In “Facing Nolan,” a relatively new documentary about the Hall of Fame pitcher, Ryan, wild but effective in the early days of his career with the New York Mets, eventually was traded to the California Angels. When Ryan first learned that he was going to California, he thought he was on his way to the... Continue Reading »

Mudcat Grant, who won 145 games over a 14-year major league pitching career, including 21 wins for the World Series-bound Twins in 1965, died Saturday, the Twins announced. He was 85. Grant spent the bulk of his career with the Cleveland Indians, but he had his best season in 1965, helping the Twins win 102... Continue Reading »

After Ted Williams retired, and before Carl Yastrzemski rose to prominence, the Boston Red Sox were not very good. They lost often during the early 1960s and finally hit bottom with 100 losses in 1965, including to the Twins, who pushed them around in 17 of 18 meetings that season. That’s right: the Twins were... Continue Reading »

Down the stretch the Twins came in 1965 as they closed in on 102 wins and the American League pennant. They would win the pennant by seven games when it was all over, yet late in the season they would, at times, struggle to fill Metropolitan Stadium with fans. Incredible shot of @Twins first home... Continue Reading »

The Boston Red Sox had no trouble with the New York Yankees and will now face the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series later today. But before the coronation continues (Boston wins, right?), let’s remember a time when Beantown was flat on its back and had no answer for those... Continue Reading »

Sam Mele, who won 524 games as manager of the Twins from 1961 to 1967, will celebrate his 94th birthday on Thursday. Mele’s tenure with the Twins wasn’t long, but after the Washington Senators relocated to Minnesota for the 1961 season, it also wasn’t long before the Twins showed improvement. Under Mele, the Twins won... Continue Reading »