Matt Johnson

That one is kind of sneaky. Ike was born in Edina in March 1987. Interesting to think of Ron Davis's family still living in Minnesota in 1987!

Yeah, I'll have to write that post. Just did a quickie on this Busch accomplishment last night, and honestly at first I could only think of Westrum and Winfield (because I knew they were 15-total base games). The Dan Johnson one is interesting in that they were his only home runs of the season. Here's the list on Baseball Reference. (Of course Ike Davis wasn't raised here): https://stathead.com/tiny/g1aU7

Here are all the three-HR games in Twins history via Baseball Reference: https://stathead.com/tiny/wtpsY Interesting to note that in the Twins' first 55 seasons, there were just four 3-HR games, and then suddenly there were nine such performances in the six-year period from 2016 to 2021.

Busch is just the sixth player born and raised in Minnesota to hit three homers in a game. I'm 99.9% confident there wasn't one by the handful of players born elsewhere but who grew up in Minnesota. There was, however, a three-homer game by Ike Davis, who was born in Minnesota but didn't live here for long. (The Twins had actually already traded his dad away the year before he was born, but I guess it's not so easy to just up and move your family right away.)

I wouldn't mind finding one on eBay for a garage sale price. Like $5. Pretty sure I've seen an autographed one for just under $10, which obviously wouldn't break the bank, but it's the principle of the damn thing. Am I cheap, or do I just enjoy the thrill of the hunt? :)

In Today's Almanac: Minnesota native has 3-HR game Minnesota native on the cover of Sports Illustrated Rookie hits fifth home run in four days Twins move into first place to stay Minnesota native hits grand slam vs. Twins at the Metrodome Mauer flirts with .400 Happy birthday to Nick Anderson Minnesota Native Hits Three Homers in a Game Let's begin today's Almanac with a late entry from yesterday: Inver Grove Heights native Michael Busch hit three home runs playing for the Cubs at Wrigley Field yesterday. His third home run was the Cubs' eighth of the game, establishing a new team record. (The Twins' record is also eight, occurring on August 29, 1963.) To the best of my knowledge, Busch was just the third Minnesota high school graduate to hit three homers in a game, following Wes Westrum in 1950 and Dave Winfield playing for the Angels at the Metrodome in 1991. Hibbing-born, Fargo-raised Roger Maris also had a three-home run game. If you're aware of anyone else with a Minnesota connection, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom of the page. In April 2024, Busch tied the Cubs record with a home run in five-straight games. (That is also the Twins' record.) Hrbek on the Cover of Sports Illustrated The cover of Sports Illustrated on this date in 1982 read: "Best of the Worst—Rookie Sensation Kent Hrbek of the Terrible Twins." Hall Hits Fifth Home Run in Four Days Twins rookie Jimmie Hall homered in Baltimore off Hall of Famer Robin Roberts on this date in 1963, giving him five home runs in four days. (He hit two off Hall of Famer Jim Bunning on July 3.) The Twins and Orioles played a doubleheader that day, and future AL MVP Zoilo Versalles committed five errors between the two games! Hall hit 33 home runs altogether on the season, breaking Ted Williams’ American League record for first-year players. Hall’s record stood for 50 years until 27-year-old rookie José Abreu hit 27 in 2014. Twins Move Into First Place to Stay The Twins swept the Red Sox in a doubleheader at Met Stadium on this date in 1965, moving into first place where they'd remain the rest of the season. Molitor Hits Grand Slam versus Twins After Pat Mahomes retired him in the first inning, St. Paul native Paul Molitor went 4-for-5 with a double and a seventh-inning grand slam off Dave Stevens in a 14-3 Blue Jays win at the Metrodome. Light-hitting Toronto third baseman Darnell Coles—who hit .210 with four home runs in 1994 and hit just 75 home runs altogether over his 14-year major league career—hit three homers in the game. Mauer Flirts with .400 Joe Mauer was batting .391 on this date in 2006. Happy Birthday, Nick Anderson Happy 35th birthday to 2008 Brainerd graduate Nick Anderson, born in Crosby on this date in 1990. He spent five years as a major league reliever with Miami, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Kansas City. He got off to a heckuva start with the Marlins in 2019, striking out 27 of the first 51 batters he faced in the majors. He pitched in the 2020 World Series with the Rays. View full article

