Les Straker Peaked At The Perfect Time To Help The Twins To Their First Championship

[Al from SoDak]

Les Straker literally came out of nowhere in 1987. He pitched fine during the season but unexpectedly worked his way into becoming the third starter in the playoffs, helping the Twins win the 1987 World Series. Then, just as quickly, he was gone.

Les Straker was born on October 10, 1959, in Venezuela. The Cincinnati Reds signed him in 1977. 

Straker pitched seven years in the Reds minor league system but struggled in 1981 and 1983 in AA. He was granted free agency after the 1983 season, signed shortly after that with the Oakland A’s, and again was mediocre at AA in 1984. Since the Twins always needed pitching, they signed Straker before the 1985 season. Something changed in 1985, as he was downright good for AA Orlando. In 1986, he had a decent season for AAA Toledo, setting himself up for a 1987 that no one could have seen coming.

Straker made the Twins out of spring training in 1987 and began the season as the fifth starter. He was only the 40^th native Venezuelan to make it to Major League baseball. (Much has changed as nearly 400 more Venezuelans have debuted since Straker in 1987.) In 1987, the Twins went 11-20 in his 31 appearances (26 starts). His record was 8-10 with an ERA of 4.37. His statistics suggest he was a fairly average pitcher, ending the year with a 106 ERA+. The Twins used 12 starting pitchers in 1987. Through the process of attrition, Straker seemed to outlast the other Twins starting pitchers (minus Viola and Blyleven) to the point that he earned the nod as the third starter for the postseason.

He started game three of the American League Champion Series against the Detroit Tigers on his 28^th birthday. It did not go well for him. He gave up five runs in 2.2 innings pitched, with all five in the third inning. However, he did not get the loss as Dan Schatzeder came in and offered 3.1 innings of shutout baseball, and the lineup rallied to take a 6-5 lead in the 7^th inning. Sadly, Jeff Reardon could not hold the lead, and the Twins lost 7-6. But that was their only loss of the five-game series. The Twins’ batters were hot, scoring 34 runs in the five games and beating the Tigers four games to one to advance to the World Series for only the second time in team history.

In the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Straker started games 3 and 6, making him the first Venezuelan to pitch in the World Series. Ironically, the Twins lost the game he pitched well and won the game he pitched poorly. Straker threw six innings in game three in St. Louis, allowing no runs on four hits and two walks. He left with the lead as the offense scratched across a single run in the top of the sixth. The bullpen could not hold the lead as Juan Berenguer allowed three runs in only one-third of an inning, and the Cardinals won 3-1. Game six was a poor performance by Straker. He gave up four runs in three innings. This time, the bullpen was much better. Berenguer, Schatzeder, and Reardon allowed only one run in six innings. Then the offense came alive with Don Baylor’s first Twins home run and Kent Hrbek’s grand slam. The Twins won 11-5. As we know, they also won game seven in their first World Series championship. 

In 1988, Straker again started the season as a Twins’ starting rotation member. His 1988 statistics seem similar to, if not better than, 1987. However, he was injured and did not pitch between June 13 and September 4. 

He pitched for the Twins’ AAA Portland team in 1989, winning eight games with a 4.26 ERA. He moved on in 1990 but pitched only 6.2 innings for Montreal’s AAA team. And that was the end. He was done at 30 years old. His career record was 10-15. I wonder how many World Series starting pitchers won only ten games in their entire playing career.

Since 2004, Straker has continued to contribute to the sport he loves. He has served as a pitching coach in the Phillies minor league system, specifically working with their Venezuelan and Dominican Summer League teams. This role allows him to share his knowledge and experience with young players, helping them develop their skills and reach their potential.

Les Straker was a late bloomer who bloomed at the right time for him and the Twins, allowing them to create history together in 1987.

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[D.C Twins]

Les Straker was a 'one hit wonder,' but the vast, vast majority of baseball players in the world would have happily been a 'one hit wonder' for their careers. 

Him being our 3rd pitcher in the playoffs is maybe the biggest example in history of the difference between a good regular season rotation and a good playoff rotation (where you can ride 2 elite pitchers).  We won the WS but were lucky to make it to the playoffs at all with a 85-77 record. 

[Al from SoDak]

"Where you can ride 2 elite pitchers," exactly.

There were times +/- 15 years ago where the Twins had the opposite. Baker, Bonser, Blackburn, Slowey, Perkins, Pavano, post elbow surgery Liriano, All these pitchers were fine in the regular season. There was no dud of a 4th or 5th starter. But once the playoffs started, you never felt like the Twins had the starting pitching advantage.

It's a different game in the playoffs because of the frequency of off days.

[Dantes929]

That had to be one of the worst pitching staffs to ever win a WS.    Viola was awesome.  Buerenguer was the only other guy on the staff with a sub 4.00 ERA and that was at 3.94.  Blyleven was really only good, not great at that point.   Made Straker so crucial to have on the staff because even though he was only competent the next best starters were anywhere from 1.5 ERA to 3.4 ERA worse than Les.    Even our closer was 8-8 with a 4.48 ERA.    We were outscored by 20 runs and statistically should have been 79-83    Straker was one of my favorites because he really did battle hard out there.

[Dantes929]

1 hour ago, Al from SoDak said:

"Where you can ride 2 elite pitchers," exactly.

There were times +/- 15 years ago where the Twins had the opposite. Baker, Bonser, Blackburn, Slowey, Perkins, Pavano, post elbow surgery Liriano, All these pitchers were fine in the regular season. There was no dud of a 4th or 5th starter. But once the playoffs started, you never felt like the Twins had the starting pitching advantage.

It's a different game in the playoffs because of the frequency of off days.

We so did not have the advantage that year even with our top two guys.   Doyle Alexander was 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA and Jack Morris was next at 18-11 and 3.38 ERA.   Home field advantage and catching lighting in a bottle.    91 was legit.  87 was Bad News Bears kind of underdogs.

[IndianaTwin]

Fun article.

Also, any article that has opportunity to reference Juan Berenguer deserves a “like.” 

[jmlease1]

Kind of a strange career indeed, but nice to hear he's continued to work in baseball and coach in the minor leagues. Did not realize he was from Venezuela, so appreciate learning more about him.

I wonder what happened in 1989 that made the Twins decide that Shane Rawley was a better option than giving Straker another chance? The immortal Freddie Tolliver got 5 starts for the '89 Twins and they wouldn't take another shot with Straker?