1000 and 3

Rick got his 1000th win, another grind it out game. Happy for him and the team, nice to have a small highlight in another crappy season. I don't think he will keep coaching at least not the t-wolves. I have decided this based on his wife fighting seizures. Having reached this milestone I think he is ready to be home. The Twins also got a win tonight so they are 3-2! It was the first game I got to watch this year. Love the sound of a game on while I putter around the house. Though I have to say Bert and Dick were a bit looney. Maybe because I haven't watched a game in so long they just seemed extraordinarily ridiculous. Found this funny though Dick: I was talking to Jim Palmer earlier today... Bert: Didya get a word in edgewise? They can have some funny quick one liners though I don't think they always realize they are being funny. I look forward to seeing more games this year as we just got a DVR! GO TWINS!!

WE'RE BACK!

Baseball is back and so am I! I don't know if the Twins will be good this year and all the personnel changes have me feeling sad and optimistic all at once. I have decided that not writing last year was what I needed to do but this year I will write. I will approach the season with optimism and faith! As spring comes forth so does my HOPE! Denard Span is a National now and I think it will be a good thing for him. They are a team on the upswing and he should be a key cog in continuing the success they had last year. The Twins will miss his lead off bat. When it happened I thought, it will be OK we still have Benny. Then they sent Benny to the Phillies! Augh! I wish him much success there and will watch him whenever possible. He is already winning the hearts of Philly fans with his big smile and humble attitude. His .326 spring batting avg probably helped too! The Twins have brought up Aaron Hicks to fill the gap in center. He looked good in spring training though not so great in the home opener. Of course he was up against a future Hall of Famer in Verlander and the cold weather had to be hard to play in. I remember when they brought Tor-i-i up, he was filled with energy and that smile showed how happy he was to be in the big leagues. He brought a needed spark to the team, A-a-ron reminds me of him. I hope to see him climbing walls and turning bases all season. Lets all get on the bandwagon and get the Twins started on the right foot! More to come... GO TWINS!!!

Up, down, when we need just up...

Not a good road trip for the Twins unless you focus on the couple of good moments. Such as Jim Thome knocking his 598th home run and the amazing game Cuddyer had smashing a grand slam and a solo. As much as I want to stay on the silver lining tip and just focus on the positive...it is hard. I don't know how those guys keep their chins up after such tough losses. That has to be attributed to their skipper Gardy at least a little bit. He does do a good job keeping them even keeled.
We can hook our hopes on Justin Morneau returning to the line up. He began playing at Triple A Friday night though going 0 for 4. Lets hope we are still within reach when he gets back up in about another week.

As I said I said in my last post Michael Cuddyer has never been on my list of Twins I love. This season he has continued to be consistent and wheedled his way into my baseball heart. His always positive yet feisty disposition mixed with his ability to play any position makes him Mr baseball. If I had a kid I would totally want them to look to him as a roll model. He makes me think of the former Royals Second basemen Frank White.

For me as a kid going to the ball park, Frank White was my hero. He was key in branding baseball on my heart. He was a smooth fielding second basemen with a steady bat. He is now a commentator for the Royals telecasts. I can remember going to Kaufman Stadium and watching batting and fielding practice. Frank always came over and took time to say hello and sign autographs always with a big smile. He threw a ball to me once and some guy snagged it, White ran over and yelled at the guy to give it to me! That made a huge impression on me, that he would bother to take that extra time to make sure I got the ball. I imagine Cuddy would also take the time to reward a young fan.

Second game against the white soxs just ended...ick! I can not handle losing to the White Sox!!! Please Please do not allow a sweep fellas!!!!

GO TWINS!!!

Roller Coaster!

This season has been a lot like the modern day roller coasters...up down snapping your head around making you a bit nauseous but also a lot of fun!
This last week has been gosh I don't even know the right word for it. After the loss Sunday I found myself getting down. I was sad after listening to the local sports guys talk about how tough the road trip was going to be starting in Texas. But I gave myself a little pep talk and said "it will be alright!"
The first game Monday night in Texas was brutal. I wasn't able to turn it on until the 3rd inning and we were already down 9! I had lots of chores to do so I turned it off but peeked in a while later....ugh. Needless to say I got really bummed and felt pretty discouraged. I began to hear all the "its over" talk with the "we're sellers not buyers" for the upcoming trade period...ugh again.
Then I got to watch the last half of the Tuesday night game. My MN Twins did not quit. It would have been so easy to come into this game with their heads hung down. Getting tromped by 14 runs sucks, playing in Texas heat sucks I would not have blamed them much if they packed it in...but that's not my MN Twins! They fought those last innings got some breaks and pulled out a one run win! It was fun to see Gardy at the top step yelling and bouncing around, think he must be feeling better after that infection.
After watching Joe Nathan come in and close the door on the Rangers I decided I will not quit on this team. I will continue my wishing and hoping that they catch up to the division leaders but more importantly I will just enjoy the baseball! I will appreciate the little things like Michael Cuddyer pitching a less then perfect scoreless inning! This would be the very thin silver lining from that game.

