1961 Minnesota Twins Program, That Game and 1961 Topps Team Set

For either my birfday, or Valentines Day, or a late X-Mess present, I don’t remember, Laura got me a package of three Minnesota Twins programs. One from each of the years 1961, 1962 and 1964. For now, we’ll start with 1961, the Twins first season in Minnesota.

Not the team yearbooks for those years (I’d still like to get copies of those), these are the programs issued at the ballpark, for the fans to score that day’s game. I don’t see many people keeping score anymore, but in the 1960’s it was still a very popular thing to do. I also don’t know how many times a season that new programs were issued in the early 1960’s (these days it’s monthly), so I’m needing more clues to narrow the time of this issue down. 

Pregame Warmups

Upon opening her gift and seeing these old programs, my first thought after: “Wow, that is really cool!” was “I know exactly what I want to write about this...” Hopefully, I can track down the exact game this program was sold at.

If you were a collector looking for an investment piece, this wouldn’t be an heirloom by any means. The front cover features Nebraska colored on by pencil. Maybe the previous owner was unhappy with Nebraska? (I can relate...) Overall, the pages are a little worn and in some places dog-eared, but still in good shape for a 63 year old magazine. 

Great news for me, the scorecard is indeed filled out!

1961 MN Twins Program page 14 - Visitor Scorecard

Everyone keeps score in a different way. It's all who taught you and their method. This is also a very poor scorecard template. For example, this guy uses a system of letters and numbers to cover each play. My system is more of a hybrid, with symbols and more detail into each play. It was far too small and does not allow a second line in the batting order for replacements. I would have no problem with this, but most people don't write as small as I do. After trying to decipher the poor handwriting (good riddance to cursive!) and pencil smudges, eventually it led to a breakthrough…

1961 MN Twins Program page 15 - Home Scorecard

Soon as I figured out which game this was, I was able to log onto baseballreference.com and get the inning breakdown by each batter. Well now this game could be re-created in my head, possibly even written down? (With just a hint of creative license...)

Now I have a real story!

Today's game between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins, took place on Sunday, October 1, 1961, at Metropolitan Stadium, in Bloomington, MN. This was the final day of the 1961 season, the Twins first in Minnesota.

The other piece of knowing that program would lead to a story, meaning I could include my incomplete 1961 Topps Twins team set. Still missing a few (most of the high numbers) cards, but I have enough of the set to make the scanning worthwhile. 

And I know the first card I'll show!

1961 Topps #542 (Series 7) - Twins Team Card

I knew this card would eventually find its way into a story. Beyond the story of finding this card for a cool $40 in Fargo, ND, last fall. Appreciate the novelty of the Twins team photo in the 1961 High Number series, is still using the 1960 Washington Senators team photo. I wish they had left the original photo background. Likely would have been a cool shot of Griffith Stadium. 

Not an uncool shot of (former Twins owner) Calvin Griffith...

1978 Bill Frisz Twins Retired Stars - Calvin Griffith

Just looks like a very unpleasant man... Snagging both series of 1978 Bill Frisz Twins Retired Stars from Pal's a few years ago, remains one of my all time favorite purchases from that very missed card store.

Never liked card backs with the pitching breakdown listed this way. Using the most amount of space to show the least amount of information. Very little room for covering the offense, because of all the room needed to list the win/loss record of every pitcher, broke down by team. Of all the historical/statistical records you could put on the back of a team card, this would rank very high on the pointless scale. The only thing higher on the pointless scale, would be the scale itself.

Anyways… Let’s get to the ballpark!

I found this photo of Met Stadium, from what has to be early 1961, if not Opening Day. An amateur drone pilot took a pretty good shot with the GoPro. Too bad it was windy, and it cropped out the left side...

The grandstands down the right field line are still under construction. Fans are sitting very close to an area that doesn't even have a floor yet. The double deck bleachers in left field have not yet been built. Both bullpens are down the foul lines, instead of behind the right field fence. Temporary bleachers line the outfield walls for this game. Plans to extend the stands down the third base line (in a similar design to the first base side) were always talked about, but never advanced due to conflicts between the Twins, Vikings and Stadium Council, that resulted in the HHH Metrodome in 1982.

I'm assuming my seats at Met Stadium today, are the same ones I took with me after the game.  They were front row, half way between home plate and the third base dugout. Absolutely overwhelmed to sit in a nearly empty Metropolitan Stadium, on a cold overcast afternoon, for the final game of the 1961 season. The first season of Major League Baseball in Minnesota. 

Unfortunately, I didn't have my digital camera with because they hadn't been invented yet.

Since it cannot be proved otherwise, I'm assuming that's where my Met Stadium seats were attached. In reality, they were purchased at an antique store in Anoka, MN, in 2012, for $200. I'd always wanted a set of mounted stadium seats, and to get a pair from Met Stadium would have been at the top of my list.

Pre-game warmups are underway, so it’s time to highlight the Twins field manager.

But he's not...

1961 Topps #226 (Series 3) - Harry Levagetto

As the image states...

See, I'd always heard of him referred to as Cookie. Took me a moment as I was putting this together to realize that was who Harry Levagetto was. Cookie managed the Washington Senators and Minnesota Twins from 1957 to July 1961. You can see by his record, about how that went. It doesn't tell the full story though. The Washington Senators of the 1950's (and a lot of the time before that...) were abysmal teams, owned and run by a cheapskate racist. However, by the time the franchise got to Minnesota, it had developed a strong nucleus of young talent. While they weren't a powerhouse in the American League by any means, they were in the mix from 1962 to 1971. Including that World Series loss to the Dodgers in 1965. 

Cookie Levagetto was fired by Calvin Griffith in July 1961, after going 23-36. He was replaced as Twins manager, by Sam Mele. Sam doesn't have a card in the 1961 Topps set, and I've always been a big fan of this one... So here you go!

1965 Topps - Sam Mele

Mele improved the Twins record, leading the team to a much stronger 45-49 over the rest of the season.

Although today's loss didn't help matters...

A future manager for the Minnesota Twins (and Kansas City Royals) has a Twins card in the 1961 Topps set, but he did not play in today's game.

1961 Topps #123 (Series 2) - Billy Gardner

Because he had been traded to the New York Yankees on June 14, 1961. Just another stop on his five team, ten year career. At the time of the trade, Gardner was batting .234/.280/.312, and we already had Billy Martin to do the same thing.

Bill Gardner passed away in January of this year, at the age of 96. 

As if the 1961 Twins Program and the 1961 Topps Twins team set isn’t enough content for you, I’m going to give the 1961 Twins Program my patented "Clarks Submarine Sandwich Treatment”. Meaning that I’m going to look up the addresses featured in these old advertisements, then look up those provided addresses on the Googles, to see what is there today.

Bonus content!

And that's all sorts of a win for you, the audience!

For example, the left panel on the visitors scorecard, is an ad for Harry’s Cafe.

In 1961, Harry's Cafe and their “ample parking space”, was located at 74 South 11th Street, in Minneapolis. 

As for 2024?

Think it’s safe to say that Harry’s Cafe is no longer open. 

1961 MN Twins Program page 2 - Northwestern Bank

The inside front cover has a full page ad for Northwestern Banks. This was a chain of locally owned banks, that eventually re-branded to Norwest Bank. A few years after that, there were bought by Wells Fargo. Adding a whole new slate of customers for the notorious bank to defraud out of money and identity!

Back in the day, Northwestern Banks feature a large colored ball on their outdoor signs. It was their “Weatherball”, which changed color to let you know what the weather was going to do in the near future. If you drove by one of the Northwestern Banks, and the glowing ball was red, tomorrow was going to be warmer. If the ball was white, the temperatures would cool. If the ball was green, things would stay about the same. A ball flashing meant it was going to rain or snow. 

If the Weatherball is flashing red-blue-green really fast... Stay home, it’s the apocalypse. 

Or it's malfunctioning.

A 1950 Star Tribune photo shows the original Northwestern Bank sign and weather ball, on top of their corporate headquarters in downtown Minneapolis. Which remained in service until the 1982 Thanksgiving Donaldson’s fire, that destroyed the closed up department store, and part of the bank. I wrote about that several years ago, and you can read it here!

The ball at the top of this tower was temporarily saved from the bank building’s demolition. It was stored at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds, with the intent of restoration. That never happened, and after 17 year of sitting in storage, it was scrapped.

The rest of the Northwestern Bank's balls were likely destroyed when the bank rebranded into Norwest Bank, back in 1983. Norwest survived the farming decline of the 1980's, then blew up huge in the 1990's. Massive expansion Spreading out to multiple states, buying entire banks and their branches, far away from Minnesota. In 1998, they merged with fellow MegaBank, Wells Fargo.

In a nut shell, stuff like that is why everything sucks today!

And now...

The Minnesota Twins invite you to please rise and remove your caps for the singing of our national anthem.

