1987 Minnesota Twins season

Last updated

1987  Minnesota Twins
World Series Champions
American League Champions
American League West Champions
League American League
Division West
Ballpark Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
City Minneapolis
Record85–77 (.525)
Divisional place1st
Owners Carl Pohlad
General managers Andy MacPhail
Managers Tom Kelly
Television KMSP-TV
(John Rooney, John Gordon, Harmon Killebrew)
Twinsvision
(Dick Bremer, Frank Quilici)
Radio 830 WCCO AM
(Herb Carneal, John Gordon)
←  1986 Seasons 1988  →

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 (the Washington Senators won it in 1924). 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 (excluding the strike-shortened 1981 and the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 seasons and later surpassed by the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals who won 83 games that season). 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.

Contents

Tom Kelly became the fifth manager to win a World Series in his first full season on the job, and one of seven total, as of 2023, to accomplish the feat. [1]

Offseason

Regular season

The Twins were 85-77, first in the American League West, two games ahead of the Kansas City Royals. The team had one of the lowest winning percentages ever for a World Series champion, at .525. They also had the remarkably bad road record of 29-52 (.358 percentage) but made up for it winning 56 home games (best in MLB). Fortunately for the Twins, they played in a very weak division; only two teams finished above .500 and only 10 games separated the Twins from the last-place California Angels (the previous year's division champion) and Texas Rangers. The Twins' 85-77 was the lowest for a World Series champion for nearly two decades, until the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series with an 83-78 record.

1987 was the first year the Twins started using their modernized logos and uniforms, which are still in use today.

Only one Twin made the All-Star Game, outfielder Kirby Puckett. The highest paid player was Kent Hrbek at $1,310,000; followed by Bert Blyleven at $1,150,000.

Over a late August weekend at Milwaukee, Puckett went 10 for 11, with four homers and two doubles, raising his batting average 13 points. The feat tied a major league record.

Joe Niekro, a pitcher for the Twins, was suspended for 10 games when umpire Tim Tschida discovered an emery board in his pocket. Tschida suspected Niekro was scuffing the ball, and saw the emery board fly out of Niekro's pocket. Niekro said he was filing his nails in the dugout, but American League president Dr. Bobby Brown didn't believe him, and ordered the suspension. When the Twins won the pennant, Niekro set a major league record as he'd waited 20½ years since his debut to reach a World Series game.

2,081,976 fans attended Twins games, the sixth highest total in the American League.

The Homer Hanky was introduced in 1987's pennant drive. When the Twins made the playoffs for the first time since 1970, three members of that team remained with the club now seventeen years later. Bert Blyleven was the only remaining player; Tony Oliva became the hitting coach and Rick Renick the third base coach.

Offense

This was the last year for a long time that the Twins were stocked with power hitters. In particular, Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti, and Tom Brunansky combined to hit 125 home runs. (The team as a whole hit 196.) Hrbek, Gaetti, and Brunansky each surpassed 30 home runs, a number that no Twin would reach again until Justin Morneau and Torii Hunter in 2006.

Kirby Puckett led the AL with 207 hits.

Despite the power in their lineup, the Twins were outscored 806-786, one of the largest such differentials for a World Series champion.

Team Leaders
Statistic PlayerQuantity
HR Kent Hrbek 34
RBI Gary Gaetti 109
BA Kirby Puckett .332
Runs Kirby Puckett 96

Pitching

The top three starting pitchers, Frank Viola, Bert Blyleven, and Les Straker provided stability throughout the year. Mike Smithson, Joe Niekro, and Jeff Bittiger were less reliable. Newly acquired closer Jeff Reardon was a reliable option at the end of games. Juan Berenguer was the most reliable set-up man, posting a 3.94 ERA.

Bert Blyleven led the AL with 46 home runs allowed.

Team Leaders
Statistic PlayerQuantity
ERA Frank Viola 2.90
Wins Frank Viola 17
Saves Jeff Reardon 31
Strikeouts Frank Viola 197

Defense

The defense was not as strong as would be typical for Twins teams under manager Tom Kelly. Hrbek was the most reliable fielder at first base, and the outfield of Dan Gladden, Puckett, and Brunansky was reliable. Third baseman Gary Gaetti and center fielder Kirby Puckett each won their second Gold Glove Award.

Season standings

AL West 		W L Pct. GB Home Road
Minnesota Twins 85770.525—56–2529–52
Kansas City Royals 83790.512246–3537–44
Oakland Athletics 81810.500442–3939–42
Seattle Mariners 78840.481740–4138–43
Chicago White Sox 77850.475838–4339–42
Texas Rangers 75870.4631043–3832–49
California Angels 75870.4631038–4337–44

