| Minnesota Twins | |
| Season: | 1996 |
| League: | American League |
| Division: | Central |
| City: | Minneapolis |
| General Managers: | Terry Ryan |
| Television: | WCCO-TV Midwest Sports Channel (Bert Blyleven, Dick Bremer, Ryan Lefebvre, Tommy John) |
| Radio: | 830 WCCO AM (Herb Carneal, John Gordon) |
| Record: | 78-84 (.481) |
| Divisional Place: | 4th |
Prior to spring training, the 1996 Minnesota Twins were projected to be a contending team. The team's chances significantly worsened on March 28, 1996. Kirby Puckett, the team's franchise player, had been tattooing the Grapefruit League (spring training) for a .360 average, but that morning woke up without vision in his right eye. He was eventually diagnosed with glaucoma. Several surgeries over the next few months could not restore vision in the eye. Puckett announced his retirement from baseball on July 12. After beginning the season under the melancholy cloud of the Puckett situation, Manager Tom Kelly's team finished the year with a 78-84 record, which put it in fourth place in the American League Central.
Individual players on the team did excel. Paul Molitor had a standout year in his first year with his hometown team, playing as the regular designated hitter and winning a Silver Slugger Award at that position. He played in all but one game and hit .341 with 113 RBI and a league-best 225 hits. On September 16 in Kansas City, he collected his 3,000th hit, a triple off of José Rosado. He is the only player to obtain his 3,000th hit via a triple. Along with Molitor, Chuck Knoblauch also hit .341. Among the hits were 35 doubles. He also stole 45 bases. Marty Cordova had a respectable year, driving in 111 runs.
| 16 | |||
| 113 | |||
| .341 | |||
| 140 |
The pitching did not match the offense. Brad Radke, Frank Rodriguez, and Rich Robertson (the three R's) all spent the whole season in the starting rotation and had losing records. The team's experiment moving Rick Aguilera from the closer's role to the starting rotation was not a successful one, as he started only 19 games. Scott Aldred also started 17 games for the team. Radke had the lowest ERA among the starters at 4.46. The rest were over five. Dave Stevens got the most saves at 11, but he was not an effective closer. Mike Trombley and Dan Naulty had effective seasons out of the bullpen, but nobody else had an ERA under five. Epitomizing the pitching woes, Mike Milchin had an ERA of 8.31 but the team still let him pitch in 26 games.
| 4.46 | |||
| 13 | |||
| 11 | |||
| 148 |
The only truly regular starters in the field were Knoblauch at second base, Pat Meares at shortstop, and Cordova in left field. In a less-than-encouraging sign for the team's postseason prospects, Scott Stahoviak saw a majority of the time at first base. Dave Hollins played 116 games at third, with Jeff Reboulet and Todd Walker also seeing time. Greg Myers and Matt Walbeck platooned at catcher. Rich Becker had the unenviable task of replacing Puckett in center field and played 121 games there. Right field was a mish-mash, with Matt Lawton playing 60 games at the position, Roberto Kelly 54, Denny Hocking 33, and Ron Coomer 23.
