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Let's take a look at Closing Day starters in Twins history

It's always "who started on Opening Day" but nobody ever asks "who started the final game of the season?"
ByBrandon Warne|
Bailey Ober — proven closer?
Bailey Ober — proven closer? | Brace Hemmelgarn/GettyImages

As a populace, we love to get tied up in things that happen first. And I get it — whoever is first is most likely to be remembered.

But every season comes to an end, too. Sometimes it's a slow death march to 92 losses, sometimes it's capping a playoff season with a September call-up getting a start or two, and sometimes it's in the middle.

But as we get inundated with Opening Day lineups, starters and statistics, I thought it could be fun to take another approach.....here's who's started the FINAL game every season for the Twins (make sure to check the ones in BOLD below for fun one-off notes from some of the games):

  • 2024 vs. BAL (6-2 loss): Bailey Ober (L, 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 K, 0 BB)
  • 2023 @COL (3-2 loss): Ober (6.2 IP, 1 ER, 9 K, 0 BB)
  • 2022 @CWS (10-1 win): TAFKA Louie Varland (W, 5 IP, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB)
  • 2021 @KCR (7-3 win): Charlie Barnes (2.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 K, 1 BB)
  • 2020 vs. CIN (5-3 loss): Rich Hill (5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 K, 3 BB)*
  • 2019 @KC (5-4 loss): Martin Perez (5.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 K, 3 BB)
  • 2018 vs. CWS (5-4 win): Zack Littell (4.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 K, 2 BB)
  • 2017 vs. DET(5-1 win): Bartolo Colon (W, 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 K, 1 BB)
  • 2016 @CWS (6-3 win): Jose Berrios (W, 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 K, 3 BB)
  • 2015 vs. KCR (6-1 loss): Ricky Nolasco (L, 2.2 IP, 5 ER, 2 K, 3 BB)
  • 2014 @DET (3-0 loss): Kyle Gibson (L, 7.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 K, 3 BB)
  • 2013 vs. CLE (5-1 loss): Scott Diamond (L, 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 K, 0 BB)
  • 2012 @TOR (2-1 loss): Diamond (L, 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 K, 1 BB)
  • 2011 vs. KCR (1-0 win): Carl Pavano (W, 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 K, 0 BB)
  • 2010 vs. TOR (2-1 loss): Nick Blackburn (L, 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 K, 1 BB)
  • 2009 vs. DET (6-5 win): Scott Baker (6.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 K, 2 BB)**
  • 2008 @CWS (1-0 loss): Blackburn (L, 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 K, 3 BB)**
  • 2007 @BOS (3-2 win): Matt Garza (W, 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 K, 3 BB)
  • 2006 vs. CWS (5-1 win): Carlos Silva (W, 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 K, 2 BB)
  • 2005 vs. DET (6-4 win): Johan Santana (W, 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 9 K, 2 BB)
  • 2004 vs. CLE (5-2 loss): Kyle Lohse (L, 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 K, 0 BB)
  • 2003 @DET (9-4 loss): Lohse (3.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 K, 0 BB)
  • 2002 vs. CWS (3-1 win): Eric Milton (5.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 K, 1 BB)*
  • 2001 vs. CWS (8-5 win): Brad Radke (8.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 K, 2 BB)
  • 2000 @DET (12-11 loss): J.C. Romero (4.0 IP, 6 ER, 2 K, 2 BB)
  • 1999 @CWS (1-1 tie): Milton (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 K, 0 BB)*
  • 1998 vs. CLE (6-2 win): Milton (W, 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 K, 1 BB)
  • 1997 @CLE (5-1 win): Bob Tewksbury (W, 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 K, 0 BB)
  • 1996 vs. CWS (5-4 win): Frankie Rodriguez (6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 K, 4 BB)
  • 1995 @CWS (2-1 loss): Rich Robertson (9.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 K, 2 BB)*
  • 1994 vs. BOS (17-7 win): Jim Deshaies (W, 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 0 K, 2 BB)*
  • 1993 vs. SEA (7-2 win): Kevin Tapani (W, 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 K, 0 BB)
  • 1992 @KCR (6-0 win): Mike Trombley (W, 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 K, 2 BB)
  • 1991 vs. TOR (3-2 loss): Tom Edens (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 K, 0 BB)
  • 1990 vs. SEA (7-4 win): Larry Casian (W, 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 K, 1 BB)
  • 1989 @SEA (3-1 loss): Mark Guthrie (L, 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 K, 1 BB)
  • 1988 vs. CAL (3-2 win): Roy Smith (W, 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 K, 1 BB)
  • 1987 @KCR (10-1 loss): Joe Niekro (L, 1.1 IP, 6 ER, 1 K, 3 BB)
  • 1986 vs. CWS (3-0 win): Frank Viola (W, 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 9 K, 1 BB)
  • 1985 vs. CLE (4-2 win): Mike Smithson (W, 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 K, 1 BB)
  • 1984 @CLE (7-4 loss): Ken Schrom (L, 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 2 K, 2 BB)
  • 1983 @TOR (9-3 win): Albert Williams (W, 9.0 IP, 2 ER, 1 K, 0 BB)
  • 1982 vs. CWS (6-1 loss): Brad Havens (L, 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 K, 4 BB)
  • 1981 @CWS (13-12 loss): Williams (4.1 IP, 4 ER, 0 K, 6 BB)*
  • 1980 @KCR (4-0 loss): Darrell Jackson (L, 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 K, 3 BB)*
  • 1979 vs. MIL (5-0 win): Jerry Koosman (W, 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 K, 1 BB)
  • 1978 @KCR (1-0 loss): Geoff Zahn (L, 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 K, 1 BB)
  • 1977 @MIL (6-2 win): Dave Goltz (W, 9.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 K, 3 BB)*
  • 1976 @KCR (5-3 win): Jim Hughes (W, 9.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 K, 1 BB)
  • 1975 vs. CWS (6-4 loss): Hughes (8.0 IP, 4 ER, 2 K, 3 BB)*
  • 1974 vs. TEX (2-1 loss): Hughes (L, 9.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 K, 3 BB)**
  • 1973 @CAL (3-0 loss): Bert Blyleven (L, 8.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 K, 2 BB)
  • 1972 vs. CWS (14-2 win): Blyleven (W, 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 10 K, 0 BB)*
  • 1971 vs. CAL (3-2 loss): Jim Kaat (L, 9.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 K, 0 BB)*
  • 1970 vs. KCR (4-0 win): Kaat (W, 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 K, 1 BB)
  • 1969 vs. CWS (6-5 win): Kaat (5.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 K, 2 BB)
  • 1968 @OAK (4-3 win): Jim Merritt (W, 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 K, 0 BB)
  • 1967 @BOS (5-3 loss): Dean Chance (L, 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 2 K, 0 BB)**
  • 1966 @BAL (1-0 loss): Jim Perry (W, 7.2 IP, 7 K, 0 BB)
  • 1965 vs. CAL (3-2 win): Kaat (2.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 K, 1 BB)
  • 1964 vs. CAL (3-0 loss): Mudcat Grant (L, 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 K, 0 BB)**
  • 1963 @NYY (6-3 win): Lee Stange (W, 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 K, 3 BB)*
  • 1962 vs. BAL (1-0 win): Camilo Pascual (W, 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 K, 1 BB)**
  • 1961 vs. DET (8-3 loss): Al Schroll (L, 0.2 IP, 2 ER, 0 K, 2 BB)*

