Ryan Dempster

Ryan Scott Dempster is a professional baseball player currently signed as pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born in Sechelt, British Columbia on May 3, 1977.

Dempster made his Major League debut for the Florida Marlins in 1998. In 2002 he was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds and in 2004 by the Chicago Cubs. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2003 and went back to the pitching rotation in the last half of the 2004 season for the Cubs.

In 2005, Dempster replaced LaTroy Hawkins as a closer, after which he collected 33 saves in 35 save opportunities with his save percentage the best in the league. He became the only Cub and one of just three players ever to both start a game and collect 30 saves in the same season. After the season ended, the Cubs franchise offered Dempster a $15 million contract extension that would keep him until 2008.

During 2008 spring training, the Cubs management seriously considered moving Dempster to the third spot on the starting rotation. However, a struggling bullpen forced Dempster to remain as closer. He then recorded a career high 12 strikeouts in a game on May 15, pitching 8 1/3rd innings, and gave up only 6 hits. On July 8, 2008 he became the first Cubs pitcher in 31 seasons to start 10-0 at home. He represented the Cubs during the 2008 MLB All-Star game. When the 2008 season ended, Dempster was yet again re-signed for an additional four years worth $52 million.