The Minnesota Twins announced today that former Twins left-handed pitcher Johan Santana has been elected to the club's Hall of Fame. Santana will become the 31st member of the Twins Hall of Fame when he is inducted during an on-field pre-game ceremony scheduled for Saturday, August 4 when the Twins host the Kansas City Royals at Target Field.
The Twins Hall of Fame, which honors players, managers, coaches and off-field personnel who have contributed to the organization's growth and success since Minnesota broke into the major leagues in 1961, was created as part of the club's 40th Season Celebration in 2000. The inaugural class of Twins Hall of Famers-Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckettand Calvin Griffith- inducted on August 12, 2000. Other inductees include: pitcher Jim Kaat (2001), broadcaster Herb Carneal (2001),pitcher Bert Blyleven (2002), manager Tom Kelly (2002), long-time public address announcer Bob Casey (2003), outfielder Bob Allison(2003), catcher Earl Battey (2004), pitcher Frank Viola (2005), owner Carl Pohlad (2005), shortstop Zoilo Versalles (2006), third basemanGary Gaetti (2007), farm director Jim Rantz (2007), pitcher Rick Aguilera (2008), pitcher Brad Radke (2009), farm and scouting directorGeorge Brophy (2009), shortstop Greg Gagne (2010), pitcher Jim Perry (2011), pitcher Camilo Pascual (2012), pitcher Eddie Guardado(2013) and director of media relations Tom Mee (2013), second baseman Chuck Knoblauch was elected in 2014 but not inducted, outfielderTorii Hunter (2016) and radio broadcaster John Gordon (2016), and outfielder Michael Cuddyer (2017) and former general manager Andy MacPhail (2017).
"The Minnesota Twins are thrilled with the election of Johan Santana to the Twins Hall of Fame," Twins President and CEO Dave St. Peter said. "Johan's brilliant career - defined by two Cy Young Awards, his devastating change-up and incredible athleticism - make him one of the greatest pitchers of his generation. He's richly deserving of this special honor."
Santana played 12 seasons in the major leagues, including eight with the Twins from 2000-07. He finished his Twins career going 93-44 with six complete games and four shutouts while posting a 3.22 ERA (1308.2 IP, 468 ER), 364 walks and 1,381 strikeouts. The two-time American League Cy Young Award winner (2004 & 2006) had five straight seasons with at least 12 wins from 2003 to 2008 including a career-best 20 wins in 2004 and an AL-leading 19 wins in 2006. On August 19, 2007, Santana set a Twins record with 17 strikeouts in 8.0 innings against the Rangers, a record still active today. A native of Tovar, Venezuela, Santana was selected by the Twins in the 1999 Rule 5 Draft and ranks fourth in Twins history in strikeouts, second in ERA (min. 1300 IP), seventh in wins and innings pitched, and ninth in starts. The 38-year-old was named to three AL All-Star teams with the Twins and won the AL Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2007.
Santana was elected by a 67-member committee consisting of local and national media, club officials, fans and past elected members, using rules similar to those necessary for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The 67-member committee annually considers "player" personnel for induction into the Twins Hall of Fame.
The Twins Hall of Fame membership is permanently displayed in the Hall of Fame Gallery on the Target Field Suite Level as well as on Target Plaza and in the Minor League Clubhouse at the CenturyLink Sports Complex in Ft. Myers, FL.