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Throughout the Minnesota Twins’ long and storied history, countless “what if” moments have occurred. What if Tony Oliva hadn’t injured his knee? What if Kirby Puckett had remained healthy beyond 1995? What if Francisco Liriano's elbow had held up in 2006? Yet, no singular moment casts a longer shadow than July 7, 2010, when Justin Morneau’s career trajectory changed forever.
Recently, MLB.com picked out some of the biggest “what if” seasons in recent history because Kyle Tucker had a tremendous start to 2024 before landing on the IL. For the article, the players on the list had to play fewer than 100 games and included names like Jacob DeGrom (2021), Troy Tulowitzki (2014), and Ivan Rodriguez (2000). Justin Morneau and his tremendous start to 2010 also make the list.
From 2006-2009, Morneau was a cornerstone for the Twins and one of the most feared sluggers in the game. Over that span, the Canadian first baseman averaged 30 homers per season with a 132 OPS+. He collected the 2006 AL MVP award, was the runner-up two years later, earned two Silver Sluggers, and represented Minnesota in three All-Star Games. He was a symbol of consistent excellence and on a tremendous career path that could have put him among the all-time Twins greats.
But in 2010, Morneau found another gear. He posted video game-like numbers through the season’s first half: a .343/.436/.620 (1.056) slash line. His 44 extra-base hits tied for third-most in the Majors, and his advanced metrics underscored his dominance. His wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) sat at an otherworldly 183, meaning he was 83% better than the league-average hitter. His 4.7 WAR was more than he accumulated in the 2006 or 2008 seasons when he was a top-2 MVP finisher. He wasn’t just on track for a second MVP award because he was rewriting his career peak.
Then came Game 81.
In the top of the eighth inning against the Blue Jays, Morneau slid into second base, attempting to break up a double play. His helmeted head collided with the knee of Toronto infielder John McDonald, and Morneau stayed on the ground momentarily before walking off under his own power. At the time, the severity of the injury wasn’t apparent, but it was soon revealed that Morneau had suffered a concussion. That slide ended his 2010 season and, in many ways, his days as one of baseball’s elite hitters.
Without Morneau, the Twins forged ahead, clinching the AL Central title behind a deep roster and contributions from Joe Mauer, Jim Thome, Francisco Liriano, and others. But it was clear that the lineup wasn’t the same without their MVP-caliber first baseman. In the postseason, the Twins were swept by the Yankees, with their offense struggling to capitalize in key moments. It’s impossible not to wonder how a healthy Morneau might have changed that series and the Twins’ October fortunes.
The aftereffects of Morneau’s concussion lingered far beyond 2010. He returned in 2011 but was a shadow of his former self, slashing .227/.285/.333 (.618) with a career-worst -1.1 WAR in 69 games as recurring symptoms derailed his season. Though he would enjoy moments of resurgence (including winning a batting title with the Rockies in 2014), Morneau never again approached the power numbers he posted in his prime. Over his final seven seasons, he never hit more than 19 home runs in a year.
“It’s something that will always be with me," Morneau told ESPN.com's Jim Caple in the spring of 2015 while the Rockies. “I look at it like a pitcher who has had Tommy John surgery -- every time he throws or his elbow gets sore or something happens, you’re going to go back to that. I just needed time to build confidence on it. The further away you get from it, the better you feel. But it’s one of those things that will never ever be out of my mind or be completely gone. That’s the reality of the situation. But you know what? I feel good today and am able to go out and compete, and that’s all I can ever ask for."
For Twins fans, the “what if” surrounding Morneau’s 2010 season is unavoidable. What if he had stayed healthy? What if he had continued his torrid pace into the second half and postseason? Could the Twins have finally exorcised their playoff demons?
It’s not just about the awards and accolades that might have been. Morneau’s injury robbed him of a chance to solidify himself as one of the great hitters of his era. For fans, it represents a pivotal turning point in a franchise that, despite its successes, has always seemed to be one step away from ultimate glory.
Morneau’s career remains one of resilience and class. His induction into the Twins Hall of Fame in 2021 was a fitting tribute to a player who gave everything to the organization. But for anyone who watched him in his prime, the memory of his 2010 season that was cut short just as it reached historic levels will always linger as the biggest “what if” in Minnesota Twins history.
Are there other “what if” moments that should rank above Morneau’s 2010 season? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
Are you interested in Twins history? Then check out the Minnesota Twins Players Project, a community-driven project to discover and collect great information on every player to wear a Twins uniform!
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