Esteban Loaiza Esteban Antonio Loaiza Veyna (born December 31, 1971 in Tijuana, Mexico) is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who plays for the Oakland Athletics. Previously, Loaiza played with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1995-98), Texas Rangers (1998-2000), Toronto Blue Jays (2000-02), Chicago White Sox (2003-04), New York Yankees (2004), and Washington Nationals (2005). He bats and throws right-handed. Loaiza enjoyed a career-season in 2003, leading the American League pitchers in strikeouts (207), and was second in wins (21) and strikeouts per nine innings (8.23); third in ERA (2.90), and sixth in innings pitched (226.3). Considered for the Cy Young Award, Loaiza finished second behind Roy Halladay, and over Pedro Martinez and Tim Hudson.
In an 11-year career, Loaiza has compiled a 112-99 record with 1255 strikeouts and a 4.60 ERA in 1880 innings. He was an All-Star selection both in 2003 and 2004. Loaiza's 21 wins in 2003 are the most ever in a season for a Mexican pitcher.
