Category Archives: Twins Top Moments

Twins Top Moments

Kent Hrbek Region: #6 vs. #3 , #10 vs. #2

#6. Don Baylor Ties Things Up in Game 6 (Def. 5-4-2 Double Play 13-3)

#3. Hrbek Turns 3-6-3 Double Play (Def. Winfield's 3000th hit 15-4)

#10. Radke Wins 20 (Def. Jack Morris Escapes 5th Inning Jam 14-5)

#2. Hrbek's Grand Slam (Def. Aaron Hicks' Cannon 16-2)

The Better Moment

  • Hrbek Turns 3-2-3 Double Play (79%, 11 Votes)
  • Baylor Ties It Up In Game 6 (21%, 3 Votes)

Total Voters: 14

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The Better Moment

  • Hrbek Grand Slam (86%, 12 Votes)
  • Brad Radke Wins #20 (14%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 14

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Twins Top Moments

Kent Hrbek Region: #1 vs #8 and #4 vs #5

2 Comments

1. The Twins Are Gonna Win the World Series! (Def. Sweeney Hit in the Back 23-1)

8. Pedro Munoz Walks It Off in the 22nd Inning (Def.  Twins Win 15th in a Row in 10th Inning 13-7)

5. Eric Milton Tosses No-Hitter (Def. Berenguer Saves ALCS Game 2 12-10)

4. Hrbek Tags Out Gant (Def. Bobby Korecky, 1st hit, 1st win 16-5)

The Better Moment

  • Larkin Walks It Off (93%, 14 Votes)
  • Pedro Munoz Walks Off in 22nd Inning (7%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 15

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The Better Moment

  • Hrbek Tags Out Gant (80%, 12 Votes)
  • Eric Milton No-Hitter (20%, 3 Votes)

Total Voters: 15

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Cup of Coffee, Twins Top Moments

May 8, 2020: Early and Often

49 Comments

And here we are at the end of the first round.  Wanted to give everyone a chance to vote one more time in case you missed any of the polls before.  Second round will start Monday!

If you want to look at individual posts, they're all categorized under "Twins Top Moments," which you can see above this post.

The Better Moment

  • Larkin Walks It Off (96%, 23 Votes)
  • Mike Sweeney Pops Into Infield Fly Double Play, Gets Nailed by Dougie (4%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 24

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The Better Moment

  • Pedro Munoz Walks Off in 22nd Inning (65%, 13 Votes)
  • Twins Win 15 In A Row (35%, 7 Votes)

Total Voters: 20

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The Better Moment

  • Eric Milton No-Hitter (55%, 12 Votes)
  • Juan Berenguer Saves ALCS Game 2 (45%, 10 Votes)

Total Voters: 22

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The Better Moment

  • Hrbek Tags Out Gant (77%, 17 Votes)
  • Bobby Korecky: First Hit, First Win (23%, 5 Votes)

Total Voters: 22

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The Better Moment

  • 3-2-3 Double Play (79%, 15 Votes)
  • Winfield's 3000th hit (21%, 4 Votes)

Total Voters: 19

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The Better Moment

  • Brad Radke Wins #20 (74%, 14 Votes)
  • Jack Morris Escapes Jam in 5th Inning (26%, 5 Votes)

Total Voters: 19

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The Better Moment

  • Hrbek Grand Slam (89%, 16 Votes)
  • Hicks Cannon (11%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Twins Win 87 World Series (100%, 20 Votes)
  • Rincon Induces Triple Play (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 20

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The Better Moment

  • A.J. Goes Yard (67%, 12 Votes)
  • Joe Crede Walk-Off Grand Slam (33%, 6 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Santana Outduels Mussina in ALDS (72%, 13 Votes)
  • Jacque Jones Breaks Up Garcia's No-No (28%, 5 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Span Triples Down the Line (68%, 13 Votes)
  • Carlos Silva 74-Pitch CG (32%, 6 Votes)

Total Voters: 19

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The Better Moment

  • Francisco Liriano No-Hitter (89%, 17 Votes)
  • Delmon Homers Off Rivera (11%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 19

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The Better Moment

  • Sano Homers off Britton (56%, 10 Votes)
  • Hunter Homers in ALDS Game 2 (44%, 8 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Santana Strikes Out 17 (89%, 17 Votes)
  • Rosario Walk-Off Assist (11%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 19

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The Better Moment

  • Touch Em All Kirby (95%, 19 Votes)
  • Go Buxton Go (5%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 20

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The Better Moment

  • Two Triple Plays in One Game (60%, 12 Votes)
  • Erickson Wins 12 In a Row (40%, 8 Votes)

Total Voters: 20

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The Better Moment

  • Kubel Slam (53%, 10 Votes)
  • Gladden Slam (47%, 9 Votes)

Total Voters: 19

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The Better Moment

  • Erickson's No-Hitter (60%, 12 Votes)
  • Pagliarulo Pinch-Hit Homer in ALCS (40%, 8 Votes)

