Braves' Player Recap: Tim Hudson

Today's Braves' recap will cover veteran starting pitcher Tim Hudson.
Hudson started his career back in 1999 with the Oakland Athletics. He was acquired in a trade by the Braves before the 2005 season. In Hudson's 14-year career, he has won ten games or more in each season except 2009, when he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. Ever since he was acquired by Atlanta, he has been the ace of their staff.
Hudson had a great year for the Braves this season. Two things stood out though that weren't that good. First thing he couldn't help, he was recovering from off season back surgery and missed all of April. Second, when Hudson didn't have his stuff, he really didn't have it. There were six games during the year when he gave up five or more runs. The odd thing about it, the Braves were still 3-3 in those games, and in those three wins, Hudson was off the hook.
Despite missing the whole first month though, Hudson still came through and won sixteen games for the Braves. In the 28 games he pitched in, he went seven or more innings in 13 of those games. That definitely helped save some wear and tear on the bullpen throughout the year. His best game came on June 5th, when he pitched a complete game shutout, giving up only five hits to the Miami Marlins. He finished the year with a 16-7 record, a 3.62 ERA and 102 strikeouts.
Hudson will be back for the Braves next year and will be the anchor of a rather young starting rotation. Not only is he a great pitcher, but he is also able to mentor and tutor the younger pitchers and help them grow and develop. Plus, he only needs three more wins to reach the milestone of 200 wins in his big league career. That will put him into an elite status as one of the best pitchers of all time, especially in Braves' history.