20 years ago on this day, August 20, 1997, the Minnesota Twins traded away veteran outfielder Roberto Kelly to the Seattle Mariners. In return, the Twins received two minor league pitchers in Joe Mays and Jeromy Palki.
The Twins signed Kelly before the 1996 season. From there he had one of his best seasons in regards to hitting. In that first season with the Twins, Kelly batted a line of .323/.375/.470.
In 1997 the Twins found themselves at 51-73 after August 19th and the Seattle Mariners had a need to protect Ken Griffey Jr.