Sitting back down, waiting for that 5 or so minutes from the anthem before first pitch I’m usually pretty bored by the pregame hoopla, so I’ll take a few minutes to glance at my program some more before the first pitch. 

******

1st Inning

1961 MN Twins Program page 3 - WCCO Radio ad.

Actually two WCCO ads, sandwiching the 1961 Minnesota Twins Board of Directors. Calvin Griffith even looked unpleasant, dating back to when he was just a much younger racist. Eugene V. Young certainly doesn’t look like he has a lot of trust in him... This had to be an interesting front office. And Mrs. Thelma Griffith-Haynes just got back from 1920's Glamour Shots. Then there's poor Oswald Bluege. They don't let him sleep.

However, WCCO Radio is still probably the biggest radio station in Minnesota. Still has Twins games broadcasting live on 830 AM, every day. Something again needed thanks to the spat between Comcast and Bally Sports. Though I do enjoy listening to baseball games on the radio. Provided I’m not too distracted by events around me to keep following it.

1961 MN Twins Program page 4 - Twins 1961 Schedule and Foremost Dairy

There we are... That lonely red square in October!

I was so distracted by this page that I completely missed the ceremonial first pitch. Oh drat! I’ll just imagine that it was some local businessman (or a banker... oooh I bet it was a banker), who lobbed a slow rainbow landing halfway between the mound and home plate. The catcher still had to dive for it.

And the crowd goes indifferent!

Here are today’s starting lineups for the visiting Detroit Tigers and your hometown Minnesota Twins!

For the Twins, today's starting pitcher is righthander Al Schroll!

Top of 1st

Tigers shortstop, Dick McAuliffe leads off and hits a grounder to Harmon Killebrew at first. An underhanded toss to the pitcher covering and the Tigers leadoff hitter is retired. Centerfielder, Bill Bruton bats second, and he hits a line drive that gets between Green and Allison. It rolls to the wall and Bruton pulls in at second base with a double. First baseman, Norm Cash, takes a walk, giving Detroit two baserunners with one out.

Left fielder, Rocky Colavito, lines a single to same part of the field he'll be paying on in a few minutes, scoring Bruton from second. Norm Cash advances to second on the throw home. The Tigers take a 1-0 lead. Bubba Morton is up next and he hits a slow dribbler to third base, Tuttle charges and boots the ball into foul territory. Norm Cash scores, Colavito takes third and Bubba is safe at first base. 2-0 Detroit, thanks to the error by Twins third baseman Bill Tuttle. His 19th of the season.

Future A's and Padres manager Steve Boros is up next. He was playing third base for the Tigers today, just like Bill Tuttle. Boros did not make an error playing third base today. Tuttle did. Boooo Tuttle! You are not very good!

Speaking of not very good, Twins starter Al Schroll, just threw a terrible pitch that rolled to the backstop. Rocky Colavito scores, giving Detroit a 3-0 lead, Bubba takes second on the wild pitch. The next couple of pitches were low and away, so Boros gets a free pass to first. 

Tigers second baseman Jake Wood hits a single to Bob Allison in right field, loading the bases, with Morton moving up to third, and Boros to second. Twins pitching coach Eddie Lopat has walked out to chat with Schroll. As play is getting ready to resume, I can see someone throwing in the Twins bullpen, down the right field line. Can't tell who it is from here. Since it's 1961, there are a total of zero digital LED boards in Met Stadium, to keep us posted on these types of in-game updates. 

Schroll does manage to finally get a second out, when Tigers catcher Bill Freehan taps a slow roller to short. Zoilio Versalles gets a throw off to Billy Martin, to force Wood at second. Boros advances to third and Freehan is safe at first. Bubba scores on the play, 4-0 Tigers.

We've made it to the bottom of the order and the pitcher's spot, so Al Schroll may make it out of the inning. Tigers starter Paul Foytack steps in with runners at first and third, 2 out. Just as soon as I start to think it's refreshing to not see the designated hitter, Foytack hits a grounder up the middlle, past both Versalles and Martin. Steve Boros scores, Bill Freehan takes third and the Tigers have a 5-0 lead. And we're still not out of the first inning...

Oh look, there's Twins manager Sam Mele coming out of the first base dugout. He's already signaled to the bullpen and Schroll is coming out of the game. He will be replaced by Pedro Ramos. A dependable workhorse starting pitcher for the Washington Senators, now pitching his final season (and final game) with the Minnesota Twins. (Just before Opening Day of 1962, Ramos was traded to the Cleveland Indians.)

With the 1961 season ending after this game, Minnesota released Al Schroll from the Major League roster, a few days later. He went 4-4 with a 5.22 ERA in exactly 50 innings with the Twins.

1962 Topps Al Schroll

Have to break into my 1961 Topps Twins (incomplete) team set coverage, and tap into my 1962 Topps Twins (incomplete) team set, for a card of today's starting pitcher. He did play in the minor leagues for Minnesota, in 1962-63, but didn't return to the Major Leagues. So this was Al Schroll's final MLB game. Before writing this, I knew nothing about him other than I had a 1962 Topps card for him.

Back to the top of the first inning!

After throwing his warm-up pitches, Ramos got Dick McAuliffe  to hit a ground ball to Zoilo Versalles. Who took it to second base, forcing Paul Foytack out. Finally ending the top of the first inning, with the Twins down 5-0.

Going back to the 1961 Twins team set, and their star pitcher I had hoped to see today, Camilo Pascual.

1961 Topps #235 (Series 3) - Camilo Pascual

He only won 15 games for the 1961 Twins, but had a decent 3.46 ERA in 252 innings, led the American League in strikeouts (221) and shutouts (8), and made his third consecutive All Star Game. 

Pascual pitched in parts of 18 seasons in the major leagues, 13 of them with the Senators/Twins. In December 1966, he was traded to the (new) Washington Senators. Which had to be kind of strange... At least he didn't have to play in dilapidated Griffith Stadium for his second tour in Washington, as RFK Stadium opened in 1962.

Camilo Pascual signed autographs at a baseball card show, in January 1995. Pretty sure it was also in Bloomington, likely the Ice Garden. He has very nice handwriting for a curved surface.

1961 MN Twins Program page 5 - Schweigert Tenderbite Wieners

Sorry Schweigert, I’ve tried your product, Ive not been impressed. Your wieners are bland and tasteless. The only thing preventing them from being the worst, are the fact that Bar S wieners are still on the market. Unless Bar S actually stands for Bar Schweigert.

In that case, it makes perfect sense.

And your wieners are awful.

Bottom of 1st

With the Twins down 5-0, coming to bat in the bottom of the first, we need baserunners. Tigers pitcher Paul Foytack had one of his stronger seasons in 1961, so he wasn't likely to hand us an Al Schroll inning...

Leading off for the Twins, center fielder, number 7, Lenny Green!

1961 Topps - #4 Lenny Green

Green was also leading off for the Twins in the 1961 Topps set, wearing card number 4 in the first series. He looks absolutely shocked by it. His 1961 season was pretty decent as our leadoff hitter and centerfielder. A line of .285/.374/.400 looks pretty good at the top of the order. 9 home runs and 17 stolen bases didn't change the world, but it's useful.

Unfortunately, Green's 1961 season was a notch below his 1960 levels of production, and part of a downward slide. Injuries seemed to sap his production, and he was no longer an everyday player after the 1963 season. He did play parts of 12 seasons in the majors, between 1957 and 1968. The Twins traded him to the Angels in June 1964, and he bounced to the orioles, Red Sox and Tigers after that.

And after all of that build up, Lenny Green hits a soft grounder to second base. Jake Wood throws to Cash at first, one out. Twins second baseman, Billy Martin, follows that up with a soft grounder to shortstop. Dick McAuliffe with the ball, throws to first to retire Martin.

First baseman and future Hall of Famer, Harmon Killebrew up next, and he works out a walk. Giving the Twins their first baserunner, with two outs. Spare part left fielder, Joe Altobelli (who does not have a Twins card in the 1961 set) bats cleanup, and will try to keep the inning alive. He hits a high fly ball to medium deep center field. That doesn't quite have the distance... Bill Bruton makes the catch for the Tigers and end the first inning, 5-0 Detroit.

1961 MN Twins Program page 6 - Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce

A weird full page ad dedicated to patting themselves on the back.

Though grabbing an established Major League Baseball team and an expansion National Football League team in the same calendar year, is a rather noteworthy achievement.

******

2nd Inning

1961 MN Twins Program page 7 - History of Metropolitan Stadium

History... As in it opened three years ago, and these people want more credit. I'm seven pages in and kind of annoyed at how little baseball content there is. I'd expect the ads, but your product is on the field. Not in board rooms. Baseball fans want to read about baseball. Not about lawyers and accountants and committees. 

In other news on the same page, J. Gruman Steel means Steel Service Excellence.

Wonder if they're still around?

That could be a renovation of the old J. Gruman Steel building, I have no idea. 

The occupant of that building today is Inbound Brew Co.

So they don't make steel now. Only beer.

