Bob Allison

A college fullback and all-around athlete, Allison admitted, “Hitting is the hardest thing I have ever tried to learn in my life.” Learn he did. The Missourian ranks third among Twins home run hitters. His 30 in 1959 helped him become AL Rookie of the Year, and five times he hit 29 or more. He and roommate Harmon Killebrew were the first ML players to combine for two grand slams in one inning (7/18/62). In 1963 he led the AL in runs scored (99) and he hit homers in three consecutive at-bats on May 17.

Burly #4 was a hustling fielder — his backhand diving catch in Game Two of the 1965 World Series was a typical effort — and an aggressive, hard-sliding baserunner. Killebrew once said of him: “He wants to win at everything — cards, ping pong, handball, or baseball. He wants to be first on the airplane and first on the bus.”