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2023 – The Twins beat the Toronto Blue Jays at Target Field in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series by a score of 3-1. Pablo López was the starter and winner, allowing one run on five hits in 5.2 innings pitched, with two walks and three strikeouts. Louie Varland (0.1 IP), Caleb Thielbar (1.0 IP) and Griffin Jax (1.0 IP) each earned a hold as Jhoan Duran earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning. The offense recorded five hits and walked six times. Royce Lewis went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI. The paid attendance was 38,450, the second sellout of the season and largest since the Home Opener on April 7 vs. Houston – 38,465. The win for the Twins marked their first playoff victory since a 2-0 win at old Yankee Stadium in Game 1 of the ALDS on October 5, 2004 – a span of 6,397 days. The win snapped the longest playoff losing streak in baseball history and the longest playoff losing streak in North American sports history (MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL). In that span, the Twins had lost 13 games to the Yankees, three to the A’s and two to the Astros for a total of 18 straight playoff losses. Box Score
2022 – The Twins jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning but didn’t score again and lost to the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field by a score of 3-2. Bailey Ober was the starter but did not factor into the decision, allowing two runs on two hits in 5.0 innings pitched. Griffin Jax (7-4) was issued the loss, allowing the go-ahead run to score in the bottom of the seventh inning. The offense recorded seven hits, three coming from Carlos Correa, his 11th three-hit game of the season. Gio Urshela had two hits, one being a two-run homer in the first inning. The two hits gave Gio 141 on the season, setting a new single-season career-high (139 in 2019). Box Score
2021 – The Twins and Kansas City Royals play the season finale at Kauffman Stadium and the Twins end their frustrating year with a 7-3 victory when they quickly put up a five spot in the top of the first inning. The first six batters in the Twins order reached base safely before Royals starter Jackson Kowar (0-6) was able to retire the first batter. Kowar ended up going 4 innings and did not give up a hit or a run after the Twins ambushed him at the start. Rookie Charlie Barnes was the Twins starter and he ran into some trouble in the third inning and left after pitching 2.2 innings, allowing 7 hits, and three runs (2 earned). The Twins used five pitchers and Nick Vincent who pitched two clean innings was awarded the win, his first as a Twin. Each team had 9 hits but the the Twins left 2 runs on base and KC left 8 stranded. Byron Buxton (19) and Jorge Polanco (33) each hit home runs and Polanco’s 3 RBI on the day gave him 98 on the season, more than any other Twins switch-hitter has had in a season. Luis Arraez contributed 3 hits and 2 runs scored from his lead-off spot. The Twins finished their season with a 73-89 record and I am guessing they were all ready to see the season wrap-up. The Twins were 35-46 on the road and 38-43 at home and were outscored by 105 runs. Box Score
2017 – The Twins make the playoffs for the first time since 2010 and for the 12th time in their 57 year history as Minnesota Twins. The Twins were a Wild Card participant for the first time ever and played the New York Yankees on the road in a one game winner-takes-all affair where the winner advances and the loser is eliminated. The Twins took a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Brian Dozier became the first player in MLB history to hit a home run as the first batter in postseason play when he hit a his home run on a 3-1 pitch from Yankee starter Luis Severino. Joe Mauer popped out but Jorge Polanco walked and then Eddie Rosario hit a two-run home run off Severino. In the bottom of the first inning Brett Gardner led off the home half of the first against Ervin Santana with a walk, Aaron Judge singled and Didi Gregorius stepped to the plate with one out. He delivered with a three-run blast, and the celebration was on. In the top of the third inning the Twins scored again to go ahead 4-3 but the Yankees tied it in the bottom of the fourth inning and cruised to an 8-4 win with 8 and 2/3 innings of the game pitched by four Yankee relievers. The Yankees are now 13-2 versus the Twins in postseason play. Minnesota has now lost 13 consecutive playoff games, 10 of them to the damn Yankees, a streak of failure dating back to 2004. Jose Berrios was charged with the loss and David Robertson was credited with the win when he pitched a career high 3 an 1/3 scoreless innings throwing 52 pitches. The number of consecutive postseason games lost by the Twins has reached 13 matching the Red Sox (1986-1995) for the longest streak in postseason history. Box Score
2013 – The Twins and Lee County, Fla. officials break ground on a $48.5M renovation of Hammond Stadium, the team’s Spring Training facility in Ft. Myers. The two-year project will expand the ballpark’s capacity from 8,000 to 9,300 seats, develop a new 360-degree boardwalk around the park, upgrade concessions, restrooms and premium seating, and create a new team store.
