The Twins Almanac for May 24: Say Hey; Let's Talk One-Hitters with Bert (Blyleven) and Joe (Mauer)

[Matt Johnson]

New York Calls Up Minneapolis Phenom (1951)
Minneapolis Millers phenom Willie Mays was sitting in a movie theater on an off day in Sioux City, Iowa, on this date in 1951 when he received a message to return to the team hotel. The news waiting for him was that the New York Giants were calling him up to the majors. 

The Giants took out a full-page ad in the Minneapolis paper apologizing to taking Mays away.

In 35 games with the Millers, Mays hit .477 with eight home runs, 30 RBI, and 38 runs scored. The Giants went to the World Series, and Mays won National League Rookie of the Year.

One-Hit Shutout (1973)
Bert Blyleven pitched a one-hit shutout at Metropolitan Stadium as the Twins beat the Royals 2-0 on this date in 1973. George Mitterwald and Danny Thompson drove in the Twins’ two runs.

Blyleven pitched three one-hitters in his career—two in 1973 and another in 1974—but this was his only one-hit shutout.

Jim Kaat also pitched a one-hitter in 1973.

Pitchers' Duel (1972)
Jim Kaat and Kansas City's Dick Drago dueled for 11 scoreless innings before Rod Carew drove in Danny Thompson off Drago in the top of the 12th. Wayne Granger set the Royals down in order to preserve the 1-0 Twins win.

Mauer Breaks Up No-Hit Bid (2013)
Detroit's Anibal Sanchez took a no-hitter into the ninth inning on this date in 2013 before Joe Mauer broke it up with a one-out single. It was the third time that Mauer spoiled a no-hit bid in the ninth inning. 

Cesar Tovar had his team's only hit five times in his career, tied for the major league record. He had the only hit four times as a Twin, and one time playing for the Texas Rangers. He broke up two no-hitters in the ninth inning in 1969.

First Game Between Minneapolis and St. Paul (1867)
The first St. Paul versus Minneapolis baseball game was played on this date in 1867. The results were reported in the very first issue of the Minneapolis Daily Tribune the following day.

The St. Paul Pioneer reported that the North Star Club enjoyed their visit to the “suburbs.”

View full article

[Doctor Wu]

I love these strolls down memory lane, plus some wild and crazy stats from Tovar and Mauer. Baseball remains a fun game!