Another poll from the archive of Twinnin, a MN Twins blog, first published in 1998. “Who is the best Twins player of all time?”
On this day in Minnesota sports history, July 19, 1982, Kent Hrbek was a Rookie Phenom who was batting for his dad. This Sports Daddy was a high school senior who had just made a bet with his Forensics (Debate) coach which guaranteed that the Minnesota Twins would win the World Series within five years.
That’s right, I was in debate, and I was tired of losing baseball arguments with fellow team members and coaches who insisted that the Twins “sucked.” While the Twins would eventually finish 1982 with a paltry 62-100 record, I remained confident that they would be turn it around sooner than people thought. I was naive and put my money on the table.
I was confident that players like Frank Viola, Gary Gaetti and Tom Brunanskly would elevate the new tenants of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome into champions
In my opinion the best player on the Twins roster at that time was a young, Minnesota home grown slugger named Kent Hrbek. More…
I love reading baseball books. Ever since I was a kid, my favorite additional pastime has been to pick up a book about the sport I love and read it. Of late, I have enjoyed going to garage sales, library scale down events, and even used book shops in the Twin Cities to buy baseball books.
My wife thinks I am crazy to have so many books in the office, and believes that they just collect dust and take up space. But, over the years, I have read almost every book that I have found. I will review each of these books soon, but thought I would share a partial list of a few of my favorite Twins books. Most of these re available via eBay, or Amazon.
Cool Of The Evening: The 1965 Minnesota Twins (Perfect Paperback) by Jim Thielman (Author)
In 1965, the Minnesota Twins were an endless surprise. Baseball was the nation’s sport, and it gave people a little break from the world. The Minnesota Twins’ powerful lineup drew huge crowds in cities such as New York, Boston, and Los Angeles.
The Minnesota Twins (Team Spirit) (Library Binding)
Kids book, ages 9-12, 48 pages.
Kent Hrbek’s Tales from the Minnesota Twins Dugout (Tales) [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover) by Kent Hrbek (Author), Dennis Brackin (Author), Kent Hrbek (Author), Dennis Bracken. In his Minnesota Twins career, Kent Hrbek hit 293 home runs and helped his team to two World Series titles. But fans remember the hulking first baseman for much more than his solid play. Hrbek is a Twin Cities lifer, starring at Kennedy High School in nearby Bloomington, Minnesota before signing with the Twins.
Season of Dreams: The Minnesota Twins’ Drive to the 1991 World Championship (Hardcover) by Tom Kelly (Author), Ted Robinson (Author) This book depicts the opinions and experiences of the Minnesota Twins greatest manager, TK, during the magical 1991 World Champion season
Minnesota Twins Baseball Book (Baseball Newspaper Books, Volume 14) (Hardcover) by US HISTORIC (Author) A unique gift idea that will take the baseball fan back through the moments that made history!
Minnesota Twins Memo Book (6 Pack)
Product Description Whether you are at home, school, or work you can show your team pride with this MLB Minnesota Twins Memo Book. This is a 3″ x 5″ top opening (6 pack) of MLB Minnesota Twins Team Memo Books that contain 50 sheets of paper per Memo Book.
Be the Best You Can Be (Hardcover) by Kirby Puckett (Author)
Grade 2-4-A picture-book autobiography of the late Hall of Fame of the Minnesota Twins. Puckett describes highlights of his career and simultaneously admonishes readers to believe in themselves; be good people; and stay away from troublemakers, drugs, and tobacco.
Kirby Puckett’s Baseball Games (Paperback) by Kirby Puckett (Author), Andrew Gutelle (Author), Paul Meisel (Illustrator) Illustrated by Paul Meisel. With his solid work ethic, knowledge of baseball, and contagious enthusiasm, Kirby Puckett’s an inspiration to everyone on his team–a team that’s just been expanded to include every six- to nine-year-old who plays the game. Kerby Puckett s Baseball Games is an illustrated book about learning and improving basic baseball skills through 34 great games
I Love This Game!: My Life and Baseball (Paperback) by Kirby Puckett
In a style reflective of his engaging disposition, Puckett relives the events that led to his rise as one of baseball’s most proficient and popular players. As the title indicates, the star of the Minnesota Twins harbors a deep respect for the game, a conviction that governs his approach to matters on and off the field
Puck! Kirby Puckett: Baseball’s Last Warrior (Hardcover) by Chuck Carlson (Author)
This is the story of Kirby Puckett and his remarkable journey from the projects of the south. Chuck Carlson is author of Titletown Again, The Super Bowl Season of the 1996 Green Bay Packers and True Brew, the 25th anniversary commemorative book of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Rod Carew’s Art and Science of Hitting (Paperback) by Rod Carew, with Ian Ketey, and Pace after 19 seasons and 3000 major-league hits Carew has written an excellent book on “the single most difficult thing to do in sport.” Suitable for little leaguers on up to the professional ranks, the book outlines the fundamentals of hittingchoosing bats, the swing, the stancewith detail and clarity. The advanced aspects of hittinge.g., reading spin, situational hitting, and buntingreceive thorough treatment too.
Carew (Hardcover) by Rod Carew & Ira Berkow (Author) This is the story of former great Rod Carew from the Minnesota Twins adn California Angels. He tells us the story from a child in Panama to his Hall of Fame career. On the way, he marries a white woman, must deal with the results and insults from society. His wife is jewish and his telling of his acceptance and cultural shock is a must read.
Kirby Puckett. Approximately 32 pages. Author: James R. Rothaus. Publisher: The Child’s World, 1991
Tony O!: The trials and triumphs of Tony Oliva, by Tony Oliva (Author)
Youth League Hitting: Like a Champ (Youth League) (Paperback) by Tony Oliva (Author), Jack Clary (Author)
Harmon Killebrew, Baseball’s Superstar (Unknown Binding) by Wayne J Anderson (Author)
Yes, that was me screaming “Hrbie” and video taping this really cool event. From the HHH Airport terminal in 1991, the Twins arrive as the AL West Champions, just a month before claiming their 2nd World Championship. The fun part of this? Well, it’s all fun, but the next day on the cover of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, my brother Steve and I were in the picture. (I am the one holding the very large video camera)
This video has been watched more than 3,000 times on You Tube- you could be the next one?
In 2010 the 50 greatest Twins list of all time was announced, commemorating the 50th season of franchise’s existence.
In early September that year, I spent a good part of the weekend watching the ’10 version of the Minnesota Twins play some great baseball vs. the Texas Rangers. The pennant race was heating up, and Twins on the field were playing like real ball players who like to play in October.
At Target Field that weekend, many of the greatest Twins of all time (many who played deep into cold weather of the Fall) reunited to play a “legends” game. It was pure pleasure to watch the “Boy’s of Summer” take to the new outdoor field in Minnesota and try to recapture their “Glory Day.”
The highlight of the Legends Game for me was watching Kent Hrbek put his own special mark on Target Field. T-Rex, as he was known back in the day, tried to make one of his patented foul ball catches near first base, but this time instead of getting Metrodome rug burn, he dented out a chunk of the new Twins infield grass. It’s a good thing Hrbie has a sense of humor.
The 50 Greatest Twins list was voted on by a panel of print, radio, and television journalists, plus senior members of the Minnesota Twins staff.
Here is the entire list of players. I will create links to each player, as I blog about each one in the typical Sports Daddy story telling tone.
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