Clifton Phifer Lee

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Full Name: Clifton Phifer Lee Current Team: Philadelphia Phillies Height/Weight: 6'3"/190 Number: Birthdate: August 30, 1978 Entry Draft: 4th round (105th) in 2000 Birthplace: Benton, Arkansas Drafted By: Montreal Expos Primary Position: SP College: Arkansas

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[edit] Biography

Clifton Phifer Lee is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. He was recently demoted to triple-A due to both his poor pitching and a perceived poor attitude. He should return to the majors in 2008.

Lee and his wife Kristen are active in the Cleveland community with the Providence House and the Tribe's Grand Slam Literacy Program & Parent-Child Clinics. They are also involved in several cancer (leukemia) research foundations.

[edit] Early Years

Lee was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 8th round of the amateur draft out of high school, but chose to attend college instead. He attended Meridian Community College in 1998-99, and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 20th round of the 1998 amateur draft, but did not sign. He attended the University of Arkansas in 2000, and in the 2000 amateur draft, he was chosen in the 4th round by the Montreal Expos and signed in July of that year. In June 2002, the Expos traded Lee, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew.

[edit] 2002

Lee was called up in September of 2002 after the conclusion of the International League playoffs. He made his major league debut against the Minnesota Twins and took the loss despite allowing only two hits and one run over 5.1 innings pitched. Lee made his final start of the 2002 season against Kansas City, and allowed only one run on four hits over five innings in a no-decision.

After the season, Lee was named the fifth best prospect in the Indians organization by Baseball America.

[edit] 2003

Lee put together a solid season after spending the first two months of the season on the disabled list with a lower abdominal strain and a sports hernia.

Lee spent most of April and May in extended spring training, and split the remainder of the season between Buffalo and Cleveland.

[edit] 2004

In Lee's first full season in the major leagues he struck out 161 and won a team-high 14 games. He also began the year winning ten of his first eleven decisions, including two five-game winning streaks. He performed much less well in the second-half of the season, but won his last three starts on the year.

[edit] 2005

The 2005 season was a career year for Lee. He won eighteen games and finished fourth in the AL Cy Young award voting.

[edit] 2006

The highlight to Lee's season might have been the three-year, $14 million contract extension through 2009 he signed with the Indians midseason. On the field, he made at least 30 starts and topped 14 wins for the third straight year. He topped 200 innings for the second straight year. Lee worked into the sixth inning in 29 of his 33 starts. The Indians went 16-17 in games he started.

[edit] 2007

So far, 2007 been terribly kind to Lee. He began the season on the disabled list with an abdominal strain, and aside from one good start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, struggled throughout most of May and June.

After struggling throughout July, including three straight starts in which he gave up at least seven runs, tensions were running high. Lee got into an argument in Texas with catcher Victor Martinez on July 21 which prompted a closed-door team meeting after the game. On July 26 Lee had another rough outing at Jacobs Field, and was roundly booed by the crowd after being pulled from the game. His sarcastic tip of the cap to the crowd was heavily criticized by fans and media alike.

On July 27, Lee was optioned back to Buffalo to work out his problems. It is rumored his starts will be given to current minor leaguer Aaron Laffey.

[edit] Scouting Report

Lee throws four pitches (with variations): fastball, curveball, slider and change-up. He uses a cut fastball against right-handers, but also throws a four-seam fastball. Generally, Lee throws around 90 to 91 MPH.

Lee has a tendency to nibble, can have control issues, and usually is unable to throw very deep into a game.

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[edit] Transactions

• Selected by Baltimore Orioles in the 20th round of the free-agent draft - did not sign (June 2, 1998).
• Selected by Montreal Expos in the 4th round of the free-agent draft (June 5, 2000 - signed July 6, 2000).
• Traded by Montreal Expos with Lee Stevens, Brandon Phillips, and Grady Sizemore to Cleveland Indians in exchange for Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew (June 27, 2002).
• Traded by Cleveland Indiana with Ben Francisco in exchange for Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, and Jason Donald (July 29, 2009).

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