Cuddy wrote about his trip to the mound on FSN...

http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/07/26/11/Cuddyer-My-trip-to-the-mound-took-years/landing_twins.html?blockID=541711&feedID=3546

Before this last two years I haven't thought much about Cuddy. I mean by that he has always just been that regular guy on the team. he never really shined enough on the field or personality wise to get my attention. Not that I didn't like him I could take him or leave him. But after the way he has stepped up consistently in times of injury and severe need the last two years I can't help but love the guy. He can play every position, only two he hasn't are catcher and shortstop, which is weird since he was drafted as a shortstop. He has a future after Baseball writing or on air though he could also do photography! He shares his photography on Flicker...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivebball/
He is a big part of the community relations that the Twins do. Hard not to like the guy. Of course there is talk of trading him since he has been our most consistent player this year and what team wouldn't want him. He's a ballplayer!
I don't think the Twins would trade him he just seems like the kinda guy they will keep forever. If they do I feel pretty confident he would come back next year in free agency. I really don't know who we have of interest to trade right now. I know who I would like them to ship out but I shall keep my promise and not elaborate! I think it would be fun if they let him play every position in one game. In 1968 Twin Cesar Tovar did it striking out Reggie Jackson in the process!


I know its wrong to take any pleasure in this but I am sure he is fine....

http://www.1500espn.com/link/Watch_Ozzie_Guillen_get_a_foul_ball_to_the_face

GO TWINS

28

Congrats Bert!

Verlander love fest

First game of the Tiger series and Justin Verlander pitched for the Tigers. Kicked our butts! Verlander can really throw that ball not just fast but also hits his spots. That being said I can't stand the guy after listening to Roy Smalley(who is taking Berts place on FSN) wax on and on about him. Every inning he gushed over his pitching. I think he has a bit of a man crush on him. I found myself disliking the guy more and more, though I will concede he really can pitch. Just all that love from one of our own was making me cringe. I think the Tigers are a close second to the White Sox in terms of having lots of players who I think are jerks. I did reflect that I use to dislike Thome when he was with the Sox and hes actually a really great guy. So maybe I am wrong when I think negative things about Ordonoz, Guillen and Cabrera. What can I say I am a homer and prejudice against other teams and their players.
We just couldn't string together a few hits tonight. Though I will say I felt like we had a chance until the very last out. Especially after Verlander was pulled, their bullpen is not very strong. Hopefully tomorrow we will get on the ball more and pick up the next three games. I think Verlander is their one and only great pitcher and I like our chances against average pitchers. So opportunity lost tonight but more to come, lets keep our heads up and stay positive.
GO TWINS!

Splitsville...

After Mondays double header I am really happy with a split. The last two games were exciting and fun to watch. They also reinforce how strong this team is mentally. They played two tough games Monday in stifling heat, lost, and came back in even hotter weather to even the series! That is heart! This team has it!
Nice to see Revere and Casilla -The SPEEDBOYS!-get back on the bases, they started the game wed off on the right foot. Also loved when Casilla made a great play and bad throw to first. He showed Joe his appreciation for the awesome dig. Speaking of Joe he once again did a great job at first. He actually was given the choice to catch or play first. Can't blame him for not wanting to put on all the gear in this heat, but more importantly in "your face" everyone who was badmouthing him as unwilling to play first! He was funny in his after game interview joking he closed his eyes when the ball was hit to him and in the dugout accepting Casilla thank you hug!
Another highlight today was seeing Nishioka get a two run scoring double to put us ahead. Wish it had been in the 9th so he could have gotten the team mate melee like Valencia did the night before.
The Tigers come in tomorrow for another important series. Lets hope our guys start out hot and get at least 3 of 4!

GO TWINS!!

#596!

Every time Jim Thome comes to bat you just have to pay attention! The ball he hit today was almost 500 feet! I was there last year when he hit the flag pole and I thought that was amazing, todays was even further!! Makes me wonder what it looked like when Harmon Killebrew smacked them literally out of the ball park!
Twins sent Matt Tolbert down today and put Scott Baker on the DL with sore elbow. Bummer in both cases. I really like Matt Tolbert ever since he first came up. I remember watching him fly around the bases doing a head first slide which unfortunately tore up his thumb. Never really stuck after that. I think the twins wanted him to be the replacement for Nicky Punto. He is good defensively but like Punto was inconsistent at the plate. I see him being future coach or manager material. I think they like him, I know Gardy does because hes a feisty fundamental guy. I am sure he will be back by this fall and contribute in his little ways!
I hope Thome gets his 600th during this home stand!

