Joe Roa
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| — No. – | |
| Pitcher | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
|---|---|
| September 20, 1995 for the Cleveland Indians | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through June 29, 2006) |
|
| Wins | 9 |
| Earned Run Average | 4.94 |
| Strikeouts | 154 |
| Former teams | |
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Joseph Rodger "The Roa Constrictor" Roa (born October 11, 1971 in Southfield, Michigan) is former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who most recently played for the Minnesota Twins. He was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates during spring training on February 15, 2006. Roa is a graduate of Hazel Park High School and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 18th round of the 1989 amateur draft. Roa is frequently called "The Roa Constrictor" by Twin Cities radio personality Dark Star.
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[edit] Minor League Career
As a journeyman pitcher, Joe Roa has played in twelve Major League organizations during his career. In the minors, Roa has played for the Atlanta Braves (1989-1991), New York Mets (1992-1994), Kansas City Royals (1999), Florida Marlins (2001), Milwaukee Brewers (2003), and Pittsburgh Pirates (2006). From 1989 to 1995, Roa amassed an impressive 67-35 record within the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Cleveland Indians organizations. Roa continued to pitch well in the minors, garnering a 122-67 career record with a 3.49 ERA. His final minor league season came in 2005 with the Indianapolis Indians, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roa has appeared in 300 minor league games in his career.
[edit] Major League Career
In 1995, Joe Roa went 17-3 for Cleveland Indians affiliate Buffalo. His performance earned him a September call-up against the Chicago White Sox in 1995. Roa appeared in 28 games for the San Francisco Giants in 1997 after only appearing in two games since being drafted. Roa has appeared in 120 major league games. His best season came in 2004, when he appeared in 48 games for the Minnesota Twins, going 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA.
[edit] Career Notables
- Roa made his Major League debut on September 20, 1995 against the Chicago White Sox. He started the game and pitched 6 innings, giving up 4 earned runs in a 4-3 loss.
- As a Cleveland Indian, Joa Roa was the player to be named later in the 1996 trade that sent Jeff Kent, Julian Tavarez, and Jose Vizcaino of the Cleveland Indians to the San Francisco Giants for Matt Williams.
- Roa picked up his first Major League win on April 5, 1997 against the New York Mets, pitching 1 scoreless inning in a 2-0 victory.
- Roa collected his first Major League hit on May 18, 1997, a 3rd inning single off Chicago Cubs starter Terry Mulholland.
- In 2003, Roa was suspended 180 days and fined $250,000 for his role in a brawl outside a Baker's Square in Wayzata. Roa punched a fan in the face who claimed Roa would "never be half as good as Mike Duvall." The fan later turned out to actually be Duvall.
- In 2002, Joe Roa played for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons and went 14-0 with a 1.86 ERA. For his performance he was named the International League's Most Valuable Pitcher.
- In 2003, Roa appeared in 28 games for three different teams (Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, and San Diego Padres)
- Roa has made only 2 errors in his entire career.
- A .213 career hitter, Roa went 2-2 with 2 RBI in a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Expos on August 27, 2002. He also pitched 6 innings, giving up 2 earned runs and picking up the win.
