Twins Win the American League Central
It's hard to describe how incredible this Twins season has been to anyone not following the team on a day-to-day basis. They started out 25-33 and looking terrible in nearly all phases of the game, then made some personell changes and finished a searing 71-33. Their 96-65 record was the second-best in the major leagues.
Along about early August I regretted not writing a daily diary about this team. Every day brought more improbable circumstances and achievements by the team, and it continued all the way to today. Among the things the 2006 season will be remembered for many years from now:
The team moved into first place for the first time after their 159th game of a 162 game season, the latest that has ever been done. But even then, they were only in a first-place tie with the Tigers on the basis of their win-loss record. Detroit held the tie-breaker if the two team finished with the same record, so effectively the Twins needed to move ahead of the Tigers by one game, which they did not do until after the Tigers lost today to the Royals in extra-innings, about a half-hour after the Twins season ended. So you could say that the Twins never really played a game this season as the AL Central leaders.
The Twins have a shoo-in Cy Young award winner in Johan Santana. It will be his second award in three years, and he should have won last year. He's the best pitcher in the game today, and he's the Game 1 starter against Oakland Tuesday night in the ALDS.
The Twins have the batting champion in Joe Mauer, who led the majors with a .348 average. Mauer is the first catcher to ever lead the majors in hitting. Not only that, but he's one of the best defensive catchers in the majors, and has managed an ever-changing and at times inexperienced pitching staff to one of the best ERA's in the league. I still say he should be getting serious consideration as league MVP, but that award may go to...
Justin Morneau, whose numbers are so gaudy (.322 AVG./34 Home Runs/130 RBI) that he may bring home the MVP award. No argument here; Morneau was the best hitter in the majors for three months while the Twins went from dead in the water to AL Central champions.
Remember Francisco Liriano? The team shrugged off the loss of one of the most overpowering pitchers in the league, one who would have Oakland and every other team (especially the lefty-heavy Yankees) cowering in fear of the Twins 1-2 punch of Santana and Liriano. Next year for Liriano, hopefully.
Brad Radke took the mound Thursday night with a torn labrum and fractured shoulder socket. After taking a month off to let his various ailments heal to the point where he could physically throw a ball, he had mentally prepared himself for what could have been the final game of his solid 12 year career. Instead, he had his best stuff of the year and threw a solid enough 5 innings that he will start Game 3 of the playoffs.
Those are just some of the stories. Believe me, there are a lot more on this team that just can't do much wrong thus far. For me personally, this has been the most fun I've ever had following a team, and that's coming from someone who as an 11 year-old watched George Brett chase .400 for a World Series team. Of course, history remembers the winners, so this team will need to at least reach the World Series to be given it's overall due. But no matter what happens from here on out, the 2006 Twins were something to behold. Hopefully the rest of the world's baseball fans get a chance to see this team in action.
I will say this, if it comes to a Twins/Yankees series: Don't buy all this crap about the "little scrappy Twins". The payroll might just be a fraction of the Yankees, but this Twins team might roll into town with a Cy Young winner, a batting champ, an MVP, a lights-out closer, and a whole bunch of other parts that play well together. I think they're going to be a very tough team to beat, just like they have been since mid-June.
10:19:55 PM 
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