Image courtesy of © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images CHICAGO - Inver Grove Heights native Michael Busch had a heckuva Fourth of July this year, hitting three home runs for the home team at Wrigley Field. The 2016 Simley graduate also had an RBI-single, going 4-for-4 with five RBI and three runs scored altogether in the 11-3 win over the Cardinals. His third home run was the Cubs' eighth of the game, establishing a new team record. (The Twins' record is also eight, occurring on August 29, 1963.) Busch is the sixth Minnesota high school graduate to hit three home runs in a game. (Ike Davis—Ron's son—was born in Edina in 1987 but did not grow up in Minnesota.) Batting cleanup for the New York Giants, Clearbrook native Wes Westrum went 4-for-4 with a walk, three home runs, a triple, four RBI, and five runs scored on June 24, 1950. St. Paul native Walt Moryn hit three home runs for the Cubs on May 30, 1958, including a walk-off homer off Sandy Koufax, who entered the game in the ninth. St. Paul native Paul Molitor hit three home runs for the Brewers on May 12, 1982. Playing for the Angels, St. Paul native Dave Winfield went 5-for-6 with three home runs and a double in a 15-9 win versus the Twins at the Metrodome on April 13, 1991. Blaine HS graduate Dan Johnson hit three home runs for the White Sox on the final day of the 2012 season. This one is noteworthy because they're the only home runs Johnson hit in 14 major league games that season. (Sidenote: Johnson has not one but two of the biggest home runs in Tampa Bay Rays history.) Westrum and Winfield both hit for 15 total bases (not even counting Westrum's walk). The Twins record for total bases in a game is 14 by Kirby that one Sunday in Milwaukee. Way back in 1889, Minnesota native Jack Crooks had the first four-home run game in professional baseball history, playing for the minor league Omaha Omahogs in his hometown of St. Paul Busch also made history with the Cubs last April, tying a team record by homering in five-straight games. (The Twins' record for consecutive games with a home run is also five.) Busch has been clutch ever since he first made it to The Show, connecting for an RBI-single DH'ing for the Dodgers in his major league debut in 2023. View full article

Still have the photo card they handed out?

