1987 Minnesota Twins season

1987 Minnesota Twins
World Series Champions American League Champions American League West Champions
League	American League
Division	West
Ballpark	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
City	Minneapolis
Record	85–77 (.525)
Divisional place	1st
Owners	Carl Pohlad
General managers	Andy MacPhail
Managers	Tom Kelly
Television	KMSP-TV (John Rooney, John Gordon, Harmon Killebrew) Twinsvision (Dick Bremer, Frank Quilici)
Radio	830 WCCO AM (Herb Carneal, John Gordon)
Seasons

The 1987 Minnesota Twins season was the 27th season for the Minnesota Twins franchise in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, their 6th season at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and the 87th overall in the American League. The Twins won the World Series for the first time since moving from Washington in 1961, the second time that the franchise won the World Series (the Washington Senators won it in 1924). Having won only 85 games during the 1987 regular season, they won the World Series with the then-fewest regular season wins since Major League Baseball expanded to a 162-game season in 1961, and the fewest of any team since the 1889 New York Giants (excluding the strike-shortened 1981 and the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 seasons and later surpassed by the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals who won 83 games that season). They also became the first team to win the World Series despite being outscored by their opponents in the regular season, having scored 786 runs and allowed 806.

Tom Kelly became the fifth manager to win a World Series in his first full season on the job, and one of seven total, as of 2023, to accomplish the feat.

Offseason

• November 12, 1986: The Twins traded a player to be named later to the New York Mets for Ron Gardenhire. The Twins completed the trade by sending Dominic Iasparro (minors) to the Mets on April 4, 1987. Gardenhire would spend the next 28 years in the Twins Organization including a 13-year stint as manager from 2002-2014.
• January 9, 1987: Juan Berenguer was signed as a free agent by the Twins.
• February 3, 1987: Neal Heaton, Yorkis Pérez, Jeff Reed and minor leaguer Al Cardwood were traded by the Twins to the Montreal Expos for Jeff Reardon and Tom Nieto.
• February 20, 1987: Minor leaguer Mike Shade was traded by the Twins to the Montreal Expos for Al Newman.
• February 24, 1987: Billy Sample was signed as a free agent by the Minnesota Twins.

Regular season

The Twins were 85-77, first in the American League West, two games ahead of the Kansas City Royals. The team had one of the lowest winning percentages ever for a World Series champion, at .525. They also had the remarkably bad road record of 29-52 (.358 percentage) but made up for it winning 56 home games (best in MLB). Fortunately for the Twins, they played in a very weak division; only two teams finished above .500 and only 10 games separated the Twins from the last-place California Angels (the previous year's division champion) and Texas Rangers. The Twins' 85-77 was the lowest for a World Series champion for nearly two decades, until the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series with an 83-78 record.

1987 was the first year the Twins started using their modernized logos and uniforms, which are still in use today.

Only one Twin made the All-Star Game, outfielder Kirby Puckett. The highest paid player was Kent Hrbek at $1,310,000; followed by Bert Blyleven at $1,150,000.

Over a late August weekend at Milwaukee, Puckett went 10 for 11, with four homers and two doubles, raising his batting average 13 points. The feat tied a major league record.

Joe Niekro, a pitcher for the Twins, was suspended for 10 games when umpire Tim Tschida discovered an emery board in his pocket. Tschida suspected Niekro was scuffing the ball, and saw the emery board fly out of Niekro's pocket. Niekro said he was filing his nails in the dugout, but American League president Dr. Bobby Brown didn't believe him, and ordered the suspension. When the Twins won the pennant, Niekro set a major league record as he'd waited 20½ years since his debut to reach a World Series game.

2,081,976 fans attended Twins games, the sixth highest total in the American League.

The Homer Hanky was introduced in 1987's pennant drive. When the Twins made the playoffs for the first time since 1970, three members of that team remained with the club now seventeen years later. Bert Blyleven was the only remaining player; Tony Oliva became the hitting coach and Rick Renick the third base coach.

Offense

This was the last year for a long time that the Twins were stocked with power hitters. In particular, Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti, and Tom Brunansky combined to hit 125 home runs. (The team as a whole hit 196.) Hrbek, Gaetti, and Brunansky each surpassed 30 home runs, a number that no Twin would reach again until Justin Morneau and Torii Hunter in 2006.

Kirby Puckett led the AL with 207 hits.

Despite the power in their lineup, the Twins were outscored 806-786, one of the largest such differentials for a World Series champion.

Team Leaders

Statistic	Player	Quantity
HR	Kent Hrbek	34
RBI	Gary Gaetti	109
BA	Kirby Puckett	.332
Runs	Kirby Puckett	96

Pitching

The top three starting pitchers, Frank Viola, Bert Blyleven, and Les Straker provided stability throughout the year. Mike Smithson, Joe Niekro, and Jeff Bittiger were less reliable. Newly acquired closer Jeff Reardon was a reliable option at the end of games. Juan Berenguer was the most reliable set-up man, posting a 3.94 ERA.

Bert Blyleven led the AL with 46 home runs allowed.

Team Leaders

Statistic	Player	Quantity
ERA	Frank Viola	2.90
Wins	Frank Viola	17
Saves	Jeff Reardon	31
Strikeouts	Frank Viola	197

Defense

The defense was not as strong as would be typical for Twins teams under manager Tom Kelly. Hrbek was the most reliable fielder at first base, and the outfield of Dan Gladden, Puckett, and Brunansky was reliable. Third baseman Gary Gaetti and center fielder Kirby Puckett each won their second Gold Glove Award.

