Topic: Geoff Geary

Geoffrey Michael Geary (born August 26, 1976, in Buffalo, New York) is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He currently plays for the Houston Astros of the National League.

Geary graduated from Grossmont High School in 1994 in El Cajon, CA. He attended San Diego Mesa College and the University of Oklahoma. Before being drafted, Geary played Little League, Connie Mack, American Legion, semipro and Alaska League baseball. He went 4-3 with a 2.20 ERA at Oklahoma and led Big 12 in ERA in 1997. Geoff was born in Buffalo, NY and enjoys fishing, riding bicycles and surfing. He is also one of the most outspoken players in baseball in the fight against ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Geoff Geary was drafted by Philadelphia Phillies in the 15th round (434th overall) of the 1998 amateur entry draft. He was awarded Red Barons Pitcher of the Year in 2003 after a stellar year in AAA. That year, he primarily filled three roles: as a starter, set-up man and closer, where he reached career-highs in games (46) and saves (5) and fell one win shy of tying his career high (10). He was awarded Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month for June 2003. He also was awarded the Greg Legg Tenth Man Award, by the Scranton booster club, given to a player who comes off the bench to consistently contribute to the success of their team. That year, he made his major league debut on August 27, 2003. In 58 innings in 2005, he compiled a 3.72 ERA and showed improvement as the season went on by posting a 2.70 ERA after the all-star break. In 2006, Geary went 7-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 91.1 innings and posted a career best ERA and a team best ERA for pitchers with over 25 innings pitched. He also had the lowest ERA in the National League for relievers with over 80 innings pitched. Comcast SportsNet occasionally shows an interview they did with Geary showing him running up and down the stairs at Citizens Bank Park to stay in shape. After making close to the major league minimum from 2003 to 2006, he became eligible for salary arbitration for the first time in the 2006-2007 offseason and was offered $750,000 by the Phillies while he asked for $925,000. Geary agreed to a one-year contract worth $837,500 with the Philadelphia Phillies, avoiding arbitration. Geoff was pitching with the team's AAA affiliate the Ottawa Lynx until July 29, 2007 when the team recalled him after an injury to Ryan Madson.