Michael (ClassicMNTwins)

Thanks for the voice of reason, Nick. While I understand the general disenchantment during a horrid season, I have a hard time abiding the "everything sucks, will suck forever, and prove to me I'm wrong" attitude. There is major upside to the Twins franchise, and it's important that people like you clarify that point from time to time. For those of us who endured the '82 season, the 90s one day at a time, this too shalt pass, and then we will have reasons to enjoy coming to Target Field, beyond the TonyO Burger, or what have you

Your dose of history from my vat of Twins facts / folklore. It's the Mickey Mantle Homerun Video, from the game of August 22, 1968. The Bomber Bully deposited Twins lefty Jim Merritt's curve into the lower, leftfield stands at Metropolitan Stadium, in Bloomington. More importantly, it was his swan song, his arrivederci to Minnesota fans. Check it out.

Appreciate your comment, Matt. Another of my throw-everything-and-the-kitchen sink-at-'em type posts, all the media bits. Glad you enjoyed!

1974 was weird. There was Nixon resigning. The Vietnam War raged on. The heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped. Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's all-time homerun record. And Nolan Ryan kept on throwing harder than hell, almost scoring a second consecutive season with two no-hitters. Join old curmudgeonly Grandpa Twins on the back porch, and read Twins Killers! Nolan Ryan No-Hits The Twins, Sept. 28, 1974. Maybe he'll give you a quarter for your trouble...or some old candy from the drawer.

Thanks. I mostly was being a wise-a$$, finally adding BBRef game finder info to my posts. I'm mostly amazed 3-HR games have happened only 7 times in 104 years of Senator/Twins franchise. The fraus? My cheap way of luring. History needs that at times.

Max Kepler's Game For The Ages is the latest near-masterpiece at Classic Minnesota Twins blog, a (hopefully) painless excursion into the phenomenon Max, German drinking cliches, Baseball Reference tables and fetching barmaids. Apologies for that (the baseball stuff, not the cliches or maids, or Max)!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JEfj_C7PYOY/VdcNQPwQi1I/AAAAAAAAHtQ/37UwtWtSOew/s1600/1976%2BPROJECT%2BEDDIE%2BBANE%2BFOR%2BBLOG.jpg On July 4, 1973, Calvin Griffith and his minions did something Twins management hasn't done before or since...they inserted a prized pitching draft pick into a Major League game less than one month after his draft day. That was never done with Bert. Never with Frankie Sweet Music or Dave Goltz. Or Matt Garza, Brad Radke, etc. There's a reason why some refer to the 70s as "The Wild West Era Of MLB.' Why on Earth would they have done such a thing?? Read all about it in today's post at Classic Minnesota Twins.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ixy8W4PnS0o/UnBluCHW5HI/AAAAAAABGEo/qmhUosz6xq4/s400/Scan_Pic0055.jpg The end of a successful bubble blow or a difficult-to-swallow salary negotiation pill courtesy of owner Calvin Griffith? I think the latter! For the full story about Bert Blyleven's Bicentennial Year Bird gesture towards the Met Stadium crowd on May 31, 1976, go to my piece, "This Day In Twins History: May 31, 1976-Bert 'Waves Goodbye,'" at Classic Minnesota Twins. It will eventually link you to the full story at my Twins Facebook page.

Thank you, Matt! I've enjoyed your site, think you do a super job. On my short list of favorite Twins blogs.

I slap you silly with Twins and Kennedy Era history, in this re-post of one of my site's favorites. Check the Classic Minnesota Twins! blog for a disgustingly link-laden view of Met Stadium from that day, April 21, 1961. It will answer, among others, the question "Why didn't Harmon Killebrew play in the very first regular season game ever played in Minnesota?" "So long, everybody!" - Herb Carneal

Very much enjoyed this "7 Degrees Of Kevin Bacon"-type of piece, Nick, love it. I chronicled the Chuck Knoblauch fan revolt game of May 2, 2001.

At first, I read your quote, and was skeptical. But, there are some legit ideas you have, as I reflect. Jim was just short of 300 wins, yes, but he was an innovative guy who changed his delivery, and essentially created the slidestep. And, course, the intangibles of being a personable, well-spoken, knowledgeable announcer, and ambassador of the game may be factored too for his benefit. See Kaat and other members of the 1970 roster at my post from yesterday: http://classicminnesotatwins.blogspot.com/2016/01/1970-minnesota-twins-film.html

I heard his name fairly screaming in my gray matter while reading this post. Pretty sure DO would respond with: "They wanted me to swing like a little [kitten]."

