MLB: Minnesota Twins Baseball Blog

Awf-Roading

2008-07-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

We are doing awful on the road this season, and we've got a lot more away games ahead of us. Ugh. I'm pulling out all the stops while they're in Cleveland this weekend. Lucky underwear, crossing fingers and toes, and maybe even a couple of prayers or voodoo tricks.

Good for them!

2008-02-26T13:23:00.001-08:00

So I'm as happy as anyone for the Twins now that pitcher Francisco Liriano has his Visa and is on his way to pplay for Minnesota. But considering I have friends waiting in line for visas just to get into the US for any kind of work, I can't help but grumble at how much easier it is to get things done when you're famous. Must be nice...

New GM brings hope for Minnesota Twins

2007-10-17T11:10:00.000-07:00

Well, the 2007 season was painful for Twins fans, as it saw the end of their 6 year winning streak. They didn't even make it to the playoffs, though maybe that's less traumatic because they never seem to make it all the way to the World Series anyway. It seems that a major reorganization is in order, so Terry Ryan stepped down to be the Senior Advisor to the General Manager, Bill Smith was promoted to Senior Vice President/General Manager, Mike Radcliff was promoted to Vice President/Player Personnel, Rob Antony is now the Assistant General Manager, Deron Johnson is the Director of Scouting, and Brad Steil is the Director of Baseball Operations. The real question is, will all these changes bring improvements, or will they just weaken the team? I guess we'll have to wait until next season to see.

Twins breaking records, and didn't even know it!

2007-06-11T12:04:00.000-07:00

How's this for a nice phone call - Rangers broadcaster Eric Nadel, researching opponents, suddenly discovers that Twins' second baseman Luis Castillo has broken two records, and neither he, nor the Twins management, even knew it!

First, he beat Ryan Sandberg's record of 123 consecutive errorless games by a second baseman, and next, he broke Sandberg's record of 584 consecutive chances without an error. Way to go, Castillo... that's the kind of playing the Minnesota Twins needs!

Twins look to tie up Yanks series at home

2007-04-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

After a 1-1 series against the White Sox in Chicago, the Twins are looking for victory against the Yankees back at the Metrodome. The Yanks will start without Hideki Matsui after he suffered a minor hamstring injury on Friday - Matsui is out for 15 days on the disabled list. Of course, with the Yankees' depth, this is good news for the Twins but doesn't exactly call for any premature celebration.

Knock their Sox off!

2007-03-08T08:45:00.000-08:00

Okay let me put aside the baseball stats and facts and get emotional for a minute. Play baseball Twins! That's why we bought tickets! Give us more than Johan Santana. It's about teamwork. Single barrel baseball doesn't get you to the playoffs. We don't need another pair of stinky Sox in our face ... wash them up tonight!

2007-01-17T11:39:00.000-08:00

Twins dole out raise: Joe Mauer, who hit .347 to become the first catcher to win the AL batting title, requested a raise from $400,000 to $4.5 million; the Twins offered $3.3 million. Still not a bad raise!

Radke Not Yet Retired

2006-12-10T15:33:00.000-08:00

Brad Radke has not completely closed the door to the Minnesota Twins and announced his retirement. He is still in talks with the Twins organization to get him signed for his 13th season playing for the Twins. It seems that the Twins are really just wanting to keep Radke as a veteran motivator for the younger players.

Justin Morneau: A Good Judgment Call

2006-11-21T15:18:00.000-08:00

Most Valuable Players for single events or short series are sometimes obvious. Over the course of an entire season, there are more likely to be several great candidates to choose from. This year some of the baseball players under consideration were the New York Yankees’ shortstop, Derek Jeter, and David Ortiz, DH for the Boston Red Sox. When the votes were counted, those outstanding athletes came in second and third.

But look who took the top spot as the American League’s MVP for 2006: the Minnesota Twins’ fantastic first baseman, Justin Morneau! And that was also going up against some other fabulous Twins: Joe Mauer and Johan Santana. Congratulations, Justin, Joe and Johan! And thanks from all your fans!

