Minnesota Twins: The Top 5 First Basemen in Franchise History
By Otto Johnson
No. 2: Joe Judge
Years: 1915-1932 (18 Seasons)
Key Stats: 2084 G, 2291 Hits, 71 HR, 1001 RBI, 210 SB, 943 BB, .299 BA, 47 WAR, -5.3 dWAR, 4 Top 25 MVP finishes, World Series Champion
Joe Judge had one of the longest careers of any Senator or Twins player. He played in 2,084 games, placing him third on the Minnesota Twins all-time list. He made the most of his time with his career, one that spanned three decades.
Judge’s career numbers are impressive, especially because he kept it going over such a long period. His .299 batting average ranks 18th in team history, and he kept those numbers up over almost 20 years. He didn’t offer a lot of power, but he was fast, stealing 210 bases over his career, good for sixth all-time.
His best skill was his ability to get on base. In addition to his high batting average, Judge earned 943 walks, good for third all time. His OBP of .379 is 10th in team history. His defense wasn’t a negative either, as Judge’s career dWAR of -5.3 was only one point worse despite playing over eight hundred more games.
Judge was a part of most of the Senators best teams, including two American League Pennants and one World Championship in 1924. His WAR of 47 is good for sixth in team history, and he finished in the Top 25 of MVP voting four times, showing his value.
Without Joe Judge, the Senators would not have won their World Series title and would not have had as many successful seasons as they did. He was a cornerstone of the franchise and one of the best first basemen of his day.