Tag: Greg Thayer

Former Twins players that passed away in 2025

Another trip around the Sun and it is once again time to to look back and remember former Minnesota Twins that have gotten the call to their final resting place. They may be gone from this earth but their memories will always remain.

Jeff Bittiger was born April 13, 1962 in Jersey City, NJ and died on July 19, 2025 at the age of 63 after a lengthy battle with Cancer. Bittiger was originally drafted by the Mets in 1980 but made his big league debut on September 2, 1986 with the Phillies and was signed by the Twins as a free agent in April 1987. He pitched for the Minnesota Twins in 1987 appearing in three games late in the 1987 season. He won his first and only game as a Twin in his lone start for the Twins in a 8-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Bittiger went 7 innings allowing 1 run on 6 hits while striking out 5. Bittiger again became a Free Agent after the 1987 season. Bittiger pitched in the majors in 33 games with a 4-6 record with a 4.77 ERA. Bittiger must have loved baseball because he pitched in the minor/independent leagues from 1980-2003, a total of 23 years.

Bill Dailey was born on May 13, 1935 in Arlington, Virginia and passed away on January 11, 2025 at the age of 89. Dailey started his baseball career by signing with the Cleveland Indians prior to the 1953 season and made his big league debut on August 17, 1961 at Cleveland Stadium versus the Boston Red Sox with 4 innings of scoreless relief in a 14-inning 4-3 Cleveland win. The Minnesota Twins purchased Dailey in April of 1963 and he quickly became a folk hero in Minnesota and they even had a song about him called “won’t you come in Bill Dailey”. In his first season in Minnesota he pitched in 66 games, pitching 108.2 innings with a 1.99 ERA and a 6-4 record notching 21 saves. In 1964 he suffered a rotor cuff injury and had to walk away from the game at the age of 29, baseball can be a cruel game. You can find my interview with Bill Dailey in the Interview Archives on this site.

Scott Klingenbeck was born on February 3, 1971 in Cincinnati, Ohio and died on May 20, 2025 at the age of 54. Klingenbeck was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth round of the 1992 amateur draft and made his debut in a start against the Detroit Tigers in an 11-5 win in which he pitched 7 innings allowing 3 earned runs for his first big league win. In July of 1995 the Orioles traded Klingenbeck to Minnesota for a PTBNL (who was later announced as OF Kimera Bartee). Klingenbeck pitched for the Twins in 1995-1996 and compiled a 1-3 record in 28 games with an ERA of 8.30. The Twins traded Klingenbeck to the Cincinnati Reds in April 1997. Klingenbeck pitched briefly for the Reds in 1998 before and for their AAA team in 1999 before retiring from baseball.

Andy Kosco was born on October 5, 1941 in Youngstown, Ohio and died on December 19, 2025 at the age of 84. Kosco excelled at every sport as a youngster. By the time he was a senior at Struthers High School, he was a strapping 6-feet-3 and 210 pounds, and excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He received 44 scholarship offers for football, including ones from powers such as Michigan State and Ohio State, and 27 offers for basketball. “I think I was blessed with a lot of size,” said Kosco. “I ran well and threw well.” Kosco started his career with the Detroit Tigers as a free agent prior to the 1959 season and was released on June 3, 1964 and signed by the Minnesota Twins just three days later. Kosko debuted with the Twins on August 13, 1965 on a team packed with stars that was on its way to the World Series. Kosco played for the Twins between 1965-1967 but could not win a starting job and was sold to the Athletics after the 1967 season. Kosco went on to a number of other teams playing in the big leagues for all or parts of ten seasons with the Twins, Yankees, Dodgers, Brewers, Angels, Red Sox and the Redlegs appearing in 658 games hitting .236 with 73 home runs. If Andy Kosco’s baseball career could be described in a song, it might be the old Hank Snow classic “I’ve Been Everywhere.” Kosco may best be remembered for replacing Mickey Mantle in his final game, it was a memorable moment for Kosco, who often retold the story of taking over for the Yankee legend in his final game. 

Continue reading Former Twins players that passed away in 2025

Greg Thayer, Former Twins Reliever, Dies at 76

Greg Thayer, a right-handed pitcher who appeared in 20 games for the Minnesota Twins during the 1978 season, passed away on December 12, 2025 in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He was 76.

