mikelink45

Excellent - I remember Mike Marshall - here is a quote from Cooperstown Confidential that describes Marshall well - "during the offseason, studied the science of kinesiology, exhibited an endurance level matched by few other relief pitchers in the game’s history, and, even after his playing days, continued to espouse unconventional pitching mechanics that contradict existing baseball wisdom." Today we would look on his ideas with more open mindedness, but after his career he was essentially blackballed. https://tht.fangraphs.com/cooperstown-confidential-the-unofficial-ban-of-mike-marshall/ I loved that he actually had a season in 1974 where he was in 106 games. Appeared in 179 innings and had a 2.66 ERA. To put that in perspective - Gibson and Berrios were the only pitchers last year to exceed his total in relief and they had 192 and 196 innings - as starters. Boy have things changed.

Nice reflections. It is fun to look back.

I had liked Worthington back in the sixties, but when I did this look back I was amazed by the innings he pitched and the consistency he had. They did not worry about saves and specialists in those days.

I would like to see him do well. I liked the tools he brought to the team and it was sad to see him hit by injuries.

Relief pitchers This is the hardest section for me to do an analysis. Is it the closer, is it the person who is in the most games? How do we define this role? There is a different role before saves became the negotiation tool, and now there is, finally, a change in perception of what makes a great reliever. In 1961 Pedro Ramos was in 53 games and started 34, Ray Moore was in 46 games and started none, Jim Kaat was in 47 games and started 29 and Bill Pleis was in 37 and started none. Looking at the all time lists the leaders in saves is: 1. Joe Nathan 260 2. Rick Aguilera 254 3. Glen Perkins 120 4. Eddie Guardado 116 5. Ron Davis 108 6. Jeff Reardon 104 Senator 7. Firpo Marberry 94 8. Al Worthington 88 9. Ron Perranoski 76 10. Mike Marshall 54 If we look at who finishes games: 1. Rick Aguilera 434 2. Joe Nathan 394 3. Eddie Guardado 258 Senator 4. Firpo Marberry 251 5. Ron Davis 249 6. Glen Perkins 228 7. Al Worthington 213 8. Jeff Reardon 177 9. Bill Campbell 171 10. Ron Perranoski 167 Poor Ray Moore with a team leading 14 saves and Billy Pleis with 3 do not appear on these lists, but they were representative of their era. In 1962 Moore was 8 – 3 with 9 saves in 49 games. Dick Stigman was 12 – 5, 3.66 era, and 3 saves in 40 games and 142 innings with a number of starts. 1963 Bill Dailey had a 1.99 era, 6 -3 record, 66 games and 108.2 innings. Ray Moore was 37 games and pitched 50 innings. In 1964 Al Worthington had 1.37 era, 5 – 6, 14 saves, and 72 innings in 41 games. That same year Johnny Klippstein had joined Al with a 1.97 ERA, 2 saves and 45 innings in 33 appearances! Neither of them would accumulate saves, but how do you do better than this? In 1965 they combine to go 19 – 10, 2.15 ERA, 156 innings in 118 games. In 1966 these two were 37 and 38 years old and still doing great. But Worthington was the lead with a 6-3 record, 2.46 era, 16 saves, and 91 innings in 65 games. Al Worthington 6 years 2.62 era 327 games 473 innings 88 saves and 10.1 WAR while Klippstein was only 3 years and 3.8 WAR. Together they dominated out bullpen and deserve more credit than they have gotten. Jim Perry split starting and relieving in 1967 with Worthington in the lead. In 1968 Worthington was finishing up and Ron Perranoski stepped up to take the Klippstein role. In 1969 had 31 saves and 119 innings in 75 games – I loved real pitchers – and Worthington still pitched in 46 games and 61 innings. Perranoski had 76 saves in 4 years, 244 games, 360 innings, 4.8 WAR. Stan Williams was the second arm in the bullpen in 70 and 71. The big change was 1972 with Wayne Granger and Dave LaRoche in the BP. 1973 Ray Corbin, Bill Hands, Dave Goltz were primary relievers, but also starters. It wasn’t until 1974 that we got a real BP closer in Bill Campbell who was 8 – 7, 2.62 era, 63 games, 19 saves, 120 innings. He had 121 innings in 47 games in 1975, but the closer was considered to be Tom Burgmeier. In 1976 Campbell was 17 – 5, 3.01 era, 78 games, 167 innings! A reliever, no starts and as much as many of today’s starters. Bill Campbell, 4 years, 3,13, 216 games, 460 innings, 7.6 WAR. Mike Marshall was our next work horse. In 1978 he was 10 – 12 with 2.45 era, 21 saves, and 99 innings in 54 games. 