Maybe not rested, maybe calcified

2006-10-29T11:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, I guessed wrong on my World Series prediction. Amazing how often I manage that--although one fine day my yearly prediction that the Twins will go all the way will come true.

One safe prediction seems to be that the Major League will keep playing without strikes or lockouts for another five years. The less I hear about that end of the business...the more baseball can feel like a sport and not just a commercial enterprise.

Tigers Rested & Ready for Cardinals

2006-10-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

The Tigers had some challenges on the way to the World Series, including regrouping for a final push at the end of the regular season, and dueling with the New York Yankees. But thanks to their sweep of the Oakland A’s, they have had this past week to a) rest up and b) watch the Mets and the Cardinals go at it. I’m guessing they didn’t just lounge around drinking beer during those games either. They must have used every opportunity to study the team they’ll face in the World Series. Now we know that’s going to be the St. Louis Cardinals. I think the Tigers will be more than ready.

twins twins twins, what up with that

2006-10-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

The ALDS is quickly slipping away from our beloved Twins. Without delving too depply into what has happened to bring us to this unfortunate place or relying on the A's curse to keep them from pulling this one off, lemme just say this, I certainly hope Brad Radke feels as good as he can because we really need that arm to bring us out of the hole. Only time will tell, but I have my fingers crossed. And hey, the new ballpark will be nice too, nicer with a bang up end of season, but nice anyway

Hanging on by a Thread

2006-10-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long absence. I've been having lots of long conversations with our internet provider over the past few months due to some, let's say "disagreements," over whether or not my internet was working. I won't waste my energy going into it here, but I could start a separate blog about that alone.

I did get to go to the Twins games on Friday and Saturday, which was great. Would have been much better if they'd beat the Chicago White Sox, but I'm watching from home and crossing all my fingers today for another home run by Cuddyer. Wasn't that a beautiful moment?

They're looking good so far today! Maybe I should stay out of the Metrodome more often...

Go Twins!

Triple Plays are Helping the Twins

2006-05-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

The Minnesota Twins are the new triple play kings with their second one in 13 days! They aren’t doing well in the standings but at least we’re getting to see some entertaining baseball. We did beat the Seattle Mariners thanks to a great long ball by Juan Castro and they really needed that victory.

Twins Headed for Lone Star State

2006-05-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins is making quite a mark on our game this season. He single-handedly dominated the Detroit Tigers pitching seven no-hit innings in a row on Sunday. We won 4-2 and took the series. I am hoping we can see some of the same in our upcoming series against the Texas Rangers. Can anyone tell me how the Texas Rangers are doing so well after years at the bottom of the pile?

Not having any luck against Cleveland.

2006-04-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

The Minnesota Twins lost to the Cleveland Indians Sunday for the third time in this series. I am a little disappointed in our offense so far. We are going to be playing our next three games against the Oakland Athletics who have won seven of their last nine. I hope the Twins can shape up for our first series at home.

Kirby Puckett Passes into Legend

2006-03-19T14:44:00.000-08:00

The Minnesota Twins are mourning the recent loss of Kirby Puckett. He died last Monday from complications after a stroke. Friends and fellow players gathered to honor his memory at the stadium that has been called “the house that Puck built”. He was one of the greatest players in the game and he will be sorely missed.

What is more important? Politics or Baseball?

2006-02-14T09:44:00.000-08:00

A new stadium may seem like a frivolous expense for a baseball team since it takes tax payers money to build, but we have to consider that there may not be a team in Minnesota if we don’t help make this deal happen soon. The Minnesota Twins have been working on getting an updated stadium for ten years and can finally legally get out of their lease at the Metrodome.

TwinsFest a big hit!

