RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
These percentile rankings are a score to indicate how Zoilo Versalles ranks among all historic players for several skill categories. For example, a percentile of "85% Power" would indicate a player among the top 15% of players in raw batting power, and a percentile of "Speed 3%" would indicate a player that is among the slowest players in the history of the game. These percentiles are entirely based on career statistical accomplishments for players with over 500 games played or 500 innings pitched, so may not accurately reflect an intangible ability.
On April 12, 1966, the defending American League champion Minnesota Twins hosted the Kansas City...
1966 Kansas City Athletics vs Minnesota Twins - Radio Broadcast / On April 12, 1966, the defending American League champion Minnesota Twins hosted the Kansas City Athletics at Metropolitan Stadium. Jim “Mudcat” Grant, coming off a 21-win season in 1965, took the mound for Minnesota in his first start of the year. Kansas City countered with 20-year-old right-hander Catfish Hunter, making his season debut after a strong rookie campaign. The Twins were looking to maintain momentum after a World Series appearance the previous fall, while the Athletics, still in their final years in Kansas City, were continuing to build around young talent like Hunter and Ken Harrelson. This matchup came in the opening days of a season that would feature strong performances across the league from stars such as Frank Robinson and Sandy Koufax.
The game moved at a steady pace and was marked by efficient pitching from both starters. Minnesota opened the scoring in the third when Bernie Allen advanced to third on an error and scored on a single from Sandy Valdespino. Kansas City quickly responded in the fourth with a triple from Larry Hershberger and a groundout by Billy Bryan that tied the game. From there, both Grant and Hunter limited scoring threats, with Grant inducing two double plays and retiring 16 of the final 20 batters he faced. Hunter also held his own into the ninth, but a leadoff walk and a wild pitch set up Valdespino’s game-winning hit, ending a low-hit contest decided by execution and control.
Minnesota secured a 2–1 victory behind a complete game from Jim Grant and a timely hit by Sandy Valdespino. The win helped set the tone for a season in which the Twins would remain in contention, finishing second in the American League behind the Baltimore Orioles. Kansas City would again finish near the bottom of the standings, though Hunter continued to develop into a future Hall of Famer. The Twins, under manager Sam Mele, relied heavily on consistent pitching and a solid defensive core during their strong 1966 campaign.
1963 marked the first time in 5 years that only one game was played at...
1963 MLB All-Star Game - Radio Broadcast / 1963 marked the first time in 5 years that only one game was played at the midseason break. The game took place at Cleveland Stadium in front of only 44,000 in a ballpark that could hold twice as many. It didn't help that the Indians entered the break in 6th place, and their only representative on the all-star team was "Mudcat" Grant , who didn't even see any action. The game was notable however in that Stan Musial made his 24th and final appearance in the all-star game. And youngster Carl Yastrzemski would make his 1st of 18 future appearances.