A listing of athletes and other baseball professionals that were born in Minnesota and have left their mark in the baseball world. Partially compiled from “Minnesota’s 50 Greatest Sports Athletes” – Sports Illustrated (1999).
- Charles “Chief” Bender (White Earth Reservation, MN)
Righthander went 23-5 and threw a no-hitter in 1910; 208-112 record in majors; Baseball Hall of Fame, 1953. Member of the Chippewa Tribe. - Jean Havlish (St. Paul, MN)
Shortstop for Fort Wayne (Ind.) Daisies of women’s pro baseball league in the 1950s; Hall of Fame bowler. - Kent Hrbek (Bloomington, MN)
First baseman. Ranks amongst the Minnesota Twins career leaders in games played, hits, home runs and RBIs. Was a member of the Minnesota Twins World Series Champion teams in 1987 and 1991. - Dan Johnson (Coon Rapids, MN)
Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 7th round of the 2001 amateur draft. Selected off waivers by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in April 2008. Has started in 276 MLB games. - Jerry Koosman (Chaska, MN)
NL Rookie of the Year runner-up in 1968; 222-209 with 3.36 ERA in 19 seasons; won World Series with ’69 Mets. - Roger Maris (Hibbing, MN)
Broke Babe Ruth’s record when he scored 61 home runs in 1961. World Series winner with the New York Yankees in 1961, 1962 and 1967. Four time All Star, Two time MVP, One Gold Glove. Family moved to Fargo, ND when he was 10 years old. - Joe Mauer (St. Paul, MN)
2009 American League MVP, AL Gold Glove 2008, 2009, MLB All Star 2006, 2008, 2009, Batting Champ 2009. Catcher for the Minnesota Twins. In 2010, signed the 4th largest baseball contract in history for $184 million, over eight-years, including a full no-trade clause. It extends through the 2018 season with the Twins. - Paul Molitor (St. Paul, MN)
Infielder is eighth alltime in hits (3,319); 1993 World Series Winner and MVP with Blue Jays. Minnesota Twins, 1996-98; ranked 8th in all-time hits (3,319); seven-time All-Star; Baseball Hall of Fame, 2004. - Jack Morris (St. Paul, MN)
Five-time MLB All-Star with 254-186 record. Most MLB victories (162) for any pitcher in 1980’s. World Series winner, 1984, 1991, 1992 and 1993; World Series Most Valuable Player. Two game wins for Minnesota Twins in 1991 World Series. 10-inning shutout in Game 7. - Glen Perkins (Stillwater, MN)
Relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. In March 2012, Perkins signed a three year, $10.3 million extension with the Twins. He attended the University of Minnesota. - Terry Steinbach (New Ulm, MN)
Set American League record for most home runs by catcher (34) in 1996; won ’89 World Series ring with A’s. - Toni “Tomboy” Stone (St. Paul, MN)
Stone is the first woman to play in a professional men’s baseball league. Born Marcenia Lyle Stone. She played with the San Francisco Sea Lions of the Negro Leagues beginning in 1949. She retired from baseball in 1954. - Dave Winfield (St. Paul, MN)
Forward with University of Minnesota 1971-72, Big Ten basketball champions; 1,833 RBIs in 22-year career in MLB; drafted by Hawks and Vikings. Minnesota Twins, 1993-1994; World Series winner, 1992; twelve-time All-Star; Baseball Hall of Fame, 2001.
Honorary Minnesotans (non-resident)
Individuals who were NOT born (or raised) in Minnesota, but have lived in Minnesota for a short period of time.
- Mike Veeck (Chicago, Illinois)
Mike Veeck is a co-owner of the St. Paul Saints of the Northern League, one of the most successful minor league franchises in the U.S. His father Bill Veeck was owner of several major league teams and noted for his marketing savviness.
looking at the Twins history trying to find what the C stands for on the cap. Thank You
debbie671@inbox.
According to one of our sources, Calvin Griffith wanted to rename his relocated MLB team the “Twin Cities Twins”, but MLB objected. He therefore named the team the Minnesota Twins but kept the original “TC” (for Twin Cities) insignia for the team’s caps.