Season standings

AL West

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Minnesota Twins	85	77	.525	—	56‍–‍25	29‍–‍52
Kansas City Royals	83	79	.512	2	46‍–‍35	37‍–‍44
Oakland Athletics	81	81	.500	4	42‍–‍39	39‍–‍42
Seattle Mariners	78	84	.481	7	40‍–‍41	38‍–‍43
Chicago White Sox	77	85	.475	8	38‍–‍43	39‍–‍42
Texas Rangers	75	87	.463	10	43‍–‍38	32‍–‍49
California Angels	75	87	.463	10	38‍–‍43	37‍–‍44

Record vs. opponents

1987 American League record Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]
Team	BAL	BOS	CAL	CWS	CLE	DET	KC	MIL	MIN	NYY	OAK	SEA	TEX	TOR
Baltimore	—	1–12	9–3	8–4	7–6	4–9	9–3	2–11	5–7	3–10	7–5	4–8	7–5	1–12
Boston	12–1	—	4–8	3–9	7–6	2–11	6–6	6–7	7–5	7–6	4–8	7–5	7–5	6–7
California	3–9	8–4	—	8–5	7–5	3–9	5–8	7–5	8–5	3–9	6–7	7–6	5–8	5–7
Chicago	4–8	9–3	5–8	—	7–5	3–9	6–7	6–6	6–7	5–7	9–4	6–7	7–6	4–8
Cleveland	6–7	6–7	5–7	5–7	—	4–9	6–6	4–9	3–9	6–7	4–8	5–7	2–10	5–8
Detroit	9–4	11–2	9–3	9–3	9–4	—	5–7	6–7	8–4	5–8	5–7	7–5	8–4	7–6
Kansas City	3–9	6–6	8–5	7–6	6–6	7–5	—	4–8	8–5	5–7	5–8	9–4	7–6	8–4
Milwaukee	11–2	7–6	5–7	6–6	9–4	7–6	8–4	—	3–9	7–6	6–6	4–8	9–3	9–4
Minnesota	7–5	5–7	5–8	7–6	9–3	4–8	5–8	9–3	—	6–6	10–3	9–4	6–7	3–9
New York	10–3	6–7	9–3	7–5	7–6	8–5	7–5	6–7	6–6	—	5–7	7–5	5–7	6–7
Oakland	5–7	8–4	7–6	4–9	8–4	7–5	8–5	6–6	3–10	7–5	—	5–8	6–7	7–5
Seattle	8–4	5–7	6–7	7–6	7–5	5–7	4–9	8–4	4–9	5–7	8–5	—	9–4	2–10
Texas	5–7	5–7	8–5	6–7	10–2	4–8	6–7	3–9	7–6	7–5	7–6	4–9	—	3–9
Toronto	12–1	7–6	7–5	8–4	8–5	6–7	4–8	4–9	9–3	7–6	5–7	10–2	9–3	—

