1978 Minnesota Twins season
Encyclopedia
The Minnesota Twins
finished 73-89, fourth in the American League West
.
. Only one Twins player made the All-Star Game
: first baseman Rod Carew
.
Carew won his seventh AL
batting title with a .333 average, leading the team in hits and runs scored. Shortstop Roy Smalley hit 19 HR and collected 77 RBI. Dan Ford
hit 11 HR and collected 82 RBI.
Reliever Mike Marshall was signed in May and replaced Tom Johnson
and Bill Campbell as manager Gene Mauch
's all-purpose reliever. Marshall went on to rack up 10 relief wins along with 21 saves. Three starters had double digit wins: Dave Goltz
(15-10), Roger Erickson
(14-13), Geoff Zahn
(14-14).
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
finished 73-89, fourth in the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
.
Offseason
- October 3, 1977: Jim HughesJim Hughes (1970s pitcher)James Michael Hughes is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched all or part of four seasons in the majors, from until , all with the Minnesota Twins.-External links:...
was released by the Twins. - October 3, 1977: Steve LuebberSteve LuebberStephen Lee Luebber is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Luebber pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and . He currently serves as pitching coach for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, single-A farm team for the Kansas City Royals...
was released by the Twins. - October 25, 1977: Bombo RiveraBombo RiveraJesus Manuel "Bombo" Rivera Torres is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. At the age of seven, his youth baseball manager started calling him “Bombo”, which meant “fly ball,” and the nickname stuck. Aside from baseball, Rivera also excelled in track and field. He ran the 100 meters and...
was purchased by the Twins from the Montreal ExposWashington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. - December 6, 1977: Jesús VegaJesús VegaJesús Anthony Vega Morales is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman. He played parts of three seasons in the major leagues between and , all with the Minnesota Twins.-Sources:...
was drafted by the Twins from the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in the minor league draft. - January 10, 1978: Jesse OroscoJesse OroscoJesse Russell Orosco is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who holds the major league record for career pitching appearances. He pitched most notably for the New York Mets in the 1980s. He won a World Series in 1986 with the Mets and in 1988 with the Dodgers. He threw left-handed,...
was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 1978 Major League Baseball Draft1978 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta...
. - March 23, 1978: Don CarrithersDon CarrithersDonald George Carrithers is a former professional baseball pitcher. Carrithers pitched in all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1970 until 1977....
was released by the Twins.
Regular season
787,878 fans attended Twins games, the second lowest total in the American LeagueAmerican League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. Only one Twins player made the All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
: first baseman Rod Carew
Rod Carew
Rodney Cline "Rod" Carew is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, second baseman and coach. He played from 1967 to 1985 for the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels and was elected to the All-Star game every season except his last. In 1991, Carew was inducted into the National...
.
Carew won his seventh AL
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
batting title with a .333 average, leading the team in hits and runs scored. Shortstop Roy Smalley hit 19 HR and collected 77 RBI. Dan Ford
Dan Ford
Darnell "Disco Dan" Glenn Ford , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1975-1985...
hit 11 HR and collected 82 RBI.
Reliever Mike Marshall was signed in May and replaced Tom Johnson
Tom Johnson (baseball)
Thomas Raymond Johnson was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played five seasons in the majors, from until for the Minnesota Twins. He pitched in 129 games during his career, all but one as a reliever....
and Bill Campbell as manager Gene Mauch
Gene Mauch
Gene William Mauch was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a second baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , Boston Braves , St...
's all-purpose reliever. Marshall went on to rack up 10 relief wins along with 21 saves. Three starters had double digit wins: Dave Goltz
Dave Goltz
David Allan "Dave" Goltz , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1972-1983....
(15-10), Roger Erickson
Roger Erickson
Roger Farrell Erickson , is a retired professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins. He currently works at a winery in Georgia....
(14-13), Geoff Zahn
Geoff Zahn
Geoffery Clayton Zahn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 13-year career, he pitched from 1973-1985 for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs of the National League and the Minnesota Twins and California Angels of the American League...
