1996 Minnesota Twins season

March 2026 November 2013 Minnesota Twins 1996 American League Central Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis 78 84 y 5th Carl Pohlad Terry Ryan Tom Kelly WCCO-TVMidwest Sports Channel (Bert Blyleven, Dick Bremer, Ryan Lefebvre, Tommy John) 830 WCCO AM (Herb Carneal, John Gordon) The 1996 Minnesota Twins season was the 36th season for the Minnesota Twins franchise in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, their 15th season at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and the 96th overall in the American League. Prior to spring training, the 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. Offseason October 9: Luis Rivas was signed as an amateur free agent by the Twins.Luis Rivas at Baseball Reference December 5: Paul Molitor was signed as a free agent by the Twins.Paul Molitor at Baseball Reference January 29: Signed Roberto Kelly as a free agent. 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.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET199604240.shtml Twins 24, Tigers 11 Baseball-Reference.com 2016-02-07 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.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN199607250.shtml Twins 16, Red Sox 6 Baseball-Reference.com 2016-02-07 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 QuantityHR Marty Cordova 16RBI Paul Molitor 113BA Paul Molitor and Chuck Knoblauch .341Runs 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 QuantityERA Brad Radke 4.46Wins Frank Rodriguez 13Saves Dave Stevens 11Strikeouts 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 Minnesota Twins Record vs. opponents MIN Game log Minnesota Twins 1996 Game Log: 78–84 (Home: 39–43; Away: 39–41) y Minnesota Twins April: 13–12 (Home: 8–7; Away: 5–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 1 || April 1 || Tigers || 8–6 || Radke (1–0) || Lira || Stevens (1) || 30,185 || 1–0 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 2 || April 2 || Tigers || 6–10 || Sodowsky || Robertson (0–1) || — || 20,164 || 1–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 3 || April 3 || Tigers || 16–7 || Mahomes (1–0) || Aldred || — || 12,256 || 2–1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 5 || Orioles || 1–2 || Mercker || Guardado (0–1) || Myers || 22,744 || 2–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 5 || April 6 || Orioles || 8–3 || Radke (2–0) || Haynes || — || 22,334 || 3–2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 6 || April 7 || Orioles || 2–4 || Mussina || Robertson (0–2) || Myers || 14,580 || 3–3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 7 || April 9 || @ Red Sox || 1–9 || Gordon || Rodriguez (0–1) || — || 30,843 || 3–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 8 || April 11 || @ Red Sox || 6–5 || Radke (3–0) || Clemens || Stevens (2) || 15,594 || 4–4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || April 12 || @ Orioles || 2–3 || Mussina || Robertson (0–3) || — || 42,602 || 4–5 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 10 || April 13 || @ Orioles || 6–7 || Benitez || Mahomes (1–1) || — || 42,644 || 4–6 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 11 || April 14 || @ Orioles || 4–1 || Rodriguez (1–1) || Haynes || Stevens (3) || 42,660 || 5–6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 12 || April 16 || Indians || 2–7 || Hershiser || Radke (3–1) || — || 13,103 || 5–7 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 13 || April 17 || Indians || 9–8 || Hansell (1–0) || Shuey || Stevens (4) || 11,276 || 6–7 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 14 || April 19 || Yankees || 7–1 || Rodriguez (2–1) || Gooden || — || 20,279 || 7–7 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 15 || April 20 || Yankees || 6–7 || Wickman || Guardado (0–2) || Wetteland || 24,586 || 7–8 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 16 || April 21 || Yankees || 5–9 || Rogers || Radke (3–2) || — || 20,115 || 7–9 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 17 || April 22 || Red Sox || 1–4 || Sele || Robertson (0–4) || Slocumb || 