Manufacturer: Fleer
Set: 1983 Fleer Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Frank Viola
Position/Team: Pitcher for Twins
Card #: 625
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
Frank Viola, nicknamed “Sweet Music,” is a prominent figure in baseball history, primarily known for his exceptional career as a left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, and Toronto Blue Jays over his 15-year career (1982-1996).
He anchored the Twins’ pitching staff to their first World Series championship, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals.
Following his World Series heroics, Viola had a career-best season, posting an outstanding 24-7 record with a 2.64 ERA. He led the majors in wins and finished third in the AL in ERA and strikeouts, easily winning the American League Cy Young Award. He was named “Sweet Music” during his time with the Twins due to the aesthetically pleasing way he pitched.
Viola signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent, and while he had some solid seasons, his career was impacted by injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 1994. He pitched briefly for the Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays before retiring in 1996.
Viola was a crafty left-hander whose signature pitch was his devastating “circle changeup,” which he learned from Twins pitching coach Johnny Podres. He effectively complemented it with an average fastball, bewildering many hitters.
After retiring as a player, Viola remained involved in baseball. He spent several years as a pitching coach in the New York Mets’ minor league system, helping to develop numerous future major league pitchers like Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
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