1994 Minnesota Twins season

Last updated

1994  Minnesota Twins
League American League
Division Central Division
Ballpark Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
City Minneapolis
Record53-60 (.496)
Divisional place4th
Owners Carl Pohlad
General managers Andy MacPhail
Managers Tom Kelly
Television WCCO-TV
Midwest Sports Channel
(Al Newman, Dick Bremer, Chad Hartman, Tommy John )
Radio 830 WCCO AM
(Herb Carneal, John Gordon, Jim Powell)
←  1993 Seasons 1995  →

The 1994 Minnesota Twins played in an abbreviated, strike-shortened season. The strike overshadowed the season's accomplishments. These included Scott Erickson's no-hitter on April 27, Chuck Knoblauch's 85-game errorless streak and league-leading 45 doubles, Kirby Puckett's 2,000th hit, and Kent Hrbek's retirement. In 113 games, Manager Tom Kelly's team finished with a record of 53–60, for fourth place in the newly created American League Central Division.

Contents

Offseason

Regular season

On April 27 at home, Scott Erickson no-hit the Milwaukee Brewers—the Metrodome's first no-hitter—for a 6-0 win. His is the third Twins' no-hitter, 27 years after Dean Chance no-hit the Cleveland Indians in 1967. [4]

On May 20, the team put up 22 hits against the Boston Red Sox—not a record. But two club records were set in the fifth inning, when eight consecutive players hit safely, and a total of ten hits were recorded in the half-inning. The Twins won, 21-2. [5]

The Twins' All-Star representatives were outfielder Kirby Puckett and second baseman Chuck Knoblauch.

By Friday, August 12, the Twins had compiled a 53-60 record through 113 games. They had scored 594 runs (5.26 per game) and allowed 688 runs (6.09 per game). [6]

Throughout the strike-shortened season, the Twins pitching staff struggled and finished with a 5.68 ERA: the highest in the majors. In 1,005.0 innings pitched, they gave up 1,197 hits and 634 earned runs: the most among all 28 teams. They did, however, issue the fewest intentional walks in the Majors, with 20. [7]

Terry Ryan was named Twins General Manager, replacing Andy MacPhail, architect of the team's 1991 world champion team.

The highest paid Twin in 1994 was Puckett at $5,300,000, followed by Aguilera at $3,260,000.

Offense

Despite the short season, Kirby Puckett managed to belt 20 home runs and drive in 112 runs, winning his sixth Silver Slugger Award. Outfielder Shane Mack had a solid year in his last year with the Twins, batting .333. Knoblauch and outfielder Alex Cole lit up the base paths, stealing 35 and 29 bases, respectively. Designated hitter Dave Winfield had a mediocre year in his last season with his hometown team. (He would play in 46 games for the Cleveland Indians in 1995 before announcing his retirement.)

Team Leaders
Statistic PlayerQuantity
HR Kirby Puckett 20
RBI Kirby Puckett 112
BA Shane Mack .333
Runs Chuck Knoblauch 85

Pitching

The starting rotation was not a strong one, although the starters at least started consistently every fifth day, unlike in subsequent years for the Twins. Jim Deshaies, Kevin Tapani, Scott Erickson, Pat Mahomes, and Carlos Pulido started all but six games for the team. Despite the no-hitter, Erickson's year was disappointing, as he posted a 5.44 ERA. Rick Aguilera continued to be a reliable closer while the only reliable arm out of the bullpen was Kevin Campbell with an ERA of 2.92.

Team Leaders
Statistic PlayerQuantity
ERA Kevin Tapani 4.62
Wins Kevin Tapani 11
Saves Rick Aguilera 23
Strikeouts Scott Erickson 104

Defense

Matt Walbeck and Derek Parks were a strong 1-2 punch at catcher, at least defensively. (Both had .993 fielding percentages.) Kent Hrbek ended his career with a solid one defensively with a .997 average. As mentioned, Knoblauch excelled defensively at this point in his career. Scott Leius and Pat Meares were defensively average on the left side of the infield. Puckett and Mack were strong in the outfield, while Alex Cole was average. Pedro Muñoz also saw substantial time in the outfield.

