Posted April 30, 2010    

•Matt Garza

•Twins Trivia

•Joe Mauer

•J.J. Hardy

•Justin Morneau

What Might Have Been: Liriano-Garza Duo 

No sense living in the past but who could blame the Twins if now and then they catch themselves looking in the rearview mirror for a glimpse of pitcher Matt Garza.  The Twins sent him to Tampa Bay during the 2007-2008 off season and now he’s the kind of potential power throwing, innings eating starter that could help Minnesota make it all the way to the World Series.   

The Twins Francisco Liriano fits the same profile but even if he becomes the staff’s dominant starter, two would have been better than one.  Lirinano, 26, is 3-0 with an American League leading 1.29 ERA.  He’s been sensational in his last three starts giving up no earned runs. 

Garza, 26, is 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA.  His four wins lead the American League and he's tied for the lead in strikeouts at 34 with Jered Weaver of the Angels.

Having both Liriano and Garza would give the Twins a left-handed and right-handed power pitching balance that the 2010 starting staff doesn’t have.  In addition to the left-handed Liriano, the Twins starters are four right-handers who don’t win by blowing the ball by opposing hitters.  Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Carl Pavano and Kevin Slowey can be effective but I would replace any of them with Garza. 

Garza’s willingness to be coached reportedly wasn’t to the Twins' liking during his two seasons here so he was part of a six player trade that included Tampa Bay outfielder Delmon Young whose attitude has been questioned, too.  Garza has yet to win more than 11 games in a single season but last year had some impressive stats indicating he was moving closer to fulfilling his potential as a dominating pitcher.   

Opposing batters hit .233 against Garza last season, the fourth best mark in the American League.  He was ninth in the league in strikeouts with 189 and his 203 innings pitched ranked 14^th. 

And here’s another number worth remembering about Garza.  At 26, he’s younger than Pavano, 34, and Baker and Blackburn, both 28.   

 

Test Your Twins Trivia Knowledge Here 

Any devout Twins fan is battle tested in trivia. Jim Hoey's new book, “Minnesota Twins Trivia,” will test your knowledge. 

With an assist from his book and my own favorites, here are 15 Twins trivia questions to ponder: 

1. What school did Joe Mauer favor if he had chosen to play college football? 

2. What country was Ron Gardenhire born in? 

3. Who was the Twins player that once played all nine positions in a single game? 

4. Which Twin played in the most games in franchise history? 

5. The Twins shortstop is J.J. Hardy.  What do the initials stand for? 

6. What year did Rick Anderson become the team’s pitching coach? 

7. Name the Twins hitter who won American League batting titles during his first two seasons in the major leagues.  

8. In what year did Metropolitan Stadium open? 

9. Joe Nathan has the franchise record for most saves in a single season.  Who is second? 

10. Justin Morneau won baseball’s Home Run Derby in 2008.  How many home runs did he hit? 

11. Most fans knew him as “Butch” Wynegar but what was his real first name? 

12. How many Triple Crown winners have the Twins had? 

13. This Twins manager played his nephew at shortstop.  Name the manager and shortstop.  

14. What was the Twins record last season? 

15. And my favorite: Who is the only person to play for both the Twins and Vikings at the Metropolitan Stadium?

 

And the Answers Are… 

1. Joe Mauer signed a letter of intent to play college football for Florida State.  

2. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was born in West Germany (answer courtesy of “Minnesota Twins Trivia” author Jim Hoey).  

3. Cesar Tovar pitched and played eight other positions during a late season Twins game in 1968. 

4. Harmon Killebrew played in more games (1,939) than any player in franchise history (answer courtesy of Jim Hoey).  

5. J.J. stands for James Jerry (Hardy).  

6. Rick Anderson became the Twins pitching coach in 2002. 

7. Tony Oliva won batting championships his first two seasons in the big leagues, the only player ever to do so.  

8. Metropolitan Stadium opened in 1956 and was home to the Minneapolis Millers until the Twins began playing there in 1961.  

9. Joe Nathan owns the franchise single season saves record at 47 while Eddie Guardado is second with 45. 

10. With 22 home runs, Justin Morneau won the 2008 Home Run Derby, played as part of baseball’s All-Star game activities.   

11. Harold Wynegar, former Twins catcher, known to the baseball world as “Butch.” (Answer courtesy of Jim Hoey). 

12. None.  There’s never been a Twins hitter who led the American League in batting average, home runs and RBI in the same season. 

13. Manager Gene Mauch’s nephew, shortstop Roy Smalley, played for him in the late 1970’s. (Answer courtesy of Jim Hoey). 

14. The Twins record last season when they won their fifth Central Division title since 2000 was 87 wins, 76 losses. 

15. I know you will groan but the answer is: the organist.  

 

 Ron Gardenhire
Photo courtesy of Minnesota Twins