1979 Marshall was 10 – 15, 90 games, 142 innings, 2.65 era. 1980 Marshall was in only 18 games and Doug Corbett 73. Mike Marshall 3 years 21 – 20 2.99 era, 162 games, 274 innings, 6.9 WAR Corbett was the primary RP in 1981 with 54 games, 87 innings and 2.57 ERA in 1981. Then in 1982 we put Ron Davis in the Closer position. He was 3 – 9 with a 4.42 era and 22 saves. In 1983 he got his ERA down to 3.34 and saved 30. 1984 his era went back up to 4.55. He was 7 – 11 with 29 saves. 1985 his era was 3.48 and he had 25 saves. Then he imploded in 1986 with a 9.08 ERA. Keith Atherton was the closer. Ron Davis, 5 years, 4.51 era 286 appearances and 381 innings, 108 innings and 0.1 WAR – he is definitely not one of the best. The World Series Year saw Jeff Reardon take over and do it well. 8 – 8, 4.48 era (too high), 63 games and 80 innings. In 1988 his era dropped to 2.47 and Juan Berenguer stepped up to be his second and that continued in 1989. Jeff Reardon, 3 years, 3.70 era, 191 games 226 innings 104 saves, 4.2 WAR. Rick Aquilera moved to the pen in 1990, with Berenguer still second. Aquilera and Bedrosian in 1991, Aguilera and Carl Willis in 1992, Aguilera and Trombley in 1993, same group in 1994, Aquilera, Mahomes, Guardado in 1995. Rick Aquilera, 11 years, 254 saves, 3.50 era, 15.5 WAR. In 1996 Eddie Guardado was in 83 games with only 3 saves and 73 innings. In 1997 Aquilar had the saves, Guardado was in the most games 69 (not quite every day). Same two in 1998, Guardado 79 games. Trombley took over the closer position in 1999. LaTroy Hawkings closed in 2000 and Guardado was in 70 games, but Bob Wells was in 76! LaTroy 28 saves in 2001, Guardado the most games 70, 66 innings. LaTroy 62 games, 51 innings. Not like the early days! 2002 Eddie takes over at closer and saves 45 games. Eddie Guardado 12 years, 116 saves, 37 – 38 4.53 ERA, 648 games 704 innings. 9.5 WAR 2004 Joe Nathan 1.62 era, 44 saves! 73 games 72 innings – the modern era of closers. Nathan would continue as our closer through 2011. Joe Nathan 7 years, 24 – 13 2.16 era, 260 saves 460 games, 463 innings 18.4 WAR 2011 Matt Capps was the closer with a 4.25 ERA, Glen Perkins was in 65 games with a 2.48 ERA. Perkins saved 16 as our closer in 2012. Perkins would keep the closer position through 2017. Glen Perkins 35 – 25, 3.88, 120 saves, 409 games 624 innings (he was a starter for a while) and 8.8 WAR. Who to choose for the best? Well we have a bullpen full of names. Here are my choices (stats are Twins not career numbers): 1. Joe Nathan 7 years, 24 – 13 2.16 era, 260 saves 460 games, 463 innings 18.4 WAR 2. Rick Aquilera, 11 years, 254 saves, 3.50 era, 15.5 WAR. 3. Al Worthington 6 years 2.62 era 327 games 473 innings 88 saves and 10.1 WAR 4. Bill Campbell, 4 years, 3,13, 216 games, 460 innings, 7.6 WAR. 5. Mike Marshall 3 years 21 – 20 2.99 era, 162 games, 274 innings, 6.9 WAR 6. Eddie Guardado 12 years, 116 saves, 37 – 38 4.53 ERA, 648 games 704 innings. 9.5 WAR 7. Glen Perkins 35 – 25, 3.88, 120 saves, 409 games 624 innings (he was a starter for a while) and 8.8 WAR. 8. Perranoski had 76 saves in 4 years, 244 games, 360 innings, 4.8 WAR. 9. Jeff Reardon, 3 years, 3.70 era, 191 games 226 innings 104 saves, 4.2 WAR. I know that I did not go in order by WAR – I valued Worthington’s innings pitched above saves. Marshall and Campbell had less WAR than every day Eddie, but they also played in 1/3 the years.

