Highlighted Year: Vic Power, 1962

First Baseman, Minnesota Twins

Age:  34

1^st season with Twins

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’0”    Weight: 186 

Prior to 1962:

A native of Arecibo in Puerto Rico, Power was born Victor Felipe Pellot and had his surname accidentally changed to Power by his first grade teacher. He played sandlot baseball and was signed to play for Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League at age 15 for $100 per week. Mentored by former Negro League player Quincy Trouppe he went to Quebec, Canada in 1949 to play for the Drummondville Cubs of the independent Provincial League where he drew the interest of a scout for the New York Yankees and signed a contract. Assigned to the Syracuse Chiefs of the Class AAA International League in 1951, Power batted .294 with 22 doubles, 5 triples, 6 home runs, 56 RBIs, and a .350 on-base percentage. Moving on to Kansas City of the Class AAA American Association in 1952, he played out of position in the outfield and at third base due to the presence of first baseman Bill Skowron. A line-drive hitter to all fields out of his low crouching stance, he batted .331 with 40 doubles, 17 triples, 16 home runs, 109 RBIs, a .370 OBP, and a .553 slugging percentage. Agile, with excellent reflexes, and flashy in the field, he would make one-handed catches with a sweeping motion and was labeled a “showboat” or “hot dog” for his style. Power had another strong season with Kansas City in 1953, leading the league in batting (.349) and hits (217) while also producing 39 doubles, 10 triples, 16 home runs, 93 RBIs, a .380 OBP, and a .521 slugging percentage. His flashy style of play continued to draw criticism and Yankee GM George Weiss referred to him as “impudent” (he responded to rude criticism with sarcasm) and inappropriate in his conduct for dating white women. In the offseason he was traded to the Philadelphia Athletics as part of a multi-player swap. Utilized in the outfield as a rookie in 1954 Power batted a disappointing .255 with 17 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, 38 RBIs, and a .287 OBP. With the move of the franchise to Kansas City in 1955, Power returned to the city where he had his most impressive minor league seasons and was now stationed full-time at first base. He was an All-Star for the first time as he hit .319 with 190 hits, 34 doubles,10 triples, 19 home runs, 76 RBIs, a .354 OBP, a .505 slugging percentage and defensively he led AL first basemen with 130 assists. He placed ninth in league MVP voting. The arrival of veteran first baseman Eddie Robinson in 1956 had Power appearing in 47 games at second base and still receiving an All-Star nod as he batted .309 with 21 doubles, 5 triples, 14 home runs, 63 RBIs, a .340 OBP, and a .447 slugging percentage. Primarily playing at first base in 1957, Power continued to excel defensively as he put together a 69-game errorless streak and committed only two miscues all year for a .998 fielding percentage while also leading the league’s first sackers with 99 assists. Nevertheless, his batting production dipped to .259 with 15 doubles, 14 home runs, 42 RBIs, and a .291 OBP. Still maligned for being temperamental and a malcontent (although not by teammates), he was traded to the Cleveland Indians during the 1958 season along with outfielder Woody Held for three players that included up-and-coming outfielder Roger Maris. Hitting .302 and In the midst of a 22-game hitting streak at the time of the deal, he ended up batting .312 with 37 doubles, a league-leading 10 triples, 16 home runs, 80 RBIs, a .332 OBP, and .490 slugging percentage. Two of his three steals were of home in the same game against Detroit, a rare feat and highlighted that he was a smart baserunner if not an especially fast one. He received a Gold Glove for his play at first base although he also saw significant time at second base with Cleveland. With the Indians contending in 1959, Power went on to another Gold Glove performance at first base but, following a fast start offensively, he finished at .289 with 31 doubles, 6 triples, 10 home runs, 60 RBIs, a .334 OBP, and a .412 slugging percentage. He performed well again in 1960, hitting .288 with 26 doubles, 10 home runs, 84 RBIs, a .313 OBP, and a .395 slugging percentage. He was an All-Star and Gold Glove recipient once again. In 1961 Power’s average dropped to .268 with 34 doubles, 5 home runs, 63 RBIs, and a .309 OBP, although he remained a Gold Glove performer at first base. Just prior to the 1962 season Power was dealt to the Twins along with LHP Dick Stigman for RHP Pedro Ramos. He proved to be a stabilizing influence with his outstanding defense that saved many errant throws from the club’s young infielders from becoming errors.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 144 games

1B – 142, PH – 3, 2B – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 650

At Bats – 611 [14]

Runs – 80

Hits – 177 [11]

Doubles – 28 [16, tied with Tito Francona]

Triples – 2

Home Runs – 16

RBI – 63

Bases on Balls – 22

Int. BB – 0

Strikeouts – 35

Stolen Bases – 7

Caught Stealing – 1

Average - .290 [14, tied with Lee Thomas]

OBP - .316

Slugging Pct. - .421

Total Bases – 257 [20]

GDP – 14 [18, tied with six others]

