Friday, September 29, 2006

Thank you Brad!

I remember almost 10 years ago when the Twins first showed signs of hope in their dismal late 90's. There was a man who came through in 1997 to give the Twins some glimmering hope that things were soon to get better. His name was Brad Radke.

1997 brought about the first 20 game winner for the Twins in years. It gave fans a little bit of hope, even with Chuck Knoblauch going to the hated Yankees.

Thinking back, Radke was the difference of this team. At the time, high priced Twins were going elsewhere, like Chuck. Radke was a player that the organization wanted to keep, a player to build a team around. It was a mutually beneficial relationship. The Twins needed Radke to keep some stability. Radke needed the Twins to make good on their promise of building a good team around him if he stayed.

His presence brought much needed stability, for the Twins and the fans. In 2001, the Twins finally looked like contenders again. In 2002 they reached the postseason again, and even got to the ALCS.

Now the man comes back late in the season from a torn labrum and a stress fracture to start at least one more game for his team. I say "his" team with meaning. Yes, Joe Mauer might be leading in the batting average race, Morneau might be up for MVP, Santana for Cy Young, but Radke is senior.

Thank you Brad for 12 great years.
Thank you Brad for giving this team the stability that helped them get where they are right now.
Thank you Brad for pitching through pain.
Thank you Brad... for being a Minnesota Twin!

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