In Today's Almanac: Winona native hits only career HR in front of record crowd Twin hits Fourth of July pinch-hit walk-off grand slam Killebrew hits first inside-the-park home run in Twins history Twin makes first professional start in front of largest regular-season crowd in team history Blyleven narrowly wins one-hitter Bloomington native pitches Fourth of July gem in the nation's capital Happy birthday, Barry Wohler Hall of Fame spitballer comes to play townball in Minnesota Winona Native Hits Only MLB HR in Front of 74,000 Winona native Julie Wera hit his only major-league home run in the second game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium, in front of a crowd of 74,000 on the Fourth of July 1927. It was the largest crowd ever to attend a baseball game to that point. Lou Gehrig homered off Walter Johnson in Game 1 as the Yankees swept the doubleheader against the second-place Senators by a combined score of 33-2. The ‘27 Yankees are regarded by many as the greatest baseball team ever assembled. A 32-year-old Babe Ruth swatted 60 home runs, while the team went 110-44 (.714), winning the American League pennant by a margin of 19 games. With that famous juggernaut of a lineup, Wera only got into 38 games (19 starts). He suffered a gnarly knee injury in a late-season play at the plate, and was not a part of the World Series, in which the Yankees swept the Pirates. He did, however, receive the same $5,782 portion of the winners’ purse as Ruth, Gehrig, and the rest of the gang. Nice bonus, considering that Wera’s 1927 salary was $2,400. Becquer Hits Pinch-Hit Walk-Off Grand Slam Trailing 4-2, Julio Becquer hit a two-out pinch-hit walk-off grand slam in the first game of a doubleheader on the Fourth of July 1961 (the Twins' first season in Minnesota). It was the Twins' third grand slam in four days (Killebrew 7/1, and Allison 7/3). Altogether, the Twins hit eight grand slams during their inaugural season, which is still the team record. Two weeks earlier, Becquer hit the first pinch-hit homer/first walk-off homer in Twins history. He only hit 12 home runs during his major league career, with his final coming on July 16, 1961. Killebrew Hits First Inside-the-Park Home Run in Twins History With two out in the bottom of the eighth in Game 2 of that 1961 doubleheader, Harmon Killebew hit the first inside-the-park home run in Twins history. It wound up being the difference in the game as the Twins swept the doubleheader versus the White Sox. Bane Makes MLB Debut in Front of Sellout Crowd Without making an appearance in the minors, Twins first-round draft choice Eddie Bane made his major league debut in front of a sellout crowd on the Fourth of July 1973. The Twins were struggling to put butts in the seats, so Calvin Griffth got the idea to bring Bane straight to the majors after wrapping up his stellar collegiate career at Arizona State. The 45,890 tickets sold far exceeded the Twins’ expectations and the start of the game had to be delayed 15 minutes. He pitched a heckuva game, too, holding Kansas City to just one run over seven innings. (The bullpen gave up four runs in the ninth for a 5-4 loss.) Despite the auspicious start, Bane’s numbers were lackluster the rest of the season. He spent all of 1974 and most of 1975 at triple-A Tacoma and played his final major league game in 1976 at the age of 24. Here’s a Fun Fact: Bane gave up Royals DH Harmon Killebrew’s 573rd and final career home run at Met Stadium on September 18, 1975. Eddie began working as a scout in 1984. He was Angels scouting director when they drafted Mike Trout 25th-overall in 2009. Eddie’s brother, Dan Bane, was CEO of Trader Joe’s from 2001 until his retirement in 2023. Blyleven Pitches One-Hitter Bert Blyleven one-hit the Billy Martin-managed Rangers on the Fourth of July 1974. That one hit, however, was a Toby Harrah homer in the third. The Twins trailed 1-0 going into the bottom of the ninth before Jim Holt tied it up with a sac fly and Larry Hisle sent the fans home happy with a walk-off home run. Minnesota Native Pitches Fourth of July Gem in Nation's Capital Bloomington native Jake Irvin had a one-hit shutout going through eight innings before giving way to the bullpen to secure a 1-0 Fourth of the July win for the Nationals in the nation's capital in 2024. He issued a walk in the second and a single in the third before retiring the next 17 straight. The 6-foot-6 Bloomington Jefferson grad tied for the MLB lead with 33 starts that season. Happy Birthday, Barry Wohler Happy 63rd birthday to 1981 Bird Island-Lake Lillian graduate and former Dodgers minor leaguer Barry Wohler. He pitched a no-hitter for single-A Vero Beach on July 17, 1985. In the offseason, he took classes at St. Cloud State, and played on the Huskies basketball team that fell one win short of the Division II Final Four. If you have any fun facts or cool stories about Barry, please share them in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Hall of Famer Comes to Austin, Decides to Stay Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes came to Austin, Minn. to play in a doubleheader on the Fourth of July 1912, but wound up playing with Austin the rest of the summer, helping the Packers win the state championship. Back in the day, it wasn't uncommon for town teams to hire mercenary pitchers. Bud Grant was another arm for hire. Grimes returned to Austin to much fanfare with a Brooklyn barnstorming team in 1921. Also on This Date in Minnesota Baseball History: 1922: New York Giants relief pitcher Loren Bain born in Staples, MN 1940: Minneapolis Millers right fielder Ab Wright hits four home runs in a 17-5 win over the St. Paul Saints at Nicollet Park. 1982: Kent Hrbek had only gone hitless in six games entering play on this date in 1982 1978: Cretin gradaute Paul Molitor (Brewers) homers off Alexandria graduate Gary Serum (Twins) 1987: Atwater graduate Mike Kingery (Mariners) homers off Highland Park graduate Jack Morris (Tigers) View full article