Record vs. opponents

1987 American League record

Sources:
TeamBALBOSCALCWSCLEDETKCMILMINNYYOAKSEATEXTOR
Baltimore —1–129–38–47–64–99–32–115–73–107–54–87–51–12
Boston 12–1—4–83–97–62–116–66–77–57–64–87–57–56–7
California 3–98–4—8–57–53–95–87–58–53–96–77–65–85–7
Chicago 4–89–35–8—7–53–96–76–66–75–79–46–77–64–8
Cleveland 6–76–75–75–7—4–96–64–93–96–74–85–72–105–8
Detroit 9–411–29–39–39–4—5–76–78–45–85–77–58–47–6
Kansas City 3–96–68–57–66–67–5—4–88–55–75–89–47–68–4
Milwaukee 11–27–65–76–69–47–68–4—3–97–66–64–89–39–4
Minnesota 7–55–75–87–69–34–85–89–3—6–610–39–46–73–9
New York 10–36–79–37–57–68–57–56–76–6—5–77–55–76–7
Oakland 5–78–47–64–98–47–58–56–63–107–5—5–86–77–5
Seattle 8–45–76–77–67–55–74–98–44–95–78–5—9–42–10
Texas 5–75–78–56–710–24–86–73–97–67–57–64–9—3–9
Toronto 12–17–67–58–48–56–74–84–99–37–65–710–29–3—

