For 14 seasons, Kent Hrbek was a fixture at first base for the Twins. It was comfortable for Hrbek, since he was born in Minneapolis, practically in the shadows of Metropolitan Stadium.
Hrbek made an impact immediately as a 22-year old in 1982, smacking 23 home runs and driving in 92 runners with his sweet left-handed swing. That year he finished second to Cal Ripken Jr. in American League Rookie of the Year voting.
In 1984, “Herbie” finished second in Most Valuable Player voting when he batted .311 with 27 homers and 107 RBI. He later helped the Twins to two World Series titles, in 1987 and 1991. He was one of the most popular Twins of all-time, a hometown hero who thrilled fans with his play.
This video clip shows Hrbek’s first major league home run, which came in his first big league game. The circumstances were dramatic: on August 24, 1981, the Twins were in in the 12th inning at Yankee Stadium when Hrbek belted a homer of New York reliever George Frazier for his first home run in the majors.
For more about Hrbek, see the Twins All-Time Team >