Season standings

AL Central 		W L Pct. GB Home Road
Chicago White Sox 67460.593—34–1933–27
Cleveland Indians 66470.584135–1631–31
Kansas City Royals 64510.557435–2429–27
Minnesota Twins 53600.4691432–2721–33
Milwaukee Brewers 53620.4611524–3229–30
Division leaders		 W L Pct.
New York Yankees 70430.619
Chicago White Sox 67460.593
Texas Rangers 52620.456
Wild Card team
(Top team qualifies for postseason)		 W L Pct. GB
Cleveland Indians 66470.584—
Baltimore Orioles 63490.5622½
Kansas City Royals 64510.5573
Toronto Blue Jays 55600.47812
Boston Red Sox 54610.47013
Minnesota Twins 53600.46913
Detroit Tigers 53620.46114
Milwaukee Brewers 53620.46114
Oakland Athletics 51630.44715½
Seattle Mariners 49630.43816½
California Angels 47680.40920

Record vs. opponents

1994 American League record

Sources:
TeamBALBOSCALCWSCLEDETKCMILMINNYYOAKSEATEXTOR
Baltimore —4–28–42–44–63–44–17–34–54–67–54–63–37–2
Boston 2–4—7–52–43–74–24–25–51–83–79–36–61–57–3
California 4–85–7—5–50–53–46–43–33–34–83–62–76–43–4
Chicago 4–24–25–5—7–58–43–79–32–44–26–39–14–52–3
Cleveland 6–47–35–05–7—8–21–45–29–30–96–03–25–76–4
Detroit 4–32–44–34–82–8—4–86–43–33–35–46–35–75–4
Kansas City 1–42–44–67–34–18–4—5–76–44–27–36–44–36–6
Milwaukee 3–75–53–33–92–54–67–5—6–62–74–14–23–37–3
Minnesota 5–48–13–34–23–93–34–66–6—4–52–53–34–54–8
New York 6–47–38–42–49–03–32–47–25–4—7–58–43–23–4
Oakland 5–73–96–33–60–64–53–71–45–25–7—4–37–35–1
Seattle 4–66–67–21–92–33–64–62–43–34–83–4—9–11–5
Texas 3–35–14–65–47–57–53–43–35–42–33–71–9—4–8
Toronto 2–73–74–33–24–64–56–63–78–44–31–55–18–4—

Notable transactions

Roster

1994 Minnesota Twins
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

OutfieldersManager

Coaches

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
C Matt Walbeck 9733869.204535
1B Kent Hrbek 8127474.2701053
2B Chuck Knoblauch 109445139.312551
SS Pat Meares 8022961.266224
3B Scott Leius 9735086.2461449
LF Shane Mack 81303101.3331561
CF Alex Cole 105345102.296423
RF Kirby Puckett 108439139.31720112
DH Dave Winfield 7729474.2521043

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
Pedro Muñoz 7524472.2951136
Jeff Reboulet 7418949.259323
Dave McCarty 4413134.260112
Chip Hale 6711831.263111
Rich Becker 289826.26518
Derek Parks 318917.19119
Steve Dunn 14358.22904
Denny Hocking 113110.32302

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Kevin Tapani 24156.01174.6291
Scott Erickson 23144.08115.44104
Jim Deshaies 25130.16127.3978
Pat Mahomes 21120.0954.7353
Eddie Guardado 417.0028.478

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Carlos Pulido 1984.1375.9832

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGWLSVERASO
Rick Aguilera 4414233.6346
Mark Guthrie 504216.1438
Carl Willis 492435.9237
Larry Casian 331317.0818
Mike Trombley 242006.3332
Dave Stevens 245206.8024
Brett Merriman 150106.3510
Kevin Campbell 141002.9215
Erik Schullstrom 90012.7713
Keith Garagozzo 70009.643

Other post-season awards

Designated hitter Dave Winfield won the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team", as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. Rod Carew in 1977 is the only Twin to have won this award in the past. Kirby Puckett will win it in 1996.

