Today in 1997 the Twins win 2-1 in 10 innings, Brad Radke goes the distance picking up his 20th win of the season. The Twins would win just 68 games that year.

@sean-forman.com Does hockey reference have minor league stats?

Wild weren’t good enough to get out of the first round again. Need upgrades in the supporting cast. Blaming the refs is wasted energy, need to play better. Being good isn’t good enough.

Today in 1987…The #MNTwins  win big 10-5 over the Angels. Gaetti, Puckett, Lombardozzi & Gagne all hit HRs. Smalley had 3 RBIs…nice relief work as well from Frazier. Twins record is now 12-7 & in first place by one game.

There are no words. Being a Twins fan means continual suffering.

Twins win 11-4. A return to relevancy? (@bracehemmelgarn photo)

Gold Country greats: Voshon Lenard

The only true Timberwolves logo…

Your 1968 Los Angeles Kings!

Frank Viola is underrated. From 1982-1993 he made 376 consecutive starts. He was a rock & one of the greatest pitchers of the 80s. His Game 7 in ‘87 was a masterpiece.

I still prefer the traditional TC.

The 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey team at the iconic Met Center.

Beautiful uniform, wonderful player & person.

MC Hammer appreciating the greatness that is Tony Oliva…

Tony Oliva with Hank Aaron, Roy Campenella, & Ernie Banks at the 1978 HOF game.

Went to the Minnesota History Museum a two weeks ago. Walked through the Girlhood, it’s complicated exhibit. Had some girls basketball history and was shocked to see a 1905 Fulda girls basketball team photo. @pjthereuss.bsky.social

Bobby Jackson…what an exciting player! Loved him on the Gophers…

I know Gump is in goal, but who are the other two North Stars?

When Pele played at Metropolitan Stadium in 1976 the Minnesota Kicks gave him this plaque for everything he had done for the game of soccer.

Today in 1996 Kirby Puckett awoke to blurred vision in his right eye…he took BP two months later in Milwaukee & struggled against 60 mph pitches…his HOF career was over.

You have to make this call even in overtime…

Respect

The outstanding 1973 Golden Gophers…led by #31 Dave Winfield who was 9-1 with a 2.74 ERA, 109 Ks in 82 inns…hit .385 with 33 RBI in 130 ABs. Was named Most Outstanding Player in the 1973 College World Series. Great article on that memorable, but painful season: thedailygopher.com/2016/6/3/11850…

Today in 1986 Neal Broten becomes the 1st American to get 100 points in a season. Great pass…

Tomorrow’s starting pitchers for Opening Day in St. Louis.

Twins record by the end of April will be 17-14.

People went out of their way to delete Jackie Robinson. That’s all you need to know. Straight up racist losers.

Johan Santana turns 46 today. He’s arguably the best pitcher in Twins history & possibly a future HOFer.

With Ben Johnson exiting the Gopher basketball program a new & more positive direction is ahead. Winning fixes everything.

Wild playing well…hanging on up 1-0 against the Avalanche in the 3rd period.

It was a rough weekend for men’s hockey in Minnesota. Here’s an image that will help…

Mark Pavelich was born in Eveleth OTD in 1958. UMD Bulldog, had two assists against Soviets in 1980 Olympics including on Eruzione’s game winner, only US born player to score 5 goals in a game (did so with Rangers), passed away in 2021…

Proud of Faber! We didn’t win, but he represented impressively. Now let’s go Wild!

Twins City Connects…just say no.

Twins signed lefty Danny Coulombe…this is a very good move. He’s been excellent the past two seasons: 94 games, 81 innings, 2.56 ERA, 2.83 FIP, 0.951 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9, 10.0 K/9.

Cristian Guzman’s 61 triples are 2nd most in Twins history. His 89 career triples are the 10th most by a switch hitter in the past 100 years.

The 5th best SS in Twins history is Cristian Guzmán. 3rd in hits & runs scored, 4th in games played, 5th in RBIs & 1st in stolen bases & triples. His .266 avg is 3rd in team history, the only Twins SS to ever hit .300 for a full season (.302 in 2001).

Top 5 shortstops in Twins history: 1) Roy Smalley 2) Zoilo Versalles 3) Greg Gagne 4) Carlos Correa 5) Cristian Guzmán A strong honarable mention to Leo Cárdenas for his extremely strong play from 1969-1971.

OTD in 2019 the Twins unveiled their new home alternate jersey which had MLB’s 150th anniversary patch. I liked these uniforms.

One year ago on this date Joe Mauer was elected to the baseball HOF…From 2004-2013 he had the 2nd highest batting avg (.323) in baseball and the 5th highest OBP (.405).

Juan Rincón turns 46 today. Super relief pitcher for the Twins from 2003-2008. Pitched 70+ games three consecutive seasons (‘04-‘06) & with a nice 2.66 ERA. A relief rarity.

Twins prospect of the day: OF/2B Luke Keaschall. Pure hitter no matter the level, makes every team he’s on better. Only 22, he’s ready to start in AAA after hitting .303/.420/.483 last yr. Stole 23 bases, contact hitter with some pop, exciting future. A 300/.400/.500 guy since 2021.

The overhang of the 2nd deck at Metropolitan Stadium.

The best catcher in Twins history…HOFer Joe Mauer. Few better defensively in MLB history, 3 Gold Gloves, 2006-2013 hit .327/.410/.473, 6 All Stars, 5 Silver Sluggers, epic 2009 MVP season (.365/.444/.587), 2nd most hits in team history, 3rd in runs, most doubles, 5th most RBIs.

2nd best catcher in Twins history…Earl Battey. 3 consecutive Gold Gloves, retired 43% of base stealers (15th highest ever). From 1961-1966 had 4th highest catcher batting avg (.283), 2nd highest OBP (.361) & 6th highest SLG (.418)…min 1,500 PAs. 5 time All Star,ended Twins housing segregation in ST

3rd best catcher in Twins history…Brian Harper. Had highest batting average among MLB catchers from 1988-1993. He was only one to hit above .300 (.307). 3rd most RBIs, best average, 3rd best OBP, 5th highest SLG among all Twins catchers. His defense in the ‘91 WS is unmatched.

4th best catcher in Twins history…AJ Pierzynski. In just 3 seasons moved up to 5th at the time for runs scored by a MN catcher, 7th in RBIs, 3rd highest batting avg (.301), 5th highest OBP (.341) & 2nd in SLG (.447). Hit .311 in Twins postseasons. Gritty, winning type of player.

5th best catcher in Twins history…Butch Wynegar. Two time All Star, 3rd most hits & games as a catcher in team history, 2nd most runs, 4th most RBIs. The only catcher in MLB history to go from A ball to the majors & then finished runner up for ROY! Was youngest All Star ever.

Top 5 catchers in Twins history: 1) Joe Mauer 2) Earl Battey 3) Brian Harper 4) AJ Pierzynski 5) Butch Wynegar We’ll detail each throughout the day…

Since the start of the DH in 1973, the Minnesota Twins have the most hits in baseball from that position with 10,663.