The Twins’ Secret to Their Success

By C. Eric Lincoln

It’s autumn, and along with falling leaves around the Midwest, you can almost be sure that if there’s a pennant race the Minnesota Twins are in it. They are like a good hunting dog that smells the scent of wounded prey —  Detroit Tigers slipping, Chicago White Sox stumbling out of sight. If it’s September, it is likely that the beloved Twinkies will be here. The secret to their annual success may well surprise you.

The Minnesota Twins arrive at this point in the baseball season with a roster full of names that make program vendors around the American League extremely happy. With fellows like Mauer, Morneau, Hunter, White, Ford, Tyner, Punto, Castillo, etc (Etc.?, why he’s our third baseman) the Twins sound like one of those law firms that advertise in television’s midnight hours.

These fellows are not household names, but they are not a laughing matter, either. The pitching staff includes Johan Santana and Franciso Liriano, two of the most gifted pitchers in the major leagues, and both candidates for the Cy Young.

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But at the start of each season it seems that the Minnesota Twins, bless their hearts, arrive as long shots, and end up barking at the Central Division leaders, angry that most people counted them down and out in May.

If there is anything to be learned about the Minnesota Twins is never count out the Minnesota Twins , because this truly storied franchise thrives now on a time-tested  secret recipe for success.

The Twins were once home to All-Stars like Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew, Tony Oliva and Bob Allison and Earl Battey, and pitchers such as Jim Kaat and Bert Bleleven. Now under owner Carl Pohlad, the Twins haven’t had a combined payroll over $20 million in the past two decades.

And the former owner, Cal Grffith, threw around quarters like manhole covers.

But these Twinkies do have a formula and its works. And if you give it thought, it should be clear that it’s the other baseball folks that are behind the learning curve.

Most clubs have several base ballers collecting  checks for $20 million each. While the cash-smart Twins contuine to roll up playoff appearances—2002, 2003, 2004—and most likely 2006.  

Tom Kelly, who managed the Twins for 16 seasons, bringing home two world championships, says, “You can’t always throw money at a baseball problem and solve it.”

When Kelly arrived in 1986, then Twins were fading, a club with aging veterans who had just finished in last place. And the owner, Carl Pohlad, it was rumored, was on the verge of selling the club.

But Kelly, who has an advanced degree in physical education and management knew he could fix some of Pohlad’s problems.

Says Kelly: “Do you think that NFL cubs draft players so they can play two years from now. Three years? No. These guys are looking at players who can help them right away, next season.

“I know that baseball is a different game. But look at this way. By the time you advance one of your players to Double A, its time for boot camp. Double A baseball separates men from boys. After a full season of 140 games. A few plane rides. Hostile crowds.  If a kid gives you good numbers, you’ve got a ballplayer.

“So why waste time? Why waste a couple of years? Bring him up.
As far the Twins are concerned, we trust the scouts, trust the kids. Bring them up.”

And that, in a phrase, is the secret to the Twins success.

The Twins have a scouting department beyond reproach and youngsters who play baseball like grizzled veterans. Along with a patient manager like the current skipper, Ron Gardenhire.

Mr. Morneau played 126 games for the New Britain (Conn.) Rock Cats in New Britain in 2002 and arrived on the Twins doorstep in 2003. Mauer played 110 games with Ft. Myers (Fla.) in 2002, 72 in New Britain in 2003 and became a Twin the following season. The pattern for the other members if the firm is the same.

Separate men from the boys.

Says Kelly, “You have to have a few big boppers in the middle of the order, and a 20-game winner if you are going to advance deep into the playoffs. When I was there, we did not always have those guys and it was very frustrating.”

Kelly took a 100-1 shot from last to first and defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games in the 1987 World Series.In 1991, Kelly’s heroes took the Braves to seven games, endured five one-run games, took the last two by a single tally to win what could arguably called the most exciting Series in history.

Separate men from the boys. And trust the young folk.

Gene Larkin’s walk off single won the 1991 Series. He arrived in Minnesota three years after graduating from Columbia University where he had smashed all of Lou Gehrig’s records. The switch-hitting Larkin, however,  was not the apple of major league eyes.

No one except the Twins took a second look. Signed by a New York scout named Herb Stein, Gentleman Gene was told he’d be in Minneapolis in three years, or less.

Stein kept his word. Larkin wound up playing in the 1987 World Series.  

A New Yorker, when Larkin retired he remained a Minnesota resident, falling in love with the fans, and his wife.

“The Twins do things a different way,”says Gene Larkin. “They take some risks, but if you do things right, they can pay off. I`m just glad they took a chance on me.”

The Twins take a chance on a lot of players. Just look at their starting lineup. Look at where they are in the current race.  These 2006 Twins have the look of winners.

Thanks to scouts and kids who grow up very quickly.

C. Eric Lincoln is a former sportswriter for Newsday and the New York Times.