One of the most durable pitchers in baseball history, Bert Blyleven’s MLB career began in 1970 as a 19-year-old phenom, armed with a curveball so sharp it was said to buckle the knees of even the most seasoned veterans. While he spent time in five other cities during his 22-year journey, his heart and his most dominant statistical stretches belonged to the Twin Cities.
From the very start, Blyleven proved he had what it takes at the major league level, winning 10 games and earning the Rookie Pitcher of the Year honors. Between 1970 and 1973, he consistently showcased a strong command of his skills, averaging 16 wins per season. His first Twins career highlight came in 1973 when he delivered an outstanding season: winning 20 games, leading the league with 9 shutouts, pitching 325 innings, and setting a team record with 258 strikeouts. During this time, he was a true workhorse, known for his remarkable efficiency in the American League.
His first exit from the club in 1976 was defined by a clash with ownership. Frustrated by salary negotiations with Calvin Griffith and a perceived lack of run support, Blyleven’s residency became strained. On June 1, 1976, just days after being booed by the home fans during a contract dispute, he was traded to the Texas Rangers in a six-player blockbuster. He famously threw a no-hitter in his final start for Texas before beginning a journey that took him to Pittsburgh and Cleveland, winning a World Series ring along the way, but on the 1985 Trade Deadline, he was back in a Twins uniform, completing a season where he was third in Cy Young voting.
In 1986, Blyleven recorded his 3,000th career strikeout in a Twins uniform. The season after, he served as the specialized anchor for the rotation that delivered the franchise’s first World Series title in Minnesota. While he famously surrendered a high volume of home runs during this stretch, his ability to log nearly 270 innings and strike out nearly 200 batters proved he was still a valuable asset.
After the 1988 season, he was traded to the California Angels, which would be his last stop in the Majors. With the Twins, he had a 149-138 record, a 3.28 ERA, and 2,035 strikeouts. In 2011, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on his 14th ballot and saw his No. 28 retired by the Twins.
Comments powered by CComment