2012 – The Twins close out a dismal season on the road at Rogers Centre with their fifth consecutive loss as they get beat by the Toronto Blue Jays by a score of 2-1 with just 19,791 fans looking on in a quick 2 hour 21 game. Scott Diamond (12-9) started for Minnesota and got stuck with the loss as he pitched 5 innings (80 pitches) allowing just two runs on five hits. Brandon Morrow (10-7) was a titch better on this day going 8 innings (110 pitches) and allowing a lone run on 3 hits white striking out 11 Twins and nailed down his 10th win against 7 setbacks. The Twins were outhit 6 to 4 and 3 of the Twins 4 hits were off the bat of Ben Revere and he scored the only run the Twins plated. The Twins finish the season three games better than last season with a 66-96 record good for last place, 22 games out. The Twins had just one winning month, a 14-13 June and they were bad on the road and bad at home. Wait until next year, as they say…. Box Score
2010 – The Twins finished off a productive season in Target Field albeit with a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in a game where each team had just four hits. Nick Blackburn (10-12) took the loss allowing just 2 runs and three hits in seven innings but two of them were solo home runs. Mark Rzepczynski also went 7 innings for the Jays getting the win but he allowed one run and zero earned on 4 hits. Joe Mauer was 1 for 2 and had the Twins only extra base hit, a double. Orlando Hudson (10) was also 1 for 2 with a stolen base. The 94-68 Twins won the AL Central by 6 games over Chicago. It is the Twins sixth division title in the last nine seasons. If only they had the same success in postseason play. Box Score
2004 – The Twins make it three AL Central titles in a row. In the season’s final regular season game it was again at the Metrodome and again the opponent was the Cleveland Indians but this time the Twins came out losers in a 5-2 game that lasted just 2 hours and 15 minutes with 28,624 fans looking on. Cliff Lee (14-8) started for the Indians and wen 7 innings for the win. Kyle Lohse (9-13) started for Minnesota and lasted just four innings (57 pitches) allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and was the losing pitcher. The Twins had just 5 hits and two of those were home runs by Matt LeCroy (9) and Michael Cuddyer (12). Shannon Stewart had two hits. Box Score
1999 – The Twins ended their miserable 1999 season (63-97-1) against the White Sox at Comiskey Park II with a 1-1 tie game. The game was called due to rain, wind and cold in the middle of the seventh inning after the Twins scored in the top of the seventh after two were out when Doug Mientkiewicz singled and Torii Hunter doubled him home. Previous to the Twins scoring in the top of the seventh, the game had been scoreless since the bottom of the first when the White Sox scored their lone run. The game went on the books as a tie game. Torii Hunter was 2 for 3 with two doubles while Eric Milton pitched all six innings for Minnesota allowing the one run on four hits. 18,694 fans attended the season finale for both teams. Box Score
1997 – The Minnesota Twins signed a letter of intent for the sale of the team to North Carolina Major League Baseball (NCMLB), LLC, a company led by NC businessman Don Beaver.
