Success #8: Camilo Pascual

 So just when I get disappointed, autographs start rolling in!

Camilo Pascual was a starting pitcher for the Twins in the 19060s. He started with Washington and came over when Calvin Griffith moved the team to the Twin Cities. The three seasons prior to the move, Pascual had turned in two seasons with ERAs south of 3.15 and one season with an ERA of 2.64. At the time, he was becoming one of the most feared pitchers in the league. With the Twins, he would become one of the best. With Pascual atop the rotation, alongside starters Jim Kaat, Jim Perry, and Mudcat Grant the Twins had a much feared pitching staff. Four seasons after the move, the young talent in the field and at the plate, paid off for the Twins and they won the AL pennant.

When I researched Pascual's career, Johan Santana eerily came to mind. Consistently low ERA and four straight 200+ strikeout seasons (leading the league) after the move to Minnesota. Near the end of his tenure with the Twins, Pascual began developing trouble in his arm and his numbers began to suffer. The Twins traded him back to Washington (an expansion team) where he pitched a few more years with them and various other teams before retiring.

Pascual returned to the organization in 1978 as pitching coach and would later become an international scout for many MLB teams. He's credited for the Oakland A's signing of Jose Canseco. This year, the Twins will honor him by inducting him into their own Hall of Fame. A well-deserved honor.

From what I could find, it didn't appear that Pascual was a reliable signer through the mail. I felt I was taking a chance with him. Or maybe my letters of request are better than I think! Either way, Pascual returned my baseball from his Miami, FL home in just 6 days, which seems to be the norm when I catch guys at home.

Mailed: 2/17/12
Received: 2/23/12 (6 days)