Game log

Regular season

1987 game log: 85−77 (Home: 56−25; Away: 29−52)
April: 12–9 (Home: 7–3; Away: 5–6) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 1 April 7 Athletics 5–4 (10) Frazier (1–0) Krueger (0–1) — 43,548 1–0 W1 2 April 8 Athletics 4–1 Viola (1–0) Plunk (0–1) Reardon (1) 12,577 2–0 W2 3 April 9 Athletics 5–4 Berenguer (1–0) Howell (0–1) — 11,586 3–0 W3 4 April 10 @ Mariners 8–1 Smithson (1–0) Morgan (0–1) — 38,122 4–0 W4 5 April 11 @ Mariners 5–6 Nunez (1–0) Reardon (0–1) — 26,312 4–1 L1 6 April 12 @ Mariners 8–5 Blyleven (1–0) Langston (0–2) Berenguer (1) 9,358 5–1 W1 7 April 13 @ Athletics 3–6 Howell (1–1) Frazier (1–1) — 14,447 5–2 L1 8 April 14 @ Athletics 9–8 Atherton (1–0) Codiroli (0–1) Reardon (2) 10,435 6–2 W1 9 April 15 @ Athletics 5–2 Smithson (2–0) Stewart (0–2) Reardon (3) 17,182 7–2 W2 10 April 17 @ Angels 1–2 Witt (2–1) Blyleven (1–1) — 36,175 7–3 L1 11 April 18 @ Angels 0–1 Candelaria (2–0) Viola (1–1) Moore (2) 36,881 7–4 L2 12 April 19 @ Angels 6–5 Portugal (1–0) Sutton (0–3) Reardon (4) 49,627 8–4 W1 13 April 20 Mariners 13–5 Smithson (3–0) Morgan (0–3) — 11,927 9–4 W2 14 April 21 Mariners 6–1 Straker (1–0) Trujillo (1–1) — 10,776 10–4 W3 15 April 22 Mariners 3–4 Langston (2–2) Frazier (1–2) — 11,247 10–5 L1 16 April 23 Angels 3–7 Candelaria (3–0) Viola (1–2) Moore (3) 14,204 10–6 L2 17 April 24 Angels 1–8 Sutton (1–3) Portugal (1–1) — 20,116 10–7 L3 18 April 25 Angels 8–7 Reardon (1–1) Finley (0–1) — 51,717 11–7 W1 19 April 26 Angels 10–5 Frazier (2–2) Cook (1–1) — 19,116 12–7 W2 20 April 28 @ Blue Jays 1–5 Clancy (2–2) Viola (1–3) — 21,182 12–8 L1 21 April 29 @ Blue Jays 1–8 Johnson (1–2) Smithson (3–1) — 19,020 12–9 L2
May: 14–14 (Home: 9–8; Away: 5–6) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 22 May 1 Yankees 7–4 Blyleven (2–1) Rhoden (2–3) Reardon (5) 23,531 13–9 W1 23 May 2 Yankees 4–6 John (2–0) Viola (1–4) Righetti (7) 33,173 13–10 L1 24 May 3 Yankees 4–3 Frazier (3–2) Stoddard (0–1) Reardon (6) 23,798 14–10 W1 25 May 5 Orioles 4–5 Bell (3–1) Smithson (3–2) Dixon (1) 8,891 14–11 L1 26 May 6 Orioles 0–6 McGregor (1–4) Blyleven (2–2) — 10,840 14–12 L2 27 May 7 Orioles 5–2 Viola (2–4) Flanagan (0–5) Reardon (7) 14,198 15–12 W1 28 May 8 @ Yankees 7–11 Guante (2–1) Reardon (1–2) — 25,921 15–13 L1 29 May 9 @ Yankees 2–0 Straker (2–0) Rasmussen (2–2) Reardon (8) 27,220 16–13 W1 30 May 10 @ Yankees 1–6 Hudson (5–0) Smithson (3–3) — 41,691 16–14 L1 31 May 11 @ Orioles 10–4 Blyleven (3–2) McGregor (1–5) — 25,353 17–14 W1 32 May 12 @ Orioles 7–10 Dixon (3–2) Reardon (1–3) — 14,279 17–15 L1 33 May 13 Blue Jays 0–7 Clancy (5–2) Portugal (1–2) — 9,158 17–16 L2 34 May 14 Blue Jays 4–16 Stieb (2–2) Straker (2–1) — 10,053 17–17 L3 35 May 15 Red Sox 3–1 Frazier (4–2) Hurst (4–4) — 13,878 18–17 W1 36 May 16 Red Sox 1–6 Clemens (3–3) Blyleven (3–3) — 23,414 18–18 L1 37 May 17 Red Sox 10–8 (10) Atherton (2–0) Schiraldi (1–3) — 20,716 19–18 W1 38 May 19 @ Indians 3–4 Schrom (3–4) Portugal (1–3) — 7,045 19–19 L1 39 May 20 @ Indians 8–2 Berenguer (2–0) Candiotti (1–6) — 6,226 20–19 W1 40 May 21 @ Indians 3–6 Swindell (3–3) Blyleven (3–4) — 7,401 20–20 L1 41 May 22 7:05 p.m. CDT Tigers 2–3 Morris (5–2) Viola (2–5) — 2:43 15,423 20–21 L2 42 May 23 7:05 p.m. CDT Tigers 7–5 Anderson (1–0) Terrell (3–5) Reardon (9) 3:10 18,601 21–21 W1 43 May 24 1:15 p.m. CDT Tigers 2–7 Robinson (3–2) Atherton (2–1) — 3:07 16,351 21–22 L1 44 May 26 Brewers 4–2 Blyleven (4–4) Nieves (3–2) Reardon (10) 23,276 22–22 W1 45 May 27 Brewers 7–2 Viola (3–5) Wegman (3–5) Frazier (1) 22,947 23–22 W2 46 May 28 Brewers 13–1 Berenguer (3–0) Birkbeck (1–4) — 26,203 24–22 W3 47 May 29 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Tigers 7–15 Terrell (4–5) Straker (2–2) — 2:28 19,031 24–23 L1 — May 30 @ Tigers Postponed (rain) (Rescheduled May 31) 48 May 31 (1) 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Tigers 9–5 Reardon (2–3) King (2–4) — 3:25 n/a 25–23 W1 49 May 31 (2) 4:30 p.m. CDT @ Tigers 11–3 Frazier (5–2) Tanana (4–3) — 2:56 20,993 26–23 W2
