In 1976, Rod Carew had already won five batting titles, appeared in 10 All-Star Games, owned a Rookie of the Year Award and five top-10 finishes in American League MVP voting.
In 1977, he was named Most Improved Twin.
See, Brian Dozier — there's precedent.
Dozier, one of the few exceptions to a disastrous 2016 season for Minnesota, has been chosen the Twins' Most Valuable Player by the Twin Cities chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of American, the team announced Wednesday. But he also claimed, for the second time in four seasons, the Charles O. Johnson Award as the team's most improved player.
Dozier, who became the first Twin in 46 seasons to hit 40 home runs in a season, joins Carew, Roy Smalley Jr. (1978), John Castino (1980) and Brad Radke (1997) to be named the team's MVP and most improved player in the same season, and the first since Carew to earn the "most improved" distinction after already being selected for an All-Star team.
Dozier was also voted the winner of the Bob Allison Award for leadership, one of several honors voted by the BBWAA at the conclusion of the season:
— Ervin Santana, who posted a team-best 3.38 ERA and a team-high 149 strikeouts while posting a 7-11 record in 30 starts, was chosen the winner of the Joseph W. Haynes Award as Twins pitcher of the year.
— Max Kepler, whose 17 home runs ranked 10th in franchise history for a first-year player, was named the winner of the Bill Boni Award as Twins' outstanding rookie.
— Byron Buxton, whose range and throwing arm shored up the Twins' outfield, was voted the Jim Kaat Award as Twins' defensive player of the year.
— Terry Ryan, the former general manager whose daily meetings with media members provided access almost unparalleled in the industry, was named winner of the Mike Augustin "Good Guy" Award.
— Eduardo Escobar, founder of a program to distribute Twins tickets to Spanish-speaking students in Twin Cities schools, and to provide food, shelter and athletic equipment to children in his Venezuelan homeland, will receive the Carl H. Pohlad Award for outstanding community service, an award chosen by the Twins.
— San Diego Padres reliever Brad Hand, a Chaska High graduate who posted a 2.92 ERA with 111 strikeouts in 89 innings this season, was voted the Dick Seibert Award as Upper Midwest Player of the Year. Hand, a second-round pick by the Marlins in the 2008 draft, is the fifth non-Twin in six seasons to earn the BBWAA Award.
And Rod Carew himself, a six-time winner of the Calvin Griffith Award as Twins' MVP, will be honored as well. The Twins have chosen Carew as the 10th recipient of the Herb Carneal Lifetime Achievement Award, in celebration of his Hall of Fame career and charitable efforts since retiring from baseball.
Carew, the 1977 AL MVP who collected 3,053 career hits and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, founded the Heart of 29 program last year following a near-fatal heart attack. The foundation is intended to raise public awareness of the need for regular heart check-ups. In addition, Carew has raised more than $3 million for pediatric cancer research, and helped expand a bone marrow donor list.
Dozier's season was one of the most memorable ever by a Twin, despite the team's 59-103 record. By hitting 42 home runs, the most ever in a single season by an AL second baseman, he joined Harmon Killebrew as the only Twins ever to surpass 40 in a season.
Dozier, who was also named Most Improved Twins after the 2013 season, hit 28 home runs after the All-Star break, five more than any other player in the majors, and was an accomplished base-stealer, too, swiping 18 bases in 20 attempts. The 2014 AL All-Star also led the Twins in runs (104), doubles (35), hits (165) and RBIs (99), and his .268 batting average and .546 slugging percentage were both career-highs.
The Twins' winners will receive their awards at the annual Diamond Awards banquet at Target Field on Jan. 27. The dinner is also a fund-raiser for the University of Minnesota Foundation, which funds research into brain, nerve and muscular disorders.
