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2009 Twins season in review - season summary
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Note: This is the tenth and final installment of a comprehensive analysis of the Minnesota Twins' 2009 season. For more informaiton on the previous entries, check the Twins Examiner home page.
So, after two weeks and ten installments, we come to the end of the look back at the Minnesota Twins' 2009 season. The season experienced its share of ups and downs and peaks and valleys. Still, the final analysis of the 2009 season will show that the Minnesota Twins covered tremendous ground in the season's final two weeks to overtake Detroit and win the franchise's fifth American League Central Division title in eight seasons.
It was never smooth sailing. Then again, baseball seasons never are. The Twins got off to a slow start and were viewed as under-achievers for most of the season. The only true inspired baseball the team played came after Justin Morneau's season officially ended on September 14. From that point forward, the Twins closed 15-4 and overcame a 5.5 game deficit to win the division.
By month, the Twins' record was far from spectacular until the month of September:
| Month | Wins | Losses | Place | Games Back |
| April | 11 | 11 | 4th | 0.5 |
| May | 14 | 16 | 3rd | 4.5 |
| June | 15 | 12 | 2nd | 4.0 |
| July | 12 | 12 | 3rd | 2.0 |
| August | 14 | 14 | 2nd | 3.5 |
| September | 16 | 11 | 2nd | 3.0 |
| October | 5 | 0 | 1st | -- |
| Total | 87 | 76 | 1st | -- |
The Twins had two full winning months and still finished nine games over the .500 mark and won the division. That speaks volumes to the inconsistency of play prior to late September and to the mediocrity of the division. Nobody will doubt that Detroit alone kept the Twins alive more than any other aspect, but the Twins managed to band together exactly when they most needed it.
So, to put a final bow on the 2009 season, I leave you with the Minnesota Twins Examiner team awards:
| Team MVP | Joe Mauer |
| Most Valuable Reliever | Joe Nathan |
| Most Valuable Starter | Scott Baker |
| Rookie of the Year | Jose Mijares |
| Most Improved Player | Denard Span |
| Biggest "Step-Up" Player | Michael Cuddyer |
| Emerging Superstar | Jason Kubel |
| Best Defensive Player | Mauer |
| Most Disappointing Players | Alexi Casilla, Nick Punto, Francisci Liriano |
| Best Acquisitions | Jon Rauch, Carl Pavano |
Most of these award are self-explanatory, but I figured I must say something about the "Biggest 'Step-Up' Player "award I gave to Michael Cuddyer. To switch positions to replace a former league MVP and then step up and carry the offense is a tremendous feat, and Cuddyer deserves recognition. His numbers were not as good as Kubel's or Mauer's, but his impact on the season's final two weeks was immesaurable.
So there you have it. Let the off-season, and the arguments, begin!
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