*season had fewer than 162 games (60 in 2020, 161 in 2002, 161 in 1999, 144 in 1995, 113 in 1994, 110 in 1981, 161 in 1980, 161 in 1977, 159 in 1975, 154 in 1972, 160 in 1971, 161 in 1963 and 161 in 1961)
**season had more than 162 games (163 in 2009, 163 in 2008, 163 in 1974, 164 in 1967, 163 in 1964 and 163 in 1962)

Notably (some of my personal favorites)

2017

Who could forget the influential run from Colon that season? After being downright dreadful for the Braves that season (minus-2.1 bWAR in 63.0 innings), Colon tossed 80.0 innings of...serviceable production for the Twins?

It's hard to overstate how down bad the Twins were in their rotation at that point in 2017, to the point where a 44-year-old righty with a fastball that couldn't come close to 90 mph was a significant help. He was worth 0.3 bWAR with the Twins in that stretch, but his value was in our hearts more than anything.

But seriously, take a look at the guys who made starts for the Twins that season:

  • Ervin Santana (33)
  • Kyle Gibson (29)
  • Berrios (25)
  • Adalberto Mejia (21)
  • Colon (15)
  • Hector Santiago (14)
  • Phil Hughes (nine)
  • Dillon Gee (three)
  • Nik Turley (three)
  • Aaron Slegers (three)
  • Felix Jorge (two)
  • Adam Wilk (one)
  • Jaime Garcia (one)
  • Dietrich Enns (one)
  • Tim Melville (one)
  • Nick Tepesch (one)

Yeeeeeeeeeesh.