June: 17–11 (Home: 10–2; Away: 7–9) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 50 June 1 @ Red Sox 9–5 Viola (4–5) Clemens (4–5) — 20,221 27–23 W3 51 June 2 @ Red Sox 5–6 Schiraldi (3–3) Reardon (2–4) — 16,910 27–24 L1 52 June 3 @ Red Sox 6–7 (10) Schiraldi (4–3) Klink (0–1) — 20,638 27–25 L2 53 June 5 Rangers 9–15 Harris (2–4) Blyleven (4–5) — 16,092 27–26 L3 54 June 6 Rangers 3–2 (13) Atherton (3–1) Williams (3–3) — 24,992 28–26 W1 55 June 7 Rangers 7–4 Atherton (4–1) Russell (0–1) — 15,795 29–26 W2 56 June 8 7:05 p.m. CDT Royals 5–3 Niemann (1–0) Gubicza (3–7) Reardon (11) 2:35 17,815 30–26 W3 57 June 9 7:05 p.m. CDT Royals 5–2 Niekro (1–0) Jackson (2–8) Atherton (1) 3:00 18,563 31–26 W4 58 June 10 7:05 p.m. CDT Royals 4–3 (10) Reardon (3–4) Gleaton (1–2) — 3:04 18,560 32–26 W5 — June 11 @ White Sox Postponed (rain) (Rescheduled June 12) 59 June 12 (1) @ White Sox 5–2 Viola (5–5) Long (3–2) Reardon (12) n/a 33–26 W6 60 June 12 (2) @ White Sox 7–4 Berenguer (4–0) Nielsen (0–1) Atherton (2) 18,906 34–26 W7 61 June 13 @ White Sox 2–6 Dotson (4–4) Straker (2–3) James (8) 28,087 34–27 L1 62 June 14 @ White Sox 6–3 Niekro (2–0) DeLeon (4–6) Berenguer (2) 17,334 35–27 W1 63 June 15 @ Brewers 5–0 Blyleven (5–5) Wegman (5–6) — 18,403 36–27 W2 64 June 16 @ Brewers 7–3 Viola (6–5) Crim (3–4) Reardon (13) 21,613 37–27 W3 65 June 17 @ Brewers 5–8 Clear (5–1) Straker (2–4) Plesac (14) 23,389 37–28 L1 66 June 19 White Sox 7–6 Reardon (4–4) Winn (2–3) — 24,123 38–28 W1 67 June 20 White Sox 5–10 DeLeon (5–6) Blyleven (5–6) — 33,636 38–29 L1 68 June 21 White Sox 8–6 Berenguer (5–0) Winn (2–4) Reardon (14) 29,240 39–29 W1 69 June 23 Indians 9–4 Smithson (4–3) Candiotti (2–8) Frazier (2) 17,393 40–29 W2 70 June 24 Indians 14–8 Straker (3–4) Swindell (3–7) — 19,885 41–29 W3 71 June 25 Indians 4–3 Blyleven (6–6) Niekro (5–7) Reardon (15) 27,489 42–29 W4 72 June 26 @ Rangers 0–1 Witt (3–3) Viola (6–6) Mohorcic (10) 20,605 42–30 L1 73 June 27 (1) @ Rangers 6–11 Correa (3–5) Frazier (5–3) Russell (2) n/a 42–31 L2 74 June 27 (2) @ Rangers 2–7 Hough (8–3) Atherton (4–2) — 35,677 42–32 L3 75 June 28 @ Rangers 3–6 Guzman (6–6) Smithson (4–4) Mohorcic (11) 17,477 42–33 L4 76 June 29 7:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals 2–3 (5) Jackson (4–10) Straker (3–5) — 1:22 35,872 42–34 L5 77 June 30 7:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals 3–1 Blyleven (7–6) Leibrandt (8–6) Reardon (16) 2:44 21,515 43–34 W1
July: 13–14 (Home: 7–3; Away: 6–11) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 78 July 1 7:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals 3–4 Quisenberry (3–0) Atherton (4–3) — 2:59 26,899 43–35 L1 79 July 2 7:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals 3–10 Saberhagen (14–2) Niekro (2–1) — 2:42 35,992 43–36 L2 80 July 3 Orioles 6–5 (11) Reardon (5–4) Niedenfuer (1–1) — 26,331 44–36 W1 81 July 4 Orioles 4–1 Straker (4–5) Bell (6–6) Berenguer (3) 23,724 45–36 W2 82 July 5 Orioles 4–3 Blyleven (8–6) Niedenfuer (1–2) — 21,294 46–36 W3 83 July 6 @ Yankees 2–0 Viola (7–6) Guidry (1–4) — 20,141 47–36 W4 84 July 7 @ Yankees 7–12 Stoddard (2–1) Atherton (4–4) — 27,697 47–37 L1 85 July 8 @ Yankees 4–13 Rhoden (11–5) Smithson (4–5) Clements (4) 38,168 47–38 L2 86 July 9 @ Orioles 3–1 Straker (5–5) Bell (6–7) Reardon (17) 22,656 48–38 W1 87 July 10 @ Orioles 12–13 Williamson (3–6) Frazier (5–4) — 28,057 48–39 L1 88 July 11 @ Orioles 2–1 Viola (8–6) Griffin (1–3) — 25,690 49–39 W1 89 July 12 @ Orioles 0–5 Schmidt (9–2) Niekro (2–2) — 27,486 49–40 L1 58th All-Star Game in Oakland, California 90 July 16 Blue Jays 2–5 Key (10–6) Blyleven (8–7) Henke (18) 34,334 49–41 L2 91 July 17 Blue Jays 3–2 Viola (9–6) Eichhorn (8–5) Reardon (18) 28,234 50–41 W1 92 July 18 Blue Jays 5–7 Stieb (8–5) Niekro (2–3) — 38,365 50–42 L1 93 July 19 Blue Jays 7–6 Schatzeder (1–0) Lavelle (1–1) Reardon (19) 32,095 51–42 W1 94 July 20 Yankees 1–7 John (9–3) Straker (5–6) — 34,966 51–43 L1 95 July 21 Yankees 2–1 Blyleven (9–7) Stoddard (2–2) — 37,391 52–43 W1 96 July 22 Yankees 3–1 Viola (10–6) Rhoden (12–6) Reardon (20) 40,054 53–43 W2 97 July 23 @ Blue Jays 3–4 Stieb (9–5) Frazier (5–5) — 35,320 53–44 L1 98 July 24 @ Blue Jays 6–8 Eichhorn (9–5) Reardon (5–5) Henke (20) 30,382 53–45 L2 99 July 25 @ Blue Jays 13–9 Schatzeder (2–0) Musselman (7–4) — 36,395 54–45 W1 100 July 26 @ Blue Jays 2–4 Key (11–6) Blyleven (9–8) Henke (21) 33,393 54–46 L1 101 July 27 @ Mariners 4–3 Viola (11–6) Nunez (3–2) Reardon (21) 13,858 55–46 W1 102 July 28 @ Mariners 1–6 Morgan (8–11) Niekro (2–4) — 13,495 55–47 L1 103 July 29 @ Mariners 3–8 Guetterman (9–2) Smithson (4–6) — 14,320 55–48 L2 104 July 31 @ Athletics 5–3 Blyleven (10–8) Lamp (1–2) Reardon (22) 32,097 56–48 W1
