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After a Twins season that failed to live up to expectations, many fans have a sour taste in their mouths. Minnesota sports fans have become accustomed to watching their favorite teams fall short in critical moments. The Twins have had several seasons that did so, leaving fans disappointed. Here are a few of the most notable, starting with the most recent:
2024 Season
Expectation: The Twins entered the season as the clear favorites in the AL Central. Minnesota’s expectations were high, following the team’s first playoff series win in two decades. Other AL Central teams seemed to be in various stages of disrepair or transition, so it looked like it was the Twins’ division to lose.
Disappointment: Cleveland got off to a tremendous start and ran away with the division title. Kansas City added pieces over the winter and at the trade deadline to bolster their roster. Detroit sat below .500 at the trade deadline and became sellers, but went on an unbelievable run to end the year and win a Wild Card spot. Minnesota had playoff odds over 90% entering August and collapsed down the stretch. Three AL Central teams made the playoffs, and the Twins were left on the outside looking in.
2022 Season
Expectation: The Twins surprised the baseball world by signing Carlos Correa to a massive free-agent deal coming out of the lockout. Earlier in the winter, Minnesota had traded for veteran starter Sonny Gray. It was a clear message to the AL Central that the Twins were going to contend, and put the horrible 2021 season in the rearview mirror.
Disappointment: On Aug. 6, the Twins were in first place by two games and stood seven games above .500. There was a 62.3% chance for the team to make the playoffs. Injuries plagued the team in the second half, and their playoff odds evaporated. Minnesota finished in third place (14 games back), with a record below .500. Adding to the disappointment, Correa was headed back to free agency and seemed likely to sign elsewhere.
2011 Season
Expectation: Coming off division titles in 2009 and 2010, the Twins were expected to dominate again. They had a strong core of Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Michael Cuddyer. Jim Thome re-signed with the club, after a renaissance season during his first year in a Twins uniform. Minnesota also signed Tsuyoshi Nishioka, whom they hoped would be the next great Japanese player. Also, Target Field was still buzzing with excitement in its second year.
Disappointment: Instead, the team fell apart, finishing 63-99, their worst record since 1982. Injuries to key players like Mauer and Morneau and a collapse from the pitching staff made this season particularly frustrating. The ageless Thome suddenly aged very rapidly, and Nishioka struggled to transition to the MLB level (40 OPS+). Warning signs became evident during the team’s midsummer cave-in: Minnesota was heading into a dark decade, with the team struggling to be relevant. Eventually, the baseball operations department needed to be overhauled, and the team moved on from two different managers.
2001 Season
Expectation: Minnesota entered the 2001 season with the eyes of the baseball world on it. During the offseason, MLB discussed plans to contract the Twins, but the plan was blocked by a court injunction that forced the team to honor their lease at the Metrodome, and by challenges from the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). This large cloud looming over the team put pressure on young players to perform. With players like Torii Hunter, Doug Mientkiewicz, and Brad Radke leading the way, the Twins burst out of the gates, holding first place for much of the year and looking like a playoff contender.
Disappointment: A midseason collapse saw the Twins fall out of contention. They finished with an 85-77 record, missing the postseason. This season stung, because it seemed like the team was finally ready to compete again after a decade of rebuilding. It was the first step in what would become a decade dominated by the Twins in the AL Central. Minnesota won the division five times from 2002 to 2009, including making the ALCS in 2002. One must wonder what could have happened if the team had more playoff experience during the 2001 campaign.
1992 Season
Expectation: The Twins were coming off a World Series win in 1991, and expectations were that the club would be in contention for another title. They had a strong core of Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Shane Mack, and Scott Erickson. Minnesota entered play on Aug. 4 in a three-way tie atop the American League with Oakland and Toronto. The Twins were in position to become the first back-to-back World Series winner since the Yankees in the late 1970s.
Disappointment: Instead of building on their success, the Twins faltered down the stretch, finishing 27-29 after that day in early August. Minnesota finished six games behind Oakland in the West division and missed the playoffs. To add insult to injury, 1991 World Series hero Jack Morris signed with Toronto and helped them win the pennant. Despite having personnel similar to their 1991 championship team, they ran out of gas in the second half, leading to one of the most disappointing post-title letdowns in franchise history. It was just the start of a downward slide, too.
These seasons were painful for fans, as they all followed periods of high expectations or early success. How would you rank the seasons described above? Should other seasons make the list? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
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- Patzky and mikelink45
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