Top 10 Best Minnesota Twins Players of All Time

The Top Ten
1 Kirby Puckett

He arrived in Minnesota in 1984, during a time the Twins we're consider an up-and-coming team, when he left too soon in 1995, he made Minnesota a hot bed for baseball. 2 world championships, 10 time MLB All-Star (1986-1995), 1989 American League batting champ, 1994 American League RBI leader, 6 time Gold Glove winner (1986-89, 1991-92), 6 time Silver Slugger Award (1986-89, 1992, 1994), 1996 Roberto Clemente Award Winner, his no. 34 jersey retired, Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer AND Baseball Hall of Famer and a legacy no Twins fan will ever forget and yes he had a great career batting average of .314.
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2 Harmon Killebrew

Before the Twins glory days of 1987 and 1991, there was him and with great reason. 1969 American league MVP, 13 times he was an American League All-Star, a member of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame, 6 time American League home run leader (1959, 1962-64, 1967 and 1969), led the Twins to the 1965 World Series, 3 time American League RBI leader (1962, 1969 and 1971), hit the longest home run in Minnesota's Metroploitan Stadium (520 feet) and Baltimore's Memorial Stadium (470 feet). hit 573 home runs, the most by any player born in Idaho, and yes he's a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame since 1984. No.3 is retired by the Twins.
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3 Rod Carew

Before he moved to California, Carew was Minnesota, and probably the only bright light for the Twins between 1971 and 1978. Better still is that Carew is from beginning to end an ALL-Star and that's what he was 18 straight years. 1967 AL Rookie of the Year, 1969 great base runner stealing home 7 times, and on May 20, 1970 he hit for the cycle, the first time a Twin achieve that feat. Finished in the top 15 in the American League MVP voting from 1972 to 1978 and winning it in 1977. Yes Twins fans 1977, it was the year Twins fans took them for a ride as Carew during the Summer was flirting with .400 and in one week appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated WITH Ted Williams, before cooling off with an impressive .388, Carew will always be a Great Twin.
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4 Joe Mauer

No doubt, a future Baseball Hall of Famer, Joe left a footprint on Twins baseball and Baseball history, if he isn't in the Hall soon, there's a problem. Here's why he should. The only catcher to win 3 Major League Baseball batting titles (2006, 2008-2009), 2009 American League MVP, played in 6 All-Star Games (2006, 2008-2010, 2012, 2013), 3-time Gold Glove winner (2008-2010), 5-time Silver Slugger winner (2006, 2008-2010, 2013), his no. 7 is retired by the Minnesota Twins, his .365 batting average in 2009 is the highest by a Twin since Rod Carew's .388 in the 1977 season, that season he became the first catcher to lead the American League in 4 different categories (batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS). He retired with a .306 career batting average and had 2,123 hits and had a .996 fielding percentage.
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5 Bert Blyleven

Bert had a great arm and one of the best Twins pitchers of all time. He was called up to the majors at age 19 on June 2, 1970. In his rookie campaign his sharp curveball helped him win 10 victories as the Twins repeat as American League West Champions and Bert was named American League Rookie pitcher of the year by The Sporting News. In 1973, he pitched 9 shutouts, the most by any American League pitcher. He played in the All-Star Game that year. In 1985, after 8 years he returned to the Twins and there he struck out his 3,000th batter and in 1987 led the Twins to the World Championship. His no. 28 jersey is retired. A member of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
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6 Tony Olivia

For 8 years, Tony was the best in baseball (1964-1971). 1964 Al rookie of the year, played in 8 straight all-star games, 3 times he led the American League in hitting, 5 time American League hit e, Played in the 1965 World Series and later played in 2 straight American League Championship Series, 1966 Golden Glove winner at Right Field, before leg injuries slowed Oliva. Tony still finished his career with a .304 career batting average and surely one day will be in Baseball's Hall of Fame.
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7 Kent Hrbek

Kent was born in of all places in Minnesota, he llived in a house where it was only a few blocks away from yes where the Twins once played outdoors at Metropolitan Stadium. In his first full rookie year in 1982, he became the lone bright spot in the Twins 60-102 season, so much so he even appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated that year. He also played in his ONLY All-Star Game. But Kent stayed with the team and with it he was a part of 2 World Championship teams. In his career he belted 293 home runs and a very respectable 1,086 RBIs. His no. 14 was retired by the Twins, but he'll always be no. 1 in the hearts of Twins fans.
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8 Torii Hunter

As a member of those Twins, he played on 2 All-Star Games (2002 and 2007), and made that great 2002 ALL-Star Game catch robbing Barry Bonds of a home run, A Gold Glove winner 2001-2007 as a Twin, leading to Twins to 4 division titles in 5 years (2002-2006), in 2007 had a 23-game hitting streak and had 3 grand slams, and is a member of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame.
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9 Justin Morneau

