Thome the Bright Spot for 2011 Twins

In a season filled with disappointment, Jim Thome brought some pride to Minnesota fans. By Zephan Mayell 

(AP Photo/Andy King)

     After a thrilling inaugural season at beautiful Target Field in 2010, the Minnesota Twins finished an injury-riddled season in last place in the American League Central. The previous year, the Twins went 94-68 and surged into the playoffs before the New York Yankees abruptly swept them in three games.  
     The 2011 season offered high hopes for the players and the fan base, but started poorly and got even worse due to the injuries to indispensible members of the team. Although attendance was still high most likely due to the previous season’s success, the fans realized early on that this was not the Twins year to shine. The team finished the year 63-99 and a whopping 32 games out of first. 
     However, the Twins gave fans some bright spots to cheer about. Francisco Liriano pitched a no hitter on May 3rd in a 1-0 win against Chicago. It was the 7th no-hitter in Twin’s franchise history and the first of the 2011 season. 
     The major highlight for the Twins, though, came with designated hitter Jim Thome’s chase to 600 career home runs, but the moment went a little under the radar due to the Twin’s failure of a season. Thome, known to most in the game as the “nicest man in baseball,” hit his 600th career home run at Comerica Park on August 15th. It was his second homer of the night. He got a standing ovation from both teams and the Detroit fans attending the game. 
     But this moment was more than just about hitting 600 home runs. Over the past decade, performance enhancing drugs and steroids have poisoned fans to question each player when they reach a historic mark. Thome has never failed a drug test, making him completely clean. 
     Minnesota traded Thome to Cleveland toward the end of August. 
     The Twins have a bright future ahead of them with their relatively new ballpark and superstars on the team. The Twins will have to rely on speed and the short game to get them back to the postseason. Part of that is due to the vast outfield walls and dimensions of Target Field. 
     With a completely healthy team, the Twins hope to provide many more memorable moments in 2012.