1961 Minnesota Twins Replay – September/Oct. Summary …

All good things must come to an end.  My 1961 Minnesota Twins replay, played out a little differently than I expected.  I expected the 1961 Twins to struggle playing against the upper-division clubs of the American League.  But other than the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox each going 12-6 vs the Twins, the Twins turned the tables on the likes of the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles.  The Twins do struggle in their closing month of 1961, going just 12-17 (compared to 13-16 actual).  Overall, the Twins finish a balanced 80-80, 10 games above their actual record of 1961, 70-90.  The last 33 games for the Twins (including the final 4 games of August thru the close of the season), the Twins record was just 12-21.  I expected this tailspin much earlier in the season, it just did not occur until the last 33 games, thus allowing the Twins to finish 10 games above their actual 1961 mark.  The single most contributing factor to the Twins being able to win 80 times in my ’61 replay was the pitching of Jack Kralick (BYZ), who finishes 23-4 with a 2.02 ERA on the season.  And to think after his first 4 starts, he was just 2-2.  The last loss he took was July 30th vs Detroit where he pitched 4 innings, giving up 5 runs, 4 of those earned.  3 out of his last 5 starts were no decisions, but he did win his final start of the season vs Cleveland.

Here is how the American League fared vs the Twins in my 1961 Twins replay:

The High-lights and low-lights in the month of September/Oct. …

• After losing their last 4 games of August, the Twins win their 1st 2 games in September, taking 2 of 3 vs Boston including a 1-0 walk-off win on September 2nd when Bob Allison went deep in the bottom of the 9th.  Don Lee earning the CG shut-out.
• The Twins earn a 4-game series split with Chicago.
• After dropping the 1st 2 games to lowly Kansas City, the Twins win the last 2 games to earn another 4-game series split.  Jack Kralick wins his 22nd game on September 10th.
• The Angels take 2 of 3 from the Twins.  Camilo Pascual K’s a season-high 16 batters on September 11th, pitching 11 innings, in a 13 inning 5-3 loss.
• Another 4-game series split, this time vs Cleveland.
• Twins begin a 5-game scheduling oddity where they play 2 at Washington followed by 3 at home vs Washington.  Twins drop the 2 games at Washington.  Back home at Metropolitan Stadium, the Twins drop 2 of 3, including a 1-0 win by Dick Donovan of the Senators.
• The Twins continue their end-of-season 11-game home stand, and lose 2 of 3 to the Cleveland Indians.  Twins drop to 1 game above .500.  Jack Kralick won his 23rd in his final start of 1961.
• The season closes with a win and then 2 losses to Detroit, as the Twins finish an even 80-80.  Harmon Killebrew blasts 3 homers in the final series, to finish the season with 54 (8 more than actual).

I will be posting a follow-up to this final monthly post, with stat comparisons for each player, real-life vs replay.

(Killebrew, Mantle, Lemon, Maris at Yankee Stadium)

 

The month of September/October:

(click on game scores below for either the REPLAY boxscore or the ACTUAL boxscore)

Series #47:  Red Sox at Twins, September 1, 2, 3

  AT  

Game #132-  Replay Score:  TWINS 3, RED SOX 2   –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 5, RED SOX 1)

Game #133-  Replay Score:  TWINS 1, RED SOX 0   –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 2, TWINS 1)

Game #134-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 10, TWINS 7   –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 8, TWINS 6)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (70-64)  –  Actual (58-76)

Don Lee, C(B*)Y, entered his start on September 2nd, with a 2-10 record having made 8 starts and 31 appearances with a 5.93 ERA.  Lee pitches his 2nd CG, 1-0 shut-out of the season.

 

Series #48:  White Sox at Twins, September 4 (2), 6 (2)

  AT  

Game #135-  Replay Score:  TWINS 6, WHITE SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 9, WHITE SOX 5)

Game #136-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 6, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 9, TWINS 5)

Game #137a – *Did not replay this game*  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 3, WHITE SOX 3 – TIE)

Game #137b-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 5, TWINS 0  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 6, TWINS 3)

Game #138-  Replay Score:  TWINS 7, WHITE SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 4, TWINS 2)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (72-66)  –  Actual (59-79)

Juan Pizzaro (BXY) finished 4th among the 1961 AL Strikeout leaders in real-life.  In the September 6th replay game, White Sox at Twins, game 1 of a double dip, Pizzaro pitched a CG, 3-hit, shutout, winning 5-0, and striking out 13 Twin batters.  Pizzaro also shut-out the Twins back on June 17th, pitching a CG, 2-hitter and striking out 9.  In 3 appearances vs the Twins in this replay, he has 20 IP, a 0.00 ERA and has struck-out 22 batters.  The White Sox finish with a 12-6 replay record over the Twins.

.

Series #49:  Twins at Athletics, September 8, 9, 10 (2)

  AT  

Game #139-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 4, TWINS 2  –  (Actual Score:  ATHLETICS 6, TWINS 4)

Game #140-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 9, TWINS 7  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 5, ATHLETICS 4)

Game #141-  Replay Score:  TWINS 2, ATHLETICS 0  –  (Actual Score:  ATHLETICS 13, TWINS 1)

Game #142-  Replay Score:  TWINS 11, ATHLETICS 4  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 7, ATHLETICS 0)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (74-68)  –  Actual (61-81)

Jack Kralick and Harmon Killebrew do what they have done all season long, win ballgames and knock the ball over the fence.  Kralick wins his 22nd game of the season pitching 6 innings of shut-out ball as the Twins take the 1st of a double-header dip on September 10th, the Twins win 2-0.  Killebrew blasts his 46th homer, equaling his 1961 actual output, during the 2nd game of the double-header sweep on September 10th.  The A’s had won the first 2 game of the 4-game series, and they finish with an 8-10 record vs the Twins in ’61.

 

Series #50:  Angels at Twins, September 11, 14 (2)

  AT  

Game #143-  Replay Score:  ANGELS 5, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 5, ANGELS 2)

Game #144-  Replay Score:  TWINS 6, ANGELS 1  –  (Actual Score:  ANGELS 5, TWINS 1)

Game #145-  Replay Score:  ANGELS 5, TWINS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 3, ANGELS 1)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (75-70)  –  Actual (63-82)

Camilo Pascual (BX), has turned into the strike-out “highlight” reel for the Minnesota Twins in 1961.  In game #143, Pascual went 11 innings, striking out 16 (a season record high for the Twins), only to see the Twins lose the game in the 13th inning.  The Angels meanwhile, finish with a 10-7 record (1 rain-out not made up) over the Twins in 1961.

