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Originally Posted by AlphaBean
He took a team that was on its way to being elite under TK, rode it into the ground...
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I didn't pick up on this the first time through. How about we take a look at this supposively "elite" team.
Where are they now?
Doug Mientkiewicz: Backup first baseman on the Royals
Luis Rivas: Devil Rays farm system
Cristian Guzman: Batted >200 and is out of the league
Corey Koskie: Starting third baseman for the Brewers
AJ Pierzynski: Starting catcher for the White Sox
Matt Lawton: Steroids, either on the Pirates or out of the league
Torii Hunter: Still on Twins, had career year batting in 2006
Jacque Jones: Starting right fielder on the Cubs
David Ortiz: (Although you could hardly say he was on this team due to injuries) DH and MVP candidate for Red Sox
Eric Milton: Third starter on the Reds
Joe Mays: Cut from the Royals
Brad Radke: Retired after 2006
Kyle Lohse: Reds starting pitcher
Eddie Guardado: Reds bullpen
LaTroy Hawkins: Orioles bullpen
Rest of bullpen: Out of league
Totals:
5 - Number of 2002 Twins that are still starting for a team
3 - Number of 2002 Twins who started for winning teams (one being Torii Hunter)
1 - 2002 player who was in the 2006 playoffs (Torii Hunter)
3 - Number of 2002 starters who are now out of the league because they were not good enough
3 - Number of division titles that these players won with Gardenhire
1 - Number of appearances these players made in the ALCS
0 - Playoff appearances under Tom Kelly (still developing, yes, but it's not like Gardy was taking over the Yankees)
The 2002-04 Twins were hardly an extremely talented team. There was good pitching, but the offense had no power hitters or even great average hitters. The lineup I posted above would have a losing record this year. The reason they were good is because they had good chemistry, which goes on to show you why most of them have been completely average outside of the Twins, and why Terry Ryan is consistantly among the top two GM's in the league.