Eddie Guardado or as he was called while he was in Minnesota, "Everyday Eddie" was signed as a closer before the 2004 season after former closer Kazuhiro Sasaki left to go back to Japan. In his first year he saved only 18 games but hurt his rotator cuff and struggled at the end of the year when he came back in 2005 he saved over 35 games. After his fine 2005 season everyone expected most of the same in 2006. However Guardado struggled mightily in 2006 saving 5 games but blowing 3 and was traded in July to the Cincinatti Reds and JJ Putz took over his role.
M's fans are in great debt to him, as he is credited for teaching JJ Putz how to throw the splitter effectively. Pre- Splitter Putz was far from the elite closer we are all familiar with now, so here's to you Eddie!
