The Twins Almanac for May 26

[Matt Johnson]

The Twins Almanac for May 26 features Tom Kelly's only MLB home run, one of the longest home runs in Met Stadium history, some father-son history, and the memorial service of one of the greatest players in Twins history. 

May 26, 1974

Twins right fielder Bobby Darwin hit a 515-foot blast off Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins on this date in 1974, becoming just the second and final player to reach the second deck at Met Stadium. The first was Harmon Killebrew's famous 520-foot clout in 1967.

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May 26, 1975

In his 10th major league game, Twins first baseman Tom Kelly hit his only MLB home run off Vern Ruhle at Tiger Stadium on this date in 1975.

Ruhle—who shares a 1975 Topps rookie card with 1971 Edina graduate Paul Siebert—makes another appearance in the annals of Twins history, giving up a home run to Dave McKay in his first major league plate appearance on August 22, 1975.

@wthballs on X made this very cool 1976 Topps-style card:

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May 26, 2004

Pirates first baseman Daryle Ward hit for the cycle in St. Louis on this date in 2004. His dad Gary hit for the cycle in just his 14th major league game with the Twins in Milwaukee on September 18, 1980, making the Wards the only father-son duo to hit for the cycle in MLB history until the Biggios joined the club in 2019.  

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May 26, 2011

On an off day, the Twins and about 4,000 fans paid their final respects to Harmon Killebrew with a beautiful memorial service at Target Field on this date in 2011. In attendance were Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Rod Carew, Paul Molitor, and Bert Blyleven, future Hall of Famer Tony Oliva, an All-Star lineup of Twins old and new, and Commissioner Bud Selig.

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