Frank Viola
From SoSH
Frank Viola
| Born: | April 19, 1960 |
| Birthplace: | Hempstead, NY |
| Hometown: | Orlando, FL |
| Height: | 6' 4" |
| Weight: | 209 lbs. |
| Bats: | Left |
| Throws: | Left |
| Drafted: | 2nd Round, 1981 by Minnesota Twins |
| College: | St. Johns University |
| High School: | East Meadow High School (NY) |
| Other Teams: | Minnesota Twins 1982-1989 New York Mets 1989-1991 Cincinatti Reds 1995 Toronto Blue Jays 1996 |
| Years with Boston: | 1992 - 1994 |
"Sweet Music" Frank Viola signed with the Red Sox as a free agent in January of 1992. Viola went 13-12 in 1992 and 11-8 in 1993. He pitched only six games in the strike-shortened 1994 season due to Tommy John Surgery.
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Overall Career
Viola is largely remembered for his days with the Twins. He led the Twins to a World Series title, and was awarded the World Series MVP trophy. Viola had an even better year in 1988, going 24-7 with a 2.64 ERA, good enough to win the AL Cy Young award.
Viola was a hero in Minnesota, but his legacy was spoiled by his public 'pay me or trade me' contract negotiations. The fans turned on him, as did many of his teammates. The Twins chose the latter, sending Viola to the Mets for Rick Aguilera mid-season.
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Moment in the Sun
- Viola wins the World Series MVP in 1987
- Viola is awarded his only Cy Young award in 1988
- All-Star in 1988, 1990 and 1991...he waited until the Red Sox signed him in 1992 to become mediocre
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Trivia
- Viola had a no-hit bid spoiled in the ninth by Devon White on September 20, 1992.
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Transactions
- June 6, 1978: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 16th round of the 1978 amateur draft, but did not sign.
- June 8, 1981: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
- July 31, 1989: Traded by the Minnesota Twins to the New York Mets for Jack Savage (PTBNL), Rick Aguilera, David West, Kevin Tapani, and Tim Drummond.
- October 28, 1991: Granted Free Agency.
- January 2, 1992: Signed as a Free Agent with the Boston Red Sox.
- October 20, 1994: Granted Free Agency.
- April 24, 1995: Signed as a Free Agent with the Toronto Blue Jays.
- July 25, 1995: Released by the Toronto Blue Jays.
- July 25, 1995: Signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
- November 1, 1995: Granted Free Agency.
- February 22, 1996: Signed as a Free Agent with the Toronto Blue Jays.
- June 5, 1996: Released by the Toronto Blue Jays.
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External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