1961 MN Twins Program page 8 -  Twins Twinkler: Harmon Killebrew and a Buncha Ads.

Eight pages into a magazine of less than 30 pages, and we have our first real baseball content. Three whole paragraphs (not including the basic biographical info) predicting that Harmon Killebrew could break Babe Ruth's single season home run record of 60. Killebrew never did break that record, though 573 career home runs is pretty okay too. Somewhat ironically, that record actually was broken in 1961. By Roger Maris.

Nobody saw that coming. 

Top of 2nd

Pedro Ramos is back out to pitch the top of the second inning. Bill Bruton leads off for Detroit, and taps a grounder to second. Billy Martin throws to Killebrew, one out. Norm Cash is up next, and he lines a single to right field.

Runner at first, one out, and in steps left fielder, Rocky Colavito. After taking a couple pitches, he pops out to Bill Tuttle at third. Since he didn't make another error, Cash has to hold at first. Two outs now and Bubba Morton is in the box. He drives the ball to deep center field, but Lenny Green runs back to make the catch to end the top of the second.

The Minneapolis/Richfield American Legion ran an ad in the Twins program.

And they are still around!

Most likely the same building too.

What about Murray's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge?

Yeah, I'd say they're still open.

Bottom of 2nd

Right fielder Bob Allison leads off the bottom of the second for Minnesota. He swings under a high fast ball and pops it up into foul territory. Steve Boros is under it and there's one out. Backup catcher Hal Naragon is up next and he shoots a base hit to left field.

Now here comes Mr. Error, Bill Tuttle, with a chance to redeem himself. And he strikes out looking. Didn't even swing. Come on Bill, argue with the umpire (working home plate this afternoon, is the awesomely named, Joe Linsalata) all you want, but that was a strike. I could see it plain as day from my real seats in a fictional location, 14 years before I was born. 

Shortstop and future 1965 American League MVP, Zoilo Versalles, walks to the plate with two out and a runner at first. Tigers pitcher Paul Foytack with the pitch, and Zoilo taps a grounder to third. Boros throws over to Cash and the Twins are down in the second. Still 5-0 Detroit.

1961 Topps #92 (Series 2) - Hal Naragon

Strictly a backup catcher, he didn't hit enough for an everyday role. When he did play he was an extreme contract hitter. Rarely walking or striking out, but with little power and no speed. His line for 1961 was .302/.326/.374, which was above his career norms. But it came in only 147 plate appearances. Minnesota released him after the 1962 season, and that was it for his major league career.

"He's always ready to play and do his best." Combine that with the golf club leaning against that tree, the cartoons on backup catcher Hal Naragon's card rank among my favorite in the Twins team set. 

Since backup catcher Hal Naragon was playing in today's game, that meant I wouldn't get to see...

1961 Topps #315 (Series 4) - Earl Battey

Battey was enjoying a breakout season In 1961, he hit .302/.377/.470, with 17 home runs. Between 1960 and 1965, Battey had become one of the best catchers in baseball. Winning three Gold Gloves, making four All Star appearances, and three top 10 finishes in the MVP voting. Unfortunately he ran into health issues and his career was cut short in 1967. Battey retired from Major League Baseball when he was only 32 years old. 

Okay... These cartoons are just weird... 

Blasted a Grand Slammer? What? 

Beaned, but not seriously? Huh?

1959 Topps - Roy Sievers

Washington acquired Earl Battey from the Chicago White Sox for Roy Sievers. From 1954 to 1963, Sievers put up numbers comparable to the top stars of his era. A near superstar outfielder that Calvin Griffith decided was too expensive for a ballclub he really couldn't afford to properly run. Got the White Sox to throw him a cool $150,000, along with Battey, just before opening day of the 1960 season. The last season in Washington for Griffith's Senators. 

Must have had problems making payroll...

1961 Topps #336 (Series 4) - Don Mincher

While Sievers still had a few decent seasons in him, the trade worked out well in the Twins favor. Battey was a star in his first few Minnesota seasons, and Don Mincher was also included the Sievers trade. Despite hitting only .188/.333/.406 in 123 plate appearances as a 23 year old in 1961, Mincher turned into a productive first baseman and pinch hitter. 

1970 Topps - Don Mincher

Minnesota traded Mincher to the Angels in December 1966, where he played two seasons. Mincher then was the 2nd overall pick by Seattle, in the 1969 Expansion Draft. Later that season, he would be the Seattle Pilots representative in the 1969 All Star Game.

All of these late 1950's and early 1960's baseball cards are making me hungry... 

I could swing over to Bongard's Famous Foods and pick up some Jones sausage-bacon? Bacon made out of sausage sounds really intriguing! North Country Turkeys is something I could support. I do love a good turkey and bacon sammich. And they carry Natural American Cheese! Although Indianhead fresh fryers sounds like something I don't want to buy, and they shouldn't be selling. Perhaps I should get in my car and go...

To the B Ramp...

Just one block from Target Field.

Well, at least bringing the car would make sense.

******

3rd Inning

1961 MN Twins Program page 3 - Peter's Wieners

Seems like the Twins have two major types of sponsors.

Cigarettes and Wieners. 

Write your own punchline.

Top of 3rd

Steve Boros leads off the top of the third for the Tigers. Pedro Ramos with the pitch and Boros pops it up, over by the first base dugout. Killebrew over and makes the catch. One down and second baseman Jake Wood comes up. He takes a pitch then hits a line drive to Allison in right field, and there's quickly two down. Bill Freehan steps in and hits a grounder to third. Tuttle throws to Killebrew, and the ball makes it safely into his glove, to retire the side. 

2 and a half complete, still 5-0 Detroit.

1961 Topps #528 (Series 7) - Pedro Ramos

Another 1961 Topps High Number that I haven't yet stumbled upon.

Ramos pitched for the Senators/Twins from 1955 through 1961. Meaning todays game was Ramos last appearance with the Twins. For the 1961 season, he went 11-20, with a 3.95 ERA in 264 innings. He was traded to Cleveland shortly before opening day 1962. I don't why, he was really good today. 

Ahhhhchoooomoney...

Funny that he kept this guy around until the logical time to let him go...

1961 Topps #80 (Series 1) - Harmon Killebrew

I wonder if Topps photographers asked the 1960 Washington Senators to remove their caps when they weren't playing. That way they'd have an abundance of the plainest, most generic photos, to update the move for the 1961 set.

Not going to try and summarize Harmon Killebrew's incredible career, so I'll just let his lifetime statistics from baseball reference speak for themselves.

Yeah...

He was good.

Bottom of 3rd

Twins pitcher Pedro Ramos has to immediately come to the plate for the bottom of the third. No time to rest after sitting the Tigers down in order. After watching his own team unable to muster any offense, he takes a mighty swing and crushes a long home run to deep left field. This is his third home run of the 1961 season. Now go sit down and rest up for the 4th inning, we need to hold Detroit at 5. Hopefully your teammates can string together some base hits. To both chip away at the score, and give you a chance to catch your breath.

Unfortunately, Lenny Green wasn't on the same page. He swings at the first pitch and taps it to the Tigers first baseman, Norm Cash. On the run, Cash tosses it underhand to the pitcher Foytack, just in time to catch the speedy Green. Up comes Billy Martin and he taps it nearly straight up. Second baseman Wood in to make the catch and there's quickly two down.

Harmon Killebrew steps in and takes a couple of pitches from Foytack, then takes a fastball to the hip. Doesn't phase the big man from Idaho, although the sparse crowd is all over Foytack for drilling our superstar. Killer passively shakes it off and slow trots to first base. Joe Altobelli in now with one on and two out. We need another run this inning, do something good... And he pops it up into foul territory, down the third base line. Boros under it and the Twins are done in the third.

Perdo Ramos hits a monster home run, but the score remains 5-1 Tigers.

1961 MN Twins Program page 10 - Buncha Ads

Here's some cigarettes to go with your wieners from the last page.

And some of the road hotels, in case you were curious.

Something I did find interesting here was the Twins road motel in Detroit, being the Sheraton Cadillac. Also known as the Book Cadillac, for a period of time. This 14 (?) story hotel closed in the early 1980's, and was a frequently photographed subject of Detroit area urban explorers. I remember downloading pictures of the Book Cadillac hotel, nearly destroyed by vandals, from early urbex web sites. Viewed through AOL, on dial-up, in the late 1990's. 

After all those cigarettes and wieners, I think I need to stop by The Huddle, for some Organ Music Nightly.

Hmmmm... I don't think it's here anymore...

1961 MN Twins Program page 11 - Minor Leagues

Both names Sherry Robertson and George Brophy are long time Twins employees, though not so much today. They're definitely familiar from various publications I've picked up over the years. So it's nice to see they were here at the beginning. Also nice to see the list of Twins minor league affiliates, as well as the roll call of scouts. And apparently, the Minneapolis flavor of these banks is also a Twins ticket outlet.

