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| Rick Aguilera | |
|---|---|
| Name | Rick Aguilera |
| Position | Pitcher |
| Bats | Right |
| Throws | Right |
| Birth date | 2 June 1961 |
| Birth place | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
Rick Aguilera is an American former professional Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1985 to 2000. He appeared as both a starting pitcher and a closer for teams including the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs. Aguilera was a member of the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets and the 1991 World Series champion Minnesota Twins.
Aguilera was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and attended Edina High School before playing college baseball at the University of Minnesota. At University of Minnesota, he competed in the Big Ten Conference and drew attention from scouts representing organizations such as the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and New York Mets. He played summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League with teams that included future Major League Baseball players from programs like Arizona State, University of Southern California, and Miami. Aguilera was selected in the Major League Baseball draft and entered the minor league system that included stops with affiliates of the New York Mets such as the Jackson Mets and Tidewater Tides.
Aguilera made his Major League Baseball debut with the New York Mets in 1985, joining a rotation and bullpen that featured players like Dwight Gooden, Ron Darling, and Dwain Anderson. He was a member of the 1986 New York Mets team that defeated the Boston Red Sox in the 1986 World Series. In New York he worked with coaches from the New York Mets coaching staff and front office figures including Sandy Alderson and played alongside teammates such as Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, and Mookie Wilson.
After trade discussions involving franchises like the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs, Aguilera was traded to the Minnesota Twins in 1990, where he transitioned to a closer role under managers including Tom Kelly and alongside teammates such as Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and Jack Morris. Aguilera played a key role in the Twins' 1991 postseason run, which culminated in a seven-game World Series victory over the Atlanta Braves. He later signed with the Boston Red Sox and then the Chicago Cubs, appearing with organizations whose histories included rivalries like Red Sox–Yankees rivalry and Cubs–Cardinals rivalry. Aguilera returned to the Minnesota Twins to finish his career, retiring after the 2000 season following stints with minor league affiliates and rehabilitation assignments.
Aguilera was known for a repertoire that included a four-seam fastball, a sinker, and a slider, and he adjusted his approach between starting rotations and late-inning relief roles that faced lineups from teams such as the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants. Over his career he accumulated over 350 saves, pitched in postseason series including the National League Championship Series and American League Championship Series, and compiled statistics tracked by organizations like Baseball-Reference and Retrosheet. He earned selections to All-Star Game rosters and recorded seasons with high strikeout totals against batters from clubs such as the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and Oakland Athletics. Aguilera's durability and situational pitching were analyzed by media outlets such as the Associated Press, ESPN, and The New York Times.
After retiring, Aguilera remained involved in baseball through coaching and development roles with institutions including University of Minnesota programs, Minnesota Twins community initiatives, and instructional leagues affiliated with Major League Baseball. He served as a pitching coach and mentor at high school and collegiate levels, working with programs in the Big Ten Conference and participating in events hosted by organizations such as USA Baseball and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum outreach programs. Aguilera also engaged with broadcasters and analysts from networks like FOX Sports, ESPN, and MLB Network to provide commentary and instruction.
Aguilera has family ties in Minnesota and has been involved in charitable activities with foundations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and local Ronald McDonald House chapters. He has been part of alumni events for the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins and has appeared at ceremonies held at venues such as Target Field, Citi Field, and Metropolitan Stadium tributes. Aguilera's off-field interests include youth coaching, participation in community fundraisers, and public appearances coordinated with organizations like Major League Baseball Players Association events.
Aguilera is remembered for his role on two World Series championship teams and for his place among the career saves leaders in Major League Baseball history. He has been honored at team ceremonies by the Minnesota Twins and New York Mets and included in retrospectives by outlets such as ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and MLB.com. Aguilera's career is cited in discussions of successful conversions from starting pitchers to closers alongside players like Dennis Eckersley, John Smoltz, and Trevor Hoffman. He has been nominated for team halls and alumni honors and has participated in Major League Baseball All-Star Game alumni events.
Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:New York Mets players Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:Boston Red Sox players Category:Chicago Cubs players