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1996 Minnesota Twins season: Difference between revisions

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| season = 1996
| season = 1996
| misc =
| misc =
| logo = Minnesota Twins Insignia.svg
| league = American League
| league = American League
| y1 = 1901
| y1 = 1901
| division = [[American League Central|Central Division]]
| division = [[American League Central|Central Division]]
| y2 = 1994
| y2 = 1994
| Uniform logo = Al 2001 minnesota 01.gif
| ballpark = [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]]
| ballpark = [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]]
| y4 = 1982
| y4 = 1982

Revision as of 14:39, 2 November 2023

1996 Minnesota Twins
LeagueAmerican League
DivisionCentral Division
BallparkHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
CityMinneapolis
Record78-84 (.481)
Divisional place4th
OwnersCarl Pohlad
General managersTerry Ryan
ManagersTom Kelly
TelevisionWCCO-TV
Midwest Sports Channel
(Bert Blyleven, Dick Bremer, Ryan Lefebvre, Tommy John)
Radio830 WCCO AM
(Herb Carneal, John Gordon)
← 1995 Seasons 1997 →

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 (spring training) 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.

Offseason

Regular season

  • On April 24, the Twins crushed the Detroit Tigers 24-11. The total of runs—both the Twins' 24 and the game's total of 35—were new highs in Twins history for a nine-inning game.[3]
  • Only second baseman Chuck Knoblauch was selected from the Twins for the All-Star Game at Veteran's Stadium in Philadelphia. Entering in the eighth inning as a reserve, he singled. His was just one of seven American League hits in the National League's 6-0 victory.
  • On July 25 at the Metrodome, seven Twins hit eight doubles to set a new mark. The Twins drubbed the Boston Red Sox 16-6.[4]
  • By season's end, several other offensive records had been set: Chuck Knoblauch scored 140 times, besting Rod Carew's previous club high of 128. Chip Hale had nineteen pinch hits on the year. New season highs were set for most runs scored (877) and most runs allowed (900). In addition, new club season highs were set in most hits (1663), most RBI (812), most doubles (332) and highest team batting average (.288).

Offense

Individual players on the team did excel. Paul Molitor had a standout year in his first year with his hometown team, playing as the regular designated hitter and winning a Silver Slugger Award at that position. He played in all but one game and hit .341 with 113 RBI and a league-best 225 hits. On September 16 in Kansas City, he collected his 3,000th hit, a triple off of José Rosado. He is the only player to obtain his 3,000th hit via a triple. Along with Molitor, Chuck Knoblauch also hit .341. Among the hits were 35 doubles. He also stole 45 bases. Marty Cordova had a respectable year, driving in 111 runs.

Team Leaders
Statistic Player Quantity
HR Marty Cordova 16
RBI Paul Molitor 113
BA Paul Molitor and Chuck Knoblauch .341
Runs Chuck Knoblauch 140

Pitching

The pitching did not match the offense. Brad Radke, Frank Rodriguez, and Rich Robertson (the three R's) all spent the whole season in the starting rotation and had losing records. The team's experiment moving Rick Aguilera from the closer's role to the starting rotation was not a successful one, as he started only 19 games. Scott Aldred also started 17 games for the team. Radke had the lowest ERA among the starters at 4.46. The rest were over five. Dave Stevens got the most saves at 11, but he was not an effective closer. Mike Trombley and Dan Naulty had effective seasons out of the bullpen, but nobody else had an ERA under five. Epitomizing the pitching woes, Mike Milchin had an ERA of 8.31 but the team still let him pitch in 26 games.

Team Leaders
Statistic Player Quantity
ERA Brad Radke 4.46
Wins Frank Rodriguez 13
Saves Dave Stevens 11
Strikeouts Brad Radke 148

Defense

The only truly regular starters in the field were Knoblauch at second base, Pat Meares at shortstop, and Cordova in left field. In a less-than-encouraging sign for the team's postseason prospects, Scott Stahoviak saw a majority of the time at first base. Dave Hollins played 116 games at third, with Jeff Reboulet and Todd Walker also seeing time. Greg Myers and Matt Walbeck platooned at catcher. Rich Becker had the unenviable task of replacing Puckett in center field and played 121 games there. Right field was a mish-mash, with Matt Lawton playing 60 games at the position, Roberto Kelly 54, Denny Hocking 33, and Ron Coomer 23.