Game log

Regular season

1987 game log: 85−77 (Home: 56−25; Away: 29−52)
April: 12–9 (Home: 7–3; Away: 5–6)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
1 April 7 Athletics 5–4 (10) Frazier (1–0) Krueger (0–1)—43,5481–0W1
2 April 8 Athletics 4–1 Viola (1–0) Plunk (0–1) Reardon (1)12,5772–0W2
3 April 9 Athletics 5–4 Berenguer (1–0) Howell (0–1)—11,5863–0W3
4 April 10@ Mariners 8–1 Smithson (1–0) Morgan (0–1)—38,1224–0W4
5 April 11@ Mariners 5–6 Nunez (1–0) Reardon (0–1)—26,3124–1L1
6 April 12@ Mariners 8–5 Blyleven (1–0) Langston (0–2) Berenguer (1)9,3585–1W1
7 April 13@ Athletics 3–6 Howell (1–1) Frazier (1–1)—14,4475–2L1
8 April 14@ Athletics 9–8 Atherton (1–0) Codiroli (0–1) Reardon (2)10,4356–2W1
9 April 15@ Athletics 5–2 Smithson (2–0) Stewart (0–2) Reardon (3)17,1827–2W2
10 April 17@ Angels 1–2 Witt (2–1) Blyleven (1–1)—36,1757–3 L1
11 April 18@ Angels 0–1 Candelaria (2–0) Viola (1–1) Moore (2)36,8817–4 L2
12 April 19@ Angels 6–5 Portugal (1–0) Sutton (0–3) Reardon (4)49,6278–4 W1
13 April 20 Mariners 13–5 Smithson (3–0) Morgan (0–3)—11,9279–4W2
14 April 21 Mariners 6–1 Straker (1–0) Trujillo (1–1)—10,77610–4W3
15 April 22 Mariners 3–4 Langston (2–2) Frazier (1–2)—11,24710–5L1
16 April 23 Angels 3–7 Candelaria (3–0) Viola (1–2) Moore (3)14,20410–6L2
17 April 24 Angels 1–8 Sutton (1–3) Portugal (1–1)—20,11610–7L3
18 April 25 Angels 8–7 Reardon (1–1) Finley (0–1)—51,71711–7W1
19 April 26 Angels 10–5 Frazier (2–2) Cook (1–1)—19,11612–7W2
20 April 28@ Blue Jays 1–5 Clancy (2–2) Viola (1–3)—21,18212–8L1
21 April 29@ Blue Jays 1–8 Johnson (1–2) Smithson (3–1)—19,02012–9L2
May: 14–14 (Home: 9–8; Away: 5–6)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
22 May 1 Yankees 7–4 Blyleven (2–1) Rhoden (2–3) Reardon (5)23,53113–9W1
23 May 2 Yankees 4–6 John (2–0) Viola (1–4) Righetti (7)33,17313–10L1
24 May 3 Yankees 4–3 Frazier (3–2) Stoddard (0–1) Reardon (6)23,79814–10W1
25 May 5 Orioles 4–5 Bell (3–1) Smithson (3–2) Dixon (1)8,89114–11L1
26 May 6 Orioles 0–6 McGregor (1–4) Blyleven (2–2)—10,84014–12L2
27 May 7 Orioles 5–2 Viola (2–4) Flanagan (0–5) Reardon (7)14,19815–12W1
28 May 8@ Yankees 7–11 Guante (2–1) Reardon (1–2)—25,92115–13L1
29 May 9@ Yankees 2–0 Straker (2–0) Rasmussen (2–2) Reardon (8)27,22016–13W1
30 May 10@ Yankees 1–6 Hudson (5–0) Smithson (3–3)—41,69116–14L1
31 May 11@ Orioles 10–4 Blyleven (3–2) McGregor (1–5)—25,35317–14W1
32 May 12@ Orioles 7–10 Dixon (3–2) Reardon (1–3)—14,27917–15L1
33 May 13 Blue Jays 0–7 Clancy (5–2) Portugal (1–2)—9,15817–16L2
34 May 14 Blue Jays 4–16 Stieb (2–2) Straker (2–1)—10,05317–17L3
35 May 15 Red Sox 3–1 Frazier (4–2) Hurst (4–4)—13,87818–17W1
36 May 16 Red Sox 1–6 Clemens (3–3) Blyleven (3–3)—23,41418–18L1
37 May 17 Red Sox 10–8 (10) Atherton (2–0) Schiraldi (1–3)—20,71619–18W1
38 May 19@ Indians 3–4 Schrom (3–4) Portugal (1–3)—7,04519–19L1
39 May 20@ Indians 8–2 Berenguer (2–0) Candiotti (1–6)—6,22620–19W1
40 May 21@ Indians 3–6 Swindell (3–3) Blyleven (3–4)—7,40120–20L1
41 May 227:05 p.m. CDT Tigers L 2–3 Morris (5–2) Viola (2–5)—2:4315,42320–21 L2
42 May 237:05 p.m. CDT Tigers W 7–5 Anderson (1–0) Terrell (3–5) Reardon (9)3:1018,60121–21 W1
43 May 241:15 p.m. CDT Tigers L 2–7 Robinson (3–2) Atherton (2–1)—3:0716,35121–22 L1
44 May 26 Brewers 4–2 Blyleven (4–4) Nieves (3–2) Reardon (10)23,27622–22W1
45 May 27 Brewers 7–2 Viola (3–5) Wegman (3–5) Frazier (1)22,94723–22W2
46 May 28 Brewers 13–1 Berenguer (3–0) Birkbeck (1–4)—26,20324–22W3
47 May 296:35 p.m. CDT @ Tigers L 7–15 Terrell (4–5) Straker (2–2)—2:2819,03124–23 L1
—May 30@ Tigers Postponed (rain)(Rescheduled May 31)
48 May 31 (1)12:35 p.m. CDT @ Tigers W 9–5 Reardon (2–3) King (2–4)—3:25n/a25–23 W1
49 May 31 (2)4:30 p.m. CDT @ Tigers W 11–3 Frazier (5–2) Tanana (4–3)—2:5620,99326–23 W2
June: 17–11 (Home: 10–2; Away: 7–9)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
50 June 1@ Red Sox 9–5 Viola (4–5) Clemens (4–5)—20,22127–23W3
51 June 2@ Red Sox 5–6 Schiraldi (3–3) Reardon (2–4)—16,91027–24L1
52 June 3@ Red Sox 6–7 (10) Schiraldi (4–3) Klink (0–1)—20,63827–25L2
53 June 5 Rangers 9–15 Harris (2–4) Blyleven (4–5)—16,09227–26L3
54 June 6 Rangers 3–2 (13) Atherton (3–1) Williams (3–3)—24,99228–26W1
55 June 7 Rangers 7–4 Atherton (4–1) Russell (0–1)—15,79529–26W2
56 June 87:05 p.m. CDT Royals W 5–3 Niemann (1–0) Gubicza (3–7) Reardon (11)2:3517,81530–26 W3
57 June 97:05 p.m. CDT Royals W 5–2 Niekro (1–0) Jackson (2–8) Atherton (1)3:0018,56331–26 W4
