Official the season starts tonight for the Twins!! I plan on staying up late to watch them play the Angels. Cutie Scotty Baker will be the starting pitcher, expectations are high for him this year, I don't think he will disappoint!
It will be fun to see Tor-i-i, I wish him a good season but not the rest of the team. Though when they play the Yankees I will cheer for them. Actually I will cheer for anyone playing the Yankees! I turned on their game last night and groaned because they were up 5 to 1. Woke up this morning to see that the Red Soxs came back to win!! OK not a Red Sox fan except when they play the Yanks.
Lets go Twins!!!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Closer Rauch
The Twins announced that Rauch will be their closer. Tattooed and over 6' he is an imposing figure, though he does not have the stuff like Nathan. He has experience as a closer and should do just fine. I am hoping this line up will provide him with some cushion.
I agree with the Twins that defining roles for the bullpen is better then doing the whole committee thing. it is important for players to know what is expected of them. They can develop a routine on game days which is helpful for getting into a groove!
I actually am afraid of how optimistic I feel about this team. Perhaps this has to do with my gopher disappointment every year. Always get all fired up and then they let me down. I guess I am willing to take the chance on this team, I am just plain excited!! I think any let down will come from unknowns like injuries not lack of effort. These guys seem ready to take that next step. They are cohesive and work hard, they are hungry for more then a division championship!
I agree with the Twins that defining roles for the bullpen is better then doing the whole committee thing. it is important for players to know what is expected of them. They can develop a routine on game days which is helpful for getting into a groove!
I actually am afraid of how optimistic I feel about this team. Perhaps this has to do with my gopher disappointment every year. Always get all fired up and then they let me down. I guess I am willing to take the chance on this team, I am just plain excited!! I think any let down will come from unknowns like injuries not lack of effort. These guys seem ready to take that next step. They are cohesive and work hard, they are hungry for more then a division championship!
Day Game!
What a beautiful day for baseball! Not even worried about who won (though the Twins did!). The stadium was the focus of these two games with St Louis a chance for the players to get a feel for it as well as the fans. The state of art drainage system was the star yesterday! The negative nellies must have been pleased to see the rain coming so they could complain about no roof! But the rain stopped and the field looked beautiful! I have no doubts we will deal with really cold or wet weather at points this year but i have to say the ballpark is beautiful!! I cant wait to get to a game!
As far as our Twins Denard looked sharp in the game yesterday and today Mauer knocked one out and so did Cuddy! I have a feeling Span will be a big spark all year and once Cuddy figures out the parks wind currents he is going to hit a lot out of there!! No doubt Morneau, Kubel, and Mauer will be hitting them too! They will figure out the spots to hit on the wall to get those extra bases as well as learn how to play them defensively.
It is going to take some getting use for the fans as well. Watching on TV its hard to remember this is our home park. I am glad we had these two games to get the awe for the Park out of the way now when they come back we can just focus on the team.
By the way it is the Twins organizations preference that we call this a ball park not a stadium.
As far as our Twins Denard looked sharp in the game yesterday and today Mauer knocked one out and so did Cuddy! I have a feeling Span will be a big spark all year and once Cuddy figures out the parks wind currents he is going to hit a lot out of there!! No doubt Morneau, Kubel, and Mauer will be hitting them too! They will figure out the spots to hit on the wall to get those extra bases as well as learn how to play them defensively.
It is going to take some getting use for the fans as well. Watching on TV its hard to remember this is our home park. I am glad we had these two games to get the awe for the Park out of the way now when they come back we can just focus on the team.
By the way it is the Twins organizations preference that we call this a ball park not a stadium.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Twins are back!
The Twins are playing an exhibition game in their new stadium as I write this. They are behind in the 8th inning but its still a fun game. Double J, Jacque Jones just came up to bat and the crowd gave him a standing ovation!! Good for you Double J and way to go Fans!!! He made a great diving catch to get them out of the inning. He really looks great, one of the best smiles in baseball. I was just thinking when we had Jacque was when I really started becoming a Twins fan! Him and Tor-i-i really made me like the Twins!! As I have said before I was a Royals fan, I will always have a soft spot for the Royals but the Twins are my team now!!!
The park looks great and its a sold out game! The Twins gave 6500 tickets to people who helped build the stadium! I cant wait to go to a game!!!!
The park looks great and its a sold out game! The Twins gave 6500 tickets to people who helped build the stadium! I cant wait to go to a game!!!!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
FINALLY!!!!!
The Twins have signed Joe Mauer!!!!This makes up for the news that we have lost Joe Nathan for the year. I have to admit that the last week I have been worried about losing not only Nathan but also Mauer. It is a huge relief to me I think we can get by without a closer. The fact that our 5 starters will be stronger our bullpen will be stronger makes me believe that we can overcome that weakness. It is likely we will pick up a veteran closer somewhere but until then Rauch, Guerrier or the new kid Slama could carry us.
