This Week in Twins History: June 28-July 4

Written by: Justin Murphy on 28th June 2009

This Week in Twins History: June 28-July 4 | read this item

On the Fourth of July in 1961, the expansion Twins were facing the White Sox at Metropolitan Stadium. It was goose eggs all around going into the bottom of the eighth before pitcher Jack Kralick singled home Lenny Green for the first run of the game. Zoilo Versalles followed with a single of his own, and Harmon Killebrew came up with two outs. He lifted a ball to deep center field. It wasn’t far enough to leave the stadium, but it stayed out there long enough for Killebrew to come all the way around for an inside-the-park home run. It was the first one ever hit at Metropolitan Stadium, and it was the only time Killebrew did it in his career. The Twins won, 4-0.

Why do we mention it? Because it’s patriotic. And because it happened this week in Twins history. And, most importantly, because Harmon Killebrew turns 73 years old on June 29.

Besides being the best Idahoan to ever wear a big league uniform, Killebrew made an indelible mark on the Twins record books. He’s first in franchise history in games played, home runs, slugging percentage, OPS, RBIs, and walks, and is second to Kirby Puckett in runs scored and total bases. Those numbers do not include 390 games he played with the Washington Senators before they moved to Minneapolis. Killebrew won the 1969 MVP award, and was the first Twin to enter the Hall of Fame.

There’s never been another hitter like the Killer, but several Twins have tried their hand at it. On June 29, 1969, the Twins had a doubleheader with the Royals. Tony Oliva was put out in his first at-bat, then proceeded to stroke eight consecutive hits in the two games. That included a pair of homers and a double in the nightcap, which the Twins won 12-2.

On June 29, 1984, Andre David made his big league debut, and also his bid to become the next Harmon Killebrew. In his first at-bat, David took the Tigers’ Jack Morris deep for a two-run homer. Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there. David played only 38 career games, and never hit another homer. He’s the only player in Twins history to hit a home run in his first at-bat, then never hit another. Pitcher Hal Haydel hit his only home run in his first major league game, but it was in his third at-bat. In his first career at-bat, he only doubled.

Bert Blyleven accomplished a more traditional pitching feat on July 4, 1974, when he threw a one-hitter against the Rangers. The one hit, however, was a solo home run, and it almost cost him dearly. The Twins didn’t tie the game until there were two outs in the ninth, then walked off on a Larry Hisle home run. It was one of five one-hitters for Bert; three of them came for Minnesota in the span of one year.

Blyleven was all well and good, but it cannot be denied that he once gave up a home run to Mark McGwire. In an attempt to avoid the same fate, Bob Tewksbury took an unusual tack against Big Mac on June 28, 1998. Three times, he threw him 40 mile-per-hour eephus pitches, and recorded two outs as a result. After the game, St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa reflected, “the first time it was funny. He kept getting outs with it, and then it wasn’t so funny.”

On July 1, 2005, Jesse Crain got the win in relief over Tampa Bay. He moved to 8-0 on the season after going 3-0 in 2004. They were the first 11 decisions of his career, and all of them came in relief, a new baseball record. Crain established career bests in wins (12), appearances (75), ERA (2.71) that season.

Besides Killebrew, two particularly well loved Twins celebrate birthdays this week. Corey Koskie turns 36 on June 28. In seven seasons with Minnesota, Koskie hit .275/.367/.458 with 124 home runs. Only Gary Gaetti and Rich Rollins have played more games at third base for the Twins than Koskie.

Also, Al Newman has his 49th birthday on June 30. Newman spent five seasons with Minnesota, and later coached in the organization. He had 380 hits for the club, but only 66 of them were for extra bases—59 doubles and three triples. Among the 68 men who have at least 380 hits for the Twins, none recorded as few extra base knocks as Newman. His career extra-base hit percentage was just 3.2%.

Cesar Tovar (69 on July 3) is one of only three players to record 200 hits in a season for Minnesota; the others are Tony Oliva and Rod Carew. He stole 226 bases in his career and spent eight seasons with the Twins. Jim Hughes (58 on July 2) won 16 games for Minnesota in 1975; he was originally drafted in the 33rd round.

Two current Twins minor leaguers have birthdays this week. Justin Huber, the Red Wings first baseman from Australia, will be 27 on July 1. He hit only two home runs in 173 big league plate appearances from 2005-2008, but this year in Rochester he’s already got nine of them. Rene Tosoni (23 on July 2), a 36th round draft choice in 2005, is playing for Canada in this year’s Future Game. He’s getting on base at a .377 clip for the New Britain Rockcats this season.

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Topics: Al Newman, Andre David, Bert Blyleven, Bob Tewksbury, Cesar Tovar, Corey Koskie, Gary Gaetti, Hal Haydel, Harmon Killebrew, Jack Morris, Jesse Crain, Jim Hughes, Justin Huber, kirby puckett, Larry Hisle, Lenny Green, Mark McGwire, Minnesota Twins, Rene Tosoni, Rich Rollins, Rod Carew, This Week in Twins History, Tony LaRussa, Tony Oliva, Zoilo Versalles