58 June 107:05 p.m. CDT Royals W 4–3 (10) Reardon (3–4) Gleaton (1–2)—3:0418,56032–26 W5
—June 11@ White Sox Postponed (rain)(Rescheduled June 12)
59 June 12 (1)@ White Sox 5–2 Viola (5–5) Long (3–2) Reardon (12)n/a33–26 W6
60 June 12 (2)@ White Sox 7–4 Berenguer (4–0) Nielsen (0–1) Atherton (2)18,90634–26 W7
61 June 13@ White Sox 2–6 Dotson (4–4) Straker (2–3) James (8)28,08734–27 L1
62 June 14@ White Sox 6–3 Niekro (2–0) DeLeon (4–6) Berenguer (2)17,33435–27 W1
63 June 15@ Brewers 5–0 Blyleven (5–5) Wegman (5–6)—18,40336–27W2
64 June 16@ Brewers 7–3 Viola (6–5) Crim (3–4) Reardon (13)21,61337–27W3
65 June 17@ Brewers 5–8 Clear (5–1) Straker (2–4) Plesac (14)23,38937–28L1
66 June 19 White Sox 7–6 Reardon (4–4) Winn (2–3)—24,12338–28W1
67 June 20 White Sox 5–10 DeLeon (5–6) Blyleven (5–6)—33,63638–29L1
68 June 21 White Sox 8–6 Berenguer (5–0) Winn (2–4) Reardon (14)29,24039–29W1
69 June 23 Indians 9–4 Smithson (4–3) Candiotti (2–8) Frazier (2)17,39340–29W2
70 June 24 Indians 14–8 Straker (3–4) Swindell (3–7)—19,88541–29W3
71 June 25 Indians 4–3 Blyleven (6–6) Niekro (5–7) Reardon (15)27,48942–29W4
72 June 26@ Rangers 0–1 Witt (3–3) Viola (6–6) Mohorcic (10)20,60542–30 L1
73 June 27 (1)@ Rangers 6–11 Correa (3–5) Frazier (5–3) Russell (2)n/a42–31 L2
74 June 27 (2)@ Rangers 2–7 Hough (8–3) Atherton (4–2)—35,67742–32 L3
75 June 28@ Rangers 3–6 Guzman (6–6) Smithson (4–4) Mohorcic (11)17,47742–33 L4
76 June 297:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals L 2–3 (5) Jackson (4–10) Straker (3–5)—1:2235,87242–34 L5
77 June 307:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals W 3–1 Blyleven (7–6) Leibrandt (8–6) Reardon (16)2:4421,51543–34 W1
July: 13–14 (Home: 7–3; Away: 6–11)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
78 July 17:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals L 3–4 Quisenberry (3–0) Atherton (4–3)—2:5926,89943–35 L1
79 July 27:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals L 3–10 Saberhagen (14–2) Niekro (2–1)—2:4235,99243–36 L2
80 July 3 Orioles 6–5 (11) Reardon (5–4) Niedenfuer (1–1)—26,33144–36W1
81 July 4 Orioles 4–1 Straker (4–5) Bell (6–6) Berenguer (3)23,72445–36W2
82 July 5 Orioles 4–3 Blyleven (8–6) Niedenfuer (1–2)—21,29446–36W3
83 July 6@ Yankees 2–0 Viola (7–6) Guidry (1–4)—20,14147–36W4
84 July 7@ Yankees 7–12 Stoddard (2–1) Atherton (4–4)—27,69747–37L1
85 July 8@ Yankees 4–13 Rhoden (11–5) Smithson (4–5) Clements (4)38,16847–38L2
86 July 9@ Orioles 3–1 Straker (5–5) Bell (6–7) Reardon (17)22,65648–38W1
87 July 10@ Orioles 12–13 Williamson (3–6) Frazier (5–4)—28,05748–39L1
88 July 11@ Orioles 2–1 Viola (8–6) Griffin (1–3)—25,69049–39W1
89 July 12@ Orioles 0–5 Schmidt (9–2) Niekro (2–2)—27,48649–40L1
58th All-Star Game in Oakland, California
90 July 16 Blue Jays 2–5 Key (10–6) Blyleven (8–7) Henke (18)34,33449–41L2
91 July 17 Blue Jays 3–2 Viola (9–6) Eichhorn (8–5) Reardon (18)28,23450–41W1
92 July 18 Blue Jays 5–7 Stieb (8–5) Niekro (2–3)—38,36550–42L1
93 July 19 Blue Jays 7–6 Schatzeder (1–0) Lavelle (1–1) Reardon (19)32,09551–42W1
94 July 20 Yankees 1–7 John (9–3) Straker (5–6)—34,96651–43L1
95 July 21 Yankees 2–1 Blyleven (9–7) Stoddard (2–2)—37,39152–43W1
96 July 22 Yankees 3–1 Viola (10–6) Rhoden (12–6) Reardon (20)40,05453–43W2
97 July 23@ Blue Jays 3–4 Stieb (9–5) Frazier (5–5)—35,32053–44L1
98 July 24@ Blue Jays 6–8 Eichhorn (9–5) Reardon (5–5) Henke (20)30,38253–45L2
99 July 25@ Blue Jays 13–9 Schatzeder (2–0) Musselman (7–4)—36,39554–45W1
100 July 26@ Blue Jays 2–4 Key (11–6) Blyleven (9–8) Henke (21)33,39354–46L1
101 July 27@ Mariners 4–3 Viola (11–6) Nunez (3–2) Reardon (21)13,85855–46W1
102 July 28@ Mariners 1–6 Morgan (8–11) Niekro (2–4)—13,49555–47L1
103 July 29@ Mariners 3–8 Guetterman (9–2) Smithson (4–6)—14,32055–48L2
104 July 31@ Athletics 5–3 Blyleven (10–8) Lamp (1–2) Reardon (22)32,09756–48W1
August: 13–15 (Home: 10–4; Away: 3–11)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
105 August 1@ Athletics 2–3 Stewart (14–7) Viola (11–7)—40,92956–49L1
106 August 2@ Athletics 5–6 (11) Nelson (5–2) Reardon (5–6)—33,21556–50L2
107 August 3@ Angels 11–3 Schatzeder (3–0) Witt (13–7)—33,98357–50 W1
108 August 4@ Angels 3–12 Sutton (8–9) Carlton (0–1) Lucas (2)37,37157–51 L1
109 August 5@ Angels 1–6 Candelaria (6–3) Blyleven (10–9)—34,05957–52 L2
110 August 6 Athletics 9–4 Viola (12–7) Stewart (14–8)—39,17758–52W1
111 August 7 Athletics 9–4 Niekro (3–4) Lamp (1–3)—36,14659–52W2