August: 13–15 (Home: 10–4; Away: 3–11) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 105 August 1 @ Athletics 2–3 Stewart (14–7) Viola (11–7) — 40,929 56–49 L1 106 August 2 @ Athletics 5–6 (11) Nelson (5–2) Reardon (5–6) — 33,215 56–50 L2 107 August 3 @ Angels 11–3 Schatzeder (3–0) Witt (13–7) — 33,983 57–50 W1 108 August 4 @ Angels 3–12 Sutton (8–9) Carlton (0–1) Lucas (2) 37,371 57–51 L1 109 August 5 @ Angels 1–6 Candelaria (6–3) Blyleven (10–9) — 34,059 57–52 L2 110 August 6 Athletics 9–4 Viola (12–7) Stewart (14–8) — 39,177 58–52 W1 111 August 7 Athletics 9–4 Niekro (3–4) Lamp (1–3) — 36,146 59–52 W2 112 August 8 Athletics 9–2 Carlton (1–1) Young (10–6) — 50,237 60–52 W3 113 August 9 Athletics 7–5 Blyleven (11–9) Ontiveros (6–6) Reardon (23) 33,948 61–52 W4 114 August 11 Angels 7–2 Viola (13–7) Candelaria (6–4) — 39,163 62–52 W5 115 August 12 Angels 2–8 McCaskill (3–4) Straker (5–7) — 33,033 62–53 L1 116 August 13 Angels 1–5 Witt (14–8) Carlton (1–2) — 35,837 62–54 L2 117 August 14 Mariners 6–3 Blyleven (12–9) Morgan (10–12) — 26,291 63–54 W1 118 August 15 Mariners 14–4 Smith (1–0) Guetterman (9–4) — 31,154 64–54 W2 119 August 16 Mariners 5–1 Viola (14–7) Moore (5–15) — 28,006 65–54 W3 120 August 17 Mariners 4–2 Straker (6–7) Langston (13–10) Reardon (24) 29,623 66–54 W4 121 August 18 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Tigers 2–11 Morris (14–6) Carlton (1–3) — 2:36 32,053 66–55 L1 122 August 19 6:35 p.m. CDT @ Tigers 1–7 Terrell (10–10) Blyleven (12–10) — 2:12 38,163 66–56 L2 123 August 20 12:35 p.m. CDT @ Tigers 0–8 Alexander (1–0) Niekro (3–5) — 2:46 45,804 66–57 L3 124 August 21 @ Red Sox 3–11 Clemens (13–7) Viola (14–8) Gardner (5) 33,490 66–58 L4 125 August 22 @ Red Sox 5–6 Schiraldi (8–5) Straker (6–8) — 29,794 66–59 L5 126 August 23 @ Red Sox 4–6 Sellers (5–6) Carlton (1–4) Gardner (6) 32,956 66–60 L6 127 August 24 7:05 p.m. CDT Tigers 5–4 Reardon (6–6) King (6–9) — 3:07 27,338 67–60 W1 128 August 25 7:05 p.m. CDT Tigers 4–5 Alexander (2–0) Niekro (3–6) Henneman (4) 2:52 30,639 67–61 L1 129 August 26 7:05 p.m. CDT Tigers 8–10 Petry (8–6) Reardon (6–7) Hernández (7) 3:29 29,265 67–62 L2 130 August 28 @ Brewers 0–1 Bosio (8–5) Straker (6–9) — 22,461 67–63 L3 131 August 29 @ Brewers 12–3 Blyleven (13–10) Barker (2–1) — 34,834 68–63 W1 132 August 30 @ Brewers 10–6 Atherton (5–4) Crim (5–6) Reardon (25) 22,417 69—63 W2
September: 16–11 (Home: 13–5; Away: 3–6) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 133 September 1 Red Sox 0–9 Sellers (6–6) Niekro (3–7) — 25,508 69–64 L1 134 September 2 Red Sox 5–4 Straker (7–9) Nipper (8–11) Reardon (26) 19,565 70–64 W1 135 September 3 Red Sox 2–1 (10) Atherton (6–4) Gardner (1–6) — 20,009 71–64 W2 136 September 4 Brewers 2–1 (12) Berenguer (6–0) Plesac (5–5) — 27,380 72–64 W3 137 September 5 Brewers 2–1 Atherton (7–4) Crim (5–7) — 51,122 73–64 W4 138 September 6 Brewers 0–6 Higuera (15–9) Carlton (1–5) — 36,586 73–65 L1 139 September 7 White Sox 8–1 Bittiger (1–0) LaPoint (3–3) — 22,623 74–65 W1 140 September 8 White Sox 3–4 Bannister (12–10) Blyleven (13–11) Thigpen (9) 12,360 74–66 L1 141 September 9 White Sox 2–1 Viola (15–8) Winn (4–6) — 15,394 75–66 W1 142 September 11 @ Indians 13–10 (11) Reardon (7–7) Gordon (0–3) Berenguer (4) 7,964 76–66 W2 143 September 12 @ Indians 4–5 Jones (4–4) Berenguer (6–1) — 9,156 76–67 L1 144 September 13 @ Indians 7–3 (10) Reardon (8–7) Candiotti (7–16) — 7,474 77–67 W1 145 September 14 @ White Sox 2–8 LaPoint (4–3) Viola (15–9) — 7,898 77–68 L1 146 September 15 @ White Sox 2–6 McDowell (1–0) Niekro (3–8) — 7,947 77–69 L2 147 September 16 @ White Sox 10–13 DeLeon (10–12) Smithson (4–7) Thigpen (11) 8,921 77–70 L3 148 September 18 Indians 9–4 Blyleven (14–11) Akerfelds (2–5) — 23,173 78–70 W1 149 September 19 Indians 3–1 Viola (16–9) Candiotti (7–17) Reardon (27) 23,581 79–70 W2 150 September 20 Indians 3–2 Straker (8–9) Yett (3–8) Reardon (28) 18,906 80–70 W3 151 September 22 Rangers 6–4 Niekro (4–8) Harris (5–10) Reardon (29) 18,294 81–70 W4 152 September 23 Rangers 4–2 Berenguer (7–1) Guzman (14–12) Reardon (30) 20,640 82–70 W5 153 September 24 Rangers 4–0 Viola (17–9) Hough (17–12) — 23,496 83–70 W6 154 September 25 7:05 p.m. CDT Royals 4–6 Farr (4–3) Schatzeder (3–1) Garber (6) 3:07 52,704 83–71 L1 155 September 26 11:00 a.m. CDT Royals 4–7 Davis (5–2) Reardon (8–8) Garber (7) 3:04 46,263 83–72 L2 156 September 27 1:15 p.m. CDT Royals 8–1 Blyleven (15–11) Leibrandt (15–11) — 2:12 53,106 84–72 W1 157 September 28 @ Rangers 5–3 Berenguer (8–1) Guzman (14–13) Reardon (31) 9,986 85–72 W2 158 September 29 @ Rangers 5–7 Hough (18–12) Atherton (7–5) — 10,328 85–73 L1 159 September 30 @ Rangers 1–2 Witt (8–10) Straker (8–10) — 9,309 85–74 L2
October: 0–3 (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–3) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 160 October 2 7:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals 3–6 Saberhagen (18–10) Viola (17–10) — 2:23 22,578 85–75 L3 161 October 3 7:05 p.m. CDT @ Royals 2–4 Leibrandt (16–11) Blyleven (15–12) Garber (8) 2:18 28,082 85–76 L4 162 October 4 1:35 p.m. CDT @ Royals 1–10 Gubicza (13–18) Niekro (4–9) — 2:24 26,341 85–77 L5
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement Bold = Twins team member

