Topic: Cla Meredith

Olise Claiborne "Cla" Meredith III (pronounced /ˈkleɪ/), nicknamed "The Claw", (born June 4, 1983, in Richmond, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.

Meredith attended Virginia Commonwealth University and played on their baseball team. Meredith was used almost exclusively as a reliever. He put up his best numbers in 2003, going 6-0 with a school record 1.19 ERA, which was 2nd best in the NCAA (Division I). Meredith posted 8 saves that year, with 70 strikeouts, and only 16 walks. He is also VCU's all time ERA leader at 2.52.

Meredith was drafted in the 6th round (185th overall) 2004 Major League Baseball Draft by the Boston Red Sox after his junior year at VCU. He started his pro career with their Single-A affiliate the Augusta GreenJackets. In 13 games, he gave up no runs and saved six games, while striking out 18 and walking three.