The Minnesota Twins' Top 9 Cult Heroes Since 2000

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Sports Reference recently launched a fun initiative encouraging baseball fans to “remember some players.” The goal was simple: instead of always reminiscing about the MVPs and Hall of Famers, shine a light on the players who made the game fun in smaller, quirkier ways.

With that in mind, I thought it’d be fitting to highlight some of the Minnesota Twins’ biggest “cult heroes” from the last 25 years. These aren’t the franchise cornerstones or household names. Instead, they’re the guys who brought energy, humor, hustle, or just plain weirdness to the game. They’re the players fans still bring up in conversations years later, often with a smile.

Here’s my lineup of nine cult heroes every Twins fan remembers.

Nick Punto — The Dirt Dog
If you grew up watching the Twins in the 2000s, odds are you either loved or loathed Punto. Known as the “Shredder” for his celebratory jersey-ripping, Punto became a fan favorite because of his all-out hustle, headfirst slides into first base, and ability to play just about every position on the field. His bat never scared opponents, but his energy made him one of the most memorable glue guys in franchise history.

Lew Ford — The Legend of Lew
Ford’s breakout season in 2004, when he hit .299 with an .827 OPS, gave fans hope that the Twins had unearthed a hidden star. He never quite replicated that success, but his mix of quirky charm and surprising bursts of power turned him into a cult favorite. Stories about his offbeat personality only added to the mystique, and fans still grin when his name comes up.

Willians Astudillo — La Tortuga
Few Twins in recent memory have captivated fans like Astudillo. Nicknamed “La Tortuga” (“The Turtle”), he became an instant sensation for his stocky frame, free-swinging approach, and uncanny ability to put the ball in play. Watching him run the bases was an event in itself, and every time he pitched in a blowout, Target Field roared. He might not have stuck long-term, but he’ll always hold a special place in Twins lore.

Pat Neshek — The Hometown Sidearmer
A Brooklyn Park native, Neshek brought a funky, sidearm delivery and local pride to the Twins’ bullpen. Fans loved his unorthodox mechanics, his card-collecting hobby, and his interactions with supporters online, long before player-fan connections of that kind became the norm. His breakout rookie season in 2006 (2.19 ERA, 53 strikeouts in 37 innings) gave fans plenty to cheer about, and his Minnesota roots made him even easier to root for.

Mike Redmond — The Backup Catcher with Personality
Redmond was Joe Mauer’s steady backup during the late 2000s, but his personality made him an unforgettable player. He was known for his clubhouse antics (including infamous naked batting practice sessions), fiery competitiveness, and ability to call a good game behind the plate. Fans respected the way he maximized every ounce of his talent, and teammates adored him for keeping the clubhouse loose.

Jason Tyner — No Homers, No Problem
Tyner etched his name into Twins history books as the last player in baseball’s Steroid Era to finally hit his first (and only) big-league home run in 2007, after more than 1,200 career at-bats. His speed and slap-hitting approach weren’t flashy, but fans embraced him as an underdog. That lone homer remains a cult classic moment in team history.

Eduardo Núñez — The Chaos Creator
If you wanted entertainment, Núñez was your guy. He played with an almost reckless energy that led to plenty of highlights (and bloopers). Some fans may forget that he made an All-Star team with the Twins back in 2016. In that first half, he hit .321 with an .836 OPS. For all the chaos, Núñez’s athleticism and flair made him must-watch TV, and fans embraced the unpredictability.

Eduardo Escobar — Smile, Hustle, Positivity
Escobar was more than just a utility infielder, he was pure joy in a Twins uniform. His constant smile and leadership in the clubhouse made him one of the most beloved players of the 2010s. Known affectionately as “Eddie 2.0” after the departure of Núñez, Escobar’s energy was infectious, and fans were crushed when he was traded in 2018 in a deal that netted the team Jhoan Duran. 

Randy Dobnak — The Uber Driver Turned Postseason Starter
It’s hard to find a better cult hero story than Dobnak’s. The undrafted pitcher who once worked as an Uber driver climbed the Twins’ system and earned a start in the 2019 ALDS at Yankee Stadium. With his glasses, handlebar mustache, and blue-collar backstory, he instantly became a fan favorite. Even as injuries and inconsistency slowed his career, Dobnak remains one of the most beloved underdog stories in recent Twins history.

The Twins have had their share of stars since 2000, but cult heroes like these remind us why we love the game of baseball. They weren’t perfect, and they weren’t always All-Stars, but they brought joy, personality, and stories that live on years later.

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Who’s your favorite Twins cult hero? Did I miss anyone? Leave a comment and let’s remember some players together.

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[DJL44]

Half of those guys would be on a list of my least favorite Twins of the past 25 years.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Some of these guys were actual major leaguers, but many were a result of not having enough good players on the team at a given point in time.  For most of them, their reputation was greater than their contribution.  

[jjswol]

Maybe some of these players didn't measure up to your big league standards but you still have to give them credit for reaching the big leagues, something that many of us Twins fans would gave their left %^& to have done.

[ashbury]

9 guys, 26 seasons to work from, and not one is on the current Twins squad.  If we're going to be bad, can we at least be fun at the same time?

[Unwinder]

We need guys like this to make this team at least a little bit fun right now. I'd say the closest thing we've got to a big personality is Joe Ryan, and he's too legitimately good to really fit the "folk hero" archetype.

[mikelink45]

Luckily we had two tremendous cult heroes - Puckett and Hrbek.

[Tk33]

Where the bleep is Softball Sammy?!  This list is invalidated without Lecroy on it. Good day. 

[ashbury]

46 minutes ago, Tk33 said:

Where the bleep is Softball Sammy?!  This list is invalidated without Lecroy on it. Good day. 

In a similar vein, how about some love for Ron Coomer?  He barely makes the cut, with the 2000 Twins season before moving on.  (Unless "since 2000" means "beginning 2001 and not one game earlier.")

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I would kick Redmond off the list, a guy I couldn’t stand, and add who I believe was the first acquisition of Falvey/StatCast era: a player who shall only be spoken of in hushed tones by the name of His Big Sexiness 

[kasotamatt]

LeCroy, AJ, and Dougie were my quirky guys.

[The Great Hambino]

Bobby Kielty had a minute that at least deserves an honorable mention 

[dxpavelka]

Can we add the Boomstick or is not being particularly good at baseball one of the qualifications?