Eddie Guardado

For several years the Twins attempted to use him as a starter, but in 1996 he was converted to exclusively a relief pitcher and did not start another Major League game. That season, he led the American League in games pitched with 83. In September 2001, Guardado became the Twins' closer, replacing LaTroy Hawkins. In 2002, he broke Rick Aguilera's 11-year-old Twins team record for games saved, saving 45 regular-season games. He followed that up with 41 saves in 2003. After that season, he became a free agent, signing with the Seattle Mariners.

In 2004, Guardado saved 18 games with a 2.78 earned run average, but suffered a torn rotator cuff[1] and missed the last two months of the season. In 2005, he set the Mariners' record for consecutive saves at 27, which was later broken by J. J. Putz. On May 4, 2006, after three blown saves in less than three weeks, Guardado was temporarily removed from the closer role with the Mariners. Manager Mike Hargrove stated, "We're going to back off Eddie as far as being the closer right now. We'll try to pitch him in less pressure situations. Just back him away from the edge and see if we could get his confidence up." On July 6, 2006, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds and converted eight of his first nine save situations. In August, Guardado was placed on the disabled list after he blew out his throwing elbow.

Eddie Guardado in 2009.

For 2007, Guardado signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training by the Cincinnati Reds. He made his season debut on August 9 after an intense rehab, giving up two hits and a sacrifice fly that allowed the Los Angeles Dodgers to tie the game at 4-4. They eventually won 5-4 in 11 innings.

On January 11, 2008, he signed with the Texas Rangers. On August 25, 2008, Guardado was traded back to the Minnesota Twins for minor league pitcher Mark Hamburger.[2] On February 3, 2009, Guardado returned to the Texas Rangers on a minor league contract and was invited to spring training. Guardado pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2009, and went 1-2 with a 4.46 ERA in 48 relief appearances.

After considering retirement during the 2009-10 offseason, Guardado decided to come back to baseball by agreeing to terms on a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals on December 26, 2009. On March 11, 2010, Guardado was released by the Nationals. In August, he acknowledged that his playing days had come to an end, saying "I'm looking to add another chapter in my life, and that's to be a father to my three children, which I absolutely love."[3] Over his career, he went 555 games without allowing a triple, dating to the end of his career.[4] The last person to hit a triple off Guardado was Tony Graffanino back in September 1999.