Chuck Knoblauch will become the 27th member of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame this summer.
The Twins made the announcement just before the start of TwinsFest on Friday. The four-time All-Star and 1991 American League Rookie of the Year spent seven seasons with the Twins (1991-1997) before finishing his career with the Yankees and Royals.
As a Twin, the second baseman hit .304 with 43 home runs, 1,197 hits, 391 RBI and 210 stolen bases. According to the Star Tribune, the only second baseman with better numbers as a Twin is Rod Carew.
“The Pohlad family and the entire Minnesota Twins organization would like to congratulate Chuck Knoblauch on election to the Twins Hall of Fame,” Twins President Dave St. Peter said, via the team’s website. “Chuck’s stellar play during his Rookie of the Year season was instrumental in helping our franchise secure the 1991 World Series championship. Moreover, his on-field play throughout the course of his seven-year Twins career earned him a reputation as one of the AL’s best players. The Twins’ organization looks forward to welcoming Chuck and his family back to Minnesota for this summer’s induction ceremony.”
The ceremony will take place Aug. 23 before the Twins host the Detroit Tigers.
Knoblauch said he is “humbled and honored” by the news, and Minnesota “will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Knoblauch’s time with the Twins ended in 1997 after he was trade following six consecutive losing seasons. Knoblauch wasn’t afraid to express his frustration when he left. Fours years later Knoblauch found out what kind of grudge Twins fans had against him when fans threw hot dogs, beer bottles and quarters at him from the outfield stands at the Metrodome. The incident nearly resulted in the Twins forfeiting their game against the Yankees.
Bleacher Report remembered the game in a series of the 20 worst fan moments in sports history. As they recall it, it was dollar dog night at the Dome.
Knoblauch will join the likes of Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Rod Carew, Kent Hrbek and Kirby Puckett in the Twins Hall of Fame.
Read the full story on the announcement of @chuckknoblauch’s induction into the Twins HOF: http://t.co/lMBGZovnC8 pic.twitter.com/YRiThddmSY
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) January 24, 2014
“@Twins: BREAKING: @chuckknoblauch to be inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame in 2014! pic.twitter.com/jCwtIYuVmO” Thank you!!! I love the pic!
— Chuck Knoblauch (@chuckknoblauch) January 24, 2014
