Success #18: Randy Bush

There were only seven Twins players that were part of both 1987 and 1991 World Championship teams. Randy Bush was one of those seven.

Randy Bush was drafted by the Twins in 1979 and made his debut with the ballclub in 1982. He retired in 1993 having played all 12 seasons with the Minnesota Twins. Bush went into coaching almost immediately after retiring as a player and in 2006 stepped into the assistant general manager position for the Chicago Cubs.

I have to be honest, I don't remember much about Bush from when I was young. Things were different in the late-80's than they are now. ESPN didn't dominate television. It wasn't as easy to know every player on every team and all of their stats. What I knew of the Twins was what my dad told me, what I caught on local television, and what I overheard listening on the radio. Randy Bush wasn't Kirby Puckett. Or Frank Viola. Or Kent Hrbek. Or Danny Gladden. He wasn't Greg Gagne either. Those guys were my favorites. Those were the names I heard night in and night out. But he was a staple in the Twins organization all the same. 

Part of the reason that I probably don't remember much of Randy Bush is because he was a bit of a specialist. He played mostly in right field but logged time in left field, at first base, and as designated hitter often. Twice he led the American League in pinch-hits, which meant he came in off the bench. In doing a bit of research, I uncovered that Bush's numbers against lefties was so bad, that he simply wasn't in the lineup when a lefty was on the mound. Ever. In fact, in 12 seasons as a Twin, Bush only had 119 plate appearances against LHP. That's astonishing! 

Tom Kelly used Bush in a way that allowed his strengths to shine. It's probably why he was, and still is a favorite of many Twins fans. His weaknesses were never really exposed under the tutelage of Tom Kelly and instead, he became a reliable, consistent player who did what he was asked to do when he was called upon.

Randy Bush was a somewhat easy success, despite having to send the baseball to Wrigley Field. He has a good track record through the mail. I hate sending mail to the stadium because you never know how it's going to be handled. But three successes in a row, Pavano, Valencia, and Bush have come via team mail. I may not be done contacting Bush, as it'd be fun to get his signature on some World Series memorabilia, being one of the seven to win both 1987 and 1991 World Series Championships with the Twins.

Mailed: 4/7/12
Received: 4/30/12 (23 days)

Back to Blogging

I hadn't written a blog post since May, yet the baseballs kept rolling in! I began work on my Masters this past semester and with that added to my full docket of classroom teaching and helping my lovely wife father two sweet, young, busy, growing children, I could not find the time to write about the players I had been hearing from.

But I'm back! Or at least, I want to be. I just posted about Danny Valencia and I have heard from so many more since then. I'm determined to write about each one. Even had an opportunity to meet one of my favorite Twins this past season! And with TwinsFest 2013 right around the corner and personal days requested away from work for the Mrs. and I to attend for the first time, I decided to kick it into gear.

I have a document saved on my computer of the players I want to contact, the players I have attempted and the ones I've heard back from, and their addresses. I revisited it the other day to make sure it was up to date and realized that my journey is far from over. There are so many players I would love to contact.

Call it a New Year's Resolution.

Success #17: Danny Valencia

I'm not sure Danny Valencia ever got a fair shake with the Twins. As I write this, he is no longer a Twin actually, traded early this past season to the Boston Red Sox (who have since, traded him now this offseason to the Baltimore Orioles). At the time I sent him a baseball, he was a Twin, and one of my favorites. He was the second player on the current roster I attempted to reach so I was elated to get a response.

Danny Valencia was a 19th round draft choice of the Minnesota Twins in 2006 and spent 4 seasons in their minor league system before getting his chance at big league play in 2010. Third base had been a black hole for the Twins since the departure of Corey Koskie and Valencia's minor league numbers were well above average from the beginning, leaving many Twins fans pining for a call-up. It didn't come as early as some wanted. Valencia's discipline at the plate, and fielding was to blame.

But in 2010 he got his opportunity and in 85 games batted .311 and finished 3rd in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. He followed that up by playing in 154 games in his sophomore season and belting 15 HRs. Many considered the season a bit of a "sophomore slump" however as his batting average dropped to .246 and his plate discipline once again became an issue. 2012 was supposed to be his season to break out of his slump but Trevor Plouffe never really gave Valencia the chance. Valencia struggled early on in the season, Trevor Plouffe took the opportunity and ran with it, hitting 14 HRs in June and July. Valencia was sent to AAA to get in some at-bats but soon after, found himself traded to Boston.

I never felt that Valencia received a fair opportunity from Gardenhire to succeed as a Twin and I don't know why. Some pegged Danny as arrogant, but those opinions were more or less influenced by Gardenhire's spin on game situations in press conferences. Valencia was a competitor and worked hard. He stayed away from the party scene and wanted baseball to be his life. I sent him a baseball after watching a video of him give a clubhouse tour in spring training on MLB Network and he laughed at his empty mailbox. 

I hope Danny Boy can find himself some success in the majors again, maybe even this season with Baltimore. I think he has loads of talent. It just hasn't been honed in yet.

Mailed: 4/10/12

Received: 4/26/12 (16 days)