With the
American League's new
designated hitter rule taking effect, on April 6 in Oakland, California,
Tony Oliva became the first
DH to hit a home run. On July 3,
Tony Oliva hit three home runs against the
Kansas City Royals. The Twins record feat was accomplished twice before, by both
Bob Allison and
Harmon Killebrew in 1963. Two Twins made the
All-Star Game: second baseman
Rod Carew and pitcher
Bert Blyleven. 907,499 fans attended Twins games, the third lowest total in the
American League. On September 27,
California Angels pitcher
Nolan Ryan struck out sixteen Twins and set a major league season mark of 383 strikeouts. Minnesota's
Rich Reese was Ryan's 383rd victim. Pitcher
Bert Blyleven finished with a 20–17 record and set several team records: total innings pitched (325.0), complete games (25), shutouts (9), and strikeouts (258).
Rod Carew won his third
AL batting title with a .350 average.
Bobby Darwin continued to show potential as a hitter with 18 home runs and 90 RBI.
Tony Oliva limped through the season, hitting 16 HR and collecting 92 RBI.
Bert Blyleven won 20 games for the first time, and three other pitchers had double digit wins:
Jim Kaat (11–12),
Dick Woodson (10–8), and
Joe Decker (10–10). Kaat also won his 12th
Gold Glove Award.
Season standings Record vs. opponents Notable transactions • June 5, 1973:
Luis Gómez was drafted by the Twins in the 7th round of the
1973 Major League Baseball draft. • August 15, 1973:
Jim Kaat was selected off waivers from the Twins by the
Chicago White Sox. • August 17, 1973: Rich Reese was signed as a free agent by the Twins.
Roster == Player stats ==