Best All-Time Twin 1B: Hrbek or Morneau?????

[strumdatjag]

If Morneau's tenure ends here (i.e not re-signed), then it's easy - Hrbek wins! His two World Series rings, better fielding (Morneau started as less than average and improved), and more Home Runs trumps one MVP award and a stellar career. Maybe one could say that Justin was more consistent up to 2010 and Hrbie was more streaky (then again those streaks carried the Twins for many stretches). Both were great. I still pick Hrbek - have at it!!! I'm disqualifying Carew and Killebrew, because they played other positions extensively. Make your case for Scott Stahoviak or Ron Jackson or other former 1Bers if you wish (that may be entertaining)!

[Don Julio]

I'm not disqualifying Killebrew or Carew. They were both better than Kent or Justin.

[strumdatjag]

I'm not disqualifying Killebrew or Carew. They were both better than Kent or Justin.

 

Agreed- Both are Hall of Famers and Kent is not and Justin needs 3-4 or more GREAT years in the future to have any chance to make it. If you were to name an all-time Twins Team, I'd put Carew on Second and Killebrew on Third (mostly because Hrbek and Morneau for First is a better option than Gaetti, Koskie, Rollins or whatever at 3B, and there are too many good outfielders to choose from). Once you place Carew at 2B and Harmon at 3B, who is your starting 1B on your all-time team??? I pick Hrbek over Morneau and way over Mientkiewizc (spelling???), Ron Jackson, Don Mincher . . .

[Don Julio]

I agree to an extent. Whether Killebrew is at first or third depends on which of Hrbek, Morneau, or Gaetti you prefer. A strong case could be made for all of them.

[cmathewson]

Hrbek.

[Monkeypaws]

Home-grown smokin' and drinkin' Hrbek, 2 time World Series Champion. Dude was a winner and a competitor and never donned a uniform other than the Twins.

 

He for sure would be the Twins 1b I'd most like to have dinner with.

[Oldgoat_MN]

Justin is one of the all-time great Twins players.

 

Hrbek was even better.

[Monkeypaws]

I don't mean my previous comment as a slight to Justin. As I've made clear in other threads, I would love to see him turn it around AND end his career here. Special player.

[twinstalker]

Hrbek, but only because we really only got a 4.5 year good (great!) stretch from Morneau. Morneau should have been better than Hrbek, and I have only a little doubt he would have been. Morneau at his best was an average defensive 1B, Hrbek was the best in the game (with Mattingly and Hernandez). Hrbek played in more of a pitcher's era than Morneau's good years.

[Thegrin]

Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33 Morneau 33

[Uncle Jesse's Mullet]

Clearly the correct answer is Butch Huskey...

[strumdatjag]

The reason I'm asking is that I thought most would agree with me on Hrbek. But check out www.baseball-reference.com and their stats are comparable, arguably slightly better for Morneau (you WAR - what is it good for - guys can tell an old guy like me if I'm wrong). Then you start to think, Morneau's one of only 3 MVPs this organization has ever had. It should be a tougher choice but somehow it isn't. I go with Hrbek.

[ThePuck]

I know I like Morneau more than I liked Hrbek. Championships are a team accomplishment and have no bearing whatsoever when comparing players, IMO.

[CGNikolic]

Hrbek hands down. Morneau was on pace to be better until the concussion, but post-kneetohead Morneau just had no chance. Both are great players though, and will forever be Twins to Minnesota fans.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Justin is one of the all-time great Twins players.

 

Hrbek was even better.

 

Well said.

 

I feel the national media's love affair with Mattingly and all things New York cost Hrbek those Gold Gloves, and having said that, I would venture out to say that Meintkiewicz had a better glove even than Herbie.

[bronald3030]

I know most of you are not old enough to remember, and I am not saying he was the best, but Vic Power is worth a mention in the discussion.

[Roaddog]

Hrbek by far. No disrespect to Justin either. Hrbek could have been even better if hr haf played in better shape.

[DaveW]

Hrbek, but when it's all said and done morneau should have his number retired.

[Monkeypaws]

Let's not forget Papa Jack, Ron Jackson.

[Oldgoat_MN]

Well said.

 

I feel the national media's love affair with Mattingly and all things New York cost Hrbek those Gold Gloves, and having said that, I would venture out to say that Meintkiewicz had a better glove even than Herbie.

 

Excellent point!

My father used to say, "If Hrbek had played for the Yankees his birthday would be a national holiday".

 

Mattingly was excellent, but I would put Hrbek below no one of his era save Keith Hernandez.

 

edit: for those who don't know, Keith Hernandez was the Ozzie Smith of first basemen. If you don't know who Ozzie Smith was, just... forget it.

[stringer bell]

Let's not forget Papa Jack, Ron Jackson.

AKA "Poppa Up"

[big dog]

Excellent point!

My father used to say, "If Hrbek had played for the Yankees his birthday would be a national holiday".

 

Mattingly was excellent, but I would put Hrbek below no one of his era save Keith Hernandez.

 

edit: for those who don't know, Keith Hernandez was the Ozzie Smith of first basemen. If you don't know who Ozzie Smith was, just... forget it.

 

For those of you who don't know Keith, just listen to him do color for the Mets because he will tell you 3-4 times a game how great he was. I listened to them for one Twins game- he announced that day's quiz question. The prize? His autobiography. The question? "How many Gold Gloves did I win while I was on the Mets?"

 

A great first baseman, and a greater self-promoter!

[ThePuck]

For those of you who don't know Keith, just listen to him do color for the Mets because he will tell you 3-4 times a game how great he was. I listened to them for one Twins game- he announced that day's quiz question. The prize? His autobiography. The question? "How many Gold Gloves did I win while I was on the Mets?"

 

A great first baseman, and a greater self-promoter!

 

Not much different than Bert talking about his HOF playing days...and Richard talking about Bert's HOF playing days...

[S.]

We should be so lucky to have the Mets broadcasters.