Post by Fish Troll on Apr 3, 2007 23:32:55 GMT -5
Brad Radke announced his retirement over the offseason and returned to the Metrodome for opening night to throw out the first pitch and to be honored by the Twins and thanked by fans.
Radke had a 12 year career, all with the Twins that will be forgotten rather quickly by many, even those in “Twins Territory.”
His 12 seasons are not going to put him in the Hall of Fame, except the Twins HOF, and it won’t have him raved about 10 years from now.
Brad Radke’s career will be remembered by those who appreciated him staying around when he could have easily have left, twice. Each time he could have gotten more money.
He will be remembered for being a quiet leader, on and off the field. Never did he complain about the lack of run support, missed plays or being pulled early. Never did he make excuses for a poor outing or expect high praises for a good one.
Brad Radke, AKA “Bradke”, “The Professor”:
148 W, 139 L, 378 G, 377 GS, 37 CG, 10 SHO, 2,451.0 IP, 2,643 H, 1,233 R, 1,150 ER, 326 HR, 445 BB, 1,467 K, 4.22 ERA, 1.260 WHIP
In 1997 Radke won 12 starts in a row and ended up winning 20 that season. It was a season the Twins only won 68 games and finished in 4th place behind the Indians. Brad Radke gave the Twin Cities a buzz, one it had not for a while, and it was exciting to watch.
The following season he was on the All Star Team.
In 2001 Brad Radke was the ace of the club and backbone to a young staff, leading the Twins to 85 wins and a second place finish. It returned winning to Minnesota, and gave hope for the future.
In 2002 Radke struggled through injury problems. He was able to put a stop to the A’s 20 game win streak and helped the team win their first American League Central Division title and return to the playoffs since 1991. More importantly Brad Radke beat the Oakland A’s twice in the ALDS, to advance the Twins to the ALCS.
Perhaps what is most impressive to Twins fans is Radke’s performance in the 2006 season. His numbers don’t suggest anything special, until you think about the fact that Radke was pitching with a broken shoulder. Instead of shutting it down and retiring mid season, Radke sucked up the pain and went out to the mound giving it 150% to try and pick up a win for a team that was desperate for another pitcher.
Twins fans knew something was not the same with Radke, but it was not clear until later in the season that he was indeed pitching with problems that should have him on the DL.
Brad Radke made his last start at the Metrodome on September 28 against the Royals, where he went 5 innings and maybe the best performance of his career. With that broken shoulder he allowed just three hits and one run, and won the game 2-1.
His final outing would come in Oakland in the ALDS where he would pitch 4 frustrating innings that would be his last.
That Friday afternoon on the mound in Oakland was one I might never forget. For the first time I saw frustration on Radke’s face. You could see the pain there and it was obvious it was no longer fun.
Radke had a 12 year career, all with the Twins that will be forgotten rather quickly by many, even those in “Twins Territory.”
His 12 seasons are not going to put him in the Hall of Fame, except the Twins HOF, and it won’t have him raved about 10 years from now.
Brad Radke’s career will be remembered by those who appreciated him staying around when he could have easily have left, twice. Each time he could have gotten more money.
He will be remembered for being a quiet leader, on and off the field. Never did he complain about the lack of run support, missed plays or being pulled early. Never did he make excuses for a poor outing or expect high praises for a good one.
Brad Radke, AKA “Bradke”, “The Professor”:
148 W, 139 L, 378 G, 377 GS, 37 CG, 10 SHO, 2,451.0 IP, 2,643 H, 1,233 R, 1,150 ER, 326 HR, 445 BB, 1,467 K, 4.22 ERA, 1.260 WHIP
In 1997 Radke won 12 starts in a row and ended up winning 20 that season. It was a season the Twins only won 68 games and finished in 4th place behind the Indians. Brad Radke gave the Twin Cities a buzz, one it had not for a while, and it was exciting to watch.
The following season he was on the All Star Team.
In 2001 Brad Radke was the ace of the club and backbone to a young staff, leading the Twins to 85 wins and a second place finish. It returned winning to Minnesota, and gave hope for the future.
In 2002 Radke struggled through injury problems. He was able to put a stop to the A’s 20 game win streak and helped the team win their first American League Central Division title and return to the playoffs since 1991. More importantly Brad Radke beat the Oakland A’s twice in the ALDS, to advance the Twins to the ALCS.
Perhaps what is most impressive to Twins fans is Radke’s performance in the 2006 season. His numbers don’t suggest anything special, until you think about the fact that Radke was pitching with a broken shoulder. Instead of shutting it down and retiring mid season, Radke sucked up the pain and went out to the mound giving it 150% to try and pick up a win for a team that was desperate for another pitcher.
Twins fans knew something was not the same with Radke, but it was not clear until later in the season that he was indeed pitching with problems that should have him on the DL.
Brad Radke made his last start at the Metrodome on September 28 against the Royals, where he went 5 innings and maybe the best performance of his career. With that broken shoulder he allowed just three hits and one run, and won the game 2-1.
His final outing would come in Oakland in the ALDS where he would pitch 4 frustrating innings that would be his last.
That Friday afternoon on the mound in Oakland was one I might never forget. For the first time I saw frustration on Radke’s face. You could see the pain there and it was obvious it was no longer fun.
