Article: Carew to Puckett to Hunter to Perkins

[tshide]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php/3103-Carew-to-Puckett-to-Hunter-to-Perkins

[Dantes929]

The best thing about Perkins is that he thought he was being treated unfairly, stood up for himself but after it was done didn't hold it against the Twins (or the fans). I am not so sure about the leadership done. Do you really think screaming at players gets them fired up and makes them play better? Do you really think Koske was motivated by Hunter to hit a 3 run homer? If yelling at guys worked everyone would do it. Hunter was a good player but I am skeptical about the leadership thing. I prefer Pucket who led by example and generally lifted guys spirits by encouraging them.

[Thrylos]

If Carew could file a grievance against the Twins he would have done so. The (main) reason he was traded was because he was very vocal in criticizing the Twins' ownership and front office.

 

I would call the "Hunter" era with another name. He was not the best player in that time (Santana, Mauer, Morneau in any order you want to pick were.) Plus he declined a fair offer by the Twins and signed with the Angels as a free agent for more $ (something that Puckett had a chance to do but did not) and, then, when he hit Free Agency again, he signed with the strongest team in the Twins' division. Sorry, he is not a Twin as far as I am concerned and I hope he sucks every day (Nathan too) and the Tigers suck. I am a Twins' fan. Cannot root for the enemy.

 

The current times are too current to be chronicled...

[twinsguy14]

Your ideals of the current version of Perkins is warrented but the issues between Perkins and Twins management in the past is much less heroric then you mention. He was a man with a poor work ethic, argumentative and arrogent behavior that caused him problems with staff, teammates and his career. Fortunately the Twins had the patience with him and thanks to Perkins it has paid off. He himself has admitted this and his need to mature. This is the true story you should teach to your kids and the reason I too enjoy him as a Twin and a man.

[twinsguy14]

The best thing about Perkins is that he thought he was being treated unfairly, stood up for himself but after it was done didn't hold it against the Twins (or the fans). I am not so sure about the leadership done. Do you really think screaming at players gets them fired up and makes them play better? Do you really think Koske was motivated by Hunter to hit a 3 run homer? If yelling at guys worked everyone would do it. Hunter was a good player but I am skeptical about the leadership thing. I prefer Pucket who led by example and generally lifted guys spirits by encouraging them.

It wasn't that he yelled and screamed, it's what he had to say. Hunter demanded of his teammates that they play professionally, the right way and with max effort. These were all of the same things Puckett instilled in him and I think he carried on throughout his time here. He was certainly a solid leader.

[Dantes929]

It wasn't that he yelled and screamed, it's what he had to say. Hunter demanded of his teammates that they play professionally, the right way and with max effort. These were all of the same things Puckett instilled in him and I think he carried on throughout his time here. He was certainly a solid leader.

From the article "

The TV cameras caught Hunter running in from center field screaming and yelling at his teammates."

[OldManWinter]

I agree with Thrylos @ 5:21 (06.14)

[stringer bell]

I have followed the Twins since they moved here. While I have appreciated the stars, it is the next level guys who I cheered hardest for and whose successes have given me the most satisfaction. In the 60s, the guy fitting that bill was probably Earl Battey, an All-Star, but never the face of the franchise. In the 70s, I like Bostock and Hisle although Carew was the star after Harmon and Tony left the scene. The 80s brought great players, I was a huge G-men fan, Gaetti and Gagne were my two favorite position players. I liked Rich Becker in the 90s, that didn't turn out well. I like Corey Koskie whose career started in the late 90s. My all-time favorite is Michael Cuddyer, who debuted in 2001 and didn't establish himself until '06. My current favorite is Dozier, who has developed into the team's best player.

[tshide]

Your ideals of the current version of Perkins is warrented but the issues between Perkins and Twins management in the past is much less heroric then you mention. He was a man with a poor work ethic, argumentative and arrogent behavior that caused him problems with staff, teammates and his career. Fortunately the Twins had the patience with him and thanks to Perkins it has paid off. He himself has admitted this and his need to mature. This is the true story you should teach to your kids and the reason I too enjoy him as a Twin and a man.

 

Well said, I appreciate that insight. Yes in the past Perkins had problems with his work ethic and behavior, what I admire is how he has bounced back and grown up.

[tshide]

It wasn't that he yelled and screamed, it's what he had to say. Hunter demanded of his teammates that they play professionally, the right way and with max effort. These were all of the same things Puckett instilled in him and I think he carried on throughout his time here. He was certainly a solid leader.

 

I think you made my point better than I did. The outburst in Game 1 of the playoffs caught my attention and showed his intensity and passion. Torii lead by example also, he played hard, played through pain and demanded his teammates do the same. I should also say the Twins had a good mix with this team. To go with Hunter you had a couple of quiet leaders like Koskie and Radke, also a great mix of role players.

 

I can see why a lot of Twins fans would not like the fact that he left for California and then landed in Detroit. I respect the passion of these fans. Personally, I'm not going to hold it against a ball player to go after the money, Hunter played hard and give it his all when he was here. Whenever I saw him at an event like Twins Fest or the autograph party he was great with the fans.

 

Thanks for everyone for the give and take on this post.