Minnesota Twins: 5 best catching groups of all-time
By Nate Palmer
No. 1- 2009 Catchers
Joe Mauer and Mike Redmond
The 2009 Minnesota Twins finished in first place in the American League Central with a record of 87-76. It did take them 163 games that season to secure that first place finish and defeating the Detroit Tigers and newly signed Twins closer Fernando Rodney to advance to the playoffs. Much of that season was fueled by one Minnesotan and his desirable sideburns.
At age 26 Joe Mauer put together his best season. Mauer slashed .365/.444/.587 and a 1.031 OPS. He also added 28 home runs and 30 doubles as hit himself into winning the Most Valuable Player Award at what is still considered the most demanding defensive position. He also received an All-Star selection, a Golden Glove, and a Silver Slugger.
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Likely because of my age, when I think of Twins backup catchers Mike Redmond is the name that comes to mind. Redmond had 5 solid seasons with the Twins, this one actually being the worst of them all. His slash line was only .237/.299/.289 likely leading to why the Twins began giving some catching duties over to Jose Morales. In 54 games and his best season as a major leaguer, Morales slashed .311/.381/.361.
Mauer led this catching group to this position in our list. Going through this list has been a good reminder of just how great of a catcher Mauer was and why that monster contract was absolutely worth it at the time when he signed it as a catcher. Mauer owns the top 5 and 6 of the top 10 seasons by a Twins catcher according to WAR. His 2009 WAR of 7.8 (also 8th for all of baseball history) added with Redmond’s -0.9 WAR and Morales’ 0.5 WAR landed the 2009 trio with a combined 6.9 WAR and first on our list.
Next: With Yu Darvish choosing the Cubs, now what for the Twins?
Did we miss your favorite deserving catcher? Let us know!