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
Charles “Chuck” Nieson, a right-handed pitcher who spent seven seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization and made two major league appearances during a short September call-up in 1964, passed away on April 7, 2026, in Ortonville, Minnesota. He was 83.
Born September 24, 1942, in Hanford, California, Nieson developed into a promising young arm at Fresno State University, becoming just the fifth Bulldogs player ever to reach the major leagues. The Twins signed him as an amateur free agent before the 1962 season, beginning a long and steady climb through the organization’s minor-league system.
Nieson debuted that summer with the Fort Walton Beach Jets, striking out more than a batter per inning and showing the swing-and-miss ability that would remain his calling card. He advanced to Double-A Charlotte in 1963 and then to AAA Atlanta in 1964, earning a September promotion to Minnesota at age 21.
Major league debuts as Minnesota Twins on September 18th.
Michael Restovich (OF) – September 18, 2002 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 2nd round of the 1997 MLB June Amateur Draft. Started as the Twins right fielder hitting seventh in his debut at Comerica Park but ended up going 0 for 4 in the Twins 2-0 shutout of the Tigers.
Doug Mientkiewicz
Doug Mientkiewicz (1B) – September 18, 1998 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 5th round of the 1995 amateur draft. O for 3 with a walk in his debut at Tiger Stadium while playing first base and hitting in the eight hole. The Twins lost this game to the Tigers by a 5-4 score in 11 innings.
Rich Garces (P) – September 18, 1990 – Signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent on December 29, 1987. Pitched a scoreless final inning allowing a hit and a walk at the Dome as the Twins pounded the KC Royals 10-4.
Bob Veselic
Bob Veselic (P) – September 18, 1980 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (9th pick) of the 1976 amateur draft (January). Debuted at County Stadium with 4 innings of relief allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk while striking out 2 batters but his team was shutout by the Brewers 5-0 in game 2 of a DH for a sweep.
Chuck Nieson (P) – September 18, 1964 – Signed as an amateur free agent in 1962. Big league debut was at Fenway Park as a reliever in a Twins 7-6 loss to the Red Sox. Nieson pitched one scoreless inning striking out two and walking one. Chuck only pitched in one other big league game which was the next day against the Red Sox again and he gave up his only big league hit, a home run to Frank Malzone. Nieson debuted in the same game as Dave Boswell did.
Dave Boswell
Dave Boswell (P) – September 18, 1964 – Signed as an amateur free agent in 1963. Debuted as the starting pitcher in the same game that Chuck Nieson did at Fenway Park and his pitching line was 3 innings pitched, 3 runs on 4 hits and 5 walks with 5 strikeouts but at least he avoided getting the “L”. Boswell’s big league career lasted a lot longer than did Mr. Nieson’s.
Two players, both pitchers made their big league debut wearing the uniform of the Minnesota Twins on June 12.
Mike Kinnunen (P) – June 12, 1980 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 10th round of the 1979 amateur draft. Mike struck out his first big league batter but than a walk and a home run by Champ Summers became part of his debut. Kinnunen appeared in 21 games for Minnesota without getting a win, a loss or a save, as a matter of fact he didn’t get any wins, losses, or saves in his entire 48 game career. Mike held the MLB record for this stat until a few years ago when it was broken.
Gerry Arrigo (P) – June 12, 1961 – drafted from White Sox in 1960 first year draft. Only the fifth player in Twins history to make his big league debut wearing Minnesota across his chest. His debut was a start against the Red Sox at Fenway Park with only 2,984 fans in the stands. Arrigo pitched a scoreless first, then in the second inning he allowed a single to Frank Malzone, he hit Jim Pagliaroni with a pitch, Vic Wertz advanced the runners with a ground out to second. Don Buddin drew a walk and Red Sox pitcher Ike Delock singled to plate one run, than Chuck Shilling singled to score two more runs and Arrigo found himself with an unplanned early shower after just 1.1 innings.
Morrison and Longoria go back-to-back in the 15th inning
Logan Morrison and Evan Longoria hit back-to-back home runs in the 15th inning yesterday to give the Rays an 8-6 win over the Twins. It’s the third time in major-league history that a pair of players hit back-to-back home runs in the 15th inning or later. Boston’s Frank Malzone and Dick (Dr. Strangeglove) Stuart did it in the 15th inning at Tiger Stadium on June 11, 1963, and Brian Hunter and Craig Biggio did it for the Astros at Shea Stadium on June 16, 1995.