I have gone on assuming May's return to the rotation, given the mediocrity & ineffectiveness of Mr. "Bats In The" Pelfrey. Thanks, now I've got another reason to be concerned with the braintrust's madness without any discernible, logical method as it impacts the starting rotation. As if they opined in unision: "Mmmnn, yes, let's send that perfectly good mid-rotation arm to the bullpen, we don't need him with our great wealth of starting options..."

Not just Nick creating a strawman. Heard that comp within an hour of the announcement from a friend. We're still friends, nonetheless.

Author is spot-on. The fact that a number of people are ripping the author, shaming him as an "elitist" just underlines the fact we're a selfish society more interested in being the show ourselves and unconcerned with bothering fans who came to actually watch THE GAME. Ever watch the guy (usually a guy) who's trying to start the wave? Smart aleck grin on his face as if "Heh-heh, watch-me-everyone" trying to gin up the wave? Yuck. Give me crowds of 18-20 K, minus the disinterested, make for a better baseball experience. No apologies....

Accidentally as in the ball slipped out of his hand as he was following though on his throw, just trying to hit the cut off man. It truly had some rainbow arc - check the play out on You Tube.

Excellent little piece, chock-loaded with neat factoids. Blows my mind Wally World was doing this stuff as a teen! I'm reminded of that fine, little book that came out a couple years back on the Dodgers-Oriole World Series of '66 (name?), a blurb about Wally chain smoking to calm his nerves before his shut out win in that series... here's a link from my blog to a piece on those old Orioles, about today's date (May 9) in Twins history.

My previous comment would be even better had the Twins actually won the 1965 World Series. Suffices that they all made it to the World Series, an impressive development any way you cut it.

Enjoyed facts about Bill Martin, Altobelli, Giel trade factoid, et. al. Oddly enough, it makes for a great trivia question: the 1961 Twins had FOUR members in the organization (at least!) who would become World Series winning managers. The above mentioned, and then add Sam Mele and "Trader"Jack McKeon, managing the Wilson Tobs (A) that season (managerial record). http://images1.miaminewtimes.com/imager/marlins-manager-jack-mckeon-in-400-years/u/original/6526430/mckeon_wilson_thumb_220x316.jpg

