Twins Almanac: Killebrew and Oliva Give 'Em the Old One-Two

[Matt Johnson]

Today's Almanac spans generations, featuring Danny Valencia, Corey Koskie, Paul Molitor, Ben Oglivie, Mike Cubbage, Tony Oliva, and Pine City, MN native Rube Walberg. 

Image courtesy of © Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

July 27, 1896: World Series Champion Born in Pine City
Fifteen-year major league pitcher and two-time World Series Champion Rube Walberg was born in Pine City, Minnesota on this date in 1896. Fun Fact: He gave up more home runs to Babe Ruth (17) than any other pitcher.

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July 27, 1971: Killebrew-Oliva One-Two Punch
The Twins and Senators entered the ninth inning tied 2-2 on this date in 1971, but two Hall of Famers wrapped things up pretty efficiently. Harmon Killebrew led off the bottom of the inning with a single to left and the next batter, Tony Oliva, sent the Met Stadium crowd home with a walk-off homer.

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July 27, 1978: Fifth Cycle in Team History

Mike Cubbage hit for the fifth cycle in Twins history, driving in four runs in a 6-3 win over the Blue Jays at Met Stadium on this date in 1978. Stan Perzanowski earned the complete-game win in his Twins debut. Remarkably, it was Perzanowski's first major league appearance in over two years.

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July 27, 1983: Longest Home Run in Metrodome History
Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ben Oglivie hit the longest home run in Metrodome history on this date in 1983, measured at 481 feet. Interestingly, hometown hero Kent Hrbek hit a home run off knuckleballer Charlie Hough measured at 480 feet the following season. Considering home run distances are pretty imprecise estimates, it's interesting they couldn't tack another foot or two onto Hrbek's homer. 

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July 27, 1996: Molitor's Multiple-RBI Streak
Paul Molitor went 4-for-4 with two triples and two RBI in a Twins loss to the Red Sox on this date in 1996. It was his fifth-straight game with multiple runs batted in, tying Harmon Killebrew's team record established in 1962. Molly went 13-for-20 with 12 RBI over the five games.

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July 27, 2004: Koskie Plunked Three Times
White Sox pitchers plunked Corey Koskie three times in a Twins win in Chicago on this date in 2004. I wonder what arcane unwritten rule Koskie broke to piss off Ozzie Guillén.

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July 27, 2010: Road Bats are Cooking
The Twins scored double-digit runs in three straight road games from July 25 to 27, 2010, outscoring the Orioles and Royals 40-7. They connected for 58 hits over the three games. Danny Valencia had four straight games with at least three hits, which was one game shy of Rod Carew's team record for consecutive three-hit games.

 

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[Karbo]

Really enjoy these articles. Brings back many memories!

[Matt Johnson]

15 minutes ago, Karbo said:

Really enjoy these articles. Brings back many memories!

Thanks, Karbo. 

Any relation to Bernie Carbo? ;)

[Karbo]

46 minutes ago, Matt Johnson said:

Thanks, Karbo. 

Any relation to Bernie Carbo? ;)

no

[Linus]

Great story. How does Rube Walberg even get discovered in Pine City at the turn of the century?

[USAFChief]

3 hours ago, Karbo said:

Really enjoy these articles. Brings back many memories!

Ditto

[Matt Johnson]

20 minutes ago, Linus said:

Great story. How does Rube Walberg even get discovered in Pine City at the turn of the century?

Check out his SABR Bio, which is linked on his Baseball Reference story. As I recall, though, his brother owned a lumber yard out in Seattle, and Rube was "discovered" throwing rocks at train cars or fence posts or something like that. He was in Pine City until at least 18 or 19, though (if I remember correctly). 

[Matt Johnson]

10 hours ago, USAFChief said:

Ditto

Thanks, Chief.