1987 Minnesota Twins

 The Minnesota Twins have either 2 or 3 titles depending on your view on the semantics. The Washington Senators in 1924 won the World Series, adding a couple other pennants after, then baseball was looking to expand for the 1961 season. Well, the story is a little messy. Washington's owner wanted to move, and eventually was given the green light to go to Minnesota, while a brand new expansion team was created to replace the old Washington Sentators with a new Washington Senators, while the old Washington Senators became the Twins. Got it?

As the Twins, the team found success in only a few seasons as they won the AL pennant in 1965, but failed to defeat the LA Dodgers. Afterwards they failed to regain that success, getting spanked by the Orioles in the playoffs a couple of times as the calendar turned to the 70s. By 1986, the Twins were sputtering, as they finished poorly and fired their manager, putting Tom Kelly in charge for the final 23 games. In 1987, he was given a full season to work with his men and coaxed just a 85-77 record. If the Twins played in the AL East, they would have finished 5th, however they played that season in the West and finished 2 games better than the Royals for the division title and a trip to the playoffs.

The Detroit Tigers won 98 games and were heavy favorites in the ALCS. Worst playoff team of all time against the best team of the 1987 season? Sounds like a huge mismatch, but it's the Tigers, so nothing is assured. The Twins shocked Detroit by taking the first 2 games of the series. The Tigers needed an 8th inning comeback in Game 3 to make it a 2-1, but the Twins caught fire and took the next couple games to launch themselves back to the fall classic.

Opposing the Twins in the World Series were the St. Louis Cardinals. For the Cards, it was their 3rd World Series in 6 years. For the first time in WS history the home team won every game, which proved to benefit the Twins since they hosted 4 of the games. Frank Viola pitched three of the games, winning 2 of them (including Game 7) and striking out 16 to walk away with the series MVP award. The Twins, with their -20 run differential, became the then-record holders for fewest wins by a World Series champion.

Arguably the most popular Twins player ever, Kirby Puckett was their lone all star in 1987, leading the league with 207 Hits, finishing 3rd for MVP, and winning both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger.

Power hitter Gary Gaetti led the Twins with 109 RBI and brought home a Gold Glove of his own. He launched 31 Home Runs, hit 2 more in the ALCS to help him win series MVP, then added one more in the World Series for good measure.

Dan Gladden was the speed man for the Twins, leading them with 25 Stolen Bases. His defining moment of 1987 however, was the grand slam he hit in Game 1 of the World Series to help the home team jump all over the Cardinals to win 10-1 and set the tone.

Other regulars. A nice mix of good defense, solid on-base or occasional pop. Kent Hrbek led the group with 34 Home Runs but it was Tim Laudner and his crazy chart that reminds you he was swinging for the fences at all times.

The reserves. A pretty solid role players all things considered (except Billy Beane). Not starters, but you could find a late inning opportunity for most of them be it a pinch-hit or a guy with a few positions to choose from as a defensive option.

Viola's got one of those charts that makes you drool and forget his control is only 2. The Cardinals found out the hard way what kind of frustration a 1-19 out chart can cause you when you can't get the advantage. Team leader in Wins (17), ERA (2.90) and Strikeouts (197).

The arms behind Viola. Bart Blyleven won 15 games of his own and struck out 196 guys, but he also surrendered a league high 46 homers, so I feel his chart should at least give up a natural homer or two.
Joe Niekro may have had a controversy or two in 1987...

Closer Jeff Reardon saved 31 games and was so valuable to Minnesota's pennant push that not only did he finish 8th in Cy Young voting, but he also got MVP votes, finishing 11th.

Relievers and spot starter. Lot of guys in that bullpen that gives you length, which was good when those starters and their low control tire early. Much like he was for the '99 Red Sox in his original Showdown card, Mark Portugal liked to give up homers on his own chart.

Steve Carlton was a Hall of Fame talent that, while up there in age, the Twins saw as a must have to trade for in their push for the division. It didn't work out that well with a 1-5 record and a 6.70 ERA.