Kind of like buying Colorado Rockies tickets at King Soopers, back in the late 1990's. 

Except you can't buy ingredients to make Honkass Burritos at a bank.

1961 Topps #392 (Series 5) - Reno Bertoia

Spare part infielder that played a lot over the last two seasons in Washington, but was expendable in Minnesota. He hit only .212/.333/.260 over 35 games, and was traded to the Kansas City Athletics on June 1, 1961. The return for Minnesota was none other than today's Mr. Error, Bill Tuttle! So he contributed to the team, months after being traded away.

Interesting cartoon on the back of Bertoia's card. The whole Bonus Baby rule was a quirky pre-draft rule. Any amateur free agent signed to a contract of more than $4,000, was required to be kept on the major league team's 25 man roster, for two complete seasons, before that player could be sent to the minor leagues. It was set up to keep the large market teams from signing all the top amateur talent, then stashing them in their farm system. Detroit signed Bertoia for $23,000 in September 1953.

Similarly, the Washington Senators signed Harmon Killebrew for $30,000 in June 1954, almost immediately after he graduated high school. 

Hopefully he had enough left over for snow shoes for college in Canada.

The whole Bonus Baby rule was gone with establishing an amateur draft in 1965. This was much better for the athlete than forcing them to develop in the major leagues for the first few years of their career. You had to imagine the established veterans hating the Bonus Babies. Often seeing signing bonuses for twice (or more) than their yearly salary.

******

4th Inning

Top of 4th

Starting the top of the 4th inning with a little pitcher on pitcher action, as Paul Foytack digs in against Pedro Ramos. Foytack cannot match Ramos here, as he taps a weak grounder to short. Versalles up with the ball, throws to Killebrew and there's one out. Shortstop Dick McAuliffe fares no better, and is out on a grounder to second. Martin to Killebrew and there's quickly two down. Bill Bruton comes up and hits a quiet fly ball to Bob Allison in right. 

After a rocky start from Al Schroll, Pedro Ramos has come in and calmed the Tigers down. He's retired 8 in a row, but Detroit still leads 5-1. 

1961 MN Twins Program page 12 - Buncha Ads

Pearson is still around making candy. Though, they may have been bought by a larger conglomerate by now. They don't make Seven Up anymore, but you can still get a case of the Nut Goodies. Just ask the Candy Man!

I don't think the Ewald's are still milking, and I don't think you're buying Scotsman Ice either...

Tried checking out Carbonic Machines, and that was all that's there. Even you look through the trees, that's not who lives here anymore.

Bottom of 4th

As so often happens, you make the last out of an inning, you seem to lead off the next one. So here's Bob Allison, to lead off with a slow grounder to shortstop. McAuliffe throws to Cash and just gets Allison in close play. We're still at least 50 years away from Instant Replay being a thing, but Mele should have gotten on the phone to New York after that play.

Backup catcher Hal Naragon up next, and he hits a shallow fly ball to center fielder Bruton, for the second out. Which brings up my personal in-game scapegoat, third baseman Bill Tuttle. He of the costly first inning error and the blank stare caught looking strikeout in the second. After taking a pitch, he nails a foul ball my direction. Suddenly I'm thankful for the netting behind home plate. Which was indeed there in 1961. Not to the degree it is today, but enough to not shatter my orbital.

On the very next pitch, Tuttle blasts a missile to the left field bleachers. Even further than Ramos' bomb last inning, now 5-2 Tigers. After stepping on home plate, I get a glare my direction. Tipping my imaginary cap, you've earned redemption Tuttle. You are officially not to blame if we lose this game. It just might be Zoilo Versalles, after that flailing strikeout to end the inning.

After four complete, Detroit leads the Twins 5-2. 

1961 Topps #536 (Series 7) - Bill Tuttle

Not sure why this card was included in the listing for the 1961 Topps Twins team set I found. Looking online, it's clearly a Kansas City Athletics card. But after writing this story, it's now a card I feel I should own. So it's been added to my wantlist, that is documented only loosely in my head. If/when I find one, I'll probably store it with the rest of the Twins team set as well.

Tuttle hit .246/.321/.335 in 1961, after the trade to the Twins. He stayed with Minnesota for 1962, but was mostly used as a pinch hitter. By 1963, he still made the team, but was almost strictly a defensive replacement. Appearing in 16 games, but getting only 4 plate appearances, before his release on May 21, 1963.

Bill Tuttle died in July 1998, in Anoka, MN. Mere blocks from where I live today!

That's pretty incredible, I never knew that. 

And now I really want his 1961 Topps card.

1961 MN Twins Program page 13 - National Food Stores / Future Stars

I'm not old enough to remember the whole grocery store stamp collecting trend. I'm assuming it's a mid-20th century thing that was a precursor to shopping discount cards. Though most places now just use your phone number. Far more convenient.

More important is the report on Minnesota Twins future stars. A brief introductory paragraph on each of the 6 Twins prospects, called up for the September roster expansion. They were: OF Lamar Jacobs, OF Dan Dobbek (who played in this game), P Ted Sadowski, P Lee Stange, 1B Don Mincher and P Gary Dotter. Dotter was only 19 years old when he was called up to the Twins.

1961 Topps #186 (Series 3) - Elmer Valo

Valo was a 40 year old outfielder, winding down a 20 year major league career. Washington had picked him up in early 1960, after he was released by the Yankees. He showed some life in his bat, and was packed along with for the Senators move to Bloomington, MN. The 1961 season was a different story. He batted .156/.250/.219 in 36 plate appearances, when the Twins released him on June 17, 1961. (He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, later that day.)

He debut with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1940, as a 19 year old. Valo spent 15 seasons with the Athletics, tagging along with them for their 1955 move to Kansas City. For his career, he put up a .282/.398/.391 line over 6000 plate appearances. Very little power or speed, but a high on-base guy will find work. Even today.

1961 Topps #36 (Series 1) - Jack Kralick

Kralick was a good middle of the rotation starter for the Senators/Twins, from 1960-1963, when he was traded to the Cleveland Indians. Judging by the first five years of Kralick pitching for the Twins, he looked to last a while in the big leagues. Things went off track after his first couple years in Cleveland, and he chose to retire after a serious car accident in 1967, when he was 32 years old.

For his career, Kralick  pitched to a 67-65 record, with a 3.56 ERA in over 1200 innings, between 1959 and 1967. In 1961, he went 13-11 3.61, in 242 innings.

******

5th Inning

1961 MN Twins Program page 16 - Scoreboard Info

Met Stadium's scoreboard was set up to show the out of town games. The scoreboard also included the number of the pitcher for each team NOT playing at Metropolitan Stadium. So this list would cover the other 17 teams' pitching staffs, with each pitcher's jersey number. As well as the umpires, who also received scoreboard recognition.

Farnham's Stationery and Furniture is proud to be a part of the business growth of the Twin Cities.

Thanks to the Googles, it doesn't look like Farnham's is selling much furniture here.

And the Googlesmobile is in danger of that charging light rail train, approaching from the amazingly ugly US Bank Stadium on the horizon.

Top of 5th

Ramos back out to start the fifth inning with a 4 pitch walk to leadoff hitter, Norm Cash. Ending his streak of retiring 8 Tigers in a row. But Rocky Colavito is up next and after taking a few pitches, he hit a grounder to third, Tuttle throws to Billy Martin, who taps his foot on second, then throws to Killebrew at first, to complete the double play. Even though his streak of consecutive batters retired is over, there’s 2 outs and no one on. Bubba Morton up next with a chance to extend the inning, but he strikes out on 4 pitches.

That last curveball was insane.

Bonus offer!

Tell me more!

So thankful for Googlesmobile, since all my pictures of where The Photo Mill used to be, are all on Kodachrome 35mm. 

And The Photo Mill isn't around to develop them!

1961 Topps - Mike Roarke

Did not play in today's game.

(This is the only 1961 Topps Detroit Tigers card I had previously scanned. I didn't feel like digging out the album with the rest of my 1961's in it.)

Bottom of 5th

After striking out Bubba, Pedro Ramos steps in for his second plate appearance. We could really use another home run, Pedro. And he tried, but it died in center field. Bruton back for the catch, just in front of the warning track.

With one out, the lineup flips over and Lenny Green steps into the box for his next shot at narrowing the gap. Slow roller to second, off the glove of Jake Wood and Lenny Green will reach first base safely. Which brings future Twins manager and legendary alcoholic, Billy Martin, to the plate. He hits a deep fly ball to center field, and Bruton makes the catch in roughly the same spot he put away Ramos. 2 out.

Future 500 Home Run Club member, Harmon Killebrew, is up with a runner at first. After a couple of deep foul balls, Killer taps a slow roller to third. Green was running on the pitch and made it to second, but the throw from Steve Boros is just in time to retire Killebrew at first base, for the final out of the 5th inning. The score holds at 5-2, Detroit.

