Subway Series Win: On August 4th he beat Nathan Eovaldi in a Subway series 4-1 Mets win in the Bronx. Colon pitched 6.2 innings, allowing just one run on six hits while fanning one & walking one. The game was highlighted by Jay Bruce's three run HR.
After a no decision where he gave up just one run to the Diamondbacks, he took a loss to them at Citi Field giving up five runs. But from there he went on another Bartolo hot streak help keeping the Mets in the wild card hunt.
On August 20th, Bartolo beat the Giants in San Francisco, although he scattered nine hits in 6.2 innings of work, he allowed just two runs, walking one. The Mets supported him with nine runs that day.
On August 26th, at Citi Field, the Mets supported him with nine more runs, with a pair of HRs from Asdrubal Cabrera & HRs from Jose Reyes & Wilmer Flores as well.
which Colon got no decision.
On September 5th he shut out the Reds in Cincinnati for six innings of a 5-0 combined Mets shut out, earning his 13th win.
On September 26th he pitched the emotional game in Miami which came after the death of Marlin pitcher Jose Fernandez. In a game where Colon seemed to not have it he was just easing the ball over the plate as he took a 7-3 loss while allowing all seven runs.
Colon closed out 2016 leading the Mets staff in wins once again (15) games (34) games started (33) innings pitched (192) HRs (24) & age.
Tops in the NL: He had the best base on balls per nine innings (1.738) average in the NL & also led all AL pitchers with 40 assists.
At 15-8 he posted a 3.43 ERA with 128 strike outs & 32 walks. His 33 starts were third most in the NL, his 15 wins were tenth in the NL & his .652 winning % was ninth best.
At 15-8 he posted a 3.43 ERA with 128 strike outs & 32 walks. His 33 starts were third most in the NL, his 15 wins were tenth in the NL & his .652 winning % was ninth best.
NL Wild Card Game: The Mets lost the NL Wild Card game to the eventual Champion Giants.
On November 11th, 2016, he accepted a deal with the Atlanta Braves & his time with the New York Mets was over.
Colon got to a World Series, two post seasons & was one of the most popular players on the team during his Mets years. He will always be remembered in Mets history.
Post Mets Career: In 2017 he pitched for the Atlanta Braves & Minnesota Twins. On April 5th, 2017, he pitched six innings allowing just one run to beat his former Mets teammates 3-1 in the second game of the season at Citi Field. A month later the Mets roughed him up for five runs in a 16-5 Mets blow out over the Braves again at Citi Field. At that point he would lose six of seven games before getting released.
Colon would go to the Twins going 5-6 with a 5.18 ERA in 15 games. He was granted free agency & signed with the Texas Rangers in the off season.
In 2018 he pitched 28 games for Texas going 7-12 with a 5.78 ERA. He retired at the end of the season.
In 2018 he pitched 28 games for Texas going 7-12 with a 5.78 ERA. He retired at the end of the season.
Career Stats: In his 21-year career, Colon has one Cy Young Award (2005) & made four All Star Teams.
Colon has 247 wins (51st most wins all time) with 188 losses (57th all time) He has 2535 strike outs (36th all time) with 948 walks (137th all time) in 3461 innings pitched (76th all time) in 565 games with 552 starts (30th all time) & a 4.12 ERA.
Colon has 247 wins (51st most wins all time) with 188 losses (57th all time) He has 2535 strike outs (36th all time) with 948 walks (137th all time) in 3461 innings pitched (76th all time) in 565 games with 552 starts (30th all time) & a 4.12 ERA.
Post Season Career: Colon has appeared in seven post seasons five different teams. He reached the World Series only once & that was with the 2015 Mets. His post season record is 3-5 with a 3.49 ERA in 17 games.
Colon has pitched with the Cleveland Indians (1997-2002) Montreal Expos (2002) Chicago White Sox (2003/ 2009) Los Angeles Angles (2004-2007) Boston Red Sox (2008) A.L. NY Team (2011) Oakland A's (2012-2013) New York Mets (2014-2016) Atlanta Braves (2017) Minnesota Twins (2017) & Texas Rangers (2018).
In 2021 Colon pitched in the Mexican League at age 48.
Family: Bartolo Colon & his wife live in Clifton, New Jersey with their three children.
In September of 2014 he & his wife were officially named United States citizens.
Mets Honors: In 2022 Colon returned to Citi Field for Old Timers Day 2022.
Official Retirement: In September of 2023 he officially retired as a Mets player, five years after having pitched his final career game. He was honored & threw out a ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field.
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