Total Voters: 20

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The Better Moment

  • Puckett Robs Gant (78%, 14 Votes)
  • Kuby Smacks--Rivera Edition (22%, 4 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Puckett Goes 6-6 (89%, 16 Votes)
  • Molitor's 3,000th Hit (11%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Twins Clinch 2002 ALDS (63%, 10 Votes)
  • Jim Thome Hits Flag Pole (38%, 6 Votes)

Total Voters: 16

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The Better Moment

  • Joe Mauer's Final Game (79%, 15 Votes)
  • Kepler 5 in a row off Bauer (21%, 4 Votes)

Total Voters: 19

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The Better Moment

  • Mauer Tags Out Gardner (95%, 19 Votes)
  • Dozier/Rosario Homer Off Severino (5%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 20

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The Better Moment

  • Arraez Pinch-Hit Walk (53%, 10 Votes)
  • Dozier Walks-Off Tigers (47%, 9 Votes)

Total Voters: 19

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The Better Moment

  • JI (95%, 18 Votes)
  • Butters! (5%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 19

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The Better Moment

  • Nathan Induces DP in 163 (56%, 10 Votes)
  • Mauer Catches Ball Behind Net (44%, 8 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Twins Win Central (89%, 16 Votes)
  • Mauer Batting Title (11%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Twins Get Home-Run Record (75%, 12 Votes)
  • Kepler Hero in 17-inning Game (25%, 4 Votes)

Total Voters: 16

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The Better Moment

  • Baylor Homers (81%, 13 Votes)
  • 5-4-2 Double Play (19%, 3 Votes)

Total Voters: 16

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The Better Moment

  • Tim Laudner Picks Off Darrell Evans, ALCS Game 4 (50%, 9 Votes)
  • Willians Astudillo Chugs, Lets His Hair Fly (50%, 9 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Scott Baker's Near Perfecto (61%, 11 Votes)
  • Twins Homer 11 Times in One Day (2019) (39%, 7 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Twins Clinch Division On Final Day (83%, 15 Votes)
  • Liriano Outduels Roger Clemens (17%, 3 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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Twins Top Moments

Joe Mauer Region: #6 vs. #11

7 Comments

#6. Scott Baker's Near Perfecto

Baker was always one of my favorite pitchers.  Maybe it was that he looked terrified every time he was out on the mound.  Maybe it was because the Twins announcers (especially Bert) relentlessly criticized him for no reason.  But man I was pulling for him so hard every start and this was a dream come true.

He entered the 9th inning with his perfect game.  He didn't make it, but a 1-hit shutout is still nice.

#11. Twins Homer 11 Times on April 20th, 2019

Man, playing the Orioles was fun last year.

  1. 2nd inning Game 1: Eddie Rosario solo HR (415 feet)
  2. 2nd inning Game 1: Willians Astudillo solo HR (372 feet)
  3. 5th inning Game 1: Eddie Rosario solo HR (367 feet)
  4. 1st inning Game 2: Nelson Cruz 2-run HR (410 feet)
  5. 1st inning Game 2: C.J. Cron solo HR (381 feet)
  6. 3rd inning Game 2: Eddie Rosario 2-run HR (398 feet)
  7. 3rd inning Game 2: Mitch Garver 3-run HR (378 feet)
  8. 4th inning Game 2: Jonathan Schoop 3-run HR (389 feet)
  9. 8th inning Game 2: Mitch Garver solo HR (394 feet)
  10. 8th inning Game 2: Nelson Cruz solo HR (415 feet)
  11. 9th inning Game 2: Jonathan Schoop solo HR (435 feet)

The Better Moment

  • Scott Baker's Near Perfecto (61%, 11 Votes)
  • Twins Homer 11 Times in One Day (2019) (39%, 7 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Tim Laudner Picks Off Darrell Evans, ALCS Game 4 (50%, 9 Votes)
  • Willians Astudillo Chugs, Lets His Hair Fly (50%, 9 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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The Better Moment

  • Baylor Homers (81%, 13 Votes)
  • 5-4-2 Double Play (19%, 3 Votes)

Total Voters: 16

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Twins Top Moments

Kirby Puckett Division: #6 vs #11

7 Comments

#6.  Darrell Evans Picked Off Third by Tim Laudner

Up 2-1 in the series and up 4-2 in the 6th inning, the Tigers got to Viola. Dave Bergman had just singled in a run off Keith Atherton and the Tigers had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out.  Not sure why Evans was so far off third base, but Buck Ninety took advantage.

https://youtu.be/laIQMVJcrDM?t=4840

#11.  Willians Astudillo Scores From First

Oh, La Tortuga.  An inspiration to us all.