DON BEAVER letter of intent to buy Twins
1993 – The Twins closed out the 1993 season with a 7-2 win over the Seattle Mariners behind 7 sharp innings from starter Kevin Tapani who book-ended 1993 with a loss in the Home Opener and a win in the season finale. Tapani (12-15) got the win with 7.1 innings of work allowing two runs on 6 hits with 7 K’s. Seattle starter Tim Leary (11-9) took the loss. Kent Hrbek (25) had a huge day with 2 home runs, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored and 2 walks. Kirby Puckett (22) and David McCarty (2) also hit home runs for the Twins. The Twins finished the season with a 71-91 record tied for fith place in the AL West Division, 21 games worse than in 1992. 15,066 fans showed up to watch the Twins play their final game in 1993. Box Score
1990 – The Twins close out a miserable 1990 season at the Metrodome in front of 9,826 baseball fans as they beat the Seattle Mariners 7-4. The win still doesn’t change the fact that the Twins finished in seventh and last place in the AL West a full 29 games behind the Oakland A’s and posted a 74-88 record. The Big Unit, Randy Johnson (14-11) started for the Mariners but lasted just 4.1 innings throwing 99 pitches and allowing 5 runs, 4 earned on 6 hits and 6 walks and took the defeat. Rookie Larry Casian (2-1) started for Minnesota and got the win with 7 innings of work (89 pitches) allowing 3 runs on 9 hits. The Twins were out hit 12-11 but the Mariners ccommitted four errors. Shane Mack led the Twins hit parade with 3 hits, one of which was a double, Kirby Puckett and Pedro Munoz added in two each. The Twins also turned 3 doubleplays. Box Score
1982 – The 1982 Twins ended their season just like they started it, with a loss. The Twins lost their season finale at the Metrodome to the visiting Chicago White Sox by a score of 6-1 with both teams getting seven hits. The loss was number 102 on the season. Brad Havens (10-14) started for Minnesota and went 5.1 innings giving up 5 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks and took the loss. Greg Wells had two hts including a triple and Randy Bush had two doubles. LaMarr Hoyt (19-15) went the distance for the White Sox and was the winner and got the win. Box Score
1976 – Kansas City’s George Brett won the American League batting championship by half a point over teammate Hal McRae and by three points over four-time defending champion Rod Carew of the Twins Sunday as Minnesota beat the Royals 5-3 in the last game of the regular season at Royals Stadium. Jim Hughes started for Minnesota and went the distance allowing three runs on six hits and pocketed his ninth win of the year. Five different Twins had two hits in the game. Box Score
Afterward McRae, who is black, strongly implied that for racial reasons the Twins and manager Gene Mauch allowed Brett to collect the inside-the-park home run that won the title on his last at-bat. Brett is white. You can read more about this disputed batting race here and here.
1970 – The Twins play the Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS for the second year in a row and again lose game 1, this time by a score of 10-6 at Metropolitan Stadium in front of a play-off crowd of only 26,847. Jim Perry takes the defeat when he gives up 8 runs on 8 hits in 3.1 innings. Harmon Killebrew was 2 for 5 with a home run and 2 RBI, George Mitterwald was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and 2 run scored and Tony Oliva also had three hits including 2 doubles. The Orioles hit three home runs but the biggest might have been the grand slam by O’s starter Mike Cueller as part of the Baltimore 7 run fourth inning. Box Score
1965 – At Metropolitan Stadium, In the final game of the 1965 season, California Angels first baseman and former Minnesota Twin, Vic Power (Pellot) ends his 12-year major league career going 1-for-5 with a RBI single in a 3-2 loss to the Twins. The .284 career hitter will have the distinction of being the last active player to have worn a Philadelphia A’s uniform (1954). The Twins were out-hit 12 to 6 but managed to win the game. The Twins used a committee of pitchers with Jim Perry getting the win and Johnny Klippstein the Save. Harmon Killebrew hit his 25th home run (remember he missed about 1 1/2 months due to injury) and had 2 RBI while Don Mincher had 2 hits including a double and a RBI. Box Score
“I went to my first major league spring training when I joined Philadelphia in Florida. I knew something was strange when the white players checked into the hotel near the ballpark while Bob Trice and I were sent to the “colored section.” It was 2 miles away and we’d have to walk both ways because we couldn’t take taxis. When we got to the park we discovered we weren’t allowed to drink the cold water in the dugouts but had to drink warm water from a fountain behind the centerfield billboard. And we couldn’t use the same bathroom as the white players. No one warned me about segregation in the South. No one told me why black players couldn’t openly date light-skinned women, or stay in the same hotel as white players, or eat in the same restaurants. I learned English by reading on the team bus while the other players ate in whites-only restaurants …. My mother couldn’t believe it when I wrote her that a restaurant wouldn’t serve a hungry person who had money, or that I got stopped by police for going downtown after 6 P.M.
