Bert Blyleven Baseball HOF Stats Bat

Bert Blyleven Baseball HOF Stats Bat

Rik Aalbert Blyleven
Inducted to the Hall of Fame in: 2011
Primary team: Minnesota Twins
Primary position: Pitcher

Rik Aalbert Blyleven was born in Zeist, Holland, on April 6, 1951, and was raised in Southern California. He became interested in baseball when his father took him to see Sandy Koufax pitch for the Dodgers. Later, he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the third round of the 1969 amateur draft.

He became the youngest pitcher in the majors when he was called up to the Twins on June 2, 1970 after just 21 minor league starts. He gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, Lee Maye of the Senators, but got the win that day and nine more that season – and was eventually named AL Rookie Pitcher of the Year by the Sporting News.