ARLINGTON, Texas » Kurt Suzuki had changed teams before, but last December’s signing with Minnesota was his first during the winter.
Suzuki, 30, was first traded by Oakland to Washington in August 2012, then back to the Athletics the following August, before moving on to the frozen north.
The Twins needed a catcher because Joe Mauer, a six-time American League All-Star and former AL MVP, shifted to first base. Minnesota sought an experienced backstop to mentor prospect Josmil Pinto, a role for which the Wailuku native was perfect.
"It’s been great. I’m having a good time. Main thing is having fun," Suzuki said recently. "We’ve got a great group of guys, great coaching staff."
Pinto has since been sent to the minors and Suzuki has settled in as the Twins’ No. 1 catcher. Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire has been impressed with how his newest catcher has fit in.
"We knew we needed a veteran. We needed somebody who could call a game, handle a pitching staff and bridge the gap," Gardenhire said. "He’s been that and more. Really studies the game, handles the pitchers very, very well and has a great plan of attack for pretty much every team."
An added bonus is Suzuki’s performance beside the plate. Suzuki is hitting .305 with two home runs and 35 runs batted in. His batting average is 49 points higher than his career number.
That doesn’t surprise Gardenhire.
"We always knew he could hit way back. I know he went through some periods where he didn’t and looked like he got beat up a little bit, but he was always a clutch hitter when we faced him at Oakland, a really good RBI guy and clutch hitter," Gardenhire said. "And that’s what we’ve seen and he’s been really good for us."
Suzuki has relished the experience of playing for a seasoned baseball man such as Gardenhire, who has managed the Twins since 2002. Suzuki said Gardenhire is constantly upbeat, a personality trait he and his teammates like to see in their skipper. But even before Suzuki signed with the Twins, they were a team he respected.
"Well, I’ve always admired the way the Twins went about their business, the way they play the game. They always play the game the right way," Suzuki said. "They were always a team that just came in, took care of business and left. To me, they’re always one of the best teams in baseball that nobody really talked about. I kind of admired that and that’s what kind of drew me to them, was they play the game the right way."
Suzuki has found his comfort zone, on the field and out of the stadium. His wife, Renee, and two children live with him in Minnesota.
"It’s great," Suzuki said. "Being able to see them after games, they don’t understand really win or lose, they’re just happy to see you and that just kind of puts things into perspective. It always puts you in a good mood, win or lose, good game or bad game, after the game you get to see them, see them smiling."
