Prior to

spring training Spring training is the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB), a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for Schedule (workplace), roster and position spo ...

, the 1996

Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is named after the Twin Cities area w ...

were projected to be a contending team. The team's chances significantly worsened on March 28, 1996.

Kirby Puckett Kirby Puckett (March 14, 1960 – March 6, 2006) was an American professional baseball player. He played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career as a center fielder for the Minnesota Twins (1984–1995). Puckett is the Twins' all- ...

, 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 Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve (or retina) and cause vision loss. The most common type is open-angle (wide angle, chronic simple) glaucoma, in which the drainage angle for fluid within the eye rem ...

. 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 Division The American League Central is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. This division was formed in the realignment of 1994 by moving three teams from the American League West and two teams from the American League East. Its teams are all loc ...

Offseason

* October 9:

Luis Rivas Luis Wilfredo Rivas (born August 30, 1979) is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He played for the Minnesota Twins from 2000 to 2005, Cleveland Indians in 2007, and Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008. He batted and throws right-handed. Rivas ...

was signed as an amateur free agent by the Twins. * December 5:

Paul Molitor Paul Leo Molitor (born August 22, 1956), nicknamed "Molly" and "the Ignitor", is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) player and former manager of the Minnesota Twins, who is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. During his 21-year baseball car ...

was signed as a free agent by the Twins. *January 29: Signed

Roberto Kelly Roberto Conrado "Gray" Kelly (born October 1, 1964) is a Panamanian baseball manager and former professional baseball outfielder in Major League Baseball. He was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1982 and went on to play ...

as a free agent.

Regular season

*On April 24, the Twins crushed the

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...

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. *Only second baseman

Chuck Knoblauch Edward Charles Knoblauch (; born July 7, 1968) is an American former professional baseball player. He played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1991 through 2002, for the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, and Kansas City Royals. He played ...

was selected from the Twins for the All-Star Game at

Veteran's Stadium Veterans Stadium (full name Veterans Memorial Stadium) is a multi-purpose stadium in New Britain, Connecticut. Opened in 1982, it is dedicated to the soldiers of the city who died in various U.S. wars, particularly Vietnam. The stadium now House ...

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

. Entering in the eighth inning as a reserve, he singled. His was just one of seven

American League The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league ...

hits in the

National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...

's 6-0 victory. *On July 25 at the

Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (commonly called the Metrodome) was a domed sports stadium located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It opened in 1982 as a replacement for Metropolitan Stadium, the former home of the National Football League' ...

, seven Twins hit eight doubles to set a new mark. The Twins drubbed the

Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...

16-6. *By season's end, several other offensive records had been set: Chuck Knoblauch scored 140 times, besting

Rod Carew Rodney Cline Carew (born October 1, 1945) is a Panamanian former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a first baseman, second baseman and designated hitter from 1967 to 1985 for the Minnesota Twins ...

's previous club high of 128.

Chip Hale Walter William "Chip" Hale (born December 2, 1964) is an American professional baseball infielder, coach, and manager. Hale played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1989 through 1997, and managed in MLB from 2015 through 2016. He was nam ...

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.

had a standout year in his first year with his hometown team, playing as the regular

designated hitter The designated hitter (DH) is a baseball player who bats in place of another position player, most commonly the pitcher. The position is authorized by Major League Baseball Rule 5.11. It was adopted by the American League in 1973 and later by th ...

and winning a

Silver Slugger Award The Silver Slugger Award has been awarded annually since 1980 to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball. These voters cons ...

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 Jose Antonio Rosado (born November 9, 1974) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals from 1996 to 2000. Playing career He was drafted by the Royals in the 12th round of the 1994 amateur draft. He made his ...

. He is the only player to obtain his 3,000th hit via a triple. Along with Molitor,

also hit .341. Among the hits were 35 doubles. He also stole 45 bases.

Marty Cordova Martin Kevin Cordova (born July 10, 1969) is an American former professional baseball left fielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians, and Baltimore Orioles. He was born in La ...

had a respectable year, driving in 111 runs.

Pitching

The pitching did not match the offense.

