Jon Lieber

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (August 2006)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

**Jon Lieber**
Jon Lieber with the Philadelphia Phillies on March 12, 2007.
Chicago Cubs — No. 32
Starting pitcher
Born: April 2, 1970 (1970-04-02) (age 38) Council Bluffs, Iowa
Bats: Left	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
May 15, 1994 for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Selected MLB statistics (through May 8, 2008)
Win-Loss	131-123
Earned run average	4.27
Strikeouts	1,537
Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (1994-1998) Chicago Cubs (1999-2002, 2008-present) New York Yankees (2004) Philadelphia Phillies (2005-2007)
Highlights and awards
All-Star selection (2001) Led NL in innings pitched in 2000

Jonathan Ray "Jon" Lieber (born April 2, 1970 in Council Bluffs, Iowa) is a starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Previously, Lieber played with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1994-1998), Chicago Cubs (1999-2002), New York Yankees (2004), and Philadelphia Phillies (2005-2007). He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. He was drafted out of the University of South Alabama and still lives in Mobile, Alabama.

In a 13-season career, Lieber has compiled a 129-121 record with 1526 strikeouts and a 4.28 ERA in 2125.3 innings pitched.

Lieber uses a tough slider and an effective changeup to go with his low 90s fastball. His most productive season came in 2001, when he led the league in games started (35) and innings (251), posted a career-high 20 victories, was selected an All-Star, and finished 4th in the Cy Young Award vote. In the same year, he one-hit the Cincinnati Reds, 3-0, ending the team's NL-record streak of 208 games in a row without being shut out. He missed the entire 2003 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2002. Lieber signed a two-year contract with the Yankees following the 2002 season. After recovering from the surgery, Lieber rewarded the Yankees' investment in 2004 by winning 14 games (tied for the team lead) and becoming the team's most consistent pitcher down the stretch.

Before the 2005 season, Lieber signed as a free agent with the Phillies. In 2005, Lieber led the team with 17 wins. His tenure with the Phillies ended early in the 2007 season after an ankle injury required season-ending surgery.

On January 16, 2008, Lieber signed a one year contract with the Chicago Cubs.[1] In spring training 2008, Lieber and Jason Marquis are battling for the fifth spot in the pitching rotation.[2]

On March 24, 2008, Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced Lieber would start the season in the bullpen, in long relief. [3]