Kent Hrbek-OPS+ 128
Kent Hrbek is everybody's favorite left-handed hittin', right-handed throwin', homerun crushin', fist pumpin', Ron Grant pickin' up, fishin', huntin' chicken eatin' first baseman. Hrbek spent all of his 14 years in the majors with the Twins. He averaged a .282 batting average, .367 OBP, 21 HR, 78 RBI, 64 R, 3 SB, 22 2B, an a triple. He had a stellar glove, posting a .994 fielding percentage. He made the 1982 all-star team and finished 2nd in the rookie-of-the-year voting to Cal Ripken that same year. Hrbek finished 2nd in the MVP voting in 1984 and 16th in 1987. He won the World Series with the Twins in 1987 and 1991.
My view on Hrbek: if you just take a look at his stats it appears that his reputation as one of the great players in Twins history isn't as justified as you would expect. But Hrbek was the power hitter the Twins needed. He was the run-saver at first the Twins needed. He was the voice the Twins needed. He was the jokester that was needed in the clubhouse. He was the Kent Hrbek that was needed.
I had the pleasure of meeting Hrbek a couple of summers ago at the State Fair. He is as nice as could be and, let me say, the big World Series ring did not look overly big on those hands. He is a big man-in all of the ways to be a big man, for the team and for the community. Thank you Kent Hrbek-for everyhting.