Frank Viola was nicknamed “Sweet Music” while playing with the Minnesota Twins when a sports writer declared that when he pitched, there was sweet music in the dome! Frankie was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft out of St. John’s University. He made his major league debut in a Twins uniform on June 6, 1982. While he played for five different major league teams, the most prominent portion of his career came as a Twin where he picked up 112 of his 176 career wins. His overall career stats are impressive indeed, with a 3.73 ERA, 176-150 win/loss record, 74 complete games and 16 shut outs in 421 games. Frank was a work horse on the mound and averaged 229 innings per season. He anchored the staff on the Twins’ 1987 World Championship season and was rewarded by being named the World Series MVP. He also received the Babe Ruth Award that same year. Perhaps his finest season however, came one year later when he posted an incredible 24-7 record and a measly 2.64 ERA. It was in the 1988 season that Frank was named the Cy Young Award winner in the American League. In 1990 he was again a 20 game winner with the Mets and finished 3rd in the Cy Young voting. He was a three time All-Star ((88, ’90, & ’91) and the 1988 All-Star Games AL Starter.
Throws: Left
Bats: Left
Born: April 19, 1960 – East Meadow, New York
Major League Teams:
Minnesota Twins (1982-1989)
New York Mets (1989-1991)
Boston Red Sox (1992-1994)
Cincinnati Reds (1995)
Toronto Blue Jays (1996)