GO TWINS!!

BERT DAY!

Run Bennie Run!

Best thing about last night was watching Ben Revere run. Getting to first on a short liner, stealing second and impressively reaching 3rd after doing a somersault after the turn at 2nd! The guy can fly! Sucks that nobody could get him home after such a great effort.
Blackburn did a great job pitching too bad we couldn't score more runs for him. Tough spot for the closer Capps having only a one run lead. Heartbreaker home run.
Didn't see that Plouffe bat last night and cringed every time the ball was hit to left field. Too bad we didn't do a defensive replacement there too!

Everyone have a Bert day! Celebrate the retiring of #28! Well deserved enjoy your day Bert!


GO TWINS!!

After All Star review

The Twins sit 6 1/2 games back after the break. Now who expected that after such a horrible start. Well I for one knew they would come back and not dwell at the bottom. Question is can they keep climbing, catch those pesky Indians and Tigers. Both of which we play in the last two weeks of July!
Aside from needing the Indians to play like themselves, in other words LOSE. The Tigers are notoriously lame in the last half. We got Ozzies number so i am not even worried about the White Sox who we will pass soon being only 1 1/2 games behind. Yes I know our team will have to continue to play at a very high level. As the Tigers fold we have had the habit of blooming in the second half. We have not been in first at the break but once. The following stat is from FSN Norths website

Central Championship Seasons
Twins at break in winning campaigns

2002 1st +7 1/2
2003 3rd - 7 1/2
2004 2nd - 1/2
2006 3rd -11
2009 3rd -4
2010 3rd -3 1/2

This tradition of coming back supports them doing it this year. This year has been different with the injuries and there are a lot of new guys. Its these new guys that have kept us in it, provided a bit of a spark.
Consistently minor leaguers have been called up and preformed admirably and at times brilliantly! I love Bennie Revere!! Not only his quick defense, timely hitting and base running But that SMILE! Love it! He seems like he's having a blast and he plays hard. For me Trevor Plouffe is the complete opposite, they did just call him back up. He tore it up in the minor after he got sent down but that doesn't erase how horrible he was when he was here. He cost us a couple games and played defense like he was in slow motion. I hope he bring his bat with him this time, it wont out weigh the mistakes he'll make defensively, but just maybe it will make him good trade fodder. He will never be good defensively. It will be hard for him to win me over again.
The turn around was helped by All-Star Cuddy staying steady as always as well as Alexi Casilla getting into a groove. He hit .286 in July! His speed and Reveres have proven beneficial -SPEEDBOYS! He seems more comfortable at second and already has more steals then in an entire season. Tsuyoshi Nishioka is finally back and starting to adjust. If you consider that he's playing in a completely new league in a foreign language he is doing pretty good. His arm seems strong enough for short and he is fast there. Now that we will be playing just AL teams he will see Pitchers again and I think he will do better against them. Heck he hit .290 in July!!
Of course we need somethings to go our way in the second half. Our pitchers need to stay steady, they don't need to be all stars just not fall apart. Joe has to stay healthy and Morneau get healthy. Imagine having Morneau healthy for the last two months!! I cant even remember what it was like to have him in Sept it was so long ago. (He began non baseball activities today!) Delmon needs to hit like last year. Cuddy and Kubel just need to stay steady as always. The schedule is in our favor with 12 straight home games to start after the break. Total of 41 of the final 72 are at home!!
I think we can do it! At the very least I will enjoy watching us beat the White Sox up a bit more. I will say the games have been exciting this last month even when we have lost.

GO TWINS!!

Got your number Ozzie!

I am so loving watching the Twins play the White socks. Our guys just do not quit! The first game we just looked crisp against the sluggish soxs. This second game which is only half way through is a street fight.
The sox have a little snap tonight but our boys are workin'. Some amazing at bats working that count being really patient. Coming back from a 5-1 deficit is so FUN! Ozzie tries to stick with his pitcher and gives up a grand slam, Gardy sticks with Blackie in the fourth and he strikes out Dunn!!
I tell you this team is coming back from the all star break on fire!! We should get Denard Span, Delmon Young and Jason Kubel back. It will curious to see who stays up and who gets sent down. I think Justin Morneau will be back sooner then expected and feeling better will get him going! Imagine a run for the playoffs with a healthy Morneau!!!

