Twins 1965 reunion events
July 12, 2015 at 11:58AM
The Twins will host a 50th anniversary celebration for the 1965 World Series team July 31-Aug. 1. The main event will be the pregame ceremony before the game on Saturday.
There were 35 players who saw action for the '65 Twins, ranging from the 160 games played and 728 plate appearances for MVP shortstop Zoilo Versalles, to the one inning pitched for September call-up Pete Cimino.
The Twins had a 40th reunion for the team at the Metrodome in 2005. Six members of the team had passed away by then: Versalles, Earl Battey, Bob Allison, Cesar Tovar, Jerry Zimmerman and Johnny Klippstein. Four more members of the team have died since: Harmon Killebrew (2011), Ted Uhlaender (2009), Dave Boswell (2012) and Don Mincher (2012).
The Twins hope to have as many as 20 players in attendance, as well as bullpen coach Hal Naragon. Manager Sam Mele is 93 and won't be able to make the trip. Three coaches have died: Johnny Sain (2006), Jim Lemon (2006) and Billy Martin (1989).
Jimmie Hall, the popular center fielder, has not responded to an invitation. He also declined to be in attendance for the 40th reunion.
In an interview in the summer of 2005, Hall said:
"The Twins didn't know we existed. And now, [decades] later, they send a letter saying, 'We want you to be here.' It doesn't make sense to me.''
Patrick Reusse
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