Justin Germano
Justin William Germano is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians. Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers. He also played in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and in the KBO League for the Samsung Lions and the KT Wiz.
Early life
Germano is from Claremont, California, where he broke Mark McGwire's Claremont Little League record for most home runs in a season. He graduated from Claremont High School in 2000.Professional career
San Diego Padres
He was drafted in 2000 by the San Diego Padres. Germano made his major league debut with the San Diego Padres on May 22, 2004, getting the win as the starting pitcher against the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched five innings, allowing five hits, four runs, four walks, and five strikeouts. As a hitter, he would have two at-bats and went hitless.Cincinnati Reds
On July 23, 2005, Germano and Travis Chick were traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Joe Randa. He made 8 starts down the stretch for the Triple–A Louisville Bats, posting a 3–2 record and 4.01 ERA with 38 strikeouts across innings pitched. Germano returned to Louisville in 2006, registering an 8–6 record and 3.69 ERA with 67 strikeouts over 117 innings of work.Philadelphia Phillies
On July 31, 2006, Germano was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Rhéal Cormier. He made 6 starts for the Triple–A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, compiling a 2–0 record and 2.82 ERA with 25 strikeouts across innings pitched.San Diego Padres (second stint)
On March 19, 2007, Germano was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres. He made 23 starts for the Padres in 2007, where he went 7–10 with a 4.46 ERA with 78 strikeouts across innings pitched.Germano is the first ever MLB pitcher to throw a major league pitch in China, starting for an exhibition game as the Padres starter against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The ball from that first pitch now resides in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Just after the 2008 season ended, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks signed Germano as a free agent. Despite pitching well in spring training and not giving up a single run, Germano did not win a spot on SoftBank's Opening Day roster, as the Hawks were at the limit of foreign players on the roster. However, with Aguila and Loe failing to play well, Germano's chance came during Interleague play. Germano's first start came against the Hiroshima Carp, Germano was credited with the complete-game victory, giving up only two hits.He continued to pitch well throughout the season. Germano finished the season with a 5–4 record and a 4.38 ERA. In September it was revealed that Germano had been pitching with an inflamed Achilles tendon, and was knocked out for the rest of the season and the playoffs.
The Hawks stated that they intended to bring Germano back after the offseason started, However, he turned it down, stating he wanted to return to pitch in the States.
Cleveland Indians
On March 17, 2010, Germano signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians. On July 30, Germano was called up by the Cleveland Indians to join their bullpen ahead of the team's upcoming game against the Toronto Blue Jays.Germano was designated for assignment by the Indians on May 19, 2011, to make room on the active roster for Luis Valbuena. On July 26, Germano threw a perfect game while on assignment with the Indians' Triple–A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. He threw 60 strikes in 95 pitches to help lead the Clippers to a 3–0 victory over the Syracuse Chiefs. This was the first perfect game in Clippers history, and only the fifth to be thrown in the history of the International League.