1986 Minnesota Twins season
Encyclopedia
The 1986
Minnesota Twins
finished a 71-91, sixth in the AL
West. 1,255,453 fans attended Twins games, the second lowest total in the American League
.
, outfielder Kirby Puckett
.
After a disappointing start, manager Ray Miller was replaced by Tom Kelly
on September 12.
In a game against the Chicago White Sox
held on October 4, Greg Gagne of the Twins hit two inside the park home runs in one game.
, switched from leadoff to third in the batting order, blasted 31 HR drove in 96 runs and scored 119.
Kent Hrbek
hit .267 with 29 HR and 91 RBI.
Tom Brunansky
hit 23 HR and 75 RBI.
Gary Gaetti
hit .287 with 34 HR and 108 RBI.
(16-13),
Bert Blyleven
(17-14), and Mike Smithson (13-14). Reliever Keith Atherton
had 10 saves.
and center fielder Kirby Puckett
each won their first Gold Glove Award
. They were the first Twins to win a gold glove since Jim Kaat
in 1973.
1986 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox ; Ray Knight, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marty Barrett*National League Championship Series MVP: Mike Scott...
Minnesota Twins
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 a 71-91, sixth in the 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...
West. 1,255,453 fans attended Twins games, the second lowest total in the American League
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...
.
Offseason
- December 20, 1985: Rick LysanderRick LysanderRichard Eugene Lysander is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He had a four-season career in the majors, spread out over six years.-Major League career:...
was released by the Twins. - January 7, 1986: Ken SchromKen SchromKenneth Marvin "Ken" Schrom is a former major league baseball pitcher and current minor league executive....
and Bryan OelkersBryan OelkersBryan Alois Oelkers is a former a Major League Baseball pitcher. He attended college at Wichita State. He batted and threw left-handed. Oelkers played two years in the majors — 1983 with the Minnesota Twins and 1986 with the Cleveland Indians. In 45 career games, he had a 3-8 record...
were traded by the Twins to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for Roy SmithRoy Smith (1980s pitcher)Le Roy Purdy Smith is a former professional baseball pitcher and executive. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball from until . He is currently a scout for the New York Mets.-Playing career:...
and Ramón RomeroRamón RomeroRamón Romero de los Santos is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball, 1984 and 1985, both for the Cleveland Indians....
. - January 14, 1986: Jarvis BrownJarvis BrownJarvis Ardel Brown was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, and Baltimore Orioles. He won the World Series with the Twins.-Career:...
was drafted by the Twins in the 1st round (9th pick) of the 1986 Major League Baseball Draft1986 Major League Baseball DraftThe 1986 Major League Baseball Draft was the 22nd MLB draft that took place in 1986. During this draft, five all-stars were drafted in five different teams.-First round selections:...
. Player signed May 23, 1986. - January 16, 1986: Tim TeufelTim TeufelTimothy Shawn Teufel is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, and currently the 3rd base coach for the New York Mets.Teufel was a member of the World Series champion New York Mets...
and Pat Crosby (minors) were traded by the Twins to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for Billy BeaneBilly BeaneWilliam Lamar "Billy" Beane III is a former Major League Baseball player and the current general manager and minority owner of the Oakland Athletics...
, Joe KlinkJoe KlinkJoseph Charles Klink , is a retired professional baseball player who pitched in Major League Baseball from -. Klink once went 90 consecutive games without allowing a home run, the longest by a left-handed pitcher since at least and possibly the longest such streak of all time.-External links:...
and Bill LathamBill LathamWilliam Carol Latham is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of two seasons in the majors, appearing in 7 games for the New York Mets in and 7 games for the Minnesota Twins in . In he joined the scouting staff of the Los Angeles Dodgers after six years as a professional scout...
. - January 16, 1986: Dave Engel was traded by the Minnesota Twins to the Detroit Tigers for Chris Pittaro and Alejandro Sanchez.
- March 31, 1986: Mike HartMike Hart (left-handed hitter)Michael Lawrence Hart is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played parts of two seasons in the major leagues, for the Minnesota Twins in and for the Baltimore Orioles in ....
was traded by the Twins to the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Ben Bianchi (minors), Steve Padia (minors), and a player to be named later. The Orioles completed the deal by sending Jeff Hubbard (minors) to the Twins on April 23.
Regular season
Only one Twins player made the All-Star GameMajor 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...
, outfielder Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 12-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins and he is the Twins franchise's all-time leader in career hits, runs, doubles, and total bases...
.
After a disappointing start, manager Ray Miller was replaced by Tom Kelly
Tom Kelly (baseball)
Jay Thomas Kelly , is the former manager of the Minnesota Twins baseball team from to . Currently, he serves as a Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Twins....
on September 12.
