Bartolo Colon returns to the mound at 50-years-old in Baseball United League debut
Former big league pitcher Bartolo Colon took the mound and made his debut for the Baseball United League, a new league founded in the Middle East and Asia.
Colon pitched a perfect first inning against the West All-Stars, getting Robinson Cano to roll over on an 81-mph fastball to first baseman Jeffrey Marte.
Ex-New York Mets outfielder Alejandro De Aza struck out looking in the next at-bat followed by Didi Gregorius, who batted third, grounding out on a 2-0 pitch to second base.
The former 2005 American League Cy Young award winner tossed three innings, giving up two earned runs, three hits, three strikeouts and one walk. He threw 53 pitches in his start for the East All-Stars.
Colon holds the most victories by a Dominican pitcher with 247, seeing most of his success with Cleveland and the Angels. The popular pitcher retired as a New York Met in September, while also throwing out the first pitch capping off his career.
“I’m grateful for the Cleveland organization, because they are the ones that gave me the opportunity and the start of my career,” Colon said through interpreter Alan Suriel on Sept. 23. “If it was up to my parents and the rest of my family, they probably wanted me to retire in Cleveland. [The New York fan base] accepted and supported me the most. That’s why I felt really comfortable here.”
Colon pitched for the Red Sox in 2008, making seven starts and posting a 4-2 record and a 3.92 ERA. Boston signed Colon to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training on Feb. 25, 2008. On May 15th that season.
He threw a one-hitter for the then Pawtucket Red Sox. Colon threw five frames, facing just 16 batters in the game. Six days later, his minor league contract was purchased by the Red Sox.
Colon was suspended by the club after he left for the Dominican Republic to handle “personal matters,” he would stay down there, effectively ending his career with the Red Sox.
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