“….No one explained to me about racial problems. They just let me find out for myself, I gained so much respect for Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby, Willie Mays, and the other black players who came before me.
“Being from Puerto Rico, where there was no difference between the races, I didn’t think I was representing blacks when I played baseball with white players. But black fans cheered for me. Once, in an exhibition game in Mobile, Alabama, the blacks who were sitting in the sun in a segregated section of the ballpark went wild when I hit a ball that knocked down a sign that said: YELLOW TAXIS FOR WHITES ONLY. That gave me a lot of satisfaction.
“I became the second black to play for the Athletics. Bob Trice, a tall right-handed pitcher from Georgia, had come up in 1953. Naturally, the team had us room together on the road. I was one of the first Puerto Ricans to play in the majors. That meant a lot to me. It also made me more of a hero in Puerto Rico, though it took time before they knew that Vic Power of the Athletics was the same guy as Victor Pellot in the winter leagues. The first Puerto Rican in the majors had been Hiram Bithorn, a right-handed pitcher who won 18 games for the Cubs in 1943 but didn’t pitch much more after returning from the army. I think there were only two other Puerto Ricans in the majors in my rookie year. Ruben Gomez was pitching for the Giants, in his second year. And Luis Marquez, an outfielder-first baseman, played for the Cubs and the Pirates. He had been in the majors once before, in 1951 with the Boston Braves. Roberto Clemente and Luis Arroyo would be rookies in 1955. And Juan Rivera’s parents were Puerto Rican.
“Connie Mack was no longer the Athletics’ manager or in charge of the organization, but I was fortunate to meet him. He was such a nice old gentleman. I wouldn’t have been surprised to learn that he never got mad in his life.
“I began my rookie [year] going 0 for 16 against Mike Garcia, Bob Feller, Early Wynn and Bob Lemon in Cleveland …. Then we went to Chicago, and I got a bloop single for my first major league hit. The next time up, the pitcher threw at my head …. Not long after that, another white pitcher told me, ‘I’m going to stick it in one ear and have it come out your other ear’ …. I figured I’d have to still fight to survive, just like in the minors.
“Philadelphia was such a miserable team. Bobby Shantz and Alex Kellner were the only good pitchers, but that year no pitcher had 10 victories. They couldn’t strike out anybody, so I was always chasing after balls. I’d get so tired. But I hustled and didn’t complain about playing the outfield.
“There were some nice guys on [the Athletics]. Jim Finigan, our third baseman, was a very friendly man. He was a steady fielder and good contact hitter, but without power. He got by on his intelligence. He was second to Bob Grim in the voting for Rookie of the Year.
“I was friends with Elmer Valo. He was from Czechoslovakia, but he was my English teacher on the bench. He learned my accent, and when the umpire made a bad call, Valo yelled out, “You son of a beech!” The umpire would see me in the dugout and throw me out of the game. Any time the umpire made a bad call, I’d have to run into the clubhouse before Valo cursed him.
“….I was making $12,000 as a rookie. I was supposed to be a Rookie of the Year candidate and was even invited on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ to sing some song I didn’t know the words to. But I only hit .255….”
— Vic Power
We Played the Game
Borrowed from a site called “They Played the Game” that no longer exists.