2010 Minnesota Twins season
| 2010 Minnesota Twins | |
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| AL Central Champions | |
| Major League affiliations | |
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| Location | |
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| Results | |
| Record | 94–68 (.580) |
| Divisional place | 1st |
| Other information | |
| Owner(s) | Jim Pohlad |
| General manager(s) | Bill Smith |
| Manager(s) | Ron Gardenhire |
| Local television |
Fox Sports North WFTC (My 29) (Dick Bremer, Bert Blyleven) |
| Local radio |
1500 AM ESPN Radio Twin Cities (KSTP-AM) (John Gordon, Dan Gladden, Jack Morris, Kris Atteberry) |
| Stats |
ESPN.com BB-reference |
| < Previous season Next season > | |
The 2010 Minnesota Twins season was the 50th season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 110th overall in the American League.
It was their first season in their new stadium, Target Field, which made its regular-season debut on April 12 as the Twins defeated the Boston Red Sox 5–2. This marked the return of outdoor professional baseball to the state of Minnesota for the first time since the end of the 1981 season, the last played at Metropolitan Stadium. 3,223,640 fans attended Twins games, setting a new franchise record.
The Twins clinched their sixth AL Central division championship in nine seasons on September 21 after a win against the Cleveland Indians and a Chicago White Sox loss. They were again swept by the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series to end the season.
The Twins altered their uniforms for the 2010 season. Their new home outfits as well as their alternate uniforms feature a redesigned primary wordmark that was shown for the first time as a sign was hoisted into place atop the scoreboard at Target Field in May 2009. The team's colors remained unchanged (Red, navy and white) but the nameplate that had been in use since the 1980s on the uniforms was eliminated. The new road uniforms discards the navy pinstripes for a gray uniform with a script "Minnesota" on the front in navy with red and white trim. The franchise also wore a 1961 throwback uniform as part of the team's 50th season on Opening Day and all Saturday dates. The team donned a special Inaugural Season patch for Target Field on all home uniforms, and a Golden Anniversary season patch on their road outfits.
Before spring training, the Twins parted ways with 2009 trade deadline acquisition Orlando Cabrera, who would go on to sign a free agent deal with the Cincinnati Reds. Also leaving the team was backup catcher Mike Redmond. With Cabrera leaving, there were questions about the Twins infield. General Manager Bill Smith addressed these questions by trading center fielder Carlos Gómez to the Milwaukee Brewers for shortstop J. J. Hardy, and signing free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson. Smith also added some power to the bench by acquiring free agent and former White Sox and Indians designated hitter Jim Thome. With regular closer Joe Nathan out for the season after elbow surgery, Gardenhire named Jon Rauch the closer to begin the season. Later, the Twins traded catcher Wilson Ramos and Joe Testa to the Washington Nationals to acquire Matt Capps to bolster the bullpen. Other pitching changes included the late additions of Brian Fuentes and Randy Flores.
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Wikipedia