Jim Souhan: Kubel is ready this time

NEW YORK — Yankees fans probably best remember Jason Kubel for striking out against Mariano Rivera with one out and the go-ahead run on third in Game 2 of the 2004 playoffs, in old Yankee Stadium.

Kubel went 0-for-6 with two strikeouts that day after his manager, Ron Gardenhire, played a hunch and started Kubel, a rookie with 60 big-league at-bats, as his designated hitter.

Kubel not only waved at two high fastballs against Rivera, he looked overwhelmed by the stage. "I did," Kubel said. "I was basically a September callup playing in the playoffs in Yankee Stadium. I was in a little over my head. I definitely showed it."

Kubel doesn't show much. He's one of the quietest players on a quiet team. He makes Joe Mauer look like Chad Ochocinco.

There was a difference in Kubel's demeanor late Wednesday night, though, that indicated he will be better prepared to take an important at-bat in New York this October.

Even after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Game 1, Kubel craved a chance to decide Game 2.

"I'm definitely there now," Kubel said. "I want to be up when the winning run is on base -- or when I'm the winning run. I want to be that guy."

Kubel batting cleanup in a playoff game at Yankee Stadium. Does that seem right?

"He's grown up a lot," said outfielder-turned-first baseman Michael Cuddyer. "He's taken it upon himself to become one of our main guys. He knows that he's a stud.

"When you can convince yourself of that, you become very dangerous."

He has. The Twins took Kubel in the 12th round in the 2000 draft, and he inspired comparisons within the organization to Mauer and Morneau as they rose through the minors.

In 2004, Kubel hit .377 at Class AA New Britain, then .343 at Class AAA Rochester before being called to the big leagues, where he hit .300 in 60 at-bats. The Twins placed him on the playoff roster. The future was as bright as Kubel is pale.

It was a slow climb back to prominence in the organization, but after mediocre years in 2007 and 2008, Kubel in 2009 experienced the breakout he had seemed to be primed for at the end of the 2004 season.

In 2009, Kubel was one of seven players in the majors to hit .300 with at least 25 homers, 35 doubles and 100 RBI. He is one of three Twins to ever reach those levels, along with Larry Hisle in 1977 and Morneau in 2006.

Kubel's OPS -- on-base percentage plus slugging percentage -- ranked 11th in the American League, ahead of such noted power hitters as Morneau, Torii Hunter, Evan Longoria, Hideki Matsui, Cuddyer and Victor Martinez.

Kubel became an impact player this season, even if he still could walk through Times Square without having to sign an autograph.

"I definitely feel changed," he said. "I'm a different and better player now. That's what happens when you get some experience.

As the Twins won all five of their regular-season games in October, Kubel hit four homers and drove in 10 runs. "I want to be the guy that drives in the runs, who gives either Mauer, Morneau or Cuddyer a little protection," Kubel said. "That's what I want to be a part of."

Morneau, Mauer and Kubel aren't exactly loud. They could have a conversation, and you'd still be able to hear interest compounding. "That's why I like it so much here, and why I fit in with these guys," Kubel said. "We not only have the same goals, we have the same attitude. It's just a bunch of guys who play hard, who respect the game, and who, every now and then, blow up a little bit."

Really?

"Oh, yeah," he said. "I got fined a couple of weeks ago for slamming my bat. That's a good example.

"I've broken quite a few helmets. I don't mind showing a little emotion, but I don't like to act like a baby out there in front of everybody. So I go in the back."

"I haven't really thought about it too much yet, because it doesn't help us right now," Kubel said. "But I think when it's all done with, after we win the World Series, then I'll start thinking about it."