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The Twins: All-championship team
By Andy Rennecke
Published:
Monday, October 14, 2002
Andy Rennecke -- Sports Editor
The Minnesota Twins run in this magical 2002 season has inspired me to do something unfathomable. Something just crazy enough to ire the wrath of Twins fans everywhere.
I’ve come up with a Twins All-Star team from the world championship seasons of 1987, 1991, and the trip to the American League Championship Series in 2002. No, your eyes are not deceiving you, that is 2002. Although the Twins lost to the Anaheim Angels on Sunday, it only feels right to include the players from this version that brought back the Minny Magic.
This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do as a Twins fan. I’m so fond of every player from these championship seasons that it rips at my heartstrings to leave some of these great players off of this team. I give apologies to every former Twin that is left off this team because they were all such important cogs in each teams success.
I’ll go position-by-position as to who my starters will be, including my four-man starting rotation, closer, designated hitter, utility man and pinch hitter. I know you’re all itching in anticipation, so I will get to it.
Third Base: Gary Gaetti. Corey Koskie is a great fielder, but you can’t deny the Rat’s bat. The Rat had great power that Koskie hasn’t approached yet in his career. However, they’re definitely equals out on the field. Once Koskie nears the Rat’s career numbers at the plate, I may reconsider him for the starting position. Mike Pagliarulo and Scott Leius lag far behind from the ’91 squad.
Shortstop: Greg Gagne. Gagne’s defense and his knack for the clutch hit beats out Cristian Guzman by a landslide. Gagne played hard in every game, while Guzman is the laziest shortstop in Twin history.
Second Base: Chuck Knobluach. Even I can’t believe I’m making this selection, but the 1991 American League Rookie of Year was the number two hitter that the Twins had been craving for a long time. Deep apologies to Luis Rivas, who has a great glove, but his bat needs tremendous improvement if he’s going to start. Steve Lombardozzi had some clutch hits in the 1987 postseason. Dan Gladden’s knockout punch of Lombo makes him a wimp. No sissies who can’t fight back in my lineup.
First Base: Kent Hrbek. This may have been my toughest call. Hrbek or Doug Mientkiewicz? Hrbek wins the same way Gaetti did: his bat. The mitts are equal, nevertheless, Hrbie’s stick carried a lot of weight.
Catcher: A.J. Pierzynski. His grit, toughness and perseverance overall as a player is what beats out Tim Laudner and Brian Harper. He has the complete package, while Laudner was just a great catcher and Harper just a great hitter.
Left Field: Jacque Jones. Another tough call here. Do you take Jones’ talent or Gladden’s toughness? I take Jones’ talent because his overall numbers at the plate and his fielding ability are superior to that of Gladden.
Center Field and Right Field: Torii Hunter in center and Kirby Puckett in right. Hunter’s glovework and speed makes him the choice in center, plus Puckett would be the greatest right fielder in the history of baseball. In fact, the whole outfield would be considered the best in the history of the game. Condolences to Tom Brunansky and Shane Mack.
Designated Hitter: Chili Davis hands down. The blundering, lumbering David Ortiz and the grizzled Don Baylor not need apply. Davis’s numbers in 1991 (29 HR, 93 RBI) make these two’s numbers look like little leaguer’s.
Utility Man: Al Newman. This choice is easy for me since I despise Dennis “Chipped Tooth” Hocking. While Newmie now looks like he’s had one too many cupcakes, he was quite the fielder and base runner back in the day. He’s far more valuable than a guy who loses his teeth on Jose Canseco line drives.
Pinch Hitter: Gene Larkin. Larkin’s hit in 1991 to win Game 7 alone merits him this honor. Besides, you have to love a guy that broke all of Lou Gehrig’s records at Columbia University. Randy Bush, Bobby Kielty and Paul Sorrento are all close behind.
Four-Man Rotation: Frank Viola, Jack Morris, Bert Blyleven and Kevin Tapani. All were big-time pitchers who you can count on to win in the clutch.
Closer: Jeff Reardon. No one had more gas and junk than Reardon. Aguliera and Everyday Eddie are quality, but Reardon’s repertoire stands out here.
I hope this All-Star team stands out to Twins fans all around. If I left off your favorite player, that’s just too bad. Make your own team.
