mlb

When Blyleven went into Kelly's office this morning, Kelly,
MacPhail and pitching coach Dick Such were waiting. "He handled it
with class," MacPhail said. "He knew how tough it was for Tom, and
he really made it as easy as possible for him."

Blyleven finishes his career with 287 victories (22nd on the
alltime list), 3,701 strikeouts (third behind Nolan Ryan and Steve
Carlton) and an ERA of 3.31. After undergoing shoulder surgery in
1991, he began his latest comeback last year in the California
Angels' system - going 8-12 with a 4.74 ERA for one of the majors'
worst teams.

When the Angels released him in the offseason, he turned to the
Twins, who, despite sentiment, turned him away.

"I felt I could have given them 200 innings, but that's the
decision they made and I respect that," Blyleven said. "Just like I
respect the Twins' organization. They have treated me fairly. I'm
just sorry I couldn't have spent a little more time with them."