When you look up and down the lineups, there are a few similarities, a few surprises, and a few no brainers. To start with, let me call out a couple of issues before I continue:
- As I look at the 2011 Twins, I've considered the best lineup available for most of the season. With the fact that Justin Morneau has been injured each of the last three seasons, I've taken him out of consideration at first base, since the Twins have done most of their winning over the last three seasons without him.
- I've chosen only one player from each position, despite the fact that there are a couple of instances (1991 third baseman and 2011 center fielders) where there has been more of a platoon due to injuries or what have you.
- I've taken only the best four starters from the 2011 team, since teams actually used only four-man rotations back in 1991. God, I miss the good old days!
On paper, this seems like an obvious no brainer. Joe Mauer is a three-time American League batting champion, and a former MVP. He has been the face of this franchise since taking over as the full-time catcher almost seven years ago. Brian Harper, however, had a grittiness to him that was unmatched. A career .295 hitter, Harper hit over .300 as a Twin over the six seasons he played. His stats during the 1991 season: .311, 10 HR, 60 RBI. Mauer's stats this season: .293, 1 HR, 20 RBI. EDGE: Looking at just the season, it could be argued that the edge would have to go to Harper.
First Base: Kent Hrbek ('91) vs. Michael Cuddyer ('11)
With Justin Morneau hurt for the better part of the last three seasons, Michael Cuddyer has stepped into the first base role as if he'd played there his entire life. Back in 1991, Kent Hrbek owned first base. Getting him out of the lineup was a chore, just as it is trying to get Cuddyer a day off, regardless of the position he plays. Hrbek was one of the vocal team leaders of the '91 team, and an obvious inspiration to many of his teammates. Cuddyer could arguably be the glue that has held this 2011 team together, albeit by a thread. Hrbek's stats in '91: .284, 20 HR, 89 RBI. Cuddyer's 2011 stats: .301, 18 HR, 60 RBI. EDGE: Toss Up. Both players were integral parts of their own teams.
Second Base: Chuck Knoblauch ('91) vs. Alexi Casilla ('11)
Chuck Knoblauch, despite his strange and erratic behavior later in his career, was probably one of the most important pieces of the '91 championship run. As a rookie, he batted second for the Twins, and played outstanding defense in the field, making a terrific combination up the middle with Greg Gagne. Speaking of erratic, Alexi Casilla seemed to have finally come into his own this season, maturing in a matter of weeks to be a solid fixture at second base, before recently getting coming up lame with a hamstring issue. His impact to the team, however, is nowhere close to that of his '91 predecessor. Knoblauch's '91 stats: .281, 1 HR, 50 RBI. Casilla's stats in '11: .259, 2 HR, 21 RBI. EDGE: Easily Knoblauch, if for no other reason than the "deke" in Game 7.
Shortstop: Greg Gagne ('91) vs. Tsuyoshi Nishioka ('11)
Really, there isn't even a point in discussing this one. Greg Gagne was an invaluable player for the Twins in the late '80's and early '90's. His defense alone was something to behold, despite never winning a Gold Glove. Tsuyoshi Nishioka has been the disappointment of disappointments, having what could arguably be the worst season for a Japanese position player in history. Although"Nishi" broke his leg in the seventh game of the season, it has been clear that he's far from being a Major League-ready player, both in the field and at the plate. Gagne's '91 stats: .265, 8 HR, 42 RBI. Nishioka's stats in '11: .211, 0 HR, 14 RBI. EDGE: Gagne, without question.
Third Base: Mike Pagliarulo ('91) vs. Danny Valencia ('11)
Mike Pagliarulo was one of two third baseman used by the Twins during the 1991 season, with Scott Leius being the other. Pags hit one of the biggest home runs in Twins postseason history in the '91 ALCS against Toronto, which helped the Twins best the Jays in five games. Danny Valencia has shown in his first two seasons that he has the potential to be a great hitter for the Twins, displaying the ability to hit for average (as he did in his rookie year of 2010) and showing that he can also put the ball over the fence (as he is doing in his sophomore year). Valencia's problems come in the field, where he leads the Twins with 15 errors. Pagliarulo accounted for only 11 errors in 1991. Pags' 1991 numbers: .279, 6 HR, 36 RBI. Valencia's numbers in 2011: .244, 12 HR, 57 RBI. EDGE: Valencia. If you combine Pagliarulo and Leius' offensive numbers in '91, they hit 11 HR and drove in 56 runs. Valencia has topped both.
Left Field: Dan Gladden ('91) vs. Delmon Young ('11)
Dan Gladden defined the Twins attitude, both in 1987 and in 1991. His hard-nosed style set the tone for both teams, and it's no coincidence that the Twins' only two World Series titles came with Gladden leading the way. Delmon Young continues to under-achieve, and shows a far more minimalistic effort than his 1991 counterpart. It would be hard for anyone to confuse what Delmon does as "hustle", which is truly what defined Gladden. Gladden's stats in 1991: .247, 6 HR, 52 RBI. Young's 2011 stats: .266, 4 HR, 30 RBI. EDGE: The edge goes to Gladden, if for not other reason than his hustling double in Game 7, which ultimately led to Gene Larkin's bases loaded walk-off single in the 10th inning.
