When it comes to all-time great seasons within the Minnesota Twins organization, fans generally think of Rod Carew, Joe Mauer, Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Kirby Puckett, Justin Morneau and Goose Goslin. Fair enough, right?
Now feels like a good time to reflect on a beloved Twin who wasn’t a star but had one of the most underrated seasons in franchise history. In 2009, the Twins avoided arbitration with Jason Kubel by signing him to a two-year contract after a decent 2008 campaign with 20 home runs and 78 RBIs. This deal ultimately became a win-win deal for both sides, as Kubel went on an offensive crack in 2009 and the Twins won their fifth of six division titles in this decade.
Recalling Jason Kubel’s 2009 season with the Minnesota Twins
Kubel retired with a 4.1 bWAR. In 2009, he compiled a breakout 3.5 bWAR, recording several career-high stats. He was not named to the All-Star Game, but he received MVP votes for finishing 24th in the race.
- Slant: .300/.369/.539/.907
Each number is a career best for Kubel, excluding home runs. In 2012, he hit 30 home runs with the Diamondbacks. Among Twins outfielders, only Delmon Young, Josh Willingham and Eddie Rosario have scored more runs in a season than Kubel since 2009.
His biggest mark on the 2009 campaign came against the Angels at home on April 17. As part of an epic 11-9 victory. Trailing 9-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Kubel capped a seven-run come-from-behind rally with a grand slam that also gave him the cycle. He also followed up the next day with another four-hit game.
His longest hitting streak that season lasted 11 games from June 9 to 20, during which he collected 13 hits, four home runs and eight RBIs.
At the end of the season, amid a close race with the Tigers for the AL Central crown, the Twins won five straight games and finished in first place by one game. In those five games, Kubel had four home runs, 10 RBIs and six runs scored.
In the tiebreaker game against the Tigers, Kubel hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to one run.
Kubel was tenacious, consistent and proved that avoiding arbitrage was worth it. Although Joe Mauer won the MVP that season and Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau each hit more than 30 home runs, Jason Kubel was an essential part of the Twins’ memorable 2009 season. It may not go down as the best in Minnesota history, but its efforts are worth reflecting on.
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