|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 1 || April 1 || Tigers || 8–6 || Radke (1–0) || Lira || Stevens (1) || 30,185 || 1–0|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 2 || April 2 || Tigers || 6–10 || Sodowsky || Robertson (0–1) || — || 20,164 || 1–1|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 3 || April 3 || Tigers || 16–7 || Mahomes (1–0) || Aldred || — || 12,256 || 2–1|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 4 || April 5 || Orioles || 1–2 || Mercker || Guardado (0–1) || Myers || 22,744 || 2–2|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 5 || April 6 || Orioles || 8–3 || Radke (2–0) || Haynes || — || 22,334 || 3–2|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 6 || April 7 || Orioles || 2–4 || Mussina || Robertson (0–2) || Myers || 14,580 || 3–3|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 7 || April 9 || @ Red Sox || 1–9 || Gordon || Rodriguez (0–1) || — || 30,843 || 3–4|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 8 || April 11 || @ Red Sox || 6–5 || Radke (3–0) || Clemens || Stevens (2) || 15,594 || 4–4|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 9 || April 12 || @ Orioles || 2–3 || Mussina || Robertson (0–3) || — || 42,602 || 4–5|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 10 || April 13 || @ Orioles || 6–7 || Benitez || Mahomes (1–1) || — || 42,644 || 4–6|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 11 || April 14 || @ Orioles || 4–1 || Rodriguez (1–1) || Haynes || Stevens (3) || 42,660 || 5–6|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 12 || April 16 || Indians || 2–7 || Hershiser || Radke (3–1) || — || 13,103 || 5–7|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 13 || April 17 || Indians || 9–8 || Hansell (1–0) || Shuey || Stevens (4) || 11,276 || 6–7|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 14 || April 19 || Yankees || 7–1 || Rodriguez (2–1) || Gooden || — || 20,279 || 7–7|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 15 || April 20 || Yankees || 6–7 || Wickman || Guardado (0–2) || Wetteland || 24,586 || 7–8|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 16 || April 21 || Yankees || 5–9 || Rogers || Radke (3–2) || — || 20,115 || 7–9|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 17 || April 22 || Red Sox || 1–4 || Sele || Robertson (0–4) || Slocumb || 11,340 || 7–10|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 18 || April 23 || Red Sox || 8–6 || Naulty (1–0) || Hudson || Stevens (5) || 11,533 || 8–10|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 19 || April 24 || @ Tigers || 24–11 || Bennett (1–0) || Veres || — || 12,189 || 9–10|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 20 || April 25 || @ Tigers || 11–1 || Hawkins (1–0) || Aldred || Hansell (1) || 11,804 || 10–10|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 21 || April 26 || @ Yankees || 4–5 || Rivera || Radke (3–3) || Wetteland || 14,450 || 10–11|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 22 || April 27 || @ Yankees || 8–6 (10) || Bennett (2–0) || Wickman || — || 20,025 || 11–11|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 23 || April 28 || @ Yankees || 3–6 || Rivera || Rodriguez (2–2) || Wetteland || 24,793 || 11–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 24 || April 29 || Royals || 11–6 || Hansell (2–0) || Clark || Bennett (1) || 10,237 || 12–12|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 25 || April 30 || Royals || 16–7 || Naulty (2–0) || Magnante || — || 10,503 || 13–12|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 26 || May 1 || Royals || 6–5 (10) || Stevens (1–0) || Montgomery || — || 11,975 || 14–12|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 27 || May 3 || @ Angels || 1–4 || Finley || Robertson (0–5) || Percival || 24,505 || 14–13|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 28 || May 4 || @ Angels || 2–5 || Grimsley || Rodriguez (2–3) || — || 29,264 || 14–14|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 29 || May 5 || @ Angels || 1–5 || Boskie || Hawkins (1–1) || — || 35,541 || 14–15|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 30 || May 6 || @ Mariners || 4–5 || Wells || Radke (3–4) || Charlton || 32,203 || 14–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 31 || May 7 || @ Mariners || 2–0 || Parra (1–0) || Wolcott || Stevens (6) || 15,626 || 15–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 32 || May 8 || @ Mariners || 7–5 (10) || Guardado (1–2) || Wells || Stevens (7) || 22,175 || 16–16|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 33 || May 10 || @ Athletics || 5–15 || Wojciechowski || Rodriguez (2–4) || — || 8,278 || 16–17|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 34 || May 11 || @ Athletics || 5–12 || Prieto || Radke (3–5) || — || 15,791 || 16–18|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 35 || May 12 || @ Athletics || 3–8 || Wengert || Parra (1–1) || — || 13,430 || 16–19|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 36 || May 14 || Blue Jays || 2–4 || Hanson || Robertson (0–6) || Timlin || 13,483 || 16–20|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 37 || May 15 || Blue Jays || 2–1 || Rodriguez (3–4) || Hentgen || — || 11,793 || 17–20|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 38 || May 16 || Blue Jays || 4–1 || Radke (4–5) || Quantrill || Stevens (8) || 13,538 || 18–20|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 39 || May 17 || Brewers || 1–12 || Karl || Parra (1–2) || — || 26,733 || 18–21|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 40 || May 18 || Brewers || 3–7 || Miranda || Mahomes (1–2) || Fetters || 30,593 || 18–22|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 41 || May 19 || Brewers || 2–4 || Sparks || Robertson (0–7) || Fetters || 24,411 || 18–23|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 42 || May 20 || Brewers || 2–3 || Bones || Rodriguez (3–5) || Fetters || 13,376 || 18–24|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 43 || May 21 || Rangers || 4–3 || Milchin (1–0) || Henneman || — || 12,323 || 19–24|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 44 || May 22 || Rangers || 5–6 || Pavlik || Parra (1–3) || Henneman || 17,955 || 19–25|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 45 || May 23 || @ Blue Jays || 4–5 (10) || Janzen || Milchin (1–1) || — || 31,163 || 19–26|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 46 || May 24 || @ Blue Jays || 4–0 || Robertson (1–7) || Hanson || — || 33,141 || 20–26|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 47 || May 25 || @ Blue Jays || 6–4 (10) || Guardado (2–2) || Castillo || Stevens (9) || 34,118 || 21–26|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 48 || May 26 || @ Blue Jays || 9–3 || Naulty (3–0) || Bohanon || — || 30,170 || 22–26|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 49 || May 28 || @ Brewers || 3–7 || Karl || Mahomes (1–3) || Garcia || 10,117 || 22–27|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 50 || May 29 || @ Brewers || 8–7 (12) || Hansell (3–0) || Lloyd || — || 14,324 || 23–27|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 51 || May 31 || @ Rangers || 2–7 || Hill || Rodriguez (3–6) || — || 32,861 || 23–28|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 52 || June 1 || @ Rangers || 9–5 || Milchin (2–1) || Henneman || — || 43,413 || 24–28|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 53 || June 2 || @ Rangers || 6–5 || Guardado (3–2) || Russell || — || 33,809 || 25–28|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 54 || June 3 || Angels || 9–3 || Trombley (1–0) || Finley || — || 10,589 || 26–28|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 55 || June 4 || Angels || 5–3 || Rodriguez (4–6) || Grimsley || Guardado (1) || 10,899 || 27–28|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 56 || June 5 || Angels || 14–3 || Aldred (1–0) || Langston || Hansell (2) || 10,639 || 28–28|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 57 || June 7 || Athletics || 4–6 || Reyes || Radke (4–6) || Corsi || 14,999 || 28–29|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 58 || June 8 || Athletics || 4–2 || Robertson (2–7) || Wojciechowski || Guardado (2) || — || 29–29|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 59 || June 8 || Athletics || 7–13 || Wasdin || Mahomes (1–4) || — || 22,164 || 29–30|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 60 || June 9 || Athletics || 5–3 || Rodriguez (5–6) || Wengert || — || 13,291 || 30–30|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 61 || June 10 || Mariners || 13–6 || Aldred (2–0) || Wagner || Trombley (1) || 17,134 || 31–30|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 62 || June 11 || Mariners || 8–18 || Wells || Aguilera (0–1) || Hurtado || 14,395 || 31–31|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 63 || June 12 || Mariners || 3–5 || Wolcott || Radke (4–7) || Charlton || 15,830 || 