The former Minnesota Twins first baseman played 11 seasons for the team and will be inducted into their Hall of Fame on May 23.
Throughout the 2000s, the Minnesota Twins were built of a pair of legendary players that led them to five American League Central Championships and a sixth to cap things off in 2010. While one of those players, Joe Mauer, got his due when his number was retired last summer, it will be Justin Morneau‘s time to celebrate when he is inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame on May 23.
Morneau was a key part of the Twins run of dominance in the 2000s as he hit .278 with 221 HR and 860 RBI over the course of 11 seasons with the Twins. Although his early years got off to a rocky start, the light bulb came on during the course of the 2006 season where he hit .321 with 34 HR and 130 RBI on his way to winning the American League MVP award.
Through the next four seasons, Morneau became one of the best first basemen in baseball, making the All-Star team four times and finishing second in MVP voting in 2008. He was on his way to his best season yet in 2010, hitting .345 with 18 HR and 56 RBI in 81 games before suffering a concussion in Toronto that essentially derailed his career.
After a couple of seasons trying to get his old form back, Morneau was dealt to Pittsburgh in the 2013 season and signed with Colorado the following season to follow in the footsteps of his childhood idol and new Hall of Famer Larry Walker. Morneau won the 2014 National League batting title (.314) with the Rockies and after a brief stint with the Chicago White Sox retired in 2016.
While Morneau’s career stopped in four different cities, Minnesota has been home for the 38-year old as he’s settled in and even become a part of the Twins broadcast team. Morneau’s induction will take place against a fitting opponent in the Chicago White Sox, whom the Twins battled on a yearly basis for the AL Central title throughout the 2000s.