Minnesota Twins: The Eight Greatest Right-Handed Hitters in Twins History
Minnesota Twins Greatest Right-Hander No. 8: Shane Mack (1990-1994)
For five seasons, Shane Mack was a versatile, multi-threat player for the Minnesota Twins. He had some pop in his bat, was a run generator, and a threat on the base paths. A Rule 5 pickup in 1990, he was an essential member of the 1991 Twins team that won the World Series.
Mack hit over .300 in four of his five years with the Twins. His best season as a major leaguer was in 1992 when he hit .315, scored 101 runs, and stole 26 bases. His .309 average is 10th highest in Minnesota Twins history and he is 5th all-time in franchise history in On-Base Plus Slugging Percentage at .854.
While an injury ended Shane’s tenure in Minnesota, he went on to play two seasons in Japan before returning to Major League Baseball in 1997. He retired from the game in 1998 and retired with a .299 career average.
Minnesota Twins Greatest Right-Hander No. 7: Michael Cuddyer (2001-2011)
Michael Cuddyer was a very productive ballplayer for the Minnesota Twins and was one of the keys to their success in reaching the playoffs in the 2000’s. He ended his Twins career with 141 home runs, 580 RBI, and 606 runs scored. He also batted a commanding .348 in 19 playoff games with the Twins.
On May 22, 2009, Michael hit for the cycle in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming only the second Minnesota Twin at that time to accomplish this difficult feat. Michael was also a versatile player during his time with Twins. He played six different positions with the Twins and was a competent fielder at most of the positions he played.
He was named to the All-Star team in his last year with the Twins, before heading off and winning a batting title in Colorado. After he retired, he returned to the organization that it all began with. He now has made it into the Twins Hall of Fame as well.
Like Torii Hunter, Michael currently serves as a Special Assistant for Baseball Operations for the Twins. He works with the player development department, where his duties include assisting with the team’s preparation for the amateur draft.
Minnesota Twins Greatest Right-Hander No. 6: Gary Gaetti (1981-1990)
Gary “The Rat” Gaetti, is one of my favorite Minnesota Twins of that era. Scrappy, hard-nosed ballplayer who always gave 100% on the field. Off the field, he and Kent Hrkek formed quite the pair on and off the field. Great clubhouse guy and a real prankster.
During his time with the Twins he hit 201 home runs, drove in 758 RBI’s, and scored 646 runs. Gary was accomplished both at the plate and in the field. He was a two-time All-Star and a four-time Gold Glove winner. That doesn’t even take into account his playoff performance.
He was the MVP of the ALCS in 1987, during a postseason where he led the Twins to their first World Series appearance since 1965 and first title in team history when they won the World Series that year in seven games, beating the St. Louis Cardinals.
In retirement, Gary went on to manage the Sugar Land Skeeters, an independent team, and share his knowledge with young players. He continues to coach and train ballplayers while working for a baseball equipment firm.
Minnesota Twins Greatest Right-Hander No. 5: Chuck Knoblauch (1991-1997)
Not the most popular Minnesota Twin after his trade request, but Chuck Knoblauch put up some very impressive numbers in his 7 years in Minnesota. While with the Twins, he scored 713 runs, batted .289 and stole 407 bases. In fact he still ranks 4th on the all-time franchise list of players with the most stolen bases.
Chuck was a 4-time All-Star; the 1991 AL Rookie of the year and he won a Gold Glove in 1997. To me, Chuck will always be remembered as the lightning rod for the World Series Champion Minnesota Twins in 1991. His art of deception play in Game 7 of that Series, where he duped Lonnie Smith into staying at first after what should have been a clear double, was excellent.
While he was a great hitter in Minnesota, he struggled mightily after being traded away, developing the yips and ending up out of baseball by the end of 2002. Off-field incidents have since tarnished his legacy, but he still was excellent in his stint here.
Minnesota Twins Greatest Right-Hander No. 4: Torii Hunter (1997-2007, 2015)
Torii Hunter was a dynamic player during his tenure with the Minnesota Twins. He hit 214 home runs coupled with 792 runs batted in and a .793 OPS. In his Twins career, he hit 20 or more home runs in a season 6 times and topped 90 RBI 5 times during this stretch.
Hunter is best known as a defensive wizard who was the best defensive center fielder in baseball during his era. Torii won seven of his nine Gold Gloves with the Twins and I have great personal memories of watching him reach over the fence to rob an opponent of another home run. He is one of the two best center fielders ever to play for the Twins.