In Today's Almanac: St. Paul native pitches three-hit shutout for his hometown Saints Twins DH hits three home runs Centerfielder ties modern single-game triples record Twins go on a 19-1 run Allison sets single-season grand slam standard Ortiz has three RBI without an at-bat Birthdate of a Minnesotan who played for both the Dodgers and the Lakers and more Morris Pitches 3-Hit Shutout for St. Paul Saints A 41-year-old Jack Morris threw a 99-pitch, three-hit shutout as the St. Paul Saints beat the Sioux Falls Canaries 12-0 on Fireworks Night on this date in 1996. Darryl Strawberry hit his team-record 18th and final home run. He was removed from the game early, and it was later announced that the Yankees had signed him. Oliva Hits Three Homers Designated hitter Tony Oliva hit three solo home runs in a 7-6 loss in Kansas City on this date in 1973. To date, only one other Twin has hit three home runs in a loss—Brian Dozier in an 11-5 home loss to Kansas City on Sept. 5, 2016, amid the worst season in franchise history. There have been 13 three-homer games overall in Twins history, and 19 games with at least seven RBIs, but interestingly the two events have never coincided. Landreaux Ties Modern Single-Game Triples Record Ken Landreaux tied the modern (since 1900) major-league record with three triples in a 10-3 home win over the Rangers on this date in 1980. Twins center fielder Denard Span also had a three-triple game in 2010. I know you're wondering, and yes, four players have had three triples and a double in the same game, coming close to setting themselves apart in the record books but not quite doing it: Hal Chase in 1906 Les Bell in 1926 Herm Winningham in 1990 Yasiel Puig in 2014 Twins Go on a 19-1 Run The Twins went 19-1 from June 11 to this date in 2006. Justin Morneau batted .423 over that stretch, while Joe Mauer only hit an even .400. Since moving to the Twin Cities, the only other time the franchise has won 19 out of 20 was in June 1991. Allison Hits Third Grand Slam Bob Allison hit a seventh-inning grand slam in a 7-6 home win over the White Sox on this date in 1961. It was his third grand slam of the season, establishing a team record tied by Rod Carew (1976), Kent Hrbek (1985), Kirby Puckett (1992), and Torii Hunter (2007), and broken by Royce Lewis with four in 2023. Allison hit the first grand slam in Twins history on April 16—just the fourth game in team history. Laudner Has Six-RBI Game 1976 Park Center graduate Tim Laudner went 3-for-3 with a sac fly, home run, and six RBIs in a 7-0 Twins win in Cleveland. It was his first of two career six-RBI games, both against Cleveland. He hit a pair of three-run homers at the Dome on April 24, 1988. Tiant K's 19 Twins Over 10 Innings Cleveland's Luis Tiant pitched all 10 innings, striking out 19 in a 1-0 win over the Twins on this date in 1968. Tiant won 21 games that season, with a league-leading 1.60 ERA and 0.871 WHIP. He pitched for the Twins in 1970 before being released and going on to become a Red Sox legend. Ortiz Bats In Three Runs Without Official At-Bat David Ortiz collected three RBIs without recording an official at-bat in an 11-8 loss to Boston on this date in 2000. He walked with the bases loaded and hit two sacrifice flies. Birthdate of César Tovar Twins all-time great César Tovar was born in Caracas, Venezuela on this date in 1940. Pepito became the first player in Twins history with four extra-base hits in a game on May 21, 1967, connecting for two doubles and two homers in a 12-3 road win over the Angels. Kirby Puckett (1987 and '89), Rich Becker (1996), Corey Koskie (2001) Michael Cuddyer (2005), Nelson Cruz (2019 & '20), and Jorge Polanco (2021) have since tied Tovar's record of four extra-base hits in a single game. Interesting to note that there have been nine four-XBH games in Twins history and 13 three-HR games but the two events have never coincided. He played all nine positions on September 22, 1968, striking out Reggie Jackson in the first inning. Led the league with 36 doubles and 13 triples in 1970, and 204 hits in 1971. Hit a two-out walk-off home run to complete the second cycle in Twins history (with only 4,240 in attendance). Birthdate of Howie Schultz St. Paul Central graduate Howie “Stretch” Schultz was born on this date in 1922. At 6-foot-6, he was rejected for military service during World War II because he was too tall. He played first base for parts of six major league seasons, beginning with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1943 to 1947. The Dodgers traded him to the Phillies on May 10, 1947 when it became abundantly clear that a young man named Jackie Robinson had first base under control. Following his major league career, Schultz played for the Willmar Rails from 1950 to ‘54, and was an inaugural member of the West Central Baseball Hall of Fame along with Blix Donnelly, Mike Kingery, and others. He played a little pro basketball, too, winning an NBA championship with the 1951–52 Minneapolis Lakers. (Bud Grant was a member of the ‘49–50 NBA Champ Lakers.) View full article

