Ryan Dempster

Ryan Dempster is a former MLB pitcher who played professionally from 1998-2013 with the Miami Marlins (1998-2002), Cincinnati Reds (2002-2003), Chicago Cubs (2004-2012), Texas Rangers (2012) and Boston Red Sox (2013). A 2019 inductee into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, Dempster was a two-time All-Star in 2000 and 2008. In 2000, he was 14-10 with an ERA of 3.66 for the Marlins and in three of his five years with Miami, he posted double-digit win totals. He also in 2000 was given the Tip O’Neill Award for his team and individual contributions.

Dempster spent the majority of his career with the Cubs, where for the first few seasons he was converted from a starting pitcher to a reliever and specifically closer. In 2005, as Chicago’s primary closer, he posted a 5-3 record along with a 3.13 ERA and 33 saves. The 2008 season saw Dempster return to starting pitching and he didn’t disappoint. His 17 games won proved to be a career-best as was his 2.96 ERA as Dempster earned his second All-Star selection. That season, he became the first Chicago player in over three decades to begin the year with a perfect 10-0 record at home.

Known for his friendly personality, The Sporting News once named Dempster one of the “99 Good Guys in Professional Sports.” After retiring in 2014, Dempster worked in the front office of the Cubs and as an analyst for MLB Network.