Rod Carew Positions: First Baseman and Second BasemanBats: Left • Throws: Right6-0, 170lb (183cm, 77kg)Born: October 1, 1945 in Gatun, Panama paHigh School: George Washington HS (New York, NY)Debut: April 11, 1967 (10,161st in MLB history)vs. BAL 4 AB, 2 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SBLast Game: October 5, 1985vs. TEX 2 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SBHall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1991….
The Blue Jays defeat the Tigers, 6 – 5, in the longest game in team history in terms of both time and innings, thanks to a run-scoring single by Jose Bautista in the 19th inning, after 6 hours and 37 minutes of baseball. The winning hit comes off Rick Porcello, normally a starter but pressed into action by the length of the game. Melky Cabrera is the first player since Rod Carew on May 12, 1972 to reach base 8 times in a game. Chad Jenkinsthrows 6 scoreless innings for the win. The Tigers take an early 5 – 0 lead against starter Mark Buehrle who is chased in the 4th, but the Jays claw back and tie the game in the bottom of the 9th.
The Minnesota Twins inaugurate their new outdoor ballpark, Target Field, with a 5 – 2 win over the Red Sox. A host of former Twins greats, including Hall of Famers Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew, joined by Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek and Frank Viola, among others, are on hand to witness the historic game. Carl Pavano picks up the win while Joe Mauer and Jason Kubel pace the offence with three hits and two RBI each.
Joe Mauer (.365, 28, 96) becomes the fifth Twin to be named the American League’s Most Valuable Player, joining Zoilo Versalles (1965), Harmon Killebrew (1969), Rod Carew (1977), and Justin Morneau (2006). The slugging Gold Glove catcher, who missed the first month of the season with a back injury, receives 27 of 28 first-place votes cast by the BBWAA, and the St. Paul native easily outpoints Yankee teammates Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter.
Dave Winfield of the Minnesota Twins hits his 3,054th major league league career hit to surpass former Twin Rod Carew into 15th place on the all-time list.
On January 8, 1991, Rod Carew, Fergie Jenkins, and Gaylord Perry are elected to the Hall of Fame. It’s the first time in seven years that the baseball writers elected as many as three players. Carew is a member of the 3,000-hit club, Perry won more than 300 games and struck out, and…
On June 2, 1986, future Hall of Famer Rod Carew announces his retirement at the age of 40. Carew leaves the game with a .328 batting mark, compiled over 19 years in the major leagues. The former Minnesota Twins’ and California Angels’ infielder will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 1991… …
1985 – The California Angels announce that they will not offer seven-time batting champion Rod Carew a new contract for the 1986 season, effectively ending his 19-year career. Carew finishes with 3,053 hits and a .328 career batting average.
At Anaheim Stadium in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 41,630, Angel first baseman Rod Carew singles off of Minnesota southpaw Frank Viola in the third inning to become the 16th major leaguer to amass 3000 hits. After the historic hit, Halos’ manager Gene Mauch brings the first-base sack into the dugout, replacing it with another a new bag.
At Tiger Stadium, the California Angels defeat Detroit, 4 – 2, as Rod Carew goes 3 for 4 to raise his batting average to .500 (48 for 96). The Angels’ first baseman will finish the season at .339, second best in the American League as Wade Boggs of the Red Sox leads the league with a .361 pace.