Most Valuable Twin (Calvin Griffith Award)
1961 — Harmon Killebrew
1962 — Vic Power
1963 — Earl Battey
1964 — Tony Oliva
1965 — Zoilo Versalles
1966 — Harmon Killebrew
1967 — Harmon Killebrew
1968 — Cesar Tovar
1969 — Harmon Killebrew
1970 — Harmon Killebrew
1971 — Leo Cardenas
1972 — Rod Carew
1973 — Rod Carew
1974 — Rod Carew
1975 — Rod Carew
1976 — Rod Carew
1977 — Rod Carew
1978 — Roy Smalley
1979 — Roy Smalley
1980 — John Castino
1981 — Doug Corbett
1982 — Gary Ward
1983 — John Castino
1984 — Kent Hrbek
1985 — Kirby Puckett
1986 — Kirby Puckett
1987 — Jeff Reardon
1988 — Kirby Puckett
1989 — Kirby Puckett
1990 — Brian Harper
1991 — Jack Morris
1992 — Kirby Puckett
1993 — Brian Harper
1994 — Kirby Puckett
1995 — Chuck Knoblauch
1996 — Chuck Knoblauch
1997 — Brad Radke
1998 — Matt Lawton
1999 — Brad Radke
2000 — Matt Lawton
2001 — Doug Mientkiewicz
2002 — Torii Hunter
2003 — Shannon Stewart
2004 — Johan Santana
2005 — Johan Santana
2006 — Justin Morneau
2007 — Torii Hunter
2008 — Justin Morneau
2009 — Joe Mauer
2010 — Joe Mauer
2011 — Michael Cuddyer
2012 — Josh Willingham
2013 — Joe Mauer
2014 — Phil Hughes
2015 — Miguel Sano
2016 — Brian Dozier
Twins Pitcher of the Year (Joseph Haynes Award)
1962 — Camilo Pascual
1963 — Bill Dailey
1964 — Al Worthington
1965 — Jim Grant
1966 — Jim Kaat
1967 — Dean Chance
1968 — Dean Chance
1969 — Jim Perry
1970 — Jim Perry
1971 — Bert Blyleven
1972 — Jim Kaat
1973 — Bert Blyleven
1974 — Bill Campbell
1975 — Jim Hughes
1976 — Bill Campbell
1977 — Dave Goltz
1978 — Mike Marshall
1979 — Jerry Koosman
1980 — Doug Corbett
1981 — Doug Corbett
1982 — Bobby Castillo
1983 — Ken Schrom
1984 — Frank Viola
1985 — Ron Davis
1986 — Bert Blyleven
1987 — Frank Viola
1988 — Frank Viola
1989 — Allan Anderson
1990 — Rick Aguilera
1991 — Jack Morria
1992 — John Smiley
1993 — Rick Aguilera
1994 — Kevin Tapani
1995 — Brad Radke
1996 — Frank Rodriguez
1997 — Brad Radke
1998 — Mike Trombley
1999 — Brad Radke
2000 — Eric Milton
2001 — Joe Mays
2002 — Eddie Guardado
2003 — Johan Santana
2004 — Johan Santana
2005 — Johan Santana
2006 — Johan Santana
2007 — Johan Santana
2008 — Joe Nathan
2009 — Joe Nathan
2010 — Carl Pavano
2011 — Glen Perkins
2012 — Scott Diamond
2013 — Glen Perkins
2014 — Phil Hughes
2015 — Kyle Gibson
2016 — Ervin Santana
Twins Outstanding Rookie (Bill Boni Award)
1962 — Bernie Allen
1963 — Jimmie Hall
1964 — Tony Oliva
1965 — Sandy Valdespino
1966 — Cesar Tovar
1967 — Rod Carew
1968 — Ron Clark
1969 — George Mitterwald
1970 — Bert Blyleven
1971 — Steve Braun
1972 — Bobby Darwin
1973 — Jerry Terrell
1974 — Craig Kusick
1975 — Dan Ford
1976 — Butch Wynegar
1977 — Paul Thormodsgard
1978 — Roger Erickson
1979 — John Castino
1980 — Doug Corbett
1981 — Dave Engle
1982 — Kent Hrbek