Born October 23, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Thayer’s baseball journey began in earnest at St. Cloud Tech High School and continued at St. Cloud State University. Thayer attended St. Cloud State on a football scholarship, where he played quarterback and helped the Huskies win a conference championship in 1970. He also played three seasons on the baseball team, leading the Huskies to a conference championship in each of his three seasons on the diamond. He was named all-conference honors in 1971 as a pitcher and outfielder. He was inducted into the St. Cloud State Hall of Fame in 1994 in football and baseball.

His professional career started when the San Francisco Giants selected him in the 32nd round of the 1971 June Amateur Draft. It was a modest draft position, but it opened the door to a steady climb through the minor leagues.

A Long Road Through the Minors

Thayer spent his early professional years in the Giants’ farm system, pitching for several affiliates as he worked to refine his command and durability. After his release by San Francisco in April 1973, he signed with the Minnesota Twins later that year, beginning a second chapter in his minor league career. Over the next several seasons, he pitched at multiple levels of the Twins’ system, earning a reputation as a reliable organizational arm who took the ball whenever needed.

Reaching the Major Leagues

Thayer’s persistence paid off on April 7, 1978, when he made his major league debut for the Twins at the Kingdome against the Seattle Mariners. In that first outing, he threw three innings, allowing two hits and two earned runs while striking out three and walking four. It was the kind of gritty, workman-like appearance that would define his brief time in the majors. He earned his only major league victory on May 6, 1978, in Baltimore, when he pitched 5.2 innings of shutout relief as the Twins scored seven runs in the ninth to rally for a 8-7 victory. 

During his time with the Twins during the 1978 season, Thayer appeared exclusively in relief, logging 45 innings across 20 games. He finished the year with a 3.80 ERA, 30 strikeouts, and a 1–1 record — solid numbers for a bullpen arm on a team searching for stability.

After the Twins

Thayer’s final major league appearance came on June 26, 1978, against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was sent back to the minors at the end of June and he never returned to the big leagues. His partial season with Minnesota represented the culmination of years of determination and quiet professionalism. Thayer spent the 1979 season in the Twins minor league system and then he turned up in the Toronto organization in 1980. There is no transaction in B-R documenting the move.

Following his playing career, he contributed to the Sauk Rapids, Minnesota sports community as a baseball coach for many years. He also loved spending time with his friends and enjoyed being out in nature, often combining both as an avid fisherman and bird hunter.

A Place in Twins History

For fans and historians who value the full tapestry of Twins baseball, Greg Thayer’s story is a reminder of the countless players whose contributions may not have made headlines but still mattered. His journey — from Cedar Rapids to St. Cloud, from a 32nd round pick to the mound at Metropolitan Stadium — reflects the perseverance and pride shared by so many who have worn a Twins uniform.

Greg Thayer is survived by his son and daughter, Andy (RaeAnne) Thayer of Golden Valley; Stephanie (Paul) Schlangen of Sauk Rapids; grandsons, Frederick & Walter Schlangen; and brother, Jeff (Kathy) Thayer of Spring Lake Park.

He is preceded in death by his parents and wife Christine.

Greg Allen Thayer’s obituary as well as a beautiful video can be seen here.

Pitcher “Iron Mike” Mike Marshall gone at the age of 78

Mike Marshall #28 of the Minnesota Twins looks on during an Major League Baseball game circa 1979. Marshall played for the Twins from 1978-80. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Mike Marshall, one of the most durable relievers in baseball history and the first reliever to win a Cy Young award has died at the age of 78 on May 31, 2021 exactly 54 years to day of when he made his MLB debut. Marshall passed away in his Zephyrhills, Florida home where he had been in hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease. Michael Grant Marshall was born in Adrian, Michigan on January 15, 1943.

Marshall began his professional baseball career when he was signed as an infielder by the Philadelphia Phillies on September 13, 1960. Marshall made his MLB debut pitching for the Detroit Tigers at the age of 24 with an inning of relief in 9-0 blow-out loss to the Cleveland Indians.

Continue reading Pitcher “Iron Mike” Mike Marshall gone at the age of 78