JESSE CRAIN
Game 668 | January 30, 2006 | Joe Mauer, Jesse Crain
The Twins invited two of their top young players to Dunkers before the team left for spring training in Florida. For Mauer; 2006 was to be a great season as he led the major leagues with a .347 batting average. Crain proved to be an effective "Set-up" man to closer Joe Nathan, appearing in 68 games with a 3.52 ERA. The team won the American League Central Division and was swept in three games by the Oakland Athletics in the American League Division Series.
Game 689 | January 29, 2007 | Jesse Crain, Nick Punto
In conjunction with TwinsFest, the team's annual winter celebration at the Metrodome, two members of the 2007 team visited with Dunkers. Crain, a hard-throwing relief pitcher; joined the team in 2004 and missed most of the 2007 season after having rotator cuff surgery. Switch-hitting infielder Punta, acquired in a trade with Philadelphia for pitcher Eric Milton, had a poor hitting year in 2007, but came back to claim the starting shortstop position in 2008.
