Minneapolis - Justin Morneau's comments when he won the AL MVP award in 2006, and as recently as his victory as homerun champion at the 2008 All-Star game at Yankee Stadium, were that the personal accomplishments pale in comparison to making the playoffs and going to the World Series.

Based on that attitude, the New Westminster native probably won't even realize that he is about to break another record set by one of his idols and best friends, Larry Walker, and matched by Morneau himself. In their MVP seasons, Walker (1997), and Morneau (2006) each knocked in an astounding total of 130 runs. Morneau is sitting at 129 RBI so far in 2008 with five games remaining. But, more importantly to the left-handed slugger, his Minnesota Twins are one-and-a-half games in back of Central Division leading Chicago White Sox, and the Boston Red Sox have wrapped up the Wild Card playoff spot, so it's either take the White Sox down in the three-game series, or watch the post-season on television.

Morneau has already broken the Canadian first baseman single-season records for doubles (47), walks (73) and at bats (600), and is on pace to set records for games played (curently tied with 157), hits (five shy of the record 190), and runs (1 shy of the record 97). He can tie Jason Bay's record for games played by a Canadian in a single season (162), and will likely break Goody Rosen's Canadian record for at bats in a single season (606). Walker hit 46 doubles in both 1997 and 1998, so Morneau is currently one ahead of him for second best, as Tip O'Neill ripped 52 two-baggers in 1887.

Morneau would need ten more healthy and productive years to approach Walker's career milestones, but as he closes in on his fifth season, he's certainly on the right track. Morneau has outdone Walker in almost every category, other than stolen bases (Walker 97, Morneau 4) and triples (Walker 16, Morneau 12). Walker also had a batting average one point higher than Morneau's (.284) and an on-base percentage six points higher than Morneau's (.350). Morneau's 133 homeruns are 34 ahead of Walker's pace, his 518 RBI are 138 ahead, and his slugging percentage is .505, as compared to Walker's .489 after five years.

Morneau is the only Canadian to put together three consecutive 100-RBI seasons. Bay (2005-06), Walker (2001-02), Stairs (1998-99) and O'Neill (1886-87) had back-to-backers. Walker had a total of five 100-RBI seasons while O'Neill had three. Bay's two-run homer off Roy Halladay last Saturday gave him his 100th RBI this season, giving him three total as well.

ST. MARYS – 24 September 2008