 

Series #51:  Twins at Indians, September 15, 16, 17 (2)

  AT  

Game #146-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 9, TWINS 6  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 3, INDIANS 2)

Game #147-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 2, TWINS 1  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 2, TWINS 0)

Game #148-  Replay Score:  TWINS 5, INDIANS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 5, INDIANS 0)

Game #149-  Replay Score:  TWINS 8, INDIANS 7  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 5, INDIANS 3)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (77-72)  –  Actual (66-83)

Joe Altobelli’s 1961 tenure with the Twins (41 games) was very short-lived.  ’61 would be the last season Altobelli played in the Major’s after previously playing for Cleveland in 1955 and 1957.  In real-life, Joe only hit 3 HR in 1961.  In this ’61 Twins replay, Joe would hit #4 and #5 vs the Indians, in games 3 and 4 of this 4-game series.  In game 4, Joe’s 3-run homer tied the game in the top of the 9th for the Twins, after the Twins had given up a 3-run homer to Vic Power in the bottom of the 8th.  The Twins split this 4-game set with the Indians.  Altobelli would go on to manage parts of 7 different seasons between 1977 and 1991 for the Giants, Orioles and Cubs.

 

Series #52:  Twins at Senators, September 19, 21

  AT  

Game #150-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 7, TWINS 5  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 3, SENATORS 1)

Game #151-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 2, TWINS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 6, SENATORS 3)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (77-74)  –  Actual (68-83)

Bud Zipfel’s MLB career lasted only 2 seasons.  1961 and 1962 with the Senators.  In this 2 game replay series vs the Twins, Zipfel managed to hit a HR in each game.  In game 2, the homer came in the 6th off of Jack Kralick, who had a 1-0 lead going at the time.  The Senators win game 2, 2-1, in 10 innings in walk-off fashion on a wild pitch by Twins reliever Bill Pleis with Willie Tasby scoring from 3rd.  With the Senators sweeping 2 vs Minnesota in D.C., the teams now head to Bloomington, MN for 3 more …

 

Series #53:  Senators at Twins, September 23 (2), 24

  AT  

Game #152-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 10, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  SENATORS 6, TWINS 4)

Game #153-  Replay Score:  TWINS 7, SENATORS 4  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 10, SENATORS 0)

Game #154-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 1, TWINS 0  –  (Actual Score:  SENATORS 4, TWINS 1)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (78-76)  –  Actual (69-85)

In game #152 of the replay, Harmon Killebrew blasts his 49th homer of the season (which matches his highest real-life, 1-season total during his career).  In game #154, Dick Donovan blanks the Twins, 1-0.  The Senators finish with an 8-9 record (1 rain-out not made up) vs the Twins in the replay.

 

Series #54:  Indians at Twins, September 26, 27, 28

  AT  

Game #155-  Replay Score:  TWINS 4, INDIANS 2  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 7, TWINS 3)

Game #156-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 7, TWINS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 10, INDIANS 4)

Game #157-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 10, TWINS 4  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 12, TWINS 5)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (79-78)  –  Actual (70-87)

Vic Power, the slick fielding 1st-baseman for the Cleveland Indians has a career 3-game series going 8 for 12 vs his future team, as the Twins will end up acquiring Power for the 1962 season.  In Power’s last 4 replay games vs the Twins in ’61, he was 11 for 18 with 2 HR’s and a triple (and 16 for 46 in 11 games vs Minnesota in ’61).  Meanwhile the Cleveland Indians finish with a 10-8 record over the Twins in ’61.  Jack Kralick won his 23rd in his final start of 1961, in game 1 of the series.

 

Series #55:  Tigers at Twins, September 29, 30, Oct 1

  AT  

Game #158-  Replay Score:  TWINS 4, TIGERS 2  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 6, TWINS 4)

Game #159-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 13, TWINS 7  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 6, TWINS 4)

Game #160-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 8, TWINS 6  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 8, TWINS 3)

FINAL TWINS RECORD:  Replay (80-80)  –  Actual (70-90)

The season closes with an 8-6, 11 inning loss to Detroit.  In the final series opener, Harmon Killebrew hit homers #52 and #53, and driving in all 4 Twins runs in a 4-2 win.  Harmon’s homer barrage continued in game #159, as Killer hit homerun #54, in a losing cause, and the Twins dropped their final 2 games of the season, finishing an even 80-80.  Harmon’s 54 replay clouts top his actual highest HR total in any season, of 49 (done in 1964 and 1969).

 

TWINS Final Season Stats (click on link to read):

1961_TWINS_BATTING_Final

1961_TWINS_PITCHING_Final

1961_TWINS_FIELDING_Final

160 ink-stained scoresheets later …

 

TWINS month-by-month Summaries (click on links to read past months):

APRIL (W-L):  6-9  (9-6 Actual)

MAY (W-L):  18-10  (10-18 Actual)

JUNE (W-L):  15-16  (10-21 Actual)

JULY (W-L):  15-12  (16-11 Actual)

AUGUST (W-L):  14-16  (12-18 Actual)

SEPT/OCT (W-L):  12-17  (13-16 Actual)

 

The 1961 season closes with Harmon Killebrew emerging as the new Minnesota hero for generations to come.

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TCABT-IX: Divisions are set …

NOTE: we have 4 drops from our original 32, so we are at 28 teams, 7 divisions.

The prelude to TCABT-IX … our random division draw.  Seven of us were able to meet at the Meadows Bar & Grill in Prior Lake, MN.  Tension was non-existent, but giddy we were, to see how our 28 teams would be divided into 7 divisions, 4 teams each, for our 9th semi-annual Neil Ess Memorial Twin Cities APBA Baseball Tournament, to be held in Maple Grove, MN, Saturday, April 7th, 2018.

A few Bloody Mary’s, Diet Cokes, and lemonades later, a large envelope was presented containing all 28 team/manager names, to be picked one by one, as it passed around the table.

