12 Days of Twinsmas: #11 Chuck Knoblauch

Young Legacy
Chuck Knoblauch was born with a baseball silver spoon in his mouth. Both his father and uncle played and coached in the minor leagues from the 1930s to-1950s. Knoblauch attended Bellaire High School in Houston, Texas, where RHP Chris Young (GM for Texas Rangers) and outfielder Jose Cruz, Jr attended. His father was the head coach while he was there, and Knoblauch attributes a lot of his discipline and success to his father. 

Knoblauch was a very talented young man. He was drafted in 1986 by the Phillies, but forewent signing to attend Texas A&M and play baseball. He played at Texas A&M for three seasons  He became a second-team All-American shortstop  He was part of the team that had 58 wins in 1989, the most in Texas A&M baseball history. Knoblauch had a knack for being on teams that made  history happen from high school through his astounding career  in which he collected four World Series rings. 

The Climb
Knoblauch was drafted 25th overall in the 1st round in 1989 by the Twins. His talent was noticed by many. Minnesota Twins scout Marty Esposito wrote about Knoblauch that he was “an exceptional competitor, aggressive baserunner, intelligent fielder, and line-drive hitter, who would be an ideal leadoff hitter.” 

Knoblauch spent a short amount of time in the minors, starting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1989, and quickly moving to the Double-A Orlando Sun Rays in 1990. Knoblauch was an all-star in the minor leagues. He was the hardest-hitting player and most difficult batter to strike out. In 118 games for the Sun Rays, Knoblauch hit .289, had an on-base percentage of .389, and led the team in doubles (23).  

Knoblauch knew early on that he was "being primed" for the majors, and it didn't take long for him to see his hard work pay off. Knoblauch was a non-roster invitee to Twins spring training in 1991 and batted .388. He was so impressive that he became Minnesota's Opening Day starter at second base, batting second in manager Tom Kelly's lineup against the Athletics on April 9th at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

The Rookie
Knoblauch's first season with the Twins is quite literally one for the books. Knoblauch was part of the team that won the World Series with fellow greats; Jack Morris, Gene Larkin, Dan Gladden, and Kirby Puckett. The 1991 Twins team was the most robust team Twins fans have seen play, and Knoblauch made his mark to help carry the Twins to the pennant. In 151 games, he only had one home run, but he pushed other players home with 50 RBI's and also stole 25 bases. He won the American League Rookie of the Year to accompany his World Series ring.

During the 1991 World Series, one of the most fun memories is the "Invisible Ball Trick," or the Greatest Double Play Never Made. On this play, Braves outfielder Lonnie Smith, in the 8th inning, didn’t see where the ball was hit. Standing just inches past second base, he flips his head back and forth between Knoblauch and Greg Gagne, wondering where in the world the ball went as they turned a “double play,: a double play that, well, wasn't. Instead, Terry Pendleton crushed the ball into the left-center gap with no Twins defensive player in sight. The ball bounced off the wall just as Smith realized the rouse, but it was too late. The fake was just enough of a distraction for Smith to lose the ball and have to stop at third or risk getting out at home. It mattered though. The genius of Knoblauch and Gagne kept the game scoreless and allowed the Twins to win in 10 innings.  That play helped the Twins win the 1991 World Series; whether you want to believe it or not. I do. 

The Cold Hard Truth
Chuck Knoblauch was the fans' second favorite player, behind Kirby Puckett. Knoblauch was good, and he knew it. The fans knew it, and the staff was fully aware. The front office either was not in agreement of Knoblauch's worth in talent, or they didn't feel that the all-star second baseman was worth the money he was requesting. When  the team continued to slip further and further in the standings in 1997, Knoblauch requested a trade. The media caught wind, and so did the fans, leading to a frustrated player and fan base. 

After Knoblauch was traded in 1998 to the Yankees in exchange for four players (including two future All-Stars, Eric Milton and Cristian Guzmán) and $3 million, he was no longer the Minnesota hero. His career ended with an alarming series of "Yips," In 2001, fans threw objects at him when the Yankees visited the Metrodome in 2001. 

Conclusion
Chuck Knoblauch was the best second-baseman for the Minnesota Twins, no argument. He carried the second-highest WAR (33.6) behind Rod Carew (37.5). His drive for greatness packed into a 5'8” frame and natural tenacity gave the Twins some great  seasons. His galvanizing style of play made it easy for fans to get behind him and hard to let him go. 

His stats make no argument for his Hall of Fame status. His years with the Twins, he was an on-base machine, posting OBP well above league average. While he slumped in 1993, Knoblauch fought back and had his best season with the Twins in 1996. He led the league with 14 triples in 153 games. 

Chuck Knoblauch was one of my favorite players to watch during his years with the Twins, and I hope that I brought you some recollective joy for Twinsmas!

Stay tuned for the third day of Twinsmas!

Thank you for reading, and Go, Twins!