Star Trekkin’

After yesterday’s celebratory Star Wars post, how about we look at the other half of nerdom and check the Twins record when Star Trek movies/TV series released/aired? Since it started as a TV show first, we’ll begin there.

TV

• Star Trek: The Original Series aired September 8th, 1966 on NBC. The Twins didn’t play this day, but did win the next day 6-1 against the Baltimore Orioles.
• Star Trek: The Animated Series first aired September 8th, 1973 on NBC. The Twins defeated the Chicago White Sox 6-2.
  Top performers: Larry Hisle(3-4, 2B, 3 RBI), Bobby Darwin(2-4, 2B, 2 RBI).
• Star Trek: The Next Generation aired September 28th, 1987(the day after my birth…). My first full day on Earth, the Twins won 5-3. clinching the AL West. You can watch the final play here.
  Top performers: Steve Lombardozzi(2-4, HR, 4 RBI), Greg Gagne(2-5), Kent Hrbek(2-3, 2B, 2 walks), Ron Washington(1-3, 2B).
• Star Trek: Enterprise debuted September 26th, 2001. On the fourth day back after the September 11th tragedy, the Twins lost to the Chicago White Sox 6-3. Starter Rick Reed fell apart in the 5th and 6th innings after previously holding the White Sox scoreless.
  Top performers: David Ortiz(2-4) A.J. Pierzynski(2-4, 2 RBI). Everyone in the starting lineup, *and* pinch hitter Bobby Kielty had at least one hit except Brian Buchanan(0-4, 1K).

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine(January 3rd, 1993), Star Trek Voyager(January 16th, 1995) premiered during the off-season.

Movies

• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan premiered June 4th, 1982. The Twins beat the Orioles 6-0 improving to a 13-41 record….
  Top performers: Ron Washington(3-4, HR, 1 RBI), Jesus Vega(1-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Gary Ward(1-4, HR, 2 RBI), Terry Felton(3.1 IP, 1 H, 3 Walks, 6K) – struck out Cal Ripken to enter the game with the bases loaded, with the O’s down 0-4 at the time after starter Brad Havens allowed single to Ex-Twin Disco Dan Ford, Benny Ayala singled, and walked Ken Singleton.
• Star Trek III: The Search for Spock came to theaters June 1st, 1984. The Twins faced the Royals, and lost 7-1 falling to 24-26. We’d get the better of Royals starter Charlie Leibrandt in 1991. :D.
  Top performers: Kirby Puckett(2-4), Tim Teufel(1-4, 1 RBI), Tom Brunansky(1-2, 2BB), Ron Washington(1-3, 2B).
• Star Trek V: The Final Frontier opened in theaters June 9th, 1989. The Twins faced the Angels(California at the time…), and lost 9-3. Starting pitcher Allan Anderson, relievers Mike Dyer, Gary Wayne, and closer Jeff Reardon all got slammed, with Wayne allowing the least ER(1), everyone else allowed 2 or more earned runs…
  Top performers: Brian Harper(3-4, 2B), Kent Hrbek(1-4, HR, 1 RBI), Gary Gaetti(1-4, HR, 1 RBI).

Star Trek: The Motion Picture(December 7th, 1979), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home(November 26th, 1986), and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country(December 6th, 1991) all premiered in the off-season.

Much worse record than during Star Wars release nights. Interestingly, the Twins two losses follow the “…only watch even numbered Star Trek film” mythos – winning ST: II, losing ST: III, ST: V. The Twins fared much better for TV releases, winning two of three – including clinching the 1987 AL West. However, the Twins record in Star Wars release nights(5-1) vs. Star Trek(2-3) is just another reason why I’m a bigger fan of Star Wars. :D.

#1987-world-series, #a-j-pierzynski, #allan-anderson, #bobby-darwin, #bobby-kielty, #brad-havens, #brian-buchanan, #brian-harper, #cal-ripken-jr, #dan-ford, #david-ortiz, #gary-gaetti, #gary-ward, #gary-wayne, #greg-gagne, #jeff-reardon, #jesus-vega, #kent-hrbek, #kirby-puckett, #larry-hisle, #mike-dyer, #rick-reed, #ron-washington, #star-trek, #steve-lombardozzi, #terry-felton, #tim-teufel, #tom-brunansky

That Snow Moon.