112 August 8 Athletics 9–2 Carlton (1–1) Young (10–6)—50,23760–52W3
113 August 9 Athletics 7–5 Blyleven (11–9) Ontiveros (6–6) Reardon (23)33,94861–52W4
114 August 11 Angels 7–2 Viola (13–7) Candelaria (6–4)—39,16362–52W5
115 August 12 Angels 2–8 McCaskill (3–4) Straker (5–7)—33,03362–53L1
116 August 13 Angels 1–5 Witt (14–8) Carlton (1–2)—35,83762–54L2
117 August 14 Mariners 6–3 Blyleven (12–9) Morgan (10–12)—26,29163–54W1
118 August 15 Mariners 14–4 Smith (1–0) Guetterman (9–4)—31,15464–54W2
119 August 16 Mariners 5–1 Viola (14–7) Moore (5–15)—28,00665–54W3
120 August 17 Mariners 4–2 Straker (6–7) Langston (13–10) Reardon (24)29,62366–54W4
121 August 186:35 p.m. CDT @ Tigers L 2–11 Morris (14–6) Carlton (1–3)—2:3632,05366–55 L1
122 August 196:35 p.m. CDT @ Tigers L 1–7 Terrell (10–10) Blyleven (12–10)—2:1238,16366–56 L2
123 August 2012:35 p.m. CDT @ Tigers L 0–8 Alexander (1–0) Niekro (3–5)—2:4645,80466–57 L3
124 August 21@ Red Sox 3–11 Clemens (13–7) Viola (14–8) Gardner (5)33,49066–58L4
125 August 22@ Red Sox 5–6 Schiraldi (8–5) Straker (6–8)—29,79466–59L5
126 August 23@ Red Sox 4–6 Sellers (5–6) Carlton (1–4) Gardner (6)32,95666–60L6
127 August 247:05 p.m. CDT Tigers W 5–4 Reardon (6–6) King (6–9)—3:0727,33867–60 W1
128 August 257:05 p.m. CDT Tigers L 4–5 Alexander (2–0) Niekro (3–6) Henneman (4)2:5230,63967–61 L1
129 August 267:05 p.m. CDT Tigers L 8–10 Petry (8–6) Reardon (6–7) Hernández (7)3:2929,26567–62 L2
130 August 28@ Brewers 0–1 Bosio (8–5) Straker (6–9)—22,46167–63L3
131 August 29@ Brewers 12–3 Blyleven (13–10) Barker (2–1)—34,83468–63W1
132 August 30@ Brewers 10–6 Atherton (5–4) Crim (5–6) Reardon (25)22,41769—63W2
September: 16–11 (Home: 13–5; Away: 3–6)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
133 September 1 Red Sox 0–9 Sellers (6–6) Niekro (3–7)—25,50869–64L1
134 September 2 Red Sox 5–4 Straker (7–9) Nipper (8–11) Reardon (26)19,56570–64W1
135 September 3 Red Sox 2–1 (10) Atherton (6–4) Gardner (1–6)—20,00971–64W2
136 September 4 Brewers 2–1 (12) Berenguer (6–0) Plesac (5–5)—27,38072–64W3
137 September 5 Brewers 2–1 Atherton (7–4) Crim (5–7)—51,12273–64W4
138 September 6 Brewers 0–6 Higuera (15–9) Carlton (1–5)—36,58673–65L1
139 September 7 White Sox 8–1 Bittiger (1–0) LaPoint (3–3)—22,62374–65W1
140 September 8 White Sox 3–4 Bannister (12–10) Blyleven (13–11) Thigpen (9)12,36074–66L1
141 September 9 White Sox 2–1 Viola (15–8) Winn (4–6)—15,39475–66W1
142 September 11@ Indians 13–10 (11) Reardon (7–7) Gordon (0–3) Berenguer (4)7,96476–66W2
143 September 12@ Indians 4–5 Jones (4–4) Berenguer (6–1)—9,15676–67L1
144 September 13@ Indians 7–3 (10) Reardon (8–7) Candiotti (7–16)—7,47477–67W1
145 September 14@ White Sox 2–8 LaPoint (4–3) Viola (15–9)—7,89877–68 L1
146 September 15@ White Sox 2–6 McDowell (1–0) Niekro (3–8)—7,94777–69 L2
147 September 16@ White Sox 10–13 DeLeon (10–12) Smithson (4–7) Thigpen (11)8,92177–70 L3
148 September 18 Indians 9–4 Blyleven (14–11) Akerfelds (2–5)—23,17378–70W1
149 September 19 Indians 3–1 Viola (16–9) Candiotti (7–17) Reardon (27)23,58179–70W2
150 September 20 Indians 3–2 Straker (8–9) Yett (3–8) Reardon (28)18,90680–70W3
151 September 22 Rangers 6–4 Niekro (4–8) Harris (5–10) Reardon (29)18,29481–70W4
152 September 23 Rangers 4–2 Berenguer (7–1) Guzman (14–12) Reardon (30)20,64082–70W5
153 September 24 Rangers 4–0 Viola (17–9) Hough (17–12)—23,49683–70W6
154 September 257:05 p.m. CDT Royals L 4–6 Farr (4–3) Schatzeder (3–1) Garber (6)3:0752,70483–71 L1
155 September 2611:00 a.m. CDT Royals L 4–7 Davis (5–2) Reardon (8–8) Garber (7)3:0446,26383–72 L2
156 September 271:15 p.m. CDT Royals W 8–1 Blyleven (15–11) Leibrandt (15–11)—2:1253,10684–72 W1
157 September 28@ Rangers 5–3 Berenguer (8–1) Guzman (14–13) Reardon (31)9,98685–72 W2
158 September 29@ Rangers 5–7 Hough (18–12) Atherton (7–5)—10,32885–73 L1
159 September 30@ Rangers 1–2 Witt (8–10) Straker (8–10)—9,30985–74 L2
October: 0–3 (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–3)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/
Streak
160 October 27:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals L 3–6 Saberhagen (18–10) Viola (17–10)—2:2322,57885–75 L3
161 October 37:05 p.m. CDT @ Royals L 2–4 Leibrandt (16–11) Blyleven (15–12) Garber (8)2:1828,08285–76 L4
162 October 41:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals L 1–10 Gubicza (13–18) Niekro (4–9)—2:2426,34185–77 L5
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Postponement
Bold = Twins team member

