This Day in Twins History – November 18

Zoilo Versalles

11/18/1965 – Shortstop Zoilo Versalles is selected as the American League MVP getting 19 out of 20 first place votes. Versalles becomes the first Latin player and the first Minnesota Twins player to win a MVP award. Versalles led the AL in plate appearances (728), at-bats (666), runs scored (126), doubles (45), triples (12), extra-base hits (76) and total bases (308), was second in assists (487) and third in stolen bases (27). Todate Versalles is only one of three Twins (along with Rod Carew and Joe Mauer) to lead the league in WAR. Twins outfielder Tony Oliva finishes second in the MVP balloting receiving the only other first place vote.

11/18/1992 – The Twins and Mets swap outfielders when the Twins acquire Pat Howell and the Mets receive Darren Reed.

11/18/1997 – The Twins lose outfielder Brent Brede and catcher Damian Miller to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 1997 expansion draft. The Tampa Devil Rays did not select any Minnesota Twins in that draft.

11/18/2001 – Approximately 4,000 Minnesota Twins fans (and I was one of them) gathered in the Metrodome’s parking lot on a rainy Sunday afternoon to voice their support for their team after MLB voted to contract two teams.

German born Navy vet 65-68 and served aboard the Shangri La CVA-38. I run https://Twinstrivia.com, best MN Twins historical web site there is. Stop by daily and check out OTD in Twins history and much more. Live in Minnesota and Florida depending on what time of the year it is.