Minnesota Twins: Highlighting the All-Time Dream Team
The Minnesota Twins have had plenty of great players throughout their existence. Let’s select the all-time dream team for Minnesota.
In 1961, the Washington Senators relocated and became the Minnesota Twins. Since that day, there have been plenty of all-star baseball players step on the turf in Minneapolis, MN. Shuffling through all the players in Twins’ history, it was not easy to come up with the list of the greatest players of all time.
In their history, the Twins have won two World Series’ and have three American League pennants. While they may not be on par with some of the greatest franchises in the MLB, the Minnesota Twins have definitely had their share of great players.
This list will only cover an everyday lineup of batters, no pitchers. This lineup will take into consideration everything from batting averages to awards to championships. It will highlight the greatest all around players to ever wear a Twins’ uniform.
Even though they were a part of this franchise, players from the Washington Senators will not make this list. Without further ado, let’s answer the question: who makes up the Minnesota Twins’ all-time dream team?
Catcher: Joe Mauer (2004 – Present)
Probably the most well-known present player on the Twins’ roster, Joe Mauer has now been playing for 13 years. Probably the most impressive thing about that number is that he has spent his entire career in a Minnesota Twins uniform.
While his best days are definitely behind him, Mauer continues to help the team find victories now at the age of 33. He has transitioned to first base as a lot of catchers do when Father Time starts to catch up to them. Even so, Joe Mauer is the greatest catcher in Minnesota Twins’ history.
Joe Mauer’s slash line for his career is .308/.391/.444 with 130 home-runs and 810 RBI’s.
Along with the great numbers, Mauer has a long list of accomplishments for the Twins. He was the 2009 American League MVP and is a three-time American League Batting Champion, four-time Silver Slugger winner, three-time Gold Glove winner and a 5-time American League All-Star.
Look at any MLB franchise – it’s not easy to find a great catcher. Joe Mauer fit that mold for the Minnesota Twins and it stuck. He is the easy choice for the greatest catcher in Twins’ history. Expect him to add to these numbers, as well, considering his career is not yet over.
Honorable Mention: Earl Battey (1961-1967)
First Baseman: Kent (Herbie) Hrbek (1981 – 1994)
As a fan-favorite and all-time Twins’ great, Kent Hrbek still gets a lot of love from Minnesota Twins’ fans when he makes his usual appearance at home games. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, Herbie was much more than an avid Twins’ fan, he was the face of the ball club.
Herbie is most well-known for his remarkable 1987 season. Though he only hit .208, he had a career best 34 home-runs and a pivotal grand slam in game 6 of the World Series against the Cardinals to essentially seal the deal for the Minnesota Twins.
Kent Hrbek’s slash line for his career was .282/.367/.481 with 293 home-runs and 1,086 RBI’s.
Those statistics aside, Herbie’s case for being on the dream team starts and ends with his playoff performances. He helped the Twins to two World Series Championships in 1987 and 1991. Along with Kirby Puckett, Hrbek was one of 7 Twins to be on both World Series winning teams.
With such a long season, regular season performances are pivotal for MLB franchises. With that being said, each roster needs a player to lean on during the post-season. With his experience and track record, Kent Hrbek could be that man for the Minnesota Twins Dream Team.
Honorable Mention: Justin Morneau (2003-2012)
Second Baseman: Rod Carew (1967 – 1978)
Rod Carew is considered one of the all-time great hitters in all of the MLB, so he easily makes this team. He wasn’t only the face of the Twins’ franchise during his time, he was also the face of the MLB, making the All-Star Game every year he played in Minnesota.
Beginning in his rookie year, when Carew won AL Rookie of the Year, Minnesota Twins’ fans knew he was going to be something special. Little did they know, he would go down as one of the top three Minnesota Twins’ of all time.
Rod Carew’s slash line for his career was .328/.393/.429 with 92 home-runs and 1015 RBI’s.
To go along with his stout numbers, Carew had an extremely long list of accomplishments during his tenure. He was the 1977 American League MVP, the 1967 American League Rookie of the Year, a 12-time American League All-Star and a 7-time American League Batting Champion.
To cap off his incredible career, Carew rightfully got inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. With all of his fantastic accomplishments, Rod Carew easily goes down as one of the all-time greatest Twins’ players and makes the cut as the Dream Team’s starting second baseman.
Honorable Mention: Brian Dozier (2012 – Present)
Shortstop: Greg Gagne (1983 – 1992)
The shortstop position has always been a shallow position for the Minnesota Twins, so this was a difficult choice for the Dream Team. Thanks to his playoff experience and World Series’ victories, Greg Gagne makes the cut.
After being drafted the the New York Yankees in 1979, Gagne was traded to the Twins in 1982 and eventually worked his way up to the starting lineup in 1985. Greg Gagne still sits tied atop the major league record books with his two inside-the-park home-runs in a single game back in 1986.
Greg Gagne’s slash line for his career was .254/.302/.382 with 111 home-runs and 604 RBI’s.
While Gagne’s stats seem a bit average, it was his ability to lead his team to the promise land that landed him on the Twins’ dream team. He was a pivotal piece of the Twins’ 1991 World Series win as he hit a game-winning three-run home-run in game one against the Atlanta Braves.