From Canada comes him, and he made his Twins debut in 2003 playing first base. In 2007, Justin became the first Twin since Greg Gagne to hit 30 home runs in 2 consecutive seasons. He played in the All-Star Game from 2007 to 2010, and in 2006, he hit .321. slugged .559 with 34 home runs and 130 RBIs, good enough to earn his only American League MVP and the first Canadian to win that award in the American League. Morneau also won the 2008 ALL-Star Game Home Run Derby, also the first Canadian to earn that honor. the 2008 Lionel Conacher award as Canada's athlete of the year. 2 time Silver Slugger Award winner (2006, 2008) and a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer, one of Twins' all-time greats.

10 Bob Allison

Despite a career .255 batting average, Allison left a legacy no Twins fans will ever forget. a lifetime .358 career on-base percentage, and finishing in the top 10 in OBP in 4 different seasons, led the MLB in triples in 1959 (when the team was known as the Washington Senators) with 9, finishing in the top 10 in doubles (1960 and 1964) and four times in triples (1959, 1962, 1967 and 1968). 1959 American League Rookie of the Year, and 3 times he played in the MLB ALL-Star Game. But it was 1965 that Allison will be best remembered by playing in the World Series. In Game 2, when his bases-loaded double off Sandy Koufax drove in key runs AND his great backhand catch of a Jim Lefebvre fly ball were the main contributors to the Twins victory. Alison, a member of the famed Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame.
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The Contenders
11 Frank Viola

1987 was his year and so did the Twins. In the regular season he had a 17-10 record a 2.90 ERA and 197 strikeouts, then it was the postseason he had a 3-1 record including Game 7 that brought the Twins the World championship and himself the World Series MVP.
1988 was his best year, that year he threw his signature circle change with skill, the result was a 24-7 record with 7 complete games, and 2 shutouts in 255 innings and a career low of 2.64 ERA and the American League Cy Young Award winner, Viola, a member of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer.
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12 Joe Nathan

Joe arrived in Minnesota in 2004 and became one of baseball's top closers as he appeared in 4 ALL-Star Games, 246 saves and was a contender for the American League Cy Young Award in 2004 (finished 4th) and 2006 (finished fifth). In 2009, he has a 2.10 ERA and 47 saves and was rewarded with The AL Rolaids Relief Man Award, after being in the sidelines in 2010 with a season-ending injury, he came back in 2011, and on August 10 against the Boston Red Sox he registered his 255th save, the most ever for a Twin. Joe Nathan, A True Twins Hall of Famer.
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13 Jack Morris

He was here for one year, but that one year was special. In his lone Twins season 1991, he won 18 games and an era of 3.43 as the Twins won the American League West. In the American League Championship Series he won 2 games against The Toronto Blue Jays, and then the pennant and then it was The World Series and after winning 1 game, it was Game 7 and one of the Best Pitching Performances in World Series History. Morris, who earlier this year played in the MLB ALL-Star Game, played like an ALL-STAR as he shut down the Braves for 10 innings, no runs and then Gene Larkin delivered a 10th inning single to bring home Dan Gladden and the Twins became World Champions. For Morris, his epic Game 7 performance earned him The World Series MVP, and in 2018 induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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14 Nelson Cruz

Already establish as a 6-time MLB ALL-Star, Cruz came to the Twins on January 2, 2019 with star power to help the Twins trying to recapture the glory days. In his first year as a Twin, Cruz hit .311 with 40 home runs and 108 RBIs as a designated hitter, no doubt Cruz's time with the Twins has arrived and hoping for more great years.
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15 Zoilo Versalles

When Twins fans think of Zolio, they think back to 1965, yes that championship year. Under the tutelage of Twins' 3rd base coach Billy Martin, Zolio led the American League in plate appearances (728), at bats (666), runs scored (126), doubles (45), triples (12), extra-base hits (76) and total bases (308) en route to his MVP award. Zolio played in 2 All-Star Games (1963 and 1965), and was a great fielder who won Gold Gloves (1963 and 1965), and is a member of the Twins' Hall of Fame.
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16 Gary Gaetti

Gary made his debut as a Twin in 1981 as the Twins home The Metrodome was under construction but so we're the Twins, when he left in 1990, the Twins and the Metrodome we're winners and a 1987 Championship. Gaetti's excellent fielding earned him 4 straight Gold Gloves (1986-1989). He made baseball history when in Game 1 of the 1987 American League Championship Series, he hit his first two home runs in his very first two postseason at bats. He played in 2 straight ALL-Star Games (1988 and 1989), and in one game, he helped the Twins made two triple plays in one game against the Boston Red Sox on July 17, 1990. Gaetti is a member of the Twins Hall of Fame.
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17 Jim Kaat

