A Former Cy Young Award Winner and World Series MVP Signing (Video)

Above is iFolloSports.com original video of 1988 American League Cy Young Award winner and 1987 World Series MVP Frank Viola signing autographs. This event was organized by Crave Sports Company and held at Lake Monster Brewing, in St Paul, Minnesota. Viola was back in Minnesota for the Twins weekend-long 30th anniversary celebration of the club’s ’87 world championship team.

Viola, a three-time All-Star, was originally drafted by the Twins in 1981. The Long Island (NY) native played for five MLB teams from 1982-1996, amid having his best years with the Twins and Mets. While in Minnesota, Viola was a huge part of the Twins 1987 World Series victory, posting a 2-1 record in the Fall Classic, including a Game 7 gem, where he gave up only two runs over eight innings.

Viola’s best big league season occurred the following year of 1988, when he went 24-7 with a 2.64 ERA, on his way to the AL Cy Young award.

In 1989, after a bitter contractual dispute with the Twins, Viola was traded to his hometown Mets. The St. John’s alum would make back-to-back All-Star appearances in 1990 and 1991, while taking the mound in Flushing Meadows.

Since retiring from baseball, the now 57-year-old has had multiple stints working as a pitching coach in the minor league and amateur levels. The longtime Orlando, Florida resident is also the proud parent of an Olympian, as Frank’s daughter Brittany competed in the 2012 London Games as a diver.