Pitching coaches and hitting coaches are paid to tinker, but athletes have a natural feel and need to relax and find their own way.

The best starting pitcher in Twins history 1961 The starting pitchers had a history that began in Washington DC with the Senators. For all the starters there years with team, w-l, pct, era, SO/W and WAR. We started out with a very good starting staff. In the early years the started averaged 34 starts per year. Camilo Pascual 13 years starting in DC – 145-141 .507 3.66 SO/W = 2.07. WAR 33.2 Jim Kaat 15 years beginning in DC . 190- 159/.544 3.34 2.54 SO/W WAR 30.7 Jack Kralick 5 years 34-32/.515 3.63 1.99 WAR 11.7 Pedro Ramos 7 years 78-112/.411 4.19 WAR 5.8 In 1962 Kaat, Kralick, and Pascual continued to dominate the rotation. In 1963 Dick Stigman, Lee Stange and Jim Perry came on as starters. In 1964 Kaat, Pascual, and Perry were joined by Mudcat Grant. Jim Perry 10 years 128-90/.587 3.15 1.89 WAR 26.4 Great Career. Mudcat Grant 4 years 50-35/.588 3.35 6.0 WAR In 1965 Grant won 21 games, Jim Kaat 18, Perry 12, and Pascual who had injuries 9. It was our world series year. Pascual had a reduced place in the Rotation with 19 starts in 1966 and Jim Merritt and Dave Boswell shared one of the four rotation spots. In 1967 we had six starters with Kaat first and joined by Dean Chance as the number 2, Boswell, Merritt and Perry were other primary starters. Jim Merritt 4 years 37-41/.474 3.03 3.90 great SO/W ratio WAR 11.4 Dave Boswell 7 years 67-54/.554 3.49 1.88 11.2 WAR Dean Chance 3 years 41-34/.547 2.67 Great Era. 13.1 WAR he was a star. In 1969 Dick Woodson, Bob Miller, and Tommy Hall made significant starts in support of Kaat, Chance, and Bowell. Tommy Hall was my favorite. Hall was six foot and weighed 150. I am six foot and 230, I cannot imagine. His nickname was The Blade. In nine years, his record was of 52-33 with 32 saves and he was with the Big Red Machine their first two years. Tommy Hall 4 years 25-21/.543 3.00 2.32 WAR 6.6 In 1970 behind Kaat and Perry were Blyleven 25 games, Bill Zepp (love the name, but I cannot remember him), Luis Tiant, Dave Boswell. 1971 Perry, Kaat, Blyleven and an assortment. 1972 Blyleven, Perry and Woodson were the big three, Kaat and Dave Goltz were behind them. Jim Kaat 15 of 25 years a Twin, 190-159/.544 3.34. 2.54 K/BB rate – amazing for that many years. 30.7 WAR for Twins. Bert Blyleven 11 of 22 years with Twins. 149-138/.519 3.28 and an amazing K/BB rate 3.02 WAR 49.4. In 1973 Blyleven started 40 games, Kaat 28, then Joe Decker 24, Dick Woodson 23, Mike Adams 22. 1974 Blyleven, Decker, Goltz and Albury were the top five. 1975 Blyleven and Jim Hughes were 1 – 2 then Goltz and Albury. Goltz was the ACE in 1976 with Bill Singer, Jim Hughes, and Pete Redfern. 1977 Goltz was backed by Paul Thormodsgard (yup – him), Geoff Zahn, Pete Redfern. 1978 Roger Erickson had the most starts, then Geoff Zahn, Dave Goltz and Roger Serum. 1979 had Jerry Koosman and Dave Goltz leading the rotation. Paul Hartzell, Roger Erickson, and Geoff Zahn completed the rotation. Dave Goltz 8/12 years, 96 – 79/.549 3.48 1.80 K/BB and 24.6 WAR Geoff Zahn 4 years 53-53/.500 3.90 1.37 and 9 WAR Koosman and Zahn in 1980 with Erickson, Redfern, and Darrell Jackson. 