In a game against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
held on October 4, Greg Gagne of the Twins hit two inside the park home runs in one game.
Offense
Kirby PuckettKirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 12-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins and he is the Twins franchise's all-time leader in career hits, runs, doubles, and total bases...
, switched from leadoff to third in the batting order, blasted 31 HR drove in 96 runs and scored 119.
Kent Hrbek
Kent Hrbek
Frequently 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...
hit .267 with 29 HR and 91 RBI.
Tom Brunansky
Tom Brunansky
Thomas Andrew Brunansky , nicknamed "Bruno", is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1981 to 1994 for the California Angels, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers....
hit 23 HR and 75 RBI.
Gary Gaetti
Gary Gaetti
Gary Joseph Gaetti , nicknamed "G-Man", "Rat", or "Zorn" is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins , California Angels , Kansas City Royals , St...
hit .287 with 34 HR and 108 RBI.
Pitching
The Twins had three solid starting pitchers: Frank ViolaFrank Viola
Frank John Viola, Jr. is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Minnesota Twins , New York Mets , Boston Red Sox , Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays . A three-time All-Star, he was named World Series MVP with the Twins in 1987 and won the AL Cy Young Award in 1988...
(16-13),
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...
(17-14), and Mike Smithson (13-14). Reliever Keith Atherton
Keith Atherton
Keith Rowe Atherton , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues primarily in relief from -. Atherton played for the Oakland Athletics , Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians ....
had 10 saves.
Defense
Third baseman Gary GaettiGary Gaetti
Gary Joseph Gaetti , nicknamed "G-Man", "Rat", or "Zorn" is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins , California Angels , Kansas City Royals , St...
and center fielder Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 12-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins and he is the Twins franchise's all-time leader in career hits, runs, doubles, and total bases...
each won their first Gold Glove Award
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
. They were the first Twins to win a gold glove since Jim Kaat
Jim Kaat
James Lee "Jim" Kaat , nicknamed "Kitty", is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins , Chicago White Sox , Philadelphia Phillies , New York Yankees , and St...
in 1973.
Notable transactions
- April 8, 1986: Houston JiménezHouston JiménezAlfonso "Houston" Jiménez González is a former Major League Baseball player. He played all or part of four seasons in the majors between and , primarily as a shortstop. He currently serves as manager of the Pericos de Puebla in the Mexican League.- Early years :Jiménez began his playing career...
was released by the Twins. - May 20, 1986: Keith AthertonKeith AthertonKeith Rowe Atherton , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues primarily in relief from -. Atherton played for the Oakland Athletics , Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians ....
was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named later and cash. The Minnesota Twins sent Eric Broersma (minors) (May 23, 1986) to the Oakland Athletics to complete the trade. - June 2, 1986: Derek ParksDerek ParksDerek Gavin Parks is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played parts of three seasons in the majors, from until , for the Minnesota Twins.-External links:...
was drafted by the Twins in the 1st round (10th pick) of the 1986 Major League Baseball Draft1986 Major League Baseball DraftThe 1986 Major League Baseball Draft was the 22nd MLB draft that took place in 1986. During this draft, five all-stars were drafted in five different teams.-First round selections:...
. - June 20, 1986: John ButcherJohn Butcher (baseball)John Daniel Butcher is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for seven seasons. He played for the Texas Rangers from 1980 to 1983, the Minnesota Twins from 1984 to 1986, and the Cleveland Indians in 1986....
was traded by the Twins to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for Neal HeatonNeal HeatonNeal Heaton is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played for the Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees from 1982 to 1993.Heaton was drafted by the Indians in the 2nd round of the 1981...
.
Roster
| 1986 Minnesota Twins | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
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 | 149 | 550 | 147 | .233 | 29 | 91 | |
| 3B | 157 | 596 | 171 | .287 | 34 | 108 | |
| SS | 156 | 472 | 118 | .250 | 12 | 54 | |
| CF | 161 | 680 | 223 | .328 | 31 | 96 | |
| RF | 157 | 593 | 152 | .256 | 23 | 75 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 183 | 39 | .213 | 3 | 15 | |
| 68 | 165 | 39 | .236 | 2 | 9 | |
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 | 245.7 | 16 | 13 | 4.51 | 191 | |
| 36 | 271.7 | 17 | 14 | 4.01 | 215 | |
| 34 | 198 | 13 | 14 | 4.77 | 114 | |
| 21 | 124.3 | 4 | 9 | 3.98 | 66 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 70 | 0 | 3 | 6.30 | 29 | |
| 7 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 7.31 | 8 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 3.75 | 59 | |
| 15 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4.39 | 25 | |
| 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6.97 | 8 | |