Season standings

AL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Cleveland Indians 99 62 .615 51‍–‍29 48‍–‍33
Chicago White Sox 85 77 .525 14½ 44‍–‍37 41‍–‍40
Milwaukee Brewers 80 82 .494 19½ 38‍–‍43 42‍–‍39
Minnesota Twins 78 84 .481 21½ 39‍–‍43 39‍–‍41
Kansas City Royals 75 86 .466 24 37‍–‍43 38‍–‍43

Record vs. opponents


Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]
Team BAL BOS CAL CWS CLE DET KC MIL MIN NYY OAK SEA TEX TOR
Baltimore 7–6 6–6 4–8 5–7 11–2 9–3 9–3 7–5 3–10 9–4 7–5 3–10–1 8–5
Boston 6–7 8–4 6–6 1–11 12–1 3–9 7–5 6–6 7–6 8–5 7–6 6–6 8–5
California 6–6 4–8 6–6 4–9 6–6 4–8 7–5 4–8 7–6 6–7 5–8 4–9 7–5
Chicago 8–4 6–6 6–6 5–8 10–3 7–6 6–7 6–7 6–7 5–7 5–7 8–4 7–5
Cleveland 7–5 11–1 9–4 8–5 12–0 7–6 7–6 10–3 3–9 6–6 8–4 4–8 7–5
Detroit 2–11 1–12 6–6 3–10 0–12 6–6 4–8 6–6 5–8 4–8 6–6 4–9 6–7
Kansas City 3–9 9–3 8–4 6–7 6–7 6–6 4–9 6–7 4–8 5–7 7–5 6–6 5–8
Milwaukee 3–9 5–7 5–7 7–6 6–7 8–4 9–4 9–4 6–6 7–5 4–9 6–7 5–7
Minnesota 5–7 6–6 8–4 7–6 3–10 6–6 7–6 4–9 5–7 6–7 6–6 7–5 8–5
New York 10–3 6–7 6–7 7–6 9–3 8–5 8–4 6–6 7–5 9–3 3–9 5–7 8–5
Oakland 4–9 5–8 7–6 7–5 6–6 8–4 7–5 5–7 7–6 3–9 8–5 7–6 4–8
Seattle 5–7 6–7 8–5 7–5 4–8 6–6 5–7 9–4 6–6 9–3 5–8 10–3 5–7
Texas 10–3–1 6–6 9–4 4–8 8–4 9–4 6–6 7–6 5–7 7–5 6–7 3–10 10–2
Toronto 5–8 5–8 5–7 5–7 5–7 7–6 8–5 7–5 5–8 5–8 8–4 7–5 2–10