Brad Radke Brad William Radke (born October 27, 1972) is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played his entire 12 season career with the Minnesota Twins. Radke won 148 career games and was one of the most consistent pitchers in ...

Frank Rodriguez Francisco Rodriguez (born December 11, 1972) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball. Amateur career Rodriguez won the Dick Howser Trophy in 1991. At the time of the award, Rodriguez was playing f ...

, 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 Richard Warren Aguilera (born December 31, 1961) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from 1985 to 2000. Aguilera won a world championship as a member of the N ...

from the closer's role to the starting rotation was not a successful one, as he started only 19 games.

Scott Aldred Scott Phillip Aldred (born June 12, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and current minor league pitching coach. Early life Aldred was born in Flint, Michigan. He graduated in 1986 from Hill McCloy High School in Montrose, ...

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.

Defense

The only truly regular starters in the field were Knoblauch at second base,

Pat Meares Patrick James Meares (born September 6, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. Meares was the 12th round draft pick of the 1990 amateur draft by the Minnesota Twins, from Wichita State University. Meares made his major league debut ...

at shortstop, and Cordova in left field. In a less-than-encouraging sign for the team's postseason prospects,

Scott Stahoviak Scott Edmund Stahoviak (born March 6, 1970) is a former Minnesota Twins first baseman. He attended Creighton University Creighton University is a private Jesuit research university in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, ...

saw a majority of the time at first base.

Dave Hollins David Michael Hollins (born May 25, 1966) is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball. Early life Hollins played baseball at Orchard Park High School, where he graduated in 1984. He attended the University of South Carolina an ...

played 116 games at third, with Jeff Reboulet and

Todd Walker Todd Arthur Walker (born May 25, 1973) is a former professional baseball infielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1996 to 2007. Listed at and , he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Walker played college baseball at Louis ...

also seeing time. Greg Myers and

Matt Walbeck Matthew Lovick Walbeck (born October 2, 1969) is an American former professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for five different teams, primarily in the American League, from 1993 to 2003. He served as third base coac ...

platooned at catcher.

Rich Becker Richard Godhard "Rich" Becker (born February 1, 1972) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletic ...

had the unenviable task of replacing Puckett in center field and played 121 games there. Right field was a mish-mash, with

Matt Lawton Matthew Lawton, Jr. (born November 30, 1971) is an American former professional baseball player whose career spanned 15 seasons, including 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Lawton, an outfielder, made his major league debut September 5, ...

playing 60 games at the position,

54,

Denny Hocking Dennis Lee "Denny" Hocking (born April 2, 1970) is an American professional baseball manager and former utility player. Hocking played for the Minnesota Twins (1993–2003), Colorado Rockies (2004), and Kansas City Royals (2005). He was a uti ...

33, and

Ron Coomer Ronald Bryan Coomer (born November 18, 1966), nicknamed "Coom Dawg", is a former first baseman and third baseman in Major League Baseball and the current color analyst and play-by-play broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs radio on WSCR 670 AM. Coomer ...

23.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

, - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 1 , , April 1 , ,

Tigers The tiger (''Panthera tigris'') is the largest living cat species and a member of the genus ''Panthera''. It is most recognisable for its dark vertical stripes on orange fur with a white underside. An apex predator, it primarily preys on un ...

, , 8–6 , , Radke (1–0) , , Lira , , Stevens (1) , , 30,185 , , 1–0 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 2 , , April 2 , ,

, , 6–10 , , Sodowsky , , Robertson (0–1) , , — , , 20,164 , , 1–1 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 3 , , April 3 , ,

, , 16–7 , , Mahomes (1–0) , , Aldred , , — , , 12,256 , , 2–1 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 4 , , April 5 , ,

Orioles Oriole or Orioles may refer to: Animals * Old World oriole, colorful passerine birds in the family Oriolidae * New World oriole, a group of birds in the family Icteridae Music * The Orioles, an R&B and doo-wop group of the late 1940s and earl ...

