Rick Aguilera

From BR Bullpen

Richard Warren Aguilera

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 5", Weight 205 lb.
School Brigham Young University
Debut June 12, 1985
Final Game September 6, 2000
Born December 31, 1961 in San Gabriel, CA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

After finding some success early in his career as a starter, Rick Aguilera went on to become one of baseball's top closers of the 1990s.

Originally selected by the St. Louis Cardinals as a third baseman in the 37th round of the 1980 amateur draft, Aguilera opted instead to attend Brigham Young University, where he became a pitcher. He was then chosen by the New York Mets in the third round of the 1983 amateur draft. He reached the majors in June 1985 and soon was a member of the Mets rotation. He found immediate success, going 3-1 with a 0.89 ERA in 5 July starts, and ended the year with a 10-7 record and 3.24 ERA while hitting an impressive .278.

Aguilera once again won 10 games in 1986 as the Mets won the National League pennant. Despite allowing a pair of earned runs in two innings of work in the memorable Game 6 of the World Series, he earned the win in that game and the Mets captured the Series in seven games. He struggled with injuries over the course of the next two seasons, and the Mets moved him to the bullpen in 1989. During that year's pennant drive, he was traded along with Kevin Tapani to the Minnesota Twins for Frank Viola.

After starting 11 games for the Twins in 1989, skipper Tom Kelly moved Aguilera to the bullpen in 1990 to replace closer Jeff Reardon. He was an immediate success, notching at least 30 saves in the next four seasons and earning appearances at the All-Star Game from 1991 to 1993. He also starred for the World Champion Twins in 1991, recording 3 saves in the ALCS and 2 saves and a win in the World Series.

Following a late season trade to the Boston Red Sox in 1995, Aguilera returned to the Twins as a free agent the next year and joined the rotation. After an 8-6 campaign as a starter, he moved back to the pen in 1997. In 1999, with his potential free agency looming, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Kyle Lohse. He was re-signed by the Cubs after the season and spent one more year in the majors.

Aguilera was known to throw a low 90s fastball, a hard slider, and a splitter. He primarily wore number 38 during his career.

As of 2008, Aguilera is head baseball coach at Santa Fe Christian Schools in Solana Beach, California.

[edit] Notable Achievements

3-time AL All-Star (1991-1993)
NL Winning Percentage Leader (1987)
30 Saves Seasons: 6 (1990-1993, 1995 & 1998)
40 Saves Seasons: 2 (1991 & 1992)
Won two World Series with the New York Mets (1986) and the Minnesota Twins (1991)