1983 — Darrell Brown
1984 — Kirby Puckett
1985 — Mark Salas
1986 — Steve Lombardozzi
1987 — Les Straker
1988 — (none awarded)
1989 — Gary Wayne
1990 — Kevin Tapani
1991 — Chuck Knoblauch
1992 — Mike Tromobley
1993 — Pat Meares
1994 — Matt Walbeck
1995 — Marty Cordova
1996 — Ron Coomer
1997 — (none awarded)
1998 — Eric Milton
1999 — Cristian Guzman
2000 — Mark Redman
2001 — Luis Rivas
2002 — Bobby Kielty
2003 — Lew Ford
2004 — Joe Mauer
2005 — Jesse Crain
2006 — Francisco Liriano
2007 — Matt Garza
2008 — Denard Span
2009 — Jose Mijares
2010 — Danny Valencia
2011 — Ben Revere
2012 — Scott Diamond
2013 — Caleb Thielbar
2014 — Danny Santana
2015 — Miguel Sano
2016 — Max Kepler
Most Improved Twin (Charles Johnson Award)
1963 — Lee Stange
1964 — Jim Kaat
1965 — Don Mincher
1966 — Jim Kaat
1967 — Ted Uhlaender
1968 — Ted Uhlaender
1969 — Rod Carew
1970 — Cesar Tovar
1971 — Cesar Tovar
1972 — Danny Thompson
1973 — Jim Holt
1974 — Glenn Borgmann
1975 — Phil Roof
1976 — Lyman Bostock
1977 — Rod Carew
1978 — Roy Smalley
1979 — Rob Wilfong
1980 — John Castino
1981 — Sal Butera
1982 — Gary Ward
1983 — Mickey Hatcher
1984 — Frank Viola
1985 — Ron Davis
1986 — Gary Gaetti
1987 — Greg Gagne
1988 — Allen Anderson
1989 — Brian Harper
1990 — Mark Guthrie
1991 — Shane Mack
1992 — Mark Guthrie
1993 — Larry Casian
1994 — Chuck Knoblauch
1995 — Pedro Munoz
1996 — Rich Becker
1997 — Brad Radke
1998 — Todd Walker
1999 — Eric Milton
2000 — Cristian Guzman
2001 — Joe Mays
2002 — LaTroy Hawkins
2003 — Johan Santana
2004 — Juan Rincon
2005 — Carlos Silva
2006 — Michael Cuddyer
2007 — Carlos Silva
2008 — Alexi Casilla
2009 — Michael Cuddyer
2010 — Delmon Young
2011 — Glen Perkins
2012 — Ben Revere
2013 — Brian Dozier
2014 — Eduardo Escobar
2015 — Aaron Hicks
2016 — Brian Dozier
Defensive Player of the Year (Jim Kaat Award)
2012 — Ben Revere
2013 — Pedro Florimon
2014 — Brian Dozier
2015 — Eddie Rosario
2016 — Byron Buxton
Twins Leadership Award (Bob Allison Award)
2005 — Mike Redmond
2006 — Brad Radke
2007 — Mike Redmond
2008 — Justin Morneau
2009 — Michael Cuddyer
2010 — Michael Cuddyer
2011 — Michael Cuddyer
2012 — Justin Morneau
2013 — Justin Morneau
2014 — Kurt Suzuki
2015 — Torii Hunter
2016 — Brian Dozier
Media Good Guy (Mike Augustin Award)
2006 — Torii Hunter
2007 — Torii Hunter
2008 — Joe Nathan
2009 — Denard Span
2010 — Michael Cuddyer
2011 — Michael Cuddyer
2012 — Glen Perkins
2013 — Brian Dozier
2014 — Ron Gardenhire
2015 — Torii Hunter
2016 — Terry Ryan
Upper Midwest Player of the Year (Dick Siebert Award)
1962 — Dick Stigman
1963 — Johnny Blanchard
1964 — Bob Johnson
1965 — Jerry Kindall
1966 — Rick Reichardt
1967 — Lee Stange
1968 — Jerry Koosman
1969 — Jerry Koosman
1970 — Jerry Koosman
1971 — Dick Green
1972 — Denis Menke