Farm system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA Salt Lake Buzz Pacific Coast League Scott Ullger
AA Nashville Xpress Southern League Phil Roof
A Fort Myers Miracle Florida State League Steve Liddle
A Fort Wayne Wizards Midwest League Jim Dwyer
Rookie Elizabethton Twins Appalachian League Ray Smith
Rookie GCL Twins Gulf Coast League Jose Marzan

[17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirby Puckett</span> American baseball player (1960–2006)

Kirby Puckett was an American professional baseball player. He played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career as a center fielder for the Minnesota Twins (1984–1995). Puckett is the Twins' all-time leader in career hits, runs, and total bases. At the time of his retirement, his .318 career batting average was the highest by any right-handed American League batter since Joe DiMaggio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1991 World Series</span> 1991 Major League Baseball championship series

The 1991 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1991 season. The 88th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League (AL) champion Minnesota Twins (95–67) and the National League (NL) champion Atlanta Braves (94–68). The Twins defeated the Braves four games to three to win the championship, their second in Minnesota and third overall. The series was also unique because of the standings of the two participating teams in the previous season: both finished the 1990 season in last place; before 1991, no league champion had ever finished the previous season in last place.

The 1991 Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB) won the World Series, the second time the Twins had won the World Series since moving to Minnesota in 1961. During the 1991 regular season the Twins had an MLB-leading 15-game win streak, which remains a club record. On June 17, 1991, the streak came to an end at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles but not before the Twins moved from fifth place to first, a lead they would not relinquish until winning baseball's championship. The Twins' winning streak of 1991 falls just seven games short of the all-time American League (AL) record of 22 consecutive regular season wins set by the Cleveland Indians in 2017.

Prior to spring training, the 1996 Minnesota Twins were projected to be a contending team. The team's chances significantly worsened on March 28, 1996. Kirby Puckett, the team's franchise player, had been tattooing the Grapefruit League for a .360 average, but that morning woke up without vision in his right eye. He was eventually diagnosed with glaucoma. Several surgeries over the next few months could not restore vision in the eye. Puckett announced his retirement from baseball on July 12. After beginning the season under the melancholy cloud of the Puckett situation, Manager Tom Kelly's team finished the year with a 78-84 record, which put it in fourth place in the American League Central Division.

Like many Twins teams of its half-decade, the 1998 Minnesota Twins neither impressed nor contended. The team finished with a 70–92 record, with subpar batting and pitching. The season was not without its bright spots, as individual players had solid seasons and Hall of Fame designated hitter Paul Molitor announced his retirement at the end of the season. Tom Kelly's team had plenty of lowlights, most notably David Wells' perfect game against the team on May 17 at Yankee Stadium.

The Minnesota Twins complied a record of 69–93 during the 2000 Major League Baseball season. It was the team's last of a consecutive string record of eight losing seasons and it was characterized with weak hitting but slightly better pitching. The team was managed by Tom Kelly and contained the nucleus of future manager Ron Gardenhire's team that would reach the postseason only two years later.

Although the 1995 Minnesota Twins were separated from a world championship by only four years, it seemed like eons. Because of the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike, the season got off to a late start. However, it did not end soon enough, as the team finished with a 56–88 record and in last place in its division. The team found it impossible to compete against the runaway Cleveland Indians who won 100 games despite the shortened season and finished 44 games ahead of the Twins. By July, the team was trading away its veterans in a fire sale. Manager Tom Kelly might have preferred that the strike had continued.

The 1993 Minnesota Twins finished with a 71–91 record, leaving the team tied for fifth place with the California Angels. Kirby Puckett won the All-Star MVP award on July 13 and St. Paul native Dave Winfield got his 3,000th hit over the course of the year.

Coming off a World Series victory, the 1992 Minnesota Twins continued the team's winning spree. The team finished in second place to the Oakland Athletics and did not make it to the postseason. This would be the team's last winning season until 2001.