Up for grabs, were 7 divisions, named after 7 greats of the game, who wore #9 during their careers (or at least part of their career).

How they fell (click on each team to see Baseball Reference Stats):

GABBY HARTNETT DIVISION
2017 ASTROS (JOHN KALOUS)
1938 YANKEES (DAVE NORLANDER)
2006 TWINS (DARRELL SKOGEN)
1942 YANKEES (BEN LOFGREN)

FRANK HOWARD DIVISION
2006 PADRES (KURT BERGLAND)
1972 PIRATES (GARTH ANDERSEN)
1970 TWINS (CHRIS KAUFMAN)
1995 INDIANS (PAUL VAN BEEK)

REGGIE JACKSON DIVISION
1976 REDS (CRAIG CHRISTIAN)
2000 MARINERS (MARTY LEE)
1987 TIGERS (FRED JOHNSON)
1980 EXPOS (SCOTT EGGE)

ROGER MARIS DIVISION
1953 DODGERS (JIM FRAASCH)
1954 INDIANS (PAT MARTIN)
2017 INDIANS (ROB SKOGEN)
2010 TWINS (BEAU LOFGREN)

MINNIE MINOSO DIVISION
1998 BRAVES (MIKE VITT)
1993 BLUE JAYS (LEROY ARNOLDI)
1973 BRAVES (GEORGE ADAMS)
1911 GIANTS (BRUCE TYLER)

ENOS SLAUGHTER DIVISION
1969 ORIOLES (ROBERT ELLEY)
2017 NATIONALS (KEVIN CLUFF)
1968 TIGERS (DARRELL SHREVE)
2016 INDIANS (BOB COLLINS)

TED WILLIAMS DIVISION
1941 DODGERS (GREGG NELSON)
1936 YANKEES (JEFF BOEDING)
1955 DODGERS (PHIL GERAFFO)
1998 YANKEES (GARY BORTHWICK)

1961 Minnesota Twins Replay – August Summary …

The dog days of August prove difficult, as the Twins, surprisingly, remain above .500 in my 1961 Twins replay.  The Twins go 14-16 compared to their actual August record of 12-18.  The Twins remain 5 games above .500 for the season, at 68-63.  But after 4 straight losses at the end of August, the outlook is a little less certain for finishing above .500.  A quick look at the AL Standings for the 131 Twins games rolled:

Looking ahead at the September/October schedule, the Twins have the following games remaining:  3 with the Red Sox, 4 with the White Sox, 7 with the Indians, 3 with the Tigers, 4 with the A’s, 3 with the Angels, and 5 with the Senators.  Note the Twins played 161 games in 1961, with a rain-out not being made up as the reason why they did not play the full 162.  The Twins actual record, of 70-90-1, the 1 tie was vs Chicago in September, in which the stats counted, but you never see the tie reflected in the W-L record.  Originally, I had planned to replay this tie game and count the result in the Standings for the Twins, however, I realized with this TIE game, the Twins actually played 19 games vs the White Sox, 18 of which counted in the standings, and 1 TIE.  Since the teams only play 18 games vs each team, I did not want the Twins to end up with 19 games played vs the White Sox.

High-lights and low-lights in the August replay …

• Twins open the month with 2 losses to Baltimore.  The rubber game of the series was 0-0 through 10 innings,  when Bob Allison’s 3-run HR, gave the Twins a 3-run lead in the top of the 11th.  Baltimore ties it in the bottom of the 11th with a 3-run HR by Jackie Brandt.  Twins pull it out in the 12th.
• Twins split 4 with the Yankees.
• Twins take 4 of 5 at Fenway vs Boston.
• The Twins shut-out Detroit on August 11th, only to be outscored the following 2 games by a 20-6 margin.  Tigers picking up 11-3 and 9-3 wins.
• In a 3-game sweep of the Athletics, the Twins offense is in overdrive, outscoring KC by a 38-8 margin in the 3 games.
• Twins drop 2 of 3 to the Angels.
• August 20th, Jack Kralick (BYZ) wins his 20th for the Twins over the Angels.
• White Sox sweep the Twins, 3-straight.
• Twins finish the season series vs Baltimore, taking 2 out of 3, and finishing with a 12-6 record vs the Birds.
• August 25th, Kralick earns win #21, over the Orioles.
• The Yankees sweep the Twins, finishing with a 12-6 record over the Twins in ’61.  Twins lose their last 4 games of the month of August.

 

The month of August:

(click on game scores below for either the REPLAY boxscore or the ACTUAL boxscore)

Series #38:  Twins at Orioles, August 2 (2), 3

  AT  

Game #102-  Replay Score:  ORIOLES 2, TWINS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 4, ORIOLES 3)

Game #103-  Replay Score:  ORIOLES 2, TWINS 1  –  (Actual Score:  ORIOLES 4, TWINS 3)

Game #104-  Replay Score:  TWINS 4, ORIOLES 3  –  (Actual Score:  ORIOLES 3, TWINS 0)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (55-49)  –  Actual (46-58)

The Twins avoid a sweep thanks to Bob Allison’s 3-run homer in the top of the 11th and Billy Martin’s pinch-hit RBI single in the top of the 12th.  The Orioles had tied the game in the bottom of the 11th with a 3-run homer by Jackie Brandt.  The game was 0-0 thru 10.

 

Series #39:  Twins at Yankees, August 4, 5, 6 (2)

  AT 

Game #105-  Replay Score:  TWINS 4, YANKEES 1  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 8, TWINS 5)

Game #106-  Replay Score:  TWINS 5, YANKEES 4  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 2, TWINS 1)

Game #107-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 4, TWINS 2  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 7, TWINS 6)

Game #108-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 8, TWINS 2  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 3, TWINS 2)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (57-51)  –  Actual (46-62)

The Yankees, Whitey Ford (AX), owns the Twins in my ’61 Twins replay, winning game 3 of this 4-game set, and going 4-0 with a 2.75 ERA and 4 CG vs the Twins.

