Twins’ manager Ron Gardenhire has won the A.L. Manager of the Year Award. He did so by leading the Twins to a 94-68 (58%) record during the regular season. The voting came in before the playoffs so the Twins meek playoff effort (0-3 to the Yankees) wasn’t considered in the voting. Gardenhire has managed the Twins to a 802-656 (55%) record during the regular season in his 9 years in charge. But he continues to be awful in the post season where he is 6-21 (22.2%). The Twins decided to overlook his consistent playoff failures by rewarding him with a 2-year contract extension.

26-year old lefty starting pitcher Francisco Liriano has won the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award. Liriano was awful in 2009 as he pitched in 29 games (24 starts) for the Twins in which he was 5-13 with a 5.80 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. Liriano rebounded this year and he was very solid for the Twins. He started 31 games for the Twins this year and he was 14-10 with a 3.62 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has now pitched in 108 games (89 starts) in his five years with the Twins and he is 38-32 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He has whiffed 567 batters in only 549 innings in his time with the Twins showing what kind of stuff he has and that’s why he is starting Game #1 of the playoffs against the Yankees tomorrow.

The fans have voted catcher Joe Mauer and 1B Justin Morneau onto the All-Star teams as starters. This will be the 4th time Joe Mauer has made the All-Star team. He has played in 71 games this season for the Twins and he is 81 of 267 (.303 avg, .813 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 3 homers and 34 RBIs. Despite his sudden loss of power this season Mauer still has a great eye at the plate with 33 walks and only 27 whiffs on the year. Justin Morneau will also be making his fourth appearance in the All-Star team. He has played in 78 games this season for the Twins and he is 97 of 284 (.342 avg, 1.048 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 17 homers and 54 RBIs.

27-year old lefty swinging OF/DH Jason Kubel finished 24th in the voting for the A.L. MVP Award. He played in 146 games for the Twins last season and he was 154 for 514 (.300 avg, .907 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 28 homers and 103 RBIs. Kubel has now played five years for the Twins appearing in 511 games in which he is 465 for 1,675 (.278 avg, .813 OPS) with 229 runs scored, 71 homers and 279 RBIs. All that has stood in the way of Kubel being a big time player is his knees and he showed what he is capable of when healthy.

26-year old lefty swinging catcher Joe Mauer has won the American League MVP Award. He played in 138 games this season and he was 191 for 523 (.365 avg, 1.031 OPS) with 94 runs scored, 28 homers, 96 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Mauer has now played in 699 games in his major league career and he is 844 for 2,852 (.327 avg, .891 OPS) with 419 runs scored, 72 homers, 397 RBIs and 34 stolen bases. Mauer is nowhere near his prime yet and if his power continues to improve he might win more awards like this one.