Hit by Pitches – 3

Sac Hits – 11 [5, tied with Ralph Terry]

Sac Flies – 3 

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 13, HR - 9, RBI - 33, AVG - .296, OBP - .321

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) vs. Cleveland 9/14

Longest hitting streak – 12 games

HR at home – 9

HR on road – 7

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 3 AB) vs. LA Angels 6/23

Multi-HR games – 1

Most RBIs, game – 5 vs. KC A’s 5/13

Pinch-hitting – 2 for 3 (.667) with 1 R & 1 RBI

Fielding

Chances – 1337

Put Outs – 1193

Assists – 134

Errors – 10

DP – 133

Pct. – .993

Awards & Honors:

Gold Glove

21^st in AL MVP voting, tied with Jim Bunning, Det., Dick Radatz, Bos. & Zoilo Versalles, Min. (8 points – 3% share)

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The Twins went 91-71 to finish second in the AL, 5 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees, while leading the league in OBP (,338) and fewest stolen bases (33). The Twins were surprise contenders from the start and stuck close behind the Yankees through April, May, and June. 7 games back on August 1, they whittled their way closer until time ran out in September.

Aftermath of 1962:

Power played very deep at first base and encouraged the infielders to throw to the base rather than to him directly. While his fielding remained solid in 1963 his batting production dropped to .270 with 28 doubles, 10 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .297 OBP. He started the 1964 season with the Twins but was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in June. Hitting .244 in September he was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies who had a pressing need for a veteran first baseman down the stretch as they attempted to nail down the NL pennant. For the year Power batted .239 with 17 RBIs and a .269 OBP. Reacquired by the Angels in the offseason, he was strictly a part-time player in his final major league season in 1965, hitting .259 with a .281 OBP while appearing in 124 games. For his major league career, Power batted .284 with 1716 hits that included 290 doubles, 49 triples, and 126 home runs. He scored 765 runs and compiled 658 RBIs, a .315 OBP, and a .411 slugging percentage. With the Twins he batted .278 with 333 hits, 151 runs scored, 58 doubles, 4 triples, 26 home runs, 116 RBIs, a .305 OBP, and a .398 slugging percentage. Power never appeared in the postseason. A six-time All-Star, he was awarded seven consecutive Gold Gloves. Following his playing career he returned to Puerto Rico where he conducted youth baseball clinics, managed a team, and scouted for the Angels. He died in 2005 at the age of 78. Baseball historians continue to recognize Power for his defensive excellence at first base.  

 

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Camilo Pascual, 1962

Pitcher, Minnesota Twins

Age: 28

9^th season with Senators/Twins

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 5’11” Weight: 170 

Prior to 1962:

A native of Havana, Cuba, Pascual and his brother played sandlot baseball in his youth until joining the amateur Club Ferroviario as a teenager. At 18 he went professional in the Cuban winter league with Mariano for the 1952-53 season until traded to the Cienfuegos Elephants in a much-maligned deal because Pascual proved to be an outstanding pitching talent with his excellent curve. He became the ace of the Cienfuegos staff and would continue to pitch there over the coming winters with outstanding results, especially in combination with RHP Pedro Ramos, who also was a teammate in America. Having already seen action in the Border and Sooner State Leagues in 1951 due to having signed with the Washington Senators, he also pitched with Tampa and Havana in the Class B Florida International League in 1952 and ’53. Moving up to the Senators in 1954, the 20-year-old was primarily utilized out of the bullpen and posted a 4-7 record with a 4.22 ERA, 3 saves, and 60 strikeouts over 119.1 innings pitched for the sixth-place club. Used more as a starter in 1955 (16 starts in 43 appearances), his tally slipped to 2-12 with a miserable 6.14 ERA and 82 strikeouts over 129 innings. With his command of his fastball and formidable curve improving in 1956 Pascual started in 27 of his 39 appearances and went 6-18 for the lowly Senators with a 5.87 ERA, 6 complete games, and 162 strikeouts over 188.2 innings. He also surrendered a league-leading 33 home runs. Suffering from lack of run support in 1957, Pascual finished at 8-17 with a 4.10 ERA, 8 complete games, and 113 strikeouts over 175.2 innings. He also wore down during the season’s second half, causing him to forego winter league pitching in the offseason. Pascual continued his development in 1958 with an 8-12 tally, 3.15 ERA, and 146 strikeouts over 177.1 innings. Pascual enjoyed a breakout season in 1959, posting a 17-10 record while leading the AL in complete games (17) and shutouts (6). His ERA was 2.64 and he recorded 185 strikeouts while accumulating 238.2 innings. In addition to being an All-Star for the first time, he placed nineteenth in league MVP voting and was also the circuit’s best hitting pitcher as he batted .302. In 1960, a midseason shoulder injury cost him about a month of action, but he still was an All-Star who managed a 12-8 tally and 3.03 ERA with 143 strikeouts over 151.2 innings. The franchise moved and became the Minnesota Twins in 1961. Dealing with a sore shoulder during the first half of the season, Pascual was 8-12 in August before going 7-4 the rest of the way to finish at 15-16 with a 3.46 ERA. He led the league with 221 strikeouts and his 8 shutouts made him co-leader with Baltimore’s Steve Barber. He was an All-Star for the seventh-place Twins. 1962 would prove to be a better season for Pascual and the Twins.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 34 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 34

