For a franchise that finished the 2008 season last in home runs among American League teams, the 2009 Twins have so far been a welcome surprise to those who love power baseball.
The Twins hit 111 home runs last year, the second lowest total in major league baseball (San Francisco had 94). Through 59 games of the 2009 season, the Twins have 62 home runs, tied for sixth best in the American League with Baltimore and along with the Orioles eighth highest in the majors.
When the Twins arrived here as the transplanted Washington Senators in 1961 they weaned this town’s fans on power baseball. Led by Harmon Killebrew, who finished his career with 573 home runs, and accompanied annually by a handful of players capable of hitting more than 20, the Twins of the 1960s out long balled their opponents every year except one. Contrast that with this decade when the Twins have been out homered by opponents each year except 2004.
That season the Twins hit 191 home runs, the fifth best total in franchise history. Tops are the 225 and 221 totals in 1963 and 1964, following by 196 produced in both 1986 and 1987.
For those who yawn over small ball, stealing bases, sacrificing base runners and bunching singles together, the 2009 Twins are cause for some excitement, although a recent three game road losing streak and run shortage has been no fun. Justin Morneau, who the Twins have come to expect to be their No. 1 power guy, leads the team in home runs with 15. But he has 96 more at bats than Joe Mauer who is second on the team with 12.
It seems like at 26 years old Mauer is growing stronger. He’s averaging one home run per 10.5 at bats. Going into this season he was averaging a home run every 46.7 at bats. With one more home run he equals his 2006 total of 13, a career best.
The power surge has been aided by Michael Cuddyer and Joe Crede, who both have hit nine home runs, and Jason Kubel has seven. No other Twins player has more than four home runs.
If Mauer and Morneau could hit 30 or more, and Cuddyer, Crede and Kubel flirt with 20 plus each, the Twins could easily be headed to a home run total north of 150. That’s good news for those who love a power trip.