Twins HOF lineup

[mikelink45]

With Joe Mauer now in the HOF – we have the following roster Twins HOFers–

CF – Kirby Puckett

RF – Tony Oliva

2B – Rod Carew

1B or 3B – Harmon Killebrew

C – Joe Mauer

Pitcher – Jim Kaat

Pitcher – Bert Blyleven

Who would be the Twins that are closest to HOF class to fill out the starting lineup and rotation?  We need a LF, SS, !B or 3B, a DH, three starting pitchers and a few RP.  You could also fill out the lineup with Molitor at DH, Winfield in the OF, Jim Thome at DH, and Morris on the staff- I hesitate because most of the careers put them on other teams, but they would certainly provide a lot of quality.

If we include our Senators beginnings, then we have more HOF players for the roster.

The Roster adds the true Ace – Walter Johnson, with Kaat and Blyleven and Morris

Three OF – Heine Manush, Sam Rice, and Goose Goslin, with Tony Oliva, Dave Winfield, and Kirby Puckett.

It is the start of an outstanding team – who do you add and do you care about the Senators?

[Squirrel]

Hrbek at 1st would be my nod. Then Killebrew can stay at 3rd.

[Nashvilletwin]

Assumptions for the Twins all-time starting nine (plus starting pitcher) comprised only of HOFers:

A. If they played on the Twins or Senators at any time and are in the HOF, they are eligible (did those Twins/Senators years not count toward their HOF stats/resume? Of course they did).

B. They had to have played the position as a regular starter for some period of time (outfield is outfield)

Here is our starting batting order/lineup:

1. Rod Carew 2B*

2. Tony Oliva RF (per Stringer Bell)

3. Harmon Killebrew 3B

4. Jim Thome 1B*

5. David Ortiz DH*

6. Kirby Puckett CF*

7. Joe Mauer C*

8. Dave Winfield LF (per Stringer Bell)*

9. Paul Molitor SS*

Starting Pitcher:  Walter Johnson*. If you are hung up on no Senators, insert Steve Carlton* (thanks Stringer Bell!) Bert Blyleven, Jim Kaat or Jack Morris (that is a darn good starting five).

That team would win a fair share of its games against similarly constructed teams from other franchises.

Say what you might, but we have been pretty darn blessed as Twins fans since the arrival in Minnesota.

* indicates elected on the first ballot (that’s seven our our starting nine plus two pitchers).

[Nashvilletwin]

6 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

 

Fair enough. The second best starting pitcher to ever wear a Twins or Senators uni is Steve Carlton, should he be added?

Nice catch on Carlton! I will edit the above.

[stringer bell]

12 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Assumptions for the Twins all-time starting nine comprised of HOFers:

A. If they played on the Twins or Senators at any time and are in the HOF, they are eligible (did those Twins/Senators years not count toward their HOF stats/resume? Of course they did).

B, They had to have played the position as a regular starter for some period of time (outfield is outfield)

Here is our starting batting order/lineup:

1. Rod Carew 2B

2. Tony Oliva LF

3. Harmon Killebrew 3B

4. Jim Thome 1B

5. David Ortiz DH

6. Kirby Puckett CF

7. Joe Mauer C

8. Dave Winfield RF

9. Paul Molitor SS

Starting Pitcher:  Walter Johnson (and, if you are hung up on no Senators, insert Bert Blyleven, Jim Kaat or Jack Morris).

That team would win a fair share of its games against similarly constructed teams from other franchises.

 

Nitpick--I'd flipflop TonyO and Winfield. Tony only played 40 some innings in left. Winnie played over 400 games there. 

[Nashvilletwin]

4 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Two nitpicks--I'd flipflop TonyO and Winfield. Tony only played 40 some innings in left. Winnie played over 400 games there. If you are going to include anyone in the Hall that played for the Twins, how about Steve Carlton. He is the second best pitcher to ever wear a Twins/Senators uniform.

So edited with attribution!