Games Started – 33 [10, tied with Bill Stafford, Gene Conley & Chuck Estrada]

Complete Games – 18 [1]

Wins – 20 [2, tied with Dick Donovan & Ray Herbert]

Losses – 11 [20, tied with four others]

PCT - .645 [10]

Saves – 0

Shutouts – 5 [1, tied with Dick Donovan & Jim Kaat]

Innings Pitched – 257.2 [4, tied with Whitey Ford]

Hits – 236 [8]

Runs – 100 [16, tied with Bill Monbouquette]

Earned Runs – 95 [9, tied with Chuck Estrada]

Home Runs – 25 [10]

Bases on Balls – 59

Strikeouts – 206 [1]

ERA – 3.32 [10]

Hit Batters – 2

Balks – 1 [6, tied with thirty-three others]

Wild Pitches – 6 [15, tied with Bennie Daniels, Mike Fornieles & Tom Cheney]

League-leading complete games were +2 ahead of runners-up Jim Kaat & Dick Donovan

League-leading strikeouts were +22 ahead of runner-up Jim Bunning

Midseason Snapshot: 12-5, ERA – 3.73, SO - 110 in 147.1 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 12 (in 9 IP) at NY Yankees 6/26, (in 9 IP) vs. Cleveland 9/16

10+ strikeout games – 5

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 3 (in 9 IP) vs. Baltimore 9/30

Batting

PA – 103, AB – 97, R – 9, H – 26, 2B – 4, 3B – 0, HR – 2, RBI – 19, BB – 6, SO – 8, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .268, GDP – 3, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – 0

Fielding

Chances - 61

Put Outs – 28

Assists – 32

Errors – 1

DP – 4

Pct. - .984

Awards & Honors:

All-Star

15^th in AL MVP voting (14 points – 5% share)

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The Twins went 91-71 to finish second in the AL, 5 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees. The pitching staff led the league in complete games (53), strikeouts (948), and fewest walks allowed (493). The Twins were surprise contenders from the start and stuck close behind the Yankees through April, May, and June. 7 games back on August 1, they whittled their way closer until time ran out in September.

Aftermath of 1962:

In 1963 Pascual led the AL in strikeouts for the third straight season with 202 while again topping the circuit in complete games (18) as he compiled a 21-9 record and 2.46 ERA despite missing 35 days due to a shoulder ailment. He placed twelfth in league MVP voting. In 1964, Pascual’s record slipped to 15-12 but with a still-respectable 3.30 ERA,14 complete games, and 213 strikeouts over 267.1 innings. The Twins won the AL pennant in 1965 but, after winning his first eight decisions, Pascual’s performance began to drop off due to shoulder soreness that resulted in minor surgery in August. He returned to finish with a 9-3 tally and 3.35 ERA over 27 starts and 156 innings. His strikeout total was 96. He lost his only start in the World Series against the Dodgers. Pascual’s performance in 1966 dropped to 8-6 and a 4.89 ERA with only two complete games and 56 strikeouts over 103 innings pitched. In the offseason he was traded to the expansion Washington Senators. Back in the city where his major league career began, he topped the mediocre club in wins with his 12-10 record while posting a 3.28 ERA and 106 strikeouts over 164.2 innings until he suffered a broken leg while baserunning in a September game, thus ending his season. Pascual again topped the lowly Senators in wins in 1968 with his 13-12 tally to go with a 2.69 ERA, 8 complete games, and 111 strikeouts over 201 innings. A poor start in 1969 led to his being dealt to the Cincinnati Reds in July, where he did nothing to help that club’s pitching issues, and he ended up with a combined record of 2-5 with a 7.04 ERA. Released by the Reds in 1970, he caught on with the Dodgers for ten relief outings with no decisions and was let go in August. His career finally came to an end in 1971 when he was released by the Cleveland Indians after nine appearances that included one start. For his major league career, Pascual posted a 174-170 record with a 3.63 ERA, 132 complete games, 36 shutouts, 10 saves, and 2167 strikeouts over 2930.2 innings pitched. With the Senators/Twins his record was 145-141 with a 3.66 ERA, 119 complete games, 31 shutouts, and 1885 strikeouts over 2465 innings. In his lone World Series appearance, he was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA and no strikeouts in 5 innings of work. A seven-time All-Star, he was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. Following his playing career he acted as a pitching coach and scout. His brother Carlos briefly pitched for the Senators in 1950. The two are often incorrectly referenced with the nicknames “Potato” for Carlos and “Little Potato” for Camilo which was the result of a poor translation of colloquial Spanish. 