GO TWINS!

Dad and Baseball...

Happy fathers day to all those dads out there.
My Father was a fan of baseball. I love baseball because of him. I wanted to be a catcher because of him. The sound of baseball on the radio brings back memories of the dark backseat of a woody station wagon. The muffled crackle of baseball and the rhythmic lupdup of the wheels lulling me to sleep. Summer nights at the Sioux falls canary games, my Dads voice booming out to razz the ump.



Going to watch baseball today think of my day and yell at the umps!
love you Dad miss you very much!
GoTWINS!

Speedboys...

There is a town in upper Michigan "the U P" called Bessemer, the local high school teams are called the Speedboys. I have decided that this should be the new nickname for Alexi Casilla and Ben Revere! I believe you could add Tsyoshi Nishioka to this mix as well but I don't want to put any pressure on him. Maybe after he plays a couple weeks he can join the Speedboys.
It was so fun to watch the Twins steal 5 bases against AJ in one game. Even Michael Cuddyer looked like a Speedboy! I love that we played such fun small ball against the White Sox, you can just see it eating Ozzie up!!
The starting pitching is really setting the tone for games. Hard to lose when your starters go 7 plus innings! Such a turn around for this team it is refreshing to watch such good baseball.

Those little Speedboys at the front on the order are setting the table and pushing each other. Joe Mauer must have been delighted to come to bat and see those two on base! I hope Casilla can keep up this awesomeness at the plate and in the field. He is so fun to watch when he plays with confidence.
I know Gardenhire has to make big decisions as players come back from the DL but I hope he keeps Revere! That big smile and speediness is a great boost for this team. Don't tell my niece but I hope Delmon Young gets really hot in the next month so he becomes trade bait for a good pitcher opening up left for little Bennie!
Lets all keep cheering on the fellas and hope they continue the difficult climb to the top of the standings!
GO TWINS!

Baseball and family...

My brother Greg gave me tickets to the game Friday night against the Rangers. Not just any tickets but 3rd base line 8 rows up tickets. This section not only is super close to the field but also has its own bar and food service! You can't help but feel like a big shot sitting in these seats. So needless to say I was super excited to go to the game. The weather was chilly and rain seemed likely but I was not worried, I would sit in a downpour and watch my Twins.
As I was getting my outfit together, Yes I was coordinating my gear, I got a call from my sister. My nephew Calvin was being taken to children's hospital to have a CT scan. He has a shunt and has not been feeling well so it was precautionary. Having been through this before I know it is a scary proposition and my sister needed her husband with her. I volunteered to go take over watching her other kids so her hubby could join her.
I love my sisters kids and feel really lucky that I get to spend so much time with them. At the time I was suppose to be heading downtown I was sitting in my sisters front yard with my niece Frankie and Nephew Jack as well as 4 of the neighborhood kids climbing on me. The buzz of activity and laughter helped me from fretting about what was happening with Calvin. As I made dinner we turned on the game and I showed Jack where my seats were "Those are nice seats!" he declared. It had begun to rain at the game and he wondered if I would still be there in that downpour, Of course I would but I am glad I'm here with you. "yeah family is more important then baseball." I agreed.
Calvin was diagnosed with Diabetes and it was fortunate he was at the hospital at the time. This diagnosis is frightening for us having watched our Mother suffer from the affects of the same disease. But we have learned so much this weekend and once again I am lifted up by the unity of my family, the strength of my sisterand her husband Patrick and the courage of Calvin. I explained to Jack what was happening and loved that he volunteered to make Cal salads to help with his diet.
The Twins got trounced and I didn't care I was happy to know Calvin was under good care and be tucked on the couch between Jack and Frankie. The weekend was long and filled with lots of information and slow progression of Calvin recovering. This morning my sister called and put Cal on the phone, my worries flew out the window as I listened to him chatter on sounding like his old self. While the next few weeks will be full of challenges we all go forward with positive mindsets happy to know Cal is OK. The Twins won sat and Sunday and they will be alright too. My family grew a little more this weekend and will be fine too!
LOVE YOU CALVIN!

and yea GO TWINS!

keep em coming....