11,340 || 7–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 18 || April 23 || Red Sox || 8–6 || Naulty (1–0) || Hudson || Stevens (5) || 11,533 || 8–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 19 || April 24 || @ Tigers || 24–11 || Bennett (1–0) || Veres || — || 12,189 || 9–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 20 || April 25 || @ Tigers || 11–1 || Hawkins (1–0) || Aldred || Hansell (1) || 11,804 || 10–10 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 21 || April 26 || @ Yankees || 4–5 || Rivera || Radke (3–3) || Wetteland || 14,450 || 10–11 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 22 || April 27 || @ Yankees || 8–6 (10) || Bennett (2–0) || Wickman || — || 20,025 || 11–11 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || April 28 || @ Yankees || 3–6 || Rivera || Rodriguez (2–2) || Wetteland || 24,793 || 11–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 24 || April 29 || Royals || 11–6 || Hansell (2–0) || Clark || Bennett (1) || 10,237 || 12–12 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 25 || April 30 || Royals || 16–7 || Naulty (2–0) || Magnante || — || 10,503 || 13–12 |- y Minnesota Twins May: 10–16 (Home: 4–6; Away: 6–10) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 26 || May 1 || Royals || 6–5 (10) || Stevens (1–0) || Montgomery || — || 11,975 || 14–12 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 27 || May 3 || @ Angels || 1–4 || Finley || Robertson (0–5) || Percival || 24,505 || 14–13 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 28 || May 4 || @ Angels || 2–5 || Grimsley || Rodriguez (2–3) || — || 29,264 || 14–14 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 29 || May 5 || @ Angels || 1–5 || Boskie || Hawkins (1–1) || — || 35,541 || 14–15 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 6 || @ Mariners || 4–5 || Wells || Radke (3–4) || Charlton || 32,203 || 14–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 31 || May 7 || @ Mariners || 2–0 || Parra (1–0) || Wolcott || Stevens (6) || 15,626 || 15–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 32 || May 8 || @ Mariners || 7–5 (10) || Guardado (1–2) || Wells || Stevens (7) || 22,175 || 16–16 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 33 || May 10 || @ Athletics || 5–15 || Wojciechowski || Rodriguez (2–4) || — || 8,278 || 16–17 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 34 || May 11 || @ Athletics || 5–12 || Prieto || Radke (3–5) || — || 15,791 || 16–18 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 35 || May 12 || @ Athletics || 3–8 || Wengert || Parra (1–1) || — || 13,430 || 16–19 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || May 14 || Blue Jays || 2–4 || Hanson || Robertson (0–6) || Timlin || 13,483 || 16–20 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 37 || May 15 || Blue Jays || 2–1 || Rodriguez (3–4) || Hentgen || — || 11,793 || 17–20 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 38 || May 16 || Blue Jays || 4–1 || Radke (4–5) || Quantrill || Stevens (8) || 13,538 || 18–20 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 17 || Brewers || 1–12 || Karl || Parra (1–2) || — || 26,733 || 18–21 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || May 18 || Brewers || 3–7 || Miranda || Mahomes (1–2) || Fetters || 30,593 || 18–22 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 41 || May 19 || Brewers || 2–4 || Sparks || Robertson (0–7) || Fetters || 24,411 || 18–23 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 42 || May 20 || Brewers || 2–3 || Bones || Rodriguez (3–5) || Fetters || 13,376 || 18–24 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 43 || May 21 || Rangers || 4–3 || Milchin (1–0) || Henneman || — || 12,323 || 19–24 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 44 || May 22 || Rangers || 5–6 || Pavlik || Parra (1–3) || Henneman || 17,955 || 19–25 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 45 || May 23 || @ Blue Jays || 4–5 (10) || Janzen || Milchin (1–1) || — || 31,163 || 19–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 46 || May 24 || @ Blue Jays || 4–0 || Robertson (1–7) || Hanson || — || 33,141 || 20–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 47 || May 25 || @ Blue Jays || 6–4 (10) || Guardado (2–2) || Castillo || Stevens (9) || 34,118 || 21–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 48 || May 26 || @ Blue Jays || 9–3 || Naulty (3–0) || Bohanon || — || 30,170 || 22–26 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 49 || May 28 || @ Brewers || 3–7 || Karl || Mahomes (1–3) || Garcia || 10,117 || 22–27 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 50 || May 29 || @ Brewers || 8–7 (12) || Hansell (3–0) || Lloyd || — || 14,324 || 23–27 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 51 || May 31 || @ Rangers || 2–7 || Hill || Rodriguez (3–6) || — || 32,861 || 23–28 |- y Minnesota Twins June: 15–13 (Home: 9–8; Away: 6–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 52 || June 1 || @ Rangers || 9–5 || Milchin (2–1) || Henneman || — || 43,413 || 24–28 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 53 || June 2 || @ Rangers || 6–5 || Guardado (3–2) || Russell || — || 33,809 || 25–28 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 54 || June 3 || Angels || 9–3 || Trombley (1–0) || Finley || — || 10,589 || 26–28 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 55 || June 4 || Angels || 5–3 || Rodriguez (4–6) || Grimsley || Guardado (1) || 10,899 || 27–28 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 56 || June 5 || Angels || 14–3 || Aldred (1–0) || Langston || Hansell (2) || 10,639 || 28–28 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || June 7 || Athletics || 4–6 || Reyes || Radke (4–6) || Corsi || 14,999 || 28–29 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 58 || June 8 || Athletics || 4–2 || Robertson (2–7) || Wojciechowski || Guardado (2) || — || 29–29 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 59 || June 8 || Athletics || 7–13 || Wasdin || Mahomes (1–4) || — || 22,164 || 29–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 60 || June 9 || Athletics || 5–3 || Rodriguez (5–6) || Wengert || — || 13,291 || 30–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 61 || June 10 || Mariners || 13–6 || Aldred (2–0) || Wagner || Trombley (1) || 17,134 || 31–30 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 62 || June 11 || Mariners || 8–18 || Wells || Aguilera (0–1) || Hurtado || 14,395 || 31–31 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 63 || June 12 || Mariners || 3–5 || Wolcott || Radke (4–7) || Charlton || 15,830 || 31–32 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 64 || June 14 || Tigers || 4–5 || Gohr || Robertson (2–8) || Olson || 22,831 || 31–33 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 65 || June 15 || Tigers || 4–6 || Olivares || Rodriguez (5–7) || Olson || 17,099 || 31–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 66 || June 16 || Tigers || 4–1 || Aguilera (1–1) || Lira || Hansell (3) || 20,641 || 32–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 67 || June 17 || @ Yankees || 6–3 || Aldred (3–0) || Mendoza || Naulty (1) || 16,189 || 33–34 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 68 || June 18 || @ Yankees || 0–2 || Rogers || Radke (4–8) || Wetteland || 17,593 || 33–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 69 || June 20 || @ Tigers || 7–3 || Rodriguez (6–7) || Olivares || — || 8,310 || 34–35 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 70 || June 21 || @ Tigers || 0–2 || Lira || Aguilera (1–2) || — || 13,127 || 34–36 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 71 || June 22 || @ Tigers || 0–6 || Williams || Aldred (3–1) || — || 14,506 || 34–37 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 72 || June 23 || @ Tigers || 8–10 || Urbani || Radke (4–9) || — || 13,994 || 34–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 73 || June 24 || Yankees || 3–0 || Robertson (3–8) || Pettitte || — || 20,488 || 35–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 74 || June 25 || Yankees || 6–1 || Rodriguez (7–7) || Boehringer || — || — || 36–38 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 75 || June 