When it comes to all-time great hitting seasons within the Minnesota Twins organization, fans generally think of Rod Carew, Joe Mauer, Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Kirby Puckett, Justin Morneau, and Goose Goslin. Fair enough, right?
Now feels like as good as a time as ever to reflect on a beloved Twin who wasn't a star, but had one of the most underrated seasons in franchise history. In 2009, the Twins avoided arbitration with Jason Kubel by signing him to a two-year deal following a decent 2008 campaign with 20 home runs and 78 RBIs. This deal wound up becoming a win-win deal for both sides, as Kubel went on an offensive tear in 2009, and the Twins won their fifth of six divisional titles during this decade.
Remembering Jason Kubel's 2009 season with the Minnesota Twins
Kubel retired with a 4.1 bWAR. In 2009, he amassed a 3.5 bWAR in a breakout effort, among recording several career-high metrics. He wasn't named to the All-Star Game, but he received MVP votes to finish 24th in the race.
- Home runs: 28
- RBIs: 103
- Hits: 154
- Doubles: 35
- OPS+: 137
- Slash line: .300/.369/.539/.907
Each number is a career-best for Kubel, besides home runs. In 2012 with the Diamondbacks, he mashed 30 homers. Among Twins outfielders, only Delmon Young, Josh Willingham, and Eddie Rosario have driven in more runs than Kubel in a single season since 2009.
His biggest stamp on the 2009 campaign came on April 17 against Angels at home. As part of an epic 11-9 win. Trailing 9-4 entering the home half of the eighth, Kubel capped a seven-run come-from-behind rally with a grand slam, which also gave him the cycle. He also followed up with another four-hit game the next day.
His longest hitting streak that season lasted 11 games from June 9-20, amassing 13 hits, four home runs, and eight RBIs.
At the end of the season, amidst a tight race with the Tigers in the battle for the AL Central crown, the Twins won five games in a row to finish in first by one game. In those five games, Kubel muscled four home runs, 10 RBIs, and six runs scored.
In the tiebreaker game against the Tigers, Kubel hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to one run.
Kubel was clutch, consistent, and proved that avoiding arbitration was well worth it. Though Joe Mauer won the MVP that season and Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau each slammed 30-plus home runs, Jason Kubel was a vital piece to the Twins' memorable 2009 season. It may not go down as the best in Minnesota history, but his efforts are worth reflecting on.