Rick Aguilera was a professional baseball player who played as a pitcher for various teams in the Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career. He was born on December 31, 1961, in San Gabriel, California, and attended Brigham Young University.
Aguilera began his professional baseball career in 1983 when he was drafted by the New York Mets in the third round of the MLB draft. He made his debut for the Mets in 1985 and played for them until 1989. During his time with the Mets, Aguilera was primarily used as a relief pitcher and was known for his ability to close out games. He was a key member of the Mets team that won the World Series in 1986, and he recorded the final out of the series.
In 1989, Aguilera was traded to the Minnesota Twins, where he would spend the majority of his career. He continued to excel as a relief pitcher for the Twins and was eventually moved into the starting rotation. In 1991, Aguilera played a crucial role in helping the Twins win the World Series. He recorded two saves in the series and was named the Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series.
Aguilera remained with the Twins until 1995 when he was traded to the Boston Red Sox. He played for the Red Sox for one season before being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1996. Aguilera spent two seasons with the Cubs before being traded back to the Twins in 1998. He finished his career with the Twins in 2000.
Throughout his career, Aguilera was known for his consistency and durability. He recorded over 300 saves and had a career earned run average (ERA) of 3.57. He was also named to the All-Star team three times and won a Gold Glove award in 1991.
After retiring from baseball, Aguilera remained involved in the sport. He worked as a pitching coach for various minor league teams and was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame in 2008.
In conclusion, Rick Aguilera was a successful and accomplished pitcher during his career in the MLB. He played for several teams and was known for his ability to close out games and his consistency on the mound. He was a key member of two World Series-winning teams and was recognized for his achievements with multiple awards and honors.
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