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Harmon Killebrew, 1962

Outfielder, Minnesota Twins

Age:  26 (June 29)

8^th season with Senators/Twins

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’0”    Weight: 195 

Prior to 1962:

The son of a former college football fullback, Killebrew was a native of Payette, Idaho. A burly and muscular youth who played football and basketball, as well as baseball, in high school, he was playing in a semipro baseball league at age 17 when he came to the attention of Idaho US Senator Herman Welker, who brought him to the attention of the Senators. Scouted by Washington, as well as the Boston Red Sox, Killebrew signed a $6000 contract and $4000 bonus with the Senators. As a bonus signee at the time, he had to be on the major league roster for two years before he could be sent down to the minors and spent 1954 and ’55 as a sparsely utilized reserve third baseman for the Senators. He split the 1956 season between Charlotte of the Class A South Atlantic League, where he batted .325 with 15 home runs, and the Senators, where he hit .222 in 44 games with 5 home runs and 13 RBIs. Killebrew showed off his power in 1957 with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Class AA Southern Association as he slugged 29 home runs. He split 1958 between Chattanooga and Indianapolis of the Class AAA American Association, batting a combined .281 with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs. He finally got a chance as the starting third baseman for the Senators in 1959 and made the most of it, leading the AL with 42 home runs (tied with Cleveland’s Rocky Colavito) in addition to driving in 105 RBIs and hitting .242. Killebrew was named as an All-Star for the first time and finished fifteenth in league MVP balloting. An unimpressive fielder and hindered by a leg injury, he split 1960 between third and first base and batted .276 with 31 home runs and 80 RBIs. The Senators moved to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and were rechristened the Minnesota Twins in 1961 and, while primarily playing at first base (and still shifting between the two corner infield positions), “Killer” (a monicker which belied his pleasant nature) belted 46 home runs while hitting .288 with 122 RBIs. Killebrew was moved to left field in 1962.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 155 games

LF – 151, 1B – 4, PH – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 666 [17]

At Bats – 552

Runs – 85 [20, tied with Clete Boyer]

Hits – 134

Doubles – 21

Triples – 1

Home Runs – 48 [1]

RBI – 126 [1]

Bases on Balls – 106 [3]

Int. BB – 6 [20, tied with Bob Rodgers]

Strikeouts – 142 [1]

Stolen Bases – 1

Caught Stealing – 2

Average - .243

OBP - .366 [11]

Slugging Pct. - .545 [2]

Total Bases – 301 [5]

GDP – 14 [18, tied with six others]

Hit by Pitches – 4

Sac Hits – 0

Sac Flies – 4

League-leading home runs were +9 ahead of runner-up Norm Cash

League-leading RBIs were +9 ahead of runner-up Norm Siebern

League-leading batting strikeouts were +24 ahead of runner-up Ed Bressoud

Midseason snapshot: HR – 18, RBI – 48, AVG - .231, SLG - .484, OBP – .373

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Most hits, game – 4 (in 5 AB) vs. NY Yankees 8/13

Longest hitting streak – 11 games

HR at home – 20

HR on road – 28

Most home runs, game – 2 (in 4 AB) vs. Cleveland 7/18, (in 4 AB) vs. Cleveland 9/15, (in 5 AB) vs. Detroit 9/19, (in 5 AB) vs. Baltimore 9/29

Multi-HR games – 4

Most RBIs, game – 5 vs. Cleveland 7/18, vs. NY Yankees 8/13, vs. Cleveland 9/15

Pinch-hitting – 1 for 1 (1.000) with 1 RBI & 1 BB

Fielding (OF)

Chances - 240

Put Outs – 227

Assists – 5

Errors – 8

DP – 0

Pct. - .967

Awards & Honors:

3^rd in AL MVP voting (99 points – 1 first place vote, 35% share)

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The Twins went 91-71 to finish second in the AL, 5 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees, while leading the league in OBP (,338) and fewest stolen bases (33). The Twins were surprise contenders from the start and stuck close behind the Yankees through April, May, and June. 7 games back on August 1, they whittled their way closer until time ran out in September.

