Ryan Scott Dempster (born May 3, 1977), is a 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. Dempster batted and threw right-handed. He was both a starter and a reliever in his career. Professional career Draft and minor leagues He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 3rd round of the 1995 MLB draft and began his career with the Gulf Coast Rangers. He subsequently played for the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Kane County Cougars and the Charleston RiverDogs. Florida Marlins (1998–2002) Dempster was traded to the Florida Marlins on August 8, 1996 (with Rick Helling) for John Burkett. Dempster made his MLB debut for the Marlins, working two innings of relief, on May 23, 1998 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing three earned runs on two hits in that game. He later made his first start on June 1 against the Chicago Cubs, lasting only 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. After falling to 0–3 he got his first Major League win on June 28 against the Boston Red Sox, when he allowed only 1 run in 7 innings. He was 1–5 with a 7.08 ERA in 14 appearances (11 starts) that season. In 1999, Dempster started 25 games and finished 7–8 with a 4.71 ERA. The following season, Dempster was 13–10 with a 3.66 ERA in 33 starts, including two complete games and one shutout. On May 7, 2000, he tossed a one-hitter against the New York Mets. He was selected to the 2000 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Over the next two seasons, Dempster was 20–20 and had a 4.88 ERA with the Marlins. Cincinnati Reds (2002–2003) On July 11, 2002, the Marlins traded Dempster to the Cincinnati Reds for Juan Encarnación, Wilton Guerrero and Ryan Snare. In the second half of the season, he was 5–5 with a 6.19 ERA in 15 starts. In the 2003 season, he made 20 starts (and 2 relief appearances) and was 3-7 with a 6.54 ERA. In August 2003, he underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and missed the rest of the season. Chicago Cubs (2004–2012) After his release by the Reds, he signed as a free agent with the Chicago