 

Series #40:  Twins at Red Sox, August 7 (2), 8, 9, 10

  AT  

Game #109-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 5, TWINS 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 5, TWINS 4)

Game #110-  Replay Score:  TWINS 4, TIGERS 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 5, TWINS 4)

Game #111-  Replay Score:  TWINS 14, RED SOX 5  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 6, RED SOX 5)

Game #112-  Replay Score:  TWINS 8, RED SOX 0  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 5, TWINS 4)

Game #113-  Replay Score:  TWINS 5, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 3, TWINS 2)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (61-52)  –  Actual (47-66)

Lenny Green (whose season has been sub-par compared to his actual numbers) stayed hot the entire 5-game series for the Twins, going 9 for 20 (.450 with a .560 OBP), with 5 RBI, 6 runs scored, 1 HR, 2 doubles and 2 SB.

 

Series #41:  Tigers at Twins, August 11, 12, 13

  AT  

Game #114-  Replay Score:  TWINS 4, TIGERS 0  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 2, TIGERS 1)

Game #115-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 11, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 17, TWINS 3)

Game #116-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 9, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 13, TIGERS 5)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (62-54)  –  Actual (49-67)

Rocky Colavito continues his assault on Twins pitchers, hitting his 7th homer of the season vs the Twins, in their 15th meeting of 1961.  Colavito has 12 RBI to go with the 7 HR.

 

Series #42:  Athletics at Twins, August 14, 15, 16

  AT  

Game #117-  Replay Score:  TWINS 14, ATHLETICS 5  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 6, ATHLETICS 2)

Game #118-  Replay Score:  TWINS 7, ATHLETICS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 9, ATHLETICS 4)

Game #119-  Replay Score:  TWINS 17, ATHLETICS 2  –  (Actual Score:  ATHLETICS 12, TWINS 7)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (65-54)  –  Actual (51-68)

The Killer goes over the century mark with his 100th and 101st RBI in Game #119 of the season.  In the 17-2 slaughter of the KC Athletics, Harmon hits his 38th HR of the season.

 

Series #43:  Twins at Angels, August 18, 19, 20

  AT  

Game #120-  Replay Score:  ANGELS 7, TWINS 6  –  (Actual Score:  ANGELS 5, TWINS 2)

Game #121-  Replay Score:  ANGELS 4, TWINS 2  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 5, ANGELS 3)

Game #122-  Replay Score:  TWINS 10, ANGELS 3  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 9, ANGELS 7)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (66-56)  –  Actual (53-69)

Killebrew, Versalles, Allison … Bob Allison continues his hot month of August in the replay, now with 25 HR’s and 80 RBI on the season thru game #122.  In real-life, Allison finished 1961 with 29 HR’s and 104 RBI.

 

Series #44:  Twins at White Sox, August 22, 23, 24

  AT  

Game #123-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 8, TWINS 6  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 4, TWINS 3)

Game #124-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 6, TWINS 5  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 4, WHITE SOX 0)

Game #125-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 2, TWINS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 3, WHITE SOX 0)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (66-59)  –  Actual (55-70)

The Chisox, Ray Herbert, completes the sweep of the Twins at Comiskey with a CG 3-hitter, 2-1 victory.

 

Series #45:  Orioles at Twins, August 25, 26, 27

  AT  

Game #126-  Replay Score:  TWINS 3, ORIOLES 1  –  (Actual Score:  ORIOLES 5, TWINS 2)

Game #127-  Replay Score:  TWINS 4, ORIOLES 3  –  (Actual Score:  ORIOLES 7, TWINS 4)

Game #128-  Replay Score:  ORIOLES 12, TWINS 4  –  (Actual Score:  ORIOLES 3, TWINS 0)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (68-60)  –  Actual (55-73)

It was not 2 “Slams” this time, but in game 3 of the Orioles rubber game win over the Twins at the Met, Jim Gentile goes 4 for 4, with 2 HR and 4 RBI.  The Orioles finish with a disappointing 6-12 “replay” record vs the Twins in 1961.  Gentile bats .300 in 17 games played vs Minnesota, with 6 HR (including a 3 homer game back on May 9th) and 13 RBI.  His 6 HR and 13 RBI occurring in just 3 of those 17 games played.

 

Series #46:  Yankees at Twins, August 29, 30, 31

  AT  

Game #129-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 11, TWINS 4  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 3, YANKEES 0)

Game #130-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 11, TWINS 9  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 4, TWINS 0)

Game #131-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 5, TWINS 4  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 5, YANKEES 4)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (68-63)  –  Actual (57-74)

The Yankees sweep the Twins in their final replay meeting of 1961.  Twins fans of 1961 have seen their fair share of the Yankees and the Mantle/Maris duo.  In 18 replay meetings, the Yankees go 12-6 (including 5-0 in the last 5).  Offensively, the Yankees put up 99 runs, and hit 30 homers.  The individual Yankee homerun totals vs the Twins:  Maris – 7, Mantle – 6, Howard – 5, Skowron – 5, Berra – 3, Blanchard – 2, Boyer – 1, Cerv – 1.

 

TWINS Stats thru end of August (click on link to read):

1961_TWINS_BATTING_THRU_end_of_AUGUST

1961_TWINS_PITCHING_THRU_end_of_AUGUST

1961_TWINS_FIELDING_THRU_end_of_AUGUST

 

TWINS month-by-month Summaries (click on link to read past months):

APRIL (W-L):  6-9  (9-6 Actual)

MAY (W-L):  18-10  (10-18 Actual)

JUNE (W-L):  15-16  (10-21 Actual)

JULY (W-L):  15-12  (16-11 Actual)

AUGUST (W-L):  14-16  (12-18 Actual)

 

Mickey Mantle making his was to home plate, Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, MN … circa 1960’s.

 

 

 

 

1961 Minnesota Twins Replay – July Summary …

The “replay” Twins would enter July of their first campaign in Minnesota, riding 10 games above their actual W-L record thru the end of June, with 39 wins and 35 losses in the replay, compared to 29 wins and 45 losses in real-life.

July for the real-life Twins was their best month of the season as they went 16-11 in actual play (in April they were 9-6 in actual play).  For the replay Twins, this July would come within 1 game of their actual performance, going 15-12.  As of end of the day, July 31, the replay Twins are now standing 9 games above their actual record at 54-47 (45-56 actual).

A quick look at the replay Twins record vs teams in the AL, shows the Twins handling both the Tigers and Orioles with surprising success.  But the Twins still find themselves in the bottom half of the standings, winning pct wise.  My only guess as to why the Twins have been able to pen the Tigers thus far, in using the actual lineups, the Tigers in ’61 did not always have their strongest going against the Twins.  

