Brad Radke arrived in Minnesota in 1995, a mid-round pick from Tampa who spent 12 years as a model of the "Twin Cities" workhorse. In an era of high-velocity bullpens and rising strikeouts, he relied on pinpoint control, seeming like a throwback. In 378 games, all in a Twins uniform, he was a mainstay, providing stability from the late 90s lean years to the early 2000s division win.
In 1997, Radke achieved a career peak with 20 wins, a 3.87 ERA, and 12 consecutive starts, a rare feat. He finished third in Cy Young voting behind Clemens and Johnson, then was an All-Star in 1998, cementing his role as the staff's ace.
He was an efficiency giant, leading the American League in BB/9 (1.0) in 2001 and ranking in the top five eight more times. His specialized approach sometimes led to home runs, but his game management was shown by his frequent spots in the bWAR leaderboards, finishing in the top ten six times. He became a franchise icon by signing multiple extensions to stay in Minnesota, opting for loyalty over larger markets.
In 2006, despite battling a torn labrum and a separated shoulder, Radke achieved a historic milestone of "fighting spirit" by pitching through intense pain to help the Twins win a division title. His postseason performance marked his career's end, as he made one final start against Oakland before retiring in December.
Radke compiled a 148-139 record, a 4.22 ERA, and 1,467 strikeouts. In 2009, he was inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame.
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