Twins Almanac: Bryan Hickerson, Mudcat Grant's Shining Moment, Jack Morris's First Ring

Happy 61st birthday to 1982 Bemidji High School graduate and five-year major leaguer Bryan Hickerson. Fun Fact: He won the first two Dave Winfield Pitcher of the Year Awards given out by the University of Minnesota. The Twins drafted him out of the U, but later sent him to San Francisco as part of the trade for Dan Gladden.

Twenty-one-game winner Mudcat Grant pitched a complete-game gem and hit a three-run homer in Game 6 of the World Series on this date in 1965, setting up a classic Game 7 duel between Jim Kaat and Sandy Koufax the next day.

Every run in the game came via the long ball (unlike nowadays, when teams play small ball to manufacture runs). Bob Allison hit an 0-2, two-run homer in the fourth, driving in Earl Battey. Then, with two outs in the sixth and Allison already aboard via a walk, the Dodgers intentionally walked Frank Quilici to get to Mudcat--who deposited the first pitch into the left-center field seats for a 5-0 Twins lead.

Perhaps he overexerted himself on the home run swing and subsequent trot around the bases;  the only run he gave up in the game was on a solo home run leading off the next half inning. Twins won 5-1.

After being swept by Baltimore in the first-ever American League Championship Series, Twins owner Calvin Griffith fired manager Billy Martin on this date in 1969. Fan reaction to this move was massively negative. It's actually pretty crazy to read about how upset many fans were with this move. If you have any stories or memories about this, please share in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

St. Paul native Jack Morris earned the complete-game win as the Tigers beat the Padres 4-2 in Game 4 of the World Series on this date in 1984, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. Morris also earned the complete-game win in Game 1. The Tigers won the series in five games. 

The Twins won the American League championship on this date in 1991, beating the Blue Jays 8-5 in Game 5. Kirby Puckett was named ALCS MVP after batting .429 (9-for-21) with home runs in Games 4 and 5. They were not the last home runs he would hit during the 1991 postseason...

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!