Postseason Game log

1987 Postseason game log: 8−4 (Home 6−0; Away 2−4)
AL Championship Series: vs. Detroit Tigers: 4−1 (Home: 2–0; Away: 2–1) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box/ Streak 1 October 7 7:28 p.m. CDT Tigers 8–5 Reardon (1–0) Alexander (0–1) — 2:46 53,269 MIN 1–0 W1 2 October 8 7:38 p.m. CDT Tigers 6–3 Blyleven (1–0) Morris (0–1) Berenguer (1) 2:54 55,245 MIN 2–0 W2 3 October 10 12:10 p.m. CDT @ Tigers 6–7 Henneman (1–0) Reardon (1–1) — 3:29 49,730 MIN 2–1 L1 4 October 11 7:23 p.m. CDT @ Tigers 5–3 Viola (1–0) Tanana (0–1) Reardon (1) 3:24 51,939 MIN 3–1 W1 5 October 12 2:07 p.m. CDT @ Tigers 9–5 Blyleven (2–0) Alexander (0–2) Reardon (2) 3:14 47,448 MIN 4–1 W2
World Series: vs. St. Louis Cardinals: 4−3 (Home: 4–0; Away: 0–3) # Date Time (CT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box/ Streak 1 October 17 7:35 p.m. CDT Cardinals 10–1 Viola (1–0) Magrane (0–1) — 2:39 55,171 MIN 1–0 W1 2 October 18 7:25 p.m. CDT Cardinals 8–4 Blyleven (1–0) Cox (0–1) — 2:42 55,257 MIN 2–0 W2 3 October 20 7:33 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals 1–3 Tudor (1–0) Berenguer (0–1) Worrell (1) 2:45 55,347 MIN 2–1 L1 4 October 21 7:29 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals 2–7 Forsch (1–0) Viola (1–1) Dayley (1) 3:11 55,347 Tied 2–2 L2 5 October 22 7:42 p.m. CDT @ Cardinals 2–4 Cox (1–1) Blyleven (1–1) Worrell (2) 3:21 55,347 STL 3–2 L3 6 October 24 3:00 p.m. CDT Cardinals 11–5 Schatzeder (1–0) Tudor (1–1) — 3:22 55,293 Tied 3–3 W1 7 October 25 7:26 p.m. CST Cardinals 4–2 Viola (2–1) Cox (1–2) Reardon (1) 3:04 55,376 MIN 4–3 W2
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement Bold = Twins team member

Detailed records

American League
Opponent	W	L	WP	RS	RA
AL East
Detroit Tigers	4	8	0.333	58	83
Toronto Blue Jays	3	9	0.250	47	81
Total	7	17	0.292	105	164
AL West
Kansas City Royals	5	8	0.385	47	60
Minnesota Twins
Total	5	8	0.385	47	60
Season Total	12	25	0.324	152	224

Month	Games	Won	Lost	Win %	RS	RA
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
Total

	Games	Won	Lost	Win %	RS	RA
Home
Away

Notable transactions

• March 31, 1987: Minor leaguers Jose Dominguez and Ray Velázquez and a player to be named later were traded by the Twins to the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Dan Gladden and minor leaguer David Blakely. The Twins completed the deal by sending Bryan Hickerson to the Giants on June 15.
• May 10, 1987: Bill Latham was traded by the Twins to the New York Mets for Jayson Felice (minors).
• May 22, 1987: Sal Butera was signed as a free agent by the Twins.
• June 2, 1987: 1987 Major League Baseball draft
  • Willie Banks was drafted by the Twins in the 1st round (3rd pick overall).
  • Terry Jorgensen was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round.
  • Larry Casian was drafted by the Twins in the 6th round.
  • Mark Guthrie was drafted by the Twins in the 7th round.
  • Chip Hale was drafted by the Twins in the 17th round
  • Bret Boone was drafted by the Twins in the 28th round, but did not sign.
  • Craig Paquette was drafted by the Twins in the 36th round, but did not sign.
• June 2, 1987: Eric Bullock was traded by the Houston Astros to the Minnesota Twins for Clay Christiansen.
• June 7, 1987: Mark Salas was traded by the Twins to the New York Yankees for pitcher Joe Niekro.
• June 24, 1987: Danny Clay and Tom Schwarz (minors) were traded by the Twins to the Philadelphia Phillies for Dan Schatzeder and cash.
• July 31: The Twins traded a player to be named later to the Cleveland Indians for Steve Carlton. The Twins completed the trade by sending minor leaguer Jeff Perry to the Indians on August 18.
• September 1: The Twins traded a player to be named later to the Boston Red Sox for designated hitter Don Baylor. The Twins completed the deal by sending minor leaguer Enrique Rios to the Red Sox on December 18.