, , 1–2 , , Mercker , , Guardado (0–1) , , Myers , , 22,744 , , 2–2 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 5 , , April 6 , ,

, , 8–3 , , Radke (2–0) , , Haynes , , — , , 22,334 , , 3–2 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 6 , , April 7 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Mussina , , Robertson (0–2) , , Myers , , 14,580 , , 3–3 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 7 , , April 9 , , @

Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...

, , 1–9 , , Gordon , , Rodriguez (0–1) , , — , , 30,843 , , 3–4 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 8 , , April 11 , , @

, , 6–5 , , Radke (3–0) , , Clemens , , Stevens (2) , , 15,594 , , 4–4 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 9 , , April 12 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Mussina , , Robertson (0–3) , , — , , 42,602 , , 4–5 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 10 , , April 13 , , @

, , 6–7 , , Benitez , , Mahomes (1–1) , , — , , 42,644 , , 4–6 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 11 , , April 14 , , @

, , 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 The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one of ...

, , 7–1 , , Rodriguez (2–1) , , Gooden , , — , , 20,279 , , 7–7 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 15 , , April 20 , ,

, , 6–7 , , Wickman , , Guardado (0–2) , , Wetteland , , 24,586 , , 7–8 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 16 , , April 21 , ,

, , 5–9 , , Rogers , , Radke (3–2) , , — , , 20,115 , , 7–9 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 17 , , April 22 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Sele , , Robertson (0–4) , , Slocumb , , 11,340 , , 7–10 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 18 , , April 23 , ,

, , 8–6 , , Naulty (1–0) , , Hudson , , Stevens (5) , , 11,533 , , 8–10 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 19 , , April 24 , , @

, , 24–11 , , Bennett (1–0) , , Veres , , — , , 12,189 , , 9–10 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 20 , , April 25 , , @

, , 11–1 , , Hawkins (1–0) , , Aldred , , Hansell (1) , , 11,804 , , 10–10 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 21 , , April 26 , , @

, , 4–5 , , Rivera , , Radke (3–3) , , Wetteland , , 14,450 , , 10–11 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 22 , , April 27 , , @

, , 8–6 (10) , , Bennett (2–0) , , Wickman , , — , , 20,025 , , 11–11 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 23 , , April 28 , , @

, , 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 , - , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 26 , , May 1 , , Royals , , 6–5 (10) , , Stevens (1–0) , , Montgomery , , — , , 11,975 , , 14–12 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 27 , , May 3 , , @

Angels In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God. Abrahamic religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Other roles include ...

, , 1–4 , , Finley , , Robertson (0–5) , , Percival , , 24,505 , , 14–13 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 28 , , May 4 , , @

, , 2–5 , , Grimsley , , Rodriguez (2–3) , , — , , 29,264 , , 14–14 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 29 , , May 5 , , @

, , 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 Athletics may refer to: Sports * Sport of athletics, a collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking ** Track and field, a sub-category of the above sport * Athletics (physical culture), competiti ...

, , 5–15 , , Wojciechowski , , Rodriguez (2–4) , , — , , 8,278 , , 16–17 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 34 , , May 11 , , @

, , 5–12 , , Prieto , , Radke (3–5) , , — , , 15,791 , , 16–18 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 35 , , May 12 , , @

, , 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 , - , - 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 , ,

, , 9–3 , , Trombley (1–0) , , Finley , , — , , 10,589 , , 26–28 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 55 , , June 4 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Rodriguez (4–6) , , Grimsley , , Guardado (1) , , 10,899 , , 27–28 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 56 , , June 5 , ,

, , 14–3 , , Aldred (1–0) , , Langston , , Hansell (2) , , 10,639 , , 28–28 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 57 , , June 7 , ,

, , 4–6 , , Reyes , , Radke (4–6) , , Corsi , , 14,999 , , 28–29 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 58 , , June 8 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Robertson (2–7) , , Wojciechowski , , Guardado (2) , , — , , 29–29 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 59 , , June 8 , ,

, , 7–13 , , Wasdin , , Mahomes (1–4) , , — , , 22,164 , , 29–30 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 60 , , June 9 , ,

, , 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 , ,

, , 4–5 , , Gohr , , Robertson (2–8) , , Olson , , 22,831 , , 31–33 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 65 , , June 15 , ,

