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.

The Stache is Back...

Twins signed Pavano! I am overexcited to say the least. This team is going to be fun to watch!! I am resisting the urge to make proclamations!! I shall curb my enthusiasm yet relish this latest move!

OH golly I want to go to spring training!!!

GO TWINS!!!

One more piece please!

Lets hope the phone call from Jim Thome is enough to make Pavano seal the deal!

My guess is that the Twins will announce Pavanos signing Monday!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

GO TWINS

589 and counting...

Who didn't love the image of Jim Thome coming out of the dugout to pinch hit last year! The crowd would roar in anticipation! Well we get to do that again this season the Twins have resigned Thome! They offered him a paltry $3 million plus incentives and he said YES!

I was lucky enough to be at the game he hit the flag pole and it was AMAZING! I love that we get to count him down to the 600 club for home runs. He has 11 to go and hopefully he will hit them at Target field but I will be happy no matter where he hits them!

I think the whole team benefits from having such a classy, experienced, earnest veteran in the clubhouse. He seems to like being here and is a great influence on the young sluggers like Young, Kubel and especially Morneau. Up until he cracked his head Morneau was having a great year which I fully believe was in part because he was listening to tips from Thome!!

OK now everybody send positive thoughts out for the signing of Pavano!

GO TWINS!!

NEW YEAR!

Just a week into the New Year and I have to admit my mind is drifting to baseball. I of course have been keeping tabs on the new additions, trades and options. For the first time ever I am thinking how much fun it would be to go to spring training!! I have gone with my Dad long ago to spring games in Arizona but never was into it...But I think about the chance to see the Twins!! and I get all giddy!

I am excited to see our newest Twin Tsuyoshi Nishioka! Think our midfield will be really fast!! I have faith that Alexi is going to step up and be an asset! I think he did well filling in last year and showed some flashes of greatness. Perhaps I am overly optimistic but didn't you hear 2011 is the year of optimism!!

I must extend my congratulations to Bert Blyleven for making it into the Hall of Fame!! About time!! Loved watching him sign his first baseball with the HOF on FSN, good job Marnie! Can't wait to hear how Bert pronounces Tsuyoshi Nishioka! Better make a good nickname for him.

Have my fingers crossed for the Pavano signing as well as a healthy Morneau!

GO TWINS!!!