TWINS TRIVIA is hopefully a fun and informative site that will help you to better enjoy the Minnesota Twins and their wonderful history. “History never looks like history when you are living through it” – John Gardner, former Secretary of Health
The following players made their major league debut’s as Minnesota Twins on May 26.
Jason Miller (P) – May 26, 2007 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 4th round of the 2000 MLB June Amateur Draft
Brad Thomas (P) – May 26, 2001 – Signed as a Free Agent with the Minnesota Twins on May 12, 1997. Big league debut not exactly a smooth one for Brad as a starter, Johan Santana came in to relieve him.
Only one major league debut as a Minnesota Twins today.
Rob Radlosky (P) – May 25, 1999 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 22nd round of the 1993 amateur draft. Radlosky’s debut was one he would rather forget, first three batters hit a single, double, and a home run. When his three innings of relief were over at the Metrodome, Rob had faced 18 batters giving up 7 hits, 2 walks, 6 earned runs, and last but not least 2 home runs. Before you make fun of him, remember that he pitched in the big leagues, you and I didn’t. By the way, I am looking for pictures of Rob Radlosky in a Twins uniform, if you can help, please let me know.
The following players made their major league debuts as Minnesota Twins on May 24.
Cole De Vries (P) – May 24, 2012 – Signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent on August 22, 2006. Cole, a Minnesota native was saddled with he loss during his big league debut.
Matt Macri (3B) – May 24, 2008 – Traded by the Colorado Rockies to the Minnesota Twins for Ramon Ortiz on August 15, 2007. Matt made his big league debut in a 19-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Comerica Park but he did pretty well for himself going 2 for 3 with a run scored, a RBI and a stolen base.
Only one player made his major league debut as a Minnesota Twins player on May 22.
Chris Colabello (1B) – May 22, 2013 – Signed as a Free Agent with the Minnesota Twins on February 2, 2012 – According to B-R Colabello is the 18,000 player to debut in the majors but his debut was not much to write home about. Colabello has quite a story to tell, check it out.
The following seven players made their major league debuts in a Minnesota Twins uniform over the years on May 21.
Trevor Plouffe (SS/2B/OF/3B) – May 21, 2010 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (20th) of the 2004 MLB June Amateur Draft. A nice debut at shortstop for Trevor going 2 for 5 with a run scored and two RBI.
Boof Bonser (P) – May 21, 2006 – Traded by the San Francisco Giants with Francisco Liriano and Joe Nathan to the Minnesota Twins for A.J. Pierzynski and cash on November 14, 2003. A solid major league debut in his six inning start but the Twins bullpen let him down and cost him his first big league win. Boof? Twins Know What It Means
Luis Rodriguez (2B/3B/SS) – May 21, 2005 – Signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent on June 1, 1997
Gene Larkin (1B/OF) – May 21, 1987 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 20th round of the 1984 amateur draft. Going 2 for 4 with an RBI in your first big league game is pretty nice.
Frank Eufemia (P) – May 21, 1985 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 18th round of the 1982 amateur draft. Debut not too shabby considering he was pitching in a blow-out loss, 3.1 innings and no runs allowed.
Paul Boris (P) – May 21, 1982 – Traded by the New York Yankees with Ron Davis and Greg Gagne to the Minnesota Twins for Roy Smalley on April 10, 1982. Boris’s major league debut was one he would like to forget.
Jerry Crider (P) – May 21, 1969 – Signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent in 1962
The following players made their major league debuts wearing a Minnesota Twins uniform on May 20.
Caleb Thielbar (P) – May 20, 2013 – Signed as a Free Agent with the Minnesota Twins on August 18, 2011
Dave Stevens (P) – May 20, 1994 – Traded by the Chicago Cubs with Matt Walbeck to the Minnesota Twins for Willie Banks on November 24, 1993.
Brian Buchanan (OF) – May 19, 2000 – Traded by the New York Yankees with Cristian Guzman, Eric Milton, Danny Mota and cash to the Minnesota Twins for Chuck Knoblauch on February 6, 1998.
Jim Strickland (P) – May 19, 1971 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1970 minor league draft. Starter Jim Perry didn’t have it in his start against the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium so manager Mele called on Jim Strickland to show what he could do to stop the bleeding with the Twins down 5-4 and Angels runners at first and second with two out in the bottom of the third. Strickland retired Sandy Alomar on a grounder to third and he was out of the inning. In the fourth inning he struck out the side (Alex Johnson, Tony Conigliaro, and John Stephenson) and in the top of the fifth the Twins scored three runs and went ahead 7-6. Strickland stayed in the game and retired the Angels on one hit and no runs. Mele brought in Tom Hall and he earned the save by pitching four perfect innings with six strikeouts and the Twins won the game 12-6 and Jim Strickland notched his first big league win in his major league debut.
Only one player made his major league debut as a Minnesota Twin on May 17 and he is one of former manager Tom Kelly‘s all-time favorites. NOT!
Dave McCarty (1B) – May 17, 1993 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1991 amateur draft. Kind of an odd first round in 1991, the Yankees pick as number one over-all was LHP Brien Taylor who never pitched in the big leagues and number 13 pick Manny Ramirez who was selected by the Indians may have been the best of the first rounders.
The only player to make his major league debut as a Minnesota Twin on May 14, ten years ago today, was Twins right-handed pitcher Julio DePaula.
Julio DePaula (P) – May 16, 2007 – Signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent on July 10, 1999.
The following players made their major league debut on this day in a Minnesota Twins uniform.
Garrett Jones (1B/OF) – May 15, 2007 – Signed as a Free Agent with the Minnesota Twins on May 24, 2002.
Pete Filson (P) – May 15, 1982 – Traded by the New York Yankees with Larry Milbourne, John Pacella and cash to the Minnesota Twins for Roger Erickson and Butch Wynegar on May 12, 1982.
Pete Redfern (P) – May 15, 1976 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (1st pick) of the 1976 amateur draft (January Secondary). Redfern was drafted in January and pitching for the Twins in May with 4 games of minor league experience. Earned a “W” in his first big league game.