Johan Santana is arguably the best pitcher in Twins history. Here’s why it is time for the Minnesota Twins to retire his number.

Image courtesy of © Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Twins Video

Throughout their storied history, the Minnesota Twins have had the privilege of fielding some of the most dominant pitchers of their respective eras.

From Bert Blyleven to Jim Kaat and even the steady presence of Brad Radke, the franchise has seen plenty of talent take the mound.

However, when it comes to pure dominance, few pitchers in franchise history or baseball history can match Johan Santana’s run from 2000 to 2007.

For years, Twins fans have wondered why Santana’s No. 57 isn’t enshrined among the team’s retired numbers, and it’s time for the organization to right that wrong. Santana was an ace and one of his generation’s most overpowering and consistent pitchers.

His peak was short but brilliant, leaving a lasting impact on the franchise and the game itself.

A Resume Worthy of Immortality

When examining the numbers, Santana’s accolades speak for themselves. He was a four-time All-Star, a two-time Cy Young winner, and the 2006 pitching Triple Crown winner.

He led the American League in ERA three times, topped the league in strikeouts three times, and posted the best WHIP in the AL on four occasions.

He was the undisputed best pitcher in the game for multiple seasons, yet his contributions still feel somewhat overlooked on a historical level.

One of the most egregious injustices in baseball award history occurred in 2005 when Santana should have claimed his second consecutive Cy Young Award. Instead, voters honored Bartolo Colón, valuing his win total (21) over more meaningful statistics.

Santana led the league in ERA+ (155), WHIP (0.97), strikeouts (238), and fWAR (7.2). It was a clear-cut case where veteran voters misjudged the true best pitcher in the league. Had he been appropriately recognized, Santana would have won three consecutive Cy Youngs, a feat only a handful of pitchers have achieved.

Every pitcher with three Cy Youngs has either been inducted into the Hall of Fame or is expected to be enshrined.

A Peak That Stood Among the Best

If we compare Santana’s dominance to his contemporaries, the argument for retiring No. 57 becomes even stronger. From 2003 to 2009, only Roy Halladay provided more value according to fWAR, but even that comes with some nuance.

During that span, Santana logged more innings, posted a higher strikeout rate, and maintained a lower ERA than Halladay.

Few pitchers in that era could match Santana’s ability to take over a game, and his lethal changeup made him one of the most unhittable pitchers of his time.

Within the history of the Minnesota Twins, Santana is firmly in elite company.

According to fWAR, he ranks as the fourth-best pitcher in franchise history, trailing only Blyleven, Kaat, and Radke.

Unlike those three, however, Santana is the only pitcher in team history to win multiple Cy Youngs. No other Twins pitcher in the modern era has had such a sustained stretch of brilliance.

For pitchers with at least 100 starts in a Twins uniform, Santana ranks first in both strikeout percentage (K%) and Win Probability Added (WPA).

He was arguably the team’s last true ace, a dominant force who gave the Twins a chance to win every time he took the ball. His presence on the mound was electric, and his impact went beyond just statistics. He was a defining figure of the 2000s Twins.

The Twins Need to Act

The Twins have been selective regarding retiring numbers, as they should be. However, that exclusivity should not come at the expense of deserving candidates.

Santana’s tenure with the Twins may have been relatively short compared to others in franchise history, but his impact was undeniable.

Out of players from the 2000s, only Joe Mauer’s No. 7 has retired, and there is a clear case for Santana to join him.

While his Hall of Fame candidacy was cut short due to his injury-shortened career, that should not deter the Twins from recognizing his impact.

Since he left the team, only four players have worn number 57 including Kyle Waldrop, Ryan Pressly, Hansel Robles, and Edgar García.

The Twins have hesitated to give out his number because Santana’s peak was as dominant as any pitcher’s in recent memory, and his contributions to the team should be immortalized.

The Minnesota Twins need to do what’s right: retire Johan Santana’s No. 57 and give him the honor he deserves. His brilliance on the mound defined an era, and it’s time for his legacy to be cemented in Twins’ history forever.

Should the Twins retire Santana’s number? Leave a comment and start the discussion.