The Twins Almanac (6/8): A Minnesota Has the First 4-HR Game in Pro Baseball History

[Matt Johnson]

St. Paul Native Makes Home Run History
Did you know that the first four-home run game in professional baseball history happened in St. Paul? And it was a St. Paul native who did it... but he was playing for the visiting team. 

Playing for the Western Association Omaha Omahogs on this date in 1889, St. Paul native Jack Crooks went 5-for-5 with four home runs versus the St. Paul Apostles at Athletic Park, located on the riverfront on St. Paul’s west side.

Crooks spent parts of eight seasons in the majors, hitting two homers off Cy Young. 

---

Twins Draft Hrbek
The Twins drafted Willmar native Wade Adamson in the fourth round out of South Dakota State on this date in 1978. Then they drafted Jack Morris's brother Tom in the tenth round. (He didn't sign.)

Then, way down in the 17th round, they selected Bloomington high schooler Kent Hrbek. Hrbek had already committed to play for Golden Gophers coach Dick Siebert, but wasn't super excited about taking college classes and was willing to sign a pro contract for the right price. Of course, Hrbek felt Calvin Griffith's initial offer was too stingy, but after Hrbie put up big numbers with his local American League team, Calvin found a little extra cash lying around and Hrbek signed.

(Similar story with Kirby Puckett, by the way, who was selected in the now-defunct January draft but didn't sign until Griffith upped his offer based on Kirby being named Region IV Junior College Player of the Year that spring.)

---

Twins Draft a Quarterback
The Twins drafted Notre Dame shortstop (and quarterback) Joe Theismann in the 39th round (773rd overall) on this date in 1971.

Spoiler: He did not sign.

---

The Bull Hits Grand Slams in Back-to-Back Games
White Sox cleanup hitter Greg Luzinski hit a first-inning grand slam off Frank Viola, who only recorded one out in a 6-1 Twins loss in Chicago on this date in 1984.

The next day, the Twins brought in Mike Walters to face Luzinski with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of seventh, and the Bull hit the final of his seven career grand slams, driving in Julio Cruz, Carlton Fisk, and Harold Baines. White Sox won 8-4.

 

Hannahan Hits Game-Tying Home Run
St. Paul native and Golden Gophers all-time great Jack Hannahan was nearly a hero versus his hometown Twins on this date in 2011, hitting a two-out game-tying homer off closer Matt Capps in the bottom of the ninth in Cleveland.

Ben Revere drove in Drew Butera in the top of the tenth, however, to salvage a 3-2 Twins win.

 

View full article