Aftermath of 1962:

Killebrew topped the AL in home runs again in 1963 (45) and 1964 (49), further establishing himself as a premier power hitter. Minnesota won the AL pennant in 1965, but Killebrew, who went back to splitting his time between first and third base, was sidelined by a dislocated elbow in August that cost him seven weeks. He ended up with 25 home runs and 75 RBIs in 113 games while hitting .269. He batted .286 with a home run and two RBIs in the seven-game World Series loss to the Dodgers. In 1966 he drew 103 walks on his way to leading the AL in that category for the first of four occasions in a six-year span. Killebrew also hit .281 with 39 home runs and 110 RBIs. He tied for the league lead in home runs in 1967 with 44. A severe hamstring injury suffered during the 1968 All-Star Game limited Killebrew to 100 games with 17 home runs and 40 RBIs. In 1966 he drew 103 walks on his way to leading the AL in that category for the first of four occasions in a six-year span. Killebrew also hit .281 with 39 home runs and 110 RBIs. He tied for the league lead in home runs in 1967 with 44. In 1968 a severe hamstring injury suffered during the All-Star Game limited Killebrew to 100 games with 17 home runs and 40 RBIs. He came back with a 1969 season in which he was named league MVP, batting .276 while leading the AL in home runs (49), RBIs (140), walks drawn (145), and OBP (.427). In the first season of divisional play, the Twins topped the new AL West, losing the ALCS to the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game sweep. Killebrew followed up in 1970 with his eighth and last 40-home run season, totaling 41 to go along with 113 RBIs and a .271 average. He placed third in AL MVP voting. While his home run total dropped to 28 in 1971, he still topped the circuit with 119 RBIs. He stayed with the Twins through 1974 with steadily declining production. Offered the chance to be a player/coach or manager with Minnesota’s Class AAA Tacoma franchise for 1975, Killebrew chose to sign with the Kansas City Royals instead. As a Designated Hitter and pinch hitter in his final major league season, he batted just .199 with 14 home runs and 44 RBIs. In his career with the Senators/Twins he batted .258 with 2024 hits that included 277 doubles, 24 triples, and 559 home runs. He also scored 1258 runs and compiled 1540 RBIs. Including his season with the Royals, he ended up hitting 573 home runs with 1584 RBIs and a .256 batting average along with an on-base percentage of .376 (a testament to his 1559 walks drawn). An eleven-time All-Star (at three positions), he finished in the Top 10 in AL MVP voting on seven occasions. In 13 postseason games he hit .250 with 3 home runs and 6 RBIs. The Twins retired his # 3 and he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. Killebrew went into broadcasting for a time following his playing career and suffered major financial losses in retirement. He died of cancer in 2011 at the age of 74.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Jim Kaat, 1962

Pitcher, Minnesota Twins

Age:  23

3^rd season with Senators/Twins

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 6’4”    Weight: 205 

Prior to 1962:

A native of Zeeland, Michigan, where he was part of the Dutch immigrant community, Kaat (pronounced cot) played basketball, as well as baseball, in high school. Adept at getting batters out while not throwing hard, he began to fill out physically while attending Hope College. Following a workout with the Washington Senators, Kaat was signed for a $4000 bonus in 1957 and was assigned to Superior of the Class D Nebraska State League where he produced a 5-6 record and a 3.70 ERA with 4 complete games and 95 strikeouts over 73 innings pitched. In 1958 he pitched for the Missoula Timberjacks of the Class C Pioneer League where he compiled a 16-9 tally and 2.99 ERA with 15 complete games, 5 shutouts, and 245 strikeouts over 223 innings. Kaat advanced to the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Class AA Southern Association in 1959 where he went 8-8 with a 4.10 ERA, 7 complete games, and 132 strikeouts over 134 innings. Making three appearances with the Senators, two of them starts, he had a 0-2 record and unimpressive 12.60 ERA. Following an offseason back operation, in 1960 he moved on to Charleston of the Class AAA American Association where his tally was 7-10 with a 3.82 ERA, 10 complete games, and 106 strikeouts over 146 innings. Again called up by the Senators, he pitched in 13 games (9 of them starts) and had a 1-5 record and 5.58 ERA with 25 strikeouts over 50 innings. With the relocation of the franchise, now named the Minnesota Twins in 1961, Kaat’s tally was 9-17 with a 3.90 ERA, 8 complete games, and 122 strikeouts over 200.2 innings. A fast-working pitcher, he threw a fastball and curve. He was also an excellent fielder.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 48 games

P – 39, PR – 9, PH – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 39

Games Started – 35 [4, tied with four others]

Complete Games – 16 [2, tied with Dick Donovan]

Wins – 18 [6]

Losses – 14 [6, tied with Gene Conley, Juan Pizarro & Dan Pfister]

PCT - .563 [19]

Saves – 1

Shutouts – 5 [1, tied with Dick Donovan & Camilo Pascual]

Innings Pitched – 269 [2]

Hits – 243 [4, tied with Whitey Ford]

Runs – 106 [10]

Earned Runs – 94 [11, tied with Jerry Walker]

Home Runs – 23 [15, tied with five others]

Bases on Balls – 75 [16, tied with Milt Pappas & Eli Grba]

Strikeouts – 173 [4, tied with Juan Pizarro]

ERA – 3.14 [6]

Hit Batters – 18 [1]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 13 [1]

League-leading hit batters were +5 ahead of runners-up Bo Belinsky & Jim Bunning

League-leading wild pitches were +2 ahead of runners-up Earl Wilson, Hoyt Wilhelm & Danny McDevitt