The Twins still have 6 remaining vs each the Tigers and Orioles, so I expect the Twins fortunes may change vs those 2 clubs.

The biggest replay surprise story for this 1961 Twins team thus far, would have to be the pitching of Jack Kralick (BYZ).  Kralick thru the end of July, is riding a 16-4 record.  In 22 starts, he has 175-1/3 IP, 9 CG, a 2.05 ERA and just 10 round-trippers allowed.

Camilo Pascual (BX) has an 11-8 record with a 3.67 ERA and Pedro Ramos (CYZ), who lost 20 in real-life ’61, is also 11-8 with a 3.20 ERA.  Jim Kaat (CY) has not faired as well, currently with a 6-10 record and a 4.80 ERA.  These 4 starters account for 82 of the Twins 101 starts thus far.

Offensively, the Twins are currently slugging and scoring at a better rate (29 more runs) than they did in real-life ’61, through 101 games.  They have hit 138 homers in 101 games played.  In real-life, they hit 167 homers in 161 games.  The Twins are slugging at a rate of .421 compared to .397 actual (full season).  They have scored 489 runs compared to 460 through 101 games.  Harmon Killebrew leads the club with 33 homers (he had 32 at the same point in real-life).  The Twins team batting average (.241) is actually worse off through 101 games, compared to their actual full season BA (.250).

Defensively, the Twins have a .978 fielding pct, compared to their full-season actual .971 pct.

The net result of strong pitching, where through 101 games, a team ERA of 4.00 compared to their actual 4.28 ERA (full season), along with the stronger fielding, means the Twins have given up far fewer runs, 66.  The Twins have allowed 443 runs through their 101 replay games, vs 509 actual runs allowed.

A quick look at the high-lights and low-lights in the July replay …

• The Twins open July with a loss to the Athletics, who have compiled a 6-5 record over the Twins, thus far.
• After taking 2 of 3 from the White Sox, the Twins are swept by the Angels in a 2-game series, July 5-6.
• The Twins lose their 3rd straight, on July 7th, but then go on to win 6 straight, before finally losing again, in the 2nd game of a July 16th double-header with the Indians.
• The 6th straight win, in the 1st game of the July 16th double-header at Cleveland, was a 16-15 slugfest win over the Indians.  The Twins led 16-3 heading into the bottom of the 7th, when they gave up 10 runs, making the score 16-13, before giving up 2 more runs in the bottom of the 9th.  One of the craziest games I have rolled in my long 40 year history of rolling APBA Baseball games.
• July 19th, 1st game of double-header vs the LA Angels, Camilo Pascual (BX) ties the ’61 Twins single-game high for strike-outs, with 11 (Kralick also K’d 11 on June 2nd).
• July 21-23, Twins are swept 3-straight by Cleveland.
• The Twins close out July by taking 2 of 3 vs the mighty Tigers (Twins swept the series in real-life), ending July with a 7-4 loss.

 

The month of July:

(click on game scores below for either the REPLAY boxscore or the ACTUAL boxscore)

Series #27:  Twins at Athletics, June 30, July 1, 2

  AT  

Game #75-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 7, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 9, ATHLETICS 3)

Game #76-  Replay Score:  TWINS 2, ATHLETICS 1  –  (Actual Score:  ATHLETICS 8, TWINS 7)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (40-36)  –  Actual (30-46)

In the Twins 2-1 win over Kansas City, the Twins avoid a sweep, and Billy Martin goes 2 for 5 with his 4th Twins homer.

 

Series #28:  White Sox at Twins, July 3, 4 (2)

  AT  

Game #77-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 2, TWINS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 7, WHITE SOX 6)

Game #78-  Replay Score:  TWINS 7, WHITE SOX 6  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 6, WHITE SOX 4)

Game #79-  Replay Score:  TWINS 4, WHITE SOX 2  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 4, WHITE SOX 2)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (42-37)  –  Actual (33-46)

Bill Tuttle hits his 2nd and 3rd Twins homers in games # 78 and #79 vs Chicago, as the Twins win 7-6 and 4-2, with Tuttle going 4 for 11 in the series.

 

Series #29:  Angels at Twins, July 5, 6

  AT  

Game #80-  Replay Score:  ANGELS 10, TWINS 7  –  (Actual Score:  ANGELS 6, TWINS 2)

Game #81-  Replay Score:  ANGELS 8, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  ANGELS 12, TWINS 11)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (42-39)  –  Actual (33-48)

The Angels George Thomas, a native of Bloomington, MN, goes 5 for 11 with 2 HR, a triple and 8 RBI vs the Twins in his hometown.

 

Series #30:  Twins at Senators, July 7, 8, 9

  AT  

Game #82-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 3, TWINS 2  –  (Actual Score:  SENATORS 3, TWINS 0)

Game #83-  Replay Score:  TWINS 1, SENATORS 0  –  (Actual Score:  SENATORS 3, TWINS 2)

Game #84-  Replay Score:  TWINS 8, SENATORS 2  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 7, SENATORS 1)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (44-40)  –  Actual (34-50)

Harmon Killebrew continues to haunt the new Senators, hitting a 6th inning solo HR (his 27th of the season) to break a 0-0 tie, in the Twins 1-0 win in game #83 at Griffith Stadium.  The Twins head into the All-Star Break with a 44-40 record.

 

Series #31:  Twins at Indians, July 13

  AT  

Game #85-  Replay Score:  TWINS 6, INDIANS 4  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 9, INDIANS 6)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (45-40)  –  Actual (35-50)

Veteran player and utility man, Ted Lepcio, acquired earlier in the summer from the Phillies by the Minnesota Twins (Twins manager, Sam Mele, and Ted were former teammates with the Red Sox), makes his presence known with his 2nd Twins homer, a 3-run blast propelling the Twins to a win over the Indians in game #85.

