A's sweep, Radke's career is over

by Scott Christ on Oct 6, 2006 7:19 PM EDT in News & Rumors

The A's swept today, with an 8-3 win over Minnesota, and all props to the A's.

But I wanna talk about Brad Radke. This is a guy that took the hill today with a torn labrum and stress fracture in his shoulder. He left after four innings, with his team losing, and the first thing the rest of the Minnesota Twins did was shake Brad Radke's hand. That says a lot about his role with that team. He was a Twins lifer, drafted in 1991 and coming to Minnesota in 1995. He had his "best" season in 1997, going 20-10 for a 68-win team. He really had two years better than that: a 12-14 hard luck year in 1999, and an 11-8 season in 2003.

He now retires young, as he doesn't turn 34 until October 27. It's just the end of the line for his right arm, but Brad Radke went down doing all he could for the only organization he played for in his entire major league career. He was the ace of the Twins that were terrible, and he was a vital piece of the rebirth of Minnesota baseball.

He's no Hall of Famer, but he finishes his career with a 148-139 record, 4.22 ERA, and park-adjusted ERA+ of 113. He was a damn solid pitcher and a leader. I'm not a Twins fan, but Radke's the type of guy you want on your team.

One time on this site, someone brought up the possibility of acquiring Radke. I said I couldn't imagine Brad Radke not in a Twins jersey, and that he probably couldn't either. We'll never get that chance. Brad Radke was a Minnesota Twin, and a good one. He finishes his career fourth on the Twins all-time win list, behind Walter Johnson, Jim Kaat and Bert Blyleven. Not bad company.

Honestly, Radke was a man's man to be pitching with the pain he must have been in. Raise your glass to Brad Radke one time. Not an Oriole, but a ballplayer.

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Eloquent send-off, SC

This has been one of the more enjoyable baseball seasons in recent memory for me. So many great stories. The season came down to the last weekend for many teams. The tigers showing up and surprising everyone, and continuing to do so. Even the Orioles had more to be excited about this year than they have for the last several years.

A shame that Radke's body is failing him so early. It's not uncommon nowadays to see pitchers over 40, and here Radke is, 33, and done. He has probably long since come to terms with this, but that doesn't mean I can't be sad and a little angry at his situation.

by PhilR8 on Oct 7, 2006 4:46 AM EDT reply actions

Last night

A friend of mine was reading off a news story about how some 13 kid saved another kid from being shot. She said this kid is a hero. I said, "You know who else is a hero? Brad Radke." She rolled her eyes in disgust but I stand by my statement.

"She lifts her skirt up to her knees, walks through garden of roses with her bare feet laughing." Ray Lamontange.

by birdman on Oct 7, 2006 2:27 PM EDT reply actions

How is Radke a hero at all?

by larry bigbie on Oct 7, 2006 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Radke

To quote SC, "This is a guy that took the hill today with a torn labrum and stress fracture in his shoulder. He left after four innings, with his team losing, and the first thing the rest of the Minnesota Twins did was shake Brad Radke's hand. That says a lot about his role with that team. He was a Twins lifer, drafted in 1991 and coming to Minnesota in 1995. He had his "best" season in 1997, going 20-10 for a 68-win team. He really had two years better than that: a 12-14 hard luck year in 1999, and an 11-8 season in 2003."

"She lifts her skirt up to her knees, walks through garden of roses with her bare feet laughing." Ray Lamontange.

by birdman on Oct 7, 2006 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

So?

by larry bigbie on Oct 7, 2006 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Larry

You can hate me but leave Radke out of this!!!

"She lifts her skirt up to her knees, walks through garden of roses with her bare feet laughing." Ray Lamontange.

by birdman on Oct 7, 2006 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Radke

but how is he a hero?

by larry bigbie on Oct 7, 2006 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Radke

To quote SC, "This is a guy that took the hill today with a torn labrum and stress fracture in his shoulder."

"She lifts her skirt up to her knees, walks through garden of roses with her bare feet laughing." Ray Lamontange.

by birdman on Oct 8, 2006 4:16 AM EDT up reply actions

So?

by larry bigbie on Oct 8, 2006 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

larry

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a torn labrum the same injury that Pedro has? And isn't Pedro sitting on the sitlines right now. And even if Pedro doesn't have a torn labrum, it's an injury that often sidelines ALOT of pitchers. Now put a stress fracture on top of the torn labrum and yet Radke still went there and he pitched. And like SC said, there's the added element that the Twins is the only team he has ever pitched. All those elements make a compelling story. If you don't find it a cool story, happy trails brother.

"She lifts her skirt up to her knees, walks through garden of roses with her bare feet laughing." Ray Lamontange.

by birdman on Oct 8, 2006 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I think

the Larbear's contention is that you juxtaposed Brad Radke's baseball performance with a story about 13-year-olds and gunshots. It sounded...odd.

by Awesome Mike Awesome on Oct 8, 2006 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

actually

Assuming I'm "Larbear", I, not LB, was making a parallel between the news story and Radke (granted I aimed for humorous hyperbole especially since I hate those type of sentimental news story).

Sincerely,

Larbear

"She lifts her skirt up to her knees, walks through garden of roses with her bare feet laughing." Ray Lamontange.

by birdman on Oct 8, 2006 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions