Vanimal46

Pictured: Rob Manfred digging deep to find out the truth in this investigation.

Here are three big trades for real life Twins players. Kirby Puckett in 1983... Paul Molitor in 1986... And Kent Hrbek in 1987.

This was a huge sell off trade in 1984 for the Twins during our rare losing season. Unfortunately as we head into 1990, none of those prospects turned out to be difference makers on the MLB team.

Bert Blyleven had #28 retired in 1987. The second number retired in the series for the Twins, after #3 Harmon Killebrew.

WS Champion Counter since the series began in 1961: Twins 8 - Giants 4 - Phillies 3 - Tigers 2 - Athletics 1 - Dodgers 1 - Yankees 1 - Guardians 1 - Cardinals 1 - Padres 1 - Red Sox 1 - Rangers 1 - Braves 1 - Expos 1 - Astros 1 - Cubs 1

Introduction of the series here Part 2: 1961-1962 Offseason MLB expansion here Part 3: 1964 World Series Champs! here Part 4: 1967 World Champs! here Part 5: Modern Day Free About to Begin! here Part 6: 1975-1980! here 1981 Season: 1981 Draft: 1. SEA - RF Kal Daniels 2. SEA - 3B Kevin Mitchell 3. BAL - 3B Mike Greenwell 4. SD - RF Jose Canseco 5. HOU - LF Lenny Dykstra Kirby Puckett goes to the Toronto Blue Jays 8th overall. I think we need to do something about that... Doc Gooden went 9th overall to the Dodgers. With the 28th overall pick, the Twins select SP Jim Deshaies. 1981 All Star Selections - SP Bert Blyleven (9x), SP Mario Soto (1x), C Butch Wynegar (5x), CF Timothy Clemmons (5x), RF Lonnie Smith (1x) After a successful run, the Twins are now at serious risk of losing long time players to free agency. 30 year old Bert Blyleven is asking for an 8 year $22.4 million contract, and if we signed him, it would mean we can't afford players like Jack Morris and Butch Wynegar. In the end, Hartman decided to keep the depth and let Blyleven test free agency. The FA class is loaded once again - highlighted by the 2 best pitchers in the last decade. Blyleven and 34 year old Nolan Ryan. In order for the Twins to afford either pitcher, it would require trading away 25 year old LF Timothy Clemmons. And that is simply not an option after winning 3 MVPs already. It saddens me to say that Bert Blyleven has agreed to a 6 year $2.8 M AAV contract with the New York Mets. C Gene Tenace signs a 3 year $2 M AAV contract with the Montreal Expos. Detroit Tigers LF Mike Compton remains with the team after signing a 7 year $3 million AAV contract. Old friend Reggie Smith signs a 2 year $1.7 M AAV contract with Pittsburgh. 3B Buddy Bell signed a 4 year $1.9 M AAV contract with Boston. @ashburymade a huge splash in FA signing Nolan Ryan to a 4 year $3 M AAV contract! The 1982 HOF class has 3 first ballot inductees - RF Roberto Clemente, RF Frank Robinson, and 1B Willie McCovey. 1982 Season: 1982 Draft: 1. CAL - 3B Edgar Martinez 2. SD - LF Ellis Burks 3. STL - SP Roger "Rocket" Clemens 4. CWS - 3B Kevin Seitzer 5. PHI - SS Mariano Duncan 1982 All Stars - SP Robert Bodden (1x), C Butch Wynegar (6x), LF Lonnie Smith (2x), CF Timothy Clemmons (6x), RF Randy Ready (1x), DH Dave Winfield (4x). Twins CF Timothy Clemmons with a 4th MVP trophy, and is on his way to being one of the best players in MLB history. 2 old friends won Manager of the Year Awards - Harmon Killebrew for the Cubs, and former manager Curt Simmons who is now with the Red Sox. Old friend Lonnie Smith signed with the Montreal Expos for 6 years $14.8 million. 23 year old LF Rickey Henderson signed with the New York Yankees for 3 years. $10.68 million. 38 year old Steve Carlton signed a 3 year $8.75 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. After 4 years with the Twins, SP Dick Ruthven signed a 2 year $2.5 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. 37 year old DH/LF Hal McRae is playing the twilight of his career in Toronto, signing right before Opening Day. RP Goose Gossage signed with the Oakland A's during spring training. The Twins made some minor moves for pitching depth - signing SP Mike Angione to a 1 year $550k contract. SP Doug Bird signed a minor league contract, and RP Willie Hernandez signed for 1 year $440k. 1983 Season: 1983 Draft: 1. TOR - 3B/1B Mark McGwire 2. PIT - RF Dante Bichette 3. SD - SP Greg Maddux 4. BAL - SP Melido Perez 5. HOU - SS Jeff Blauser 6. CWS - LF Jay Buhner SP Al Leiter went to the Braves 16th overall. SP Tom Glavine went 18th to Seattle. SP Terry Mulholland went to Philadelphia 20th overall. With the 24th overall pick, the Minnesota Twins select SS Kurt Stillwell. In July, Sid Hartman righted a wrong and traded for RF Kirby Puckett, who was drafted 8th overall by the Blue Jays the previous year. RF Preston Cash and SP Orel Hershiser were sent to Toronto to complete the deal. 1983 All Stars: SP Mario Soto (2x), CL Willie Hernandez (1x), C Butch Wynegar (7x), 3B Richard West (1x), LF Dave Winfield (5x), CF Timothy Clemmons (7x) This is the first offseason after Calvin Griffith sold the team to Carl Pohlad, and so far not much has changed from Griffith's penny pinching ways. We have the 16th largest budget to work with in MLB, and our star players are starting to become very expensive. Timothy Clemmons is the highest paid player in baseball making $3.4 million and he's worth every penny as a 5 time MVP through age 27. After 12 years with the Twins, 32 year old SS Kenneth Bruno is moving on to free agency. He eventually signs a 5 year contract with the New York Yankees. Notable FA signings: 1B Rod Carew will play his age 38 season in Houston. C Gary Carter signed a 4 year $12 million contract with the New York Yankees. 2B Bobby Grich returns to San Francisco after being sold at the trade deadline in 1983. SP Bryn Smith leaves the Chicago Cubs and agrees to join the Yankees for 4 years. NYY also picks up SP Jerry Reuss for 1 year. The Twins trade deadline acquisition 1B Darrell Evans signed a 1 year deal with the Cubs. Houston signed the prize FA 25 YO 3B Wade Boggs to a 3 year $9 million contract. The 1984 HOF class has 2 inductees - 1st ballot SP Gaylord Perry and C Bill Freehan. 1984 Season: 1984 Draft: 1. SEA - CF Barry Bonds 2. CWS - CF Larry Walker 3. PIT - LF Rafael Palmeiro 4. SD - 3B John Jaha 5. ATL - SS Roberto Alomar 6. SD - RF David Justice 7. SF - SP Randy "Big Unit" Johnson 8. TOR - 3B Ken Caminitti 9. CIN - SP Greg Maddux 10. OAK - RF Shane Mack With the 27th overall pick, the Twins select 17 year old CF Al Martin. For the first time in the series, the Twins are genuinely bad. We are 32-46 on July 1st and preparing to sell for the first time in many years. 1984 All Stars - C Butch Wynegar (8x), 3B Randy Ready (2x), LF Timothy Clemmons (8x), RF Dave Winfield (6x) The 1985 HOF class was 4 players - 3B Pete Rose (1st ballot), LF Billy Williams (5YE), 1B Orlando Cepeda (6YE), RF Tony Oliva (5YE) 1985 Season: Phillies back to back! 1985 Draft: 1. PIT - CF Larry Walker 2. HOU - CF Moises Alou 3. CWS - SS Gary Sheffield 4. SEA - RF Juan Gonzalez 5. ATL - CF Bernie Williams 6. ATL - CF Sammy Sosa With the 16th overall pick, the Twins select 17 year old HS LF Greg Vaughn. 1985 All Stars: SP Bob Welch (2x), 1B Dave Winfield (7x), LF Timothy Clemmons (9x) @ashburynow has back to back WS appearances as GM for the Brewers! But he has not been able to lift a trophy above his head yet... RF Dave Winfield opts out of the last year of his deal and will test free agency at 34 years old. Carl Pohlad has given Hartman a generous budget for the first time in his tenure as owner. We have $25 million to work with which ranks 8th in MLB. LF Aquiles Bautista signs a 7 year $3.25 M AAV contract with the Yankees. 38 year old legend Nolan Ryan goes back home to Houston for 2 years $3.4 M AAV after spending the last 4 seasons in Milwaukee. Nolan is 4 wins away from 300 in his career! 29 year SP Moose Haas signed a 5 year $2.7 M AAV contract with Seattle. The best use of the extra budget for the Twins is the trade market... 29 year old 3B Paul Molitor was available as a salary dump from the Blue Jays and we took full advantage. He joins the team in exchange for 21 year old LF Darryel Walters who was playing in A ball. The Twins also acquired CP Goose Gossage in exchange for 1B/LF Jesse Vann. Old friend 3B Randy Ready signed a 3 year $1.3 M AAV contract with the Tigers. We will see if that's a regrettable decision to let a 25 year player walk. Old friend Jack Morris returns to the Twins on a 4 year $1 M AAV contract after spending the previous 2 seasons with Texas. Old friend Dave Winfield refused to negotiate with the Twins any further and ended up signing a 3 year $2.1 M AAV contract with the LA Dodgers. Kansas City will be spending $3 million per year for the next 7 years for 28 year old LF Kirk Gibson. 38 year old C Carlton Fisk re-ups with the Mets for 2 more years after spending the previous 7 years with them. The 1986 HOF is a lone entrant - first ballot SP Phil Niekro. 1986 Season: 1986 Draft: 1. ATL - LF Albert Belle 2. CAL - SS Gary Sheffield 3. CLE - CF Ken Griffey Jr. 4. CWS - C Dave Nilsson 5. DET - SP Jack McDowell 6. TOR - C Craig Biggio SP John Smoltz went 10th overall to the Dodgers. With the 28th overall pick, the Twins selected 21 year old SP Jack Armstrong. Detroit Tigers LF Mike Compton and (now) Seattle Mariners 3B Mike Schmidt are the newest members of the 500 HR club! 1986 All Stars: SP Bob Welch (3x), 2B Tony Bernazard (1x), LF Timothy Clemmons (10x), RF Kirby Puckett (1x) St. Paul legend Paul Molitor signed a 6 year $15.2 million extension with the Twins. The Twins won the AL West divison on the final game of the season. The Twins won 7 games in a row and ended up winning the division with 98 wins. Timothy Clemmons has declined his player option and will elect free agency. He will be by far the most coveted FA of all time. The 6 time MVP is expected to make $4.6 M AAV. Timothy Clemmons signs with the San Fransisco Giants for 6 years at a record $4.7 M AAV. The Giants will be the big players in this FA class as they've also signed 3B Wade Boggs to an 8 year $4 M AAV contract. 35 YO Old friend SP Bert Blyleven signed a 3 year $2.2 M AAV contract with the Houston Astros. 35 YO old friend CP Goose Gossage signed a 2 year $575K AAV deal with the Detroit Tigers. 26 YO RF Chili Davis was a player we were in on per Pat Reusse but he signed with the NYM for 3 years $2.75 M AAV. The Twins had a solid offseason in free agency - signing SP Dennis Eckersley, RP Dave Righetti, and SP Gary Malinowski to major league contracts. RF Dan Gladden, 2B Vance Law, 2B Wally Backman, and SS David Bertulli signed minor league with ST invites. The 1987 HOF Class is 2 first ballot HOFs - SP Fergie Jenkins and LF Willie Stargell. 1987 Season: Two huge things happened this season... Roger Clemens won a triple crown, and LF Eric Davis is the new single season HR king with 64 HRs. 1987 Draft: 1. ATL - CF Ken "The Kid" Griffey Jr. 2. CLE - 1B Luis "Gonzo" Gonzalez 3. MON - C Dave Nilsson 4. CLE - RF Jim Edmonds 5. CWS - LF Kenny Lofton 6. DET - RF Reggie Sanders With the 28th overall pick, the Twins selects 3B Ron "Coom Dog" Coooooooooooomer! 1987 All Stars: SP Floyd Youmans (1x), RP Jim Desaies (1x), RP Dave Righetti (4x), 3B Paul Molitor (3x), RF Kirby Puckett (2x) Prior to the trade deadline, the Twins acquired 1B Kent Hrbek at a steep price. 1B Pat Tabler, RF Kevin Bass, and RP Bob Knepper who have all contributed to the MLB team successfully have been sent to Cincinatti. The HOF class had 2 inductees. SP Tom Seaver and LF Lou Brock who got in after 7 years of voting. 1988 Season: 1988 Draft: 1. NYY - 1B Frank "Big Hurt" Thomas 2. CLE - RF Brian Giles 3. DET - 3B Jeff Bagwell 4. TEX - C Mike Piazza 5. KC - 1B John Olerud 6. BAL - 3B Jim Thome 2B Chuck Knoblauch heads to San Francisco 8th overall. Mo Vaughn went 10th to the Dodgers, and Pudge Rodriguez went 15th to the Royals. With the 28th overall pick, the Twins select 2B Mickey Morandini. 1988 All Stars: SP Bob Welch (4x), RP Dave Smith (1x), SS Tony Fernandez (3x), LF Greg Vaughn (1x), CF Kirby Puckett (3x) The Twins and Mariners were fighting it out all season long for the AL West title, and the Mariners won it on the final game of the regular season with 95 wins. Rickey Henderson goes to the bay area and signs with the Giants for 7 years $3 million AAV. 3B Gary Gaetti signed a 2 year agreement with Pittsburgh. 1B Jack Clark signed a 4 year $3 million AAV contract with the Pirates after spending the last 7 years with the Cardinals. RF Tony Gwynn signs a 6 year $3.6 million AAV contract with the Mets. Old friend Dave Winfield signed a 3 year $3.4 million AAV contract with the Tigers. Dennis Eckersley signs a 1 year $650K contract with Boston after a disappointing season in Minnesota the previous season. Kirby Puckett signs an MLB record 8 year $5.75 million AAV extension with the Twins! The class of 1989 is a lone entrant. C Johnny Bench. 1989 Season: 1989 Draft: 1. DET - SS Chipper Jones 2. BAL - 1B Carlos Delgado 3. CHC - SP Pedro Martinez 4. MIL - RF Rusty Greer 5. ATL - CF Carl Everett With the 26th overall pick, the Twins select RF David Hulse. 36 year old George Brett playing for the reigning champion San Diego Padres accomplished 3,000 hits! 1989 All Stars: SP Floyd Youmans (2x), C Matt Nokes (1x), 2B Paul Molitor (4x), SS Tony Fernandez (4x), LF Howard Elwess (1x), and CF Kirby Puckett (4x) 42 year old Nolan Ryan achieved win #350 in September 1989! Just wanted to point out the ROY in 1989... 26 year old OF Bo Jackson for Atlanta, and 21 year old NYY 1B Frank Thomas. The Twins were highlighted in Awards season... Tom Kelly won manager of the year for the 8th time, Floyd Youmans won the AL Cy Young for the 2nd time, and Paul Molitor won the AL MVP for the first time in his career. Meanwhile, old friend Timothy Clemmons won the NL MVP for the 2nd time, making it 7 MVPs he's won. 33 year old Timothy Clemmons signs a 5 year $5.75 million contract with the Yankees. Old friend SP Bob Welch who has been a part of the rotation the last 5 years signs a 2 year $2 million AAV contract with the Rangers. Lou Whitaker signed a 5 year $3.3 M AAV contract with Texas Rangers. The 1990 HOF has 3 inductees! C Ted Simmons is a 1st ballot HOF, SP Sam McDowell was in his 10th year of eligibility, and RF Reggie Jackson made it in his 4th year of eligibility.

These ranking are based off my perception of the QB fitting into the existing KOC offense… Maye - McCarthy - Penix - Daniels - Nix I think KOC above all else wants a pocket passer with a really strong arm for the intermediate and deep passes. Daniels is very talented but appears to be more of a Lamar Jackson type that will require a shift in offensive philosophy.

Sounds like Florio trying to fill air time. Why would the Chargers owner hire a coach who’s not fully onboard coaching their newly extended $50 million QB?

Drake Maye is my guess. Caleb Williams is a lock to the Bears at 1 and Washington I think leans towards Jayden Daniels. Their OC Kliff Kingsbury has worked with scrambling QBs for most of his coaching career.

One of the faces of the 2006 Piranha Squad! View full player

Please add to Denny's bio here. View full player

Harry the Hitman grew up in the league around guys like Greenway and Robison who took pride in playing their entire career with one team. It seems that he has that same mentality. I’m all for it if he wants to play one more year. He’s one of my favorite Vikings players in my fandom with the team.

They could but given he tore his ACL in December I doubt he’ll be a factor for much, if any of 2024.

Timothy Clemmons, who in real life didn't amount to much in his professional baseball career, is becoming an absolute stud in this alternate universe.

Nolan Ryan won the triple crown in 1978! Then was traded the following season to @USAFChief's Astros.

@USAFChiefwinning his first World Series in 1977 against @stringer bell's Yankees,

Once @ashburywas let go from Cincinatti, they went scorched Earth trading everyone away, including potential HOF Johnny Bench. Sometimes the AI goes crazy.

@stringer bellon the day he signed with the Yankees to be their GM in 1976.

Jim Kaat career numbers after retiring in the 1976-77 offseason

Tony Oliva retiring in April 1976

Picture dump coming up...

