Dave Mona

I started covering the Twins as The Minneapolis Tribune beat writer in 1968. One of the first players I met at Tinker Field was Jim Holt. He had been claimed as a Rule 5 pick in the off season. I remember him as being very shy and polite (military background.) The first day the players came out in uniform he was wearing number 45. At the time Pabst had introduced a popular drink named Colt 45 Malt Liquor. I asked PR Director Tom Mee if there was any connection and he said it was an idea advanced by Don Cassidy of the tiny Twins marketing staff and the team thought, "Why not?"

More good work, Al. Jerry was the backup shortstop to John Roseboro when I covered the Twins for The Minneapolis Tribune. He had what I thought was the best player quote of the year. It happened in the game in Chicago when Halsey Hall started a fire in the broadcast booth that brought all the players out of the dugout. Hearing that it started with the ashes from Halsey's cigar falling onto his clothes, Zimmerman said, "What a guy that Halsey Hall. He's the only person I know who can turn an ordinary sportcoat into a blazer in nothing flat."  

Another fun and informative yarn, Al. Keep them coming. 

Nice work, Al. Pretty sure that today Al is the oldest living ex Twin player. In 1969 the combination of Worthington and Ron Perranoski was as good as any pair of relievers in the game. 

Even though Carlos Paula was gone by the time the Senators moved here, I'll share a good Calvin story with you if you choose to go that route.

Excellent piece. Your research is impressive. Who's next?

Excellent post with great background and insight. Bruno was among my favorite radio guests. 

Nice writeup. I was the Minneapolis Tribune Twins beat writer in 1968. Rich Rollins was one of the nicest players on the team...very popular with teammates. Early in his career he became a spring training favorite of owner Calvin Griffith who lobbied successfully for him to be part of ther major league team .Last I heard, Rich, now 86, and Lynn still live in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. Not surprisingly, Lynn was one of the nicest of the player's wives. 

Any 2024 word on Bryan Acuna? He hit .310 in 2022 and just .185 last year. Thanks.

Palka has two homers in his first game at Rochester. Game still in progress. Nice start. Similar to what he did in spring training with the Twins this year.