Background
Sirotka, Mike was born on May 13, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Sirotka, Mike was born on May 13, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
He is an alumnus of Louisiana State University. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 15th round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft, Sirotka made his major league debut in 1995, pitching in 6 starts that season. The 1996 and 1997 seasons saw Sirotka appear in only 22 games combined between both seasons.
After impressing in spring training, Sirotka opened the 1998 season in the White Sox rotation.
In 1999, Sirotka lowered his European Research Area one run lower than the previous season, finishing at an even 4.00. He pitched 3 complete games to go along with a record of 11-13 in 32 starts.
The 2000 season saw Sirotka have a breakout year. He had a career high 15 wins with a career low 3.79 European Research Area for the White Sox.
After the 2000 season, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays with Kevin Beirne and Brian Simmons for Matt DeWitt and David Wells in a deal that would infamously become labeled by White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams as "Shouldergate", as Sirotka would never pitch again, labeled "damaged goods" by then-Toronto General Motors Gord Ash.
Ash believed that Williams did not turn over all information pertaining to Sirotka"s shoulder. Ash later appealed the trade to MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, but Selig refused to overturn the trade.