Chuck Knoblauch

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Lore & Background

Knoblauch won the American League Rookie of the Year award and a World Series ring as a member of the 1991 Minnesota Twins. He was a four-time All-Star, batted .289 with 98 home runs and 615 RBIs, and stole 407 bases in his career. He was traded to the New York Yankees on February 6, 1998, and later played for the Kansas City Royals.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Knoblauch's Minnesota tenure was a dramatic shift from hero to pariah following his trade request. Once celebrated as a cornerstone of the 1991 championship team, he found himself booed on successive trips back to Minneapolis. The animosity culminated in the 2001 season when fans pelted him with debris, including hot dogs and golf balls, during a game at the Metrodome. This hostility stemmed from his decision to leave the Twins for the New York Yankees in exchange for Eric Milton, Cristian Guzmán, Brian Buchanan, Danny Mota, and $3 million on February 6, 1998. Despite his eventual departure, his statistical footprint remained massive: he stole 276 bases with Minnesota, the most by any player since the team moved from Washington in 1961.

Reader's Guide

Knoblauch's throwing troubles, known as the yips, began during his Yankee career. He made 26 errors in 1999, all throwing errors, and was moved to left field in 2001. He was included in the Mitchell report for alleged HGH use in 2001. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault in 2010 and was charged with assault of a family member again in 2014.

Did You Know?

• Knoblauch missed his senior season of high school due to a broken leg but cheered from the bench as the team won the state championship.
• He played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2001.
• In Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, Knoblauch attempted to deceive Lonnie Smith by appearing to start a double play, though Smith said the decoy was not a factor.