 

Series #32:  Twins at Tigers, July 14, 15

  AT  

Game #86-  Replay Score:  TWINS 3, TIGERS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 5, TIGERS 2)

Game #87-  Replay Score:  TWINS 6, TIGERS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 2, TWINS 1)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (47-40)  –  Actual (36-51)

Earl Battey (1-5-6 power) continues to launch baseballs over the fence at a pace much greater than his actual 1961 pace.  In the 2-game sweep of the Tigers, Battey hit his 18th and 19th homers of the season replay (he hit 17 homers in all of ’61 in real-life).  He is 2nd on the team in homers (Killebrew has 28) and leads the team in batting average at a .336 clip (.302 in actual 1961).

 

Series #33:  Twins at Indians, July 16 (2)

  AT  

Game #88-  Replay Score:  TWINS 16, INDIANS 15  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 7, TWINS 5)

Game #89-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 9, TWINS 5  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 12, INDIANS 5)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (48-41)  –  Actual (37-52)

It was difficult to “highlight” one player from this crazy 2-game set between the Twins and Indians.  In game 1 of the July 16th double-header, the Twins were cruising with a 16-3 lead heading into the bottom of the 7th.  The Tribe put up 10 runs in the bottom of the 7th, highlighted by a Johnny Romano grandslam (his 2nd homer of the game).  Cleveland would score 2 more in the bottom of the 9th, falling a run short, losing 16-15.  The Indians avoid the double-header sweep, winning the 2nd game, 9-5.

 

Series #34:  Twins at Angels, July 18, 19 (2)

  AT  

Game #90-  Replay Score:  ANGELS 7, TWINS 4  –  (Actual Score:  ANGELS 4, TWINS 1)

Game #91-  Replay Score:  TWINS 7, ANGELS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 6, ANGELS 0)

Game #92-  Replay Score:  TWINS 7, ANGELS 4  –  (Actual Score:  ANGELS 2, TWINS 1)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (50-42)  –  Actual (38-54)

Camilo Pascual ties the Twins single-game high K total, 11, in game #91.  Jack Kralick also K’d 11 on June 2nd vs Detroit.

 

Series #35:  Indians at Twins, July 21, 22, 23

  AT  

Game #93-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 6, TWINS 4  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 4, INDIANS 3)

Game #94-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 2, TWINS 1  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 4, TWINS 0)

Game #95-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 1, TWINS 0  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 10, INDIANS 0)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (50-45)  –  Actual (40-55)

The Indians, Barry Latman (CYZ), completes the sweep of the Twins, pitching a CG, 4-hit, shut-out.

 

Series #36:  Senators at Twins, July 25, 26, 27

  AT  

Game #96-  Replay Score:  TWINS 13, SENATORS 3  –  (Actual Score:  SENATORS 2, TWINS 1)

Game #97-  Replay Score:  TWINS 6, SENATORS 2  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 10, SENATORS 9)

Game #98-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 6, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 5, SENATORS 2)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (52-46)  –  Actual (42-56)

Zoilo Versalles (early in his career, he was referred to as Zorro, from the late 1950’s TV series, “Zorro”, against his wishes) return to the Twins lineup as lead-off man, was welcomed with Zoilo going 5 for 10 in the first 2 games of the series vs Washington, and finished the series going 5 for 14.

 

Series #37:  Twins at Tigers, July 28, 29, 30

  AT  

Game #99-  Replay Score:  TWINS 4, TIGERS 3  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 4, TIGERS 3)

Game #100-  Replay Score:  TWINS 3, TIGERS 0  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 5, TIGERS 4)

Game #101-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 7, TWINS 4  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 4, TIGERS 0)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (54-47)  –  Actual (45-56)

Game #2 of the series and Game #100 of the season, Jim Kaat (coming into the game with a 5-10 record) twirls a CG shut-out of the heavy-hitting Detroit Tigers, winning 3-0.

 

TWINS Stats thru end of July (click on link to read):

1961_TWINS_BATTING_THRU_end_of_JULY

1961_TWINS_PITCHING_THRU_end_of_JULY

1961_TWINS_FIELDING_THRU_end_of_JULY

 

TWINS month-by-month Summaries (click on link to read):

APRIL (W-L):  6-9  (9-6 Actual)

MAY (W-L):  18-10  (10-18 Actual)

JUNE (W-L):  15-16  (10-21 Actual)

JULY (W-L):  15-12  (16-11 Actual)

 

A heartfelt tribute to Harmon Killebrew on Youtube:

 

A little NFL trivia, with SuperBowl LII in mind …

1969 NFL Championship game, played at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, MN

With SuperBowl LII just 2+ weeks away, and the Minnesota Vikings, still 1 elusive game away from becoming the 1st NFL team to play the SuperBowl on their home turf, it made me think back to when they had the NFL Championship game, when there were still 2 leagues, the NFL and the AFL.

The last “NFL Championship Game” would be held for the 1969 NFL season (with the winner advancing to SuperBowl IV, to play the AFL Champion).  The Vikings finished the 1969 season 12-2, and even though the record was good enough to earn them home field for a potential NFL championship game, home field was already predetermined by what division and conference (East or West) you were in, as it alternated each year.  Luckily for the Minnesota Vikings in 1969, it would be their home game, if they won the NFC Central and they advanced to the Championship game.

The Vikings first defeated the Los Angeles Rams at home, to advance to the NFL Championship game.  The Cleveland Browns had defeated the Dallas Cowboys to advance.

On January 4th, 1970, the last “NFL Championship Game” was held, at Metropolitan Stadium, in Bloomington, MN, between the Cleveland Browns and the Minnesota Vikings.  The Vikings would be the last NFL team to play the NFL Championship game at home … will it finally occur again, in SuperBowl LII?

 

 

TCABT-IX: Team Selection begins …

Team selection for the Neil Ess Memorial – Twin Cities APBA Baseball Tournament – IX has begun for the Saturday, April 7th date.

I will keep this post updated with the new entrants/teams as they come in.

