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Icons in the Outfield: The Legacy of Twins Center Fielders

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From Kirby Puckett‘s leadership to Byron Buxton‘s raw talent, the center field position has been a cornerstone for the Minnesota Twins. Each player, past and present, has brought their own unique set of skills to the position. When looking at the legacy Puckett brought to the position, it is essential to look at how the franchise went on the journey from Puckett to Torii Hunter to Byron Buxton.

The Greatest Twins Center Fielders

Kirby Puckett (1984-1995)

For the better part of a decade, Kirby Puckett was the gold standard for center fielders. Known for his exceptional batting, defense, and leadership, Puckett helped bring Minnesota’s only championships of the modern four professional sports leagues. The 10-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner cemented himself as a cultural icon in Minnesota during his Game 6 performance of the 1991 World Series. Puckett hit a walk-off home run in one of the more iconic games in baseball history to force a Game 7 in which the Twins eventually won in extra innings. For Minnesotans in their mid-30s or older, he is synonymous with the Minnesota Twins.

Unfortunately, on September 28, 1995, Puckett was hit in the face by Cleveland Indians pitcher Dennis Martinez. The contusion to the face led to Puckett losing vision in his right eye, causing him to retire early. Puckett’s career ended with a .318 batting average, 414 doubles, 207 home runs, and 1,085 RBI in 1,783 games. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001 and passed away in 2006. Kirby Puckett is synonymous with Twins baseball and is still known to many as the face of the franchise.

Rich Becker (1995–1997)

Rich Becker had the challenging task of taking over Puckett’s spot. Known for having a bit of speed, Becker’s best season came in 1996, where he hit .291/.372/.434, with 12 home runs, 19 stolen bases, 71 RBI, and a 4.3 WAR. 1997 was his last season with the Twins, and he bounced around the league until his retirement after the 2000 season. Becker was a serviceable player for the Twins, but his time in center field meant a dip in star power.

Torii Hunter (1999–2007, 2015)

Known as “Spiderman,” Torii Hunter brought excitement and defensive brilliance back to center field for the Twins. Having spent time with Kirby Puckett annually during spring training, Twins fans looked at Hunter as the true passing of the torch from Puckett that they expected to see before his injury. Winning seven consecutive Gold Gloves for the Twins (2001-2007), Hunter became famous for robbing home runs, including a memorable catch off of Barry Bonds’ bat during the 2002 All-Star Game.

From 2001 to 2007, Hunter experienced a power surge at the plate. He averaged 25 home runs and 92 RBI during those seasons. His best year was in 2006 when he hit 31 home runs and had 98 RBI. Already known for delivering in key moments defensively, this surge of power made Hunter a core player for the franchise.

Hunter played a key role in a renaissance for the Twins franchise in the early 2000s. Seemingly, after Puckett’s untimely retirement, the Twins had one of their worst strings of losing seasons in franchise history. After avoiding the threat of contraction in 2001, Hunter’s leadership helped create a winning culture as he was part of four AL Central titles. Hunter’s rise to stardom helped build the bridge from Kirby Puckett to the next-generation players and fans alike yearned for after Puckett’s retirement. Again, a center fielder’s leadership brought the Twins to prominence.

Fill-In Years (2008-2014)

Several players manned the position in the subsequent years following Hunter’s departure from Minnesota in 2007. Denard Span spent the most time in center field for the Twins during this time. Known for his speed, leadoff abilities, and solid defense, Span led the league in triples during the 2009 season and maintained a .284 average during his time with the Twins. Ben Revere spent two seasons with the Twins (2011-2012) and quickly became known for his speed and athletic ability in center field. Revere’s power (or lack thereof) limited him, making him less impactful than his predecessors. Finally, Aaron Hicks entered the Twins organization but struggled to find his place. There were some flashes of brilliance defensively, but he was eventually traded to the New York Yankees, where he developed into a more complete player.

Byron Buxton (2015–Present)

In 2015, Torii Hunter returned to the Twins to spend his final season mentoring the next generation of young players. During this season, Byron Buxton made his major league debut with the Twins. Being the second overall draft pick in 2012 (behind Carlos Correa), Buxton was hailed as the next star to lead the Twins in center field. Having Hunter back with the Twins allowed for another iconic torch passing. Puckett worked with Hunter who, eventually worked with Buxton, and created a meaningful connection for Twins fans.

Consistently among the league leaders in defensive runs saved and outs above average, Buxton has a reputation as one of the best outfielders in baseball. His incredible range, cannon arm, and fearless dives have electrified fans and allowed him to track down balls most outfielders could not reach. His defensive prowess was at peak recognition in 2017 when he won the Gold Glove for the best defensive center fielder in the American League and the Platinum Glove Award, recognizing him as the best fielder in all of baseball for his elite play.

Along with speed on the field, Buxton can also excite fans with his bat and on the base paths. With a career-high 28 home runs in 2022, he has also shown he can leg out many triples, averaging five in a 162-game season. He also demonstrates his speed through his stolen bases with his career high of 29 occurring in 2017. When healthy, Buxton has become known as a threat at the plate and on the bases.

Legacy

From Puckett’s iconic leadership to Hunter’s outgoing personality and Buxton’s electrifying talent, the Twins center field position has been the cornerstone of the franchise’s identity for over four decades. Each player has brought unique skills to the position, creating a legacy of leadership, athleticism, and excellence that Twins fans have come to expect from their favorite baseball team.

 

Photo Credit: © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The post Icons in the Outfield: The Legacy of Twins Center Fielders appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.