Game log

1996 Game Log: 78–84 (Home: 39–43; Away: 39–41)
April: 13–12 (Home: 8–7; Away: 5–5)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
1 April 1 Tigers 8–6 Radke (1–0) Lira Stevens (1) 30,185 1–0
2 April 2 Tigers 6–10 Sodowsky Robertson (0–1) 20,164 1–1
3 April 3 Tigers 16–7 Mahomes (1–0) Aldred 12,256 2–1
4 April 5 Orioles 1–2 Mercker Guardado (0–1) Myers 22,744 2–2
5 April 6 Orioles 8–3 Radke (2–0) Haynes 22,334 3–2
6 April 7 Orioles 2–4 Mussina Robertson (0–2) Myers 14,580 3–3
7 April 9 @ Red Sox 1–9 Gordon Rodriguez (0–1) 30,843 3–4
8 April 11 @ Red Sox 6–5 Radke (3–0) Clemens Stevens (2) 15,594 4–4
9 April 12 @ Orioles 2–3 Mussina Robertson (0–3) 42,602 4–5
10 April 13 @ Orioles 6–7 Benitez Mahomes (1–1) 42,644 4–6
11 April 14 @ Orioles 4–1 Rodriguez (1–1) Haynes Stevens (3) 42,660 5–6
12 April 16 Indians 2–7 Hershiser Radke (3–1) 13,103 5–7
13 April 17 Indians 9–8 Hansell (1–0) Shuey Stevens (4) 11,276 6–7
14 April 19 Yankees 7–1 Rodriguez (2–1) Gooden 20,279 7–7
15 April 20 Yankees 6–7 Wickman Guardado (0–2) Wetteland 24,586 7–8
16 April 21 Yankees 5–9 Rogers Radke (3–2) 20,115 7–9
17 April 22 Red Sox 1–4 Sele Robertson (0–4) Slocumb 11,340 7–10
18 April 23 Red Sox 8–6 Naulty (1–0) Hudson Stevens (5) 11,533 8–10
19 April 24 @ Tigers 24–11 Bennett (1–0) Veres 12,189 9–10
20 April 25 @ Tigers 11–1 Hawkins (1–0) Aldred Hansell (1) 11,804 10–10
21 April 26 @ Yankees 4–5 Rivera Radke (3–3) Wetteland 14,450 10–11
22 April 27 @ Yankees 8–6 (10) Bennett (2–0) Wickman 20,025 11–11
23 April 28 @ Yankees 3–6 Rivera Rodriguez (2–2) Wetteland 24,793 11–12
24 April 29 Royals 11–6 Hansell (2–0) Clark Bennett (1) 10,237 12–12
25 April 30 Royals 16–7 Naulty (2–0) Magnante 10,503 13–12
May: 10–16 (Home: 4–6; Away: 6–10)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
26 May 1 Royals 6–5 (10) Stevens (1–0) Montgomery 11,975 14–12
27 May 3 @ Angels 1–4 Finley Robertson (0–5) Percival 24,505 14–13
28 May 4 @ Angels 2–5 Grimsley Rodriguez (2–3) 29,264 14–14
29 May 5 @ Angels 1–5 Boskie Hawkins (1–1) 35,541 14–15
30 May 6 @ Mariners 4–5 Wells Radke (3–4) Charlton 32,203 14–16
31 May 7 @ Mariners 2–0 Parra (1–0) Wolcott Stevens (6) 15,626 15–16
32 May 8 @ Mariners 7–5 (10) Guardado (1–2) Wells Stevens (7) 22,175 16–16
33 May 10 @ Athletics 5–15 Wojciechowski Rodriguez (2–4) 8,278 16–17
34 May 11 @ Athletics 5–12 Prieto Radke (3–5) 15,791 16–18
35 May 12 @ Athletics 3–8 Wengert Parra (1–1) 13,430 16–19
36 May 14 Blue Jays 2–4 Hanson Robertson (0–6) Timlin 13,483 16–20
37 May 15 Blue Jays 2–1 Rodriguez (3–4) Hentgen 11,793 17–20
38 May 16 Blue Jays 4–1 Radke (4–5) Quantrill Stevens (8) 13,538 18–20
39 May 17 Brewers 1–12 Karl Parra (1–2) 26,733 18–21
40 May 18 Brewers 3–7 Miranda Mahomes (1–2) Fetters 30,593 18–22
41 May 19 Brewers 2–4 Sparks Robertson (0–7) Fetters 24,411 18–23
