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Minnesota Twins: Ranking the Top 10 Teams in Franchise History

By Otto Johnson

FORT MYERS, FL - MARCH 24: Catcher Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins congratulates Justin Morneau #33 after his home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during a Grapefruit League Spring Training Game at Hammond Stadium on March 24, 2013 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL - MARCH 24: Catcher Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins congratulates Justin Morneau #33 after his home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during a Grapefruit League Spring Training Game at Hammond Stadium on March 24, 2013 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – OCTOBER 13: Torii Hunter #48 of the Minnesota Twins hits against the Anaheim Angels in Game five of the American League Championship Series on October 13, 2002 at Edison International Field in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Twins 13-5 and won the Series 4-1 to advance to the World Series. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – OCTOBER 13: Torii Hunter #48 of the Minnesota Twins hits against the Anaheim Angels in Game five of the American League Championship Series on October 13, 2002 at Edison International Field in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Twins 13-5 and won the Series 4-1 to advance to the World Series. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

10. 2002 Minnesota Twins (94-67):

Coming into the 2002 season, it was uncertain if there would even be baseball in Minnesota. With the team stuck in the Metrodome and no solution for a new ballpark in place, the team was rumored to be put up for contraction by owner Carl Pohlad. Those plans never came to fruition and after a 16-game improvement the season before, this team had high aspirations.

The team, fronted by All-Stars Torii Hunter, Eddie Guardado, and A.J. Pierzynski ran through a weak American League Central, but Jacque Jones may have been the real team MVP, batting .300 and hitting 27 home runs.

Once they made the playoffs, the team beat the 103-win ‘Moneyball’ Oakland Athletics in the ALDS, marking the first (and only) series win of the decade. The Twins then ran into the red-hot and eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Angels where their lack of pitching was exposed. Minnesota lost in five games, ending their season and keeping them at #10 on the list.

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