1973 — John Hiller
1974 — Dave Winfield
1975 — Dave Goltz
1976 — Tom Poquette
1977 — Tom Johnson
1978 — Paul Molitor
1979 — Dave Winfield
1980 — Paul Molitor and Jack Morris
1981 — Jack Morris
1982 — Paul Molitor
1983 — Mike Boddicker
1984 — Kent Hrbek
1985 — Dave Winfield
1986 — Jack Morris
1987 — Paul Molitor
1988 — Dave Winfield
1989 — Terry Steinbach
1990 — Mike Boddicker
1991 — Jack Morris
1992 — Dave Winfield
1993 — Paul Molitor
1994 — Paul Molitor
1995 — Dan Wilson
1996 — Paul Molitor
1997 — Denny Neagle
1998 — Rick Helling
1999 — Rick Helling
2000 — Darin Erstad
2001 — Aaron Sele
2002 — Jarrod Washburn
2003 — Jim Brower
2004 — Keith Foulke
2005 — Travis Hafner
2006 — Joe Mauer
2007 — Pat Neshek
2008 — Joe Mauer
2009 — Joe Mauer
2010 — Joe Mauer
2011 — Jeremy Hellickson
2012 — Joe Mauer
2013 — Jordan Zimmermann
2014 — Pat Neshek
2015 — Tony Watson
2016 — Brad Hand
Community Service (Carl H. Pohlad Award)
1993 — Brian Harper
1994 — Kent Hrbek
1995 — Kirby Puckett
1996 — Paul Molitor
1997 — Rick Aguilera
1998 — Terry Steinbach
1999 — Ron Coomer
2000 — Denny Hocking
2001 — Corey Koskie
2002 — Brad Radke
2003 — Doug Mientkiewicz
2004 — Torii Hunter
2005 — Ron Gardenhire
2006 — Michael Cuddyer
2007 — Johan Santana
2008 — Joe Mauer
2009 — Justin Morneau
2010 — Jesse Crain
2011 — Carl Pavano
2012 — Denard Span
2013 — Glen Perkins
2014 — Brian Duensing
2015 — Brian Dozier
2016 — Eduardo Escobar
Minor League Player of the Year (Sherry Robertson Award)
1970 — Mark Wiley
1971 — Steve Brye
1972 — Tom Smithson
1973 — Craig Kusick
1974 — Butch Wynegar
1975 — Steve Luebber
1976 — Dan Graham
1977 — Greg Field
1978 — Steve Douglas
1879 — Steve Green
1980 — Bob Konopa
1981 — Kent Hrbek
1982 — Jeff Reed
1983 — Tim Tuefel
1984 — Curt Wardle
1985 — Mark Davidson
1986 — Gene Larkin
1987 — Mike Dyer
1988 — Pete Delkus
1989 — Paul Sorrento
1990 — Denny Neagle
1991 — Pat Mahomes
1992 — Marty Cordova
1993 — LaTroy Hawkins
1994 — LaTroy Hawkins
1995 — Javier Valentin
1996 — Todd Walker
1997 — David Ortiz
1998 — Doug Mientkiewicz
1999 — Michael Restovich
2000 — John Barnes
2001 — Michael Cuddyer
2002 — Lew Ford
2003 — Joe Mauer
2004 — Jason Kubel
2005 — David Winfree
2006 — Alexi Casilla
2007 — Brian Buscher
2008 — Ben Revere
2009 — Ben Revere
2010 — Joe Benson
2011 — Brian Dozier
2012 — Oswaldo Arcia
2013 — Byron Buxton
2014 — Kennys Vargas
2015 — Max Kepler
2016 — Zach Granite
Minor League Pitcher of the Year (Jim Rantz Award)
2002 — J.D. Durbin
2003 — Jesse Crain
2004 — Scott Baker
2005 — Francisco Liriano
2006 — Matt Garza
2007 — Kevin Slowey
2008 — Anthony Slama
2009 — David Bromberg
2010 — Kyle Gibson
2011 — Liam Hendriks
2012 — B.J. Hermsen
2013 — Andrew Albers
2014 — Jose Berrios
2015 — Jose Berrios
2016 — Stephen Gonsalves