In Today's Almanac: Twins workhorse retires six-straight with broken wrist Twins rookie single-game RBI record Future Twins closer pitches townball no-hitter Twins play White Sox in Milwaukee Kaat Pitches with Broken Wrist After breaking a bone in his pitching wrist while running the bases on this date in 1972, Twins workhorse Jim Kaat pitched 1-2-3 sixth and seventh innings before getting into a jam in the eighth. He was out the rest of the season. Adrenaline is a helluva drug. He was having an elite season, too, entering the game with a 9-2 record and an even 2.00 ERA. (He earned the win in this game for number 10.) The American League adopted the designated hitter rule for the 1973 season, sparing future junior-circuit hurlers the kind of risk and indignity Kaat suffered—but also denying them the opportunity to do something so certifiably tough. The injury interrupted a good season not only on the mound, but at the plate. Kaat only had 47 plate appearances before getting hurt, but he hit an impressive .289/.304/.489, including five extra-base hits (two of them homers). Through that year, he batted .191/.235/.275 for his career, a fine line for a pitcher in an offense-starved era. A perennial Gold Glove winner, Kaat added lots of value outside his pure pitching skills, including with the bat in his hands. Kepler Sets Team Rookie RBI Record Max Kepler drove in a Twins rookie-record seven runs on this date in 2016, hitting a pair of three-run homers and an RBI groundout. The Twins led 11-1 after three innings and finished out a drubbing of the Rangers, 17-5, before the home crowd at Target Field. It was the 18th seven-plus RBI game overall in Twins history. Of all the great sluggers in Twins history, it's Glenn Adams and Randy Bush who hold the team record with eight RBIs in a contest. Future Twins Closer Pitches Townball No-Hitter Fresh off pitching for the University of Alabama in the College World Series, Fulda Giants hired gun Al Worthingon no-hit Wilmont on this date in 1950. Dick Reusse (Patrick‘s dad) was the manager of the Fulda townball team and recruited some marquee talent to the small Minnesota town. Just one year earlier, Reusse brought Kansas City Monarchs star Hilton Smith to Fulda. Smith was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001—the same class as Kirby Puckett and Dave Winfield. In 1950, Reusse went down to the College World Series in Omaha where he recruited Worthington. While in rural Minnesota, Worthington fell in love with and married manager Dick Reusse’s niece, Shirley Reusse, who was a lifeguard at Fulda’s Seven Mile Lake. Worthington spent 14 years in the majors, including as the Twins' first great closer (or "stopper") at the end of his career, from 1964 to ’69. Twins Play White Sox in Milwaukee In an attempt to lure major-league baseball back to Wisconsin, the Twins and White Sox played a regular season game in Milwaukee on this date in 1969. The Twins won 4-2, with Dave Boswell earning the win, and future Twins broadcaster Tommy John taking the loss. Harmon Killebrew homered, Tony Oliva and César Tovar doubled, and Bob Allison tripled. The upstart Seattle Pilots relocated to Milwaukee, becoming the Brewers in 1970. Today's Birthdays: Sam Deduno (41) Rene Tosoni (39) View full article