1981 had 8 pitchers start and Redfern had the most starts 23 and Albert Williams 22. Jerry Koosman 3/19 years, 39-35/.527 3.77 1.94 K/BB 11.1 WAR Brad Havens was sort of our ACE in 1982 with Albert Wiliams, Bobby Castillo, and Rookie Frank Viola. 1983 Viola took over ACE position and was backed by Ken Schrom (I am amazed by the names in the rotations), Albert Williams, and Bobby Castillo. 1984 Mike Smithson 36 starts, Viola 35, John Butcher 34, Schrom 21. 1985 Smithson 35, Viola 36, Butcher 33, Schrom 26, and Blyleven was back – 14. 1985 Viola, Blyleven, Smithson dominated the rotation. The Champion season, 1987, Blyleven, Viola and that famous Les Straker were 1,2,3 and Smithson 4! Mike Smithson 4 years 47-48/.495 4.46 1.93 K over BB and 4.7 WAR Frank Viola 8 years, 112-93/.546 3.86 2.33 K over BB and 11.6 WAR 1988 Viola, Blyleven were joined by Alan Anderson and behind them were Charlie Lea, Freddie Toliver, and Straker. 1989 Allan Anderson, Roy Smith, Shane Rawley, and Frank Viola were the main rotation. 1990 saw a rotation of Anderson, David West, Kevin Tapani, Mark Guthrie, Scott Erickson, and Roy Smith. Allan Anderson 6 years, 49 – 54/.476 4.11 8.5 WAR The WS year of 1991 Jack Morris started 35 games, it is his durability that made him HOF, Kevin Tapani, Scott Erickson, Allan Anderson, Guthrie and West were our starters. Jack Morris, 1 year, 18 -12/.600. 3.43 1.77, 4.3 WAR Kevin Tapani 7 years 75-63/.543. 4.06 2.84 19.2 WAR Allan Anderson 6 years 49-54/.476 4.11 1.61 8.5 WAR Scott Erickson 6 years 61-60/.504 4.22 1.44 12.7 WAR John Smiley joined Erickson and Tapani in 1992 with Bill Krueger and Bob Kipper. We also had Pat Mahomes, Willie Banks, and Mike Trombley – three young pitchers who were the promise of the future! Tapani, Erickson and Willie Banks lead 1993 with Jim Deshaies and Eddie Guardado. 1994 the same except banks was replaced by Mahomes and someone named Carlos Pulido filled the rotation. 1995 Brad Radtke and Tapani lead the rotation with Erickson, Trombley, and Frankie Rodriguez. 1996 Rodriguez was joined by Rich Robertson, Radtke, Aldred and Aguilera. 1997 It was Radtke, Robertson, Naulty, Tewksbury, LaTroy Hawkins, and Scott Aldred. 1998 LaTroy Hawkins started 33 games, Eric Milton 32, Radke 32, and Tewksbury 25. Brad Radke 12 years. 148 – 139/.516 4.22 3.30 great K over BB! 45.7 WAR Rick Aquilar will eventually make his mark as a reliever but was 40 – 47 as a starter. 1999 it was Milton, Hawkins, and Radke. Joe Mays, Dan Perkins, and Mike Lincoln were three more starters. 2000 we had a solid rotation of five guys who dominated the starts. Santana, Mays, Milton, Radke, and Redman. Eric Milton 6 years 57-51/.528 4.76 2.66 14.8 WAR 2001 Milton, Mays, Radtke over 30 starts, Todd Jones 24, Kyle Lohse 19 and Santana only 11. In 2002, Lohse, Milton and Rick Reed +30 starts, Santana 13, Radtke 21, Joe Mays 17, Matt Kinney 12. 2003 Santana got only 18 starts out of 45 appearances (will we do this to Romero too) Lohse, Kenny Rogers, Mays and Radtke got the starts. Joe Mays 6 years 48-65/.425 4.85 1.56 10.7 WAR Kyle Lohse 6 Years 51-57/.472 4.88 1.94 WAR 6.6 2005 Santana is let loose and is the ACE, with Lohse, Mays, and Radtke. 2006 Santana still the Ace, Carlos Silva, Radtke, Boof Bonser, and Scott Baker. 