1963 Post - Lenny Green

A short print in the 1963 Post set. Some years back, I was looking at Twins singles at Pal's Sports Cards, and Brian told me that a bunch of 1960's Post and Jello cards had come in. Amongst the more than 100 in the stack was this Green. I remembered it being a short print from looking this set up many years ago. He sold it to me for $20, given the imperfect -yet not awful- trimming. 

Just always thought this was a cool oddball card, and this seems to be a good place to mention it.

He also sold me a 1969 MN Twins Program that I wrote about a few years ago.

1961 MN Twins Program page 17 - Ads & Tickets

Only three tiers of pricing for 1961 Twins tickets. Ranging from $1.50 all the way up to $3, behind home plate. Ordering by mail just sounds like an awkward pain to deal with. You can also purchase advance tickets at both First National Bank Buildings, in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Advance and day-of-game tickets can be purchased in person, at the Metropolitan Stadium ticket office, 8001 Cedar Avenue, Bloomington, MN. 

If you're in Albert Lea, you can also pick up Twins tickets at Pat's Mobile Lunch.

An ad for the First National Bank of St. Paul sits atop this page. 

Woah! They had an ARCADE! In 1961?!?

I know the bank's identity isn't the same, but that giant "1st" on the roof is the same as in the rough sketch in the ad.

The Googlesmobile didn't take this picture. It's a tighter crop (and lower res) shot from a picture I took on my walk around downtown St. Paul, September 7, 2021. Laura and I were staying overnight, at a hotel across the highway from the hospital where she was having knee replacement surgery, early the next morning. I walked around downtown taking pictures for an hour of so, while she was doing surgery related stuff online, in our room.  

An ad for two large and similar downtown St. Paul hotels is on the bottom of the page. This was on the opposite corner of downtown from my 2021 walk around, so I didn't see them in person...

But the Googlesmobile did!

The Hotel St. Paul still stands today.

As does the Hotel Lowry.

1961 Topps #450 (Series 6) - Jim Lemon

Jim Lemon played for parts of 12 seasons in the major leagues, 10 of those with the Twins/Senators. His career was cut short by injuries, and the 1961 seasons was his last as a regular, every day player. Likely why we had Altobelli playing left field today, instead of Lemon.

1959 Topps - Directing the Power

You have Washington Senators manager Cookie Lavagetto "directing" power hitters Jim Lemon and Roy Sievers... Get it!?! This will have to serve as my representative Jim Lemon card, since I don't have his 1961 Topps issue. That and I really wanted to show off those awesome 3D block W jersey logos

For the 1961 season, Jim Lemon hit .258/.329/.423, with 14 home runs and 52 RBI, in 480 plate appearances. Just one year earlier, Lemon hit .269/.354/.508, with 38 home runs and 100 RBI's, in 148 games with the 1960 Washington Senators.

This has to be one of the stranger transaction histories I've ever seen. Jim Lemon was never traded or released during his career. Until the final game, his contracts were always bought and sold. Just something I've never seen.

1961 Topps #374 (Series 5) - Paul Giel

Topps didn't bother trying to update the photo for Giel, who was only a Minnesota Twin for Spring Training and 2 months. The Twins bought his contract from the Pittsburgh Pirates in February 1961. (That is clearly a Pirates jersey Giel is wearing...) He was included in the June 1st trade with Reno Bertoia, to the Kansas City Athletics, for our friend Bill Tuttle.

I learned that Paul Giel was a Minnesota native, and attended the University of Minnesota. His only time with the newly established hometown team lead to a 1-0 won/loss record. Sounds ok, until you see that it came with a 9.78 ERA, coming off 17 walks AND 24 hits given up in 19 innings. Giel appeared in only one game for Kansas City after the trade, pitched an inning and two thirds, and gave up 7 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. Giel never pitched in the majors again.

Been quite a while since I saw the old Minnegasco logo...

******

6th Inning

1961 MN Twins Program page 18 - Roster

It just says Mid-Season, so I have no idea how current it was for today's game. I don't see all of the September minor league call ups included on this roster, so it's at least August-old. 

And Sach's Nut Inc.?

Come on... It's RIGHT THERE!!

1961 Topps #289 (Series 4) - Ray Moore

The first time I saw a picture of Ray Moore, I though he was the Twins manager. He was a relief pitcher, who sometimes acted as the Twins closer. Even though that role wasn't what it would evolve into, at the time. In 1961, Moore pitched 46 games, all in relief, for a total of 56 and a third innings. His record was 4-4, 3.67 ERA, with 14 saves. He was a run worse an inning in 1962, and his ERA balooned to 6.98 for the 1963 season. He retired from baseball after that year.

Ray Moore never managed the Twins. That was Ray Miller. 

Who was replaced by Tom Kelly. I heard he did okay.

1961 MN Twins Program page 19 - Schmidt Beer

Meh... I'll pass...

Top of 6th

After making the play to end the 5th inning, it would only make sense that Steve Boros would lead off the 6th. He works the count and eventually coaxes a walk out of Pedro Ramos. Now in his fifth inning of relief duty today. He struck out Jake Wood before giving up a single to left field, off the bat of catcher, Bill Freehan. Putting Tigers at first and second, with one out.

Detroit chose to allow Paul Foytack to hit for himself, instead of bringing in a pinch hitter. After a bunt attempt, Foytack popped the ball up in foul territory. Harmon Killebrew made a nice play in getting to the ball and catching it. Boros at second wouldn't be able to tag up on the play. 2 on, 2 out, for Dick McAuliffe, but Ramos is able to get him to roll over on a curveball. Billy Martin charges the ball and throws him out at first easily.

1961 MN Twins Program page 20 - Buncha Ads

Boyer Gilfilan was "The House of Ford", according to Boyer Gilfilan.

Clearly, Boyer Gilfilan is no longer here. However that building gives off vibes of being that around that age. Just renovated to stay relevant. I would not be certain of that, but it's the feeling I get. 

Now someone will tell me this structure was built in 2017, and I'll feel really stupid.

Mow It Clean With a Toro! So clean that you wear a dress shirt and slacks to mow the lawn, huh?

Site of Minnesota Toro in 2019. 

Mowed clean off the block of Minneapolis. 

Though this could well be the same building... I'm less confident of that, than I was the Boyer Gilfilan building.

Bottom of 6th

Minnesota is running out of time to narrow the gap, still 5-2, Detroit, in the bottom of the 6th. Joe Altobelli leads the inning off and hits a deep fly ball to right field. Bubba Morton is back for the easy catch, one out. Bob Allison is up next and rips a single to left field. Colavito gets the ball back into second, to hold Allison at first. 

Surprised that Mele didn't pinch hit Earl Battey for backup catcher Hal Naragon, in this situation. Maybe he wasn't available this afternoon? For a split second it looked that would have been a bad decision, as backup catcher Hal Naragon rips a screaming line drive into center field. But Bill Bruton makes a spectacular catch to rob backup catcher Hal Naragon of extra bases. And the Twins of another potential run. 

Instead, we have a 2 out situation with Bob Allison stuck on first base. Mr. Home Run, Bill Tuttle steps in with a chance to bring the Twins within a run. And Tuttle hits a weak grounder to short. McAuliffe throws to Cash and the 6th inning ends. Score is still 5-2 Detroit.

1961 Topps #355 (Series 5) - Bob Allison

The 1959 American League Rookie of the Year, spent his entire 13 year career with the Senators/Twins, providing a nice 1-2 punch with Harmon Killebrew. He would have piled up some nice lifetime statistic had injuries not stepped in the way. Even with missing significant time in 1966, 1969 and 1970, he put up a career line of .255/.358/.471, with 256 home runs and 796 RBI's in over 1500 games. For the 1961 Twins, Allison batted .245/.363/.450. Slugging 29 home runs and driving in 105.

Falconer's Quality Launderers and Cleaners had 2 convenient drive in Minneapolis locations, in 1961...

But in 2024... 

Falconer's Lake Street is a Napa Auto Parts. 

Highly doubt that's the same building.

But this is clearly the Falconer's on 11th street. They've just changed their name to Sleep Number.

And they make expensive mattresses instead of clean shirts now.

1961 Topps #201 (Series 3) - Pete Whisenant

The Washington Senators traded for Whisenant, in May 1960. While he didn't do much of anything for the Senators, they brought him along to Minnesota. Where he did even less. His totals for the 1961 Minnesota Twins: 10 games, 7 plate appearances. 0 hits, 1 walk, 1 run scored, 2 strikeouts. He was released on May 15, 1961, and signed with the Cincinnati Reds the next day. Where he did just slightly above nothing.

1961 Topps #469 (Series 6) - Ralph Lumenti

Ralph Lumenti had an impressive starter unibrow, just needs to fill in a bit. I'm also unsure as to why Topps included him in the 1961 set. His last major league appearance was in September of 1959. A year and a half before the Twins played their first game. His 1961 season was spent with AAA Syracuse, posting a 3-11 record, with a 5.22 ERA.