42 May 20 Brewers 2–3 Bones Rodriguez (3–5) Fetters 13,376 18–24
43 May 21 Rangers 4–3 Milchin (1–0) Henneman 12,323 19–24
44 May 22 Rangers 5–6 Pavlik Parra (1–3) Henneman 17,955 19–25
45 May 23 @ Blue Jays 4–5 (10) Janzen Milchin (1–1) 31,163 19–26
46 May 24 @ Blue Jays 4–0 Robertson (1–7) Hanson 33,141 20–26
47 May 25 @ Blue Jays 6–4 (10) Guardado (2–2) Castillo Stevens (9) 34,118 21–26
48 May 26 @ Blue Jays 9–3 Naulty (3–0) Bohanon 30,170 22–26
49 May 28 @ Brewers 3–7 Karl Mahomes (1–3) Garcia 10,117 22–27
50 May 29 @ Brewers 8–7 (12) Hansell (3–0) Lloyd 14,324 23–27
51 May 31 @ Rangers 2–7 Hill Rodriguez (3–6) 32,861 23–28
June: 15–13 (Home: 9–8; Away: 6–5)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
52 June 1 @ Rangers 9–5 Milchin (2–1) Henneman 43,413 24–28
53 June 2 @ Rangers 6–5 Guardado (3–2) Russell 33,809 25–28
54 June 3 Angels 9–3 Trombley (1–0) Finley 10,589 26–28
55 June 4 Angels 5–3 Rodriguez (4–6) Grimsley Guardado (1) 10,899 27–28
56 June 5 Angels 14–3 Aldred (1–0) Langston Hansell (2) 10,639 28–28
57 June 7 Athletics 4–6 Reyes Radke (4–6) Corsi 14,999 28–29
58 June 8 Athletics 4–2 Robertson (2–7) Wojciechowski Guardado (2) 29–29
59 June 8 Athletics 7–13 Wasdin Mahomes (1–4) 22,164 29–30
60 June 9 Athletics 5–3 Rodriguez (5–6) Wengert 13,291 30–30
61 June 10 Mariners 13–6 Aldred (2–0) Wagner Trombley (1) 17,134 31–30
62 June 11 Mariners 8–18 Wells Aguilera (0–1) Hurtado 14,395 31–31
63 June 12 Mariners 3–5 Wolcott Radke (4–7) Charlton 15,830 31–32
64 June 14 Tigers 4–5 Gohr Robertson (2–8) Olson 22,831 31–33
65 June 15 Tigers 4–6 Olivares Rodriguez (5–7) Olson 17,099 31–34
66 June 16 Tigers 4–1 Aguilera (1–1) Lira Hansell (3) 20,641 32–34
67 June 17 @ Yankees 6–3 Aldred (3–0) Mendoza Naulty (1) 16,189 33–34
68 June 18 @ Yankees 0–2 Rogers Radke (4–8) Wetteland 17,593 33–35
69 June 20 @ Tigers 7–3 Rodriguez (6–7) Olivares 8,310 34–35
70 June 21 @ Tigers 0–2 Lira Aguilera (1–2) 13,127 34–36
71 June 22 @ Tigers 0–6 Williams Aldred (3–1) 14,506 34–37
72 June 23 @ Tigers 8–10 Urbani Radke (4–9) 13,994 34–38
73 June 24 Yankees 3–0 Robertson (3–8) Pettitte 20,488 35–38
74 June 25 Yankees 6–1 Rodriguez (7–7) Boehringer 36–38
75 June 25 Yankees 2–6 Mendoza Serafini (0–1) 16,641 36–39
76 June 26 Yankees 1–2 Polley Guardado (3–3) Wetteland 19,116 36–40
77 June 28 @ Royals 2–6 Appier Radke (4–10) 21,515 36–41
78 June 29 @ Royals 12–7 Trombley (2–0) Linton 23,232 37–41
79 June 30 @ Royals 5–2 Rodriguez (8–7) Gubicza Stevens (10) 28,246 38–41
July: 13–14 (Home: 7–10; Away: 6–4)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
80 July 1 @ White Sox 10–7 Aguilera (2–2) Sirotka 19,211 39–41
81 July 2 @ White Sox 4–7 Fernandez Aldred (3–2) Hernandez 18,357 39–42
82 July 3 @ White Sox 6–5 Radke (5–10) Andujar Stevens (11) 26,113 40–42