Midseason Snapshot: 8-8, ERA – 3.93, SO - 86 in 128.1 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 12 (in 11 IP) at Baltimore 8/1

10+ strikeout games – 2

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 2 (in 7.2 IP) vs. KC A’s 5/12

Batting

PA – 109, AB – 100, R – 9, H – 18, 2B – 3, 3B – 1, HR – 1, RBI – 10, BB – 8, SO – 40, SB – 0, CS – 0, AVG - .180, GDP – 0, HBP – 0, SH – 0, SF – 1

Fielding

Chances - 91

Put Outs – 16

Assists – 72

Errors – 3

DP – 6

Pct. - .967

Awards & Honors:

Gold Glove

All-Star

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The Twins went 91-71 to finish second in the AL, 5 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees. The pitching staff led the league in complete games (53), strikeouts (948), and fewest walks allowed (493). The Twins were surprise contenders from the start and stuck close behind the Yankees through April, May, and June. 7 games back on August 1, they whittled their way closer until time ran out in September.

Aftermath of 1962:

Hindered by a sore arm, Kaat’s performance dropped off in 1963 to 10-10 and a 4.19 ERA with 7 complete games, one shutout, and 105 strikeouts over 178.1 innings. While the Twins had a down year in 1964, Kaat bounced back to 17-11 with a 3.22 ERA, 13 complete games, and 171 strikeouts over 243 innings. The club rebounded to win the AL pennant in 1965 and Kaat, having added a slider to his repertoire, contributed an 18-11 record and 2.83 ERA with 7 complete games, 2 shutouts, and 154 strikeouts over 264.1 innings while tying the franchise record with his league-leading 42 starts. In the seven-game World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kaat outdueled LA ace Sandy Koufax in winning Game 2 but lost ensuing matchups against Koufax in Game 5 and the decisive Game 7. Kaat had an excellent season in 1966, posting a 25-13 tally to top the circuit in wins as well as starts (41), complete games (19), innings pitched (304.2), to go along with a 2.75 ERA, 3 shutouts, and 205 strikeouts. He received AL Pitcher of the Year honors from The Sporting News and placed fifth in league MVP voting. Following the season in which Minnesota finished second to the Baltimore Orioles, highly-regarded pitching coach Johnny Sain was let go much to the outspoken chagrin of Kaat, among other members of the pitching staff. In addition to adding the slider to Kaat’s selection of pitches, Sain also coached him in throwing a combination slider and curve, called a “slurve”. Following a slow start that led to a managerial change in 1967, the Twins became embroiled in a wild four-team battle for the AL pennant. Kaat, who had gotten off to a 1-7 start, reeled off seven straight wins down the stretch. Starting the first of a two-game series at Boston to decide the pennant, he felt something pop in his elbow and had to leave the game. The Twins lost this and the season finale the next day to end up in a tie for second place. Kaat’s injury was a torn muscle and he finished with a 16-13 tally and 3.04 ERA with 13 complete games, 2 shutouts, and 211 strikeouts over 263.1 innings. The injury lingered into the 1968 season, with Kaat on the disabled list at the start. After missing the first five weeks, he returned to action in May and went on to produce a 14-12 record and 2.94 ERA with 9 complete games, 2 shutouts, and 130 strikeouts over 208 innings. Following a disappointing seventh-place finish in 1968, the Twins had a new manager in Billy Martin in 1969, who lacked confidence in Kaat. Relegated to the bullpen late in the season, he finished at 14-13 with a 3.49 ERA, 10 complete games, one save, and 139 strikeouts over 242.1 innings. In the first season of divisional play, the club won the AL West but lost the ALCS to the Baltimore Orioles, with Martin refusing to use Kaat in a decisive Game 3 loss. Billy Martin was replaced as manager of the Twins by Bill Rigney in 1970 and the club again topped the AL West, although in less impressive form. Kaat was erratic on his way to delivering a 14-10 record and 3.56 ERA with only 4 complete games, one shutout, and 120 strikeouts over 230.1 innings. Minnesota again was swept by the Orioles in the ALCS with Kaat starting and failing to last three innings in losing the decisive third game. The Twins entered a period of decline in 1971 and while Kaat’s ERA was a respectable 3.32, his record was only 13-14 to go with 15 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 137 strikeouts over 260.1 innings. He was excellent for the first half of the 1972 season and was 10-2 with a 2.06 ERA, 5 complete games, and 64 strikeouts over 113.1 innings when he broke a bone in his left hand on July 2 and was done for the year. Following an acrimonious negotiation with Twins owner Calvin Griffith to receive a raise for 1973, Kaat had an 11-12 tally and a 4.41 ERA when he was waived in August. Claimed by the Chicago White Sox, he went 4-1 to finish out the season and ended up with a combined record of 15-13 and a 4.37 ERA with 10 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 109 strikeouts over 224.1 innings. In 1974 with the White Sox, Kaat experienced a resurgence at age 35 and, fueled by two seven-decision winning streaks, including one to finish out the season, he ended up with a 21-13 tally and 2.92 ERA with 15 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 142 strikeouts over 277.1 innings. The success continued in 1975 as the fast-working Kaat quickened his delivery (occasionally timed at only 8 seconds between pitches), sometimes to the consternation of opposing batters. He produced a 20-14 record and 3.11 ERA with 12 complete games, one shutout, and 142 strikeouts over 303.2 innings. In the offseason he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, who were looking to solidify their rotation in an effort to dethrone the Pirates as the top club in the NL East. While the Phillies succeeded in winning the division in 1976, Kaat’s tally was only 12-14 with a 3.48 ERA, 7 complete games, and 83 strikeouts over 227.2 innings, which would prove to be the last time in his career that he would exceed 200 innings pitched. Philadelphia was swept by the Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS. Kaat started the decisive Game 3 and was relieved in the sixth inning in a contest in which the Reds eventually prevailed. His performance dropped off further in 1977 to 6-11 and a 5.39 ERA. While the Phillies again topped the NL East, Kaat was not used in the NLCS loss to the Dodgers. Trade bait in the offseason, he returned to the Phillies in 1978 and was marginally better at 8-5 with a 4.10 ERA. Sold to the New York Yankees early in the 1979 season and relegated almost exclusively to the bullpen, Kaat appeared in 40 games in his return to the American League and posted a 2-3 mark with 2 saves, a 3.86 ERA, and 23 strikeouts over 58.1 innings. In 1980 he was sold to the St. Louis Cardinals at the end of April and pitched in 49 games, 14 of them starts, in producing an 8-7 record and 3.82 ERA. Effective out of the bullpen during the strike-shortened 1981 season, Kaat maintained the same role in 1982 as the Cardinals topped the NL East. He appeared in 62 games and had a 5-3 record and 2 saves with a 4.08 ERA and 35 strikeouts over 75 innings. Unused in the NLCS victory over Atlanta, Kaat made 4 appearances in the seven-game World Series defeat of the Milwaukee Brewers. He had no decisions and gave up one earned run over a total of 2.1 innings of spot relief in what proved to be his only participation in a World Series in which his team won. With the Cardinals not performing well in 1983, Kaat was released in July. Unable to catch on with another club at age 44, his long pitching career came to an end. For his major league career, Kaat pitched in 898 games and produced a 283-237 record with a 3.45 ERA, 180 complete games, 31 shutouts, 17 saves, and 2461 strikeouts over 4530.1 innings. With the Senators/Twins he appeared in 484 games and went 190-159 with a 3.34 ERA, 133 complete games, 23 shutouts, 5 saves, and 1851 strikeouts over 3014.1 innings. Pitching in 9 postseason games, his record was 1-3 with a 4.01 ERA, one complete game, and 10 strikeouts over 24.2 innings. A decent hitting pitcher as well as an accomplished fielder, as attested to by his 16 consecutive Gold Gloves, Kaat batted .185 with 44 doubles, 5 triples, 16 home runs, and 106 RBIs. He was a three-time All-Star and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022. The Twins retired his #36. Following his playing career he was pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds for one season before turning to broadcasting. Devoted to personal fitness, which no doubt contributed to his pitching longevity, Kaat was also an active golfer.

