The Twins 2006 season will be remembered by those inside and outside the organization for being a year of inspirational surprises. The team comeback of playing under .500 baseball, being 12.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers, rallying to make the playoffs and then becoming Central Division champions on the last day of the season will assure this club a prominent place in Twins history.
The individual performances of major league batting champion Joe Mauer, rookie sensation Francisco Liriano, Cy Young candidate Johan Santana, extraordinary reliever Joe Nathan, run producer Justin Morneau and master manager Ron Gardenhire and his staff will be deserving of awards and recognition.
But there’s another reason the players and those close to them will fondly remember 2006. They will recall, too, how much they enjoyed each other’s company.
“These are the kind of guys you would be friends with if you didn’t play baseball,” Morneau said. “There’s a lot of good people. Terry Ryan (general manager) has done a great job of bringing in the right guys. It’s a good mix in here. Everybody has fun. Nobody is off limits. Anybody can get on anybody else and nobody takes it personally and that’s what makes it so fun. Guys take it with a smile and know you are part of the team. If the guys are getting on you it’s because they are expecting something out of you or because they think highly (of you).”