Twins seal ‘bobblehead of the year’ honors with Hrbek-Gant job

This photo of this awesome bobblehead re-creation zoomed around the Internet early Friday morning and I initially chalked it up to the work of a very nostalgic artist from the Twin Cities. Though it surfaced on the Minnesota Twins official Facebook page, it seemed like the team couldn't have officially sanctioned a figurine inspired by one of the most controversial plays in World Series history.

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But wait! The Twins actually did commission this bobbling remembrance of Kent Hrbek lifting Ron Gant off first base during Game 2 of the 1991 World Series. And Michael Rand of the Star Tribune reports that they'll be given away on a date TBA during this 20th anniversary season of that title team.

Needless to say, this is the best big league bobble giveaway since the Cleveland Indians greeted their fans with tiny versions of Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn.

For those who weren't born yet, here's a description of the play from an ESPN article that named it one of the 10 worst calls in sports history:

Atlanta's Ron Gant ripped a single in the third and after rounding first retreated back to the bag. [Pitcher Kevin] Tapani threw the ball to first where Gant had appeared to make it in plenty of time. That was until Hrbek, under the guise of attempting to apply a tag, lifted Gant off the base. Umpire Drew Coble called him out. Guess what, the Twinkies win by one [3-2, to take a 2-0 series lead].

Twenty years later, there are plenty of Braves fans who remain plenty sore about the incident. And for good reason: Hrbek acted more like a sumo wrestler in that instant than a first baseman.

But now that the Twins are publicly celebrating being on the right side of historic misfortune, it opens a whole new world of possibilities for similar giveaways.

Among my initial thoughts: The Royals could hand out Don Denkinger bobbleheads, during the I-70 Series, Florida could feature Steve Bartman-Moises Alou handouts when the Cubs are in town and — my favorite idea to date — the Indians could celebrate Carlos Martinez's(notes) home run off Jose Canseco's head when the Rangers come calling. 

Let's make these ideas a reality, promotions people.

What other infamous moments would make good bobbleheads?

Related: Carlos Martínez, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins

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Twins would be conceding AL Central if they trade ace Liriano

This business of the Minnesota Twins shopping left-hander Francisco Liriano(notes) certainly fits their organization's profile for the past 50 years.

Liriano is a free agent after the 2012 season, which means it's not too early for the Twins to trade him so they don't have to pay him. It's like, even a step or two ahead, of what they did with Johan Santana(notes) a few years back.

If you thought the days of the Twins going cheap were over simply because their ballpark is a cash cow and they gave Joe Mauer(notes) all that money, well, you were wrong. (Apparently Mauer got all the money.)

Liriano is — by a wide margin — the Twins' best pitcher. Not only does he have an ace's stuff, he actually pitched like an ace in 2010 at age 26. Further, he was one of the two or three best pitchers in the AL.

The Twins treat him like potential that never will be realized. Sometimes, he gives them reason. But there's no sense risking dollars on that, in Minnesota's view.

Well, if the Twins trade Liriano for something like what has been rumored, then we'll know for sure about their plan for 2011: They are giving up on winning the AL Central this season.

Look at the other evidence:

• They let go of free-agent relievers Brian Fuentes(notes), Jesse Crain(notes) and Matt Guerrier(notes), signed no serious replacements and will instead rely on Matt Capps(notes), along with a returning-from-serious-injury Joe Nathan(notes), and kids.

• They practically dared Jim Thome(notes) to leave for the Texas Rangers, but lucked out because of the good graces that allowed him to leave money on the table in Arlington. Jimmers! The Twins used this tactic, despite plenty of uncertainty about the ability of slugger Justin Morneau(notes) to get on the field.

• They declined the option on the last remaining Piranha — utilityman and lucky medallion Nick Punto(notes). Nick Punto, of all people, was deemed too expensive! Good-bye, horseshoe.

• They traded starting arbitration-eligible shortstop J.J. Hardy(notes) and are planning on using Alexi Casilla(notes) there, when he can't really play second base.

Has Carl Pohlad come back to life to make these decisions?

Liriano doesn't figure to fetch as much in trade as the Milwaukee Brewers got for Zack Greinke(notes), though maybe the Twins could get more than the Toronto Blue Jays got for Shaun Marcum(notes). A package of mediocre maybes, just like the Santana deal.

And how awesome would it be (sarcasm) if the Twins traded Liriano to the New York Yankees? Just what the rest of the league needs after an offseason of discontent for Bronx GM Brian Cashman.

Not only would the Twins be conceding to the White Sox and Tigers, they'd be helping the Yanks get closer to trophy No. 28.

The Twins in '10 won the AL Central for the sixth time this century and certainly could do it again this season.

If only the front office hadn't given up already.

Follow Dave on Twitter — @AnswerDave

Related: Shaun Marcum, Francisco Liriano, Matt Guerrier, Nick Punto, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Jesse Crain, Zack Greinke, Brian Fuentes, Johan Santana, Jim Thome, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays

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