Ryan Dempster Biography

Ryan Dempster is an eminent Canadian former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox. In his career, he batted and threw right-handed and was both a starter and a reliever.

Ryan Dempster Professional Career

Ryan Dempster Draft and Minor Leagues

He was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1995 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers and began his career with the Gulf Coast Rangers. Subsequently, he played for the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Kane County Cougars, and the Charleston RiverDogs.

Ryan Dempster Florida Marlins

On August 8, 1996, he was traded to the Florida Marlins with Rick Helling for John Burkett. He made his MLB debut for the Marlins on May 23, 1998, working two innings of relief against the Pittsburg Pirates allowing three earned runs on two hits in that game. Later on July 1, he made his first start against the Chicago Cubs lasting only 1 1⁄3 innings as he was shelled for five runs while allowing 4 hits (including 2 home runs) and walking 3, to record his first career loss. In 1999, he started 25 games and finished 7-8 with a 4.71 ERA. On May 7, 2000, he tossed a one-hitter against the New York Mets.

Ryan Dempster Cincinnati Reds

He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on July 11, 2002, for Juan Encarnacion, Wilton Guerrero, and Ryan Snare. In the 2003 season, he made his 20 starts (and 2 relief appearances) and was 3-7 with a 6.54 ERA. He then underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in August 2003 and thus missed the rest of the season.

Ryan Dempster Chicago Cubs

After his release by the Reds, on January 21, 2004, he signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs. On August 1, he joined the Cubs after rehabbing from his surgery and appeared in 23 games. On September 15, 2004, he [picked up his first MLB career save against the Pittsburgh Pirates. After starting six games, in 2005 he was named the closer for the Cubs replacing LaTroy Hawkins. On October 1, 2005, the Cubs signed him through 2008 in a US$15.5 million contract extension. Ryan earned his first win as a home starter on April 3, 2008, since a 2002 win with the Marlins against the Cubs.

On July 8, 2008, he became the first Cubs pitcher in 31 seasons to start 10-0 at home. Overall, he finished the season with a 17-6 record, with a 2.96 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 201 2/3 innings. In 2008, he threw sliders 32.9% of the time more than any other NL starting pitcher. He finished the season with a 3.65 ERA and a record of 11-9 in 31 starts. In 34 starts in 2010, he was 15-12 with a 3.85 ERA, and in 2011 he was 10-14 with a 4,80 ERA in 34 starts.

Ryan Dempster Texas Rangers

On July 31, 2012, he was traded to Texas at the trade deadline for minor leaguers Christian Villanueva and Kyle Hendricks. On August 2, 2012, he made his Rangers debut. In 12 games, he had a 5.09 ERA with a 7-3 record. With the Rangers, he pitched 69 innings and had 70 strikeouts.

Ryan Dempster Boston Red Sox

After the 2012 season, he signed a two-year contract worth $26.5 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. In a game against the rival New York Yankees on August 18, 2013, he was involved in a contentious incident with Alex Rodriguez. On August 20, he was given a five-game suspension by MLB and an undisclosed fine for hitting Rodriguez. He went on and finished the 2013 season at 8-9 with a 4.57 ERA in 32 games.

Ryan Dempster Retirement

He announced on February 16, 2014, that he would not pitch or engage in any baseball activities for the entire 2014 year. For the 2014 season, the Red Sox placed him on the reserve/retired list and elected not to grant him a full-season salary worth $13.25 million. Officially on October 8, 2014, he announced his retirement. It was announced on December 5, that he would be taking a job in the Cubs’ front office as an assistant to general manager Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein.

Ryan Dempster Broadcasting Career

On April 22, 2014, he was hired by MLB Network as a studio color analyst. He then went on and joined the newly launched Marquee Sports Network in 2020 as a studio and game analyst for Cubs telecasts.

Ryan Dempster Age

Ryan was born on May 3, 1977, therefore he is 46 years old as of August 2023. He thus celebrates his birthday on May 3 of every year.

Ryan Dempster Height

He stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m) tall.

Ryan Dempster Family

Dempster has managed to keep his personal life away from the limelight hence he has not disclosed any information about his parents. He has a brother by the name of Chris Dempster.

Ryan Dempster Wife

Ryan is married to the love of his life, Jenny Dempster. But it is not known when they got married. He has a daughter named Riley Dempster, who has DiGeorge Syndrome.

Ryan Dempster’s Net Worth

Dempster has a net worth of $50 million which he has earned through being a former baseball pitcher.

Ryan Dempster Salary

He earns an annual salary of $13.25 million.