Minnesota Twins: Glen Perkins pitches, probably, his last game for the Twins

Saturday was more than likely the last game for Glen Perkins in a Minnesota Twins uniform.

Andrew Romine might be getting all of the headlines for playing all nine positions for the Detroit Tigers, but something noteworthy happened for the Minnesota Twins. The Twins lost the ballgame, but it was also likely the last time that Glen Perkins will pitch for the Twins.

Injuries are a horrible thing. Perkins made three All-Star Games in a row from 2013-2015, but injuries have mainly sidelined the closer for the past two seasons. The Minnesota native pitched in only two games in 2016 and it looks like he’ll only make eight appearances this season. Sadly, it doesn’t look like Perkins will ever be the All-Star pitcher he once was and Perkins looked like he knew that as he broke into tears in the dugout after his appearance in Saturday’s game.

In his comeback attempt this season, going into Saturday, Perkins had a 10.13 ERA and a WHIP of 2.438. That sadly won’t cut it in the big leagues, obviously, and it won’t get Perkins on the playoff roster for the Twins, either.

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That being said, Perkins had a successful career, especially after he found his groove as an excellent bullpen arm. The Twins have had an incredible history of closers and Perkins belongs in the conversation as one of the best the organization ever had.

Only six Twins in history have recorded over 100 saves. Only two people have more saves in Twins history than Perkins. Joe Nathan has the franchise record with 260 saves, Rick Aguilera had 254 saves and Perkins is third on the list with 120 saves. Eddie Guardado, Ron Davis and Jeff Reardon round out the list of closers with over 100 saves.

Perkins may have been overshadowed in his home state by fellow Minnesotan Joe Mauer, but there is no doubt that the state of Minnesota has been lucky to have Perkins in the bullpen. Perkins will, in the future, be put in the Twins Hall of Fame and be remembered by all.

Next: Five things we learned in the win over Tampa Bay

Perkins’ Twins teammates will soon be heading to New York to take on the Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game. That game is set for 7:00 Central from New York.