04-08-2021, 11:11 AM
(04-08-2021, 09:55 AM)fenders53 Wrote: Eric, who are your favorite Twins lifetime? Or anyone else that want to share their favorites on your team?
Mauer and Morneau were fun as they put us back on the baseball map. It was sad to see what happened to Morneau. I'll always wonder if Mauer lost his drive to be the best after the big contract. He was certainly one of the best hitting catchers in the history of the game. So much natural ability.
Torii Hunter may be my favorite. He was so exciting to watch. Always loved Cuddyer as I think he played better than he really was some games.
I think everybody thought highly of Kirby Puckett. I never saw him play in person. He had a big heart that seemed contagious. I would liken him to Nelson Cruz now. I am glad they took a chance on the old man and signed him. I think his presence is good for about 100 RBIs a year when the bat is in a team mates hands. Maybe that's a stretch but I think his presence has a lot of value. We would not have even sniffed the team HR record in 2019 without Cruz. I believe he'd be a good hitting coach in a few years if he is interested.
I've enjoyed watching the Red Sox success and think highly of a lot of their players past and present.
Kirby Puckett was far and away my favorite Twin of all-time. I have well over 100 of his baseball cards that I collected as a kid. I remember emulating his bat tap at the corner of the plate before every at-bat back in Little Leagues.
Other favorites would be Brad Radke, Johan Santana, Torii Hunter, Michael Cuddyer, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.
It's tragic looking back over the years at the franchise and what injuries have done to it.
Puckett's career ended with glaucoma in spring training. Radke, Santana, Liriano, Nathan all had arm problems, although Santana's was after he was traded.
Koskie, Morneau, and Mauer all had their prime years taken away through concussions.
The last couple years we've lost Buxton multiple times, and top prospects Kiriloff and Lewis to serious injuries.
I know all franchises have injuries, but it seems to me the Twins have been snakebit more than others.