, , 4–6 , , Olivares , , Rodriguez (5–7) , , Olson , , 17,099 , , 31–34 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 66 , , June 16 , ,

, , 4–1 , , Aguilera (1–1) , , Lira , , Hansell (3) , , 20,641 , , 32–34 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 67 , , June 17 , , @

, , 6–3 , , Aldred (3–0) , , Mendoza , , Naulty (1) , , 16,189 , , 33–34 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 68 , , June 18 , , @

, , 0–2 , , Rogers , , Radke (4–8) , , Wetteland , , 17,593 , , 33–35 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 69 , , June 20 , , @

, , 7–3 , , Rodriguez (6–7) , , Olivares , , — , , 8,310 , , 34–35 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 70 , , June 21 , , @

, , 0–2 , , Lira , , Aguilera (1–2) , , — , , 13,127 , , 34–36 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 71 , , June 22 , , @

, , 0–6 , , Williams , , Aldred (3–1) , , — , , 14,506 , , 34–37 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 72 , , June 23 , , @

, , 8–10 , , Urbani , , Radke (4–9) , , — , , 13,994 , , 34–38 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 73 , , June 24 , ,

, , 3–0 , , Robertson (3–8) , , Pettitte , , — , , 20,488 , , 35–38 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 74 , , June 25 , ,

, , 6–1 , , Rodriguez (7–7) , , Boehringer , , — , , — , , 36–38 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 75 , , June 25 , ,

, , 2–6 , , Mendoza , , Serafini (0–1) , , — , , 16,641 , , 36–39 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 76 , , June 26 , ,

, , 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 , - , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 80 , , July 1 , , @

White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...

, , 10–7 , , Aguilera (2–2) , , Sirotka , , — , , 19,211 , , 39–41 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 81 , , July 2 , , @

, , 4–7 , , Fernandez , , Aldred (3–2) , , Hernandez , , 18,357 , , 39–42 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 82 , , July 3 , , @

, , 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 , ,

, , 16–5 , , Aldred (4–3) , , McCaskill , , — , , 13,636 , , 43–48 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 92 , , July 16 , ,

, , 2–11 , , Alvarez , , Radke (5–12) , , — , , 18,502 , , 43–49 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 93 , , July 17 , ,

, , 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 , , @

, , 9–5 , , Robertson (4–9) , , Haynes , , Trombley (2) , , 42,129 , , 46–52 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 99 , , July 23 , , @

, , 3–2 , , Aguilera (3–4) , , Wells , , Naulty (3) , , 42,006 , , 47–52 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 100 , , July 24 , , @

, , 11–4 , , Rodriguez (10–7) , , Erickson , , — , , 46,181 , , 48–52 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 101 , , July 25 , ,

, , 16–6 , , Parra (2–3) , , Wakefield , , — , , 13,924 , , 49–52 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 102 , , July 26 , ,

, , 5–1 , , Radke (6–13) , , Clemens , , — , , 17,768 , , 50–52 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 103 , , July 27 , ,

, , 5–9 , , Gordon , , Naulty (3–1) , , — , , 22,128 , , 50–53 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 104 , , July 28 , ,

, , 9–8 , , Aguilera (4–4) , , Sele , , Naulty (4) , , 17,448 , , 51–53 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 105 , , July 30 , ,

, , 4–16 , , Coppinger , , Rodriguez (10–8) , , — , , 16,708 , , 51–54 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 106 , , July 31 , ,

, , 3–9 , , Mussina , , Trombley (3–1) , , — , , 15,897 , , 51–55 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 107 , , August 1 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Wells , , Robertson (4–10) , , Myers , , 20,379 , , 51–56 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 108 , , August 2 , , @

, , 10–11 , , Brandenburg , , Naulty (3–2) , , — , , 28,041 , , 51–57 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 109 , , August 3 , , @

, , 3–6 , , Sele , , Rodriguez (10–9) , , Hudson , , 19,860 , , 51–58 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 110 , , August 3 , , @

, , 6–0 , , Aldred (5–3) , , Suppan , , — , , 29,135 , , 52–58 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 111 , , August 4 , , @

