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Minnesota Twins Spring Training Countdown: 19, Knoblauch’s 1996 HBP

By Benjamin Chase

01 Aug 2001 : Chuck Knoblauch of the New York Yankees gets his arm examined after being hit by a pitch by Kevin Foster of the Texas Rangers at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees beat the Rangers 9-7. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/Allsport
01 Aug 2001 : Chuck Knoblauch of the New York Yankees gets his arm examined after being hit by a pitch by Kevin Foster of the Texas Rangers at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Yankees beat the Rangers 9-7. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/Allsport /
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The Minnesota Twins are just 19 days away from spring training. As we celebrate the end of the blustery temps and the return of the game we love, let’s look at team history surrounding that number.

The Minnesota Twins are preparing for a 2018 season with expectations after making the playoffs in 2017 as a Wild Card. We will have bring out numbers from team history that represent the number of days until spring training from now until pitchers and catchers report on February 13th.

Minnesota Twins players have often had a national reputation for tempting pitchers by standing over the plate or taking batting stances that drew plenty of contact, yet no player did it more over a career or in a single year than Chuck Knoblauch, who owns the Twins career HBP top spot with 74 and the single-season top spot with 19 from 1996.

Knobby’s 1996 season

Knoblauch had developed into one of the elite second baseman in the game. In the mid-1990s, that was saying something as there were some absolutely elite second baseman in the game with Roberto Alomar, Craig Biggio, and Jeff Kent, along with some excellent seasons from guys like Ray Durham, Mike Lansing, Delino DeShields, and Carlos Baerga in that time frame (among others).

In pulling up the time frame of 1993-1998, Knoblauch was the 2nd ranked second baseman in Baseball-Reference’s WAR behind Craig Biggio by just a touch and ahead of Roberto Alomar by a good chunk.

Knoblauch’s 1996 season was one in line with those great seasons of that time frame. He hit .341/.448/.517 with 35 doubles, 14 triples, 13 home runs, and 45 stolen bases. He also set a peak of 19 times hit by pitch in the season in his best bWAR season of his career, posting an 8.6 bWAR.

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Knoblauch was known for his stance, leaning out over the plate, so collecting HBPs is not that surprising in Knoblauch’s career. He totaled 139 over his 12 year career, and his peak was 21 in 1999 with the Yankees.

Knoblauch did lead the league in triples in 1996, one of two years he led the league in a category as a Twin as he seemed to always fall a few notches short – 2nd in batting average in 1995, 2nd in runs scored in 1996, 2nd in triples in 1997, and 2nd in stolen bases in 1997, let alone the times he finished in the top 10.

In spite of the Twins finishing 4th in the AL Central in 1996, Knoblauch had his best MVP finish in 1996 and won a Silver Slugger.

Next: Who next goes into the Twins team HOF?

For 19 days to spring training, we’ll remember the Minnesota Twins’ human pin cushion, Chuck Knoblauch, for his 1996 season.

Come soon, spring!!

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