Postseason Game log

1987 Postseason game log: 8−4 (Home 6−0; Away 2−4)
AL Championship Series: vs. Detroit Tigers: 4−1 (Home: 2–0; Away: 2–1)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceSeriesBox/
Streak
1 October 77:28 p.m. CDT Tigers W 8–5 Reardon (1–0) Alexander (0–1)—2:4653,269MIN 1–0 W1
2 October 87:38 p.m. CDT Tigers W 6–3 Blyleven (1–0) Morris (0–1) Berenguer (1)2:5455,245MIN 2–0 W2
3 October 1012:10 p.m. CDT @ Tigers L 6–7 Henneman (1–0) Reardon (1–1)—3:2949,730MIN 2–1 L1
4 October 117:23 p.m. CDT @ Tigers W 5–3 Viola (1–0) Tanana (0–1) Reardon (1)3:2451,939MIN 3–1 W1
5 October 122:07 p.m. CDT @ Tigers W 9–5 Blyleven (2–0) Alexander (0–2) Reardon (2)3:1447,448MIN 4–1 W2
World Series: vs. St. Louis Cardinals: 4−3 (Home: 4–0; Away: 0–3)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceSeriesBox/
Streak
1 October 177:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 10–1 Viola (1–0) Magrane (0–1)—2:3955,171MIN 1–0 W1
2 October 187:25 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 8–4 Blyleven (1–0) Cox (0–1)—2:4255,257MIN 2–0 W2
3 October 207:33 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 1–3 Tudor (1–0) Berenguer (0–1) Worrell (1)2:4555,347MIN 2–1 L1
4 October 217:29 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 2–7 Forsch (1–0) Viola (1–1) Dayley (1)3:1155,347Tied 2–2 L2
5 October 227:42 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals L 2–4 Cox (1–1) Blyleven (1–1) Worrell (2)3:2155,347STL 3–2 L3
6 October 243:00 p.m. CDT Cardinals W 11–5 Schatzeder (1–0) Tudor (1–1)—3:2255,293Tied 3–3 W1
7 October 257:26 p.m. CST Cardinals W 4–2 Viola (2–1) Cox (1–2) Reardon (1)3:0455,376MIN 4–3 W2
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Postponement
Bold = Twins team member

Detailed records

Notable transactions

Opening Day Lineup

Opening Day Starters
#NamePosition
32 Dan Gladden DH
4 Steve Lombardozzi 2B
34 Kirby Puckett CF
8 Gary Gaetti 3B
14 Kent Hrbek 1B
24 Tom Brunansky RF
27 Mark Davidson LF
7 Greg Gagne SS
11 Tom Nieto C
28 Bert Blyleven P

[21]

Roster

1987 Minnesota Twins
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Other batters

Manager

Coaches

Game umpires

Regular season

GameDateOpponentHP1B2B3B
415–22–1987Tigers#25 Mark Johnson #13 Derryl Cousins #3 Jim Evans #35 Ted Hendry
425–23–1987Tigers#13 Derryl Cousins #3 Jim Evans #35 Ted Hendry #25 Mark Johnson
435–24–1987Tigers#3 Jim Evans #35 Ted Hendry #25 Mark Johnson #13 Derryl Cousins
475–29–1987@ Tigers#27 Rocky Roe #22 Larry Barnett #18 Greg Kosc #26 Vic Voltaggio
485–31–1987@ Tigers#22 Larry Barnett #18 Greg Kosc #26 Vic Voltaggio #27 Rocky Roe
495–31–1987@ Tigers#18 Greg Kosc #26 Vic Voltaggio #27 Rocky Roe #22 Larry Barnett
566–8–1987Royals#5 Dale Scott #10 Larry McCoy #11 Don Denkinger #24 Al Clark
576–9–1987Royals#10 Larry McCoy #24 Al Clark (none)#5 Dale Scott
586–10–1987Royals#24 Al Clark #5 Dale Scott (none)#10 Larry McCoy
766–29–1987@ Royals#18 Greg Kosc #27 Rocky Roe #22 Larry Barnett #26 Vic Voltaggio
776–30–1987@ Royals#27 Rocky Roe #22 Larry Barnett #26 Vic Voltaggio #18 Greg Kosc
787–1–1987@ Royals#22 Larry Barnett #26 Vic Voltaggio #18 Greg Kosc #27 Rocky Roe
797–2–1987@ Royals#26 Vic Voltaggio #18 Greg Kosc #27 Rocky Roe #22 Larry Barnett
1218–18–1987@ Tigers#27 Rocky Roe #26 Vic Voltaggio #22 Larry Barnett #18 Greg Kosc
1228–19–1987@ Tigers#26 Vic Voltaggio #22 Larry Barnett #18 Greg Kosc #27 Rocky Roe
1238–20–1987@ Tigers#22 Larry Barnett #18 Greg Kosc #27 Rocky Roe #26 Vic Voltaggio
1278–24–1987Tigers#7 Dave Phillips #14 Steve Palermo #34 Dan Morrison #4 Tim Tschida
1288–25–1987Tigers#14 Steve Palermo #34 Dan Morrison #4 Tim Tschida #7 Dave Phillips
1298–26–1987Tigers#34 Dan Morrison #4 Tim Tschida #7 Dave Phillips #14 Steve Palermo
1549–25–1987Royals#24 Al Clark #7 Dave Philips #14 Steve Palermo #34 Dan Morrison
1559–26–1987Royals#7 Dave Philips #14 Steve Palermo #34 Dan Morrison #24 Al Clark
1569–27–1987Royals#14 Steve Palermo #34 Dan Morrison #24 Al Clark #7 Dave Philips
16010–2–1987@ Royals#19 Rich Garcia #23 Rick Reed #33 Durwood Merrill #17 John Hirschbeck
16110–3–1987@ Royals#23 Rick Reed #33 Durwood Merrill #17 John Hirschbeck #19 Rich Garcia
16210–4–1987@ Royals#33 Durwood Merrill #17 John Hirschbeck #19 Rich Garcia #23 Rick Reed

