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  • How Did the Twins Fare After the Rabbit Ball Season?

    Cody Christie

    By Cody Christie

    Baseballs were flying out of ballparks at a record pace during the 2020 season and the Twins took full advantage by clocking 307 home runs and setting the all-time MLB record. Another important season in Twins history saw a record-breaking home run pace that many attribute to a different baseball being used. What happened back in 1987 and how did the Twins fare following the Rabbit Ball season?

    Image courtesy of © Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

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    The Rabbit Ball Season (1987)

    During the 1987 season, 79 players hit 20 home runs, a new record at the time. In the five seasons prior to the Rabbit Ball Season, the most players with 20+ homers in a season was 1986 when 60 players topping that mark. Four out of the top six home run totals all came in the 1987 season including Andre Dawson (49), Mark McGwire (49), George Bell (47) and Dale Murphy (44).

    Minnesota’s 1987 season is remembered for the team’s first championship, but the club also took advantage of the Rabbit Ball Season. Four Twins hit more than 20 home runs: Kent Hrbek (34), Tom Brunansky (32), Gary Gaetti (31) and Kirby Puckett (28). For Hrbek, it would be the only time he would cross the 30-homer threshold while Brunansky tied his career high.

    The Twins actually had five players in 1986 that hit 20 or more home runs but moving beyond the Rabbit Ball Season clearly put the Twins in a different light.

    The Aftermath (1988 and Beyond)

    MLB’s 1988 season saw a sharp decline when it came to home runs with only one player, Jose Canseco, topping the 40-home run mark. Overall, teams hit 3180 home runs compared to the 4458 home runs knocked out the year before. After a record- breaking 79 players had 20+ home runs, that total wouldn’t crack 50 again until 1991. Batters also saw their average OPS drop from .747 in 1987 to .696 in 1988.

    Offensively, the Twins looked a little different in 1988. Three players (Gaetti, Hrbek, and Puckett) had more than 20 home runs, but only six players were able to hit 13 or more home runs. Puckett might have been the brightest spot on the team as he hit .356/.375/.545 (.920) and led the league in a variety of offensive categories (at-bats, hits, singles, and total bases). He lost the batting title to Wade Boggs who hit .366 and no other hitters were higher than .325.

    In 1989, Kent Hrbek was the lone player on the team to hit more than 25 home runs. Gary Gaetti came close with 19 and Puckett dropped down to single digits in homers (9). In fact, the 1991 season was next season that saw anyone other than Hrbek hit more than 20 home runs. Chili Davis joined Hrbek in the 20-home run club and the club went on to their second World Series title in the last five seasons.

    No one knows if the baseballs will be similar or different for the 2020 season. Looking back at the aftermath of the Rabbit Ball Season, there’s a good chance home run rates will decrease this year. Maybe the Bomba Squad will have enough power to overcome it.

    Do you think the baseball will be different whenever MLB action is seen again?

    Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

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    Cody Christie is a Twins writer and content contributor. His writing can be found exclusively at Twins Daily and his voice can be heard on radio stations throughout the Upper Midwest. Outside of the Twins, he is a father, high school teacher, and avid runner.
    Follow Cody Christie on Twitter: nodaktwinsfan

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    old nurse

    old nurse 2,366

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Baseballs were flying out of ballparks at a record pace during the 2020 season and the Twins took full advantage by clocking 307 home runs and setting the all-time MLB record

     

    That record would have an * due to the probability the only 2020 season would be a simulated one. However that record would only match the 2019 record. 

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    Teflon

    Teflon 991

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Whenever the next meaningful Major League baseball is played, the ball is likely to be more juiced as the MLB 'braintrust' responds to the current situation with the ol' reliable  "more home runs are a magic cure" ploy.

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    Trov

    Trov 2,980

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Although HR were up across the board, HRs have been up over the last several years.  I do not doubt the ball was juiced last year.  However, the change in swings and hitting approaches have also led to more HRs.  A previous article pointed out that the Twins were very efficient at hitting them as well. The real question, how many were wall scrapers.  Remember Joe's MVP season so many HRs fell in left field only a couple rows back.  When he went outside so many failed to reach that first or second row.  However, when guys like Cruz and Sano are hitting no doubters will a less juiced ball affect them that much?  Most likely not.  

     

    However, I doubt there will be a 2020 season based on current discussions.  

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