25 || Yankees || 2–6 || Mendoza || Serafini (0–1) || — || 16,641 || 36–39 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 76 || June 26 || Yankees || 1–2 || Polley || Guardado (3–3) || Wetteland || 19,116 || 36–40 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 77 || June 28 || @ Royals || 2–6 || Appier || Radke (4–10) || — || 21,515 || 36–41 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 78 || June 29 || @ Royals || 12–7 || Trombley (2–0) || Linton || — || 23,232 || 37–41 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 79 || June 30 || @ Royals || 5–2 || Rodriguez (8–7) || Gubicza || Stevens (10) || 28,246 || 38–41 |- y Minnesota Twins July: 13–14 (Home: 7–10; Away: 6–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 80 || July 1 || @ White Sox || 10–7 || Aguilera (2–2) || Sirotka || — || 19,211 || 39–41 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 81 || July 2 || @ White Sox || 4–7 || Fernandez || Aldred (3–2) || Hernandez || 18,357 || 39–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 82 || July 3 || @ White Sox || 6–5 || Radke (5–10) || Andujar || Stevens (11) || 26,113 || 40–42 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 83 || July 4 || Royals || 3–5 || Linton || Robertson (3–9) || Montgomery || 37,295 || 40–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 84 || July 5 || Royals || 9–8 || Guardado (4–3) || Montgomery || — || 18,465 || 41–43 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 85 || July 6 || Royals || 5–8 || Haney || Aguilera (2–3) || Montgomery || 18,699 || 41–44 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 86 || July 7 || Royals || 2–8 || Belcher || Aldred (3–3) || — || 14,251 || 41–45 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 87 || July 11 || Indians || 7–11 || McDowell || Radke (5–11) || — || 16,438 || 41–46 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 88 || July 12 || Indians || 5–7 || Mesa || Stevens (1–1) || Shuey || 18,246 || 41–47 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 89 || July 13 || Indians || 11–19 || Ogea || Aguilera (2–4) || — || 31,552 || 41–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 90 || July 14 || Indians || 5–4 || Guardado (5–3) || Plunk || — || 25,312 || 42–48 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 91 || July 15 || White Sox || 16–5 || Aldred (4–3) || McCaskill || — || 13,636 || 43–48 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 92 || July 16 || White Sox || 2–11 || Alvarez || Radke (5–12) || — || 18,502 || 43–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 93 || July 17 || White Sox || 4–3 || Trombley (3–0) || Simas || — || 20,755 || 44–49 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 94 || July 18 || @ Indians || 4–5 || Graves || Guardado (5–4) || — || 40,934 || 44–50 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 95 || July 19 || @ Indians || 3–2 || Rodriguez (9–7) || Nagy || Naulty (2) || 42,373 || 45–50 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 96 || July 20 || @ Indians || 5–6 (11) || Shuey || Stevens (1–2) || — || 43,433 || 45–51 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 97 || July 21 || @ Indians || 5–7 || McDowell || Radke (5–13) || Shuey || 42,341 || 45–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 98 || July 22 || @ Orioles || 9–5 || Robertson (4–9) || Haynes || Trombley (2) || 42,129 || 46–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 99 || July 23 || @ Orioles || 3–2 || Aguilera (3–4) || Wells || Naulty (3) || 42,006 || 47–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 100 || July 24 || @ Orioles || 11–4 || Rodriguez (10–7) || Erickson || — || 46,181 || 48–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 101 || July 25 || Red Sox || 16–6 || Parra (2–3) || Wakefield || — || 13,924 || 49–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 102 || July 26 || Red Sox || 5–1 || Radke (6–13) || Clemens || — || 17,768 || 50–52 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 103 || July 27 || Red Sox || 5–9 || Gordon || Naulty (3–1) || — || 22,128 || 50–53 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 