In Today's Almanac: Twins hit three grand slams in four days Career wins leader pitches one-hitter St. Cloud legend makes successful comeback Twin sets AL reliever record, & more Killebrew Starts Grand Slam Streak Harmon Killebrew hit the first of three Twins grand slams over a four-day span in a 9-3 win in Kansas City on this date in 1961. Bob Allison hit one two days later in a 7-6 home win over the White Sox, and Julio Becquer hit a pinch-hit walkoff grand slam for a 6-4 Twins win over the White Sox in the first game of a Fourth of July doubleheader. The Twins hit eight grand slams during their inaugural season. That's still the team record. Bob Allison hit three of them, establishing a team record tied by Rod Carew (1976), Kent Hrbek (1985), Kirby Puckett (1992), and Torii Hunter (2007), and broken by Royce Lewis with four in 2023. Killebrew holds the Twins career grand slam record with 10. Kaat Pitches One-Hitter Jim Kaat one-hit the Angels for a 2-1 Twins win in Anaheim on this date in 1973. Hall of Famer Frank Robinson hit one of his 586 home runs leading off the bottom of the second for the Angels' only hit. The Angels’ Bill Singer also pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits—three to the Twins’ nine-hole batter, Jim Holt. Leadoff hitter Rod Carew had the Twins’ other hit, a third-inning single driving in the eight-hole hitter George Mitterwald and Jim Holt for the Twins’ only runs. The game was over in one hour and 40 minutes. The Twins threw three-one-hitters that season, with Bert Blyleven pitching the other two. Eisenreich's Return In just his sixth game back in the majors after a two-year absence, St. Cloud legend Jim Eisenreich hit a pinch-hit walkoff double to beat the Twins on this date in 1987. The Royals’ winning run reached on an uncharacteristic Gary Gaetti error. The next day, Eisenreich hit an RBI double off Joe Niekro and a three-run homer off George Frazier. Crain Sets AL Reliever Record On this date in 2005, Twins reliever Jesse Crain won his eighth straight decision of that season and set an American League reliever record by going 11-0 to begin his career. He'd been 3-0 as a rookie in 2004. The MLB record for winning decisions to kick off a career is 12, by the Cardinals' Butch Metzger, who won one each in 1974 and '75, and 10-straight in '76. Crain had a 3.05 ERA in 532 games and 532 innings in a 10-year career. That, by the way, is a record: No one else who has exactly as many innings pitched as appearances is close to Crain. Second on this peculiar list is a contemporary of Crain, Takashi Saito, who had 338 games and 338 innings over his career. Also On This Date in Minnesota Baseball History: 1865: The North Star Base Ball Club of St. Paul beats the Hastings Vermillions 55-21 1974: "Hit 'Em Where They Ain't"—Rod Carew appears on the cover of Sports Illustrated 1984: Playing for the Reds, Chaska graduate Brad Gulden hits his fifth and final major league home run off Expos closer Jeff Reardon View full article

In Today's Almanac: Another 3,000th hit at the Metrodome Twins single-game stolen base record AL record-tying extra-base hit streak Second pinch-hit grand slam of the season 3,000th Hit Cleveland designated hitter Eddie Murray connected for his 3,000th hit off starter Mike Trombley at the Metrodome on this date in 1995. Three players reached the 3,000-hit milestone at the Metrodome over an eight-year period. Dave Winfield got his 3,000th hit off Dennis Eckersley at the Dome less than two years earlier, on Sept. 16, 1993. Here's a fun fact: When Cal Ripken Jr. got his 3,000th hit at the Metrodome on April 15, 2000, Murray was right there to greet him as the Orioles' first base coach. And Trombley earned the save for Baltimore in that game. Single-Game Stolen Base Record Twins right fielder Larry Hisle went 3-for-4 with a walk, and established a team single-game record by stealing four bases in a 4-2 loss to the Royals in Bloomington on this date in 1976. The MLB single-game record is seven by Billy Hamilton (not the one you're thinking of) with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1894. Hisle stole a career-high 31 bases in 1976. He stole 128 bases during his 14-year major-league career—92 of them as a Twin. Chuck Knoblauch holds the team record with 276 stolen bases, followed by Rod Carew with 271. Team Record Extra-Base Hit Streak Second baseman Brian Dozier tied the American League record with an extra-base hit in his 11th straight game on this date in 2016. (It was a homer in a 6-5 loss in Chicago.) Dozier batted .465/.477/1.070 over those 11 contests, but the 2016 Twins were impervious to efforts by any one player to make them win games; they went 5-6 even during that scorching heater. The second-longest extra-base hit streaks in Twins history were eight by Tony Oliva in 1969 and Harmon Killebrew in 1970. The MLB record is 14, by Hall of Famers Paul Waner in 1927 and Chipper Jones in 2006. Second Pinch-Hit Grand Slam of the Season Rick Renick hit the Twins' second pinch-hit grand slam of the season on this date in 1970. It's the only time the Twins have hit two pinch-hit grand slams in a season. Rich Reese hit the first on June 7. Reese hit a team-record three pinch-hit grand slams during his career—Aug. 3, 1969; Jun. 7, 1970; and Jul. 9, 1972. View full article

