Bruckbauer was one of the better pitchers in Minnesota Golden Gophers history before making one appearance for the Minnesota Twins during the 1961 season.\n', '

In two years with the Gophers, Bruckbauer posted a 16–5 record and received one of the bigger signing bonuses of its time, estimated at $50,000 ($429,737 today), from the original Washington Senators in 1959. That year, he was named Outstanding Rookie of the Three-I League while pitching for the Fox Cities Foxes under Jack McKeon. He had a chance to play in the majors when the Senators moved to Minnesota in 1961, but a shoulder injury had robbed much of his promise. His Major League career, statistically speaking, was only slightly different than that of Eddie Gaedel or Moonlight Graham.\n', '

On April 25, 1961, Bruckbauer appeared in a game against the Kansas City Athletics at Municipal Stadium. He faced four batters, allowing three runs on three hits and one walk without recording an out. Coming into the game in the fourth inning in relief of Lee Stange with the Twins already trailing 7–2, Bruckbauer allowed a double to Dick Howser, an RBI single to Jay Hankins, a walk to Jerry Lumpe, and a two-run double to Lou Klimchock. Bruckbauer then departed and his successor, Chuck Stobbs, temporarily stemmed the tide. Kansas City eventually won the contest, 20–2.\n', '

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