The Twins Almanac for June 24: Harmon Killebrew Hits His First Homer

[Matt Johnson]

In Today's Almanac:

• Eighteen-year-old hits first MLB homer
• Northern Minnesota native hits three homers in a game
• Sauk Rapids native has 10th-straight multi-hit game
• Walkoff inside-the-park homer
• Two-hit shutout
• Back-to-back homers off Hall of Fame closer

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Killebrew Hits First Homer
Eighteen-year-old second-year Senator Harmon Killebrew hit his first major-league home run versus the Tigers at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. on this date in 1955. He hit 573 over his 22-year Hall of Fame career, second only to Babe Ruth in American League history at the time of his retirement in 1975. It was the most by an American League right-handed batter until Alex Rodriguez surpassed him in 2009. 

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Northern Minnesota Native Has 3-HR Game
Batting cleanup for the New York Giants, Clearbrook native Wes Westrum went 4-for-4 with a walk, three home runs, a triple, four RBIs, and five runs scored in a 12-2 win over the Reds at the Polo Grounds on this date in 1950. Folks, that's 15 total bases, not even counting the walk. (Do you think walks should count toward total bases?)

The Twins record for total bases in a game is 14 by Kirby Puckett in Milwaukee on August 30, 1987.

Westrum is one of two Minnesotan major-leaguers to hit for 15 total bases. St. Paul native Dave Winfield had 15 total bases playing for the Angels at the Metrodome on Apr. 13, 1991, going 5-for-6 with three home runs and a double. Winfield's 15 total bases are the most ever in a major-league game played in Minnesota (Met Stadium, the Dome, or Target Field).

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Repulski Has 10th Straight Multi-Hit Game
Sauk Rapids native Rip Repulski went 2-for-4 on this date in 1954, culminating a streak of 10 straight multi-hit games over which he went 22-for-44 (.500) with half of those hits going for extra bases, including five home runs (1.587 OPS). It was part of a 16-game hit streak overall.

He had begun the season with a pair of hits in each of the first three games, and at least one hit in 14 of the first 15 games of the season.

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Teufel Hits Walk-Off Inside-the-Park Homer
Tim Teufel hit a dramatic three-run, walkoff, inside-the-park home run for a 3-2 Twins win on this date in 1984. White Sox pitcher Richard Dotson had held the Twins scoreless on four hits through eight innings, with all four hits coming from the Twins' top two batters, Kirby Puckett and Mickey Hatcher. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the ninth, Dave Engle and Tom Brunanksy singled to bring second baseman Teufel to the plate. Teufel hit the walkoff inside-the-parker, giving Dotson what had to be a very disappointing loss. Ken Schrom earned the complete-game victory for Minnesota.

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Tapani Pitches Two-Hit Shutout
Kevin Tapani pitched a two-hit shutout for an 11-0 home win over the Angels on this date in 1992. The Twins had 17 hits in the game. Brian Harper went 4-for-4 with a walk, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Knoblauch went 3-for-4 with a walk and three runs.

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Twins Go Back-to-Back Off Hoffman
On this date in 2008: Tied 1-1 in the top of the ninth, Brendan Harris and Brian Buscher hit back-to-back home runs off Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman for a 3-1 Twins win in San Diego. The next day, Harris hit a game-winning homer off Padres starter Greg Maddux, while Buscher scored three runs.

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