Opening Day Lineup

Opening Day Starters
#	Name	Position
32	Dan Gladden	DH
4	Steve Lombardozzi	2B
34	Kirby Puckett	CF
8	Gary Gaetti	3B
14	Kent Hrbek	1B
24	Tom Brunansky	RF
27	Mark Davidson	LF
7	Greg Gagne	SS
11	Tom Nieto	C
28	Bert Blyleven	P

Roster

1987 Minnesota Twins
Roster
Pitchers 49 Allan Anderson 22 Keith Atherton 40 Juan Berenguer 30 Jeff Bittiger 28 Bert Blyleven 38 Steve Carlton 21 George Frazier 46 Joe Klink 36 Joe Niekro 19 Randy Niemann 36 Mark Portugal 41 Jeff Reardon 31 Dan Schatzeder 23 Roy Smith 48 Mike Smithson 17 Les Straker 16 Frank Viola		Catchers 33 Sal Butera 15 Tim Laudner 11 Tom Nieto 12 Mark Salas Infielders  8 Gary Gaetti  7 Greg Gagne 14 Kent Hrbek  9 Gene Larkin  4 Steve Lombardozzi 26 Al Newman  2 Chris Pittaro  5 Roy Smalley		Outfielders 20 Billy Beane 24 Tom Brunansky 25 Randy Bush 27 Mark Davidson 32 Dan Gladden 34 Kirby Puckett Other batters 18 Don Baylor		Manager 10 Tom Kelly Coaches  6 Tony Oliva (Hitting) 44 Rick Renick (Third base) 43 Rick Stelmaszek (Bullpen) 42 Dick Such (Pitching) 45 Wayne Terwilliger (First base)

Game umpires

Regular season

Game	Date	Opponent	HP	1B	2B	3B
41	5–22–1987	Tigers	#25 Mark Johnson	#13 Derryl Cousins	#3 Jim Evans	#35 Ted Hendry
42	5–23–1987	Tigers	#13 Derryl Cousins	#3 Jim Evans	#35 Ted Hendry	#25 Mark Johnson
43	5–24–1987	Tigers	#3 Jim Evans	#35 Ted Hendry	#25 Mark Johnson	#13 Derryl Cousins
47	5–29–1987	@ Tigers	#27 Rocky Roe	#22 Larry Barnett	#18 Greg Kosc	#26 Vic Voltaggio
48	5–31–1987	@ Tigers	#22 Larry Barnett	#18 Greg Kosc	#26 Vic Voltaggio	#27 Rocky Roe
49	5–31–1987	@ Tigers	#18 Greg Kosc	#26 Vic Voltaggio	#27 Rocky Roe	#22 Larry Barnett
56	6–8–1987	Royals	#5 Dale Scott	#10 Larry McCoy	#11 Don Denkinger	#24 Al Clark
57	6–9–1987	Royals	#10 Larry McCoy	#24 Al Clark	(none)	#5 Dale Scott
58	6–10–1987	Royals	#24 Al Clark	#5 Dale Scott	(none)	#10 Larry McCoy
76	6–29–1987	@ Royals	#18 Greg Kosc	#27 Rocky Roe	#22 Larry Barnett	#26 Vic Voltaggio
77	6–30–1987	@ Royals	#27 Rocky Roe	#22 Larry Barnett	#26 Vic Voltaggio	#18 Greg Kosc
78	7–1–1987	@ Royals	#22 Larry Barnett	#26 Vic Voltaggio	#18 Greg Kosc	#27 Rocky Roe
79	7–2–1987	@ Royals	#26 Vic Voltaggio	#18 Greg Kosc	#27 Rocky Roe	#22 Larry Barnett
121	8–18–1987	@ Tigers	#27 Rocky Roe	#26 Vic Voltaggio	#22 Larry Barnett	#18 Greg Kosc
122	8–19–1987	@ Tigers	#26 Vic Voltaggio	#22 Larry Barnett	#18 Greg Kosc	#27 Rocky Roe
123	8–20–1987	@ Tigers	#22 Larry Barnett	#18 Greg Kosc	#27 Rocky Roe	#26 Vic Voltaggio
127	8–24–1987	Tigers	#7 Dave Phillips	#14 Steve Palermo	#34 Dan Morrison	#4 Tim Tschida
128	8–25–1987	Tigers	#14 Steve Palermo	#34 Dan Morrison	#4 Tim Tschida	#7 Dave Phillips
129	8–26–1987	Tigers	#34 Dan Morrison	#4 Tim Tschida	#7 Dave Phillips	#14 Steve Palermo
154	9–25–1987	Royals	#24 Al Clark	#7 Dave Philips	#14 Steve Palermo	#34 Dan Morrison
155	9–26–1987	Royals	#7 Dave Philips	#14 Steve Palermo	#34 Dan Morrison	#24 Al Clark
156	9–27–1987	Royals	#14 Steve Palermo	#34 Dan Morrison	#24 Al Clark	#7 Dave Philips
160	10–2–1987	@ Royals	#19 Rich Garcia	#23 Rick Reed	#33 Durwood Merrill	#17 John Hirschbeck
161	10–3–1987	@ Royals	#23 Rick Reed	#33 Durwood Merrill	#17 John Hirschbeck	#19 Rich Garcia
162	10–4–1987	@ Royals	#33 Durwood Merrill	#17 John Hirschbeck	#19 Rich Garcia	#23 Rick Reed

