1974 Minnesota Twins season
Encyclopedia
The Minnesota Twins
finished 82-80, third in the American League West
.
, second baseman Rod Carew
. Carew won his fourth AL
batting title with a .364 average, while outfielder Bobby Darwin
hit 25 HR and drove in 95 runs. Three pitchers had double digit wins: Bert Blyleven
(17-17), Joe Decker
(16-14), and Dave Goltz
(10-10). Bill Campbell showed potential as a reliever, registering 19 saves and 8 relief wins.
Only 662,401 fans attended Twins games, the lowest total in the American League
. It was half the number of fans that attended in the 1960s.
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
finished 82-80, third in the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
.
Offseason
- October 14, 1973: Joe KeoughJoe KeoughJoseph William Keough is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1968 through 1973 for the Oakland Athletics , Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox . Keough batted and threw left-handed...
was purchased by the Twins from the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. - December 3, 1973: Sergio FerrerSergio FerrerSergio Ferrer Marrero is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He played in parts of four seasons in the majors in two separate stints. He played for the Minnesota Twins in and , then spent two seasons in the minor leagues before returning to the majors to play for the New York Mets in and...
was drafted by the Twins from the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in the 1973 rule 5 draftRule 5 draftThe Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
.
Regular season
Only one Twins player made the All-Star GameMajor League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, second baseman Rod Carew
Rod Carew
Rodney Cline "Rod" Carew is a former Major League Baseball first baseman, second baseman and coach. He played from 1967 to 1985 for the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels and was elected to the All-Star game every season except his last. In 1991, Carew was inducted into the National...
. Carew won his fourth AL
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
batting title with a .364 average, while outfielder Bobby Darwin
Bobby Darwin
Arthur Bobby Lee Darwin is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Los Angeles Angels , Los Angeles Dodgers , Minnesota Twins , Milwaukee Brewers , Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs .Darwin began his career as a pitcher, appearing in one game with the Angels at the age of 19...
hit 25 HR and drove in 95 runs. Three pitchers had double digit wins: Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...
(17-17), Joe Decker
Joe Decker
George Henry "Joe" Decker, Jr. was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs , Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners . He was born in Storm Lake, Iowa....
(16-14), and Dave Goltz
Dave Goltz
David Allan "Dave" Goltz , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1972-1983....
(10-10). Bill Campbell showed potential as a reliever, registering 19 saves and 8 relief wins.
Only 662,401 fans attended Twins games, the lowest total in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. It was half the number of fans that attended in the 1960s.
Notable transactions
- May 4, 1974: Dick WoodsonDick WoodsonRichard Lee Woodson was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees . Before the 1965 baseball season, Woodson was signed by the Minnesota Twins as an amateur free agent to play in their Minor League Baseball organization. Woodson was listed as 6'...
was traded by the Twins to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Mike PazikMike PazikMichael Joseph Pazik is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of three seasons in the majors, from until , for the Minnesota Twins....
and cash. - June 5, 1974: Joe Lis was purchased from the Twins by the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. - June 5, 1974: Butch WynegarButch WynegarHarold Delano "Butch" Wynegar, Jr. is a former professional baseball player and is the current hitting coach for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Triple A affiliate of the New York Yankees...
was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 1974 Major League Baseball Draft1974 Major League Baseball draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1974 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :With the number one pick of the June regular phase, San Diego tabbed infielder Bill Almon from Brown University, one of six shortstops selected in round one...
. - August 19, 1974: Jim HoltJim Holt (baseball)James William Holt is a former professional baseball player. He was an outfielder and first baseman over parts of 9 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics. Holt was a member of the 1974 World Series champion Athletics...
was traded by the Twins to the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Pat BourquePat BourquePatrick Daniel Bourque was a first baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for several teams in a three year career....
.
Roster
| 1974 Minnesota Twins | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
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 | 128 | 345 | 87 | .252 | 3 | 45 | |
| 1B | 76 | 201 | 48 | .239 | 8 | 26 | |
| 2B | 153 | 599 | 218 | .364 | 3 | 55 | |
| SS | 97 | 264 | 66 | .250 | 4 | 25 | |
| LF | 129 | 453 | 127 | .280 | 8 | 40 | |
| RF | 152 | 575 | 152 | .264 | 25 | 94 | |
| DH | 127 | 459 | 131 | .285 | 13 | 57 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | 333 | 74 | .222 | 13 | 54 | |
| 79 | 197 | 50 | .254 | 0 | 16 | |
| 82 | 168 | 35 | .208 | 0 | 3 | |
| 44 | 97 | 19 | .196 | 2 | 13 | |
| 32 | 88 | 17 | .193 | 0 | 3 | |
| 23 | 64 | 14 | .219 | 1 | 8 | |
| 24 | 57 | 16 | .281 | 0 | 0 | |
| 24 | 41 | 8 | .195 | 0 | 3 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 281 | 17 | 17 | 2.66 | 249 | |
| 37 | 248.2 | 16 | 14 | 3.29 | 158 | |
| 28 | 174.1 | 10 | 10 | 3.25 | 89 | |
| 5 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 4.33 | 12 | |
| 2 | 10.1 | 0 | 2 | 5.23 | 8 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 164 | 8 | 9 | 4.12 | 85 | |
| 35 | 115.1 | 4 | 5 | 4.45 | 74 | |
| 29 | 112.1 | 7 | 6 | 5.29 | 50 | |
| 26 | 98.2 | 4 | 6 | 4.10 | 79 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 8 | 7 | 19 | 2.62 | 89 | |
| 50 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4.52 | 34 | |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 4 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17.36 | 3 |