Been a busy week here, we’re taking care of a stray German Shepard until we can find it a home. :/. That said, it’s May 4th, Star Wars day(as in… “May the Fourth be with you”), and I thought it would be cool to check how the Twins fared on Star Wars release days.

Original Trilogy

• Star Wars(VI) was released May 25th, 1977 – on that day the Twins played a double-header against the Boston Red Sox. The Twins won both 13-5, and 9-4 respectively.
  Top performers: Game One(13-5) – Rod Carew had four singles and a double, Lyman Bostock(2 doubles), Larry Hisle(5 RBIs, all with 2 outs), Larry Hisle, Dan Ford mashed home runs. Game Two(9-4) – Rod Carew(1 RBI), Lyman Bostock(2 walks, 1 RBI), Glenn Adams(3 RBI) with two hits each.
• The Empire Strikes Back(V) was released May 21st, 1980 – on that day the Twins took the field against the Chicago White Sox, and won 3-2. Despite giving the Sox a run in the 9th, the Twins prevailed.
  Top performers: John Castino had 4 hits, and Jose Morales had two of his own, including a HR. Geoff Zahn pitched 9IP/7H/2R/2ER/4BB/2K finishing the game in 2 hours and 33 minutes – 30 minutes longer than Empire.
• Return of the Jedi(VI) was released on May 25th, 1983 – the Twins played the Baltimore Orioles that night, winning 7-4 with the 4 run second inning being the difference.
  Top performers: Kent Hrbek(2-5, 4 RBI), Bobby Mitchell(2-5, 1 RBI), Gary Gaetti(3-4, 1 RBI).

Pre-quel Trilogy

• The Phantom Menace(I) was released May 19th, 1999 – the Twins played the Seattle Mariners and were 5-hit shutout in a 7-0 loss.
  Top performers: Chad Allen(2-3, SB).
• Attack of the Clones(II) was released May 16th, 2002 – the Twins destroyed the Kansas City Royals 14-5 with 18 hits! Another double filled Twins/Star Wars night, as Jay Canizaro, Denny Hocking, David Ortiz, Bobby Kielty, and Brian Buchanan tallying two baggers. Ex-Twin Chuck Knoblauch went 0-3, with a walk and two stolen bases.
  Top performers: Torii Hunter(4-6, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Jacque Jones(2-6, HR, 2 RBI), Cristian Guzman(HR, 1 RBI), Tom Prince(2-4, HR, 3 RBI). Kyle Lohse(4), Jack Cressend(1), Bob Wells, and Mike Trombley(4) only gave up nine hits through 9 innings.
• Revenge of the Sith was released May 19th, 2005 – the Twins matched up against the Toronto Blue Jays that day(first non-night game), winning 4-0 on a 7 hitter by starter Joe Mays.
  Top performers: Michael Cuddyer(1-4, 2B, 2 RBI), Mike Redmond(2-4, 2 RBI), Joe Mays(9 IP/7H/0R/0ER/0BB/2K).

We all lost the night Phantom Menace was released(the jokes write themselves…), but all in all, the Twins play really well on Star Wars release nights(5-1). The Force Awakens opened December 18th, 2015, Rogue One December 16th, 2016, and The Last Jedi is set to open December 15th, 2017 – but Episode IX returns to a May release – the 24th in 2019. I predict a win! May the 4th be with you. :).

#bob-wells, #bobby-kielty, #bobby-mitchell, #brian-buchanan, #chad-allen, #cristian-guzman, #dan-ford, #david-ortiz, #denny-hocking, #gary-gaetti, #geoff-zahn, #glenn-adams, #jack-cressend, #jay-canizaro, #joe-mays, #john-castino, #jose-morales, #kent-hrbek, #kyle-lohse, #larry-hisle, #lymon-bostock, #michael-cuddyer, #mike-trombley, #rod-carew, #star-wars, #tom-prince, #torii-hunter