The 1963 Minnesota Twins season was the 3rd season for the Minnesota Twins franchise in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, their 3rd season at Metropolitan Stadium and the 63rd overall in the American League.
The Twins finished 91–70, third in the American League. 1,406,652 fans attended Twins games, the highest total in the American League.
Offseason November 5, 1962: Rudy May was signed as an amateur free agent by the Twins. November 26, 1962: Rich Reese was drafted by the Twins from the Detroit Tigers in the 1962 first-year draft. November 26, 1962: Joe Foy was drafted by the Boston Red Sox from the Minnesota Twins in the 1962 minor league draft. January 21, 1963: Rubén Gómez was released by the Twins.
Regular season Four Twins made the All-Star Game: first baseman Harmon Killebrew, shortstop Zoilo Versalles, outfielder Bob Allison and catcher Earl Battey.
On August 29, the Twins played two games at Washington. The club struck eight home runs in the first game (to tie an American League record) and four more in the nightcap, for an even dozen on the day.
On September 21, the Twins played two games at Boston's Fenway Park. Slugger Harmon Killebrew connected for three home runs in the first game and another in the nightcap. His four-homer double-header tied an AL record.
Harmon Killebrew again led the team (and the American League) with 45 home runs; his 96 RBI was Minnesota's best. Bob Allison hit 35 home runs and drove in 91. Camilo Pascual won 21 games and led the AL with 202 strikeouts.
With 33 home runs, Twins rookie Jimmie Hall topped the Boston Red Sox Ted Williams' "true rookie" American League record of 31 homers, set by Williams in 1939. The team's total of 225 home runs was the second-most ever in a season at the time, only trailing the 1961 New York Yankees' 240.
Three Twins won Gold Gloves: first baseman Vic Power won his sixth, shortstop Zoilo Versalles won his first, and Jim Kaat won his second.
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Notable transactions May 21, 1963: Bill Tuttle was released by the Twins. August 24, 1963: Dwight Siebler was purchased by the Twins from the Philadelphia Phillies.
Roster 1963 Minnesota Twins Roster Pitchers Catchers
Infielders Outfielders
Other batters Manager
Coaches
Player stats = Indicates team leader
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 147 508 145 .285 26 84 1B 138 541 146 .270 10 52 2B 139 421 101 .240 9 43 3B 136 531 163 .307 16 61 SS 159 621 162 .261 10 54 LF 142 515 133 .258 45 96 CF 156 497 129 .260 33 80 RF 148 527 143 .271 35 91
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 145 280 67 .239 4 27 82 225 58 .258 17 42 64 150 43 .287 9 24 25 71 11 .155 3 8 39 56 13 .232 0 3 21 47 9 .191 2 6 35 44 6 .136 3 7 10 21 4 .190 1 3 7 17 2 .118 0 1 9 15 1 .067 0 2 7 7 3 .429 0 1 4 3 0 .000 0 0 1 0 0 ---- 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 31 248.1 21 9 2.46 202 33 241.0 15 15 3.25 193 31 178.1 10 10 4.19 105 35 168.1 9 9 3.74 65 32 164.2 12 5 2.62 100 5 25.2 1 4 3.86 13
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 10 49.0 4 1 2.57 34 7 38.2 2 1 2.79 22 5 15.2 1 2 2.87 13
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 66 6 3 21 1.99 72 36 6 2 0 4.37 37 36 2 4 4 2.16 24 31 1 3 2 6.98 38 11 1 1 0 4.76 7 11 0 0 0 4.76 10 10 0 1 1 5.73 2 3 0 0 0 10.38 2 2 0 0 0 0.00 2
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Wilson
References
External links Team info from Baseball Reference Team info from Baseball Almanac