(his third highest total). During, arguably, his career year, Hrbek would power the Twins all season and the team would surprise the rest of the American League West by battling for the division crown. Although the team was as close as 0.5 games out of first place at 81–75, the Twins faded fast, lost their last 6 games, and finished in a tie with the California Angels, three games behind the Kansas City Royals. After the season, Hrbek was recognized for his performance and the team's surprise September run, by his finishing second in the American League Most Valuable Player balloting to Detroit Tigers' closer Willie Hernández. World Series Play Some of his most memorable moments were during the 1987 season. He hit a career-best 34 home runs to help the Twins win the AL West. Hrbek was instrumental in capturing the World Series Championship, although he hit only .208, as he slugged a grand slam in Game 6 off Cardinals reliever Ken Dayley, which essentially sealed the win for his Twins. In 1991, he again helped the Twins win the World Series after having a typical Hrbek season (.284, 20 home runs, and 89 RBI). The Twins had finished the previous season in last place, as had their Series opponent the Atlanta Braves, which prompted the media to coin the phrase "Worst to First World Series." Hrbek's offense turned stale after his home run in Game 1 and he hit only .115 for the series with the one home run and 2 RBI. However, in Game 7, with the score still tied 0–0 in the 8th inning, Hrbek executed a very uncommon 3–2–3 bases-loaded double play with catcher Brian Harper which saved the Twins against the Braves' biggest threat of the game. The Twins eventually won the game 1–0, with Gene Larkin hitting a bases-loaded single to center field that scored Dan Gladden in the bottom of the 10th inning. Hrbek was involved in a controversial play with Ron Gant in Game 2 of the 1991 Series. While Gant was coming back to first base after widely rounding the base on a single, Gant's momentum caused his foot to lift off the bag. Since Hrbek had correctly continued applying the tag, Gant was called out upon losing contact with first base. The umpire, Drew Coble, called Gant out, ruling that his own forward progress caused Gant to step off