What is the story about?
Results
- R1: Jack Morris Game 7 Shutout 1991
- R2: Kirby Puckett Game 6 Dominance 1991
- R3: First World Series championship 1987
- R4: AL Champions Metrodome welcome 1987
- R5: Game 163 wild victory 2009
- R6: Mudcat’s World Series must-win 1965
- R7: Harmon’s 500th homer 1971
- R8: Final day AL Central title 2006
- R9: Kirby Puckett’s Weekend for the Ages 1987
- R10: Breaking the Playoff Curse (TM) 2023
- R11: The Donnie & Hrbie Show 1987
- R12: Johan Santana in 17K 2007
- R13: Mauer’s Final Moment 2018
- R14: Dozier’s Comeback Capper 2015
- R15: Thome is my Homie 2010
- R16: A Killer Clout 1965
There’s
a moment in every memorable Twins season where fans realize “hey, this is going to be something special”. In 1965, that happened on July 11. Trailing the rival New York Yankees 5-4 going into the bottom of the ninth, Harmon Killebrew dug in representing the winning run. NYY hurler Pete Mikkelsen didn’t stand a chance:
Thanks to their superstar slugger’s walkoff heroics, the ‘65 Twins were off and running!
The newbie: a terrific trifecta!
Jacque Jones jolts contraction outta here (2002)
- The 2001 offseason was undoubtedly the worst in Twins franchise history. After MLB Commissioner Bud Selig floated the contraction idea and Twins owner Carl Pohlad was more than willing to take the payout, it took a county judge to restore order. Jacque Jones restored between-the-white-lines order by homering in the first PA of the 2002 season! I wasn’t able to locate the audio, but Dick Bremer’s “And I hope it lands in Milwaukee!” call remains iconic.
Denard Span’s triple takes the top off (2008)
- In the final week of the 2008 season, the Twins needed to sweep the Chicago White Sox at the Metrodome to even have a fighting chance at the AL Central crown. After taking the first two games, MN fell behind big in the finale—but kept battling back. In the bottom of the 8th, Denard Span bounced a ball down the first base line that scored Carlos Gomez to tie the game and propelled this Twinkie Town writer airborne. Alexi Casilla would later give the Twins the victory, but Span’s big blow was the buoyant moment.
Francisco Liriano out-duels Roger Clemens (2006)
- Francisco Liriano’s 2006 run was perhaps the greatest pitching stretch in franchise history. His signature moment that season was out-dueling Roger Clemens in Houston on June 22, 2006. With The Rocket (5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) in the midst of his home-state comeback, Liriano (8 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K) outclassed the veteran in his own back yard. While by no means Frankie’s best single-game performance of ‘06, beating Kody’s Dad put him on the national stage.
No Way, Jose! (2024)
- On July 3, 2024, Jose Miranda singled in the eighth inning of a blowout loss to the Tigers. Ho hum. But then, something inexplicable happened: Miranda reached base the next twelve consecutive at-bats—13 if you count a HBP mixed in! In a sport where 0-fer slumps can sometimes last weeks, Jose managed to find his way on base—without the benefit of a BB—a baker’s dozen worth of times in a row.
Radke-Santana-Lohse Go Back-To-Back-To-Back (2004)
- On July 5, 2004, Brad Radke (9 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K) blanked the Kansas City Royals. Not exactly an uncommon feat in those days. But the next night, Johan Santana (9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 13 K) did the same. The next night, Kyle Lohse (9 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K) made it a SP hat trick of complete game shutouts! Figures—Kyle’s one start at the Metrodome I didn’t see and he goes the distance!
