Former Met of the Day: Pedro Astacio (2002-2003)

Pedro Julio Astacio was born November 28, 1969 in the Dominican Republic. He was signed as a teenager by the Dodgers in 1987. He was known as “the Mule” pitched five and a half seasons in Los Angeles (1992-1997) winning 14 games in 1993 (14-9), striking out over 100 batters four times. He was third in the league in shutouts in both 1992 &1993. He pitched in two post seasons with the Dodgers, earning no decisions in four games pitched. In August of 1997 he was traded to Colorado for Eric Young. He would win 12 or more games in each of the three seasons he was in the Rocky Mountains. In 1999 he won 17 games (17-11), struck out over 200 batters with an ERA over five, allowing the most HRs in both the 1998 (39) & 1999 (38) seasons. His 145 earned runs and 17 hit batters also led the league. He is the Rockies all time strikeout leader with 749.

The Mets signed him for seven million dollars for the 2002 season, even though it was known he had arm problems. In his first Mets start he pitched a one run complete game against the Braves at Shea Stadium. He started out well going 8-4 into the summer months then fell the wheels feel off as he went 1-5 in August. He finished up 12-11, only ne win shy of the team lead held by Al Leiter. Pedro struck out 152 batters in 192 innings, posting a 4.79 ERA. The next season he started out on the DL, he would only pitch in seven games 3-2 with a horrible 7.36 ERA. He walked 18 batters, allowing 47 hits and giving up 30 runs in 36 innings pitched. He tore his labrum and was done at the end of May for the season. His Mets career ended at a 13-15 record.

He briefly appeared in five games for the World Champion Red Sox the next season, then going to Texas, San Diego & Washington finishing his career in 2006. He went 0-1 for San Diego in the 2005 NLDS. A Lifetime 129-1224 pitcher, with a 4.67 ERA, 1664 strike outs in 392 games.

Pedro his wife & three children live on a ranch a mile away from Armando Benitez in the Dominican Republic.