WSC Birth Years: Esteban Loaiza

Card #81 - Esteban Loaiza

Born: December 31, 1971

Esteban's first year with the White Sox was his finest year. In 2003, Loaiza came in second for the AL Cy Young and started his first All-Star game in his then current home park. He sported a 21-9 record, which is nine more wins than in any other season that he appeared in the majors.

In 2004, the White Sox traded high and acquired Jose Contreras from the Yankees for Loaiza. Esteban's career success with the ChiSox doesn't come close to any other team's luck with him. He hit the wall hard in New York, rebounded with Washington, then continued his spiral down. Looking to regain his glory days, Loaiza signed with the Sox in 2008. He lasted three games, out of the bullpen, totaling three innings, surprisingly with an ERA of 3.00. Esteban's luck had run out and the Sox ended up releasing him before the 2008 trade deadline.