2011

This year absolutely sucked. After successfully christening Target Field with a playoff berth in 2010, the Twins took about the largest step back one could remember with 99 losses in 2011.

But this was a particularly memorable night, as it was John Gordon's final radio broadcast before retiring, paving the way for Cory Provus to take over as the team's radio voice, and now, the team's television voice.

I could not find video footage of Gordon calling a simulcast for the final inning of the last game of that season, but here is some coverage from WCCO-TV, with some audio from his final sign-off.

Gordon got to leave in style, calling a walk-off win in the ninth as Trevor Plouffe singled home Denard Span for the only run in a 1-0 game.

The night is also famous for Pavano throwing a nine-inning complete game shutout where he outdueled Bruce Chen while sporting a mustache for the ages.

Pavano mustache-waxed poetic after the win, which kept the Twins from losing 100 games that season. "‎Not that I’m happy about losing 99, but it’s a lot better than a f*ckin’ hundred, to be honest with you,” he said with a wry smile.

That was one of the most fun games I ever covered in person. Matt Capps also hi-jacked another player's postgame press conference with his pants pulled halfway down to reveal a large section of his ample hind quarters while pretending to be combing the top of his locker for something he'd misplaced.

Different times, man.

1999

This one ended in a tie. Blech.

With the Twins (63-97) and White Sox (75-86) going nowhere and a rain storm rolling in, the umpiring crew called the game and the season as a 1-1 tie after waiting 35 minutes for the weather to subside. This was also a game that's start was delayed by rain, so both teams no doubt wanted to get their vacations started early.

This was also the final regular-season game umpired by Durwood Merrill, one of the more colorful characters of his era.

I recently read his book — "You're Out, and You're Ugly, too" — and it was a pretty good peek behind the curtain from those days as an umpire.

1994

The Twins didn't know for sure that this would be the last game of the season, as well as the final game of Kent Hrbek's career.

You can actually watch the game here on YouTube, which is kind of cool.

Deshaies was the starter for the Twins that day, but he's known more for his color commentary work with the Cubs the last decade or so. Before that, he was on Astros telecasts. He had some of the worst numbers you could imagine that season, too. In 25 starts, he had a 7.39 ERA (107 earned runs in 130.1 innings pitched) while allowing an MLB-high 30 home runs (2.1 per nine innings).

That comes out to an opponents' slash line of .321/.382/.583 in 596 plate appearances.

Anyway, there's a significant bit of chatter about the impending strike, and if players will get the chance to return before the end of the season — which we now know did not happen.

This is an intensely entertaining game, by the way, with the Twins walloping Chris Nabholz and the Red Sox, 17-7.

1988/'89

These just delight me because Smith and Guthrie had the exact same pitching lines, with one winning (Smith) and one losing (Guthrie). It's not that deep, I guess.

1987

Everyone knows the Twins won the World Series in 1987, and if you don't, there are numerous Twitter accounts going today who'll remind you at every single opportunity that Tom Kelly wouldn't have lifted Matt Wallner for a pinch hitter against a lefty (ignoring the fact that Kelly used platoons quite a bit, actually).

Anyway, the Closing Day starter was "Emery" Joe Niekro, and if you're familiar with the pitcher but unfamiliar with the lore, have I got a story for you.

Niekro, who passed away in 2006, one year before the team's 20-year anniversary of winning it all, was on the waaaayyyyy tail end of a pretty good career when he came to the Twins in 1987.

Niekro was acquired for backup catcher Mark Salas on June 7 that season, and had put together pretty respectable numbers for the Yankees in eight starts that season (his age-42 season).

But his time with the Twins in 1987, his 21st MLB season, wasn't particularly great. He was 4-9 with a 6.26 ERA (minus-1.0 bWAR) over 96.1 innings, and had a 1.66 WHIP with nearly as many walks (45) as strikeouts (54).

He came back in 1988, pitched five games and allowed 13 earned runs in 11.2 innings (10.03 ERA) and that was a wrap on his long career.

But there was a brief moment that he found himself on the wrong side of the, well, law in 1987.

Look no further:

Kent Hrbek tried so badly to cover up that nail file. What a great teammate.

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