Post by nutsberryfarm 🏜 on Apr 14, 2020 22:38:28 GMT
www.mlb.com/news/twins-third-baseman-all-time-ranking
1) Gary Gaetti, (1981-90)
Key fact: Four American League Gold Glove Awards are most by a Twins infielder
For 10 years, Gaetti gave the Twins a power bat in the middle of the lineup and a rock-solid glove at the hot corner. Most importantly, he helped deliver the first World Series championship in club history. Hitting cleanup or fifth for most of the season, Gaetti was one of three 30-homer hitters on that '87 team (joining Kent Hrbek and Tom Brunansky) and had his signature moment in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series, when he homered in the first two postseason plate appearances of his career to push the Twins to an 8-5 win at the Metrodome and a surprisingly smooth series win in five games.
Gaetti was eventually named the ALCS Most Valuable Player and followed that up with a 7-for-27 performance in the World Series, including a homer and four RBIs. Even outside of that 1987 season, the third baseman sustained his power and defense throughout most of his Twins career as he hit 20 or more homers six times and won four consecutive AL Gold Glove Awards from 1986-89.
He enjoyed a long playing career in the Majors after leaving Minnesota, taking stops with the Angels, Royals, Cardinals, Cubs and Red Sox before he retired following the 2000 season. Even so, Gaetti's extended tenure in Minnesota pushed him to eighth in club history in games (1,361), doubles (252) and home runs (201) and ninth in hits (1,276).
1) Gary Gaetti, (1981-90)
Key fact: Four American League Gold Glove Awards are most by a Twins infielder
For 10 years, Gaetti gave the Twins a power bat in the middle of the lineup and a rock-solid glove at the hot corner. Most importantly, he helped deliver the first World Series championship in club history. Hitting cleanup or fifth for most of the season, Gaetti was one of three 30-homer hitters on that '87 team (joining Kent Hrbek and Tom Brunansky) and had his signature moment in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series, when he homered in the first two postseason plate appearances of his career to push the Twins to an 8-5 win at the Metrodome and a surprisingly smooth series win in five games.
Gaetti was eventually named the ALCS Most Valuable Player and followed that up with a 7-for-27 performance in the World Series, including a homer and four RBIs. Even outside of that 1987 season, the third baseman sustained his power and defense throughout most of his Twins career as he hit 20 or more homers six times and won four consecutive AL Gold Glove Awards from 1986-89.
He enjoyed a long playing career in the Majors after leaving Minnesota, taking stops with the Angels, Royals, Cardinals, Cubs and Red Sox before he retired following the 2000 season. Even so, Gaetti's extended tenure in Minnesota pushed him to eighth in club history in games (1,361), doubles (252) and home runs (201) and ninth in hits (1,276).
