The Twins Almanac for October 20

[Matt Johnson]

Today's Twins Almanac features strong World Series starts by Les Straker and Kevin Tapani, as well as clutch moments by Chili Davis, Kent Hrbek, Scott Leius, and Holdingford High School graduate Joe Brinkman. 

Les Straker pitched six shutout innings in Game 3, becoming the first Venezuelan to start a World Series game on this date in 1987. 

Related Venezuelan Trivia: Johan Santana became the first Venezuelan 20-game winner pitching for the Twins in 2004.

Straker left the game with a 1-0 lead but Juan Berenguer surrendered three in the seventh for a 3-1 Cardinals win. The Twins only connected for five hits in the game. Tim Laudner—who famously hit just .191 during the regular season—had two hits. 

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Kevin Tapani pitched eight strong innings as the Twins won Game 2 of the World Series 3-2 on this date in 1991. It was the first of five games in the series decided by one run. 

The Twins jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first as Chili Davis homered off Tom Glavine, driving in Chuck Knoblauch who reached on a walk. (Remember, kids: walks will haunt.) The damage actually might have been greater, but Kirby Puckett—who led the majors in double plays grounded into in 1991—grounded into a double play right before Chili came up. 

For Atlanta, David Justice scored in the second inning and Minnesota native Greg Olson scored in the fifth. The game was tied 2-2 when Scott Leius—who still lives in the Twin Cities—hit Glavine's first pitch in the bottom of the eighth over the fence for the game-winning home run. Rick Aguilera closed it out in the top of the ninth. 

Footnote: Ron Gant committed a seldom-remembered baserunning blunder in the top of the third, careening wildly out of control back toward first base. Fortunately, Good Samaritan Kent Hrbek was on the spot to prevent Gant from injuring himself, but in the process, did tag Gant for the final out of the inning. 

 

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Hey, here's an obscure factoid: Joe Brinkman kicked the game-winning field goal for a 15-14 St. Cloud State win over Bemidji State on this date in 1962.

The Holdingford High School graduate was a longtime major league umpire and was crew chief for the 1987 American League Championship Series. He was at third base in Game 4. Gee, anything noteworthy happen at third base in Game 4 of the '87 ALCS ... ?

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[Twins GFP]

Footnote: Ron Gant committed a seldom-remembered baserunning blunder in the top of the third, careening wildly out of control back toward first base. Fortunately, Good Samaritan Kent Hrbek was on the spot to prevent Gant from injuring himself, but in the process, did tag Gant for the final out of the inning.

This is, by far, the best explanation of this play I have ever read.  Thank you for speaking the truth!

[BH67]

"The damage actually might have been greater, but Kirby Puckett—who led the majors in double plays grounded into in 1991—grounded into a double play right before Chili came up." 

What the...? What's he doing in the lineup, then? He'll probably bat 3-for-18 before Game 6, too! Like anything good could come after that! Sure hope we'll learn our lesson when Correa does this later on!

/s

(PS: I just watched video of Gaetti, Evans, and Brinkman on a pickoff attempt. I'll be smiling all week.)

[Matt Johnson]

33 minutes ago, BH67 said:

"The damage actually might have been greater, but Kirby Puckett—who led the majors in double plays grounded into in 1991—grounded into a double play right before Chili came up." 

What the...? What's he doing in the lineup, then? He'll probably bat 3-for-18 before Game 6, too! Like anything good could come after that! Sure hope we'll learn our lesson when Correa does this later on!

/s

(PS: I just watched video of Gaetti, Evans, and Brinkman on a pickoff attempt. I'll be smiling all week.)

His stats in Games 1 through 5 in both 1987 and 1991 were pretty poor. Big Game 6 in 1987, and I wanna say Game 7, too. 

Fun Fact: Gary Gaetti led the majors in double plays grounded into in 1987. Pretty sure Killebrew did so one of the years they won the AL West, too. 

[CharlieDee]

Those were some great times.  I was in my late 20's during those World Series years and as a fan,those 2 titles are my greatest memories of all. That Metrodome could really get rockin!