Success #22: Brad Radke (again)

I wish Brad Radke was still pitching for the Twins. Maybe not Brad Radke himself. The poor guy's arm would have fallen off by now. But someone like Radke. Someone with the experience. And the class. And the determination. And the loyalty. I think the young guys in our rotation could learn a thing or two from Radke. There aren't too many pitchers left like Brad Radke. He's one of the good ones.

A year ago, when I mailed Radke an 8x10, I took a chance on his address. I found a house online that was owned by Heather Radke, newly constructed in Florida. There were a few addresses that collectors online had tried and not had good success with. I didn't want to waste a baseball on a risky address so I sent an 8x10 to the newly built home in Heather Radke's name. Of course I got it back, and wished I had sent a baseball!

But I felt guilty about that. I should have appreciated the awesome 8x10. And I did. So despite my desire to send a baseball to the address I now knew was legit, I did not. But by the end of last summer, as baseballs kept rolling in, I could not have not having a Brad Radke baseball. But when I looked up the address I had used before, I found their house to be for sale! I took another chance and sent one anyway, but was not very hopeful.

However, 9 days later, I got my Brad Radke baseball in the mail! I think I can leave him alone now.

Mailed: 6/13/12
Received: 6/22/12 (9 days)

Success #21: Joe Nathan

If I was to make a list of my top 5 favorite Minnesota Twins ever, Joe Nathan would probably make the top 3. Maybe even the top 2. 

Joe Nathan was an integral part of Twins GM Terry Ryan's claim to fame. Joe Mauer was rising through the ranks fast and A.J. Pierzynski was the odd man out. Ryan dealt Pierzynski to the San Francisco Giants in what will go down as one of the most lopsided trades in both teams' histories, for pitchers Boof Bonser, Francisco Liriano, and Joe Nathan. Prior to the trade, Nathan had proved to be one the the hottest relief, set-up men in the NL. But the Twins had other plans for him.

After losing "Everyday" Eddie Guardado to the Seattle Mariners, the Twins had an opening for closer. The plugged Nathan in the role in his first year with the team and he notched 23 saves in his first half of a season and was named to the All-Star team! He finished the 2004 season with 44 saves in 47 appearances, and instantly became a Minnesota fan favorite.

Over the next 5 years Nathan would establish himself as one of the best closers in baseball. In 2006, I got to see Nathan pitch over Spring Break in California, as he tossed an inning in a World Baseball Classic game in Angel Stadium, Anaheim. Later that season, Kelli and I went to a Twins game in Kansas City. We met Nathan before the game on the third baseline. He signed a few baseballs for us! In 2007, I was in attendance as Johan Santana struck out 17 Texas Rangers over 8 innings, and Nathan came in to slam the door in the 9th. Despite his nervous ticks, and the way he sometimes made me chew my fingernails off, he was my favorite part of every Twins game.

Nathan missed the 2010 season due to Tommy John surgery. He came back in 2011 and after a rocky start, blowing a handful of saves early in the season, removed himself from the closer role. Later in the season, Nathan found himself in the role again, long enough to become the Twins all-time leader in saves, passing Rick Aguilera, with 260 saves. The Twins declined his option after the season and Nathan became a free-agent, signing with the Texas Rangers, where in 2012, he returned to All-Star form at 37 years old, saving 37 games.

I hate seeing Nathan in a uniform other than a Minnesota one, but he made the right decision for him. He remains one of my favorite Twins to date and he has a reputation as a great through-the-mail signer. Already having a baseball signed from our meeting in Kansas City, I sent him an 8x10. His signature looks awesome on it!

Mailed: 6/4/12

Received: 6/22/12 (18 days)