5 Thoughts: Nelson Cruz is a figurative monster

Twins slugger joined an exclusive club of 40-year-olds over the weekend

This column presents 5 thoughts on the Twins’ opening weekend and 2-1 series win against the Chicago White Sox.

1. Nelson Cruz is a monster, figuratively, and he might literally haunt the dreams of Chicago White Sox pitchers

Cruz, the Twins’ oldest hitter, had himself a nice series going into Sunday’s contest in Chicago. Then, on Day 3, he had a nice week.

Friday and Saturday he was a combined 3-for-8 with 3 runs batted in, and put his first blast of the season in the books. On Sunday the Twins DH hit 2 home runs, drove in 7, and piled on a pair of doubles as well, for 12 total bases in a Twins rout. Wow, Nellie.

His lifetime numbers against the White Sox, according to some research from the Twins communications department and a little math: 33-for-73 (.452 average), with 7 doubles, 11 home runs and 34 RBI. And, the Twins confirmed, that Cruz is the first player in franchise history – Twins or Senators – to drive in 7 runs and collect 12 total bases in the same game.

You’ll remember…