Introduction of the series here Part 2: 1961-1962 Offseason MLB expansion here Part 3: 1964 World Series Champs! here Part 4: 1967 World Champs! here Part 5: Modern Day Free About to Begin! here I've been GRINDING THE TAPE as they say and this will be my last long form season recaps. I am currently through the 1990 season and my next blog series will highlight just the champs and milestone highlights... With that said, let's talk about modern day free agency! 1975-76 Offseason: With rumors of free agency about to begin, the Twins negotiated a historic contract extension for 24 year old ace SP Bert Blyleven. Bert agreed to a 6 year extension for an MLB record $4.8 million. As long as he remains healthy, he will be a bargain at $800,000 AAV. 2 weeks later, 24 year old SS Kenneth Bruno will be known as the first millionaire in Twins history. He inked an 8 year, $11 million contract extension. @stringer bellmoved on after 8 years from the Twins and took on the task of making the Yankees great again. They have not made the playoffs since 1963. He got off to a strong start trading for Reggie Jackson. After 21 years with the Pirates, Roberto Clemente will be playing his age 41 season in Boston. Richie Ashburn and Nellie Fox were the 2 selections into the 1976 HOF. 1976 Season: Tony Oliva retires shortly into April after a 14 year career. He finishes his career with a .296 career average, 2.226 hits, 222 HR, 1,006 RBI, and 56.7 WAR. He will likely be a HOF player once he's eligible. 1976 Draft: 1. NYY - SP Mike Scott 2. BAL - 2B Tim Raines 3. STL - SS Paul Molitor 4. SF - CF Harold Baines 5. KC - 1B Greg Walker With the 28th overall pick, the Minnesota Twins select C Mike Scioscia. The Texas Rangers loaded up on talent and they are the AL West Champs after winning 102 games. The Twins finished with 87 wins and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1970. 1976-77 Offseason: Long time manager Curt Simmons leaves the Twins after a conflict with ownership. 38 year old Tony Oliva is named manager after a partial year managing the single A Wisconsin Rapids team. Jim Kaat retires at 38 years old after an 18 year run with the Minnesota Twins. He finishes his career with 229 wins, a 3.21 ERA, pitching 3,503 innings over 485 starts. The Twins first casualty to free agency was long-time OF Reggie Smith. The 31 year old signed a 5 year, $5.7 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. The first ever free agent class is absolutely loaded. FA SP: Steve Carlton, Catfish Hunter, Tommy John, and Jerry Koosman in their early 30's. Old veterans Phil Niekro and Gaylord Perry who are 37 and 38. FA C: Thurman Munson, Gene Tenace, Milt May FA OF: Bobby Bonds, Reggie Smith, Hal McRae, Al Oliver, Rusty Staub, Dusty Baker, Don Baylor, Lou Brock, and Carl Yastrzemski plus many others. The Twins locked in SP Catfish Hunter to join the rotation for $250,000, 32 year old 6 time gold glove CF Paul Blair for $110,000, along with other minor league signings to fill out our new single A team Visalia Oaks. The 1977 HOF class has 3 first ballot players. Willie Mays, Don Drysdale, and Jim Bunning. 1977 Season: 1977 Draft: 1. MIL - 2B Tim Raines 2. OAK - SS Ryne Sandberg 3. BAL - SS Julio Franco 4. SF - 3B Bob Horner 5. CIN - SS Tony Phillips Cal Ripken Jr. was taken 8th overall by the Cleveland Guardians. Old friend Chili Davis was taken 9th by San Diego. With the 19th overall pick, the MN Twins selected C Terry Kennedy. 1977 All Stars: SP Bert Blylevin (6x), C Butch Wynegar (1x), 1B Phillip Zahn (2x), SS Kenneth Bruno (4x). The Twins won another AL West title with 103 wins, and 1974 28th round pick LF Timothy Clemmons had a crazy boost in player development. He finishes as the first .400 hitter since Ted Williams! Sid Hartman faced off against close, personal friend @stringer bell in the ALCS, and @stringer bell ended up winning the series 4-1. He will face off against Cyborg @USAFChief's Astros in the World Series. Houston wins their first WS in game 7! It's their first WS title in franchise history. 1977-78 Offseason: LF Timothy Clemmons swept both the ROY and MVP of 1977. SP Warren Spahn is the lone entry to the 1978 HOF Class. 1978 Season: The Twins are off to a hot start at 25-15, and the Astros are off to a poor start after winning the World Series last season. Houston was seeking MLB talent, and the result was a blockbuster trade... 