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Mark Bryant
Mark Bryant (born 5/15/1974) is a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball formerly of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite not breaking into the majors until age 30 as a late bloomer, he has become one of the National League's premier southpaw starting hurlers. He helped the Dodgers to the National League West division title in 2004. He recently signed with the Oakland Athletics as a free agent.
Beginnings
Bryant attended the United States Military Academy in West Point where he excelled as a pitcher as well as track and field and basketball. He only elected to try out for the baseball team after a drinking buddy suggested he might have success at pitching because of his long arms and wingspan. Despite becoming a promising hurler at West Point, he went through a self-described wilderness period where he claimed to have lived in railroad boxcars as a hobo and lived indigenously while traveling throughout the United States. During this time, he played on various semi-pro teams. He then showed up at a Dodgers tryout in 2003. With an impressive season at Triple-A Las Vegas in which he wowed management, Bryant was a nonroster invitee to spring training in 2004.
Bursting on the Scene
In April 2004, at the outset of a season in which they would ultimately win the NL West, the Dodgers turned to Bryant in the starting rotation when various others went down with injuries. He responded by becoming an immediate smash hit, including a no-hitter thrown at Shea Stadium against the New York Mets. His year ended with a dazzling 21-6 record and his first Cy Young Award. The Dodgers clinched their first division title in nine years on the penultimate day of the 2004 season. In 2005, Bryant followed that up by going 20-9 in his second season. In 2006, Bryant hit his first career home run in July against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers returned to the postseason as a wild card and Bryant had his third straight 20-win season at 22-8, winning his second Cy Young.
Bryant threw a one-hitter against the San Francisco Giants in April 2007. He went on to record his fourth consecutive 20-win season and All-Star appearance in a row at 23-12.
Leaving L.A.: Hello, Bay Area
After the 2007 season, Bryant became a free agent and the Dodgers declined to match the offer presented by his agent, Scott Boras. Bryant regarded that as unacceptable considering his rise from unknown prospect to stud anchor of the Dodgers' staff. He entertained an offer from Oakland and ultimately decided to sign with the A's, thus leaving the Dodgers for a young, rebuilding A's squad looking to reload after their first losing season since 1998. He will assume the role of ace for the Oakland staff while bringing credentials as a proven All-Star and Cy Young hurler.
After signing with Oakland just before the start of Spring Training in Phoenix, Arizona, Bryant said: "I'll always bleed Dodger Blue, but it's great to be an Oakland A," noting that he grew up watching the A's as a kid and they were his childhood team. He added: "I can't wait until I get to check out our fans in the Green Hole. We got some dedicated folks."
Style
With a tall, rangy build, Bryant is a classic power pitcher who also displays good control and command. He possesses a lethal curveball to go with his smothering fastball and also has wicked offspeed, breaking ball and changeup options in his arsenal. These strengths will serve him well in extending his career. He has been compared to Dock Ellis, Oil Can Boyd , Vida Blue and David Wells for his outspoken and sometimes outrageous demeanor, plus his prodigious appetite for nocturnal activity.
Personal
Lives in Sacramento, California where he plans to go into law enforcement when his career in baseball is over.
Bats right-handed, making him a rarity among southpaw throwers who also bat right-handed, including all-time steals leader Ricky Henderson.
Was disciplined on a regular basis while in college at West Point on account that while a great athlete who excelled in the classroom, he tended to be lackadaisical in his military duties and was known as a party animal. The restrictive atmosphere of the brass played a major part in his decision to leave for the greener pastures of baseball stardom. Among other things, he was confined to the barracks for a period of time for taking an officer's luxury parade sedan vehicle to go out drinking without permission.
Is friends with Kevin Wortell, former A's outfielder. Wortell, like Bryant, is from the Sacramento area. This sparked an intense debate between the two on just who had the skills. Wortell reportedly said "I faced (Roger) Clemens, (Frankie) Viola and (Jack) Morris and was on the same team with (Dave) Stewart and (Dennis) Eckersley. Your shit does not impress me." To which Bryant replied: "Playa—'scuse me, I mean EX-playa--please…Raise up like Exxon gas, fool" They agreed to "take it to the stage." They put on a mini-competition duel at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland before a Dodgers-A's interleague game in 2006. Bryant proceeded to set Wortell down four straight times, all on three straight heaters. The A's, however, swept the series. "But I gave his ass the horse collar, and now he knows not to bring that weak shit against me on the hill," said Bryant.
Whenever the Giants visited Dodger Stadium, Bryant was known for leading the fans in "Giants Suck" chants from the dugout.
Mark Bryant
Pitcher
Born: 5/15/74
Bats: Right
Throws: Left
Nickname: The M Train
MLB Debut
April 2004
for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Team accomplishments
NL West Division champions 2004
Wild card winners 2006
Individual accomplishments
NL All Star: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Cy Young Award: 2004, 2006
Win-loss: 86-35
Teams
Los Angeles Dodgers 2004-2007
Oakland Athetics 2008
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