(Looks around for Huey Lewis)
For most of the 1984 season, the Minnesota Twins looked like a team ready to compete for a division title. Alas, the malady which would come to be known as Ron Davis Syndrome ™ struck. As such, the subsequent year that brought us Back to the Future, Nintendo Entertainment System, Rocky IV, and yours truly was viewed with some optimism. Alas, it ended up more of a return to mediocrity.
Ultimately, the ’85 Twins finished 77-85—good for 4th in the AL West, 14 GB the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals. Midway through the campaign, skipper Billy Gardner was tossed asunder in favor of Ray Miller (pictured in header). Just over a million-and-a-half fans pushed turnstiles—6th-worst in the Junior Circuit.
Offensively, a clear core of Kent Hrbek (21 HR, 93 RBI, .278 BA, 112 OPS+), Gary Gaetti (20 HR, 89 OPS+), Tom Brunansky (27 HR, 90 RBI, 104 OPS+) & svelte-model Kirby Puckett (13 3B, 21 SB, .288 BA, 92 OPS+) continued to gel.
Set Number: X31439 TK1 R13 F12
The moundsmen were fronted by a solid trio of Frank Viola (18-14, 250.2 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 107 ERA+), Mike Smithson (15-14, 257 IP, 1.33 WHIP, 100 ERA+), & acquired-again-via-trade Bert Blyleven (8-5, 114 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 146 ERA+). Starters John Butcher (88 ERA+) & Ken Schrom (88 ERA+) fared somewhat less well.
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images
He Who Shall Not Be Named actually bounced back to save 25 contests and post a 126 ERA+. He was joined by pen pals Pete Filson & Frank Eufemia—both 100 ERA+ relievers.
Based on those bats and arms, one might expect better overall results. But events didn’t sequence well in ‘85. A 2-9 start was followed by a 10-game May losing streak—scuttling postseason hopes by Memorial Day. The team was a reasonable 25-24 in one-run affairs, but often blown out and rarely returning the favor (15-30 in games decided by 5+ runs).
A few notable events as I gestated…
- California Angel Rod Carew collected career hit #3,000 off Viola.
- Blyleven recorded franchise win #2,000—oddly the same pitcher to record #1,000 in 1972.
- The Metrodome hosted the MLB All-Star game, with Bruno repping MN.
All in all, a disappointing baseball summer in Minneapolis. A final interesting nugget: this team went 49-35 at home (28-50 elsewhere). Cultivating such Dome field advantage would prove vital in subsequent seasons.