The Better Moment

  • Tim Laudner Picks Off Darrell Evans, ALCS Game 4 (50%, 9 Votes)
  • Willians Astudillo Chugs, Lets His Hair Fly (50%, 9 Votes)

Total Voters: 18

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Twins Top Moments

Kent Hrbek Region: #6 vs #11

#6.  Don Baylor's Two-Run Blast

Until I bought the 87 World Series DVDs and rewatched Game 6, I had completely forgotten about the gravity of Baylor's homer.  I had seen it in the boxscore, but I couldn't remember it (to be fair, I was seven years old).  But the Twins had been down 5-2 in the 5th inning in the deciding game.  Baylor had slugged only .306 since coming from Boston with zero homers.  He would only hit 7 more in his career after this.  But he tied the game to help set up Hrbek's heroics the next inning.

#11  Twins Turn 5-4-2 Double Play in Division Clinching Game

I never knew about this play until Algonad brought it up last week.  Ballsy move by Newman and I love Blyleven's acrobatics.

The Better Moment

  • Baylor Homers (81%, 13 Votes)
  • 5-4-2 Double Play (19%, 3 Votes)

Total Voters: 16

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Twins Top Moments

Johan Santana Region: Play-In

Okay, we still have one more tie to break.  This poll will expire at midnight.

#11  Carlos Silva Throws 11-Hit Shutout

Against the Angels, Silva allowed a baserunner in every inning, including 11 hits, 2 walks, and 1 error.  He induced four ground-ball double plays and two line out double plays.  When Silva's magic was working it was delightful.

#11  Francisco Liriano Outduels Roger Clemens

As has been discussed, this was one of the seasons where Clemens joined half-way through the season to much fanfare.  Liriano was good, not great.  And Clemens was also good (and he had a fantastic season just like F-Bomb), not great.  But this was about the narrative.

Liriano had a couple of 8-inning, 12-strikeout games in 2006 and some more dominating performances, but this game was probably the most memorable.

The Better Moment

  • Liriano Outduels Clemens (67%, 6 Votes)
  • Silva Tosses 11-Hit Shutout (33%, 3 Votes)

Total Voters: 9

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Twins Top Moments

Top Moments: Play-Ins

5 Comments

Okay, time to vote on all the added moments you put forth.  You can vote for UP TO EIGHT.

I'll close this poll on Friday night I think.

Choose Up to EIGHT

  • Twins Clinch Division On Final Day (2006) (13%, 17 Votes)
  • 5-4-2 Double Play in Division Clinching Game (1987) (10%, 13 Votes)
  • Twins Homer 11 Times in One Day (2019) (10%, 13 Votes)
  • La Tortuga Scores From First on Double, With Flowing Hair (2018) (10%, 13 Votes)
  • Liriano Outduels Roger Clemens (2006) (9%, 12 Votes)
  • Jason Kubel Walk-Off Grand Slam Against Red Sox (2006) (8%, 11 Votes)
  • Carlos Silva 11-Hit Shutout (2004) (8%, 11 Votes)
  • Twins Homer In Each of First 7 Innings, Win 16-0 (2017) (8%, 10 Votes)
  • Corey Koskie Breaks Chair, Hits Go-Ahead Homer in 10th Inning (2004) (5%, 7 Votes)
  • Twins Walk Off Game 161, First End of Unscheduled Double-Header (2004) (4%, 5 Votes)
  • Liriano Outduels Felix On Day Target Field is Approved (2006) (4%, 5 Votes)
  • Bobby Kielty Pinch-Hit Three-Run Homer Off Barry Zito in 8th (2003) (2%, 3 Votes)
  • Carlos Gomez Reverse Cycle (2008) (2%, 3 Votes)
  • Twins Allow 6 Solo Homers, Win 8-6 (1991) (2%, 3 Votes)
  • Chad Allen Little League Homer (1999) (2%, 3 Votes)
  • Gaetti Lounges, Then Homers (?Year) (2%, 2 Votes)
  • Viola Catches Ball Bare-Handed Behind Back (1988) (2%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 19

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Twins Top Moments

Top Moments: #6 and #11 Seeds

53 Comments

Okay, today you guys will throw out all the best moments since 1987 that I missed.  Only rule is it has to be a moment during an actual game the Twins played.  It can be the culmination of a season-long performance (e.g. Mauer wins batting title), but no off-the-field stuff.

After everyone has had a chance to give suggestions, we will run a poll to see everyone's favorites to add into the tournament.  But before that, here are the #6 seeds:

But wait!  Before that, I have to let you know that I did something half-baked.  In the Puckett region the Kubel slam that went up against Gladden's slam was supposed to be the walk-off slam against the Red Sox, not the one to complete the cycle.  Whoops!  So now we have a #6 seed to fill as well.

Kirby Puckett Region: Game 4, ALCS, Laudner Picks Darrell Evans Off Third Base

Kent Hrbek Region: Game 6, WS, Don Baylor 3-Run Blast

Johan Santana Region: NOW OPEN

Joe Mauer Region: Scott Baker's Near Perfect Game