Joe Evans (1895)
Jimmy Wasdell (1914)
Al McBean (1938)
Yukata Enatsu (1948)
Bill North (1948)
Rick Waits (1952)
George Brett (1953)
John Smoltz (1967)
Scott Watkins (1970)
A. J. Hinch (1974)
Josh Beckett (1980)
Justin Morneau (1981)
Brian Dozier (1987)
Yukata Enatsu was one of the first closers in Japan, recording 193 saves.
A. J. Hinch was drafted by Minnesota in the third round in 1995, but did not sign.
Jimmy Archer (1883)
Larry Gardner (1886)
Babe Dye (1898)
Bill McKinley (1910)
Bill Kinnamon (1919)
Dusty Rhodes (1927)
Johnny Roseboro (1933)
Leon Wagner (1934)
Juan Beniquez (1950)
Bobby Valentine (1950)
Lenny Faedo (1960)
Sean McDonough (1962)
Jose Rijo (1965)
Jack Cressend (1975)
Trajan Langdon (1976)
Barry Zito (1978)
John Ryan Murphy (1991)
Hockey Hall of Famer Babe Dye was a minor league outfielder from 1919-1926, spending much of his career in the American Association. In 811 games, he hit .311, slugged .443, and stole 118 bases.
Bill McKinley was an American League umpire from 1946-65.
Bill Kinnamon was an American League umpire from 1960-69.
Sean McDonough has been a baseball broadcaster since 1988.
College basketball star Trajan Langdon was a third baseman in the low minors for three seasons.
This is a big series. Cleveland and Minnesota are tied for first place,w ith the Twins having two games in hand, a sweep could make some room at the top. The Twins have the perfect pitcher to continue a long win streak with Ervin Santana. Josh Tomlin starts for the C's. He is coming off his best start of the season (7ip 1r)
Fun fact! With his next run scored, Joe Mauer will reach 900 for his career. He is 5th on the all time Twins list, and only 4 behind Kent Hrbek. If Mauer is helathy and plays all of next year he might be able to catch Kirby (1071) and Harmon (1076 in his Twins years)
Charlie Gehringer (1903)
Rip Sewell (1907)
Eddie Chiles (1910)
Jack Lang (1921)
Nestor Chylak (1922)
Milt Pappas (1939)
Frank Quilici (1939)
Jerry Martin (1949)
Dane Iorg (1950)
Mark Huismann (1958)
Walt Terrell (1958)
Trent Hubbard (1964)
Bobby Witt (1964)
Kerry Ligtenberg (1971)
Francisco Cordero (1975)
Miguel Sano (1993)
Eddie Chiles was the owner of the Texas Rangers from 1980-1989.
Jack Lang was a long-time sportswriter in New York and was the secretary-treasurer of the Baseball Writers Association of America from 1966-1988.
Nestor Chylak was an American League umpire from 1954-1978.
Phil Hughes (4-1, 4.32 ERA, 93 ERA+, 4.33 FIP, 1.38 WHIP, 6:21 BB:SO, 33.1 IP)
-v-
Derek Holland (3-2, 2.02 ERA, 192 ERA+, 3.68 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, 12:30 BB:SO, 35.2 IP)
I can't touch free's open from last night, so I won't even try.
Also ... "Guaranteed Rate Field" ... I know, I know, this is just the logical result of "Fenway Park" and "Wrigley Field*" (but seriously)?
*
Oh it’s real now Twins fans. Joe Mauer is angry* about getting the short end of a bad called third strike. American League pitchers couldn’t stop Miguel Sano, so they petitioned MLB to sit him for a day. Stalwarts like Danny Santana, Kyle Gibson, and Michael Tonkin unceremoniously dumped by the whippersnappers in the front office. Plus, Twins hides still chapped from the spanking the Red Sox put on them over the weekend. Yes, these Twins are just loaded for bear, looking to take it on someone, anyone. Who better than the White Sox, those southside ne-er do wells, home of disco demolition day and the Ligue family?
Wait there’s more you say? Mike Pelfrey is pitching for the Whities? Big Pelf? The Dude who had a 35.6 ERA and -14.1 WAR** during his short stay with the Twins? Bring. It. On. I foresee the Twins batting around twice before the 4th inning as all those frustrations ooze out of the visitor dugout. Tonight will be one cathartic primal scream where Brian Buxton’s batting average moves from .165 to .180, Max Kepler creates a fourth law of White Sox ass kicking, and Hector Santiago strikes out the side on seven pitches. Paul Molitor may even only use 3 pitchers tonight instead of the usual 7 or 8. I call this a Teri Hatcher game (It’s going to be real and it’s going to be spectacular). So sit back and enjoy the festivities.
* Well, mildly upset
** Unconfirmed but close
I've been off the grid most of the day but saw the Twins DFA'd Danny Santana. I bet some National League team like the Pirates claims him.
Phil Hughes on the mound. I have a feeling its going to be one of those games where he gives up like 6 solo HRs. Eduardo Ramirez for Boston.
Oh Goody, Jack Morris is doing commentary for FSN. Bring back Torii Hunter!
There's a baseball game tonight. I'm unwilling to predict 6 more mashed taters, though I feel confident in stating that there's a 50-50 chance we'll see at least one!
Kendall Graveman vs. Hector Santiago (back from bereavement - Buddy Boshers optioned to make room on the roster).
Dave Eggler (1849)
Charley Jones (1850)
Jack Sheridan (1862)
Jumbo Brown (1907)
Chet Laabs (1912)
Ernie Tyler (1924)
Ken Retzer (1934)
Ray Miller (1945)
Phil Garner (1949)
Tracy Ringolsby (1951)
Jeff Reboulet (1964)
Ryan O'Rourke (1988)
Jack Sheridan was the first home plate umpire to crouch behind the catcher in the style that umpires do today.
Ernie Tyler was the umpires’ assistant for Baltimore Orioles home games from 1960 through 2010. He went from opening day of 1960 through July 27, 2007 without missing a game, a streak of 3,769 games. He missed two games that weekend to go to Cooperstown for the induction of Cal Ripken, Jr. into the Hall of Fame.
Ray Miller was the manager of the Twins in 1985 and 1986, replacing Billy Gardner and being replaced by Tom Kelly.
Tracy Ringolsby has been a baseball writer since 1976 and was given the Spink Award in 2005.
We would also like to wish a happy birthday to Rhubarb_Runner's brother.
The Twins travel to Kansas City for a weekend series. The weather tonight looks fine for baseball, but rain chances Saturday and Sunday.
Is the the last stand for Kyle Gibson? LaVelle E Neal III seems to think so.
Maybe Gibson need a change of scenery? Or maybe he would be better suited for a bullpen role since he can't seem to make it twice through a batting order (Gibson's career slash line for 2nd time through the order: .296/.356/.472/.827 yikes!)
The Royals have Ian Kennedy starting. They are scuffling right now, going 2-8 in their last 10 games.