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years. 

Highlighted Year: Earl Battey, 1962

Catcher, Minnesota Twins

Age:  27

3^rd season with Senators/Twins

Bats – Right, Throws – Right

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 237 

Prior to 1962:

A Los Angeles native, Battey was an outstanding catcher at Jordan High School and signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1953 for $3999. Initially assigned to Colorado Springs of the Class A Western League, the 18-year-old backstop hit only .158 in 26 games and was sent to Waterloo of the Class B Illinois-Indiana-Iowa (or Three I) League in 1954 where he batted .292 with 25 doubles, 11 home runs, 67 RBIs, a .403 on-base percentage, and a .445 slugging percentage. In 1955 he was with Charleston of the Class AAA American Association and hit .269 with 16 doubles, 8 home runs, 71 RBIs, and a .371 OBP thanks to drawing 62 walks. Receiving a late-season call-up to the White Sox, Battey appeared in five games and produced his first two major league hits. Spending 1956 primarily with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Class AAA International League, he was hindered by a knee injury that limited him to 36 games and a .178 average. He also spent time both early and late in the season with the White Sox. Healthy in the offseason he played winter ball in Venezuela and batted .331. Catching the attention of new manager Al Lopez (once a former star catcher himself) during 1957 spring training, Battey opened the season with Chicago and was used when starting backstop Sherm Lollar received a day off. When Lollar suffered a broken wrist and missed 41 games, Battey and Les Moss filled in behind the plate. While he handled his catching duties well, Battey only hit .174 in 48 games, and he was sent down to Los Angeles of the Pacific Coast League in August. Regaining his batting stroke over the winter in Venezuela, he hit well during spring training in 1958 and stuck with the White Sox where he capably backed up the steady Lollar. He still batted a low .226 with 8 home runs, 26 RBIs, a .325 OBP, and a .417 slugging percentage. Joined by rookie backstop John Romano in 1959, Battey saw less action for the pennant-winning White Sox and in 72 plate appearances he hit .219 with a .306 OBP. As the White Sox sought to improve their power production, Battey was traded to the Washington Senators for slugging outfielder Roy Sievers just prior to the 1960 season. Taking over as Washington’s starting catcher, he produced at the plate by hitting .270 with 24 doubles, 15 home runs, 60 RBIs, a .346 OBP, and a .427 slugging percentage. He was also awarded a Gold Glove for his performance behind the plate and placed eighth in league MVP voting. He proved to be a deft handler of pitchers in addition to having an excellent throwing arm. With the Senators becoming the Minnesota Twins in 1961, Battey had another fine season as he played through injuries to bat .302 with 24 doubles, 17 home runs, 55 RBIs, a .377 OBP, and a .470 slugging percentage. He also received another Gold Glove for his defense and entered 1962 as a highly-regarded backstop.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in 148 games