Kaat played 25 years in baseball, 15 of those years we're the best all because he wore a Twin uniform. He was the best fielding pitcher in American League history with 16 straight Gold Glove (1962-1977). He was one of only 2 players in AL history to pitch a complete game AND hit a home run. Kaat did it twice on july 24, 1963 and October 1, 1970. 1966 was his best year as he won 25 games and was named The Sporting News American League Pitcher of the Year. 1967 almost saw the Twins in the World Series (Kaat was in the 1965 World Series) as Kaat went 7-0 in September with a 1.51 ERA.65 strikeouts in over 65 innings pitched, then he suffered a season ending arm injury in the next to last game of the season. Kaat is a member of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame.
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18 Greg Gagne

The Twins of course would never be 1987 and 1991 world champions without some defense and Gagne was the best from this team. He can also provide some offense and speed too like the day on October 4, 1986 when he hit two inside the park home runs in a 7-3 Twins win over the Chicago White Sox. In 2 Twins championship teams. Gagne hit 4 home runs and even leadership that would eventually put him in the Twins Hall of Fame.
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19 Earl Battey

After flopping as a member of the Chicago White Sox, Earl joined the Twins (who were the Washington Senators when he joined the team in 1960) and blossomed as a catcher. IN 1961 Earl had his first .300 season with .302 and in his first 3 seasons as a Twin, he was a Gold Glove Winner, from 1962 to 1966 he played in 5 of the 6 ALL-Star Games contested. He hit 26 home runs in 1963 and played in the 1965 World Series. Defensively, Battey was one of the most dominated fielding catchers in baseball history. He threw out 43.44 percent of the runners trying to steal a base. He had a career fielding percentage of .990 and was named to the Twins' 40th Anniversary All-time Team and a member of the Twins Hall of Fame.
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20 Jim Perry

No this is not the Jim Perry of TV game show fame, this is the Jim Perry Twins fans will remember, he was a great forgotten pitcher, but Twins fans know better, in 1960 he won 18 games and in 1969 won 20 games for the first time in his career and then it was his year (1970), he posted a 24-12 record, played in the MLB ALL-Star Game, led the Twins to the AL West Title and was named American League Cy Young Award. Perry, a proud member of the Twins Hall of Fame.
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21 Camilo Pascual

How great was Camilo, in 3 seasons 1961-63 he struck out more than 200 batters, How great was Camilo, put him in the Twins Hall of Fame, that's how great he was.
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22 Johan Santana

Johan was a rising star when he arrived to Minnesota in 2000, and during the next 8 seasons he brought Twins fans to their feet with his excellent pitching. His rewards are long and great, He played in 3 ALL-Star Games in a row as a Twin (2005-07), Won The American League Cy Young Award in 2004 and 2006. Achieved a pitching triple crown in 2006, and as an excellent fielder he won the Gold Glove in 2007. Won 19 games in 2006, Led the MLB in ERA in 2004 and 2006 and finally led the American League in Strikeouts 3 years in a row (2004-2006).
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23 Michael Cuddyer

He wasn't a good player in his first few years as a Twin, then along came 2009 where he finally broke through as a major player. On may 22 in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, he hit for the cycle. Then on August 23 in a game against the Kansas City Royals he hit 2 home runs in Inning 7 becoming only the 53rd player in Major League Baseball history to hit 2 home runs in an inning. In 2011, he became an ALL-Star for the first time in his career, later that season on July 25 he became the first Twins position player to pitch in 21 years. Michael was also a great guy who gives back to the community, that's why he's in the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame.
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24 Rick Aguilera

Rick came to Minnesota in 1989, 3 years removed from his championship season with The New York Mets. In 1990, he went from starting pitcher to a closer and it paid off with 32 saves, but he was just warming up for that 1991 season, The Twins captured The American League West Title and Rick played a big part as he registered 42 saves with a 2.35 ERA. In the postseason, he saved 3 of the 4 games won by The Twins in the American League Championship Series, and went on to saved 2 more games in the first 2 games of the World Series, and was the first pitcher to pinch-hit in the World Series since 1965. Aguilera went on to play in 3 straight ALL-Star Games (1991-1993) and was the top reliever in the Twins during the 1990s, truly one of the game's best stoppers.
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25 Brad Radke

Yeah I know, Brad Radke once appeared on that SEGA video game commercial where he gave up a lot of home runs and saw a conga line of people circling the bases. But Twins fans know Radke as one of the most consistent pitchers in the Twins organization in the 1990s. He was a great control pitcher. In 1997 he had a great season, winning 20 games and it included 12 straight wins in 12 straight starts. He finished 3rd in the American League Cy Young Award voting, he would play in the 1998 MLB ALL-Star Game and in 2009 induction into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame. Radke, a truly great pitcher.
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