The Twins Almanac: A New Career Saves Leader, The Most Exciting Play in Baseball, and a Cycle

September 1, 1972: Tenth-Inning Walk-Off Steal of Home
Rod Carew stole home for a walk-off (or run-off) Twins win in the 10th inning on this date in 1972. Minnesota and Cleveland were knotted 4-4 after nine, with right fielder Bobby Darwin driving in all four Twins runs in regulation. Darwin was 4-for-4 with a home run and a double when he struck out with the bases loaded and one down in the 10th, so Carew took matters into his own hands.

Carew stole home 17 times over the course of his career. 

September 1, 1992: New Twins Career Saves Leader
Rick Aguilera surpassed Ron Davis as the Twins' all-time saves leader on this date in 1992, pitching a scoreless ninth to preserve a 5-4 Twins win at Tiger Stadium. It was his 35th save of the season and 109th of his Twins career. He eventually saved 254 in a Twins uniform, which stood as the team record until Joe Nathan finished the 2011 season (and his tenure with the Twins) with 260.

Here's how a few prominent Twins closers stack up overall:

• Joe Nathan: 377 career saves (10th in MLB history)
• Jeff Reardon: 367 (12th)
• Rick Aguilera: 318 (24th)

September 1, 1997: Knoblauch Scores 100 Runs for Third Straight Season
On this date in 1997, Chuck Knoblauch scored his 100th run for the third straight season, which stood as the Twins record for consecutive 100-run seasons until Brian Dozier did it four years in a row.

Overall, Knoblauch scored 100 or more runs five years in a row, including his first two seasons with the Yankees.

September 1, 2022: Minnesota Native Has Historic Night with Saints
Forest Lake native and current lineup anchor Matt Wallner hit for the first cycle in St. Paul Saints history on this date in 2022.

Are you interested in Twins history? Then check out the Minnesota Twins Players Project, a community-driven project to discover and collect great information on every player to wear a Twins uniform!