Practice, Practice, Practice

Twins had their first spring training game Sunday, beating Boston!

Pavano Started and began with a 1-2-3 inning. Tsuyoshi Nishioka played second and looked very quick! That midfield is going to be really FAST! Also sounds like Alexi Casilla and Nishioka seem to be gelling though neither speaks very good English.
After seeing that Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Delmon Young and Michael Cuddyer were not playing I got to thinking...Gardy is brilliant! Those guys will get their work in at practice hitting and doing fielding drills but not wear themselves out in games. Hopefully this will help them stay healthy...every little bit of rest will benefit those guys. Besides early spring games are a chance for those young guns to make an impression.

I am longing to see them play!!!

GO TWINS!!

Reporting for duty!

Yes Sir!
The pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training!
Its so exciting!
I heard you can see green grass in the outfield of Target Field!
I watched the clip of Joe Mauer on Jimmy Fallon and was struck by how poised Joe appeared. Jimmy seemed genuinely to admire Joe not only for his baseball prowess but also that he stayed with the home team. Frankly I think Mauer is an excellent representation for the MLB. He kinda comes off like the old time ball players.
I am well aware that I have a romanticized memory of baseball history, partly from the idyllic black and white films of players like Gehrig, Mantle and DiMaggio. To say I am idealistic about baseball is putting it mildly, baseball is Field of Dreams, The Natural and Pride of the Yankees. Good guys playing Americas past time.

I really am excited for our"good guys" to start playing again at Target Field!!!

Go Twins!

pieces coming together...

The Twins have signed Francisco Liriano to a one year contract! Wish it was more then one year, I think he will be very good this year(then be too expensive for the Twins). I of course am still in my very optimistic mode. I believe another year of healing and maturity is going to benefit him as well as our other pitchers. Clean elbows for Blackburn and Baker will make a difference, both could be very strong. I like the new left hand in the bull pen Dusty Hughes, Dusty is such a good baseball name.