Eddie Guardado

Eddie Guardado
Guardado with the Minnesota Twins in 2009
Pitcher
Born: (1970-10-02) October 2, 1970
Stockton, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Left
MLB debut
June 13, 1993, for the Minnesota Twins
Last MLB appearance
September 30, 2009, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record46–61
Earned run average4.31
Strikeouts798
Saves187
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Edward Adrian Guardado (born October 2, 1970), nicknamed "Everyday Eddie", is an American former baseball relief pitcher and bullpen coach who works for the Los Angeles Angels. Guardado played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins (1993–2003, 2008), Seattle Mariners (2004–2006), Cincinnati Reds (2006–2007), and Texas Rangers (2008, 2009). He was an MLB All-Star in 2002, leading the American League (AL) in saves that season, and 2003.

Guardado was the Twins bullpen coach from 2015 to 2018. He has worked as a special assistant to the general manager for the Angels since 2023, serving as the bullpen coach in September 2025.

Playing career

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins selected Guardado in the 21st round (570th overall) of the 1990 MLB draft out of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California.[1] He signed, forgoing a letter of intent to play college baseball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans.[2]

Guardado made his MLB debut with the Twins in June 1993. The Twins attempted to use Guardado as a starter, but in 1996, he was converted exclusively to a relief pitcher and did not start another major league game. That season, he tied for the major league lead with 83 games pitched.[1][3] In September 2001, Guardado became the Twins' closer, replacing LaTroy Hawkins.[4] In 2002, Guardado broke Rick Aguilera's 11-year-old franchise record with 45 saves,[5] which led the AL.[1] He earned a save in Game 1 of the AL Division Series (ALDS) and closed out Game 5 of the series, allowing a three-run home run to Mark Ellis in the win.[6][7] He earned a save in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series.[6][3] Guardado followed that up with 41 saves in 2003 and was named to his second consecutive MLB All-Star Game.[1] He made his final postseason appearance, earning a save in Game 1 of the ALDS. After that season, he became a free agent.[6]

Seattle Mariners

On December 9, 2003, Guardado signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. The deal also included player and team options for 2005 and 2006.[8] In 2004, Guardado saved 18 games and had a 2.78 earned run average in 41 appearances[1] but suffered a torn rotator cuff and missed the last two months of the season.[9] In 2005, he set the Mariners' record with 27 consecutive saves, later broken by J. J. Putz.[10] On May 4, 2006, after three blown saves in fewer than three weeks, Guardado was temporarily removed from the closer role. Manager Mike Hargrove said, "We're just trying to get him to step back from the edge a little bit, get himself going a little bit so we can get him back out there again and be the closer like we know he can."[11]

Cincinnati Reds

On July 6, 2006, Guardado was traded along with cash to the Cincinnati Reds for minor league pitcher Travis Chick.[12] Guardado converted eight of his first nine save situations with the Reds.[13] In August, Guardado was placed on the disabled list after injuring his elbow. He underwent Tommy John surgery in September, ending his season.[14]

On February 5, 2007, Guardado re-signed with the Reds on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.[15] He returned to the majors on August 9, giving up two hits and a sacrifice fly that allowed the Los Angeles Dodgers to tie the game at 4–4. The Dodgers eventually won 5–4 in 11 innings.[16]

Later career

Guardado with the Texas Rangers in 2009.

On January 11, 2008, Guardado signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Texas Rangers.[17][6] On August 25, he was traded back to the Twins for minor league pitcher Mark Hamburger.[18] On February 3, 2009, Guardado returned to the Rangers on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.[19] In 48 games with the Rangers in 2009, he went 1–2 with a 4.46 ERA.[1]

After considering retirement during the 2009–10 offseason, Guardado decided to come back to baseball by agreeing to terms on a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals on December 26.[20] On March 11, 2010, Washington released Guardado.[21] In August, he announced his retirement.[22]

Through 2021, Guardado holds the MLB record for the longest streak of games pitched without allowing a triple: it was 551 games, dating to the end of his career. The last person to hit a triple off Guardado was Tony Graffanino in September 1999.[23]

Post-playing career

Guardado served as a special assistant for the Twins during spring training in 2013 and coached minor league pitchers.[24] On January 25, 2013, Guardado was elected to the Minnesota Twins Hall Of Fame along with longtime media relations director Tom Mee.[25]

In the summer of 2014, he was the head coach for the Tustin, California Little League All-Stars. On November 19, 2014, Guardado was named bullpen coach for the Minnesota Twins.[26] He was fired on October 31, 2018.[27]

In 2023, Guardado joined the Los Angeles Angels as a special assistant to the general manager. He was the team's bullpen coach in September 2025, following an injury to Steve Karsay.[28][29] Guardado returned to the special assistant role in 2026.[30]

