Success #12: Dave Goltz

Fun fact I learned from Aaron Gleeman: Dave Goltz was the first native Minnesotan, drafted by the Twins (in 1967), to reach the major leagues with them. But it wasn't a smooth beginning . . .

Goltz first reached the Twins major league club as a 6 foot 4 inch, 23 year old relief pitcher in 1972, midseason. By the end of the season, Goltz had impressed and was moved to the starting rotation. In 1973 Goltz also started in the bullpen before being moved into the starting rotation but this time, did not impress. Thus, he started 1974 in the minors again. He was quickly called up to the bigs again and this time, stuck around.

In 1975 he started the season as a starter and became a fixture in the rotation. In 1976 he duplicated his '75 season statistics. 14 wins. Mid-3.00 era. In 1977, he pitched his best season as a Twin, winning 20 games, with a 3.36 era and finishing 6th in voting for the Cy Young. He tossed a 1-hitter against Boston that season. Goltz was named the Twins Opening Day starter for three seasons in a row, 1977, 1978, and 1979. I read a great Twins blogger compare him to Mark Buehrle once, and it makes a lot of sense.

In 1980 Goltz signed a lucrative deal to join the Los Angeles Dodgers. His career would never be as good, or consistent as it was with with the Twins. Goltz isn't a flashy name, in team lore, but he's an important one. In fact, only 5 Twins have better marks in wins, innings, and starts (Blyleven, Kaat, Perry, Viola, and Radke) . . . that fun fact also courtesy of Aaron Gleeman.

Today, Goltz lives in Fergus Falls, MN and works for Midwest Insurance. He dabbled in coaching after retirement but has long since, taken it easy. Goltz was always regarded as a fan favorite and genuine personality. His baseball was waiting in my mailbox on the day we brought my newborn son home from the hospital.

Mailed: 2/29/12
Received: 3/6/12 (6 days)

Success #11: Jim Perry

Bert Blyleven is arguably the best pitcher the Minnesota Twins have ever suited up. He credits guys like Jim Kaat and Jim Perry as his mentors.

Jim Perry was a serviceable Major League pitcher for 17 seasons. He started out in the Cleveland Indians organization, the same organization his Hall of Fame brother Gaylord, saw most of his success with. He was called to the majors in 1959 and earned a second place finish in the Rookie of the Year voting, losing out to soon-to-be Minnesota Twins outfielder Bob Allison.

In 1963, after a few disappointing seasons, the Indians traded Perry to the Twins. Perry didn't pitch for the Twins until 1965, and when he did, it was out of the bullpen. The team thought Perry didn't have the attitude to be a starter. They thought he was too nice! However later that season, star pitcher Camilo Pascual became injured and Perry had to fill in as a starter and helped lead the Twins to the AL Pennant. Even this didn't cement his place in the Twins rotation. For a number of years Perry bounced back and forth, from the bullpen to the starting rotation. In 1969, Perry won 20 games as a starter, helped the club to the ALCS, and finished third in the Cy Young Award voting. In 1970, Perry won a league-leading 24 games and won the Cy Young, making him the first Minnesota Twin to do so. Only Frank Viola and Johan Santana have done so since.

Last year, in 2011, Jim Perry was elected into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame, alongside great pitchers like Blyleven, Kaat, Viola, Aguilera, and Radke. Perry is known to be a fantastic through the mail signer, but after nearly a month wait, I was ready to write him off. 27 days, gives me hope in hearing from others that I am about to write off. He is my longest response, and I love the fact that he inscribed it for me with his Cy Young note!

Mailed: 1/31/12
Received: 2/27/12 (27 days)

Success #10: Brad Radke

Brad Radke is the success that I am the most excited about and proud of. He's one of my favorite all-time Twins. He was a loyal, hard working pitcher who left everything he had on the turf in the Metrodome. The day he happily retired, was a sad day for Twins fans because he had become a staple in the starting rotation. I so wish he could've played in Target Field.

This past winter marked the first time since retiring, that Radke made an appearance at TwinsFest. He was one of the primary reasons I wanted to go! When my plans fell through (thanks Taylor!), I jump-started this hobby. I have searched far and wide for addresses for Radke and come up with a couple in Clearwater Beach, FL and Largo, FL. Neither had very high success rates. It didn't appear that Radke was a reliable through the mail signer.

I kept researching and found a different address (one I am not going to reveal). I located it on a Florida real estate mapping website. It pointed toward a plot of land that Brad and his wife, Heather Radke, had purchased and built a house on in 2009. I took a chance and sent an 8x10 to that address. Maybe Radke's not such a poor through the mail signer after all!

Radke spent 12 years with the Twins. He suffered through the awful mid-to-late 90's and became a leader on the team as they were resurrected in the early 2000s. He finished third in voting for the Cy Young Award in 1997 and was an All-Star in 1998. In 2009, the Twins inducted Radke into their Hall of Fame. 

I debated whether or not to send the 8x10 or a baseball. I think I would have rather had a signed baseball from him, but it's cool to get some variety in my collection. Who knows, maybe I'll even send him a baseball someday soon and push my luck.

Mailed: 2/10/12
Received: 2/24/12 (14 days)