Game 5

 Twins return to their winning way, knocking out 26 hits in a 14 to 6 rout of the White Sox.  Kent Hrbek raises average over .400 with a 4 for 5 performance.  

Once again, love this card, like the Puckett as it features the home whites. A picture of concentration as the ball comes in. Kent Hrbek was one of the greatest players in Twins history.  A great hometown player who started and stayed with his hometown team. Growing up in the shadows of old Met, and the hitting the winning home run in his debut at Yankee Stadium. Runner up to Cal Ripken as ROY in 1982, All Star game and the Cover of Sports Illustrated also came in 82. Runner up to Willie Hernandez in 84 MVP race,and keeping the Twins in the race until the end of the season.  One game I will not forget was also in 84. Shortly after the team was sold to the Pohlad's the Twins were on the verge of first place in the AL west.  Close game and the pitcher decides to walk Hrbie intentionally to pitch to Randy Bush. Bush responded by depositing the pitch in the seats. Twins win and take possession of first place until the last week of the season. 3 years later he hits a put away grand slam off of Ken Dayley to guarantee game 7 in the World Series.  And to celebrate the next morning goes duck hunting. That game 6 in 87 was also the last afternoon WS game played.  Another memorable game 4 years later when T Rex, body slammed Ron Gant off of first base in 91, with the moment forever captured on a bobblehead.  Injuries put a damper on his last 3 years and when the strike was looming Kent decided to retire so he could "take his daughter to school" Hrbek played in an era with alot of good yr 1b men, and was constantly overlooked by the writers outside of the Twin Cities. He played the game with the love of a child and never really cared about conditioning.  He may have been able to play longer but it just wasn't Herbie's thing. Glad that I was able to see him play and glad he stayed a lifelong Twin.


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