104 || July 28 || Red Sox || 9–8 || Aguilera (4–4) || Sele || Naulty (4) || 17,448 || 51–53 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 105 || July 30 || Orioles || 4–16 || Coppinger || Rodriguez (10–8) || — || 16,708 || 51–54 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 106 || July 31 || Orioles || 3–9 || Mussina || Trombley (3–1) || — || 15,897 || 51–55 |- y Minnesota Twins August: 16–14 (Home: 5–6; Away: 11–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 107 || August 1 || Orioles || 2–4 || Wells || Robertson (4–10) || Myers || 20,379 || 51–56 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 108 || August 2 || @ Red Sox || 10–11 || Brandenburg || Naulty (3–2) || — || 28,041 || 51–57 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 109 || August 3 || @ Red Sox || 3–6 || Sele || Rodriguez (10–9) || Hudson || 19,860 || 51–58 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 110 || August 3 || @ Red Sox || 6–0 || Aldred (5–3) || Suppan || — || 29,135 || 52–58 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 111 || August 4 || @ Red Sox || 6–13 || Eshelman || Klingenbeck (0–1) || — || 29,939 || 52–59 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 112 || August 6 || @ Angels || 4–1 || Radke (7–13) || Springer || Guardado (3) || 20,058 || 53–59 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 113 || August 7 || @ Angels || 4–0 || Robertson (5–10) || Finley || — || 18,611 || 54–59 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 114 || August 8 || @ Angels || 13–5 || Aguilera (5–4) || Boskie || — || 21,283 || 55–59 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 115 || August 9 || @ Mariners || 6–5 || Parra (3–3) || Wolcott || Rodriguez (1) || 25,130 || 56–59 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 116 || August 10 || @ Mariners || 10–4 || Klingenbeck (1–1) || Hitchcock || — || 34,381 || 57–59 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 117 || August 11 || @ Mariners || 6–3 || Radke (8–13) || Wells || Rodriguez (2) || 36,114 || 58–59 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 118 || August 12 || @ Athletics || 1–11 || Prieto || Robertson (5–11) || — || 10,071 || 58–60 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 119 || August 13 || @ Athletics || 6–2 || Aguilera (6–4) || Wengert || — || 11,156 || 59–60 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 120 || August 14 || @ Athletics || 13–7 || Rodriguez (11–9) || Telgheder || — || 12,729 || 60–60 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 121 || August 16 || Blue Jays || 5–4 (10) || Parra (4–3) || Quantrill || — || 19,838 || 61–60 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 122 || August 17 || Blue Jays || 11–1 || Robertson (6–11) || Hanson || — || 20,354 || 62–60 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 123 || August 18 || Blue Jays || 2–6 || Hentgen || Aguilera (6–5) || — || 18,010 || 62–61 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 124 || August 19 || Brewers || 1–6 || D'Amico || Rodriguez (11–10) || — || 21,879 || 62–62 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 125 || August 20 || Brewers || 12–7 || Parra (5–3) || Bones || — || 14,630 || 63–62 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 126 || August 21 || Brewers || 7–10 || Jones || Stevens (1–3) || Fetters || 15,885 || 63–63 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 127 || August 22 || Rangers || 2–11 || Hill || Robertson (6–12) || — || 17,342 || 63–64 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 128 || August 23 || Rangers || 9–2 || Aguilera (7–5) || Oliver || — || 16,166 || 64–64 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 129 || August 24 || Rangers || 6–5 || Rodriguez (12–10) || Pavlik || Trombley (3) || 16,648 || 65–64 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 130 || August 25 || Rangers || 2–13 || Witt || Miller (0–1) || — || 14,818 || 65–65 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 131 || August 26 || @ Blue Jays || 3–5 || Guzman || Radke (8–14) || Timlin || 31,134 || 65–66 