2007 Santana, Silva, and Bonser all have 30+ starts, Scott Baker and Matt Garza are next. 2008 Nick Blackburn takes over with the most starts, Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins and Livan Hernandez. Johan Santana 8 mostly under-utilized years 93-44/.679 3.22 3.79 K/BB 35.7 WAR 2009 Baker, Blackburn, Liriano, Slowey and Perkins. 2010 Pavano, Liriano, Baker, Blackburn and Slowey. Scott Baker 7 years, 63-48/.568 4.15 3.44 WAR 15.8. Francisco Liriano 7 years 50-52/.490 4.33 2.43 9.4 WAR 2011 Pavano was followed by Brian Duensing, Blackburn, Liriano, Baker. 2012 Kevin Slowey 5 years 39-29/.574 4.66 4.70 excellent k/BB rate. 4.4 WAR Nick Blackburn 6 years 43-55/.439 4.85 1.92 3.2 WAR Carl Pavano 4 years, 33-33/.500 4.32 3.08 2.6 WAR 2012 Scott Diamond had the most starts, Blackburn, Liriano, De Vries, Pavano in that order. What can I say about 2013 – Kevin Correia had the most starts, Mike Pelfrey was second, Scott Diamond third, Sam Deduno fourth. I think I will stop there. So who are the best starters? Here they are ranked by WAR. Johan will have an argument if we look at WAR per year 4.4, Blyleven 4.5, Radke 3.8, Pascual 2.6, Perry 2.6, Goltz 3.1, Dean Chance 3.3, and Koosman 3.7! 1. Bert Blyleven 11 of 22 years with Twins. 149-138/.519 3.28 and an amazing K/BB rate 3.02 WAR 49.4. 2. Brad Radke 12 years. 148 – 139/.516 4.22 3.30 great K over BB! 45.7 WAR 3. Johan Santana 8 mostly under-utilized years 93-44/.679 3.22 3.79 K/BB 35.7 WAR 4. Camilo Pascual 13 years starting in DC – 145-141 .507 3.66 SO/W = 2.07. WAR 33.2 5. Jim Kaat 15 years beginning in DC . 190- 159/.544 3.34 2.54 SO/W WAR 30.7 6. Jim Perry 10 years 128-90/.587 3.15 1.89 WAR 26.4 Great Career. 7. Dave Goltz 8/12 years, 96 – 79/.549 3.48 1.80 K/BB and 24.6 WAR 8. Kevin Tapani 7 years 75-63/.543. 4.06 2.84 19.2 WAR 9. Eric Milton 6 years 57-51/.528 4.76 2.66 14.8 WAR 10. Dean Chance 3 years 41-34/.547 2.67 Great Era. 13.1 WAR he was a star. 11. Scott Erickson 6 years 61-60/.504 4.22 1.44 12.7 WAR 12. Frank Viola 8 years, 112-93/.546 3.86 2.33 K over BB and 11.6 WAR 13. Jack Kralick 5 years 34-32/.515 3.63 1.99 WAR 11.7 14. Jim Merritt 4 years 37-41/.474 3.03 3.90 great SO/W ratio WAR 11.4 15. Dave Boswell 7 years 67-54/.554 3.49 1.88 11.2 WAR 16. Jerry Koosman 3/19 years, 39-35/.527 3.77 1.94 K/BB 11.1 WAR To continue the debate WHIP leaders 1. Jim Merritt 2. Dean Chance 3. Johan Santana 4. Rick Aquilera 5. Bert Blyleven 6. Jim Perry 7. Mudcat Grant Best ERA – Chance 2.67, Milton Most Wins and I count Wins – good pitchers are in enough innings to dominate a game. Jim Kaat 190 Bert Blyleven 149 Brad Radke 148 Camilo Pascual 145 Jim Perry 128 Frank Viola 112 Best Win Pct. 1. Johan Santana 679 2. Mudcat Grand 588 3. Jim Perry 588 Hits per nine innings 1. Dave Boswell 7.147 2. Johan Santana 7.345 3. Dean Chance 7.373 4. Jim Merritt 7.641 Strikeouts – okay Walter was part of our franchise. 1. Walter Johnson 3509 2. Bert Blyleven 2035 3. Camilo Pascual 1885 4. Jim Kaat 1851 5. Brad Radke 1467 6. Johan Santana 1381 7. Frank Viola 1214 8. Jim Perry 1025 9. Dave Goltz 887 My starting Rotation has the following: 1. Johan Santana 2. Bert Blyleven 3. Brad Radke 4. Jim Kaat 5. Jim Perry Camilo Pascual just misses and Dean Chance did not pitch long enough to make my list.