I know it has been a while since I wrote but please know it wasn't because I gave up on my Twins. It has been agonizing the way this season has started! So hard to watch Gardy deal with a minor league line up and mistake after mistake followed by sheer bad luck. I didn't write because I wanted to rant about a few of the young guys. Funny enough my fellow fans (my brother) actually were defending a few of them. I usually try to be positive and give the benefit of doubt especially when they are young guys coming up in this situation but when you keep doing the same thing over and over costing us games as Cee Lo sings "forget you!" I avoided my blog not sure what to say or how to defend my team. I guess I was following the old "if you can't say anything nice" thing.
Despite losing another starter in Denard Span the Twins are rolling. The last week the young guys have been carrying the team. My favorite Bennie Revere is so fun to watch and How about my little Alexi Casilla! Love the speed and effort! Seems like the team has a good groove going not only on the field but mostly in the clubhouse. Th bullpen seems to be having fun, they have begun a new ritual as they go to the bull pen and it seems to be working. (they have video on FSN north of their routines)
Maybe next week we will get back Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Joe Mauer but seems like no one is counting on it. I don't even know what to say about Mauer. Wish we had more information but I have to believe the guy is hurting he just doesn't strike me as one who would not want to play. My brother Greg is convinced he is depressed and I won't even go into why because it is purely speculation. Aside to Joe: It gets better! I think Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer are playing with lots of pain but are gutting it out.
The baseball has at least been exciting especially when we win. I am going to one of the games with the Rangers. Again stellar seats, thank you GREG!!! I am excited and nervous. Deep in my heart I still believe this team can pull off the biggest come back in baseball history. The next 41 games will include 31 at home and if we can win all of those it will be very helpful! I know winning all of them is unlikely but its baseball, anything can happen.

Lets all stay positive and keep cheering the guys on. Lets welcome Joe back with open arms not boos. Lets keep hoping the young guys reveal their star talent and the old guys heal up!
GO TWINS!

Liriano NoNo!

Liriano NoNo!



I think Francisco shall here to fore be known as Frankie NoNo!!
WOW! It wasn't a pretty no hitter but it was a NO HITTER! No better team to do it against then fellow cellar dwellers the WHite Sox! I have to admit I watched the last inning biting my lip just waiting for the tide to turn against us. I don't think I would have been too surprised to see them hit a walk off home run. Very nice to see the bounces going our way such as the phantom tag by Morneau in the 8th. Thank you to Jason Kubel for the dinger and to Valencia for the deep fielding and bullet throw in the 7th!
I watched ESPN and it was fun to have them talking about the Twins so much(in a positive way!) They played the radio call of the final inning, very cool to hear John Gordon call it(ESPN called him Bob Gordon). Happy that he got to call a no-hitter for his Twins in his last season as the voice of the Twins!
Let us hope this win kicks start a long run of wins!! Though we still need to get the bats going. Defense worked like it was suppose to today but we really need more then one run. Infielder Trevor Plouffe is coming up with a hot bat and shaky defense. Jim Thome will head to the DL with a strained oblique. Who knows whats happening with Delmon?
Keep the Faith!
GO TWINS!

May Day May Day!!

I am sure Ron Gardenhire is calling MayDAy after the series ender with Kansas City. Use to be you could count on great defense from the Twins but not today. They looked flat footed making some unlike them plays. Never seen such a poorly executed pick off play. And no that was not all Alexi's fault, Morneau started it off.
They have Monday off I bet Gardy will be putting them through some infield drills. You can bet the airplane ride will not be comfortable with a steaming Gardy in the front of the plane.
Let us hope the White Sox are the boost we need to get back on track. Hard to play up to expectations with half your roster injured and the other half under preforming. But I know this team is better then this and will show it soon!
Keep the faith!
GO TWINS!!

Royal Pain

I am fully aware that the Twins have been horrible. Lost the first game with the Royals because of little mistakes on the base paths and a few fielding flaws. It sucks to lose these close games because of our own mistakes. It has to be frustrating for the players to, they need to do a better job picking each other up!
There were some good plays like Jason Kubel's throw to home and Scotty Baker actually pitched pretty good.
Gardenhire must be losing his mind with so many injured players and then those little mistakes. Ordinarily he might be pulling a few of those guys but with such a short bench he really has little choice. If Alexi Casilla doesn't get his fielding together he will be gone as soon as they are full strength, Who knows maybe they will make the move sooner but those AA and AAA teams are going to run out of pitchers and players!
I still believe this team will be leading the division in August. I would rather have this craziness happening now then in August. As I said before this team will crawl out of the basement as they have in years past. They will make fans forget the month of April!
Keep the faith!
GO TWINS!!

Stung by the Rays

Went to the last game of the series hoping to see the Twins rebound from a horrible afternoon game. I got wonderful dugout box seats on the third base line. Amazingly close to the action! Unfortunatly the game was not so good.
I went to the game with my brother Greg who is a great fan of the Twins. He cheered loudly with me and kept the faith until the last out. We were really hoping they could make a comeback but those bats were silent.
I can't wait for April to be over! Hopefully April showers will be bring us May WINS!!
Keep the faith!
GO TWINS!