Center Field: Kirby Puckett ('91) vs. Denard Span ('11)
Truly, this isn't even a fair fight. Kirby Puckett WAS the Twins. Had it not been for Puckett putting the team on his back in Game 6, there never would've been a Game 7. His amazing catch of a Ron Gant blast to left center, followed soon thereafter by his incredible walk-off home run to send the series to the best finale ever, single-handedly puts him on a pedestal above all others. Denard Span has proven to be a terrific player for the current Twins, batting lead-off, getting on base, hustling, and playing great defense in center. It's unfortunate, because no matter who you would put here, even Torii Hunter, Puckett wins out. Kirby's numbers in '91: .319, 15 HR, 89 RBI. Span's '11 stats: .284, 2 HR, 15 RBI. EDGE: Puckett, without a shadow of a doubt!
Right Field: Shane Mack ('91) vs. Jason Kubel ('11)
It's safe to say that Shane Mack could possibly have been the most underrated player on the entire 1991 championship roster, and that's not to take anything away from anyone else on the team. His overall contribution that season was incredible. Although he had a less than stellar World Series, the Twins couldn't have gotten to where they were in '91 without the likes of Shane Mack. Jason Kubel has been the Twins' best player in 2011, when he's been healthy. He's shown more discipline, great power, and far better range in the outfield than could've ever been expected. Mack's 1991 statistics: .310, 18 HR, 74 RBI. Kubel's '11 campaign: .307, 7 HR, 39 RBI. EDGE: Shane Mack, for his "out of nowhere" performance throughout the entire season.
Designated Hitter: Chili Davis ('91) vs. Jim Thome ('11)
The team's leader in home runs and runs batted in for the 1991 season, Chili Davis stepped into the DH role as if he'd been doing it for the club for years. His bat in the lineup allowed players like Kirby and Herbie to see better pitches, and more than likely helped to contribute to the numbers Shane Mack put up as well. Jim Thome is a class act, and is on the verge of an incredible accomplishment, hitting 600 home runs this season. His health has been somewhat of a concern, with a couple trips to the DL this season. All told, his career has been amazing, but his season thus far could've been a bit better. Chili's numbers in '91: .277, 29 HR, 93 RBI. Thome's '11 stats: .252, 9 HR, 30 RBI. EDGE: Chili Davis, despite the incredible career of big Jim Thome.
Starting Rotation: Jack Morris, Scott Erickson, Kevin Tapani, Allan Anderson ('91) vs. Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn ('11)
The 1991 starting rotation featured three pitchers with more than 16 wins, capped by Scott Erickson's 20 win season. Collectively, you knew you were getting a solid start from each of the top three guys, each and every time they took the mound. The 2011 staff has shown nothing but inconsistency, led by Francisco Liriano. When each member of the 2011 rotation takes the hill, you never know if you'll be getting a quality start, or if you'll have to dive into the bullpen by the fourth inning. EDGE: Clearly the 1991 staff, with a 20-game winner and an 18-game winner, not to mention the best pitching performance of all time in the World Series, Jack Morris's 10-inning shutout in Game 7.
Relief Pitching: Notable names include: Carl Willis, Mark Guthrie, Steve Bedrosian ('91) vs. Jose Mijares, Glen Perkins, Matt Capps ('11)
Considering the numerous blown saves given up by the 2011 bullpen, it's safe to say that the better of the two bullpen staffs goes to the 1991 team. EDGE: 1991 Twins
Closer: Rick Aguilera ('91) vs. Joe Nathan ('11)
The Twins' all-time save leader for now, Rick Aguilera was a sure-fire lock when he came into games. Part of the reason the starting staff succeeded as well as it did was in no small part because of Aguilera. That being said, Joe Nathan is about to pass Aggy on the all-time Twins' saves list with his next saves. The Twins struggled early on in 2011 when Nathan pulled himself from the closer's role after coming off Tommy John surgery in 2009. Matt Capps had blown eight saves before Ron Gardenhire pulled the plug on him and put the ball back into Nathan's hands at the end of games. Unfortunately, Aguilera's impact on the club is far greater than that of Nathan currently. EDGE: Rick Aguilera, although both men have set the standard for closers in Minnesota.
Manager: Tom Kelly ('91) vs. Ron Gardenhire ('11)
Considering Ron Gardenhire would probably not be managing the Twins had it not been for Tom Kelly bringing him onto the staff in 1991 to coach third base, I would say that the overall edge would have to fall with T.K. His management style has often tried to be imitated, but rarely ever duplicated. Gardenhire appears to be more passive, and as a result, seems to be late regarding certain moves. EDGE: Tom Kelly
There you have it. As I said, on paper, you might actually think the 2011 Minnesota Twins would be far superior to that of their 1991 brethren, but as you look more in depth, the 1991 team had many things this current version does not. Based on some of those things, it's no surprise why the Twins are celebrating the 20 year anniversary this weekend with such pomp and circumstance. Hopefully, with a few tweaks to this current roster, Minnesota fans could see another magical run to the World Series trophy.
seriously, your not going to put morneau in the discussion? he's been an mvp. hrbek was never an mvp. your whole list is flawed becasue of that.
ReplyDelete