Greg Gagne was also one of the seven players to be on both the 1987 and 1991 World Series’ teams. After 10 seasons with the Minnesota Twins, he was traded to the Kansas City Royals. Due to his achievements leading the Twins to their two World Series’ wins, Gagne made the cut.
Honorable Mention: Roy Smalley (1976 – 1982, 1985 – 1987)
Third Baseman: Gary Gaetti (1981 – 1990)
Again, third base has been a historically shallow position for the Minnesota Twins. Gary Gaetti has been named to the Minnesota Twins’ Dream Team because he can add power along with experience to this roster.
Gary “The Rat” Gaetti was well known for his powerful bat, but what a lot of fans don’t remember is he was a wonderful fielder as well. With the MLB seeing a lot of one-way players these days, Gaetti was truly the definition of a two-way player for the Minnesota Twins in the 80’s.
Gary Gaetti’s slash line for his career was .255/.308/.434 with 360 home-runs and 1,341 RBI’s.
Along with some strong numbers, Gaetti was a 4-time Gold Glove winner and a 2-time American League All-Star. He was also a part of the 1987 World Series winning Minnesota Twins organization.
Though Gaettie left the Twins in free agency to join the Angels, “The Rat” will go down as the best third baseman to ever play for the Minnesota Twins. Another World Series winner will help to elevate this Twins’ Dream Team.
Honorable Mention: Corey Koskie (1998 – 2006)
Left Fielder: Harmon Killebrew (1961 – 1974)
This one was an easy choice. Harmon Killebrew was the first “face of the franchise” for the Minnesota Twins. As a team new to a city, the organization needed something to bring fans in and keep them coming. Killebrew did that.
Harmon Killebrew was most well-known for his power hitting. He had 7 seasons in which he hit more than 40 home-runs. With the Twins being new to Minnesota, the performance of Killebrew helped to create the great fan-base that is Minneapolis.
Harmon Killebrew’s slash line for his career was .256/.376/.509 with 573 home-runs and 1,584 RBI’s.
Along with those astonishing statistics, Killebrew’s name was constantly on the award sheet. He was the 1969 American League MVP and a 10-time American League All-Star. He was also, rightfully so, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.
Killebrew was the first Twins’ player to have his number retired and enter the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was, and always will be one of the faces of this franchise. Throw him in the 4-slot in the lineup and every pitcher will start to quake.
Honorable Mention: Chuck Knoblauch (1991 – 1997)
Center Fielder: Kirby Puckett (1984 – 1995)
Come on, the website is named after him. What did you expect? Of course the greatest Minnesota Twins player in the history of the franchise would make this list. His stats are off the charts and his list of accomplishments goes on and on, this was a decision made in my sleep.
Kirby Puckett was and still is the most-loved Minnesota Twin of all-time. If you were lucky enough to watch the Twins in the 80’s and 90’s, you can’t deny he was one of your favorites on the squad. Puckett was a threat at the plate and a gem in the outfield, a rare combination that he mastered.
Kirby Puckett’s slash line for his career was .318/.360/.477 with 207 home-runs and 1,085 RBI’s.
Along with batting well over .300 for his career, Puckett has an extremely long list of achievements. He was a 6-time Silver Slugger winner, a 6-time Gold Glove winner and a 10-time American League All-Star. He was also the most pivotal piece of both World Series wins for the Minnesota Twins in 1987 and 1991.
Kirby Puckett was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001, as expected, and now has his own statue on Target Plaza. Without an argument, Puckett is the greatest Minnesota Twins’ player of all time, and he’s the first ballot choice for this Dream Team.
Honorable Mention: Bob Allison (1961 – 1970)
Right Fielder: Torii Hunter (1997 – 2007, 2015)
Torii Hunter was possibly the most exciting outfielder the Minnesota Twins have ever seen. It seemed as if every game, Hunter was making a highlight reel catch. His fielding was the highlight of his career, but he was also one great hitter at the plate.
More from Puckett's Pond
- Minnesota Twins: Grading the Twins’ Joey Gallo signing
- Minnesota Twins: 4 Possible Trade Chips not named Kepler or Arraez
- Minnesota Twins: After missing out on Correa, what comes next?
- Minnesota Twins: Free Agency should be Ace or Bust for the Rotation
- Minnesota Twins: Grading the Christian Vazquez Signing
Hunter is also one of the more loved Twins of all time. With his passion and outgoing personality, Minnesota Twins’ fans took pride in the fact that they had a man like Hunter out in Center Field. Even though his best position was Center Field, he’s going to be playing right field on the Dream Team due to the great Kirby Puckett playing in Center.
Torii Hunter’s slash line for his career was .277/.331/.461 with 353 home-runs and 1,391 RBI’s.
As shown above, Hunter was an above average hitter. But again, it’s what he did in the outfield that landed him here.
He had 9 total Gold Glove awards, which is 7th all-time among outfielders. He was known for consistently robbing batters of home-runs and making incredible diving catches.
Along with being a great player on the field, Hunter is also a good man off the field. He is well-known for being a very charitable guy. He even has his own charity called “Torii Hunter Project Education Initiative” that provides scholarships to college students. The fantastic Torii Hunter rounds out the Minnesota Twins’ Dream Team.