Who is Hunter Strickland? Meet the new Reds relief pitcher
If you thought the Cincinnati Bengals have made a lot of moves this offseason, the Reds are saying "hold my beer."
The Reds this offseason have made blockbuster trades like sending All-Star outfielder Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez to the Seattle Mariners.
They've also made a bevy of signings, including Albert Almora Jr., Brandon Drury, Buck Farmer, Colin Moran, Donovan Solano and Kyle Zimmer.
The latest veteran signing is relief pitcher Hunter Strickland.
In 2021, Strickland had a 2.61 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 57 appearances with the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels and Milwaukee Brewers.
Here are a few things to know about Strickland:
Hunter Strickland is an MLB journeyman
It's hard to think of too many players who have been on more teams in their MLB career than Strickland. The veteran reliever has been on seven teams in his pro career — including three alone in 2021.
Hold your breath and we'll go through them all. In order, Strickland has pitched for the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels and Milwaukee Brewers.
Hunter Strickland once infamously got into a fight with Bryce Harper
In 2017 while he was with the Giants, Strickland once got into a fight with one of baseball's most popular players.
In a May 29 game against the Washington Nationals, Strickland launched a 98-mph fastball that hit Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper square in the hip.
Strickland reportedly wasn't happy about Harper hitting two home runs off him in a 2014 National League Division Series.
What ensued was an incredible baseball fight for the ages (note: language warning).
Hunter Strickland has an MLB postseason record no pitcher wants
Speaking of that 2014 playoff series between the Giants and Nationals, there's more to it than just the fight. The Giants won the World Series that year, but for Strickland it was a postseason to forget.
Strickland set a record for home runs allowed in a postseason with six.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hunter Strickland joins the Reds and he has an infamous MLB career
