Introducing the All-Time Minnesota Twins

Opening Day for the Twins is just 9 days away. However, with all the snow being dumped across the northern plains this week, spring just doesn’t seem that close. That doesn’t mean that Target Field isn’t ready for the defense of the AL Central to begin. Every summer, I find great enjoyment over watching the Twins toy with the rest of the division until the All-Star break only to go on a run the leaves everyone else in the dust. Most importantly, I love it when the Twins beat the White Sox! Thank you, Jim Thome, for coming over to the good side!

Last year marked the 50^th season the Twins spent in Minnesota. There were the usual celebrations that accompany an anniversary such as this; one of them being the announcement of the 50 greatest Minnesota Twins. Well, I’ve got my own take on the greatest Twins.

Assembled below is my edition of the Twins 25-man roster, two-deep at each position, minus the DH, with 6 starting pitchers and 3 relievers. There are no true DHs on this team for a couple of reasons: a) name a productive DH that the Twins have employed for more than a season or two – the best I could come up with is Paul Molitor and b) a couple of these guys did spend a little time as the DH for the Twins during their career. Anyway, hope you enjoy a trip down memory lane!

Minnesota Twins All-Time 25-Man Roster

Catchers

Joe Mauer #7

2004 – Present

2009 AL MVP

4-Time All –Star

3-Time Batting Champion

3 Gold Gloves

.327 Batting Avg

Earl Battey #10

1961 – 1967

4-Time All-Star

2 Gold Gloves

990 Games

.277 Batting Average

91 Home Runs

First Basemen

Justin Morneau #33

2003 – 2010

2006 AL MVP

4-Time All-Star

181 Home Runs

679 RBI

.286 Batting Average

Kent Hrbek #14

1981 – 1994

1-Time All-Star

293 Home Runs

1,086 RBI

.282 Batting Average

1,747 Games

Second Basemen

Rod Carew #29

1967 – 1978

Hall of Fame

12-Time All-Star

1967 AL Rookie of the Year

1977 AL MVP

7-Time Batting Champion

.334 Batting Average

Chuck Knoblauch #11

1991 – 1997

4-Time All-Star

1991 AL Rookie of the Year

1 Gold Glove

.304 Batting Average

276 Stolen Bases

Third Basemen

Harmon Killebrew #3

1961 – 1974

Hall of Fame

10-Time All-Star

1969 AL MVP

475 Home Runs

1,325 RBI

.260 Batting Average

Gary Gaetti #8

1981 – 1990

2-Time All-Star

4 Gold Gloves

201 Home Runs

758 RBI

.256 Batting Average

Shortstops

Zoilo Versalles #2

1961 – 1967

2-Time All-Star

1965 AL MVP

2 Gold Gloves

56 Triples

.252 Batting Average

Greg Gagne #7

1983 – 1992

.249 Batting Average

35 Triples

79 Stolen Bases

.972 Fielding Average

Left Fielders

Dan Gladden #32

1987 – 1991

116 Stolen Bases

.268 Batting Average

26 Triples

23 Hit by Pitch

Larry Hisle #9

1973 – 1977

1-Time All-Star

409 RBI

.286 Batting Average

87 Home Runs

Centerfielders

Kirby Puckett #34

1984 – 1995

10-Time All-Star

6 Gold Gloves

.318 Batting Average

207 Home Runs

1,085 RBI

414 Doubles

Torii Hunter #48

1997 – 2007

2-Time All-Star

7 Gold Gloves

192 Home Runs

.271 Batting Average

711 RBI

Right Fielders

Tony Oliva #6

1962 – 1976

8-Time All-Star

1964 AL Rookie of the Year

1 Gold Glove

.304 Batting Average

329 Doubles

220 Home Runs

Bob Allison #4

1961 – 1970

2-Time All-Star

211 Home Runs

.254 Batting Average

642 RBI

1,236 Games

Starting Pitchers

Johan Santana #57

2000 – 2007

3-Time All-Star

2004 & 2006 AL Cy Young

1 Gold Glove

93 Wins

3.22 ERA

1,381 Strikeouts

6 Complete Games

Bert Blyleven #28

1970 – 1976, 1985 – 1988

2-Time All-Star

149 Wins

3.28 ERA

2,566.2 Innings

2,035 Strikeouts

141 Complete Games

Jim Kaat #36

1961 – 1972

2-Time All-Star

189 Wins

3,014.1 Innings

1,851 Strikeouts

3.28 ERA

133 Complete Games

Jim Perry #31

1963 – 1972

2-Time All-Star

1970 AL Cy Young

128 Wins

3.15 ERA

1,025 Strikeouts

61 Complete Games

Brad Radke #22

1995 – 2006

1-Time All-Star

148 Wins

4.22 ERA

2,451 Innings

1,467 Strikeouts

37 Complete Games

Frank Viola #16

1982 – 1989

1-Time All-Star

1988 AL Cy Young

112 Wins

3.86 ERA

1,214 Strikeouts

54 Complete Games

Relief Pitchers

Joe Nathan #36

2004 – Present

4-Time All-Star

246 Saves

418.2 Innings

518 Strikeouts

1.87 ERA

Rick Aguilera #38

1989 – 1999

3-Time All-Star

254 Saves

694 Innings

586 Strikeouts

3.50 ERA

Eddie Guardado #18

1993 – 2003, 2008

2-Time All-Star

116 Saves

704.2 Innings

610 Strikeouts

4.53 ERA

Manager

Ron Gardenhire #35

2002 – Present

803 – 656 .550

6 Division Titles

2010 AL Manager of the Year