Playoffs

GameRoundDateOpponentHP1B2B3BLFRF
1 AL Championship Series 10–7–1987Tigers#15 Joe Brinkman #33 Durwood Merrill #37 Drew Coble #24 Al Clark #31 Mike Reilly #8 Jim McKean
2 AL Championship Series 10–8–1987Tigers#33 Durwood Merrill #37 Drew Coble #24 Al Clark #31 Mike Reilly #8 Jim McKean #15 Joe Brinkman
3 AL Championship Series 10–10–1987@ Tigers#37 Drew Coble #24 Al Clark #31 Mike Reilly #8 Jim McKean #15 Joe Brinkman #33 Durwood Merrill
4 AL Championship Series 10–11–1987@ Tigers#24 Al Clark #31 Mike Reilly #8 Jim McKean #15 Joe Brinkman #33 Durwood Merrill #37 Drew Coble
5 AL Championship Series 10–12–1987@ Tigers#31 Mike Reilly #8 Jim McKean #15 Joe Brinkman #33 Durwood Merrill #37 Drew Coble #24 Al Clark
1 World Series 10–17–1987Cardinals#7 Dave Phillips (AL)#23 Lee Weyer (NL)#18 Greg Kosc (AL)#10 John McSherry (NL)#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)#19 Terry Tata (NL)
2 World Series 10–18–1987Cardinals#23 Lee Weyer (NL)#18 Greg Kosc (AL)#10 John McSherry (NL)#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)#19 Terry Tata (NL)#7 Dave Phillips (AL)
3 World Series 10–20–1987@ Cardinals#18 Greg Kosc (AL)#10 John McSherry (NL)#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)#19 Terry Tata (NL)#7 Dave Phillips (AL)#23 Lee Weyer (NL)
4 World Series 10–21–1987@ Cardinals#10 John McSherry (NL)#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)#19 Terry Tata (NL)#7 Dave Phillips (AL)#23 Lee Weyer (NL)#18 Greg Kosc (AL)
5 World Series 10–22–1987@ Cardinals#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)#19 Terry Tata (NL)#7 Dave Phillips (AL)#23 Lee Weyer (NL)#18 Greg Kosc (AL)#10 John McSherry (NL)
6 World Series 10–24–1987Cardinals#19 Terry Tata (NL)#7 Dave Phillips (AL)#23 Lee Weyer (NL)#18 Greg Kosc (AL)#10 John McSherry (NL)#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)
7 World Series 10–25–1987Cardinals#7 Dave Phillips (AL)#23 Lee Weyer (NL)#18 Greg Kosc (AL)#10 John McSherry (NL)#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)#19 Terry Tata (NL)

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 Tim Laudner 11328855.1911643
1B Kent Hrbek 143477136.2853490
2B Steve Lombardozzi 136432103.238838
3B Gary Gaetti 154584150.25731109
SS Greg Gagne 137437116.2651040
LF Dan Gladden 121438109.249838
CF Kirby Puckett 157624207.3322899
RF Tom Brunansky 155532138.2593285
DH Roy Smalley 11030985.275834

Other batters

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

PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
Al Newman 11030768.221029
Randy Bush 12229374.2531146
Gene Larkin 8523362.266428
Mark Davidson 10215040.267114
Sal Butera 5111119.171112
Tom Nieto 4110521.200112
Don Baylor 204914.28606
Mark Salas 224517.37839
Billy Beane 12154.26701
Chris Pittaro 14124.33300

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Bert Blyleven 37267.015124.01196
Frank Viola 36251.217102.90197
Les Straker 31154.18104.3776
Mike Smithson 21109.0475.9453
Joe Niekro 1996.1496.2654

Other pitchers

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

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Mark Portugal 1344.0137.7728
Steve Carlton 943.0156.7020
Joe Klink 1223.0016.6517
Roy Smith 716.1104.968
Allan Anderson 412.11010.953
Jeff Bittiger 38.1105.405

Relief pitchers

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

PlayerGWLSVERASO
Jeff Reardon 6388314.4883
Juan Berenguer 478143.94110
Keith Atherton 597524.5451
George Frazier 545524.9858
Dan Schatzeder 303106.3930
Randy Niemann 61008.441

Postseason

See 1987 American League Championship Series and 1987 World Series.