, , 6–13 , , Eshelman , , Klingenbeck (0–1) , , — , , 29,939 , , 52–59 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 112 , , August 6 , , @

, , 4–1 , , Radke (7–13) , , Springer , , Guardado (3) , , 20,058 , , 53–59 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 113 , , August 7 , , @

, , 4–0 , , Robertson (5–10) , , Finley , , — , , 18,611 , , 54–59 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 114 , , August 8 , , @

, , 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 , , @

, , 1–11 , , Prieto , , Robertson (5–11) , , — , , 10,071 , , 58–60 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 119 , , August 13 , , @

, , 6–2 , , Aguilera (6–4) , , Wengert , , — , , 11,156 , , 59–60 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 120 , , August 14 , , @

, , 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 , - , - 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 , ,

, , 6–2 , , Radke (9–14) , , Finley , , — , , 13,006 , , 71–70 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 142 , , September 7 , ,

, , 6–3 , , Stevens (2–3) , , Boskie , , Trombley (5) , , 51,011 , , 72–70 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 143 , , September 8 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Abbott , , Rodriguez (13–12) , , Percival , , 14,378 , , 72–71 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 144 , , September 10 , ,

, , 0–7 , , Telgheder , , Robertson (7–14) , , — , , 9,676 , , 72–72 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 145 , , September 11 , ,

, , 7–2 , , Radke (10–14) , , Adams , , — , , 9,493 , , 73–72 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 146 , , September 12 , ,

, , 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 , , @

, , 3–8 , , Sirotka , , Rodriguez (13–13) , , Castillo , , 14,253 , , 75–78 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 154 , , September 20 , , @

, , 3–7 , , Tapani , , Robertson (7–16) , , — , , 15,673 , , 75–79 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 155 , , September 21 , , @

, , 4–3 , , Radke (11–15) , , Alvarez , , Trombley (6) , , 18,866 , , 76–79 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 156 , , September 22 , , @

, , 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 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Fernandez , , Radke (11–16) , , Hernandez , , 13,058 , , 76–84 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 161 , , September 28 , ,

, , 7–6 , , Trombley (5–1) , , Castillo , , — , , 34,008 , , 77–84 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 162 , , September 29 , ,

, , 5–4 (10) , , Guardado (6–5) , , Hernandez , , — , , 13,306 , , 78–84 , - , - , ''Legend: = Win = Loss
Bold = Twins team member''

Detailed records

Roster

Notable Transactions

*May 28: Selected

off waivers from the

. *June 4: In the 1996 amateur draft, the Twins drafted future major leaguers such as Jacque Jones (2nd round), Chad Allen (4th round), and

Chad Moeller Chad Edward Moeller OE-ler(born February 18, 1975) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2000 through 2010 for the Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinna ...

(7th round). The Twins botched the signing of first baseman

Travis Lee Travis Reynolds Lee (born May 26, 1975) is an American former professional first baseman and outfielder who played in Major League Baseball. Amateur career Lee graduated from Capital High School in Olympia, Washington in 1993, where he also p ...

, 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 The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The f ...

, 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

to the

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West division. The team joined the American League ...

for a player to be named later. On September 30, the Mariners sent

David Ortiz David Américo Ortiz Arias (born November 18, 1975), nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican-American former designated hitter (DH) and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played in the American League (AL) from 1997 to 2016, primarily wit ...

to the Twins to complete the trade. * September 13, 1996:

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.

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''

Other batters

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

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

Other pitchers

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

Relief pitchers

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

Miscellaneous

*The lone representative of the Twins in the All-Star Game was second baseman

. *The highest paid Twin in 1996 was

at $4,670,000; followed by

at $3,500,000.

Farm system

Johnson, 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
{{Minnesota Twins, width=53em Minnesota Twins seasons

Twins Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of TwinLast Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two em ...

Offseason

Regular season

Offense

Pitching

Defense

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Detailed records

Roster

Notable Transactions

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Other batters

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Other pitchers

Relief pitchers

Miscellaneous

Other post-season awards

Farm system

References

External links