Eddie Guardado
Encyclopedia
Edward Adrian Guardado is a former Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
. Throughout his career, Guardado had played with the Minnesota Twins
(–), Seattle Mariners
(–), Cincinnati Reds
(–), and the Rangers (Two separate stints in and ).
His common nickname is "Everyday Eddie", a testament to his durable arm during his first stint with the Twins.
’s 11-year-old Twins team record for games saved, saving 45 regular-season games.
is deceptively poor, largely because for several years the Twins attempted to use him as a starter
before finally shifting him into the closer
role.
stated, "We're going to back off Eddie as far as being the closer right now. We'll try to pitch him in less pressure situations. Just back him away from the edge and see if we could get his confidence up."
On July 6, 2006, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds and converted eight of his first nine save situations. In August, Guardado was placed on the disabled list
after he blew out his throwing elbow.
by the Cincinnati Reds. He made his season debut on August 9 after an intense rehab, giving up two hits
and a sacrifice fly
that allowed the Los Angeles Dodgers
to tie the game at 4-4. They eventually won 5-4 in 11 innings.
. On February 3, 2009, Guardado returned to the Texas Rangers on a minor league contract and was invited to spring training.
in 2009, and went 1-2 with a 4.46 ERA in 48 relief appearances.
After the 2009 season, he was considering retirement.
on December 26, 2009.
On March 11, 2010, Guardado was released by the Nationals, although yet to file retirement paperwork, he has acknowledged that his playing days have come to an end saying "I'm looking to add another chapter in my life, and that's to be a father to my three children, which I absolutely love."
Over Eddie's career, he appeared in 908 games. Only 21 other pitchers have appeared in more games.
He went 555 games without allowing a triple
, dating to the end of his career. The last person to hit a triple off Guardado was Tony Graffanino
back in September 1999.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. Throughout his career, Guardado had played with the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(–), Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
(–), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(–), and the Rangers (Two separate stints in and ).
His common nickname is "Everyday Eddie", a testament to his durable arm during his first stint with the Twins.
Professional career
In , he broke Rick AguileraRick Aguilera
Richard Warren Aguilera is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 16-year baseball career, he pitched from 1985-2000 for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs....
’s 11-year-old Twins team record for games saved, saving 45 regular-season games.
2005
In , he set the Seattle Mariners' record for consecutive saves at 27, which was later broken by J. J. Putz. His career ERAEarned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
is deceptively poor, largely because for several years the Twins attempted to use him as a starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
before finally shifting him into the closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
role.
2006
On May 4, 2006, after three blown saves in less than three weeks, Guardado was temporarily removed from the closer role with the Mariners. Manager Mike HargroveMike Hargrove
Dudley Michael Hargrove is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. He is currently employed as an advisor with the Cleveland Indians....
stated, "We're going to back off Eddie as far as being the closer right now. We'll try to pitch him in less pressure situations. Just back him away from the edge and see if we could get his confidence up."
On July 6, 2006, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds and converted eight of his first nine save situations. In August, Guardado was placed on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
after he blew out his throwing elbow.
2007
For 2007, Guardado signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
by the Cincinnati Reds. He made his season debut on August 9 after an intense rehab, giving up two hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and a sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
that allowed the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
to tie the game at 4-4. They eventually won 5-4 in 11 innings.
2008
On January 11, 2008, he signed with the Texas Rangers. On August 25, 2008, Guardado was traded back to the Minnesota Twins for minor league pitcher Mark HamburgerMark Hamburger
Mark John Hamburger is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:After going undrafted in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft, he signed with the Minnesota Twins....
. On February 3, 2009, Guardado returned to the Texas Rangers on a minor league contract and was invited to spring training.
2009
Guardado pitched for the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in 2009, and went 1-2 with a 4.46 ERA in 48 relief appearances.
After the 2009 season, he was considering retirement.
2010
After considering retirement, Guardado decided to come back to baseball by agreeing to terms on a minor league deal with the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
on December 26, 2009.
On March 11, 2010, Guardado was released by the Nationals, although yet to file retirement paperwork, he has acknowledged that his playing days have come to an end saying "I'm looking to add another chapter in my life, and that's to be a father to my three children, which I absolutely love."
Over Eddie's career, he appeared in 908 games. Only 21 other pitchers have appeared in more games.
He went 555 games without allowing a triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, dating to the end of his career. The last person to hit a triple off Guardado was Tony Graffanino
Tony Graffanino
Anthony Joseph Graffanino is a former American Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. Though he never officially retired, Graffanino has not played since .-Career:...
back in September 1999.