Minnesota Twins: The Top 5 Third Basemen in Franchise History
By Otto Johnson
No. 1: Minnesota Twins’ Harmon “Killer” Killebrew
Years with the Washington Senators and Minnesota Twins: 1954-1974 (21 Seasons)
Key Stats with the Washington Senators and Minnesota Twins: 2329 G, 2024 H, 559 HR, 1540 RBI, 1505 BB, .258 BA, 60.5 WAR, 71.4 oWAR, -17.6 dWAR, 13 Time All-Star, 9 Top-25 MVP Finishes, 1965 AL-Pennant, 1969 MVP, Hall of Fame
One of the top three hitters in Twins history and one of the best power hitters of all-time, Harmon Killebrew was one of the most electric players in franchise history. Over 21 seasons and 2,329 games, both franchise records, Killebrew led the team through transition periods, losing seasons, and an AL Pennant winning season.
Similar to Gaetti, Killebrew didn’t hit for contact, only posting an average of .256, but he hit the ball hard. Killebrew hit 559 home runs over his twenty-one seasons, most in team history (he’s over 250 HR ahead of the next player) and twelfth all-time.
His marks for 1,540 RBI, 1,505 walks, and 4,026 total bases all rank first in team history. He’s also second in runs scored (1258) and WAR (60.5), while ranking first in extra base hits (860), slugging percentage (.514), and OPS (.892). Unsurprisingly, he is a Thirteen Time All-Star and has finished in the Top-25 of MVP voting NINE times, winning the award in 1969.
Killebrew’s only negative was his defense, as he posted a -17.6 dWAR, worst in team history. That stat does tend to be unforgiving of first basemen, where Killebrew played 969 games, but it isn’t a great number either way.
Regardless, Harmon Killebrew, one of a few Minnesota Twins players in the Hall of Fame, was a star for a team that desperately needed one. Killebrew pounded the baseball and helped inspire support for baseball in Minnesota, making him an easy choice for the top third baseman of all-time
Check out the other Minnesota Twins Top 5 Position Lists:
Minnesota Twins: The Top 5 Shortstops in Franchise History. dark. Next