Personal life

Guardado and his wife have three children.[2] Their oldest son, Niko, was a cast member on the 2020 TV series Party of Five.[31] Their son Jakob played college baseball at Pasadena City College and for the Pacific Tigers.[32] Jakob signed with the Angels in 2025, while Guardado worked for the team. A 2026 report by The Athletic identified the signing of Jakob and his friend as potential instances of nepotism.[33]

Guardado has eight siblings. His older brother, Danny, played college baseball at Lewis–Clark State College, winning an NAIA World Series championship in 1988. Their father immigrated to California from Mexico. Guardado bought his father and stepmother a house.[2]

Guardado's nickname, "Everyday Eddie", refers to his durable arm during his first stint with the Twins. He pitched in 908 MLB games, which ranks in the top 30 all time.[3][34]

Guardado, fellow former MLB player Dan Petry, and musician Douglas Docker have a podcast focusing on the lives of dictators' children.[35]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Eddie Guardado Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Stone, Larry (April 4, 2004). "Mariners' Guardado has made it from mean streets to the majors". The Seattle Times.
  3. 1 2 3 Sternman, Mark S. (February 4, 2026). "Eddie Guardado". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Closer job doesn't worry Hawkins". Deseret News. Associated Press. June 8, 2004. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Minnesota Twins Top 25 Single Season Saves Leaders". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Guardado's career recap". Pioneer Press. September 1, 2008. Archived from the original on July 16, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  7. ↑ Justice, Richard (October 8, 2002). "Twins, Guardado survive tense ninth to finish A's". Chron.com. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Mariners sign Guardado". ESPN. Associated Press. December 9, 2003. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Guardado, Soriano each to have surgery". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. August 10, 2004. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Hernandez throws eight shutout innings in second start". ESPN. Associated Press. August 10, 2005. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  11. ↑ Sherwin, Bob (May 5, 2006). "Notes: Guardado's recovery a focus". Seattle Mariners. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Day after 'pen leaked, Reds deal for Guardado". ESPN. Associated Press. July 6, 2006. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Eddie Guardado 2006 Pitching Game Logs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Guardado to Have Elbow Surgery". The Ledger. September 7, 2006. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Reds' Guardado targeting mid-June return to mound". ESPN. Associated Press. February 5, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  16. ↑ Sheldon, Mark (August 9, 2007). "Guadardo's return spoiled by Dodgers". Cincinnati Reds. MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Rangers sign reliever Guardado for 1 year". UPI. January 11, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Twins acquire pitcher Eddie Guardado from Texas". Minnesota Twins (Press release). MLB.com. August 25, 2008. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Guardado, Rangers agree to minor league deal". ESPN. Associated Press. February 3, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  20. ↑ Dierkes, Tim (December 27, 2009). "Nationals Sign Eddie Guardado". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  21. ↑ Ladson, Bill (March 12, 2010). "Norris among six Nationals reassigned". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2010. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  22. ↑ Highfill, Bob (August 3, 2010). "Now Guardado is 'Everyday Daddy'". The Record. Archived from the original on August 10, 2010. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Batting Streak Finder". Stathead.
  24. ↑ Murphy, Brian (February 11, 2013). "Minnesota Twins: Eddie Guardado brings new credentials to spring training". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame adds Eddie Guardado, Tom Mee". St. Paul Pioneer Press. January 25, 2013. Archived from the original on July 16, 2026. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Twins announce trio of coaches: Neil Allen, Eddie Guardado, Joe Vavra". ESPN. June 5, 2015. Archived from the original on June 5, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  27. ↑ Neal III, La Velle E. (October 31, 2018). "Under construction: Twins fire five coaches, Baldelli seeks new look". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  28. ↑ Miller, Phil (September 11, 2025). "Former Twins stars Torii Hunter, Eddie Guardado enjoying their stints as L.A. Angels coaches". The Minnesota Star-Tribune.
  29. ↑ "Angels Coach Undergoing Hip Surgery, Will Miss Rest of Season". On SI. September 4, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Angels name 2026 player-development staff: Curaçao's Hainley Statia tabs as ACL Angels manager". Deporte Awe. February 12, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  31. ↑ Stohs, Seth (February 25, 2019). "Get To Know: Niko Guardado (Actor and Son of Eddie)". Twins Daily. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Pacific's Guardado inspired by father's major-league success". Pacific.edu. May 15, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  33. ↑ Blum, Sam (June 15, 2026). "Once seen as harmless, cases of potential nepotism in baseball now stand out". The Athletic. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Games Pitched All-Time Leaders". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Official Website". Docker's Guild.
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