Baffling why he got a Topps card. They even found a photo of him wearing a Twins hat, whereas most of the team is shown in hatless. Closeups to hide any hint of Washington.

******

7th Inning

1961 MN Twins Program page 21 - Twins Twinkler: Bob Allison and a buncha ads

Allison gets twice as many paragraphs as Killebrew did. Though one figure cited made me laugh: "he's one of the league's top base-stealing threats with 13 and 11 in his first two seasons." 24 in TWO seasons made you a top base stealer in 1961? Also might not be a bragging point, that Calvin Griffith paid Bob Allison so little that he had to take a second job with Coca-Cola, doing PR work.

At least Bob didn't have to work in printing to make ends meet. Although the McGill Graphic Arts Center could've maybe offered him a typesetting gig?

That is definitely the same building in the ad drawing.

However, McGill Graphic Arts Center is not a part of it.

Top of 7th

Pedro Ramos is back out to start his sixth inning of relief, and he's held the Tigers scoreless after their five spot to start the game. I understand giving Schroll a chance on the last day of the season, but maybe you should have gone with Ramos in the first place?

Bill Bruton leads off the 7th and strikes out on five pitches. Norm Cash quickly makes the next out on a pop fly, caught by Billy Martin at second. Rocky Colavito steps in and brings the streak of outs to an end, with a clean single to center. Lenny Green gets the ball back in to hold him at first. Which didn't matter as three pitches later, Bubba Morton taps a lazy fly ball to left field. Altobelli grabs it and the Tigers are set down in the top of the 7th.

1961 Topps #254 (Series 3) - Ted Sadowski

Sadowski was a relief pitcher that didn't find a whole lot of success during parts of 3 seasons with the Twins. He went 0-2, with a 6.82 ERA in 33 total innings. Giving up 49 hits in those 33 innings. When added to a manageable 11 walks, you're going to have a bad time. The times never got better for Sadowski, and he was finished in the major leagues by 1962. He did stick around to pitch in the Twins farm system through the 1966 season, before retiring.

1961 Topps #557 (Series 7) - Jose Valdivielso

Another 1961 Topps High Number that I want/need to complete the team set.

Some day...

Valdivielso was a strong fielding shortstop and second baseman, that wasn't much of a hitter. 1961 was his last season in the major leagues. He batted only .195/.234/.248, with 1 home run, over 158 plate appearances. 

7th Inning Stretch

And now we invite you all to stand and sing along with baseball's national anthem, Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

To quote the legendary philosopher Beavis: "Uhhh... Ozzy shouldn't have done this..."

The 7th Inning Stretch used to mean (for Rockies games) a run to stand under the Coors Field clock tower. Inhale a Winston Light 100's BOX, grab a Rockie Dog and be back in my seat before the Rockies finished stranding runners at second and third.

You could smoke in your seats at Met Stadium, in designated open areas inside Coors Field, and not at all in Target Field. Drinking is still cool though, don't worry...

Attempt number who cares on my quitting smoking, is in it's 6th week of "success".

But I'm looking at that drawing of a pack of Kent's and I'm almost drooling. Had to stop writing just to day dream about enjoying a yummy delicious cigarette. Standing in the garage... Leaning against the open back door... Holding it in my fingers... Flicking the lighter... Dragging that first hit of tobacco to ignite the cigarette... Inhaling that satisfying toxic smoke and exhaling with a relaxing sigh... Feeling stress and anxiety just melting away...

I miss you cigarettes...

And they were only 35 cents at the Met Stadium Concession Stands. 

That's cheaper than a Barbecue Sandwich!

1961 MN Twins Program page 22 - Even more ads

"Red" Anderson's Liquor Store, with the tagline: "Once a pitcher... now a golfer!"

Now a parking lot!

According to the Googles, Red was a notable fast pitch softball pitcher, then he decided he liked golf and opened a liquor store. A bunch of things happened over the last 70 years and family took over for Red. The liquor store has evolved today into something called France 44, in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis. Now it's a high brow, fancy wine thing with special cheese and wacky meat.

Cool if that's your deal, but look at that parking lot!

Bottom of 7th

Score is still 5-2 Detroit, as we start the Minnesota half of the 7th inning. Shortstop Zoilo Versalles hits a slow dribbler back to his fielding position, McAulliffe double pumps the throw, and Versalles beats it out. The official scorer has ruled it a base hit, so no error for McAulitffe on the play.

With Versalles at first and no outs, Twins manager Sam Mele sends Dan Dobbek up to pinch hit for Pedro Ramos. Mele also puts the hit and run play on, as Versalles takes off for second, but Dobbek is only able to hit a weak grounder to second. Wood is up with it and throws Dobbek out at first. Since he was running with the pitch, Versalles makes it into second, keeping the Twins out of the double play.

This was also Dan Dobbek's last appearance in the major leagues.

Runner at second with one out for Lenny Green. But he fares little better than Dobbek. Nearly the same ground ball to Wood, who throws to Cash at first. Versalles takes third on the play, but now there's two out for Billy Martin. He hits it down the left field line, just behind third base. Boros was holding Versalles on, but McAuliffe is able to make a nice running catch in foul territory, to retire the side.

After 7 complete, Detroit still leads the Twins, 5-2.

1961 Topps #108 (Series 2) - Dan Dobbek

Dobbek was given three years of opportunity from the Senators/Twins, but wasn't able to stick. Overall, he hit .208/.297/.363, with 15 home runs in just under 500 plate appearances, He batted only .168 over 72 games for the Twins. During the offseason, Dobbek was traded to Cincinnati for backup catcher, Jerry Zimmerman. Who absolutely couldn't hit, but stayed on the team through 1968.

1961 Topps - Billy Martin

Billy doesn't make the 1961 Topps Twins team set, since he busy riding the Milwaukee Braves bench, before a June 1, 1961 trade to Minnesota (for Billy Consolo). With the Twins, Martin played nearly every day at second base. He didn't hit much, only .246/.276/.363, with 6 home runs, in just under 400 plate appearances.

Today's game against Detroit would be Billy Martin's last in the major leagues.

As a player.

1962 Topps - Billy Martin

The Twins released Martin at the end of Spring Training, in April 1962. From there he started on the road of minor league coaching and managing, working his way to being named manager of the Twins, for the 1969  season. He was fired after leading the Twins to the division title, for basically being an unpredictable alcoholic. Still, he would move on to become one of the most successful and controversial managers in baseball history.

I like how Topps chose a photo of Billy Martin posing in Yankee stadium, wearing a Twins uniform, for his 1962 Topps card. Which I should upgrade, given that nasty crease folding Martin in half. 

******

8th Inning

1961 MN Twins Program page 23 - Twins Manager: Sam Mele

Just your pretty standard team manager bio in capsule form. I don't feel like summarizing, and there were really no points of it that clearly stood out. So zoom in if you're curious.

1961 Topps #63 (Series 1) - Jim Kaat

Kaat was still a fresh faced 22 year old kid, getting his first full season in the major leagues, in 1961. After a couple of brief auditions with the Senators in 1959 and 1960, Kaat broke the 200 innings mark with the 1961 Twins. Only going 9-17, with an ERA of 3.90, but would become the workhorse of Minnesota's rotation, for the next 10 seasons. 

His record with the Senators/Twins, from 1959-173, was 190-158. One day in August 1973, Calvin Griffith decided that Kaat was getting old, and his career was likely finished. So he dumped his contract for absolutely nothing. Giving him to the Chicago White Sox for the price of a waiver claim. The Twins received nothing in return (other than Griffith being freed of his salary obligations...)

Of course, Griffith completely missed the boat, and Kaat pitched another 11 years, nearly won 300 games, and became a Hall of Famer

I cant begin to describe Kaat's career without adding several thousand more words.

So like Killebrew, I'll let his stats speak for themselves.

Lets flip it over and see what the Topps cartoons have to say...

Can you imagine the collection that Jim Kaat's father eventually put together, after his son spent 25 years in the major leagues?

The second cartoon panel has a drawing of a cat. First thing that popped into my mind was it looked like a Jack Davis drawing. Davis was one of the cartoonists that helped launch Mad Magazine, in 1952. I was a huge fan of Mad Magazine as a kid, and still have a bunch of them from the 1980's, bagged and boxed up in the archives. While I have no idea if Davis drew that cat and shoe, my patented "half-assed research" brought up that Jack Davis did indeed work on various Topps projects in the late 1950's and early 1960's.

So it is entirely possible that Jack Davis drew the cat, on the back of Jim Kaat's 1961 Topps card.

Which made me happy.

Top of 8th

Future Hall of Famer Jim Kaat is coming in to pitch the top of the 8th. Since he's a future Hall of Famer, Detroit is in big trouble now! Watch out Steve Boros, because you're about to get... Walked? Okay, leadoff batter on, not a big deal...

In steps Jake Wood, and he hits a slow roller to shortstop. This should almost certainly be a double play... No! Zoilo Versalles drops the ball before he could get it to Martin at second, and everybody is safe. I won't begrudge Zoilo for the error, as I did Tuttle, because his 1965 American League MVP season brought the Twins to the World Series. 

