2009 Minnesota Twins

2009 Minnesota Twins / Franchise: Minnesota Twins / BR Team Page[edit]

Record: 87-76, Finished 1st in AL Central Division (2009 AL)

Clinched Division: October 6, 2009, vs. Detroit Tigers

Coaches: Rick Anderson, Steve Liddle, Rick Stelmaszek, Scott Ullger, Joe Vavra and Jerry White

History, Comments, Contributions[edit]

In their last season playing in the Metrodome, the 2009 Minnesota Twins won an extra-inning one-game playoff over the Detroit Tigers to win the AL Central Division title. They had to overcome a deficit of 7 games on September 6, and of 3 games with 4 to play to reach a tie with Detroit. The late-season surge was accomplished without slugging first baseman Justin Morneau, who had collected 30 home runs and 100 RBI before seeing his season end because of a stress fracture in his back with three weeks to go. Catcher Joe Mauer, the American League batting champion and a leading candidate for the MVP Award, and RF Michael Cuddyer, who took over at 1B when Morneau went down, were the prime movers behind the successful surge to the title, although it was late-hitting 2B Alexi Casilla who delivered the title-clinching hit in the 12 inning of the October 6 playoff game. Following the 2010 season, a panel of experts at the MLB Network voted this playoff game the 16th greatest game of the past fifty years.

Awards and Honors[edit]

All-Stars: Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan
AL MVP: Joe Mauer
AL Gold Glove: Joe Mauer (C)
AL Silver Slugger Award: Joe Mauer (C)

Postseason[edit]

ALDS vs. New York Yankees[edit]

Main article: 2009 ALDS1

Game	Score	Date	Starters	Time (ET)
1	New York Yankees 7 Minnesota Twins 2	October 7	CC Sabathia (1-0) Brian Duensing (0-1)
2	New York Yankees 4 Minnesota Twins 3	October 9	A.J. Burnett (0-0) Nick Blackburn (0-0)	6:07 p.m.
3	Minnesota Twins 1 New York Yankees 4	October 11	Carl Pavano (0-1) Andy Pettitte (1-0)	7:07 p.m.