The Twins Almanac for March 30

[Matt Johnson]

Today's Twins Almanac features Bob Casey, Jake Odorizzi, Ken Landreaux, Mickey Hatcher, and Minnesota native Nick Anderson. 

Image courtesy of © David Berding-Imagn Images

On This Date in 2019: After José Berríos struck out 10 on Opening Day, Jake Odorizzi struck out 11 over six innings, making Berríos and Odorizzi just the second duo in MLB history with 10+ strikeouts in the first two games of the season. The first pair were Arizona’s Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling in 2001.

Unfortunately, the Twins fell to Cleveland 2-1. Odorozzi and Trevor Bauer allowed just one run each—both coming in the fourth inning—but Cleveland pushed a run across off reliever Blake Parker in the top of the ninth. Chaska native Brad Hand came in to secure the save for Cleveland in the bottom of the ninth, but not without some drama. He gave up a leadoff double to Byron Buxton and eventually loaded the bases, before inducing a game-ending fly ball to shallow right field from C.J. Cron. 

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On This Date in 2005: The inimitable Bob Casey was laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, with Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek, Dan Gladden, Jack Morris, John Gordon, and Dave St. Peter serving as pallbearers. Others in attendance included fellow WWII veteran Carl Pohlad, Roy Smalley, Juan Berenguer, Tim Laudner, and Scott Leius.

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On This Date in 1981: The Twins traded Ken Landreaux to the Dodgers for Mickey Hatcher and a pair of prospects. Calvin Griffith had acquired Landreaux and a trio of prospects from the Angels two years earlier in exchange for Rod Carew. 

Landreaux made Twins history twice during the 1980 season. He compiled a Twins-record 31-game hitting streak from April 23 to May 30. Then, on July 3, he tied the modern MLB record (since 1900) with three triples in a 10-3 home win over Texas. (Denard Span matched that record on June 29, 2010.)

Hatcher made Twins history on Apr. 28, 1985, going 4-for-5 in a 10-1 Twins win over Oakland at home in the Dome. He had gone 5-for-5 the previous day, giving him nine consecutive hits, tying the team record established by Tony Oliva in 1967. (Todd Walker matched the feat in 1998.)

Hatcher, who had become a real fan favorite, was released near the end of spring training in 1987, when the Twins acquired Gladden in a trade with San Francisco. 

Hatcher signed with the Dodgers, with whom he won a World Series ring in 1988, hitting .368 with two home runs in the four-games-to-one victory over the Oakland A’s.

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On This Date in 2019: Two days after retiring the only batter he faced in his major league debut, 28-year-old Brainerd grad Nick Anderson pitched a Snapper Mow 'Em Down eighth inning of a 7-3 Marlins win. 

Through the end of April, Anderson had fanned 27 of the first 51 batters he faced. The St. Cloud State alumnus spent four seasons in the Twins farm system before being traded for infielder Brian Schales. (No, I've never heard of him either.)

Anderson is currently at Triple-A Memphis in the Cardinals organization.

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[Doctor Wu]

Thank you for a very much needed "feel good" article. After the very depressing start to the season, this article helped lift my mood. I still miss the joy of watching Mickey Hatcher play. And I had forgotten that the Twins had traded Landreaux to get him. Great article!