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
Kyle Gibson (P) – June 29, 2013 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (22nd) of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft. Gibson earned a “W” in his major league debut as a starter against Kansas City with 6 inning pitched, 8 hits allowed and 2 earned runs. A “quality” start.
Mike Dyer (P) – June 29, 1989 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 4th round of the 1986 amateur draft (January). Player signed May 15, 1986. A tough way to start in the big leagues with a 2 inning start and 6 runs allowed on 6 hits and 3 walks and charged with the loss.
Andre David (OF) – June 29, 1984 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 8th round of the 1980 amateur draft. A home run in his first big league at bat off Jack Morris at Tiger Stadium but sadly that would be the only home run of his short 33 game career in the majors.
Jerry Fosnow (P) – June 29, 1964 – Acquired from the Indians in 1960. MLB debut in relief for the Twins at Memorial Stadium in a loss to Baltimore. Fosnow pitched 2 innings allowing 2 hits, 2 walks and 2 runs.
The 1965 Minnesota Twins had 35 different players suit up and play ball wearing a Twins logo across their chest against the nine other members of the American league. Their manager, Sam Mele had four coaches at his disposal to help guide the team. Here are the images of the players and coaching staff that made up the 1965 American League champions. Team owner Calvin Griffith also served as the teams General Manager.
Just click on any player image to see a larger image
Earl Battey - Catcher
Don Mincher - 1B
Jerry Kindall - 2B
Zoilo Versalles - SS
Rich Rollins - 3B
Bob Allison - OF
Jimmie Hall - OF
Tony Oliva - OF
Harmon Killebrew - 1B/3B/OF
Sandy Valdespino - OF
Joe Nossek - OF/3B
Jerry Zimmerman - Catcher
Frank Quilici - 2B/SS
Andy Kosco - OF/1B
Bernie Allen - 2B/3B
Frank Kostro - 2B/3B/OF
Cesar Tovar - 2B/SS/3B/OF
Ted Uhlaender - OF
John Sevcik - Catcher
Rich Reese - 1B/OF
Jim "Mudcat" Grant - Pitcher
Jim Kaat - Pitcher
Camilo Pascual - Pitcher
Jim Perry - Pitcher
Dave Boswell - Pitcher
Jim Merritt - Pitcher
Dick Stigman - Pitcher
Al Worthington - Pitcher
Mel Nelson - Pitcher
Johnny Klippstein - Pitcher
Bill Pleis - Pitcher
Garry Roggenburk - Pitcher
Jerry Fosnow - Pitcher
Dwight Siebler - Pitcher
Pete Cimino - Pitcher
Sam Mele - Manager
Billy Martin - Coach
L-R: Johnny Sain - Pitching Coach with Manager Sam Mele
The Minnesota Twins hosted a 59th anniversary celebration on July 31 and August 1 for the 1965 American League champions. On July 31st the organization put on a “Championship Breakfast” that was attended by about 250 Twins fans and 11 players from the 1965 championship team that won a Twins record 102 games. Twins TV broadcaster Dick Bremer served as the master of ceremonies.
I was able to attend the breakfast which was held in the Metropolitan Club at Target Field and had a great time meeting other Twins fans and chatting briefly with some of the players. The cost of the breakfast was $75 for season ticket holders and $100 if you were not a Twins season ticket holder with the proceeds going to the Twins Community Fund.
John Sevcik and Bill Pleis were unable to attend due to family health issues. Jimmie Hall also was invited but was not in attendance. Why he was not here is unclear, I saw some where that he was not able to change his schedule in time to attend and the other reason that has floated around for a long time is that Hall likes to stay close to home and that he is not a huge fan of the Twins organization due to some conflicts that have arisen in the past over medical claims. I have no idea why Dwight Siebler or Pete Cimino were not in attendance other than Siebler only appeared in seven games and Cimino only appeared in one game.As nored earlier, coach Hal Naragon was in attendance.
Manager Sam Mele who is 93 was not able to attend due to health concerns but he did make a short video that was played for the crowd. Coaches Billy Martin, Johnny Sain, and Jim Lemon have also passed on. Coach Hal Naragon as mentioned earlier was in attendance.
I took a few pictures at the championship breakfast that I will share with you here. Just click on the first thumbnail image to get started.
The Twins were kind enough to provide me with a group picture from the Saturday celebration. Clicking on the picture will enlarge it slightly.
BACK ROW L – R: Jim Merritt, Jerry Kindall, Dick Stigman, Rich Reese, Mel Nelson, Andy Kosco, Frank Kostro, Garry Roggenburk, Jerry Fosnow, Bernie Allen, Hal Naragon FRONT ROW L – R: Joe Nossek, Sandy Valdespino, Rich Rollins, Jim Perry, Camilo Pascual, Al Worthington, Frank Quilici, Jim Kaat, Jim “Mudcat” Grant, Tony Oliva
The spring of 1965 was challenging in Minnesota and some of the stories in the attached Sporting News will tell you about some of the difficulties the Twins encountered as they prepared for the 1965 season opener. The battle for the second base job seems to have been settled (Jerry Kindall) and you how often do you see high school teammates (Jerry Fosnow and Rich Reese) play for the same professional team? Check out the attached Sporting News pages and travel back in time to April 1965.
As of April 27th the Minnesota Twins were 7-2 and tied for the American league lead. For the Twins 1965 game-by-game schedule and results and an opportunity to view the box scores, stop by this Baseball-Reference page.
Camilo Pascual
The April 27th grand slam home run by Camilo Pascual in the first inning remains the only grand slam home run to be hit by a Twins pitcher. It was however; Pascual’s second career grand slam.
Mike Dyer (P) – June 29, 1989 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 4th round of the 1986 amateur draft (January). Player signed May 15, 1986. A tough way to start in the big leagues with a 2 inning start and 6 runs allowed on 6 hits and 3 walks and charged with the loss.
Andre David (OF) – June 29, 1984 – Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 8th round of the 1980 amateur draft. A home run in his first big league at bat off Jack Morris at Tiger Stadium but sadly that would be the only home run of his short 33 game career in the majors.
