The Twins Almanac (6/14): Kent Hrbek Goes Streaking

[Matt Johnson]

 

Today's Almanac features a heckuva hot start by rookie Kent Hrbek, and noteworthy home runs by Jim Kaat, Jim Thome, Justin Morneau, and a Kansas City slugger in 1935.

---

Hrbek Hitting Streak

Rookie Kent Hrbek went 2-for-4 on this date in 1982, giving him a hit in 17-straight games. This streak came immediately after his Twins rookie-record 23-game hitting streak, giving him a hit in 40 of his last 41 games, and in 48 of his 51 games played on the season. (Interestingly, he missed nine games between when his 23-game streak ended and the 17-game streak began. If anyone knows what the story was there, please let me know in the comments. Whatever he was out for, he obviously came back 100% ready to go!) In the game in which the 17-game streak ended, Hrbie only had one official at-bat, going 0-for-1 with three walks. 

Hrbie was batting .337 with a 1.031 OPS and 15 home runs at this point in the season. He made his only All-Star appearance in 1982 and finished runner-up to Cal Ripken Jr. in Rookie of the Year balloting. 

---

Old Friend Homers in Back-to-Back Games

Old friend Jim Thome homered in back-to-back games at Target Field with the Phillies on June 13 and this date in 2012. They were career home runs number 606 and 607. He hit a ninth-inning homer off Joe Nathan in his first game back at Target Field after his contract was purchased by Cleveland in August 2011, giving Cleveland an important insurance run in an eventual one-run victory. 

---

Four-Home Run Game in Minneapolis

The Kansas City Blues' Dale Alexander hit four home runs in a 15-2 win over the Millers at Nicollet Park in Minneapolis on this date in 1935. There have been seven four-home run performances in professional games played in Minnesota, including the first four-home run game in pro baseball history by St. Paul native Jack Crooks playing for the visiting Omaha in St. Paul in 1889. 

---

Also on this date in Minnesota baseball history:

• 1964: Pitcher Jim Kaat goes deep as part of a Twins three-home run inning for the second time
• 2006: Justin Morneau hits the Twins second grand slam in two days
• 2013: Longtime media relations director Tom Mee and "Everyday" Eddie Guardado are inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame 

View full article