Looking Back at Minnesota's One Hit Wonders

[Cody Christie]

Few players can live out their big-league dream, and even fewer get the chance to collect their first hit. Here are the stories of some of Minnesota’s players with one hit in their career.

There are 38 players in Twins history with one career hit. None of them have a home run for their lone hit, but plenty of them have left their mark for other reasons. Take a trip back in time with some of these small moments in Minnesota history. 

Bobby Korecky
Date: May 19, 2008
Twins Career: 1-for-1
Korecky was a reliever for the Twins back in 2008, but he got his moment of glory in an extra-inning game at the Metrodome. Ron Gardenhire used seven different pitchers in the game, but a switch late in the game meant Minnesota lost the DH spot. In the bottom of the 11th, Korecky batted with one out and collected a single. He moved all the way to third after a Brendan Harris single and a Joe Mauer walk. However, he was stranded at third as Justin Morneau, and Michael Cuddyer couldn’t drive him in. Korecky pitched a perfect 12th inning, and Howie Clark collected a walk-off double in the bottom half of the inning.

Tack Wilson
Date: April 13, 1983
Twins Career: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, 4 R
Wilson played five games in a Twins uniform, but most of his appearances were as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement. His lone start for the Twins came in Oakland as he started in center field and was the leadoff hitter. Minnesota was trailing 1-0 in the fifth inning when Wilson stepped in with a man at first. He cracked a double to right field, and Dave Engle came around to score. Wilson scored on the next play as John Castino hit a double to put the Twins on top 2-1. Later in the game, Wilson was lifted for a pinch hitter, and he’d never start another game for the Twins.

Mike Fornieles
Date: June 5, 1963
Twins Career: 1-for-6, 3B, R, RBI
Minnesota acquired Fornieles in June 1963, and he immediately made a mark on the roster. He is the only player in team history with a triple as his lone hit. In his first game for the Twins, he took over on the mound in the third inning after Garry Roggenburk allowed five runs (one earned). After getting out of the third, he was the second batter in the bottom half of the frame. Following a Bernie Allen single, Fornieles cranked a triple into the left-field corner. Zoilo Versalles drove him in with a groundout as the Twins cut the lead to 5-2. Fornieles ended up allowing four runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings. Minnesota lost 9-6, and Fornieles didn’t play another big-league game after the 1963 season. 

Juan Rincón
Date: June 16, 2001
Twins Career: 1-for-2
Rincón was an essential reliever for the Twins throughout the 2000s as he pitched over 440 innings for the club. However, he holds the distinction for appearing in the most games with the Twins while only recording one hit. During Rincón’s rookie campaign, the Twins surprised many by being in contention. In June 2001, the Twins made a stop on the northside of Chicago, and Rincón was pressed into action early in the game. Brad Thomas started for the Twins, and he couldn’t make it out of the first inning. Rincón pitched 3 1/3 innings, and his first at-bat came in the top of the third. After working a full count, he hit a line drive to right field. Jacque Jones grounded into a double play to end the inning.  

Do you have memories related to any of these players? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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[mikelink45]

Nice research,  That was fun, I will look forward to others that people remember in the posts.  I am sure there will be some good memories and some player disappointment.  In our inaugural year Fred Bruckbauer from New Ulm Minnesota came in for one game, faced 4 batters and gave up 3 runs. He gave up three hits and a walk.  He had been a star pitcher for the Gophers before going pro. He passed away in 2007. 

Depending on his future, Edwar Colina had his one game debut and holds an era of 81.00 

[Blyleven2011]

I can't remember any 1 hit wonders that only had 1 hit in a twins uniform  ..

While reading this my mind wandered to Nolan Ryan and what player had a cup of coffee and his only hit ever in the major leagues came against the Ryan express  ...

That would be a great story to tell their grandchildren ..

My only hit in the majors was against one of the best pitchers in the game and his name was Nolan Ryan  ( Ryan express )

[Devilsadvocate]

3 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Nice research,  That was fun, I will look forward to others that people remember in the posts.  I am sure there will be some good memories and some player disappointment.  In our inaugural year Fred Bruckbauer from New Ulm Minnesota came in for one game, faced 4 batters and gave up 3 runs. He gave up three hits and a walk.  He had been a star pitcher for the Gophers before going pro. He passed away in 2007. 

Depending on his future, Edwar Colina had his one game debut and holds an era of 81.00 

Colina's now in the Rangers org, so unless he ends up on waivers and we claim him, he's going to end his Twins career with that sparkling 81.00 ERA.

[Devilsadvocate]

I initially thought this article may be about former Twins that had 1 solid season with the club, then never repeated those numbers.

A few names came to mind immediately, such as Lew Ford, Danny Valencia, Brian Buscher and Scott Diamond. 

If TD hasn't done a piece on this yet, please do!!

[Employee No. 4210]

Bobby Korecky's game was at the Twins' first attempt at the "all-you-can-eat" promotion at the Metrodome. I remember the lines were long and the food options were disappointing - the pre-heated hotdogs in soggy buns; a cup of popcorn; basically Dixie cups of Coke - but I didn't think it was terrible. The issue came with extra innings; they stopped serving after the 9th, and the game went another hour. But who wouldn't be excited about a Howie Clark walk-off??? (The Twins owned up to the failed experiment of AYCE, and offered everyone free tickets to another game that season.)

[Employee No. 4210]

21 hours ago, Devilsadvocate said:

I initially thought this article may be about former Twins that had 1 solid season with the club, then never repeated those numbers.

A few names came to mind immediately, such as Lew Ford, Danny Valencia, Brian Buscher and Scott Diamond. 

If TD hasn't done a piece on this yet, please do!!

I was thinking even smaller than that when I read the headline; I opened the article expecting to read about Glenn Williams' 13-game career with the Twins (which included a 13-game hitting streak) before he got injured and retired, having collected a hit in every major league game he played in.

[IndianaTwin]

Bob Miller — 1 for 38. Ouch! But at least he had a walk, right? 

In the case of pitchers, it’s a bit of asterisk because of the DH. A guy like Rincon was such a solid contributor for a period of time that it’s hard to think of him as a one-hit wonder in the big scheme of things. But Taylor Motter, on the other hand…

The Juan Rincon memory is several autographed baseballs for my kids. I’ve named this on several occasions, but my impression is that Joe Nathan’s role as bullpen leader set the tone for the bullpen of that era (Nathan, Rincon, J.C. Romero, Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier, etc.) to be very willing autograph signers. Comiskey’s lone redeeming factor is a low fence down the right field line, and the bullpen guys were always willing to sign for my kids.