83 July 4 Royals 3–5 Linton Robertson (3–9) Montgomery 37,295 40–43
84 July 5 Royals 9–8 Guardado (4–3) Montgomery 18,465 41–43
85 July 6 Royals 5–8 Haney Aguilera (2–3) Montgomery 18,699 41–44
86 July 7 Royals 2–8 Belcher Aldred (3–3) 14,251 41–45
87 July 11 Indians 7–11 McDowell Radke (5–11) 16,438 41–46
88 July 12 Indians 5–7 Mesa Stevens (1–1) Shuey 18,246 41–47
89 July 13 Indians 11–19 Ogea Aguilera (2–4) 31,552 41–48
90 July 14 Indians 5–4 Guardado (5–3) Plunk 25,312 42–48
91 July 15 White Sox 16–5 Aldred (4–3) McCaskill 13,636 43–48
92 July 16 White Sox 2–11 Alvarez Radke (5–12) 18,502 43–49
93 July 17 White Sox 4–3 Trombley (3–0) Simas 20,755 44–49
94 July 18 @ Indians 4–5 Graves Guardado (5–4) 40,934 44–50
95 July 19 @ Indians 3–2 Rodriguez (9–7) Nagy Naulty (2) 42,373 45–50
96 July 20 @ Indians 5–6 (11) Shuey Stevens (1–2) 43,433 45–51
97 July 21 @ Indians 5–7 McDowell Radke (5–13) Shuey 42,341 45–52
98 July 22 @ Orioles 9–5 Robertson (4–9) Haynes Trombley (2) 42,129 46–52
99 July 23 @ Orioles 3–2 Aguilera (3–4) Wells Naulty (3) 42,006 47–52
100 July 24 @ Orioles 11–4 Rodriguez (10–7) Erickson 46,181 48–52
101 July 25 Red Sox 16–6 Parra (2–3) Wakefield 13,924 49–52
102 July 26 Red Sox 5–1 Radke (6–13) Clemens 17,768 50–52
103 July 27 Red Sox 5–9 Gordon Naulty (3–1) 22,128 50–53
104 July 28 Red Sox 9–8 Aguilera (4–4) Sele Naulty (4) 17,448 51–53
105 July 30 Orioles 4–16 Coppinger Rodriguez (10–8) 16,708 51–54
106 July 31 Orioles 3–9 Mussina Trombley (3–1) 15,897 51–55
August: 16–14 (Home: 5–6; Away: 11–8)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
107 August 1 Orioles 2–4 Wells Robertson (4–10) Myers 20,379 51–56
108 August 2 @ Red Sox 10–11 Brandenburg Naulty (3–2) 28,041 51–57
109 August 3 @ Red Sox 3–6 Sele Rodriguez (10–9) Hudson 19,860 51–58
110 August 3 @ Red Sox 6–0 Aldred (5–3) Suppan 29,135 52–58
111 August 4 @ Red Sox 6–13 Eshelman Klingenbeck (0–1) 29,939 52–59
112 August 6 @ Angels 4–1 Radke (7–13) Springer Guardado (3) 20,058 53–59
113 August 7 @ Angels 4–0 Robertson (5–10) Finley 18,611 54–59
114 August 8 @ Angels 13–5 Aguilera (5–4) Boskie 21,283 55–59
115 August 9 @ Mariners 6–5 Parra (3–3) Wolcott Rodriguez (1) 25,130 56–59
116 August 10 @ Mariners 10–4 Klingenbeck (1–1) Hitchcock 34,381 57–59
117 August 11 @ Mariners 6–3 Radke (8–13) Wells Rodriguez (2) 36,114 58–59
118 August 12 @ Athletics 1–11 Prieto Robertson (5–11) 10,071 58–60
119 August 13 @ Athletics 6–2 Aguilera (6–4) Wengert 11,156 59–60
120 August 14 @ Athletics 13–7 Rodriguez (11–9) Telgheder 12,729 60–60
121 August 16 Blue Jays 5–4 (10) Parra (4–3) Quantrill 19,838 61–60
122 August 17 Blue Jays 11–1 Robertson (6–11) Hanson 20,354 62–60
123 August 18 Blue Jays 2–6 Hentgen Aguilera (6–5) 18,010 62–61
124 August 19 Brewers 1–6 D'Amico Rodriguez (11–10) 21,879 62–62
