Tag Archives: ex-Twins

Happy Birthday–January 26

Francis Richter (1854)
Kaiser Wilhelm (1874)
Tubby Spencer (1884)
George Blaeholder (1904)
Charlie Gelbert (1906)
Bob Nieman (1927)
Ray Knoblauch (1928)
Bob Uecker (1935)
Mike Pazik (1950)
Rick Schu (1962)
Jeff Branson (1967)
Esteban German (1978)
Andres Torres (1978)
Ryan Rowland-Smith (1983)

The father of Chuck Knoblauch, Ray Knoblauch pitched in the minors from 1948-1957, going 54-51. 

We would also like to wish a very happy birthday to Big Mak.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–January 26

Happy Birthday–January 25

Danny Richardson (1863)
Les Nunamaker (1889)
Kenichi Zenimura (1900)
Ernie Harwell (1918)
Bill Lucas (1936)
Jake O’Donnell (1939)
Wally Bunker (1945)
Vern Ruhle (1951)
Kerry Taylor (1971)
Dan Serafini (1974)

Better known as an NBA referee, Jake O’Donnell was an American League umpire from 1969-1972.  He is the only person to have officiated both an NBA all-star game and a major league baseball all-star game. 

Continue reading Happy Birthday–January 25

Happy Birthday–January 24

Dave Brain (1879)
Pinch Thomas (1888)
Cliff Heathcote (1898)
Flint Rhem (1901)
Jean Yawkey (1909)
Johnny Dickshot (1910)
Ray Kelly (1914)
Jack Brickhouse (1916)
Walter Haas (1916)
Dick Stigman (1936)
Sandy Valdespino (1939)
Jumbo Ozaki (1947)
Tim Stoddard (1953)
Atlee Hammaker (1958)
Neil Allen (1958)
Rob Dibble (1964)
Scott Kazmir (1984)

Better known as a professional golfer, Jumbo Ozaki played professional baseball in Japan for three seasons, pitching for two seasons and playing outfield for one.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–January 24

This Week in Ex-Twins

Cincinnati agrees to terms with Ron Mahay on a minor league contract.
Cleveland names Adam Everett special assistant for baseball operations.
Colorado agrees to terms with Brendan Harris on a minor league contract.
Detroit agrees to terms with Delmon Young on a one year contract.
Angels name Paul Sorrento batting coach of Inland Empire (A).
Miami signs Terry Tiffee to a minor league contract.
Yankees name Scott Aldred pitching coach of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA).
Yankees name Butch Wynegar batting coach of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA).
Yankees name Greg Colbrunn batting coach of Charleston (A).
Yankees name Tom Nieto manager of the GCL Yankees (R).
Toronto signs Jim Hoey to a minor league contract.

Happy Birthday–January 21

Mike Tiernan (1867)
Lew Fonseca (1899)
Sam Mele (1922)
Danny O'Connell (1927)
William Wrigley (1933)
Johnny Oates (1946)
Bill Stein (1947)
Mike Krukow (1952)
Dave Smith (1955)
Mike Smithson (1955)
Jose Uribe (1959)
Andy Hawkins (1960)
Darryl Motley (1960)
Chris Hammond (1966)
Tom Urbani (1968)
Rusty Greer (1969)
Jason Ryan (1976)
Byung-Hyun Kim (1979) 

Tom Urbani was drafted by Minnesota in the twenty-ninth round in 1989, but did not sign.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–January 21

Happy Birthday–January 20

Everett Mills (1845)
C. I. Taylor (1875)
William Eckert (1909)
Jimmy Outlaw (1913)
Joe Dobson (1917)
Gene Stephens (1933)
Camilo Pascual (1934)
Dave Boswell (1945)
Cecil Espy (1963)
Ozzie Guillen (1964)
Kevin Maas (1965)
Marvin Benard (1970)
Brian Giles (1971)
David Eckstein (1975)
Geovany Soto (1983)

Everett Mills holds the record for most at-bats in a season without drawing a walk (342).

We would also like to wish a very happy birthday to FTLT’s firstborn.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–January 20