Minneapolis (AP) - Year after year the Minnesota Twins contend in the American League Central, often times when they are unexpected to. They are a true testament to the strength of having a deep farm system as for the most part they build strictly from within. After all, they are a small market team, and can't (or won't) afford to do it any other way. Unfamiliar faces can quickly become household names around major league baseball. However, it's usually the unfamiliar faces that get the job done for the Twins with the familiar constant of Ron Gardenhire.
Ron Gardenhire has been with the Twins organization for over 21 years now, starting off back in 1988 as a manager for the Twins single A affiliate. He would work his way up to the major leagues in just 3 years, and would be the club's 3rd base coach for 11 years from the Twins World Series Championship in 1991 up through 2002 before replacing Tom Kelly as manager. Over seven years as the Twins manager, Gardenhire has posted a 621-509 record, leading the team to four playoff appearances, and just one season under the .500 mark. However, they have been unable to make it past the ALCS.
As far as household names go, everyone knows about Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Joe Nathan. Batting champ, MVP, and arguably the most consistent closer in baseball. However, it's the names that you don't necessarily hear outside of Minnesota that are the strength of the ballclub. These players tend to bring a very fundamentally sound skillset to the table and perform in relative anonymity. And that is how the Twins get the job done, with good solid fundamental baseball. They will not beat themselves. The organization values control pitchers first and foremost and you will find that control in everyone from Liriano to Glen Perkins in that rotation. Offensively, this isn't a team that is going to wow you with big power hitters, or exciting superstar base stealers, or anything of the like. It's a team that prides themselves on the basics. Situational hitting, moving the runners along, hit and run, bunting when they have to, they simply know how to manufacture runs.
In 2008 the Twins came within a one game playoff with the Chicago White Sox of making the playoffs. This was with a team that was not expected to be anywhere close to competing after losing their marquee pitcher in Johan Santana, and their star center fielder, Torii Hunter to trade and free agency respectively. They absolutely proved everyone wrong, and it was a 100% team effort. Morneau and Mauer, of course shouldered the offensive load, while a young staff featuring Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, Nick Blackburn, and Francisco Liriano shined, providing further proof that homegrown talent is the way to go.
In 2009 the Twins will look to mature further and build on their successes of 2008. A young pitching staff will have a year of valuable experience under their belt as Slowey, Perkins, and Blackburn all are just second year starters in the big leagues. Liriano will look to build on his strong second half performance from last season after early struggles and demotion to AAA. Offensively, we hope to see Casilla, Span, and Gomez build on their limited major league experience and provide the Twins offense with some spark as all three players can really wreak havoc on the basepaths. Will Delmon Young discover a power stroke? Will Cuddyer and Crede rebound from injury plagued seasons? Let's find out.
Settings:
- PS3 (MLB the Show 09)
- I will play all 162 games
- Using RidinsRosters (they aren't great, but the names are there, so it'll do).
- All-Star (Blzer's Sliders)
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