[情報] Minnesota Twins All-Decade Team

看板MIN-Twins作者mohicans (Last Of The Mohicans)時間15年前 (2010/01/05 23:45)推噓1(1推 0噓 2→)

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Written by Shotgun Spratling Tuesday, 05 January 2010 00:00 The Minnesota Twins had a rough start to the decade beginning with the worst record in the American League in 2000, but since then they have been one of the strongest performing franchises in baseball. They've only had one losing season since 2000 and have won the American League Central division five times. Unfortunately, besides losing in five games in 2002, they've fallen easily in the Division Series in their other four trips to the playoffs. Three of those times they lost to the Evil Empire. C - Joe Mauer It should be noted that A.J. Pierzynski batted .302 during the first four seasons of the decade. However, Pierzynski doesn't hold a candle to Joe Mauer's prowess as Minnesota's favorite son. Since being drafted No. 1 overall out of St. Paul's Cretin-Derham Hall High School, Minnesota fans have been in love with Mauer and he hasn't disappointed leading the league in batting three times, being named to three All-Star teams, earning three Silver Slugger awards, two Gold Gloves, and the 2009 MVP award following his 28-homer, 96-RBI season when he batted .365 with a 1.031 OPS. 1B - Justin Morneau Arriving in the big leagues the season before Mauer, Justin Morneau has combined with Mauer to become one of the most fearsome duos in the big leagues. While Mauer provides a tremendous average, Morneau supplies the power averaging 28 home runs, 34 doubles, and 110 RBI over his five full seasons. The three-time All Star has won two Silver Sluggers, and was the 2006 MVP and 2008 MVP runner-up. He has also hit .310 in his two postseason series. 2B - Nick Punto The Twins haven't had the best second basemen this decade by any stretch of the imagination with Luis Rivas, Luis Castillo, and Alexi Casilla, so the selection goes to a Minnesota fan favorite, Nick Punto. Punto may have produced some of the worst offensive numbers of any consistent starter in the league, but his energy, enthusiasm, and defense have kept him in the good graces of Rod Gardenhire and in the lineup. Punto's versatility has also been an asset as he has played 1770-1790 innings at second base, third base, and shortstop as well as games at each of the outfield positions. SS - Christian Guzman In five seasons with the Twins this decade, Christian Guzman batted .272 from the top of the lineup. The speedy Guzman led the league three times in triples averaging 12 per Minnesota season this decade. He also averaged 19 stolen bases and 82 runs scored for the Twins and was named an All Star in 2001 when he hit .302 with 28 doubles, 14 triples, and 10 homers -- his only season with double digit dingers. 3B - Corey Koskie He might not be a household name for the average baseball fan, but during the first half of the decade, Corey Koskie beat the odds to become a stellar performer for the Twins. A former 26th round pick, Koskie made his debut in 1998 but really started making an impact in 1999 before taking over full time at third base in 2000. From '00 to '04, he batted .278 while averaging 93 runs, 38 doubles, 21 homers, 89 RBI, and 15 stolen bases per 162 games. He even received MVP votes in '01 when he knocked 26 bombs, drove in 103 runs, and swiped 27 bases. LF - Jacque Jones Another good but not great player that spent a number of years in Minnesota was Jacque Jones, who took over a starting outfield spot in 2000. For the next six seasons with the Twins, Jones averaged 73 runs, 20 homers, 72 RBI, and 11 steals per season while hitting .278. He moved from centerfield to left field to accompany Torii Hunter and then later moved to right field to accompany the acquisition of Shannon Stewart. CF - Torii Hunter After nine consecutive Gold Gloves (seven with the Twins), Torii Hunter has established himself as the best centerfielder of the new millenium. In eight seasons with Minnesota this decade, Hunter hit 183 homers and drove in 674 runs. Twice he was named to the All-Star Game, including in '02 when he robbed Barry Bonds in Miller Park. Hunter's swan song in Minnesota in '07 was one of his best as he finished in the top 10 in the AL in doubles, homers, RBI, and total bases. RF - Michael Cuddyer Spending his first nine big league seasons with Minnesota, Michael Cuddyer was a quiet contributor to most of the baseball world playing a variety of positions and capable of hitting 20 homers and driving in 100 runs if he played enough games. Cuddyer had a breakout season in 2009 when he launched 32 homers, 34 doubles, and drove in 94 runs posting a .862 OPS and earning him some MVP votes. DH - Jason Kubel The numbers between David Ortiz and Jason Kubel are barely distinguishable, but our selection goes to Kubel because we don't have to wonder if he might have been involved with any steroids like we might have to with some others. Per 162 games, Kubel has averaged 73 runs, 32 doubles, 23 homers, and 91 RBI. SP (RH) - Brad Radke Brad Radke spent his entire career with the Minnesota Twins organization from being drafted in the eighth round in 1991 to his retirement from the game of baseball after the 2006 season. During this decade, Radke pitched to an 82-71 record in seven seasons. Though he had a 4.16 ERA, he was known to have a deceptive ERA as he often struggled in the first inning and then would get stronger throughout the game as is evidenced by his 76 career first inning home runs allowed -- over 25 more than any other inning. Known for his pinpoint control, Radke allowed less than one base on ball per start this decade. After pitching with a torn labrum in 2006, Radke retired following the season and was inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame in 2009. SP (LH) - Johan Santana For four years, Johan Santana was arguably the most dominant starter in the American League. In a little over 900 innings, Santana struck out 983 batters while compiling a 70-32 record with a 2.89 ERA and an astounding 0.99 WHIP. Twice leading the league in ERA and three times leading the league in strikeouts, Santana was named to three All-Star teams, won a Gold Glove, and won the '04 and '06 AL Cy Young awards. Unfortunately, Santana's talents caused him to be too worthy for the Twins' small budget to be able to afford. RP - Pat Neshek With a wicked and unique sidearm delivery, Pat Neshek burst onto the scene in 2006 striking out 53 batters in 37 innings and recording a 2.19 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP. For his first three years, Neshek compiled an 11-5 record, a 2.91 ERA, and a 0.96 WHIP. He also allowed only 22% of inherited runners to score. Striking out over 30% of the batters he faced, Neshek had become one of the Twins top relievers until he tore his UCL requiring Tommy John surgery in 2008. Minnesota fans are hoping he returns to dominate the new decade beginning this season. CL - Joe Nathan When thinking of the dominant closers in the game, Joe Nathan's name sometimes gets forgotten, but Nathan has been one of, if not the, best closers since he took over the job in Minnesota in 2004. Since then he has saved 246 games averaging 41 per season. He has been durable and lights out with a 1.87 ERA and only a 0.93 WHIP. The four-time All Star has struck out 11.1 batters per nine innings, converted 91% of all of his save opportunities and only allowed 20% of inherited runners to score. http://is.gd/5MTjT -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ※ 編輯: mohicans 來自: 122.116.47.94 (01/05 23:46)