LAST UPDATED: APRIL 6, 2015 - Originally published 4/2/13 as " A Maestro At First: Trading For Vic Power, April 2, 1962" at Classic Minnesota Twins blog http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YoHhzlKb28Q/VSMxIizyL5I/AAAAAAAAIQQ/fLocM3tj--w/s1600/IMG_4802.JPG In-season trades are rare occurrences for the Minnesota Twins. And even rarer are those that actually impacted the fortunes positively for the home nine. For Twins fans born around and after 1987, used to low-risk / low-dollar acquisitions* that numb the mind (see Chris Speier, 1984, Bret Boone, 2005), the in-season pickups of ShannonStewart (2003) and Kendrys Morales (2014) stood out as the exceptions. They captured the imaginations of Twins fans in terms of their audacity and potential, even if their outcome didn't exactly live up to the hype. *Trade, waiver, and free-agent acquisitions are thrown into the same kettle for the purposes of this post But rarities like these haven't always been the case in Twins Territory. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HoIgxU5n1w0/VSMw5UD_1FI/AAAAAAAAIQI/qnmpdzpZzx8/s1600/Vic%2BPower%2BOn%2BBench.jpg "Hey there!" The Twins in the 1960s had at their disposal an astute gaggle of bird dog scouts, and long-time employees like Director of Minor League Operations man Sherry Robertson to assist President Calvin Griffith and his merry band of nepotists and drinking cronies in upgrading the Major League roster. They did this nearly every season in those early years. Which brings us to today's subject, the first major trade in Twins history. Vic Power was traded along with young reliever Dick Stigman to the Twins from the Cleveland Indians for right hander Pedro Ramos 53 years ago this week, on April 2, 1962. This happened as the team was winding down the '62 spring training schedule, and seemed to address the needs of both teams. At the time, parting with the talented Ramos, a fixture in the '61 starting rotation, was a significant event. He was their second starter, after staff ace Camilo Pascual, and is the trivia answer to "What Twins pitcher is credited with the first regular season win in team history?" Jim Kaat was just coming into his own that season, and would win 18 games. They also had the enigmatic lefty Jack Kralick in house. In Stigman, the Twins were glad to get a promising, young arm. But the "sexy" part of this transaction was obvious... http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2C6hQ8aIKhI/UVtmoMJMt6I/AAAAAAAAD7Y/Ln_a8Niakx0/s320/Power+and+Stigman+after+trade.jpg The news piece below from the 4/3/62 Jefferson City Daily summed up the trade, besides giving a very detailed, honest set of responses from Power himself (born Victor Felipe Pellot Pove). Power was the key acquisition for the Twins, and at age 33, was joining his third organization. In another lifetime, as a Yankee in the early 1950s, he was in line to become the first black player for that organization. But the Bronx Bombers instead tapped Elston Howard for that role, for reasons that are now obvious. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ggLa-UGwRek/UVuYF5LKd2I/AAAAAAAAD7k/gVfjCQvhFF8/s200/Color+Twins+photo.jpg A confident, smiling countenance loved by his mother- and perhaps many unattached young women in the 1950s and 60s. He had a reputation for marching to the beat of his own drummer, and was not necessarily the "company man" preferred by management. He was flashy in his dress, as well as the automobiles he drove. He was glib and candid, much to the consternation of his employers. He was conspicuous for enjoying the company of white women. And, maybe worst of all, he [GASP] made putouts at first with a sweeping, one-handed stab - unorthodoxy and panache frowned upon by the baseball lords of the day. Each of the above infractions were decided liabilities for dark-skinned players who desired stable employment before Civil Rights legislation came into effect. Twins Manager Sam Mele, on the other hand, stated the case for acquiring Power (to whom I devoted a "Remembering Vic Power" post some time back) in this piece: There was a youth movement (Brainerd Daily Dispatch, 4/2/62) underway at The Met. Besides now having the green-as-a-pea kids third baseman Rich Rollins and second baseman Bernie Allen on the roster to start the season, Minnesota also had the mercurial Zoilo Versalles returning at short. Manager Sam Mele went on in the article to say "Power should be a steadying influence on the kids. They won't have to worry about making perfect throws. If it's within Power's reach, he'll come up with the ball." Griffith's concerns about his infield defense were legit, as the team ranked 8th (ten team AL) in defense in 1961; in Power, he now had his "Mother Hen" to corral those youthful slings to first. Power himself had a little extra to add in this account, showing he was not shy in expressing pride and inner confidence for his talents: The Brainerd Daily Dispatch revealed the Twins new mindset for what would constitute their daily lineup to begin the 1962 season. Anybody surprised at who's slotted for left field, replacing Jim Lemon? Some big, ox-strong kid, name of Harmon Killebrew: The trade would indeed benefit the Twins in their infield defense that year, besides elevating their place in the standings. They went on to post a 91-71 record, second in the league, moving them a step closer to respectability. Power would win his fifth Gold Glove Award, and rate 21st in the 1962 MVP voting. He would also play a pivotal role in the first Twins no-hitter by Jack Kralick (story at link) on August 26 that year. But that was just another day at the office for Victor Felipe Pellot Povet. More insight about Power and his role as a trailblazer can be gleaned at this very cool Baseball Hall Of Fame article. As the old professional at the mic, Herb Carneal, would end his broadcasts, I also say: "So long, everybody!" http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYhaX6bxP-E/UVw4Z9xu_kI/AAAAAAAAD8M/AYVpGOisYjk/s640/Vic+Power+pickin+it.jpg ....and is there a fellow who wouldn't be proud of that assertion?

I have hopes that the new, young Turks (Arcia, Vargas, and later Buxton and Sano) will form a powerful core that will produce in the tradition of the Hrbeks-Gaettis-Brunos & Kirby's of the 80s, or the Killebrew-Allison-Battey & Halls of the 60s. Speaking of the latter, I put this post on Classic Minnesota Twins: Five Homers In One Inning to commemorate the game of June 9, 1966 - the greatest power orgy in club history.

I really enjoy getting detail on these "sleeper" guys like J.R., who just might turn into a perennial on the Twins Major League roster. If you like Twins history at all, check out my Classic Minnesota Twins blog post "The Phenoms of Minnesota Twins Springs Past: Part I from some time back, which profiles some legendary names from the team's annals. Thinking most of you have heard of Eric Milton...or how about Sergio Ferrer?