31–32|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 64 || June 14 || Tigers || 4–5 || Gohr || Robertson (2–8) || Olson || 22,831 || 31–33|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 65 || June 15 || Tigers || 4–6 || Olivares || Rodriguez (5–7) || Olson || 17,099 || 31–34|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 66 || June 16 || Tigers || 4–1 || Aguilera (1–1) || Lira || Hansell (3) || 20,641 || 32–34|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 67 || June 17 || @ Yankees || 6–3 || Aldred (3–0) || Mendoza || Naulty (1) || 16,189 || 33–34|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 68 || June 18 || @ Yankees || 0–2 || Rogers || Radke (4–8) || Wetteland || 17,593 || 33–35|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 69 || June 20 || @ Tigers || 7–3 || Rodriguez (6–7) || Olivares || — || 8,310 || 34–35|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 70 || June 21 || @ Tigers || 0–2 || Lira || Aguilera (1–2) || — || 13,127 || 34–36|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 71 || June 22 || @ Tigers || 0–6 || Williams || Aldred (3–1) || — || 14,506 || 34–37|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 72 || June 23 || @ Tigers || 8–10 || Urbani || Radke (4–9) || — || 13,994 || 34–38|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 73 || June 24 || Yankees || 3–0 || Robertson (3–8) || Pettitte || — || 20,488 || 35–38|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 74 || June 25 || Yankees || 6–1 || Rodriguez (7–7) || Boehringer || — || — || 36–38|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 75 || June 25 || Yankees || 2–6 || Mendoza || Serafini (0–1) || — || 16,641 || 36–39|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 76 || June 26 || Yankees || 1–2 || Polley || Guardado (3–3) || Wetteland || 19,116 || 36–40|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 77 || June 28 || @ Royals || 2–6 || Appier || Radke (4–10) || — || 21,515 || 36–41|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 78 || June 29 || @ Royals || 12–7 || Trombley (2–0) || Linton || — || 23,232 || 37–41|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 79 || June 30 || @ Royals || 5–2 || Rodriguez (8–7) || Gubicza || Stevens (10) || 28,246 || 38–41|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 80 || July 1 || @ White Sox || 10–7 || Aguilera (2–2) || Sirotka || — || 19,211 || 39–41|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 81 || July 2 || @ White Sox || 4–7 || Fernandez || Aldred (3–2) || Hernandez || 18,357 || 39–42|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 82 || July 3 || @ White Sox || 6–5 || Radke (5–10) || Andujar || Stevens (11) || 26,113 || 40–42|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 83 || July 4 || Royals || 3–5 || Linton || Robertson (3–9) || Montgomery || 37,295 || 40–43|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 84 || July 5 || Royals || 9–8 || Guardado (4–3) || Montgomery || — || 18,465 || 41–43|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 85 || July 6 || Royals || 5–8 || Haney || Aguilera (2–3) || Montgomery || 18,699 || 41–44|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 86 || July 7 || Royals || 2–8 || Belcher || Aldred (3–3) || — || 14,251 || 41–45|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 87 || July 11 || Indians || 7–11 || McDowell || Radke (5–11) || — || 16,438 || 41–46|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 88 || July 12 || Indians || 5–7 || Mesa || Stevens (1–1) || Shuey || 18,246 || 41–47|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 89 || July 13 || Indians || 11–19 || Ogea || Aguilera (2–4) || — || 31,552 || 41–48|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 90 || July 14 || Indians || 5–4 || Guardado (5–3) || Plunk || — || 25,312 || 42–48|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 91 || July 15 || White Sox || 16–5 || Aldred (4–3) || McCaskill || — || 13,636 || 43–48|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 92 || July 16 || White Sox || 2–11 || Alvarez || Radke (5–12) || — || 18,502 || 43–49|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 93 || July 17 || White Sox || 4–3 || Trombley (3–0) || Simas || — || 20,755 || 44–49|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 94 || July 18 || @ Indians || 4–5 || Graves || Guardado (5–4) || — || 40,934 || 44–50|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 95 || July 19 || @ Indians || 3–2 || Rodriguez (9–7) || Nagy || Naulty (2) || 42,373 || 45–50|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 96 || July 20 || @ Indians || 5–6 (11) || Shuey || Stevens (1–2) || — || 43,433 || 45–51|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 97 || July 21 || @ Indians || 5–7 || McDowell || Radke (5–13) || Shuey || 42,341 || 45–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 98 || July 22 || @ Orioles || 9–5 || Robertson (4–9) || Haynes || Trombley (2) || 42,129 || 46–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 99 || July 23 || @ Orioles || 3–2 || Aguilera (3–4) || Wells || Naulty (3) || 42,006 || 47–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 100 || July 24 || @ Orioles || 11–4 || Rodriguez (10–7) || Erickson || — || 46,181 || 48–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 101 || July 25 || Red Sox || 16–6 || Parra (2–3) || Wakefield || — || 13,924 || 49–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 102 || July 26 || Red Sox || 5–1 || Radke (6–13) || Clemens || — || 17,768 || 50–52|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 103 || July 27 || Red Sox || 5–9 || Gordon || Naulty (3–1) || — || 22,128 || 50–53|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 104 || July 28 || Red Sox || 9–8 || Aguilera (4–4) || Sele || Naulty (4) || 17,448 || 51–53|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 105 || July 30 || Orioles || 4–16 || Coppinger || Rodriguez (10–8) || — || 16,708 || 51–54|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 106 || July 31 || Orioles || 3–9 || Mussina || Trombley (3–1) || — || 15,897 || 51–55|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 107 || August 1 || Orioles || 2–4 || Wells || Robertson (4–10) || Myers || 20,379 || 51–56|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 108 || August 2 || @ Red Sox || 10–11 || Brandenburg || Naulty (3–2) || — || 28,041 || 51–57|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 109 || August 3 || @ Red Sox || 3–6 || Sele || Rodriguez (10–9) || Hudson || 19,860 || 51–58|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 110 || August 3 || @ Red Sox || 6–0 || Aldred (5–3) || Suppan || — || 29,135 || 52–58|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 111 || August 4 || @ Red Sox || 6–13 || Eshelman || Klingenbeck (0–1) || — || 29,939 || 52–59|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 112 || August 6 || @ Angels || 4–1 || Radke (7–13) || Springer || Guardado (3) || 20,058 || 53–59|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 113 || August 7 || @ Angels || 4–0 || Robertson (5–10) || Finley || — || 18,611 || 54–59|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 114 || August 8 || @ Angels || 13–5 || Aguilera (5–4) || Boskie || — || 21,283 || 55–59|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 115 || August 9 || @ Mariners || 6–5 || Parra (3–3) || Wolcott || Rodriguez (1) || 25,130 || 56–59|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 116 || August 10 || @ Mariners || 10–4 || Klingenbeck (1–1) || Hitchcock || — || 34,381 || 57–59|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 117 || August 11 || @ Mariners || 6–3 || Radke (8–13) || Wells || Rodriguez (2) || 36,114 || 58–59|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 118 || August 12 || @ Athletics || 1–11 || Prieto || Robertson (5–11) || — || 10,071 || 58–60|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 119 || August 13 || @ Athletics || 6–2 || Aguilera (6–4) || Wengert || — || 11,156 || 59–60|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 120 || August 14 || @ Athletics || 13–7 || Rodriguez (11–9) || Telgheder || — || 12,729 || 60–60|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 121 || August 16 || Blue Jays || 5–4 (10) || Parra (4–3) || Quantrill || — || 19,838 || 61–60|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 122 || August 17 || Blue Jays || 11–1 || Robertson (6–11) || Hanson || — || 20,354 || 62–60|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 123 || August 18 || Blue Jays || 2–6 || Hentgen || Aguilera (6–5) || — || 18,010 || 62–61|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 124 || August 19 || Brewers || 1–6 || D'Amico || Rodriguez (11–10) || — || 21,879 || 62–62|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 125 || August 20 || Brewers || 12–7 || Parra (5–3) || Bones || — || 14,630 || 63–62|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 126 || August 21 || Brewers || 