The Twins have had their share of injuries the last few years and it got me to wondering how often a Twins position player has participated in every game during a particular season and when was the last time this has happened. We all know that Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive games over a span of 17 years. Think about that, every game over a span of 17 years! An amazing streak no matter how you look at it.
Since the Washington Senators packed their bags after the 1960 season and became the Minnesota Twins in 1961 they have had only 5 position players in 51 seasons that have played in every regular season game in a particular season and one of those players accomplished that feat twice and the name might surprise you. Here is the list of Twins players that have played in every Twins regular season game in a particular season.
| YEAR | Name | Games Played |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Justin Morneau | 163 |
| 1984 | Gary Gaetti | 162 |
| 1979 | Roy Smalley | 162 |
| 1969 | Harmon Killebrew | 162 |
| 1967 | Cesar Tovar | 164 |
| 1966 | Harmon Killebrew | 162 |
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The Twins position player that led the team in games played the most seasons was outfielder Kirby Puckett. The “Puck” lead his teams in games played on seven occasions between 1985 and 1993 and averaged an amazing 156.66 games during that period. I think the Twins “Iron Man” has to be the great Kirby Puckett.
Twins Leader in Games Played Over the Years
| YEAR | Games Team Played | Name | Games Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 161 | Bob Allison | 159 |
| 1962 | 163 | Zoilo Versalles | 160 |
| 1963 | 161 | Zoilo Versalles | 159 |
| 1964 | 163 | Zoilo Versalles | 160 |
| 1965 | 162 | Zoilo Versalles | 160 |
| 1966 | 162 | Harmon Killebrew | 162 |
| 1967 | 164 | Cesar Tovar | 164 |
| 1968 | 162 | Cesar Tovar | 157 |
| 1969 | 162 | Harmon Killebrew | 162 |
| 1970 | 162 | Cesar Tovar | 161 |
| 1971 | 160 | Cesar Tovar | 157 |
| 1972 | 154 | Bobby Darwin | 145 |
| 1973 | 162 | Rod Carew | 149 |
| 1974 | 163 | Rod Carew | 153 |
| 1975 | 159 | Rod Carew | 143 |
| 1976 | 162 | Rod Carew | 156 |
| 1977 | 161 | Rod Carew | 155 |
| 1978 | 162 | Roy Smalley | 155 |
| 1979 | 162 | Roy Smalley | 162 |
| 1980 | 161 | John Castino | 150 |
| 1981 | 110 | John Castino | 101 |
| 1982 | 162 | Gary Ward | 152 |
| 1983 | 162 | Gary Ward & Gary Gaetti | 152 |
| 1984 | 162 | Gary Gaetti | 162 |
| 1985 | 162 | Kirby Puckett | 161 |
| 1986 | 162 | Kirby Puckett | 161 |
| 1987 | 162 | Kirby Puckett | 157 |
| 1988 | 162 | Kirby Puckett | 158 |
| 1989 | 162 | Kirby Puckett | 159 |
| 1990 | 162 | Gary Gaetti | 154 |
| 1991 | 162 | Chili Davis | 153 |
| 1992 | 162 | Kirby Puckett | 160 |
| 1993 | 162 | Kirby Puckett | 156 |
| 1994 | 113 | Chuck Knoblauch | 109 |
| 1995 | 144 | Marty Cordova & Kirby Puckett | 137 |
| 1996 | 162 | Paul Molitor | 161 |
| 1997 | 162 | Chuck Knoblauch | 156 |
| 1998 | 162 | Matt Lawton | 152 |
| 1999 | 161 | Todd Walker | 143 |
| 2000 | 162 | Matt Lawton & Cristian Guzman | 156 |
| 2001 | 162 | Luis Rivas & Corey Koskie | 153 |
| 2002 | 161 | Jacques Jones | 149 |
| 2003 | 162 | Torii Hunter | 154 |
| 2004 | 162 | Lew Ford | 154 |
| 2005 | 162 | Lew Ford | 147 |
| 2006 | 162 | Justin Morneau | 157 |
| 2007 | 162 | Torii Hunter | 160 |
| 2008 | 163 | Justin Morneau | 163 |
| 2009 | 163 | Michael Cuddyer | 153 |
| 2010 | 162 | Michael Cuddyer | 157 |
| 2011 | 162 | Danny Valencia | 154 |
