Les Straker

Infobox MLB retired
name=Les Straker
position=Pitcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1959|10|10
debutdate=April 11
debutyear=1987
debutteam=Minnesota Twins
finaldate=October 1
finalyear=1988
finalteam=Minnesota Twins
stat1label=Win-Loss record
stat1value=10-15
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=4.22
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=99
teams=
* Minnesota Twins (by|1987-by|1988)
highlights=
* World Series champion (1987)

Lester Paul Straker Bolnalda (born October 10, 1959 in Ciudad Bolívar, Bolívar State, Venezuela), best known as Les Straker, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Minnesota Twins.

A 10-year minor leaguer, Straker went all the way to the 1987 World Series in his long-awaited rookie year. As a young prospect, Straker was let go by the Cincinnati Reds and Oakland Athletics. Finally, he made his majors debut with the Twins as their number-three starter behind Frank Viola and Bert Blyleven.

Straker became the first Venezuelan ever to pitch in the World Series when he started games three and six. He began by|1988 on disabled list and never recovered at all, being released when the season was over.

In his two-seasons 47-game career, Straker had a record of 10-15, with 99 strikeouts, one shutout, one save, and a 4.22 of earned run average.

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/strakle01.shtml Career statistics at "Baseball Reference"]
* [http://www.findlesstraker.com Help find Les!]

ee also

* List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball