Minnesota Twins, Josh Willingham optimistic about chances in 2013 season - MLB News
Josh Willingham has been a part of number of ballclubs in his nine year Major League career. He joined the Minnesota Twins last year and found instant success.
There is now hope that the trend will continue and Josh will be posting even better number this upcoming season for the Minnesota ballclub.
Ron Gardenhire, the manager for the Twins, sees no reason as to why the left fielder cannot replicate the success of 2012 this year and feels that Target Field plays to his advantage.
"Our ballpark plays well for him," Gardenhire said. "I don't see why he couldn't do pretty close to the same thing. I don't know why he wouldn't. He can jerk the ball and put it in the seats."
The 34-year-old posted his career best 35 home-runs in 2012 and had 100 RBI’s as well. In 145 regular season appearances, which are most in his career as well, he was able to post a batting average of .260 and an impressive on-base percentage of .366. With
135 hits he did not harm his or the Twins’ cause.
Josh himself appears to be confident and joked that he will hit 50 long balls this season or he is going home. He said that the big hitting will probably be done by the likes of Joe Mauer and he is not playing the game for the numbers.
"If I don't hit 50 this year I'm going home," Willingham said."Nah, I don't know what I did for myself. I've never hit that many homers or driven in that many runs."
Despite of having good individual performances, the team was unable to deliver last year and had a 66-96 losing record. The event saw most of the coaching staff having to leave and Willingham knows that the result was hurtful.
"It's frustrating when you lose 96 games," Willingham said.
He is aware that the team needs good pitchers and a stronger bullpen in order to perform well in the 2013 season. He also feels that there were a number of good individual performances last year and hopes that everyone will come to the party. Guys who have
joined in this season, including Denard Span and Ben Revere are also expected to make their mark.
"We just have to continue to do what we did," Willingham said.
Josh has done well for this team and the Twins will be hoping to see a repeat performance from him. At the same time, it will be important for all the players to give it their best and make the most effort for a better result.
It will, however, also be crucial that the team pitches well which could well be the deciding factor in the end of the day for the Minnesota Twins in 2013.
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