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Minnesota Twins: The Top 5 Centerfielders in Franchise History

By Otto Johnson

Kirby Puckett of the Minnesota Twins bats during an MLB game at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. Kirby Puckett played for the Minnesota Twins from 1984-1995. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Kirby Puckett of the Minnesota Twins bats during an MLB game at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois. Kirby Puckett played for the Minnesota Twins from 1984-1995. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Twins
A group of all stars pose together in New York City left to right, are Bobby Wallace, Home Run Baker, Joe Wood, Walter Johnson, Hal Chase, Clyde Milan, and Eddie Collins. Seated are Germany Schaeffer, Tris Speaker,Sam Crawford, Ty Cobb, and Paddy Livingston (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Washington Senators’ Clyde “Deerfoot” Milan

Years with the Washington Senators: 1907-1922 (16 Seasons)

Key Stats with the Washington Senators: 1982 G, 2100 H, 1004 R, 17 HR, 617 RBI, 495 SB, 685 BB, .285 BA, 40.0 WAR, -5.7 dWAR, Four Top-25 MVP Finishes

Many people have not heard of Clyde “Deerfoot” Milan, but it’s time people know. Deerfoot earned his nickname from his ability to run, and he showcased it better than anyone over his sixteen seasons in major league baseball, all with the Senators.

Milan stole 495 bases, most in team history by a whopping 149 steals. It places him fortieth in MLB history and he was in the top ten when he retired. He was renowned for getting on base and making pitchers pay with his speed.

Over his sixteen seasons he hit for .285 batting average and finished with 2,100 hits, fifth all time, and despite being the leadoff man almost every single year, Milan has tallied up a respectable 617 RBI and 685 walks, helping him build his 40.0 career WAR.

Deerfoot’s speed helped him reach 1004 runs as well, seventh in franchise history, but it didn’t help with his defense. Milan’s only negative while playing was that defense. He finished his career with a -5.7 dWAR and a .953 fielding percentage, which is a really poor grade for an outfielder.

The main reason Milan isn’t higher on this list is because his team never played very well. The Senators were the joke of the league, finishing seventeen games out of first place thirteen out of the sixteen seasons Milan was on the team, keeping Milan in third place on the list.

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