It was his first major league win.
"That first major league win is something you always dream of," Guthrie told reporters. "It's great having some success. Hopefully, I can continue to pitch for Minnesota."
Guthrie continued to pitch for Minnesota for another six years. He then continued to pitch elsewhere for another eight. In all, Guthrie pitched in 15 major league seasons, beginning as a starter and then turning reliever.
By the time he was done, Guthrie had seen time in a total of 765 major league games, striking out 778 major league batters.
Guthrie's career began in 1987, taken by the Twins in the seventh round of the draft, out of Louisiana State University.
He played his first two seasons for the Twins at single-A Visalia. He then made AA Orlando and AAA Portland in 1989. He also made Minnesota that year.
Guthrie got 13 outings for the Twins in 1989, eight starts. He got 21 starts in 1990 before transitioning into relieving for 1991. In October 1991, Guthrie got into six games, four in the World Series.
For 1992, Guthrie returned as a full-time reliever. He got into 54 games, with a 2.88 ERA. His 1993 campaign was cut short by a blood clot and surgery.
Guthrie continued with the Twins into 1995, when he was traded mid-season to the Dodgers. Still with the Dodgers in 1997, Guthrie told The Associated Press his approach when he moved into the bullpen. He didn't see it as a demotion.
"I looked at it as a chance to help out a good baseball team," Guthrie told The AP. "And I think that's the only attitude you can take."
Guthrie's season in 1997 would be his second-straight with more than 60 outings, though he followed a 2.22 ERA with a 5.32 mark.
Guthrie moved to the Red Sox and Cubs for 1999. Between the Cubs, Blue Jays and the Devil Rays in 2000, Guthrie set a career high 76 games. He had a 4.67 ERA.
Guthrie's final year didn't come until 2003, back with the Cubs. He still got into 65 games, after getting into 68 the year before with the Mets.
His career ended in spring 2004 as Guthrie needed shoulder surgery. He rehabbed and returned for spring 2005, but he didn't make it back to the bigs.
After joining the Cubs for what would be his final season, the 37-year-old Guthrie told The Sarasota Herald-Tribune his expectations for the year.
"Every year in the minors, I just wanted to get to the next level," Guthrie told The Herald-Tribune. "It's not too different now. I just take it one step at a time."
- Sarasota Herald-Tribune, wire reports, Aug. 28, 1989: Venice's Guthrie Wins First Major-League Game
- Washington Observer-Reporter, Associated Press, April 6, 1997: Frustrated Dodgers find salvation against Bucs
- Sarasota-Herald-Tribune, March 30, 2003: At 37, Guthrie is back with Cubs
Players/Coaches Featured:1,663
Made the Majors: 801 - 48.2%-X
Never Made Majors: 862-51.8%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 348-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors:202
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