The AL Central Champion Minnesota Twins wound up with 101 wins, the season record for team HRs, a tie for the season record for Total Bases, and their offense finished in the top three in several MLB stats. Rookie manager Rocco Baldelli has a lot to be proud of, and fans throughout Twins Territory have reason to be excited.
Looking at the playoffs, there are several players I wish were around to participate — Byron Buxton (IL, out for season), Michael Piñeda (suspended), Sam Dyson (IL, what the heck?!) — or aren’t at 100% — Max Kepler, Luis Arraez, Kyle Gibson, Ehrie Adrianza, CJ Cron, Marwin Gonzalez — but the season is long, and every team has to deal with intangibles. With some good play and a favorable bounce, things will work out.
Before the postseason starts, here are some of my latest pickups:
clockwise, from top left: 2019 Topps Major League Materials #MLM-BB Byron Buxton (jersey); 2019 Topps Major League Materials #MLM-MS Miguel Sano (jersey); 2018 Topps Major League Materials #MLM-JM Joe Mauer (jersey); 2018 Topps Major League Materials Black #MLM-JM Joe Mauer [26/99] (jersey); 2019 Topps ’84 Topps 150th Anniversary #84R-JM Joe Mauer [136/150] (jersey); 2016 Topps Gypsy Queen #GQR-TH Torii Hunter (jersey); 2019 Topps Retro Hat Logo #RHLP-JM Joe Mauer (manu-patch); 2018 Topps Major League Materials Black #MLM-MS Miguel Sano [36/99] (jersey)
clockwise, from top left: 2019 Topps Archives Fan Favorites #FFA-KT Kevin Tapani (auto); 2019 Topps Archives Signature (2018 Topps #697) Eduardo Escobar [39/99] (uncirculated auto); 2018 Topps Chrome Refractor Purple #RA-FJ Felix Jorge [047/250] (auto); 2018 Topps Heritage Real One #ROA-ZG Zack Granite (auto); 2017 Topps ’87 Topps #1987A-MSA Miguel Sano (auto); 2019 Topps ’84 Topps 150th Anniversary #84R-SG Stephen Gonsalves [147/150] (auto); 2019 Topps Chrome #RA-SG Stephen Gonsalves (auto); 2018 Topps Chrome Refractor #RA-ZG Zack Granite [083/499] (auto)
clockwise, from top left: 2017 Topps Allen & Ginter #MR-BB Byron Buxton (jersey); 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter Full Size #FSRA-JB Jose Berrios (jersey); 2004 Donruss Throwback Threads #116 Torii Hunter [014/100] (jersey); 2007 Upper Deck SPx Winning Materials Limited Silver #WM-TO Torii Hunter [57/99] (jersey); 2003 Upper Deck Finite Elements #FE-TH Torii Hunter (jersey); 2003 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Swatches #TH Torii Hunter (jersey); 2003 Fleer Hot Prospects Class of ’93 #AR-TH Torii Hunter w/Rodriguez [154/375] (dual jersey); 2003 Donruss Gamers position #G-29 Torii Hunter [043/100] (jersey)
"é rayhahn, rayhahn" 