In Today's Almanac: Birthday of the greatest Twin Minnesota physician makes only MLB appearance Right fielder has eight-hit day Grand slam beats Nolan Ryan 4-0 Rookie hits only home run on first career swing Eisenreich's return versus Twins Center fielder ties modern triples record Birthdate of Harmon Killebrew Twins legend and fourth-ballot Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew was born in Payette, Idaho on this date in 1936. His 573 career home runs were second in AL history to only Babe Ruth at the time of his retirement in 1975. It was the most by an American League right-hander until Alex Rodriguez* surpassed him in 2009. Comment at the bottom of the page with your favorite memory, stat, or fun fact about the great man. Moonlight Makes Lone MLB Appearance 27-year-old Archibald Archibald Moonlight Graham got into his only major league game with the New York Giants on this date in 1905, playing right field for half an inning. He did not get a defensive chance or an at-bat. The North Carolina native went on to practice medicine in Chisholm, MN for over 50 years. 1976 Sauk Rapid graduate and St. Cloud State all-time great Bob Hegman played half an inning at second base for the eventual World Series Champion Royals on August 8, 1985. Like Moonlight, Hegman did not touch the ball or make a plate appearance. Oliva Has Eight-Hit Day Right fielder Tony Oliva collected eight consecutive hits in a doubleheader in Kansas City on this date in 1969, including a 5-for-5 performance with two home runs, a double, and five RBI in Game 2. One of those home runs was a 517-footer that flew over the upper deck and out of Municipal Stadium. He reportedly nearly had a three-home run game, with his double bouncing off the top of the wall. He was lifted for pinch-runner Charlie Manuel in the eighth; otherwise, he would have had a chance for a six-hit game when his spot came up again in the ninth. (Of course, only one player in Twins history has six hits in a game.) I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that Tony O's eight-straight hits in a single day is a team record. (The team record for consecutive hits overall is 12-straight by José Miranda in July 2024.) Bonus Trivia: Oliva hit a pinch-hit grand slam on this date in 1975. Grand Slam Beats Ryan Bobby Darwin hit an eighth-inning grand slam off Nolan Ryan for the only runs in a 4-0 Twins win in Anaheim on this date in 1973. Bert Blyleven pitched a four-hit shutout in that game for Minnesota (with only two strikeouts). He led the majors with a team record nine shutouts that season. Rookie Homers on First MLB Swing 26-year-old right fielder Andre David's first major league swing resulted in a two-run homer off Hall of Famer Jack Morris on this date in 1984. It was the only home run of David's career. Eisenreich's Return In just his fourth game back after being out of the majors dealing with previously undiagnosed Tourette's Syndrome, St. Cloud legend Jim Eisenreich got his first hit with the Royals, doubling as part of a game-winning rally in his first-ever game against the Twins on this date in 1987. Eisenreich went 4-for-11 (.364) with three doubles, a home run, five RBI, and three runs scored in the series, included a pinch-hit walk-off double in Game 3. (He was also caught stealing once.) Span Ties Triples Record Twins center fielder Denard Span tied the modern (since 1900) record with three triples on this date in 2010, going 4-for-4 with a walk, five RBI, and two runs scored altogether in an 11-4 win over the Tigers at Target Field. Ken Landreaux also hit three triples in a game in 1980. View full article

In Today's Almanac: Frank Thomas hits 500th home run vs. Twins Joe Mauer reaches base 12 times in a three-game series A Twin with a .425 career average Happy birthday to a Minnesotan with a 0.00 MLB ERA The longest pitcher hitting streaks in Twins history Minnesota native has a four-HR game The Big Hurt Joins 500 HR Club Blue Jays DH Frank Thomas hit a three-run first-inning bomb off Carlos Silva to become the 21st member of the 500 Home Run Club on this date in 2007. (The Twins won the game 8-5.) Thomas hit more home runs against the Twins than any other team, including the first of his career off Gary Wayne on August 28, 1990. Mauer Reaches Base 12 Times in a Three-Game Series Joe Mauer reached base in 12 out of 14 plate appearances (.857 OBP) during a three-game home series against the Dodgers between June 26 and this date in 2006. He went 11-for-13 with a walk, two doubles, and triple, six RBI, and four runs scored over the three games. Williams Hits in 100% of Career Games 27-year-old rookie (and Australia native) Glenn Williams got a hit in his 13th-straight game to start (and end) his major league career on this date in 2005. He was injured in the game and never made it back to the majors, retiring with a .425 average. Happy Birthday, Todd Revenig Happy 56th birthday to 1987 Brainerd graduate and Mankato State all-time great Todd Revenig, owner of a 0.00 MLB ERA. (He only made two one-inning appearances with the Oakland A's in 1992.) Believe it or not, he is one of TWO Mankato State alumni with a 0.00 MLB ERA. Infielder Jerry Terrell made two scoreless pitching appearances with the Royals in 1979 and '80. (And since we're on the topic, Terrell isn't the only former Twins position player with a 0.00 ERA. Catcher Sal Butera pitched one scoreless inning each with the Expos in 1985 and Reds in 1986.) Revening finished his high school career with a 0.65 ERA and .342 batting average. He was all-conference his final two years, and played in the 1987 high school All-Star Game (an exciting summer for baseball in Minnesota). Jim Kaat Hitting Streak Jim Kaat hit in his seventh-straight game on this date in 1972, raising his average to .317. Jim Perry also had a seven-game hitting streak in 1972, the two longest hitting streaks by a pitcher in Twins history. (Perry had a six-game hitting streak in 1970.) Minnesota Native Has Four-HR Game Playing for single-A Spokane, Eagan High School graduate B.J. Cashman hit FOUR home runs at knocked in NINE runs on this date in 2004. (Sidenote: Minnesota native Jack Crooks had the first four-home run game in professional baseball history back in 1889.) View full article

