• Having attended a small high school (230 students) in North Haverhill, N.H., Paronto's baseball team drew little interest from Major League scouts. "In high school, I don't think I even knew what a scout was," Chad said.
• It was different in college. UMass-Amherst has a thriving baseball program. Players are accustomed to be watched by Major League organizations. But, at the time, Paronto was on track to beome a history teacher. "To be totally honest, I never thought about getting drafted until my junior year,'' he said. "That's when scouts started talking to me and sending me messages. Even then, I figured I'd get picked around the 30th round, not the eighth."

• He is always willing to help instruct a fellow-pitcher with any adjustments to help their careers. He has fun going about his business, and he has a lot of energy.

• Paronto's uncle, Dennis Paronto, never got to the Major Leagues, but he played in the Braves' farm system in the 1970s. "I talk to him once a week,'' Paronto said. "We have a very close family. They'll be in Cleveland on this homestand.''

• Chad likes to collect coins, go sailing or mess around on his computer in his spare time.
  
  TRANSACTION REPORT

• June 1996: Chad was drafted by the Orioles in the eighth round out of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

• November 2001: The Indians claimed Paronto off waivers from the Orioles.

• February 2004: Paronto signed with the Cardinals organization.

• February, 2005: Chad signed with the Brewers organization.
  
  But on June 15, when the Brewers still had not called Paronto up to the majors, he took the "out" option in his contract and became a free agent.
  
  

• May 9, 2006: Chad promoted to the Braves Major League roster.

• December 18, 2007: Paronto signed a one-year, $500,000 contract with the Astros.

• January 14, 2009: Chad signed with the Astros again.
• January 17, 2010: Paronto signed with the Red Sox organization.

• Paronto's arsenal includes a quality 90-93 mph two-seam sinking FASTBALL, a 92-95 mph 4-seamer, a good SLIDER and a CHANGEUP. The sinker is his big pitch.
  
  "That's my priority pitch,'' Paronto said. ``It's not much of a secret when I come into a game. I'm going to throw the sinker. But the last couple of years, I've also developed a pretty good slider.'' Chad admits, though, "When I throw the sinker well, I am successful. When I don't, I have problems."
• After spending most of his first 5 years of pro ball as a starter, Chad found success coming out of the bullpen in 2000. He credits a lot of that success to meeting Moe Drabowsky while on a rehab assignment in 2000.
  
  "Moe completely turned my career around," Paronto said. "Moe got me to be aggressive. That's been the key, not being afraid to throw a strike, going for the corner and keeping the ball low. It isn't anything I didn't really know, but Moe made a couple adjustments in my motion that really helped. I guess he just took a liking to me an dworked with me a lot. He told me over and over, 'Attack, attack.' He totally changed my approach. Now I try to come right at a guy and go for strike one."

• He is a very dedicated and focused guy. He is coachable, wanting to improve. He can be self-critical. But he has no fear on the mound.

• In May 2001, Paronto worked with Orioles pitching coach Mark Wiley on keeping his front side closed to the plate. By not flying open, it helped him keep the ball down in the more.

• Paronto throws a heavy ball. It feels like a brick to the catcher. Hitters might make contact with hit, but they don't hit it well.

• He is very competitive. And he is not afraid to come inside on a hitter.

• During 2002 spring training, then-Indians Manager Charlie Manuel liked Chad's approach. "I like the way Chad comes into a game. He wants the ball. Any manager wants to see that."
  

• Chad enjoys coming into a ball game in difficult situations, men on base, opposing team threatening. And it's because he has thrived in these pressure packed situations that he's found a home in the Braves' 2006 bullpen. 
  
  "Coming into those tough situations, it helps me focus," said Paronto. "Believe it or not, I would rather come in tight spots with guys on base."
  
  By adding a sinkerball to his arsenal and improving the movement on his ball he has increased his effectiveness, becoming one of the most reliable relievers out of the pen.

• In 2006, Paronto allowed lefthanded hitters a .288 average with one home run in 73 at-bats; and held righthanded batters to a .234 average with 4 home runs in 137 at-bats.
  
  In 2007, Paronto allowed a .33 average and his only home run allowed in 66 at-bats vs. leftanded batters, and a .287 average in 87 at-bats vs. righthanded hitters.

• Chad entered the 2010 season with a career record of 6-12 and a 4.32 ERA. He had allowed 21 home runs and 200 hits in 183 innings.

CAREER INJURY REPORT

• 2000 Season: A biceps injury cost Paronto the first two months of the season.

• July 29, 2002: Chad went on the D.L. with tendinitis in his right elbow.

• June 2, 2004: Paronto was on the D.L. with the Memphis RedBirds.

• April 14-30, 2007: Paronto left the game against the Marlins with a strained right groin. Chad was placed on the 15-day D.L.

• June, 2008: Chad was on the D.L. for a week.
• Mid-June, 2009: Paronto was on the D.L.