C – 147, PH – 1

[Bracketed numbers indicate AL rank in Top 20]

Batting

Plate Appearances – 591

At Bats – 522

Runs – 58

Hits – 146

Doubles – 20

Triples – 3

Home Runs – 11

RBI – 57

Bases on Balls – 57

Int. BB – 3

Strikeouts – 48

Stolen Bases – 0

Caught Stealing – 0

Average - .280

OBP - .348

Slugging Pct. - .393

Total Bases – 205

GDP – 20 [2, tied with Elston Howard & Mike Hershberger]

Hit by Pitches – 0

Sac Hits – 8 [15, tied with ten others]

Sac Flies – 4 

Midseason snapshot: 2B – 12, HR - 4, RBI - 29, AVG - .280, OBP - .333

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Most hits, game – 3 on nine occasions

Longest hitting streak – 9 games

HR at home – 6

HR on road – 5

Most home runs, game – 1 on eleven occasions

Multi-HR games – 0

Most RBIs, game – 3 at Baltimore 7/31

Pinch-hitting – 0 for 1 (.000)

Fielding

Chances – 963

Put Outs – 872

Assists – 82

Errors – 9

Passed Balls – 13

DP – 9

Pct. - .991 

Awards & Honors:

Gold Glove

All-Star (Started for AL at C in both games)

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The Twins went 91-71 to finish second in the AL, 5 games behind the pennant-winning New York Yankees, while leading the league in OBP (,338) and fewest stolen bases (33). The Twins were surprise contenders from the start and stuck close behind the Yankees through April, May, and June. 7 games back on August 1, they whittled their way closer until time ran out in September.

Aftermath of 1962:

Battey remained a solid producer, offensively and defensively, for the Twins in 1963. He batted .285 with 26 home runs, 84 RBIs, a .369 OBP, and a .476 slugging percentage. He placed seventh in league MVP balloting and once more started for the American League in the All-Star Game. Prone to putting on weight, he reported to spring training in 1964 at 260 pounds and went on to have an injury-marred off-year in which he hit .272 with 12 home runs, 52 RBIs, a .348 OBP, and a .407 slugging percentage. The Twins won the pennant in 1965 and Battey contributed by batting .297 with 22 doubles, 6 home runs, 60 RBIs, a .375 OBP, and a .409 slugging percentage, all despite dealing with an assortment of nagging injuries. His defense remained strong as well and he finished tenth in AL MVP voting. Having struck out only 23 times during the season, he fanned five times in the seven-game World Series loss to the Dodgers and their outstanding pitching. In 1966 Battey’s batting production dropped to .255 with 17 extra-base hits and a .337 OBP. With the Twins involved in a wild pennant race in 1967 in which they ultimately came up short, Battey was limited to 48 games by injuries and lost his starting job to veteran backup Jerry Zimmerman. He hit .165 with four extra-base hits and a .254 OBP and retired following the season. For his major league career, Battey batted .270 with 969 hits that included 150 doubles, 17 triples, and 104 home runs. He scored 393 runs and compiled 449 RBIs, a .349 OBP, and a .409 slugging percentage. With the Senators/Twins he batted .277 with 894 hits, 346 runs scored, 139 doubles, 12 triples, 91 home runs, 410 RBIs, a .354 OBP, and a .412 slugging percentage. In his only World Series action in 1965 he hit .120 with 2 RBIs. Battey was a five-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove recipient. Selected as catcher on Minnesota’s fortieth anniversary all-time team in 2000, he was remembered by teammates for his big and fun-loving personality and was respected for playing through his many injuries. Following his playing career, Battey was part of Consolidated Edison’s community relations program. He also got his college degree and was a high school teacher and baseball coach who died in 2003 at age 68.   

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years.