Torii was also a team leader and a fun presence in the locker room. He is also well known for his community service and giving spirit. In 2009, while playing for the California Angels, he was named the Branch Rickey Award winner for community service excellence.
Torii Hunter is currently a Special Assistant for Baseball Operations for the Twins. In this capacity, he will sometimes appear on the team’s television broadcasts as an analyst. He currently is on the Hall of Fame ballot and may actually hang around a few years.
Minnesota Twins Greatest Right-Hander No. 3: Bob Allison (1958-1970)
Bob Allison was an up-and-coming slugger when he arrived in Minnesota in 1961 as part of the franchise move. He already had posted a 30-home run season in 1959 playing for the old Washington Senators, so the Twins knew he had talent.
His performance that year earned him a trip to the AL All-Star Game, and he was named the AL Rookie of the Year at seasons end. Over the next 8 seasons, Allison averaged 25 homers and 76 RBI’s and was named to two additional All-Star Games.
Allison was a hard-nosed player and was a very agile and aggressive player while on defense. He also was blessed with a powerful throwing arm and base runners were very hesitant to take an extra base when he was roaming the outfield. The highlight of Allison’s defensive career was a stunning diving backhanded catch of a sinking line drive off the bat of Jim Lefebvre in the 1965 World Series against the Dodgers.
In his later years, Bob was afflicted with the incurable, degenerative disease, Ataxia. He eventually succumbed to this disease in 1995. Leonard Schechter in Sport Magazine said of Allison: “Anyone can be successful in baseball if he follows the path of Bob Allison,” “All you have to do is be 6’4”, strong as a weightlifter, handsome as a shirt model, have the personality of an honor graduate of Dale Carnegie, and also work your head off.”
Minnesota Twins Greatest Right-Hander No. 2: Kirby Puckett (1984-1995)
“K-I-R-B-Y-P-U-C-K-E-T-T.” The immortal words of long-time Minnesota Twins PA Announcer Bob Casey are what instantly comes to mind when I think of this charismatic Hall-of-Famer and arguably greatest Twin of all time.
Kirby was from the South Side of Chicago and he was a productive but unheralded player when he graduated from high school. That didn’t matter to him though, as with perseverance and a boatload of talent, Puckett advanced through college ball and the minor leagues before being called up by the Minnesota Twins in 1984. The rest, as they say, is history.
In his first game in the majors, he became only the 9th Major League ballplayer to have four hits in his debut, and he never looked back. By the time he ended his tenure with the Twins, he had been named to 10 All-Star Games, won 2 World Series Championships, was the recipient of six Gold Gloves, and had won the 1989 AL Batting title.
Puckett could hurt you both at bat and in the field. Blessed with a strong arm and great mobility as a centerfielder, I have numerous great memories of Kirby going back, jumping up, and stealing another home run from a dejected batter.
Of course, all of this was on display in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series against the Atlanta Braves. In the third inning, Puckett stole a home run off the bat of Ron Gant to help maintain the Twins 2-0 lead in the game. Then in the11th, he hit a line drive homer off reliever Charlie Leibrandt to win the game for the Minnesota Twins.
Kirby’s career ended prematurely due to an eye disease in 1995, and personal issues really damaged his reputation. Kirby Puckett passed away in 2006 from a stroke, just a week shy of his 46th birthday, but he will always be remembered as a Twins legend.
Minnesota Twins Greatest Right-Hander No. 1: Harmon Killebrew (1958-1975)
Harmon “The Killer” Killebrew was one of the greatest power hitters of all-time and a sweet soul of a man. He was a legend in Minnesota during the 60’s and early 70’s for the Twins, and was the first star the team had. In his time in Minnesota, Harmon hit 559 home runs, added 1540 RBI, and 1258 runs scored.
Harmon’s towering home runs that flew out of Metropolitan Stadium were a thing of beauty. It was always so exciting to arrive at the ballpark early to watch him crush the ball during batting practice.
His greatest season occurred in 1969, when he hit 49 homers and drove in 140 runs for the playoff bound Twins. He was awarded the AL Most Valuable Player award for his outstanding performance that year.
Harmon won numerous awards for his record-setting play throughout his career. Besides his MVP award, Killebrew was named an All-Star 13 times, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, and he still holds numerous Minnesota Twins batting records.
Friends and teammates would often describe Harmon with this short saying: “He would do anything for you.” One of the most beloved athletes in Minnesota history, his death in 2011 at the age of 74 was heartbreaking.
So that’s it folks. There are many talent players, and some Hall of Famers on both of my lists. Did I miss someone? Is there someone who should not be on this list? Please comment and let me know.
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