Anthony Reyes

Anthony Loza Reyes (born October 16, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played five seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He pitched primarily as a starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Indians. Reyes attended the University of Southern California (USC), before the Cardinals selected him in the 15th round of the 2003 MLB draft, and made his major league debut on August 9, 2005. During his playing career, Reyes threw and batted right-handed, stood tall, and weighed .

A native of Whittier, California, Reyes became the Cardinals' top prospect in their minor league system. As a rookie, he was a member of the Cardinals' 2006 World Series championship team, including starting Game 1. Following his playing career, he became a firefighter for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

High school Reyes attended California High School in Whittier, California. Once considered too small to be a pitcher, Reyes went 7–1 with a 1.61 ERA as a senior, earning Del Rey League Co-Pitcher of the Year honors. He was on several USC teams with San Diego Padres pitcher Mark Prior. In four seasons with the Trojans, Reyes compiled a 17–16 record and earned Pac-10 honors three times.

Professional career Reyes was drafted in the 15th round (455th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2003 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut in with the Single-A Palm Beach Cardinals, where he compiled a 3–0 record with a 4.66 ERA in seven starts. Reyes was later promoted to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, where he achieved a 6–2 record with a 3.03 ERA in 12 starts.

Reyes began the season with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. In 23 starts, he was 7–6 with a 3.64 ERA. On August 9, at Miller Park, Reyes made his major league debut, throwing 6 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers, earning the win and giving up just two runs on two hits. He was demoted immediately after the game, having fulfilled his role of giving the regular rotation an extra day's rest by manager Tony La Russa. Reyes was recalled again on September 5 when the rosters expanded to 40. In four total appearances (one start) with the Cardinals, he was 1–1 with a 2.70 ERA.

Once again, Reyes opened the season with Memphis. He was recalled to St. Louis on June 21, and was placed in their starting rotation. On June 22, Reyes was asked to start the final game of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. In the previous two games, the White Sox scored 33 runs against the Cardinals. In the third game, Reyes threw 90 pitches, 67 for strikes, had six strikeouts and no walks, and carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. The only White Sox hit was a home run by Jim Thome. The Cardinals offense could not respond in kind and the White Sox won, 1–0. Reyes pitched an eight-inning complete game and took the loss despite giving up only the one hit (albeit a home run) to Thome. Reyes made 17 starts in 2006, going 5–8 with a 5.06 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 85 innings pitched. Reyes started Game 4 of the series and pitched four innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits and four walks, taking a no-decision in the 12–5 loss. He then started Game 1 of the 2006 World Series against fellow rookie Justin Verlander and earned the win, pitching eight innings and retiring 17 consecutive batters from the first through the sixth inning; a World Series record for a rookie. Reyes gave up two runs and earned player of the game honors. The Cardinals went on to win the series, defeating the Detroit Tigers four games to one.

After starting the season 0–8 with a 6.08 ERA in nine starts (although he had the worst run support in the majors), the Cardinals optioned him to Memphis on May 27. Todd Wellemeyer replaced him in the Cardinals starting rotation. He made three strong starts for the Redbirds and was recalled to St. Louis June 16, but was optioned back to Memphis again on July 2. On July 28, Reyes was called up again from Memphis to make a spot start in a doubleheader against Milwaukee. He pitched well, allowing two runs on two hits in six innings to earn his first win of the season. Reyes finished the season with a 2–14 record and a 6.04 ERA in 22 games (20 starts). He went 2–3 with a 3.25 ERA in 11 starts at Memphis. He was immediately assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, where he went 2–0 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts. That same day, he made his first start for Cleveland, going 6 innings, allowing just one run on seven hits, and picked up the win. On September 6, Reyes exited his start after three innings against the Kansas City Royals due to a sore right elbow. He was later shut down for the rest of the season on September 16. In six starts with Cleveland, Reyes was 2–1 with a 1.83 ERA. He was placed on the disabled list the next day. On June 10, 2009, it was announced that Reyes would undergo season-ending elbow surgery.

Reyes was non-tendered by the Indians on December 12, 2009, making him a free agent. He was re-signed to a minor league contract on December 13. During spring training his contract was purchased by the Indians, at which time he was placed on the 60-day disabled list, while recovering from Tommy John surgery. After spending the entire 2010 season on the disabled list, Reyes was outrighted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on October 29, 2010. After electing free agency, Reyes signed a minor league contract with the Indians on November 15. His contract included a non-roster invitation to the Indians' 2011 spring training camp.

Reyes spent the 2011 season rehabbing his injured elbow, never appearing on the 40-man roster. He was released by the Indians on August 5, 2011. He became a free agent following the season on November 3, and subsequently retired.

Reyes became a Los Angeles County firefighter in March 2017, and was pressed into action to combat the wildfires in California later that year.