Original Minnesota Twins

Please meet the original Minnesota Twins Opening Day line-up on April 11, 1961 at Yankee Stadium I when the Twins shutout the Yankees 6-0 in front of an opening day crowd of only 14,607.

The Twins opening day shortstop went 2 for 5 with a run scored and had 2 stolen bases.

The Twins opening day center fielder went 0 for 5

The Twins opening day 1B was 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a RBI with a Sac fly.

The Twins opening day left fielder and clean-up hitter was 0 for 4.

The Twins opening day right fielder went 2 for 5 with a home run that broke up a scoreless game and put the Twins first run on the board in the top of the seventh inning.

The Twins opening day catcher went 1 for 4 with a double, scored two runs and called a great game.

The Twins opening day 3B and hitting star of the game was 1 for 2 with a two-run home run and 2 runs scored.

The Twins opening day pitcher shut out the Yankees on 3 hits and 1 BB in nine innings and was the Twins first ever winning pitcher. Not too shabby with the stick either as Pedro went 1 for 4 with 2 RBI’s.

Replaced Jim Lemon in left field in the bottom of the seventh inning. In his only at bat in the game Dobbek was hit by a pitch (becoming first Twin to do so) and stole 2B but was stranded there.

“Cookie” Lavagetto was the Twins first manager having managed the Washington Senators since 1957. Lavagetto’s reign as Twins skipper did not last long as he was fired on June 23 with a 25-41 record and he was replaced by coach Sam Mele.

The coaches were Floyd Baker at 3B, Eddie Lopat was the pitching coach, Clyde McCullough was the bullpen coach, and Sam Mele coached 1B

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The following 1961 Twins players played for the Washington Senators in 1960 and moved with the team to Minnesota and became a part of the Minnesota Twins. An “*” indicates the player is deceased.

OF/1B – Bob Allison *

C – Earl Battey *

3B – Reno Bertoia *

2B/SS – Billy Consolo *

OF – Dan Dobbek

2B – Billy Gardner

OF – Lenny Green

SP – Jim Kaat

1B/3B – Harmon Killebrew *

SP – Jack Kralick *

RP/SP – Don Lee

OF -Jim Lemon *

1B – Don Mincher *

CL – Ray Moore *

C – Hal Naragon

SP – Camilo Pascual

SP – Pedro Ramos

RP – Ted Sadowski *

RP – Chuck Stobbs *

SS/2B/3B – Jose Valdivielso

PH – Elmer Valo *

OF – Pete Whisenant *

SS – Zoilo Versalles *

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The following 1961 Twins did not play for the Washington Senators in 1960 but were with the Twins at the start of the 1961 season and a part of the 28 man roster.

RP – Fred Bruckbauer *

RP – Paul Giel *

PH/C – Ron Henry

RP – Bill Pleis

RP – Lee Stange

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The following 1961 Twins did not start the 1961 season with the Twins but joined the team at some point in 1961. Some were in the Senators minor league system and others were not.

OF – Joe Altobelli

RP – Gerry Arrigo

1B/OF – Julio Becquer

SP/RP – Bert Cueto *

RP – Gary Dotter

OF – Jake Jacobs *

3B/2B/SS – Ted Lepcio

2B – Billy Martin *

RP – Danny McDevitt *

RP – Ed Palmquist *

2B/3B – Rich Rollins

SP/RP – Al Schroll *