Minnesota Twins: The Top 5 Centerfielders in Franchise History
By Otto Johnson
No. 4: Minnesota Twins’ César Tovar
Years with the Minnesota Twins: 1965-1972 (8 Seasons)
Key Stats with the Minnesota Twins: 1090 G, 1164 H, 646 R, 38 HR, 319 RBI, 186 SB, 299 BB, .281 BA, 25.9 WAR, 3.3 dWAR, Five Top-25 MVP Finishes, 1965 Pennant
César Tovar was the greatest Swiss Army Knife player in Minnesota Twins history. Tovar could play every single position, and could play each one pretty well. In 1968, Tovar played all nine positions in one game, becoming only the second player in Major League baseball history to do so.
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He played primarily center field over his time in Minnesota and left town with a 3.3 dWAR showing his defensive strength. His 25.9 WAR (twenty-second in team history) and his five top-25 MVP finishes show how valuable he was to the team.
He was solid on offense too. Tovar wound up with a .281 batting average and earned 186 steals over his eight seasons, with the steals placing him seventh in team history. He often was the leadoff man for the team, helping him score 646 runs, twenty-fourth in team history.
Tovar’s top season came in 1970. He led the league in doubles, triples, while hitting .300 and stealing thirty bases. Tovar helped the team win the American League West in back-to-back years in 1969 and 1970 and helped the team win the 1965 American League pennant, so his value is to the franchise is huge.