New York Mets

StaTuesday: Cuddyer carved out a niche with Twins

Published Aug. 15, 2017 12:09 p.m. ET

Ryan Lund

Michael Cuddyer won't be the most decorated member of the Twins Hall of Fame when he's inducted Saturday following a ceremony at Target Field.

He didn't give Harmon Killebrew or Tony Oliva much of a run for their records during his 15-year major-league career.

But Cuddyer carved out his own niche in Twins history anyway.

He's one of just three players to hit for the cycle in both the American League and the National League, joining Bob Watson of the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox, as well as John Olerud of the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners.

John Reilly -- a 19th-century first baseman -- hit for the cycle in two leagues, first as a member of the American Association's Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1883, and again in 1890, after the team had moved to the National League.

He's also one of just eight players to hit for the cycle in interleague play.

Cuddyer is closely associated with the successful Twins teams of the mid-aughts, a group that won the American League Central six times in nine years.

Year	Wins	Losses	Division
2001	85	77	2nd
2002	94	67	1st
2003	90	72	1st
2004	92	70	1st
2005	83	79	3rd
2006	96	66	1st
2007	79	83	3rd
2008	88	75	2nd
2009	87	76	1st
2010	94	68	1st
2011	63	99	5th

From 2001-11, Cuddyer trailed only first baseman Justin Morneau -- whose prime coincided with Cuddyer's best years in Minnesota -- and Torii Hunter in home runs.

Player	G	PA	HR	R	2B	3B	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG
Justin Morneau	1017	4237	185	550	231	14	709	.281	.353	.499
Torii Hunter	993	4095	178	576	227	17	630	.272	.326	.484
Michael Cuddyer	1139	4555	141	606	239	35	580	.272	.343	.451
Jason Kubel	753	2846	104	334	142	13	429	.271	.335	.459
Jacque Jones	727	2887	104	372	139	8	356	.277	.328	.453
Joe Mauer	918	3911	84	545	216	16	502	.323	.403	.471
Corey Koskie	542	2275	80	315	127	9	312	.272	.367	.470
Matt LeCroy	381	1269	53	123	55	1	192	.274	.335	.461
Delmon Young	497	1977	47	233	106	7	273	.287	.324	.429
Doug Mientkiewicz	514	2082	41	238	124	3	228	.283	.375	.425

But his versatility wasn't limited to the batter's box.

Cuddyer did just about everything during his 11-year career with the Twins, appearing at every position but catcher and shortstop.

He pitched one inning for the Twins, allowing two hits and a walk during a 20-6 loss to the Texas Rangers in 2011, also the year of his lone All-Star appearance while in Minnesota.

He also does card tricks.

Seriously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wbo87LLnNg

His moves are so convincing that MLB.com once trotted him out as a street performer during his three-year stint with the Colorado Rockies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnsaTrM-SvQ

Here he is putting on over on former Twins outfielder Denard Span.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHleGen4leU

Nowadays, Cuddyer is one of nine Twins alums dubbed "special assistants" to the front office, a title he shares with Torii Hunter, LaTroy Hawkins, Bert Blyleven, Rod Carew, Kent Hrbek, Tom Kelly, Jack Morris and Tony Oliva.