Minnesota Twins: The Top 5 Relief Pitchers in Franchise History
By Otto Johnson
No. 3: Frederick “Firpo” Marberry
Years with the Washington Senators: 1923-1932, 1936 (11 Seasons)
Key Stats with the Washington Senators: 470 G, 1654 IP, 117-71 W-L, 3.59 ERA, 94 SV, 667-568 K-BB, 26.0 WAR, One Top-25 MVP Finish, 1924 and 1925 American League Pennant, 1924 World Series
Very few people have heard of Firpo Marberry, but I’m here to change that. Firpo Marberry split time between starting games, relieving, and closing, doing everything the team needed to win games, working in a similar role to Ryan Yarbrough of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Marberry started 133 games, finished 251 games, and pitched 86 games in between, working as a pitcher who did it all for a super successful team. His 3.59 ERA is thirty-second in team history and his 117 wins rank eighth all-time as well.
His ninety-four saves also rank seventh all time showing his ability to do it all, as he led the league in saves six times. What makes the ninety-four saves the more impressive is they came at a time when most pitchers threw complete games.
Marberry helped the team make the 1924 and 1925 World Series and win it all in 1924. He was an excellent reliever and he deserves his spot as the only Senators reliever on this list. All this combines to keep Marberry in the number three spot.
No. 2: Minnesota Twins’ Rick Aguilera
Years with the Minnesota Twins: 1989-1999 (11 Seasons)
Key Stats with the Minnesota Twins: 490 G, 694 IP, 40-47 W-L, 3.50 ERA, 254 SV, 586-179 K-BB, 15.5 WAR, Three Time All-Star, One Top-25 MVP Finish
Rick Aguilera has pitched in more games with the Twins than any other player on this list, as his 490 games rank third all time in the franchise list. He made the most of those innings becoming a three-time All-Star during his years with the team.
Over his career he earned a 3.50 ERA (thirtieth in team history), 254 saves (second in team history) and racked up 586 strikeouts (also thirtieth). The strikeout numbers really pop because he ranked that high pitching for less innings than most pitchers.
His largest contribution was his playoff performance in 1991, where he threw eight and one-third innings and earned five saves, the most saves in team playoff history. Without Aguilera, the Twins would not have won the 1991 World Series, helping cement his place as the number two reliever in history.