It is most important that we have locked up our native son! I had a hard time when we lost Tor-i-i and don't think I could have handled losing Joe! This has got me charged up again! Only 22 days until opening day!! I wish I had season tickets!! This is going to be a wonderful year!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Spring game #1
Lost to the Red Sox 2-1. But winning in spring ball isn't whats important. The fact that Kevin Slowey pitched two scoreless innings and felt good. After 8 months of recovery from a chip bone in his wrist he has got to feel great being back in the mix. Sure he gave up a little hit but was able to close out the inning. And after two years one can only imagine how excited Pat Neshek was to be throwing the ball. he threw one inning getting all 3 batters he faced.
Another good sign was Span leading off getting on base being advanced by Alexi and then brought around by a single up the middle from Kubel. Just like the coaches planned! A fun bonus moment was Jacque Jones-Double J making a diving catch. SEE the guy still has it!
GO Twins!
Another good sign was Span leading off getting on base being advanced by Alexi and then brought around by a single up the middle from Kubel. Just like the coaches planned! A fun bonus moment was Jacque Jones-Double J making a diving catch. SEE the guy still has it!
GO Twins!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Questions....
Outfield...
Centerfield Denard Span! He will be great in center, as great as Gomez? Maybe won't be as fast and make as many crazy rundowns but he will be better at hitting the cutoff man and more aware. I do think we will miss him in right and left though. We already know he will be a great lead off hitter. Lets just hope his dizzy spells don't come back. Don't know who will cover center if he goes down. Cuddy or maybe even Punto. I think if there are issues that they will bring up Double J! This works out just fine because Double J is always a slow starter at the plate and if we don't need him until mid season he will be in fine form!
Right field Michael Cuddyer! He has a cannon for an arm but its unlikely runners will test him anymore. He has decent range out there though there are a couple parks that will challenge him. Lets also hope we don't need him to cover 1st base again! Again Double J could come up and do that instead. I believe he will come to the plate as strong as last year.
Left Field Delmon Young! I have wiped my slate clean for Del this year. The guy had a hard year last season. Sure I was on his case constantly last year but looking back I realize he had a lot on his plate. I can not imagine not being able to be with his Mom as she battled cancer and then losing her in the middle of the season. He ended the season hitting well and has come into this year knowing left field is his to lose. He has shed 30 pounds hopefully picking up the speed he needs out there. Not only will that help him in the outfield but also running the bases. He did have 14 stolen bases the first year he was here and 50 some when he was with Tampa. I also remind myself he is only 24! This may be the season he blossoms! Finally seems like he is comfortable in the clubhouse and working hard to contribute. There isn't as much pressure on him and that may help a lot.
Back up Jason Kubel! Our DH hitter and back up to left/right field had a good season last and looks to improve on that this year. He will share some DH duties with Thome, give days off to Cuddy and Del or cover for Cuddy when he spells Span. I haven't heard much about him so far this year but I am sure he is looking to build on his success from '09.
Overall the outfield looks good to me. We don't quite have the depth of last year and we may miss GoGo a little but I think Del has stepped up and Double J will be a good fall back for us late in the season. And who knows maybe a young prospects will step up late in the season. I am excited to see the new outfield crew at the new park!
Centerfield Denard Span! He will be great in center, as great as Gomez? Maybe won't be as fast and make as many crazy rundowns but he will be better at hitting the cutoff man and more aware. I do think we will miss him in right and left though. We already know he will be a great lead off hitter. Lets just hope his dizzy spells don't come back. Don't know who will cover center if he goes down. Cuddy or maybe even Punto. I think if there are issues that they will bring up Double J! This works out just fine because Double J is always a slow starter at the plate and if we don't need him until mid season he will be in fine form!
Right field Michael Cuddyer! He has a cannon for an arm but its unlikely runners will test him anymore. He has decent range out there though there are a couple parks that will challenge him. Lets also hope we don't need him to cover 1st base again! Again Double J could come up and do that instead. I believe he will come to the plate as strong as last year.
Left Field Delmon Young! I have wiped my slate clean for Del this year. The guy had a hard year last season. Sure I was on his case constantly last year but looking back I realize he had a lot on his plate. I can not imagine not being able to be with his Mom as she battled cancer and then losing her in the middle of the season. He ended the season hitting well and has come into this year knowing left field is his to lose. He has shed 30 pounds hopefully picking up the speed he needs out there. Not only will that help him in the outfield but also running the bases. He did have 14 stolen bases the first year he was here and 50 some when he was with Tampa. I also remind myself he is only 24! This may be the season he blossoms! Finally seems like he is comfortable in the clubhouse and working hard to contribute. There isn't as much pressure on him and that may help a lot.
Back up Jason Kubel! Our DH hitter and back up to left/right field had a good season last and looks to improve on that this year. He will share some DH duties with Thome, give days off to Cuddy and Del or cover for Cuddy when he spells Span. I haven't heard much about him so far this year but I am sure he is looking to build on his success from '09.
Overall the outfield looks good to me. We don't quite have the depth of last year and we may miss GoGo a little but I think Del has stepped up and Double J will be a good fall back for us late in the season. And who knows maybe a young prospects will step up late in the season. I am excited to see the new outfield crew at the new park!
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