John Maine- Mets #3 Man In the Rotation Turns 28

John Kevin Maine was born on May 8, 1981, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Maine played college baseball for Charlotte and was the Conference USA Pitcher of the Year in 2001 breaking several single-season pitching records including strikeouts and wins. He was drafted by the Orioles in 2002, and became one of the top minor leagues pitching prospects. He made his MLB debut in August 2005 and got his 1st win shutting out the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. He was traded to the Mets with Jorge Julio in exchange for Kris & Anna Benson.

He started out in the minor leagues in 2006 but was called up when rookie Brian Bannister went down. Then he got injured and was up & down until finally coming up for good in July. He pitched a complete game shutout and won two out of three starts getting no decision in the other. He threw 26 scoreless innings just shy of breaking Dwight Gooden’s record of 23 scoreless in 1984, and falling just shy of Jerry Koosman’s team record 31. Willie Randolph gave Maine the 5th starter’s role for the remainder of the season; he went 6-5 with a 3.60 ERA. He wasn’t expected to start the in the post season, but when Pedro Martinez & El Duque’ went down he got the ball for Game #1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers. He got no decision pitching into the 5th inning, allowing only 1 run, but the Mets won the game & sweep the Series. In the NLCS vs. St. Louis he started Game #2 and gave up 3 earned runs in 4 innings, but didn’t get the loss. He didn’t get the ball again until the crucial Game #6 at Shea Stadium. Maine threw 5 scoreless innings and struck out 5 Cardinals beating Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter sending the Series to a Game 7.

In 2007 Maine led the club in wins (15) strikeouts (180) losses (10) and HRs allowed (23). In April he was 4-0 and almost threw a no hitter in Florida, earning him Pitcher of the Month. He had a great 1st half and was snubbed for the All Star game, in which he probably should have gotten the start. He was tied for the league lead in wins (10) and had 92 strikeouts & a 2.71 ERA. He cooled off in the second half, but stepped up pitching the game of his life on the next to last day of the season. The Mets were fading fast after losing their lead in the NL East and Maine threw a one hit 1-0 shut out at Shea Stadium against the Marlins, giving the team new life. He had a no hit bid going until two outs in the 8th inning when Marlins backup catcher Paul Hoover singled. His season ERA was good at 3.91, he averaged a strikeout an inning and became one of the leagues durable starters.

His 2008 season was cut short by arm troubles, and after a stint on the DL in August he returned with 3 solid starts but his season was shelved by manager Jerry Manuel so as not to jeopardize his career. In 25 starts, 140 innings, he went 10-8 with a 4.18 ERA. One of the reasons the Mets fell short of the playoffs is because they lost Maine. He had bone spurs removed in the off season and is ready to go for 2009, although he hasn’t settled in with any consistency yet. In January of 2009 he signed a one year 2.9 million dollar deal.