2003 Minnesota Twins: Return of the Homer Hanky

2003 Minnesota Twins: Return of the Homer Hanky

2003 Minnesota Twins: Return of the Homer Hanky

The Minnesota Twins had made a deep run in the postseason in 2002 where they would eventually fall to the Anaheim Angels, the team who won the World Series that year. 2003 was a year where the Twins were looking to build off the great momentum that they had developed, and everything looked as if they were poised to make a similar postseason run. However, April, June and July ended up being unfriendly months to the Twins as they went below .500 in the win-loss record books in those months.

The Minnesota Twins went 90-72 in 2003 to win the American League Central division by 4 games over the Chicago White Sox. The Twins fared well against the White Sox as they went 10-9 against the team from the south side of Chicago in head-to-head play. The Twins went 48-33 at home and 42-39 on the road.

Catcher Anthony John Pierzynski, who was better known by his initials A.J., batted .312 with 11 home runs and 74 RBI’s off 152 hits, 35 doubles and 3 triples. Left fielder Jacques Jones batted .304 with 16 home runs and 69 RBI’s off 157 hits, 33 doubles and 13 stolen bases. First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz batted .300 with 11 home runs and 65 RBI’s off 146 hits and 38 doubles. Third baseman Corey Koskie batted .292 with 14 home runs and 69 RBI’s off 137 hits, 29 doubles and 11 stolen bases. Designated Hitter Matt LeCroy batted .287 with 17 home runs and 64 RBI’s off 99 hits and 12 doubles in 107 games.

Center fielder Torii Hunter had a great year in 2003, a year that would end in him winning a Gold Glove Award. Hunter had 26 home runs and 102 RBI’s off 145 hits, 31 doubles and 4 triples. Right fielder Dustin Mohr had 10 home runs, 87 hits and 22 doubles in 121 games. Shortstop Christian Guzman had 143 hits, 15 doubles, 14 triples and 18 stolen bases. Second baseman Luis Rivas had 8 home runs, 123 hits, 16 doubles, 9 triples and 17 stolen bases.

Utility player Bobby Kielty provided help for Dustin Mohr as part of a platoon in right field, which was playfully nicknamed “Dusty Kielmohr”. Kielty had 9 home runs, 60 hits and 13 doubles in 75 games before he would be traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for left fielder Shannon Stewart. In just 65 games Stewart contributed greatly to Minnesota as he batted .322 with 87 hits and 22 doubles.

Starting pitcher Brad Radke had long been a reliable arm on the pitching staff for the Twins as he went 14-10 with 120 strikeouts, recording 3 complete games and 1 shutout. Kyle Lohse went 14-11 with 130 strikeouts, recording 2 complete games and 1 shutout. Kenny Rogers signed with the Twins on March 17 and had a solid season, going 13-8 with 116 strikeouts. Johan Santana would soon become a sensation throughout Major League Baseball as he went 12-3 with 169 strikeouts and a 3.07 ERA. Joe Mays went 8-8. Despite going 6-12 Rick Reed had 2 complete games and 1 shutout.

The Twins also came with a reliable bullpen that held opponents down when the later innings got tight. Close Eddie Guardado had 41 saves and a 2.89 ERA. Relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins went 9-3 with 2 saves and a very small 1.86 ERA. Despite going 5-6 Juan Rincon posted a 3.68 ERA. Juan Carlos Romero, who was better known by his initials J.C., went 2-0 from the bullpen.

The American League Division Series was unfortunately a step back from what the Twins experienced just a year prior as they ran into a perennial contender in the New York Yankees. The Twins would be eliminated by the Yankees 3 games to 1, and the pinstripes would go on to play for the World Series trophy as the American League Champions. Just before October began, on September 30, the Twins would beat the Yankees by the score of 3-1 in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium II.

Johan Santana pitched 4 innings and gave up 3 hits and 2 walks but recorded 3 strikeouts. From there it would take a combined effort from the bullpen to pick up the win for Minnesota, and the bullpen succeeded. Rick Reed pitched 2/3 of an inning and gave up 1 hit. J.C. Romero pitched 1 and 2/3 innings and gave up 1 hit and 1 walk while recording 1 strikeout. LaTroy Hawkins pitched 2 innings and gave up 1 hit while recording 4 strikeouts. Eddie Guardado pitched 1 inning and gave up 3 hits and 1 run, but he would shut the door on the Yankees to record the save.

In the top of the 3rd inning Luis Rivas had a sacrifice fly to score Christian Guzman, and in the top of the 6th Torii Hunter had a 2-run triple. All that the Yankees could get would be an RBI infield single from second baseman Alfonso Soriano in the bottom of the 9th, but it was too little too late.

The end result of 2003 notwithstanding, the immediate future of the Minnesota Twins organization appeared to be getting brighter by the year as they had already a promising young talent in their farm system who was poised to make his Major League Baseball debut at some point. That young talent happened to be catcher Joe Mauer, who would guide the Twins to more wins.