#26 orlando p. hernandez | p

2000 highlights:
was 12-13, 4.51 in 29gs, the yankees were 14-4 in games he started...made first career opening day start on 4/3 at anaheimand recorded the win...became the first foreign born player to start a season opener for the yankees...became the yankees\ fourth different opening-day starter (all from the current staff) in the past four years...posted a career-high fourth straight win of the season and tied career-high in hr allowed on 4/23 at toronto...recorded his first loss of the season on 4/29 in a 6-2 blue jays win...recorded his shortest outing since 8/6/99 at seattle in no descision on 5/5 vs. baltimore...suffered thecomplete game loss in 1-0 defeat vs. tampa bay on 5/11; it was his second complete game of the season...tied a career high with his third consecutive loss on 5/16 vs. chicago white sox despite allowing only 2er in 8.01p...recorded a career-high fourth consecutive loss on 5/21 at cleveland...was scratched from his scheduled start on 5/27 vs. boston at yankee stadium after experiencing tightness in his upper back during warm-up...snapped his career-high four-game losing streak in 6/1 win at atlanta...on 7/1 at tampa bay recorded the win in a 6-1 yankees victory (had not pitched in previous 12 days with a sprained right elbow)...was placed on the 15 day disabled list on 7/14 with discomfort in his right elbow and mild back spasms; results of mri taken in tampa by dr. allen miller reaffirmed the previous diagnosis by dr. stuart herson and dr. james andrews (mild inflamation of his right elbow) but no ligament damage...he followed his prescribed rehab program in tampa...threw 35 pitches off the mound in tampa on 7/26 and reported no problems...made his first rehabilitation appearance on 8/1 for tampa vs. dunedin in game two of a doubleheader...pitched four scoreless innings...was reinstated from the 15 day disabled list prior to the game on 8/6 (vs. seattle)...started the game and recorded his second straight loss in an 11-1 mariners\ win...on 8/6 at texas, tied his career high with his fourth straight loss in a 5-0 rangers win...tossed a four hit, complete game win on 9/16 vs. cleveland.

personal:
defected from cuba with seven others on december 26, 1997...was picked up by united states coast guard three days after landing on the caribbean island of anguilla cay...rather than accept a visa to enter the united states, he established residence in costa rica and was granted free agency in mid-january...was the star pitcher of cuba\s national team before being banned from the sport in october 1996 for allegedly planning to defect...established a career record of 129-47 for the cuban national team...he is the older half-brother of giants\ pitcher livan hernandez, who defected while on a team trip to mexico and signed with florida...worked briefly as a rehabilitation therapist in a psychiatric hospital after his exile from cuban baseball...won the thurman munson award for his charitable work and baseball achievements...is known as "el duque" in his native land.