23 year old St. Paul, MN native Jack Morris and 22 year old 2B/3B Guy Sularz were traded to Minnesota for a trio of 26 year old players - SP Eric Rasmussen, 2B Leonard Bonk, and 3B Robert Pierce. Milestone watch: Rod Carew eclipses 2,000 hits as a 32 year old. 34 year old Rusty Staub achieved the 2,500 hit milestone. 1978 Draft: 1. SEA - 1B Andres "Big Cat" Galarraga 2. PHI - RF Donnie Baseball Mattingly 3. BAL - SP Fernando Valenzuela 4. CIN - 1B Kent Hrbek 5. NYM - RF Brett Butler RF Chili Davis was selected 7th overall by the Red Sox. 3B Gary Gaetti was selected 9th by Montreal. With the 30th overall selection, the Twins selected 18 year old SP Orel "Bulldog" Herscheiser. 1978 All Stars: 22 year old SP Scott Budner (1976 R15 1x), 26 year old RP Bill Castro (1976 trade with PHI 1x), C Butch Wynegar (2x), 1B/DH Phillip Zahn (3x), and LF Timothy Clemmons (2x) It was a tight race in September, but the Twins ended up 2 games back of the 93 win AL West champion California Angels. The World Series featured the California Angels vs. Atlanta Braves. The Braves won the series 4-1. 1978-79 Offseason: The Twins hired an unorthodox manager once Tony Oliva decided to leave for greener pastures. Recently retired 28 year old Tom Kelly will be taking over after signing a 5 year contract. Timothy Clemmons was once a 28th round pick in 1974, but he has become the league's best player. At 22, he won his 2nd MVP award, and signed a historic 12 year, $29 million extension with the Twins. Minnesota had an opportunity to bring back a St. Paul legend, and did exactly so. Signing 27 year old RF Dave Winfield to an 8 year contract for $950,000 AAV. The 1979 HOF Class includes 2 first ballots in DET RF Al Kaline, and MIN 1B Harmon Killebrew. As well as SF Giants SP Juan Marichal in his 2nd year of eligibility, 1979 Season: 1979 Draft: 1. SEA - LF Eric Davis 2. TOR - RF Darryl Strawberry 3. CHC - CF Ivan Calderon 4. BOS - 3B Von Hayes 5. MON - 3B Danny Tartabull With the 26th overall pick, the Twins select 3B Randy Ready Twins All Stars: SP Bert Blyleven (7x), CL Bill Castro (2x), C Butch Wynegar (3x), 1B Phillip Zahn (4x), LF Timothy Clemmons (3x), RF Dave Winfield (2x) Timothy Clemmons wins his 3rd batting title, and NYM 1B Rod Carew wins his 2nd batting title. The Twins and Yankees face off in the ALCS. San Francisco and New York Mets face off in the NLCS. MIN and SF sweep the Championship Series and face each other in the World Series. The Giants held off the Twins 4 games to 2 and win their 4th WS title in the series! 1979-1980 Offseason: The LA Dodgers poached Assistant GM Adam Thompson, who was Sid Hartman's close personal friend the last 4 seasons. As well as long time bench coach Gus Bell to be their manager. World Series titles since 1961: MIN 5, SF 4, and the following teams with 1 title... LAD, NYY, BOS, OAK, PIT, PHI, ATL, CLE, HOU, TEX Jim Kaat decides to forgo a coaching career and agrees to move up to the Front Office. He will be Sid's new close, personal friend. AAA Manager Wade Blasingame was promoted to Bench Coach. Nolan Ryan after 14 years and 190 wins with the Mets, is heading home to the Houston Astros in a blockbuster 6 player trade. @USAFChief wants to get back to the playoffs after a disappointing 90 loss season. The Twins traded 27 year old CP Bill Castro, an all star the previous 2 seasons, to Cincinnati for 24 year old CP Ron Davis and 27 year old AAAA reliever Al Holland. Jim Rice, the top FA, signs an 8 year contract with the Boston Red Sox. Willie Stargell returns to Pittsburgh for his age 40 season after spending a number of years with the Dodgers. The 1980 HOF class is a lone entrant, Hammer Hank Aaron who finished with 635 career HRs. 1980 Season: Draft time! 1. SEA - 3B Kevin Mitchell 2. SEA - LF Eric Davis 3. CLE - 1B Fred "Crime Dog" McGriff 4. TOR - RF Paul O'Niell 5. SD - LF Lenny Dykstra 6. HOU - LF John Kruk 7. CHC - RF Tony Gwynn With the 29th overall selection, the Twins select RF Devon White. 1980 All Stars: SP Bert Blyleven (8x), C Butch Wynegar (4x), 1B Phillip Zahn (5x), SS Kenneth Bruno (5x), CF Timothy Clemmons (4x), RF Dave Winfield (3x). Willie Stargell hits HR #500 at the trade deadline! The Twins win the AL West title with 98 wins and face off against @ashbury's Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers prevail 3 games to 2 and face off against the Montreal Expos in the WS. Montreal is the 1980 Champ winning 4 games to 1!