Mario Soto (baseball)
| Mario Soto | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitcher | |||
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Born: July 12, 1956 Baní, Dominican Republic |
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| MLB debut | |||
| July 21, 1977, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||
| Last MLB appearance | |||
| June 16, 1988, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 100–92 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.47 | ||
| Strikeouts | 1,449 | ||
| Teams | |||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
Mario Melvin Soto (born July 12, 1956, in Baní, Dominican Republic) is a former Major League pitcher, mostly as a starter, for the Cincinnati Reds from 1977 through 1988. He currently works in the Reds' front office.
For most of his career, the Dominican right-hander was essentially a two-pitch pitcher. He possessed a hard fastball (clocked in the low-to-mid 90s) and complemented it with a baffling circle changeup, both thrown from the three-quarters position. Soto's changeup was particularly effective against left-handed hitters. On occasion, Soto would also throw a slider, which he turned to more in the latter stage of his career. He less frequently threw a curveball.
From 1980 to 1985, Soto struck out 1,063 batters.
On May 12, 1984, Soto came very close to throwing a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals. However, with two out in the top of the ninth inning and the Reds up 1–0, outfielder George Hendrick spoiled the no-hitter with a game-tying solo home run. The Reds won the game for Soto in the bottom of the ninth, 2–1.
In 1983, Soto finished second in voting for the National League's Cy Young Award. Philadelphia's John Denny was the winner. Statistically, 1983 and 1984 were Soto's best seasons. He compiled a 35–20 record with a 2.92 earned run average and he established himself as the ace of the Cincinnati Reds' rotation. However, the Reds finished with losing records in both seasons.
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