1. 1970 TWINS – CHRIS KAUFMAN (MANKATO, MN)
2. 2017 ASTROS –  JOHN KALOUS (BELLEVILLE, IL)
3. 1998 YANKEES – GARY BORTHWICK (CRYSTAL, MN)
4. 1938 YANKEES – DAVE NORLANDER (DULUTH, MN)
5. 1976 REDS – CRAIG CHRISTIAN (EAU CLAIRE, WI)
6. 1942 YANKEES – BEN LOFGREN (HAWLEY, MN)
7. 1987 TIGERS – FRED JOHNSON (COTTAGE GROVE, MN)
8. 2017 NATIONALS – KEVIN CLUFF (APPLE VALLEY, MN)
9. 1980 EXPOS – SCOTT EGGE (WOODBURY, MN)
10. 1953 DODGERS – JIM FRAASCH (SAVAGE, MN)
11. 1955 DODGERS – PHIL GERAFFO (MINNETONKA, MN)
12. 1969 ORIOLES – ROBERT ELLEY (LONGVIEW, TX)
13. 1911 GIANTS – BRUCE TYLER (ELK RIVER, MN)
14. 2016 INDIANS – BOB COLLINS (WOODBURY, MN)
15. 1993 BLUE JAYS – LEROY ARNOLDI (PRIOR LAKE, MN)
16. 1941 DODGERS – GREGG NELSON (MAPLE GROVE, MN)
17. 1972 PIRATES – GARTH ANDERSEN (ANDOVER, MN)
18. 2001 MARINERS – MARTY LEE (LENEXA, KS)
19. 1936 YANKEES – JEFF BOEDING (PLATTE CITY, MO)
20. 2006 PADRES – KURT BERGLAND (WAUKESHA, WI)
21. 1973 BRAVES – GEORGE ADAMS (LIBERTY, MO)
22. 1968 TIGERS – DARRELL SHREVE (ST. PAUL, MN)
23. 1954 INDIANS – PAT MARTIN (BROOKLYN PARK, MN)
24. 1998 BRAVES – MIKE VITT (LOUISVILLE, KY)
25. 1978 YANKEES – CLEON PAVLICEK (BLOOMINGTON, MN)
26. 2006 TWINS – DARRELL SKOGEN (MAPLE GROVE, MN)
27. 2017 INDIANS – ROB SKOGEN (FOREST LAKE, MN)
28. 1910 ATHLETICS – STEVE SOLMONSON (MAPLE GROVE, MN)
29. 1995 INDIANS – PAUL VAN BEEK (WINONA, MN)
30. 1981 EXPOS – JOE PAVLICEK (BLOOMINGTON, MN)
31. 2010 TWINS – BEAU LOFGREN (HAWLEY, MN)
32. 2015 BLUE JAYS – TERRY BORTHWICK (CRYSTAL, MN)

 

1968 APBA Baseball Ad in back of The 1968 Baseball Yearbook Magazine.

1961 Minnesota Twins Replay – June Summary …

The Twins replay rolls into the month of June, on the heals of an 18-10 May, and 24-19 overall.  But the Twins were not staying put with the current roster either (in real-life, the Twins struggled in May).  The Twins would make their first significant trades and player transactions in the month of June (note, in addition, earlier in May, the Twins had acquired pitcher Ed Palmquist from the Dodgers).

On June 1st, the Twins traded little used Billy Consolo to the Braves for veteran 2B-man, Billy Martin.  Also on June 1st, the Twins traded 3B-man Reno Bertoia and struggling pitcher, Paul Giel to the Athletics for speedy CF/3B, Bill Tuttle.  And on June 2nd, the Twins purchased Julio Becquer from the Phillies.  These newly acquired players would make an immediate impact with significant playing time for the Minnesota Twins.  And on June 14th, the Twins would trade veteran 2B-man Billy Gardner to the Yankees for little used pitcher, Danny McDevitt.  The Twins also signed Ted Lepcio as a free agent.

 

 

Whether or not the trades would mean more wins for the Twins, would remain to be seen as the season played on.  However, the energy and savy experience from a veteran like Billy Martin and speed of a player like Bill Tuttle, would surely change the Twins style of play.

A quick look at the high-lights and low-lights in the June replay …

• Twins open June with 3 consecutive upset wins over the heavy hitting Tigers, winning 3 of 4 in the series.
• The Twins drop 3 of 4 in the very next series, vs the Yankees.
• The long road-trip continues, as the Twins bats are silenced in the 2-game series opener at Baltimore.  Jack Fisher for the O’s, twirls a 2-hit shut-out over the Twins.
• With a 3-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway, the Twins 18-game road-trip comes to an end, going 10-8 during that stretch.  The Twins score a season-high 17 runs in the middle game of the 3-game series.
• Back home after 18 games on the road, the Twins quickly drop the first 2 of a 3-game set to the lowly Athletics.
• June 16th, Sam Mele takes over as Twins skipper and is greeted by getting swept by the Chisox, in a 4-game series.
• With the Orioles in town, Mele get’s his first wins as Twins manager, with a 3-game sweep of Baltimore.  The Twins have the Orioles number thus far in ’61, going 9-3 in their 12 games played thus far.
• June 23rd, the Yankees make their 2nd trip to Metropolitan Stadium and rock Camilo Pascual for 3 early homers.  The Yankees hit 4 homers in the 10-5 rout of the Twins.  Roger Maris hit 2 of them.  On the losing side, Harmon Killebrew goes 4 for 4, with 2 HRs, a double and 4 RBI.
• June 29th, Twins trail Boston 11-6 after 6 innings.  Twins tie it with 2 in 7th, 3 in 8th and win the game in the bottom of the 11th, 12-11.  Lenny Green goes 5 for 7, with 5 singles, Killebrew hits his 24th and 25th homers, and Twins pound out a season-high 19 hits.
• June 30th, Jack Kralick and the Twins lead Kansas City, 3-0 heading into the bottom of the 9th.  Dick Howser hits a 3-run HR to tie the game for the Athletics.  Twins lose in the bottom of the 10th when Hank Bauer hits a pinch-hit triple scoring Haywood Sullivan from 1st.
• Harmon Killebrew hits 11 homers in the last 13 games of June.  Killer hit 15 homers for all of June, and has 26 homers heading into July.

 

The month of June:

(click on game scores below for either the REPLAY boxscore or the ACTUAL boxscore)

Series #18:  Twins at Tigers, June 2, 3, 4 (2)

  AT  

Game #44-  Replay Score:  TWINS 7, TIGERS 5  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 2, TWINS 0)

Game #45-  Replay Score:  TWINS 3, TIGERS 0  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 2, TWINS 1)

Game #46-  Replay Score:  TWINS 6, TIGERS 2  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 10, TWINS 4)

Game #47-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 7, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 9, TWINS 3)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (27-20)  –  Actual (19-28)

Game #44, Dan Dobbek, gaining a rare starting lineup appearance, playing RF and batting 5th, goes 2 for 5 with a HR and 4 RBI.