Playoffs

Game	Round	Date	Opponent	HP	1B	2B	3B	LF	RF
1	AL Championship Series	10–7–1987	Tigers	#15 Joe Brinkman	#33 Durwood Merrill	#37 Drew Coble	#24 Al Clark	#31 Mike Reilly	#8 Jim McKean
2	AL Championship Series	10–8–1987	Tigers	#33 Durwood Merrill	#37 Drew Coble	#24 Al Clark	#31 Mike Reilly	#8 Jim McKean	#15 Joe Brinkman
3	AL Championship Series	10–10–1987	@ Tigers	#37 Drew Coble	#24 Al Clark	#31 Mike Reilly	#8 Jim McKean	#15 Joe Brinkman	#33 Durwood Merrill
4	AL Championship Series	10–11–1987	@ Tigers	#24 Al Clark	#31 Mike Reilly	#8 Jim McKean	#15 Joe Brinkman	#33 Durwood Merrill	#37 Drew Coble
5	AL Championship Series	10–12–1987	@ Tigers	#31 Mike Reilly	#8 Jim McKean	#15 Joe Brinkman	#33 Durwood Merrill	#37 Drew Coble	#24 Al Clark
1	World Series	10–17–1987	Cardinals	#7 Dave Phillips (AL)	#23 Lee Weyer (NL)	#18 Greg Kosc (AL)	#10 John McSherry (NL)	#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)	#19 Terry Tata (NL)
2	World Series	10–18–1987	Cardinals	#23 Lee Weyer (NL)	#18 Greg Kosc (AL)	#10 John McSherry (NL)	#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)	#19 Terry Tata (NL)	#7 Dave Phillips (AL)
3	World Series	10–20–1987	@ Cardinals	#18 Greg Kosc (AL)	#10 John McSherry (NL)	#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)	#19 Terry Tata (NL)	#7 Dave Phillips (AL)	#23 Lee Weyer (NL)
4	World Series	10–21–1987	@ Cardinals	#10 John McSherry (NL)	#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)	#19 Terry Tata (NL)	#7 Dave Phillips (AL)	#23 Lee Weyer (NL)	#18 Greg Kosc (AL)
5	World Series	10–22–1987	@ Cardinals	#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)	#19 Terry Tata (NL)	#7 Dave Phillips (AL)	#23 Lee Weyer (NL)	#18 Greg Kosc (AL)	#10 John McSherry (NL)
6	World Series	10–24–1987	Cardinals	#19 Terry Tata (NL)	#7 Dave Phillips (AL)	#23 Lee Weyer (NL)	#18 Greg Kosc (AL)	#10 John McSherry (NL)	#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)
7	World Series	10–25–1987	Cardinals	#7 Dave Phillips (AL)	#23 Lee Weyer (NL)	#18 Greg Kosc (AL)	#10 John McSherry (NL)	#21 Ken Kaiser (AL)	#19 Terry Tata (NL)

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

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	Tim Laudner	113	288	55	.191	16	43
1B	Kent Hrbek	143	477	136	.285	34	90
2B	Steve Lombardozzi	136	432	103	.238	8	38
3B	Gary Gaetti	154	584	150	.257	31	109
SS	Greg Gagne	137	437	116	.265	10	40
LF	Dan Gladden	121	438	109	.249	8	38
CF	Kirby Puckett	157	624	207	.332	28	99
RF	Tom Brunansky	155	532	138	.259	32	85
DH	Roy Smalley	110	309	85	.275	8	34

Other batters

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
Al Newman	110	307	68	.221	0	29
Randy Bush	122	293	74	.253	11	46
Gene Larkin	85	233	62	.266	4	28
Mark Davidson	102	150	40	.267	1	14
Sal Butera	51	111	19	.171	1	12
Tom Nieto	41	105	21	.200	1	12
Don Baylor	20	49	14	.286	0	6
Mark Salas	22	45	17	.378	3	9
Billy Beane	12	15	4	.267	0	1
Chris Pittaro	14	12	4	.333	0	0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Bert Blyleven	37	267.0	15	12	4.01	196
Frank Viola	36	251.2	17	10	2.90	197
Les Straker	31	154.1	8	10	4.37	76
Mike Smithson	21	109.0	4	7	5.94	53
Joe Niekro	19	96.1	4	9	6.26	54

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Mark Portugal	13	44.0	1	3	7.77	28
Steve Carlton	9	43.0	1	5	6.70	20
Joe Klink	12	23.0	0	1	6.65	17
Roy Smith	7	16.1	1	0	4.96	8
Allan Anderson	4	12.1	1	0	10.95	3
Jeff Bittiger	3	8.1	1	0	5.40	5

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
Jeff Reardon	63	8	8	31	4.48	83
Juan Berenguer	47	8	1	4	3.94	110
Keith Atherton	59	7	5	2	4.54	51
George Frazier	54	5	5	2	4.98	58
Dan Schatzeder	30	3	1	0	6.39	30
Randy Niemann	6	1	0	0	8.44	1

Postseason

See 1987 American League Championship Series and 1987 World Series.

The Twins won the American League Championship Series beating the Detroit Tigers 4 games to 1. Gary Gaetti was named the ALCS MVP. He'd set a record by homering in his first two post-season at-bats. The Twins won the series by winning two of the three road games at Detroit despite a 4-8 regular season record vs the Tigers as well as 29 regular season wins on the road.

The Twins won all four home games to top the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Frank Viola was named the Series' MVP even though it was the Twins bats that were instrumental in the first three wins outscoring St. Louis 29-10 in the process.

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Portland Beavers	Pacific Coast League	Charlie Manuel
AA	Orlando Twins	Southern League	George Mitterwald
A	Visalia Oaks	California League	Danny Schmitz
A	Kenosha Twins	Midwest League	Don Leppert
Rookie	Elizabethton Twins	Appalachian League	Ray Smith

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Kenosha

External links

• Player stats from baseball-reference.com
• Team info from www.baseball-almanac.com
• 1987 Standings
• A set of 10 audio clips of plays from the World Series with the Cardinals