The Twins Almanac: Harmon Killebrew Day, Terry Felton's Terrible Streak Continues, Kennys Vargas Homers From Both Sides

[Matt Johnson]

Today's Almanac features Minnesota amateur baseball legend Pete Bright along with Harmon Killebrew, Hank Aaron, Jim Perry, Terry Felton, Kennys Vargas, and Sauk Rapids-Rice graduate Anthony Bemboom. 

Image courtesy of © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

August 11, 1929: Birthdate of Pete Bright

Minnesota baseball legend Pete Bright was born on this date in 1929. The Cyrus High Schooler struck out all 21 batters he faced in a perfect game in 1947.

He went on to a storied townball career, and was inducted into Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978, when he was 50 years old. Folks, the farmer pitched until age 72!

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August 11, 1970: Pitcher Drops Below .300

Twins pitcher Jim Perry went 0-for-3 on this date in 1970, dropping his average below .300 for the first time since June 2. He peaked at .368 on June 21, and finished the season at .247. He had a nice season on the mound, too, winning 24 games and the AL Cy Young Award.

Heck, these days a position player batting .300 entering play on August 11 is noteworthy. Who are some other pitchers in Twins history who could handle the bat? Get the conversation started in the comments section below.

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August 11, 1974: Harmon Killebrew Day

The Twins celebrated Harmon Killebrew Day at Met Stadium on this date in 1974. Owner Calvin Griffith announced the team would retire Killebrew's number 3 at a later date. Governor Anderson, Senators Humphrey and Mondale, and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul all gave speeches. Killebrew came through in the game, connecting for two RBI singles, and scoring the eventual game-winning run as the Twins swept the three-game series with Baltimore.

The following season, Killebrew played for Kansas City, and the Twins retired his number before a game with the Royals on May 4 ... Harmon homered in the first inning! 

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August 11, 1975: Aaron Brings His Hammer to Bloomington

Milwaukee Brewers slugger Hank Aaron brought his prodigious hammer to Bloomington on this date in 1975, hitting his 744th home run off St. Paul native Tom Johnson. (The Twins held on to win 8-7.)

FUN FACT: Hank Aaron spoke at the New Ulm Legion baseball banquet in 1978 after the team, which included Terry Steinbach, returned home from the American Legion World Series in Yakima, Washington.

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August 11, 1982: Felton Falls to 0-14

The Twins lost to the Angels on this date in 1982, dropping Terry Felton's career record to 0-14, breaking Guy Morton's 1914 record of 13-straight losses to start a career. Felton retired 0-16. Former Twins Geoff Zahn and Dave Goltz combined for the win and the save for the Angels.

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August 11, 2016: Vargas Homers from Both Sides

Kennys Vargas became the fourth player in Twins history to homer from both sides of the plate in a game on this date in 2016, joining Roy Smalley, Chili Davis, and Ryan Doumit. Jorge Polanco joined the club in 2017. 

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August 11, 2019: Sauk Rapids Native Hits Game-Winner in Angels Debut

Traded after hitting .400 in three games with Tampa Bay, 2008 Sauk Rapids-Rice graduate Anthony Bemboom made his Angels debut at Fenway Park on this date in 2019. He entered the game in the bottom of the eighth with the score tied 4-4, and threw out Mookie Betts attempting to steal second. He got his first at-bat with two out in the 10th, and connected for a game-winning single.

To date, Bemboom has gotten into 82 major league games over parts of five season with the Rays, Angels, and Orioles. This season, he's been at triple-A in the Tigers organization. 

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[Karbo]

Kaat was also a pretty good hitter.

[Matt Johnson]

3 hours ago, Karbo said:

Kaat was also a pretty good hitter.

TWO hit a home run while pitching a shutout. Only other pitcher in Twins history to do so was Jim Perry (one time).