7–10 || Jones || Stevens (1–3) || Fetters || 15,885 || 63–63|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 127 || August 22 || Rangers || 2–11 || Hill || Robertson (6–12) || — || 17,342 || 63–64|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 128 || August 23 || Rangers || 9–2 || Aguilera (7–5) || Oliver || — || 16,166 || 64–64|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 129 || August 24 || Rangers || 6–5 || Rodriguez (12–10) || Pavlik || Trombley (3) || 16,648 || 65–64|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 130 || August 25 || Rangers || 2–13 || Witt || Miller (0–1) || — || 14,818 || 65–65|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 131 || August 26 || @ Blue Jays || 3–5 || Guzman || Radke (8–14) || Timlin || 31,134 || 65–66|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 132 || August 27 || @ Blue Jays || 6–4 (11) || Trombley (4–1) || Quantrill || — || 30,033 || 66–66|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 133 || August 28 || @ Blue Jays || 1–6 || Hentgen || Aguilera (7–6) || — || 30,106 || 66–67|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 134 || August 29 || @ Brewers || 6–1 || Rodriguez (13–10) || Karl || — || 14,922 || 67–67|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 135 || August 30 || @ Brewers || 4–5 (12) || Wickman || Parra (5–4) || — || 17,444 || 67–68|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 136 || August 31 || @ Brewers || 2–3 || Jones || Robertson (6–13) || Fetters || 20,187 || 67–69|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 137 || September 1 || @ Brewers || 6–2 || Aldred (6–3) || Van Egmond || — || 17,074 || 68–69|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 138 || September 2 || @ Rangers || 6–4 || Aguilera (8–6) || Hill || Guardado (4) || 24,786 || 69–69|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 139 || September 3 || @ Rangers || 7–9 || Witt || Rodriguez (13–11) || Henneman || 28,401 || 69–70|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 140 || September 4 || @ Rangers || 7–6 || Robertson (7–13) || Heredia || Trombley (4) || 29,744 || 70–70|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 141 || September 6 || Angels || 6–2 || Radke (9–14) || Finley || — || 13,006 || 71–70|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 142 || September 7 || Angels || 6–3 || Stevens (2–3) || Boskie || Trombley (5) || 51,011 || 72–70|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 143 || September 8 || Angels || 2–4 || Abbott || Rodriguez (13–12) || Percival || 14,378 || 72–71|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 144 || September 10 || Athletics || 0–7 || Telgheder || Robertson (7–14) || — || 9,676 || 72–72|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 145 || September 11 || Athletics || 7–2 || Radke (10–14) || Adams || — || 9,493 || 73–72|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 146 || September 12 || Athletics || 4–3 (12) || Stevens (3–3) || Mohler || — || 9,712 || 74–72|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 147 || September 13 || Mariners || 7–13 || Wells || Miller (0–2) || — || 15,510 || 74–73|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 148 || September 14 || Mariners || 3–5 (10) || Ayala || Guardado (5–5) || Charlton || 18,002 || 74–74|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 149 || September 15 || Mariners || 0–7 || Torres || Robertson (7–15) || — || 25,142 || 74–75|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 150 || September 16 || @ Royals || 5–6 || Rosado || Radke (10–15) || Bluma || 16,843 || 74–76|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 151 || September 17 || @ Royals || 2–4 || Haney || Aldred (6–4) || Bluma || 11,809 || 74–77|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 152 || September 18 || @ Royals || 7–4 || Miller (1–2) || Belcher || — || 11,588 || 75–77|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 153 || September 19 || @ White Sox || 3–8 || Sirotka || Rodriguez (13–13) || Castillo || 14,253 || 75–78|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 154 || September 20 || @ White Sox || 3–7 || Tapani || Robertson (7–16) || — || 15,673 || 75–79|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 155 || September 21 || @ White Sox || 4–3 || Radke (11–15) || Alvarez || Trombley (6) || 18,866 || 76–79|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 156 || September 22 || @ White Sox || 1–5 || Fernandez || Aldred (6–5) || — || 20,111 || 76–80|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 157 || September 23 || @ Indians || 6–7 || Graves || Parra (5–5) || Mesa || 42,299 || 76–81|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 158 || September 24 || @ Indians || 5–7 || Ogea || Rodriguez (13–14) || Mesa || 42,272 || 76–82|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 159 || September 25 || @ Indians || 3–6 || Nagy || Robertson (7–17) || — || 42,469 || 76–83|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 160 || September 27 || White Sox || 2–4 || Fernandez || Radke (11–16) || Hernandez || 13,058 || 76–84|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 161 || September 28 || White Sox || 7–6 || Trombley (5–1) || Castillo || — || 34,008 || 77–84|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 162 || September 29 || White Sox || 5–4 (10) || Guardado (6–5) || Hernandez || — || 13,306 || 78–84|-|-| Legend: = Win = Loss
Bold = Twins team member
| American League | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | W | L | WP | |||
| AL East | ||||||
| 5 | 7 | 55 | 60 | |||
| 6 | 6 | 76 | 78 | |||
| 6 | 6 | 92 | 68 | |||
| 5 | 7 | 51 | 48 | |||
| 8 | 5 | 59 | 44 | |||
| Total | 30 | 31 | 333 | 298 | ||
| AL Central | ||||||
| 7 | 6 | 67 | 75 | |||
| 3 | 10 | 70 | 96 | |||
| 7 | 6 | 85 | 76 | |||
| 4 | 9 | 57 | 74 | |||
| Minnesota Twins | ||||||
| Total | 21 | 31 | 279 | 321 | ||
| AL West | ||||||
| 8 | 4 | 67 | 38 | |||
| 6 | 7 | 64 | 91 | |||
| 6 | 6 | 69 | 76 | |||
| 7 | 5 | 65 | 76 | |||
| Total | 27 | 22 | 265 | 281 | ||
| Season Total | 78 | 84 | 877 | 900 | ||
| Month | Games | Won | Lost | Win % | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 25 | 13 | 12 | 175 | 141 | ||
| May | 26 | 10 | 16 | 97 | 138 | ||
| June | 28 | 15 | 13 | 151 | 134 | ||
| July | 27 | 13 | 14 | 171 | 188 | ||
| August | 30 | 16 | 14 | 169 | 161 | ||
| September | 26 | 11 | 15 | 114 | 138 | ||
| Total | 162 | 78 | 84 | 877 | 900 |
| Games | Won | Lost | Win % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 82 | 39 | 43 | 452 | 483 | ||
| Away | 80 | 39 | 41 | 425 | 417 | ||
| Total | 162 | 78 | 84 | 877 | 900 |
| 1996 Minnesota Twins | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | CatchersInfielders | Outfielders | ManagerCoaches | ||||||
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 97 | 329 | 94 | .286 | 6 | 47 | ||
| 1B | 130 | 405 | 115 | .284 | 13 | 61 | ||
| 2B | 153 | 578 | 197 | .341 | 13 | 72 | ||
| SS | 152 | 517 | 138 | .267 | 8 | 67 | ||
| 3B | 121 | 422 | 102 | .242 | 13 | 53 | ||
| LF | 145 | 569 | 176 | .309 | 16 | 111 | ||
| CF | 148 | 525 | 153 | .291 | 12 | 71 | ||
| RF | 79 | 252 | 65 | .258 | 6 | 42 | ||
| DH | 161 | 660 | 225 | .341 | 9 | 113 |
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98 | 322 | 104 | .323 | 6 | 47 | ||
| 107 | 234 | 52 | .222 | 0 | 23 | ||
| 95 | 233 | 69 | .296 | 12 | 41 | ||
| 63 | 215 | 48 | .223 | 2 | 24 | ||
| 49 | 127 | 25 | .197 | 1 | 10 | ||
| 85 | 87 | 24 | .276 | 1 | 16 | ||
| 25 | 82 | 21 | .256 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 40 | 81 | 17 | .210 | 0 | 5 | ||
| 10 | 20 | 6 | .300 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 7 | 9 | 2 | .222 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 4 | 6 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 232.0 | 11 | 16 | 4.46 | 148 | ||
| 38 | 206.2 | 13 | 14 | 5.05 | 110 | ||
| 36 | 186.1 | 7 | 17 | 5.12 | 114 | ||
| 25 | 122.0 | 6 | 5 | 5.09 | 75 | ||
| 19 | 111.1 | 8 | 6 | 5.42 | 83 | ||
| 7 | 26.1 | 1 | 2 | 9.23 | 15 | ||
| 7 | 26.1 | 1 | 1 | 8.20 | 24 | ||
| 1 | 4.1 | 0 | 1 | 10.38 | 1 |
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 70.0 | 5 | 5 | 6.04 | 50 | ||
| 20 | 45.0 | 1 | 4 | 7.20 | 30 | ||
| 10 | 28.2 | 1 | 1 | 7.85 | 15 |
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 4.66 | 29 | ||
| 83 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5.25 | 74 | ||
| 50 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5.69 | 46 | ||
| 49 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3.79 | 56 | ||
| 43 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 3.01 | 57 | ||
| 26 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8.31 | 19 | ||
| 24 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7.90 | 13 |
Outfielder Kirby Puckett won the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team", as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media.
See also: Minor League Baseball.