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
- R17: Radke-Santana-Lohse Trifecta 2004
- R18: More Kubel 2009
- R19: Span-tastic Comeback 2008
- R20: Jacque Jolts Contraction 2002
In the 2001-2002 offseason, the Minnesota Twins franchise was nearly extinguished. The harebrained and somewhat nefarious contraction scheme hatched by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig—and seemingly fully endorsed by Twins owner Carl Pohlad—put MN on the brink of being baseball-less. Fortunately, Hennepin County Judge Harry Crump’s ironclad interpretation of stadium lease laws kept the team from pulling up stakes.
On the second pitch of the ‘02 season in Kansas City, Twins leadoff batter Jacque Jones said
(with the lumber): “Take that, contraction!” and the squad was off and running towards its first ever AL Central championship.
The newbie: Buck trucks a cycle!
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.
Chili for 3 (1991)
- In the late-80s and early-90s, the Oakland Athletics controlled the AL West. The Twins looked to change that on August 16, 1991. Only a few games up on the A’s, MN found themselves down 4-2 in B9 against dominant closer Dennis Eckersley. Chili Davis led off and smacked a ball to RF, where chaos ensued: Jose Canseco played the sphere like a malfunctioning pinball machine, a fan hurled a roll of toilet paper onto the field, and Chili chugged into third base. A few batters later, the Twins tied the game, won it in extra innings, and never were less than 4 GA of the Bash Brothers the rest of the way to the pennant.
Sano Slams the Division Door (2019)
- The 2019 season was a magical one for the Twins. But somewhat forgotten in the 100+ wins & Bomba Squad of it all was Cleveland being a persistent pest all summer long. On September 14, Miguel Sano swatted them away on their own grounds. After taking the first game of a rain-induced doubleheader, the Twins & Guardians found themselves tied 5-5 in the 8th inning of game two. That is, until—with the bases juiced—Sano launched a sphere so far that not even the high walls of Progressive Field could contain it! My Mom and I were present on the shores of Lake Erie to see the Twins finally commandeer the Central crown.
Buck Truck Cycle (2025)
- There were more jeers than cheers for the 2025 Twins. But Byron Buxton was the one bastion in a lost season. This was never more apparent than July 12 against the Pirates, when Buck completed the cycle—with a HR as the capper—in just seven innings! It ranks as top-five live ballgame moment for this fan.
