For Sports North has announced the names of the 50 greatest Twins in recognition of the franchise’s 50th season in Minnesota. Today Sports Headliners goes a step further offering my opinion on the 25 best to ever play here.
Winning baseball starts with pitching so let’s begin there with starters and relievers.
Rik Aalbert (“Bert”) Blyleven: born in the Netherlands, raised in California, he is the franchise’s career leader in complete games, shutouts and strikeouts, and second in wins.
Jim Kaat: he worked more innings and won more games for the Twins than any pitcher ever, and fielded with the best, winning Gold Glove awards year after year.
Camilo Pascual: the Cuban curve ball master threw a pitch that “dropped off the table,” was twice a 20 game winner and ranks third all-time in franchise complete games.
Jim Perry: he ranks fourth in career wins (128) and third in ERA (3.15) and is one of only three Twins to ever win the Cy Young award (1970 when he was 24-12).
Brad Radke: played his entire career with the Twins, is third all-time in club wins and helped revitalize the franchise in the early 2000’s.
Johan Santana: he broke a lot of hearts when he left for New York but before doing so won two Cy Young awards with the Twins.
Frank Viola: he was a dominant starter in the 1980’s including on the 1987 World Series champion miracle team and the next season won the Cy Young award.
Our all-time roster also includes three relief pitchers:
Rick Aguilera: the closer for the 1991 World Series champs, he’s the all-time franchise leader in saves with 254.
Eddie Guardado: he pitched 11 seasons for the Twins and ranks third in saves with 116 (behind Aguilera and Joe Nathan, 246).
Joe Nathan: regardless of whether he ever plays again, many observers will rank him as the greatest relief pitcher in franchise history.