 

Series #19:  Twins at Yankees, June 5 (2), 6, 7

  AT  

Game #48-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 9, TWINS 2  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 6, TWINS 2)

Game #49-  Replay Score:  TWINS 3, YANKEES 1  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 6, TWINS 1)

Game #50-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 5, TWINS 2  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 7, TWINS 2)

Game #51-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 7, TWINS 5  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 5, TWINS 1)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (28-23)  –  Actual (19-32)

Cookie Lavagetto and Ralph Houk.  Happier times for Cookie, as his days as Twins first ever manager are numbered.

 

Series #20:  Twins at Orioles, June 8, 10

  AT  

Game #52-  Replay Score:  ORIOLES 2, TWINS 0  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 3, ORIOLES 1)

Game #53-  Replay Score:  TWINS 4, ORIOLES 1  –  (Actual Score:  ORIOLES 4, TWINS 3)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (29-24)  –  Actual (20-33)

Game #52, Jack Fisher twirls 2-hit, CG, shut-out win for the Orioles over the Twins.

 

Series #21:  Twins at Red Sox, June 11 (2), 12

  AT  

Game #54-  Replay Score:  TWINS 5, RED SOX 0  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 8, TWINS 2)

Game #55-  Replay Score:  TWINS 17, RED SOX 6  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 10, RED SOX 5)

Game #56-  Replay Score:  TWINS 8, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 10, TWINS 8)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (32-24)  –  Actual (21-35)

Bob Allison goes 5 for 10 in the 3-game series at Fenway, with 2 HR, and 8 RBI.

 

Series #22:  Athletics at Twins, June 13, 14, 15

  AT  

Game #57-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 6, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 8, ATHLETICS 6)

Game #58-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 3, TWINS 2  –  (Actual Score:  ATHLETICS 9, TWINS 2)

Game #59-  Replay Score:  TWINS 12, ATHLETICS 1  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 4, ATHLETICS 3)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (33-26)  –  Actual (23-36)

Jim Lemon goes 2 for 3, with 2 walks, blasting a 3-run homer and driving in 4 RBI, in the Twins 12-1 win over the Athletics in the rubber game of the series.

 

Series #23:  Twins at White Sox, June 16, 17, 18 (2)

  AT  

Game #60-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 1, TWINS 0  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 6, WHITE SOX 1)

Game #61-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 5, TWINS 0  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 5, TWINS 1)

Game #62-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 9, TWINS 8  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 4, TWINS 3)

Game #63-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 6, TWINS 4  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 10, TWINS 7)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (33-30)  –  Actual (24-39)

Sam Mele, the new Twins skipper, takes over June 16th.  The White Sox earn a 4-game sweep over the Twins.

(Click here, for a recorded interview with Sam Mele, from 2009)

 

Series #24:  Orioles at Twins, June 20, 21, 22

  AT  

Game #64-  Replay Score:  TWINS 6, ORIOLES 2  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 5, ORIOLES 4)

Game #65-  Replay Score:  TWINS 6, ORIOLES 0  –  (Actual Score:  ORIOLES 11, TWINS 5)

Game #66-  Replay Score:  TWINS 6, ORIOLES 5  –  (Actual Score:  ORIOLES 8, TWINS 2)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (36-30)  –  Actual (25-41)

The Twins Earl Battey, goes 6 for 6 in the first 2 games of the 3-game sweep of the Orioles.  And the Twins domination of the Orioles in 1961 continues, with the Twins winning 9 of the first 12 meetings between the clubs.

 

Series #25:  Yankees at Twins, June 23, 24, 25

  AT  

Game #67-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 10, TWINS 5  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 4, YANKEES 0)

Game #68-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 6, TWINS 0  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 10, TWINS 7)

Game #69-  Replay Score:  TWINS 6, YANKEES 1  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 8, TWINS 4)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (37-32)  –  Actual (26-43)

Jack Kralick’s pitching is one of the main reasons for the Twins being 5 games over .500 at this point in the season.  With a CG, 6-1 win over the Yankees, Kralick improves to 12-3 on the season, with a 1.92 ERA in 122 IP and 15 starts.

 

Series #26:  Red Sox at Twins, June 27 (2), 28, 29

  AT  

Game #70-  Replay Score:  TWINS 8, RED SOX 2  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 6, RED SOX 5)

Game #71-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 6, TWINS 5  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 6. RED SOX 3)

Game #72-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 6, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, TWINS 2)

Game #73-  Replay Score:  TWINS 12, RED SOX 11  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 9, TWINS 5)

TWINS RECORD:  Replay (39-34)  –  Actual (28-45)

Harmon Killebrew goes 7 for 18 in 4-game series vs Boston, with 5 HR, 10 RBI.

 

Series #27:  Twins at Athletics, June 30, July 1, 2

  AT  

Game #74-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 4, TWINS 3  –  (Actual Score:  TWINS 8, ATHLETICS 2)

TWINS (end of June) RECORD:  Replay (39-35)  –  Actual (29-45)

June closes on a sour note, with the 4-3 loss to the Kansas City Athletics (the 1st of a 3-game series continuing into July).

The Twins finish 15-16 for the month of June, but are running 10 wins ahead of their actual 1961 record.

Note:  A quick run comparison at the end of June, has the Twins scoring 359 runs (vs 322 actual) and allowing 330 runs (vs 406 actual).  One thing I have noticed is the Twins are not making nearly as many errors as they should be, and have not been giving up as many unearned runs as expected.  Their team ERA thru 73 games is 4.23, compared to their actual full-season team ERA of 4.28, which is almost right on.

TWINS end of JUNE BATTING STATS

TWINS end of JUNE PITCHING STATS

TWINS end of JUNE FIELDING STATS

TWINS month-by-month Summaries (click on link to read):

APRIL (W-L):  6-9 (9-6 Actual)

MAY (W-L):  18-10 (10-18 Actual)

JUNE (W-L):  15-16 (10-21 Actual)

 

Earl Battey is first Minnesota Twins player to appear on the cover of the monthly Baseball Digest (June, 1961)