The 1987 Minnesota Twins won the World Series for the first time since moving from Washington in 1961, the second time that the franchise won the World Series. Having won only 85 games during the 1987 regular season, they won the World Series with the then-fewest regular season wins since Major League Baseball expanded to a 162-game season in 1961, and the fewest of any team since the 1889 New York Giants. They also became the first team to win the World Series despite being outscored by their opponents in the regular season, having scored 786 runs and allowed 806.

The 1990 Minnesota Twins, three years after their World Series title in 1987, fell to the bottom of the AL West once again. However, the season was not completely bad, as there were some bright spots that included pitchers Rick Aguilera and Scott Erickson. Aguilera converted from starter to closer and recorded 32 saves, while Erickson was promoted to the Twins in June from AA and went 8-4 with a 3.27 ERA. During Fan Appreciation Day on October 3, Outfielder Dan Gladden made a prediction saying that even though we finished in last place this season, we're going to improve next season and if we did, they could potentially bring another World Series championship to Minnesota. That prediction proved accurate the next year.

The 1978 Minnesota Twins finished 73–89, fourth in the American League West.

The 1982 season was the first year that the Minnesota Twins played at the Metrodome, which they would continue to play in until 2009. The team finished 60–102, seventh in the AL West. It was the first time the Twins lost more than 100 games since moving to Minnesota. This feat of more than 100 losses would be matched in 2016 and was surpassed by one game as that record was 59-103.

The 1984 Minnesota Twins season was a season in American baseball. The team spent much of the season contending for the division title, but finished with a record of 81–81, tied for second in the American League West, and three games behind the division winner Kansas City Royals. Their 81–81 record was an 11-game improvement from 1983, and a 21-game improvement from their 102-loss season of 1982.

The 1985 Minnesota Twins finished with a record of 77–85, tied for fourth in the American League West, and 14 games behind the division winner and eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals.

The 1986 Minnesota Twins finished at 71–91, sixth in the AL West, 21 games behind the eventual AL runner-up California Angels. 1,255,453 fans attended Twins games, the second lowest total in the American League. Pitcher Bert Blyleven made a prediction on Fan Appreciation Day on October 3, saying that if the team came together as a unit and signed some other good players, they could potentially bring a World Series championship to Minnesota. That prediction proved accurate the next year.

The 1988 Minnesota Twins finished at 91–71, second in the AL West. 3,030,672 fans attended Twins games, at the time, establishing a new major league record. Pitcher Allan Anderson had his most successful season in 1988, winning the American League ERA title at 2.45 and compiling a record of 16-9 in 30 starts.

The 1989 Minnesota Twins finished 80–82, fifth in the AL West Division. 2,277,438 fans attended Twins games, the 7th highest total in the American League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Minnesota Twins season</span>

The 2012 Minnesota Twins season was the 52nd season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 112th overall in the American League. The Twins wound up with a 66–96 record, 5th (last) place in the AL Central.

Kirby Puckett's 1991 World Series home run was a baseball play that occurred in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series on October 26, 1991, at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

References

  1. ↑ Willie Banks at Baseball Reference
  2. ↑ Alex Cole at Baseball Reference
  3. ↑ Enrique Wilson at Baseball Reference
  4. ↑ "Minnesota Twins 6, Milwaukee Brewers 0". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Minnesota Twins 21, Boston Red Sox 2". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  6. ↑ "1994 American League Season Summary".
  7. ↑ "1994 Major League Baseball Season Summary".
  8. ↑ Lenny Webster at Baseball Reference
  9. ↑ Todd Walker at Baseball Reference
  10. ↑ Travis Miller at Baseball Reference
  11. ↑ Cleatus Davidson at Baseball Reference
  12. ↑ A. J. Pierzynski at Baseball Reference
  13. ↑ David Dellucci at Baseball Reference
  14. ↑ Corey Koskie at Baseball Reference
  15. ↑ Larry Casian at Baseball Reference
  16. ↑ Dave Winfield at Baseball Reference
  17. ↑ Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 2nd and 3rd editions. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997 and 2007
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.