The Twins Almanac for June 19: Senators Sign Killebrew, Blyleven Wins 250th

[Matt Johnson]

In Today's Almanac:

• Senators sign "Bonus Baby" out of Idaho
• Hall of Fame pitcher hits first home run
• Twins career RBI leader drives in 1,000th
• Curveball artist notches 250th career win

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17-Year-Old Killebrew Signs with Senators

It was on this day in 1954 that the Senators signed 17-year-old Idaho kid Harmon Killebrew as a so-called "Bonus Baby." Owner Calvin Griffith had been tipped off about the young slugger by an Idaho senator. To prevent big-spending clubs from buying up all the best young players and hoarding them in their farm systems— and thereby driving up labor costs for everyone—MLB’s Bonus Rule stipulated that players who received particularly large signing bonuses had to remain on the 25-man roster for their first two seasons, after which they could be sent down to the minors.

Killebrew played in just 47 games over his first two seasons, making 104 plate appearances. In 1955—his second season—he hit the first four of his 573 career home runs. After spending the requisite two seasons with the major league club, Killebrew spent most of 1956, ‘57, and ‘59 in the minors with single-A Charlotte, double-A Chattanooga, and triple-A Indianapolis.

Washington’s patience paid huge dividends. In 1959—Killebrew’s first season as a full-timer—he tied for the league lead with 42 home runs while driving in 105 runs.       

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 Kaat Hits First Homer

It was on this day in 1962 that 23-year-old pitcher Jim Kaat—playing in his fourth major league season—hit his first career home run off Chicago’s Dom Zanni in a 9-4 Twins win at White Sox Park. It was the first of three Twins homers in the inning, with the other two coming from Vic Power and Bob Allison.

Kitty was part of another three-home run inning on June 14, 1964. He hit 16 altogether during his 25-year major league career.

In addition to hitting his first home run in 1962, Kaat also made his first of three All-Star teams, and won his first of 16 Gold Gloves.

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Killebrew Drives In 1,000th Run

It was on this date in 1968 that Harmon Killebrew connected for his 1,000th RBI, driving in Ted Uhlaender for a 1-0 Twins lead in the bottom of the fifth. Dean Chance pitched a three-hit shutout, striking out 10, for a 4-0 win in Bloomington.

Killebrew is the Twins/Senators’ all-time RBI leader with 1,540, ahead of Kent Hrbek (1,086) and Kirby Puckett (1,085).

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Blyleven Earns 250th Win

It was on this date in 1988 that Bert Blyleven earned his 250th career win, pitching seven strong innings at home in the Dome, allowing just five hits while striking out seven. He did not walk a batter, but he did hit Dave Valle with the bases loaded in the seventh, forcing in the Mariners’ only run in a 3-1 Twins win.

Gary Gaetti went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two-run single, driving in all three Twins runs.

Jeff Reardon earned his 20th save, giving him seven consecutive seasons with 20 or more. He went on to save 20 in 11 straight seasons, surpassing Bruce Sutter’s record of nine straight 20-save seasons. Lee Smith later broke the record with 13 straight 20-save seasons, and Mariano Rivera with 15 straight.

Blyleven retired with 287 wins, currently the 27th-most in major league history. He won 149 games as a Twin, second only to Jim Kaat’s 190 (including one as a Senator). Brad Radke won 148.

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