Bartolo Colon stepped onto the field for the Minnesota Twins in 2017, bringing his vast experience and unique style to the team. Fans quickly embraced bartolo colon twins as a symbol of grit and fun in baseball. At 44 years old, he showed that age is just a number. His time with the Twins included standout moments like a complete game win and becoming one of the few pitchers to beat every MLB team. This article dives into his background, career highs, and that special chapter with the Twins.
Early Life and Rise in Baseball
Bartolo Colon grew up in a small town in the Dominican Republic. Born on May 24, 1973, in Altamira, he worked hard as a kid. He helped his dad pick coffee beans and fruit from age 9 to 14. This tough work built his strong body. Colon loved baseball and dreamed of playing in the big leagues.
In 1993, he signed with the Cleveland Indians as a free agent. He moved up through the minor leagues fast. By 1995, he won awards for his pitching. He struck out many batters and kept runs low. In 1997, Colon made his MLB debut. He was 24 years old and ready to shine.
Colon threw hard and smart. He used a fastball and other pitches to fool hitters. His first full season in 1998 saw him win 14 games. He made the All-Star team that year. Over the next few years, he became a top starter. In 1999, he won 18 games. He helped the Indians in the playoffs too.
Key Achievements Before the Twins
Colon played for many teams before the bartolo colon twins era. He stayed with Cleveland until 2002. Then he went to the Montreal Expos. There, he won 10 games in half a season. In 2003, he joined the Chicago White Sox and led the league in complete games.
His best year came in 2005 with the Los Angeles Angels. Colon won 21 games and took home the Cy Young Award. He was the first Angels pitcher to win it since 1964. Fans called him “Big Sexy” for his fun personality and big build. He stood 5 feet 11 inches and weighed about 285 pounds.
Injuries hit Colon hard in 2006 and 2007. He hurt his shoulder and missed time. But he bounced back. In 2008, he pitched for the Boston Red Sox. Then in 2009, back to the White Sox. He sat out 2010 to heal. Doctors used stem cells to fix his arm. MLB checked it but found no rules broken.
Colon returned in 2011 with the New York Yankees. He won 8 games. In 2012, with the Oakland Athletics, he won 10 but got suspended for 50 games. He tested positive for a banned substance. He came back strong in 2013, winning 18 games and making another All-Star team.
From 2014 to 2016, Colon starred for the New York Mets. He won 44 games over three years. In 2015, he helped the Mets reach the World Series. In 2016, at 42, he hit his first home run ever. It was the oldest age for a first homer in MLB history. He made the All-Star game again that year.
Why Colon Joined the Minnesota Twins
In 2017, Colon started with the Atlanta Braves. He signed a one-year deal worth $12.5 million. But things went wrong. He lost 8 of his 13 starts. His ERA was high at 8.14. The Braves let him go on July 4.
The Minnesota Twins needed pitchers. Their staff had injuries and struggles. On July 7, 2017, they signed Colon to a minor league deal. He was 44 years old. The Twins called him up fast. He debuted on July 18 against the Yankees.
The Mets wanted Colon back. They were stunned when he chose the Twins. But Colon saw a chance to start games in Minnesota. The Twins were in the playoff hunt. They hoped his experience would help.
Colon joined a young Twins team. Players like Max Kepler and Byron Buxton looked up to him. Manager Paul Molitor knew Colon from old days. Colon broke Molitor’s bat in 1998. Now they were on the same side.
Debut and Early Games with the Twins
Colon’s first game as part of bartolo colon twins was tough. Against the Yankees, he pitched 4 innings. He gave up 4 runs. The Twins lost. But Colon struck out 3 and showed control.
His next start was better. On July 24 against the Dodgers, he went 5 innings with 3 runs. No win, but solid. Then on July 30 versus the Athletics, he shone. He pitched 6 and a third innings, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits. It was his best start yet with the Twins.
Colon mixed pitches well. He used his two-seam fastball a lot. It moved and kept hitters off balance. His speed was around 88 mph, not fast, but tricky.
In August, Colon hit his stride. On August 4 against the Texas Rangers, he did something amazing. He pitched a complete game. At 44, he was the oldest AL pitcher to do that since Nolan Ryan in 1992. Colon allowed 4 runs on 9 hits but struck out 5. The Twins won 8-4.
Fans loved it. Colon smiled big after the game. He said it felt good to go all 9 innings. His teammates cheered him.
Standout Moments During Bartolo Colon Twins Stint
One big highlight was on August 19, 2017. Colon beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0. This win made him the 18th pitcher to beat all 30 MLB teams. He joined greats like Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson.
Colon pitched 7 innings that day. He gave up 1 run on 7 hits. His control was key with only 1 walk. The Twins offense backed him up.
Another fun moment was his defense. Colon made behind-the-back throws sometimes. Fans called him athletic despite his size. In one game, he flipped the ball behind his back for an out.
Colon’s stats with the Twins: 5 wins, 6 losses, 5.18 ERA in 15 starts. He pitched 80 innings and struck out 47. His WHIP was 1.438. Not his best, but helpful for a team needing arms.
The Twins made the playoffs that year. They played the Yankees in the Wild Card game. Colon was on the roster but didn’t pitch. The Twins lost, but Colon’s role was big in getting there.
Impact on the Team and Fans
Colon brought joy to the Twins. Young players learned from him. He showed how to prepare and stay calm. Kepler called him a legend.
Fans adored “Big Sexy.” His jersey sold well. People loved his home run from 2016, but with Twins, it was his pitching.
Colon honored his mom, who died in 2014. He won a game on her death anniversary. It was win number 239. He pointed to the sky after.
The Twins finished 85-77 in 2017. They grabbed the second Wild Card. Colon’s 5 wins helped in the second half.
For more on baseball stories like this, check out Laaster.
Life After the Twins
After 2017, Colon became a free agent. He signed with the Texas Rangers in 2018. At 45, he was the oldest player in MLB. He won 7 games that year.
In August 2018, Colon got his 246th win. It passed Juan Marichal for most by a Dominican pitcher. Later, he passed Dennis Martinez for most by a Latin American-born pitcher with 247 wins.
Colon retired after 2018. He played in Mexico and the Dominican Winter League until 2022. He officially retired in 2023 at age 50.
His career totals: 247 wins, 188 losses, 4.12 ERA, 2,535 strikeouts. He played for 11 teams. Four All-Star nods, one Cy Young.
Bartolo Colon Twins Legacy
Colon’s time with the Twins was short but sweet. He proved old pitchers can still compete. His complete game and all-30-teams milestone stand out.
He inspired many. From coffee fields to MLB stardom, his story motivates.
Bartolo Colon Twins: Conclusion
In summary, bartolo colon twins marked a fun chapter in a great career. From signing mid-season to key wins, he added spark to the 2017 Twins. His experience helped a young team reach the playoffs. Colon showed that passion and skill beat age.
What do you think was Colon’s best moment with the Twins? Share in the comments!
References
- Bartolo Colón Wikipedia Page – Detailed biography and career overview.
- Bartolo Colon Baseball Reference – Comprehensive statistics and game logs.
- Wikipedia Minnesota Twins Section – Specific details on his Twins tenure.