2006-01-30T17:36:00.000-08:00

Minnesota Twins fans had a ball at this year’s TwinsFest. I am now looking forward to the Super Bowl. I wish I could get tickets but I’ll have just as much fun with my friends at their annual Super Bowl bash. Go Seahawks!

Farm System Showing Promise

2005-10-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

The best thing to come out of the Twins’ season is their minor league team the Elizabethton Twins. This season the E-Town Twins won the Appalachian League title, thanks to the help of relief pitcher Alexander Smit. Smit was given the Elizabethton Twins Pitcher of the Year award, because of these blazing stats, 1.97 ERA, opposing hitters only his .157, and struck out 86 batters in 45.2 innings of work. Smit was sent down to E-Town from the Beloit Snappers after going 1-7 in 10 starts, but something clicked and it seems like he found his rhythm. Next season Smit will be starting back up in Beloit again, let’s hope he’ll just keep improving.

Starting Anew in 2006

2005-10-10T13:12:00.000-07:00

When the 2006 season comes around expect some new faces to fill the Twins’ roster. The Twins front office has spent this first couple of weeks of the off-season getting rid of spare parts and gearing up for another season. Designated hitter Matthew LeCroy was let go last week and probably won’t come back. Last season he batted .260 with 17 home runs and 50 RBIs, and you have to look for better production from a DH. Right handed pitcher Joe Mays was let go as well, after general manager Terry Ryan decided not to accept Mays’s $8.5 million option. Mays has been a big disappointment with only 18 wins since 2001, and an ERA of 5.65 this season.

Twins Mixing It Up

2005-09-22T06:37:00.000-07:00

This is the time of the year when players show the coach what kind of player they really are. Since the Twins are out of it this season, it’s time to look forward to next season, and manager Ron Gardenhire is taking these last few games to see who is still giving it their all. Michael Cuddyer is one that hasn’t stop playing. Wednesday night Cuddyer had 3 doubles, 1 home run, and 4 RBIs, in the 10-4 win over the Oakland Athletics. “Cuddyer killed us all year. He was pretty much a one-man wrecking crew,” Oakland A's manager Ken Macha said.

If At First You Don’t Succeed...

2005-08-30T07:16:00.000-07:00

...hope you get an extra inning!

How can you be the hero of the game when you go 1 for 5, including a strikeout in the 8^th with a man on third? Easy -- hit a 2-RBI double in the 10^th inning to push your team ahead for a 3-1 win. Nick Punto took his time making an impact on the game late Monday night against the Kansas City Royals, but all you need is one swing of the bat. With the Minnesota Twins' playoff hopes dwindling, it’s good to see that players are still stepping up to try and win.

On Fire

2005-06-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

Johan Santana is getting paid to what he does best, and is getting outs one at a time. In the beginning of the season Santana still collected some wins but wasn’t nearly as dominate as he has been in his last several outings. Santana pitched through is third complete game last night and ended up with his second no hitter of the season. Santana is on fire right now.

Team Report:

2005-05-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

- from ESPN.com

C Joe Mauer was held out Wednesday's game due to a sore left groin. He is day-to-day. ... Minnesota pitching has given up 50 home runs through Tuesday, tied for second most in the American League. The home runs have accounted for 44 percent of its opponent's offense, with 75 of a total of 171 coming on longballs. RHP Brad Radke, who starts on Thursday against Cleveland, has given up 12. ... On Tuesday night after the sixth inning at Cleveland, manager Ron Gardenhire asked starter Joe Mays how he was doing and got an unexpected response. "(Mays) told me, 'it's cold out, I am chilled, and I have no location, but other than that I am OK,'" Gardenhire said. "That's the first time I have ever heard a pitcher tell me that." Mays started the seventh and retired the first two batters before being relieved by Terry Mulholland. "I told Gardenhire (when he came out to make the pitching change) that was the first time I got two guys out in a row," Mays said. "With what I had tonight, I was pumped that I got to the seventh." Mays has given up only two runs in his last 15 2/3 innings.