Looking back at 2004 - Part 1 of 5

A week long review of the 2004 season

From the Seats, December 27, 2004

MINNEAPOLIS - As we near the end of 2004 lets take a look back at 2004, the high and low points of the season, the good and bad. What the Twins improved on, what they still need to improve on and what could have gone differently. You get the idea, just a general look back at the year.

Lets start with the beginning of the season, the Twins won the season, and home opener against the Cleveland Indians. The game went into extra innings but in the end the Twins won the game, making it the 4th strait season opener they had won, and lead to another winning season; making it so that for each of the past years when the Twins have won the season opener they have had a winning season.

The Twins, once again, didn't come charging out of the gates turning any heads. They managed to hang in there and got it together around mid season. Unlike in 2003, and more like 2002, the Twins took control of the Central late in the season and there was no question of if the Twins would clinch, but when.

In the second game of the season Joe Mauer went down with a knee injury, followed by Torii Hunter, and Mathew LeCroy. Lew Ford and Henry Blanco stepped up and were the difference makers, if they don't step in and do what they did, the Twins don't win the division in 2004. 

A preview for Tuesday: Trading of Doug Mientkiewicz