125 August 20 Brewers 12–7 Parra (5–3) Bones 14,630 63–62
126 August 21 Brewers 7–10 Jones Stevens (1–3) Fetters 15,885 63–63
127 August 22 Rangers 2–11 Hill Robertson (6–12) 17,342 63–64
128 August 23 Rangers 9–2 Aguilera (7–5) Oliver 16,166 64–64
129 August 24 Rangers 6–5 Rodriguez (12–10) Pavlik Trombley (3) 16,648 65–64
130 August 25 Rangers 2–13 Witt Miller (0–1) 14,818 65–65
131 August 26 @ Blue Jays 3–5 Guzman Radke (8–14) Timlin 31,134 65–66
132 August 27 @ Blue Jays 6–4 (11) Trombley (4–1) Quantrill 30,033 66–66
133 August 28 @ Blue Jays 1–6 Hentgen Aguilera (7–6) 30,106 66–67
134 August 29 @ Brewers 6–1 Rodriguez (13–10) Karl 14,922 67–67
135 August 30 @ Brewers 4–5 (12) Wickman Parra (5–4) 17,444 67–68
136 August 31 @ Brewers 2–3 Jones Robertson (6–13) Fetters 20,187 67–69
September: 11–15 (Home: 6–6; Away: 5–9)
# Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
137 September 1 @ Brewers 6–2 Aldred (6–3) Van Egmond 17,074 68–69
138 September 2 @ Rangers 6–4 Aguilera (8–6) Hill Guardado (4) 24,786 69–69
139 September 3 @ Rangers 7–9 Witt Rodriguez (13–11) Henneman 28,401 69–70
140 September 4 @ Rangers 7–6 Robertson (7–13) Heredia Trombley (4) 29,744 70–70
141 September 6 Angels 6–2 Radke (9–14) Finley 13,006 71–70
142 September 7 Angels 6–3 Stevens (2–3) Boskie Trombley (5) 51,011 72–70
143 September 8 Angels 2–4 Abbott Rodriguez (13–12) Percival 14,378 72–71
144 September 10 Athletics 0–7 Telgheder Robertson (7–14) 9,676 72–72
145 September 11 Athletics 7–2 Radke (10–14) Adams 9,493 73–72
146 September 12 Athletics 4–3 (12) Stevens (3–3) Mohler 9,712 74–72
147 September 13 Mariners 7–13 Wells Miller (0–2) 15,510 74–73
148 September 14 Mariners 3–5 (10) Ayala Guardado (5–5) Charlton 18,002 74–74
149 September 15 Mariners 0–7 Torres Robertson (7–15) 25,142 74–75
150 September 16 @ Royals 5–6 Rosado Radke (10–15) Bluma 16,843 74–76
151 September 17 @ Royals 2–4 Haney Aldred (6–4) Bluma 11,809 74–77
152 September 18 @ Royals 7–4 Miller (1–2) Belcher 11,588 75–77
153 September 19 @ White Sox 3–8 Sirotka Rodriguez (13–13) Castillo 14,253 75–78
154 September 20 @ White Sox 3–7 Tapani Robertson (7–16) 15,673 75–79
155 September 21 @ White Sox 4–3 Radke (11–15) Alvarez Trombley (6) 18,866 76–79
156 September 22 @ White Sox 1–5 Fernandez Aldred (6–5) 20,111 76–80
157 September 23 @ Indians 6–7 Graves Parra (5–5) Mesa 42,299 76–81
158 September 24 @ Indians 5–7 Ogea Rodriguez (13–14) Mesa 42,272 76–82
159 September 25 @ Indians 3–6 Nagy Robertson (7–17) 42,469 76–83
160 September 27 White Sox 2–4 Fernandez Radke (11–16) Hernandez 13,058 76–84
161 September 28 White Sox 7–6 Trombley (5–1) Castillo 34,008 77–84
162 September 29 White Sox 5–4 (10) Guardado (6–5) Hernandez 13,306 78–84
Legend:        = Win        = Loss
Bold = Twins team member