Let's just get the next guy out...

That would be Tigers catcher, Bill Freehan, who promptly strokes a single to center field. Steve Boros scores from second, and is replaced by Wood. Detroit now up 6-2, still nobody out.

In a puzzling move, Detroit chose to not pinch hit for Paul Foytack. And he's up to bunt the runners over. The ball dies in the grass in front of home plate, and backup catcher Hal Naragon is able to fire a throw to Tuttle at third base, nailing the lead runner, and still getting the throw off in time to get the slow moving Foytack at first. Bill Freehan makes it in to second, but there's now 2 out, after the double play. 

Now Detroit uses a pinch hitter... Future Hall of Famer Al Kaline, bats for Dick McAuliffe and rockets a double to the deepest part of right field. Freehan scores before Allison's throw reaches Killebrew, who cuts it off to hold Kaline to a double. (For a while, Laura was drinking alkaline water. Whenever she'd ask me to pick some up for her, I wrote "Al Kaline Water" on the shopping list. That's really stupid.) 7-2 Tigers.

Chico Fernandez is brought in to pinch run for Al Kaline. (Guess he needed some water?) Two out, two in, runner at second. That brings up center fielder Bill Bruton, with a chance to really put the Twins out of the game. He taps a weak grounder back to the mound. Kaat picks the ball up, spins and fires to Killebrew, retiring Bruton and the Tigers in the 8th inning. Detroit now up 7-2.

Duffy's Satellite?

What?

This may or may not be the corner that Duffy's Satellite once orbited, I can't tell from the poor address listed in the ad. Of the four corners of the intersection, this looked like the one most likely to have once been the home of Duffy's Satellite. Where you used to be able to eat a 60 cent ham sammich, then listen to Russ Moore's dance band.

1961 Topps #431 (Series 6) - Chuck Stobbs

Durable back on the rotation/bullpen swing man. Stobbs was in his 15th and final major league season in 1961. Most of that with the Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox. For his career, he went 107-130, with a 4.29 ERA in over 1900 innings. That included the 2-3, 7.46 ERA, in 44 innings, that he contributed for the 1961 Twins.

If you don't want to launch Duffy's Satellite, you can go to Mr. Nibs for entertainment fine food. Which is probably finer than a ham sammich. Not that there's anything wrong with a ham sammich. I quite enjoy them myself.

Guess the entertainment fine food is no longer served here...

Bottom of 8th

Future Kansas City Royal, Harmon Killebrew, leads off the bottom of the 8th inning with a flyball to deep right field. Caught by Bubba Morton, so I likely wont get to see a Killebrew home run today. Joe Altobelli comes to the plate and strikes out on three pitches. This would also be Altobelli's final game in the major leagues. Continuing the theme of phoning it in, Bob Allison hits a fly ball to medium deep left field. Caught by Colavito for the third out, and the Twins roll over in the 8th.

Still 7-2 Detroit.

1961 Topps #504 (Series 6) - Billy Consolo

Washington acquired Consolo from the Boston Red Sox in early 1959. He played a utility infield role for the last two Senators seasons, and was invited along for the trip to Minnesota. Once here, they realized that he was never going to hit (.221/.315/.289 in 164 plate appearances, scattered over parts of 10 seasons, from 1953 to 1962). Consolo appeared in 11 games for the 1961 Twins, only coming to the plate 6 times. He did not reach base. 

As mentioned earlier, Calvin Griffith traded Consolo to Milwaukee for Billy Martin. Consolo never played for Milwaukee, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1961 Rule 5 Draft. He did play in the majors for the Phillies in 1962, but was quickly sold to the Angels, who lost him on a waiver claim, by the Kansas City Athletics, a month and a half later.

Mattie's Barbecue put a little effort into their 1/8 page ad. A quick description of the food, and no mention of entertainment. Because if you serve good food, you don't need distractions like bands and dancing. You need mouth watering pan fried chicken!

Now this is an interesting one...

Mattie's Barbecue was located on the block of Nicollet that was closed off in 1978, to allow Kmart to built a large store, directly in the middle of what was Nicollet Avenue. Kmart had an insane lease on the property that ran through 2053. But Kmart went bankrupt in 2018, and rapidly began closing stores nationwide. Because of that sweetheart lease (which required something stupid, like $50 a year in rent), the Lake Street Kmart was still open in May 2020. When it was destroyed during the George Floyd riots. Kmart never reopened and the building was shuttered. The City of Minneapolis eventually had to pay $9.5 to buy out the lease, then several million more to demolish and clean up the mess the lake Street Kmart left behind. It was finally demolished at the end of 2023. Plans are underway to restore Nicollet Avenue as a through street, as it was prior to Kmart's arrival.

I wrote a story about the Lake Street Kmart in November, 2019 (pre-riot and burnening). If you care to read it, there a bonus feature on an abandoned mini-golf course in Fridley!

******

9th Inning

1961 MN Twins Program - Twins Twinkler: Earl Battey

This doesn't say anything much about Battey that I haven't already covered. Other than his parents were a semi-famous barnstorming softball pitcher and catcher combo. 

I feel like that needs more coverage.

1961 Topps #153 (Series 2) - Don Lee

Lee was a bullpen/rotation swingman for the 1961 Twins. Pitching in 37 games (starting 10 of them) and posting just a 3-6 record, off an ERA of 3.52. Which wasn't that bad. Overall, Lee pitched parts of 9 seasons in the major leagues, most of which were with the Senators/Twins and the Los Angeles Angels.

Top of 9th

For the Twins, now pitching, number 20, Don Lee.

So future Hall of Famer, Jim Kaat, only goes an inning, giving up the two unearned runs. Hopefully Lee has a little better luck. He's facing Norm Cash who immediately blasts a monster shot to right field. Over Bob Allison. Over the temporary bleachers that were built before the 1961 season. Over, like this game... 8-2 Tigers...

Lee didn't let it bother him though, as he dispatched Rocky Colivito on a groundout, Martin to Killebrew. Then Bubba Morton, nearly the same way, Tuttle to Killebrew. With 2 outs and no one on, Steve Boros stepped in and popped out to Zoilo Versalles. Ending the 9th inning for Detroit, now leading by 6. Minnesota has their work cut out for them. 

Midwest Patrol could protect your property (with boiler service!) in 1961, but can they today?

Uhh... Nope. 

Although I did take Laura to an appointment here before. It's an interesting neighborhood.

Woody's Car Wash was the only big league car wash in the midwest?

What does that even mean?

Today a chapter of the YWCA is where Woody's Car Wash was. So you can't wash you car here, but I guess you could wash a woman. If you are a woman. I don't think they'd let some dudes come in with a basket of women to just dunk in the pool, and swish around a few times... 

Probably get kicked out for doing stuff like that.

1961 Topps #21 (Series 1) - Zoilo Versalles

Either someone forgot to tell Topps that his name is ZOILO and not ZORRO, or Topps was so infatuated with the idea of marketing an upcoming rookie named Zorro to children, that they just didn't listen. After all, it's not like they were so committed to the name Zorro, that they did something stupid, like print a bunch of lame Zorro cartoons on the back of the card or anything...

Oh.

Zoilo Versalles debut with the Washington Senators, for 29 games as a 19 year old, in 1959. He only played in 15 games in 1960. Once the franchise set up in Bloomington, MN, Zoilo was ready to step in and play shortstop every day. His first full season of 1961, came at just 21 years old. Ne better .280 / .314 / .390, in 129 games. Four years later, he was the American League MVP, leading the Twins to the World Series. 

At least Jack Davis didn't draw any of those...

Bottom of 9th

Paul Foytack is going for the complete game. I don't know if he's tired or good, since 1961 was before the pitch count was invented, complete games were still common. Down by 6, backup catcher Hal Naragon, steps in to bunt for a base hit. Oh, that play never works! He bunts it down the third base line, Boros picks and throws, but it's not in time. Well, damn... Bill Tuttle comes in and hits a seeing-eye single between first and second. Now we have 2 on with nobody out.

Zoilo Versalles up next and looking for redemption, after his error in the 8th led to Detroit's 2 unearned runs. And he strokes a single to left field. Not deep enough to score backup catcher Hal Naragon, but I'll take bases loaded with no one out! 

With the pitcher's spot up next, Julio Becquer is up to pinch hit for Don Lee. Down by 6, we need a big hit here... Becquer swings... And hits a ground ball to second, Wood kicks the bag and throws to Cash for the double play. Tuttle makes 3rd and backup catcher Hal Naragon scores on the play, making it 8-3 Detroit, but now there's two out. Yes we have a runner at third, but we're down by five. That double play couldn't have come at a worse time.

Up to Lenny Green, who needs to hit a 6 run homer here to send the fans home happy. Speaking of, the announced attendance was 15,723 today, but I doubt a third of that was actually here. Just  how I like it. Just as I was looking around the stadium, Green tapped the ball towards first base. Cash picks it up and throws to Foytack covering. 