(14-14).
Opening Day starters
- Rod CarewRod CarewRodney Cline "Rod" Carew is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, second baseman and coach. He played from 1967 to 1985 for the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels and was elected to the All-Star game every season except his last. In 1991, Carew was inducted into the National...
- Dan FordDan FordDarnell "Disco Dan" Glenn Ford , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1975-1985...
- Craig KusickCraig KusickCraig Robert Kusick was an American first baseman and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played nearly his entire career from to for the Minnesota Twins.His son Craig Kusick, Jr...
- Willie NorwoodWillie Norwood (baseball)Willie Norwood is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for the Minnesota Twins from to .-External links:...
- Bob RandallBob Randall (baseball)Robert Lee Randall ais a former professional baseball second baseman. He played five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1976 until 1980, all for the Minnesota Twins....
- Bombo RiveraBombo RiveraJesus Manuel "Bombo" Rivera Torres is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. At the age of seven, his youth baseball manager started calling him “Bombo”, which meant “fly ball,” and the nickname stuck. Aside from baseball, Rivera also excelled in track and field. He ran the 100 meters and...
- Roy Smalley
- Larry WolfeLarry WolfeLaurence Marcy "Larry" Wolfe is a retired Major League Baseball infielder. Wolfe attended Sacramento City College.-Baseball career:...
- Butch WynegarButch WynegarHarold Delano "Butch" Wynegar, Jr. is a former professional baseball player and is the current hitting coach for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Triple A affiliate of the New York Yankees...
- Geoff ZahnGeoff ZahnGeoffery Clayton Zahn is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 13-year career, he pitched from 1973-1985 for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs of the National League and the Minnesota Twins and California Angels of the American League...
Notable transactions
- May 15, 1978: Mike Marshall was signed as a free agent by the Twins.
- June 6, 1978: 1978 Major League Baseball Draft1978 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta...
- Lenny FaedoLenny FaedoLeonardo Lago Faedo is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He played all or part of five seasons in the majors, from until , for the Minnesota Twins.-External links:...
was drafted by the Twins in the 1st round (16th pick). - Kent HrbekKent HrbekFrequently injured , Hrbek retired after the players strike in 1994, citing his nagging injury problems and desire to spend more time with his wife and daughter at their home in Bloomington, MN...
was drafted by the Twins in the 17th round.
- Lenny Faedo
Roster
| 1978 Minnesota Twins | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 152 | 564 | 188 | .333 | 5 | 70 | |
| 2B | 119 | 330 | 89 | .270 | 0 | 21 | |
| SS | 158 | 586 | 160 | .273 | 19 | 77 | |
| LF | 125 | 428 | 109 | .255 | 8 | 46 | |
| CF | 151 | 592 | 162 | .274 | 11 | 82 | |
| DH | 116 | 310 | 80 | .258 | 7 | 35 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | 251 | 68 | .271 | 3 | 23 | |
| 101 | 242 | 76 | .314 | 2 | 38 | |
| 88 | 235 | 55 | .234 | 3 | 25 | |
| 77 | 191 | 33 | .173 | 4 | 20 | |
| 49 | 123 | 26 | .211 | 3 | 15 | |
| 15 | 44 | 11 | .250 | 1 | 3 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 265.2 | 14 | 13 | 3.96 | 121 | |
| 35 | 252.1 | 14 | 14 | 3.03 | 106 | |
| 29 | 220.1 | 15 | 10 | 2.49 | 116 | |
| 19 | 92.1 | 4 | 6 | 4.48 | 54 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 56.2 | 2 | 7 | 5.24 | 31 | |
| 6 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 7.50 | 7 | |
| 3 | 9.2 | 0 | 2 | 6.52 | 4 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 10 | 12 | 21 | 2.45 | 56 | |
| 18 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5.51 | 21 | |
| 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3.94 | 17 | |
| 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3.57 | 12 | |
| 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7.50 | 7 |