The Twins won the American League Championship Series beating the Detroit Tigers 4 games to 1. Gary Gaetti was named the ALCS MVP. He'd set a record by homering in his first two post-season at-bats. The Twins won the series by winning two of the three road games at Detroit despite a 4-8 regular season record vs the Tigers as well as 29 regular season wins on the road.

The Twins won all four home games to top the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Frank Viola was named the Series' MVP even though it was the Twins bats that were instrumental in the first three wins outscoring St. Louis 29-10 in the process.

Farm system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA Portland Beavers Pacific Coast League Charlie Manuel
AA Orlando Twins Southern League George Mitterwald
A Visalia Oaks California League Danny Schmitz
A Kenosha Twins Midwest League Don Leppert
Rookie Elizabethton Twins Appalachian League Ray Smith

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Kenosha [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent Hrbek</span> American baseball player

Kent Alan Hrbek, nicknamed "Herbie", is a former American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 14-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins (1981–1994). Hrbek batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He hit the first home run in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on April 3, 1982, in an exhibition game against the Phillies. Fans knew Hrbek as an outstanding defensive player, perennial slugger, and charismatic hometown favorite. Former Twins pitcher Jim Kaat considered Hrbek to be the best defensive first baseman he had ever seen, despite him never winning a Gold Glove at the position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Kelly (baseball)</span> American baseball player

Jay Thomas Kelly is an American former professional baseball player, coach and manager. As the manager of the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball over 16 seasons from mid-September 1986 through 2001, he won two World Series championships. Currently, he serves as a special assistant to the general manager for the Twins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1987 World Series</span> 84th edition of Major League Baseballs championship series

The 1987 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1987 season. The 84th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League (AL) champion Minnesota Twins and the National League (NL) champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Twins defeated the Cardinals four games to three to win the Series, their first in Minnesota and the first since last winning as the Washington Senators in 1924. Twins pitcher Frank Viola was named as the 1987 World Series MVP.

<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.

Eugene Thomas Larkin is an American former switch-hitting first baseman, designated hitter, and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire seven-season career with the Minnesota Twins. During his playing career he wore #9 for Minnesota, and was a member of both the 1987 and 1991 World Series championship teams. He is best known for hitting the series-winning single, a deep fly ball that was not caught by the Braves' drawn-in outfield and scored Dan Gladden from third base during the tenth inning in Game 7 of the 1991 Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Steinbach</span> American baseball player

Terry Lee Steinbach is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a catcher from 1986 to 1999, most notably as a member of the Oakland Athletics team that won three consecutive American League pennants and a World Series championship in 1989. He played his final three seasons with the Minnesota Twins. A three-time All-Star player, Steinbach won the 1988 All-Star Game MVP Award and caught two no-hitters during his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Gladden</span> American baseball player (born 1957)

Clinton Daniel Gladden III is an American former Major League Baseball player and current radio broadcaster. He was the starting left fielder with the Minnesota Twins' two World Series Championship teams in 1987 and 1991.

The 1987 American League Championship Series pitted the Minnesota Twins, the American League West champions, against the Detroit Tigers, the American League East champions. Minnesota won the Series four games to one, en route to winning the 1987 World Series four games to three over the St. Louis Cardinals.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Newman</span> American baseball player (born 1960)

Albert Dwayne Newman is a former infielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Montreal Expos (1985–1986), Minnesota Twins (1987–1991) and Texas Rangers (1992). Newman was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.

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.

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 1990 Minnesota Twins, three years after their World Series title in 1987, fell to the bottom of the American League 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 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 American League 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 1983 Minnesota Twins finished 70–92, tied for fifth in the American League West, and improved upon their dismal 60-102 record from 1982 by ten games. 858,939 fans attended Twins games, the third-lowest total in the American League.

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 American League West 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 American League 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 American League West. 2,277,438 fans attended Twins games, the 7th highest total in the American League.

References

  1. ↑ Simon, Andrew; Kelly, Matt. "Rookie managers who won the World Series". MLB. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  2. ↑ Ron Gardenhire at Baseball Reference
  3. ↑ Juan Berenguer at Baseball Reference
  4. ↑ Jeff Reardon at Baseball Reference
  5. ↑ Al Newman at Baseball Reference
  6. ↑ Billy Sample at Baseball Reference
  7. ↑ Dan Gladden at Baseball Reference
  8. ↑ Bill Latham at Baseball Reference
  9. ↑ Sal Butera at Baseball Reference
  10. ↑ Willie Banks at Baseball Reference
  11. ↑ Terry Jorgensen at Baseball Reference
  12. ↑ Larry Casian at Baseball Reference
  13. ↑ Mark Guthrie at Baseball Reference
  14. ↑ Chip Hale at Baseball Reference
  15. ↑ Bret Boone at Baseball Reference
  16. ↑ Craig Paquette at Baseball Reference
  17. ↑ "Eric Bullock Stats - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. ↑ Mark Salas at Baseball Reference
  19. ↑ Dan Schatzeder at Baseball Reference
  20. ↑ "Don Baylor Stats - Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com.
  21. ↑ 1987 Opening Day Lineup at Baseball-Reference
  22. ↑ 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.