Game over.

Tigers win 8-3.

1958 Topps - Julio Becquer

Becquer was a bench piece for the Washington Senators in the mid 1950's, and was in the moving van for the franchise to Minnesota. Until said van hit a speedbump known as the December 1960 MLB Expansion Draft, where he was taken with the 55th pack, by the new Los Angeles Angels. Becquer didn't record a base hit with the Angels, before they sold his contract to the Philadelphia Phillies. He never got into a game with Philadelphia, and they sold his contract back to the Twins, on June 2nd, 1961. 

He finished the 1961 season in Minnesota, batting .238/.253/.476, with 5 home runs, over 87 plate appearances.

As Metropolitan Stadium is emptying out (not that it was very full to begin with) here's a few more nuggets of information from Baseball Reference, on today's game. Less than 2 hours, which is impressive. In that 2 hours, could no one have figured out what the field condition was? And they knew the wind was blowing at 8mph, but nobody knew which direction it was blowing? This 1961, and we had some technology then...

Unless Calvin Griffith couldn't afford a wind sock.

1961 Topps #409 (Series 5) - Walter Johnson

Walter Johnson didn't pitch in today's game.

His not being alive being the largest contributing factor involved.

He was given a card in the 5th series to commemorate the insanity of throwing three shutouts in four days. I don't know how long it's been in today's game since someone has thrown three shutouts in a season. But 2024 is a long way from 1908.

I think it's safe to say that Walter Johnson remains the greatest player in Washington/Minnesota franchise history.

Not Joe Mauer.

1961 MN Twins Program page 25- Metropolitan Stadium Parking

People used to talk about how difficult the traffic was getting in and out of Met Stadium. Even with multiple access points on all sides of the ballpark, the roads around the stadium couldn't easily handle several thousand vehicles all trying to leave the property at the same time. In a few years there would be the additional traffic created by Met Center. The indoor Hockey arena and home of the NHL's Minnesota North Stars (1967-1993), just north of the Baltimore Orioles parking lot.

1961 Topps #582 (Series 7) - Earl Battey All Star

Battey gets a bonus card in the high number series, saluting him as a 1960 Sporting News All Star.

As you can see, I don't own that card...

1961 MN Twins Program back cover - Hamm's Beer

Love that the back cover of the program was eventually used as scratch paper. The long form multiplication and long division is a nice touch. I remember as a kid, seeing sets of numbers like this on mail and magazines, on our kitchen and dining room table. Whenever my dad was trying to work out math, he'd leave these exact style marks on newspapers, TV Guides, National Enquirers and envelopes that arrived in the mail, would see math problems written on them. Usually accompanied by doodling on celebrities faces and bodies as well. 

Really wish I would have kept some of that stuff over the years.

Since today was the end of the 1961 Major League season, here's some factoids for the Minnesota Twins first year in Minnesota.

Just over 1.25 million in attendance isn't all that good. Yet only two American League teams drew more. (The New York Yankees and who? It would have been quite a slap if was the Washington Senators!) The park factors were also interesting. While not a dramatic effect, I always thought that Metropolitan Stadium was more of a pitcher's park. If not neutral. 

So that pretty much wraps it up. You got my summary of the 1961 Topps Twins team set. Got the (sorta) live recap of the game, play by play (kinda) style. You got all sorts of pointless updates on old advertising. That pretty much covers it all, except for one more thing...

As far as the setting for our story, Metropolitan Stadium, in Bloomington MN?

Met Stadium closed in 1981, after the Vikings finished their season in late December. It sat ignored and neglected for the next three years. Rotting and falling apart, until it was mercifully demolished in the first quarter of 1985.

(This is one of my favorite photos of anything ever. I don't know who took it, but the rotting and falling apart Met Stadium is an amazing visual.)

And we all know what's there today...

Been at least 25 years since I've been to the Mall of America, and I really hope my streak never breaks.

When most historic stadiums are demolished, whatever replaces them is usually less notable. 

Everybody knows the Mall of America

And that's not a good thing...

And there they are... My beloved Winston (Lights 100's BOX!) cigarettes. Teasing me with the "finer filter for finer flavor". You don't have to tell me Winston. I enjoyed your finer flavor for the better part of 25 years.

Since I last visited the Mall of America...

Sigh...

*******

Postgame Report!

Today's Postgame Report is brought to you by Rob's Vintage Sports Cards in Golden Valley, MN. 

They are not a paid sponsor by any means. They are getting credit for this additional segment, because if I hadn't gone to their store looking for Monster Boxes last weekend, this story would have just ended after I made reference to really wanting a cigarette.

The latest round of card sorting (2006-2019) is still well underway, but I'm running low on Monster Boxes. The ability to hold up to 5000 cards is so useful when trying to deal with non-junk bulk. In order to finish this round of sorting, and move onto the next, I need the temporary ability to hold about 20,000 more cards, as those are shuffled into existing sorted inventory. The ultimate goal at the end of this is to eliminate about 75% of this. But the stuff you would just dump is long gone. These remaining tens of thousands of team sorted cards require a little more thought before designation to the ultimate keep/sell boxes.

I scanned the new baseball singles case and found a few things of interest, but a sign from the baseball card gods appeared in the vintage case by the back wall. On the second shift, this card was top of a small stack of 1961 Topps, all flagged as "High Numbers".

1961 Topps #582 (Series 7) - Earl Battey Sporting News All Star

Wow! The timing of seeing this card for sale, the very next morning after writing about wanting it, was kind of mind blowing. Not like I wrote "I really want to buy a 2024 Topps Byron Buxton card..." and did the next day. 1961 Topps High Numbers are pretty rare to find in decent condition.

Yeah, I'll give him credit here, Calvin Griffith kinda fleeced the White Sox on this trade...

But the Earl Battey Sporting News All Star card wasn't the only thing in the stack.

The card underneath was...

1961 Topps #557 (Series 7) - Jose Valdivielso

A second 1961 High Number that I also needed! 

Valdivielso played part of the 1958 season with the old Minneapolis Millers (who I'm pretty sure were using Met Stadium for their games, in 1958). When it first opened, the extended stands down the first base line hadn't been built. It was just the three levels that extended from third to first base. Additions were quick to come. Necessary to accommodate both the Twins and the incoming NFL expansion Minnesota Vikings, by 1961. With more segments added the next few years after the stadium opened.

1957 Topps - Earl Battey

After visiting Rob's Vintage Sports Cards, this story took on a deeper Earl Battey salutary tone. Which means I absolutely should not turn down the 1957 Topps Earl Battey rookie card, in the case for $5.

Well, 1957 Topps card back, the predictions did come true. Earl battey was an All Star by 1961.

But it wasn't for the Chicago White Sox!

While there, I picked up some more 1960's Twins singles I though I needed for incomplete team sets. My winning percentage on guessing my needs was only around 30%. I really need to make lists of team set gaps for all years prior to 1981. Only been meaning to do that for about 15 years now...

I love card stores with quarter boxes, and there's some good stuff in the ones here. I didn't have a whole lot of time to dig, but I grabbed about 50 cards from these boxes. Lotsa Rockies and Twins, a few Nationals, and a surprising amount of Miami Marlins. They're starting to develop a real Expos vide in my mind. I'm seeing more and more Marlins cards finding their way into my "keep" boxes. 

Collecting pity I call it...

2019 Optic - Victor Victor Mesa

Just because because.

After coming home from the card store, I settled in to watch the MLB Futures Game on the MLB Network. With Brooks Lee's recent promotion to the major leagues, the Twins needed a new representative for the game. 2023 second round pick, Luke Keaschall, would fit the bill perfectly. Keaschall, like Lee, is an infielder, and has hit pro ball with a purpose. Advancing to the AA Wichita Wind Surge within a year of the MLB Draft. Minnesota appears to have another fast rising infield prospect on the horizon.

I picked up his 2024 Bowman Chrome card out of the quarter box, as a measure of good luck for today's game.

2024 Bowman Chrome - Luke Keaschall

He struck out in his only plate appearance... 

But I got to watch it!

Since the two happily unexpected 1961 Topps High Numbers blew a significant chunk of today's card store budget, I settled only one card from the current singles case...

1999 SP Signature Edition - Al Leiter

I've been a Leiter collector since the Junk Wax Era, but didn't have a certified autograph yet. And there's something very attractive about the 1999 SP Signature Edition Autograph set. I've picked up a few of the Expos, Twins and Rockies from this set. But this is my first autograph from the set, not coming from one of those three teams. May start looking for more of these. I really like them.

Unfortunately, they were sold out of Monster Boxes.

Oh well, I could settle for one of the 3200 boxes just to finish this round of sorting, and pick up what I need later. 

Perhaps there will be an abundance of Monster Boxes on sale at this card show...

Less than negative 3 months and 29 years from now!

Hopefully Marty Cordova shows up this time!