Success #7: Tom Brunansky

Despite my recent disappointment this week, last week was not so quiet. On Monday I received Tom Kelly and Jim Kaat's baseballs, and on Thursday, I received one from Tom "Bruno" Brunansky.

Before there was Michael Cuddyer, there was Tom Brunansky. He was a staple in right field for the Twins throughout the 1980s. He hit at least 20 HRs in each of his 6 complete seasons as a Twin. He was an All-Star in 1985 and in 1987 had a monster AL Championship series helping the Twins upset the Tigers. The Twins won the World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals that season but Brunansky was quiet in the series.

Following their World Series Championship, in a rather bold move with somewhat good intentions at the time, the Twins traded Brunansky to the Cardinals for second baseman Tom Herr. Herr had an awful impact on the clubhouse, complaining often about being in Minnesota and driving a wedge between once best friends, Gary Gaetti and Kent Hrbek. Herr was shipped out after the 1988 season. Meanwhile, Brunansky spent two full seasons in St. Louis and slugged over 20 HRs in each of them. Who knows what might have been if the Twins had kept Brunansky and never traded for Herr . . . maybe they wouldn't have needed 3 more seasons to get back to the World Series.

Brunansky played in 5-6 more seasons after being traded by the Twins but he has remained a fan favorite amongst fans and front office. In 2010 the Twins made Brunansky the hitting coach for one of their Rookie League teams and quickly promoted him to AA New Britain. This season, he'll be at AAA Rochester. I told him in my letter of request, that it's great the Twins are keeping a man like him close by!

I love it when guys inscribe their number. And the "Go Twins!" inscription is awesome!

Mailed: 2/7/12
Received: 2/16/12 (9 days)