He had a terrific major league career, lasting for sixteen years, eleven of which were spent with the Twins where he became one of baseball's top closers.
Aguilera did have some excellent years with the Mets from 1985--1989. He was 37-27 during his Mets career. In his rookie year, he was 10-7 and would have gotten a lot more recognition but he was pitching along side another rookie phenom Dwight Gooden. In the Mets World Series year of 1986, he was also 10-7 and the following year he was 11-3. He also was the winning pitcher in Game 6 of the legendary 1986 World Series, though he did not pitch well.
On July 31, 1989, he was part of the trade to the Twins that brought Frank Viola (shout out to Frankie V who went to my high school) to the Mets. Aguilera became a three time all-star as the Twins relief ace. Ultimately, he was elected to the Twins Hall of Fame.
In honor of his great first few years with the Mets, Rick Aguilera gets the Mets Birthday Quote of the Day,
"Right now Aguilera is the best righthander in the National League. He's throwing a cut fastball from a low three-quarters delivery that he stays out behind your back and brings to the outside corner."
--Keith Hernandez, talking about Rick Aguilera
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