Detailed records

Roster

1996 Minnesota Twins
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders Manager

Coaches

Notable Transactions

  • May 28: Selected Scott Aldred off waivers from the Detroit Tigers.
  • June 4: In the 1996 amateur draft, the Twins drafted future major leaguers such as Jacque Jones[5] (2nd round), Chad Allen (4th round), and Chad Moeller (7th round). The Twins botched the signing of first baseman Travis Lee, whom they signed in the first round with the second overall pick. Lee exploited a never-before used clause that allows a draft pick to become a free agent if a team doesn't make an offer within 15 days of the draft. After the Twins failed to do this, Lee left for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who gave him a $10 million signing bonus. The Twins had the last laugh, however, as Lee has proven to be a below-average hitter who has bounced from team to team.
  • August 29: Traded Dave Hollins to the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later. On September 30, the Mariners sent David Ortiz to the Twins to complete the trade.
  • September 13, 1996: David Ortiz was sent by the Seattle Mariners to the Minnesota Twins to complete an earlier deal made on August 29, 1996. The Seattle Mariners sent a player to be named later to the Minnesota Twins for Dave Hollins.[6]

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

Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI
C Greg Myers 97 329 94 .286 6 47
1B Scott Stahoviak 130 405 115 .284 13 61
2B Chuck Knoblauch 153 578 197 .341 13 72
SS Pat Meares 152 517 138 .267 8 67
3B Dave Hollins 121 422 102 .242 13 53
LF Marty Cordova 145 569 176 .309 16 111
CF Rich Becker 148 525 153 .291 12 71
RF Matt Lawton 79 252 65 .258 6 42
DH Paul Molitor 161 660 225 .341 9 113

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
Roberto Kelly 98 322 104 .323 6 47
Jeff Reboulet 107 234 52 .222 0 23
Ron Coomer 95 233 69 .296 12 41
Matt Walbeck 63 215 48 .223 2 24
Denny Hocking 49 127 25 .197 1 10
Chip Hale 85 87 24 .276 1 16
Todd Walker 25 82 21 .256 0 6
Mike Durant 40 81 17 .210 0 5
Brent Brede 10 20 6 .300 0 2
Brian Raabe 7 9 2 .222 0 1
Tom Quinlan 4 6 0 .000 0 0

Pitching

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
Brad Radke 35 232.0 11 16 4.46 148
Frank Rodriguez 38 206.2 13 14 5.05 110
Rich Robertson 36 186.1 7 17 5.12 114
Scott Aldred 25 122.0 6 5 5.09 75
Rick Aguilera 19 111.1 8 6 5.42 83
Travis Miller 7 26.1 1 2 9.23 15
LaTroy Hawkins 7 26.1 1 1 8.20 24
Dan Serafini 1 4.1 0 1 10.38 1

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
José Parra 27 70.0 5 5 6.04 50
Pat Mahomes 20 45.0 1 4 7.20 30
Scott Klingenbeck 10 28.2 1 1 7.85 15

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
Dave Stevens 49 3 3 11 4.66 29
Eddie Guardado 83 6 5 4 5.25 74
Greg Hansell 50 3 0 3 5.69 46
Dan Naulty 49 3 2 4 3.79 56
Mike Trombley 43 5 1 6 3.01 57
Mike Milchin 26 2 1 0 8.31 19
Erik Bennett 24 2 0 1 7.90 13

Miscellaneous

Other post-season awards

Outfielder Kirby Puckett 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.

Farm system

Level Team League Manager
AAA Salt Lake Buzz Pacific Coast League Phil Roof
AA Hardware City Rock Cats Eastern League Al Newman
A Fort Myers Miracle Florida State League John Russell
A Fort Wayne Wizards Midwest League Dan Rohn
Rookie Elizabethton Twins Appalachian League Jose Marzan
Rookie GCL Twins Gulf Coast League Mike Boulanger

[7]

References

  1. ^ Luis Rivas at Baseball Reference
  2. ^ Paul Molitor at Baseball Reference
  3. ^ "Twins 24, Tigers 11". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  4. ^ "Twins 16, Red Sox 6". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
  5. ^ Jacque Jones Statistics Baseball-Reference.com
  6. ^ David Ortiz Statistics Baseball-Reference.com
  7. ^ Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 2nd and 3rd editions. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997 and 2007