¡VIVA RIVAS!

"I'm just here to say 'Where in the hell is Sid Hartman? Probably with the Vikings. That's typical. We're gonna miss you Brad...if you wanna come and throw some batting practice, wide open, I'll let you have my spot anytime." -- Gardy at Radke's retirement press conference.

"T.K. being my first manager...scared me to death. In a good way! In a good way, of course." -- Radke reminiscing on his career at his retirement press conference.

Well, Brad Radke's hanging 'em up and calling it career. While we all know he won't make it into Cooperstown, a more pertinent question is, "Will Radke be a Twins hall of famer?" (Actually called the Twins ring of honor -- ring honoree?) Here are the facts and stats as we try to come to a decision:

Why he will be a Twins Hall of Famer:

Career Twin. Radke spent all 12 years of his career as a Twin. No Twins Hall of Fame pitcher can claim that.

Durablility. Radke started at least 21 games each year. He also pitched his last year with a torn labrum. I know someone who has that same injury. He said that it hurts just to flex his shoulder. He has no idea how Radke could throw a baseball 80+ mph.

20-Game Winner. As every network announcer likes to mention (because they know nothing of the Twins), Radke won 20-games in 1997.

Why he won't:

Stats. His career numbers: 148-139 with a 4.22 ERA. Those numbers are above average at best. Of course, the crappy teams of the mid and late 90s probably cost him dozens of wins.

Pseudo-Ace. He was the Twins' #1 starter until Johan came along, but he was never a true, dominant ace. He was never a clear-cut choice to pitch that one-game playoff, though he was clutch during the 2002 playoffs.

Doesn't really fit in. If you look at the Twins Hall of Fame, Radke doesn't really fit in. Players like Puckett, Killebrew, or Hrbek are in a different echelon. Plus, his stats aren't as good as Kaat, Blyleven, or Viola.

Final Analysis:

WAKKYJ If some kid asks about a player in ring of honor, I can give a good reason why they each player is enshrined, whether it's for outstanding statistics, exceptional longevity, or both. But 20 years from now, if some kid asks about Radke, the highest praise I could give is that he was a good pitcher. He was never a dominant,must-see-type player like Johan or what Mauer and Morneau are quickly becoming. Radke has been one hell of a team player, but in the end, I don't think he belongs in the Twins Hall of Fame.

VivaRivas I'll admit, my gut reaction was to say 'No' to Radke as a Twins Ring Honoree. Even so, it was more of a case of my brain saying 'no' and ignoring my heart, which cried, "For love of Rivas, show Radke some man-love!" Radke has always been a favorite of mine, and I know I'm not alone. He had the 3 C's -- calm, cool, collected -- and he was a quality pitcher, which we've learned this off-season is an extremely valuable thing. (See Gil Meche, Vicente Padilla, Adam Eaton) You can't help but admire a man with the heart of a lion (he pitched with a torn labrum for two years) who got by with intelligence and moxie instead of overpowering stuff. Plus, he's a family guy who would rather be fishing or spending time with his family. Minnesotans dig fishermen.

Yet when it came to the Twins Ring of Honor, my brain told me his career numbers just weren't that spectacular. His numbers never popped out at you, yet he seemed like he was good for a quality start more often than not, year in and year out.(And how many times did Radke suffer a loss or no-decision after pitching brilliantly?)
Then I came across some numbers accompanying the Star Tribune's story on Radke's retirement that appealed to my brain -- his career Twins numbers. Have a look:

Wins 148, 3rd. Leader: Jim Kaat (189)

Losses 139, 2nd. Leader: Jim Kaat (152)

Starts 377 2nd. Leader: Jim Kaat (422)

Innings 2,451 3rd. Leader: Jim Kaat (2,959 1/3)

Strikeouts 1,467, 3rd. Leader: Bert Blyleven (2,035)

Home runs 326, 1st. Leader: Radke

More than anything, the stats reveal the rarity of a player staying with one team as long as Radke. It also points out his weaknesses -- 326 HR, good for first; and his notorious bad luck -- second in career losses. Yet his career numbers also show he was remarkably consistent, and consistently above average -- he finished third in wins, innings and strike-outs.

In the end, it was Radke who carried the Twins' God-awful 1990s karma through and out of the dark ages,(NERD ALERT!)climbed to the top of Mt. Doom, and cast the Twins' losing ways into the flames -- with the help of loyal friend and fishing buddy, Eric Milton -- just in time for a new millenium of Twins baseball . For that, Radke deserves a spot in the Twins Ring of Honor.

(special thanks to W.J. for the Milton=Samwise connection)