Washington Senators Players were not considered for this poll.

Among others not listed but originally considered for the final nine were: Justin Morneau, Camilo Pascual, Jim Perry, Gary Gaetti, Torii Hunter, Tom Brunansky, Dean Chance and Frank Viola.

Oliva and Puckett had fairly similar offensive careers, although the pattern was different.  Both hit for a high average, and hit 20-30 homers most years, and walked rarely.  Oliva had one of the greatest rookie years ever, whereas Puckett took a while to get rolling.  Both had their careers shortened by injury.

Oliva was a somewhat better hitter, with a career OPS+ of 131 to Puckett's 124, but of course Puckett was a centerfielder.

Simply going by offensive stats, Killebrew has Puckett soundly beat, both in career and peak value {killebrew has 5 seasons in which he bests Pucketts overall season high of 152 OPS+].  Puckett was the leader of the two Championship teams, but in my book Killebrew is his better.

It appears a lot of voters are probably too young to have watched Killebrew hit those homers and drive in those runners in an era when pitching pretty much dominated. I don't doubt for a minute that he would have hit well into the 50's in his best years if he had played in the 80's -00's without the use of modern medicine as well.

I am old enough to remember Killebrew, and voted for him.

I am old enough to remember Killebrew, and voted for him.

Me, too. He was easily the best offensive player to ever wear a Twins uniform, by a comfortable mile. He was also a useful guy to have on a roster - he played regularly at both corner infield spots and in left field. He wasn't a particularly good third baseman, and he was a worse left fielder - but you might want to give up a little defense to get a bat like Don Mincher's into the lineup.