In Today's Almanac: An Edina graduate and former Golden Gopher makes his MLB debut Birthdate of Wayne Terwilliger 41-year-old throws 81-pitch shutout Position player pitches 1-2-3 inning Minor leaguer hits for the cycle Number 7 has five-hit, three-double game, & more Olson Makes Major League Debut This is one of my favorite Minnesotan major leaguer stories . . . With the Twins leading the Athletics 11-4 going into the top of the eighth at the Metrodome on this date in 1989, 1979 Edina graduate Greg Olson made his major league debut, taking 1978 Bloomington Kennedy grad Kent Hrbek's spot in the batting order, and taking over at catcher for 1976 Park Center grad Tim Laudner, who slid over to first to take over for Hrbek and complete the Minnesotan major leaguer triangle. Olson grounded out to second in his only at-bat. There's more to the story—1980 New Ulm graduate Terry Steinbach started the game at catcher for Oakland and moved to third base for the bottom of the eighth. Greg Olson and Steinbach actually both came to the University of Minnesota as third basemen, but Olson converted to catcher to make room for the incoming Steinbach, who was later converted to catcher in the Athletics organization when Mark McGwire appeared to be their third baseman of the future. (Big Mac, of course, became a 12-time All-Star first baseman.) Both Olson and Steinbach wound up catching in major league All-Star Games—Olson in 1990, and Steinbach in 1988, '89, and '93, garnering MVP honors in '88. That's a lot of notes for a local guy's otherwise uneventful major league debut! Birthday of Wayne Terwilliger World War II veteran and nine-year major league second baseman Wayne Terwilliger was born in Clare, MI on this date in 1925. He was teammates with Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays—and also Roy Smalley Jr . (the switch-hitting Twins infielder's dad). Following his playing career he coached third base for four years under Senators/Rangers manager Ted Williams. He was the Twins' first base coach from 1986 to 1994, and coached the St. Paul Saints from 1995 to 2002. Happy Birthday, Steve Edlefsen Happy 40th birthday to 2004 Bloomington Jefferson graduate Steve Edlefsen. He made his major league debut in a high-leverage situation with the Giants on August 21, 2011 (age 26), entering in the fifth inning of a tie game with two on and two out and got the inning-ending strikeout. He pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth before being pinch-hit for by old friend Orlando Cabrera. Gladden Pitches 1-2-3 Inning After actual professional pitchers gave up 16 runs over seven innings in Anaheim on this date in 1988, left fielder Dan Gladden needed just nine pitches to set the Angels down in order. Greg Minton retired the Twins on eight pitches in the top of the ninth for a 16-7 Angels win. (This used to be more noteworthy before recent trends in the game.) Perry Pitches Shutout 41-year-old Gaylord Perry threw an 81-pitch, one hour and 49-minute four-hit shutout versus the Twins on a 109° day in Texas on this date in 1980. Roy Smalley had three of the Twins' four hits. Gaylord Perry's first professional team was the St. Cloud Rox way back in 1958. Also On This Date 1979: Chili Davis hits for the cycle with two doubles at Class A Fresno in the Giants organization 1999: Denny Hocking goes 5-for-6 with three doubles in a 12-7 Twins win in Detroit. Somehow, he didn't have an RBI in the game, but did score two runs. View full article