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 132 || August 27 || @ Blue Jays || 6–4 (11) || Trombley (4–1) || Quantrill || — || 30,033 || 66–66 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 133 || August 28 || @ Blue Jays || 1–6 || Hentgen || Aguilera (7–6) || — || 30,106 || 66–67 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 134 || August 29 || @ Brewers || 6–1 || Rodriguez (13–10) || Karl || — || 14,922 || 67–67 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 135 || August 30 || @ Brewers || 4–5 (12) || Wickman || Parra (5–4) || — || 17,444 || 67–68 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 136 || August 31 || @ Brewers || 2–3 || Jones || Robertson (6–13) || Fetters || 20,187 || 67–69 |- y Minnesota Twins September: 11–15 (Home: 6–6; Away: 5–9) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 137 || September 1 || @ Brewers || 6–2 || Aldred (6–3) || Van Egmond || — || 17,074 || 68–69 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 138 || September 2 || @ Rangers || 6–4 || Aguilera (8–6) || Hill || Guardado (4) || 24,786 || 69–69 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 139 || September 3 || @ Rangers || 7–9 || Witt || Rodriguez (13–11) || Henneman || 28,401 || 69–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 140 || September 4 || @ Rangers || 7–6 || Robertson (7–13) || Heredia || Trombley (4) || 29,744 || 70–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 141 || September 6 || Angels || 6–2 || Radke (9–14) || Finley || — || 13,006 || 71–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 142 || September 7 || Angels || 6–3 || Stevens (2–3) || Boskie || Trombley (5) || 51,011 || 72–70 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 143 || September 8 || Angels || 2–4 || Abbott || Rodriguez (13–12) || Percival || 14,378 || 72–71 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 144 || September 10 || Athletics || 0–7 || Telgheder || Robertson (7–14) || — || 9,676 || 72–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 145 || September 11 || Athletics || 7–2 || Radke (10–14) || Adams || — || 9,493 || 73–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 146 || September 12 || Athletics || 4–3 (12) || Stevens (3–3) || Mohler || — || 9,712 || 74–72 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 147 || September 13 || Mariners || 7–13 || Wells || Miller (0–2) || — || 15,510 || 74–73 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 148 || September 14 || Mariners || 3–5 (10) || Ayala || Guardado (5–5) || Charlton || 18,002 || 74–74 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 149 || September 15 || Mariners || 0–7 || Torres || Robertson (7–15) || — || 25,142 || 74–75 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 150 || September 16 || @ Royals || 5–6 || Rosado || Radke (10–15) || Bluma || 16,843 || 74–76 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 151 || September 17 || @ Royals || 2–4 || Haney || Aldred (6–4) || Bluma || 11,809 || 74–77 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 152 || September 18 || @ Royals || 7–4 || Miller (1–2) || Belcher || — || 11,588 || 75–77 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 153 || September 19 || @ White Sox || 3–8 || Sirotka || Rodriguez (13–13) || Castillo || 14,253 || 75–78 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 154 || September 20 || @ White Sox || 3–7 || Tapani || Robertson (7–16) || — || 15,673 || 75–79 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 155 || September 21 || @ White Sox || 4–3 || Radke (11–15) || Alvarez || Trombley (6) || 18,866 || 76–79 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 156 || September 22 || @ White Sox || 1–5 || Fernandez || Aldred (6–5) || — || 20,111 || 76–80 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 157 || September 23 || @ Indians || 6–7 || Graves || Parra (5–5) || Mesa || 42,299 || 76–81 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 158 || September 24 || @ Indians || 5–7 || Ogea || Rodriguez (13–14) || Mesa || 42,272 || 76–82 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 159 || September 25 || @ Indians || 3–6 || Nagy || Robertson (7–17) || — || 42,469 || 76–83 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 160 || September 27 || White Sox || 2–4 || Fernandez || Radke (11–16) || Hernandez || 13,058 || 76–84 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 161 || September 28 || White Sox || 7–6 || Trombley (5–1) || Castillo || — || 34,008 || 77–84 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 162 || September 29 || White Sox || 5–4 (10) || Guardado (6–5) || Hernandez || — || 13,306 || 78–84 |- |- | Legend:      #cfc = Win      #fbb = LossBold = Twins team member Detailed records American League Opponent W L WP RS Runs scored RA Runs against AL East Baltimore Orioles 5 7 5 7 y 55 60 Boston Red Sox 6 6 6 6 y 76 78 Detroit Tigers 6 6 6 6 y 92 68 New York Yankees 5 7 5 7 y 51 48 Toronto Blue Jays 8 5 8 5 y 59 44 Total 30 31 30 31 y 333 298 AL Central Chicago White Sox 7 6 7 6 y 67 75 Cleveland Indians 3 10 3 10 y 70 96 Kansas City Royals 7 6 7 6 y 85 76 Milwaukee Brewers 4 9 4 9 y 57 74 Minnesota Twins Total 21 31 21 31 y 279 321 AL West California Angels 8 4 8 4 y 67 38 Oakland Athletics 6 7 6 7 y 64 91 Seattle Mariners 6 6 6 6 y 69 76 Texas Rangers 7 5 7 5 y 65 76 Total 27 22 27 22 y 265 281 Season Total 78 84 78 84 y 877 900 Month Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against April 25 13 12 13 12 y 175 141 May 26 10 16 10 16 y 97 138 June 28 15 13 15 13 y 151 134 July 27 13 14 13 14 y 171 188 August 30 16 14 16 14 y 169 161 September 26 11 15 11 15 y 114 138 Total 162 78 84 78 84 y 877 900 Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against Home 82 39 43 39 43 y 452 483 Away 80 39 41 39 41 y 425 417 Total 162 78 84 78 84 y 877 900 Roster 1996 Minnesota Twins Roster Pitchers 38 Rick Aguilera 57 Scott Aldred 59 Erik Bennett 18 Eddie Guardado 19 Greg Hansell 32 LaTroy Hawkins 52 Scott Klingenbeck 20 Pat Mahomes 51 Mike Milchin 59 Travis Miller 31 Dan Naulty 56 José Parra 22 Brad Radke 47 Rich Robertson 33 Frankie Rodriguez 16 Dan Serafini 41 Dave Stevens 21 Mike Trombley Catchers 27 Mike Durant 24 Greg Myers  9 Matt Walbeck Infielders  8 Ron Coomer 12 Chip Hale 15 Dave Hollins 11 Chuck Knoblauch  2 Pat Meares  4 Paul Molitor 23 Tom Quinlan 26 Brian Raabe 17 Jeff Reboulet 37 Scott Stahoviak 13 Todd Walker Outfielders 25 Rich Becker 51 Brent Brede 40 Marty Cordova  7 Denny Hocking  5 Roberto Kelly 50 Matt Lawton Manager 10 Tom Kelly Coaches 46 Terry Crowley (hitting) 35 Ron Gardenhire (third base) 43 Rick Stelmaszek (bullpen) 42 Dick Such (pitching) 45 Scott Ullger 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 JonesJacque Jones Statistics Baseball-Reference.com (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.David Ortiz Statistics Baseball-Reference.com Player stats = Indicates team leader = Indicates league leader 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 The lone representative of the Twins in the All-Star Game was second baseman Chuck Knoblauch. The highest paid Twin in 1996 was Chuck Knoblauch at $4,670,000; followed by Rick Aguilera at $3,500,000. Other post-season awards Calvin R. Griffith Award (Most Valuable Twin) – Chuck Knoblauch Joseph W. Haynes Award (Twins Pitcher of the Year) – Frank Rodriguez Bill Boni Award (Twins Outstanding Rookie) – Ron Coomer Charles O. Johnson Award (Most Improved Twin) – Rich Becker Dick Siebert Award (Upper Midwest Player of the Year) – Paul Molitor The above awards are voted on by the Twin Cities chapter of the BBWAA Carl R. Pohlad Award (Outstanding Community Service) – Paul Molitor Sherry Robertson Award (Twins Outstanding Farm System Player) – Todd Walker Designated Hitter Paul Molitor earned the Silver Slugger Award 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 Minor League Baseball 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 BoulangerJohnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 2nd and 3rd editions. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997 and 2007 References External links Player stats from www.baseball-reference.com 1996 Standings 53em Category:Minnesota Twins seasons Minnesota Twins Twins