Goodbye HHH Metrodome

Game 163 Cheap Seats!






And so another exciting season ends. Damned Yankees! But we did not lay down for the Yankees. We made them look not so mighty. Both teams had good plays, amazing plays and a few stinkers. I think we let our nerves get the best of us. Expected I guess when you have a young team playing the Yankees.


Thank you Twins for another amazing season. I went to my first last dome game with a week left in the season. Of course I had a blast and said my goodbyes to the dome. And then Sunday drew closer... All it took was a call from a friend asking if we shouldn't get tickets for the last dome game. Thanks to a scalper we were there. Another exciting game! I screamed my voice out. And with the win came another dilemma. Tuesday? Yup, again went to a scalper on craigslist. But when I didn't hear back on where to meet by Tuesday morning and he didn't return my calls by Tuesday afternoon, I got nervous. Rightfully so. The son-of-a-bitch sold them out from under me. But he didn't let me know until 2pm, when game time was 4pm. I was livid, and sad. Luckily I quickly scanned craigslist again and there was another set of cheapseats for the same price. I called and told her my story. We met by the dome and she told me there were 20 calls after mine, all offering more. But since she knew my story she told them no. What an amazing person. So my lesson for you all is do NOT buy tickets that matter off of Craigslist unless you can meet them right away to secure them. It is too easy for them to sell them to the next caller at a higher price. Lesson learned!


I know I might have lost readers since I did not write much this year. I will be back next year. A fresh start. This year was hard in that we have gone through many personal problems. It has been hard to justify the time to watch the games, let alone analyze and write about them and the players. We have struggled and the struggle isn't over, it is maybe just starting. But I have loved watching the Twins this year, even if I haven't been telling you about it. It has helped cheer me up when I have been depressed, gotten me out of the house when it has been hard to leave the safety of my home, and let me attend a few of the best games I have ever attended. When the stress was too much, turning on a game (I had to DVR most of them) at midnight and watching it would help relax me. I even would feel even more blue on the days there were no games. I will sorely miss it over the next few months. Yes, I am way too addicted.


The naysayers are spouting off again about how we never stood a chance, we don't get quality players and that, in general, we suck. Took them a whole 5 minutes to reload the muck throwers, and change out of their fair weather fan garb. But I am pleased that despite everything that was stacked against us, we made it to the playoffs and stood up to the powerhouse Yankees. We may have lost all three games, but we held our own.


Way to go Twins! I am proud of all of you!


Can't wait for next year and outdoor baseball!


Goodbye HHH Metrodome for fourth and last time!

Back in the saddle

Sometimes life gets busy! Things have been a little nuts, and I expect them to continue to be for another month. I am walking in the Breast Cancer 3 Day in three weeks, and my training takes 2-6 hours per day just walking, and now I need to do some heavy fundraising, too. I have been watching every game on DVR but that is the extent of most days. I haven't had time for all the reading and chatting that I had grown to love. I miss it! So I am going to do my best to squeeze in a little more time for at least keeping up with my favorite pages.

I went to the game Sunday and I have to admit that it was the first game I was actually out walking the concourse DURING the game! Okay, it was only for maybe 15 minutes, but I have never done that. I chose to go because I wanted to see the Angels, and I knew it was going to be rough. I was hoping it would be closer, though. But I still had a blast. The game started with 41K and I would guess after the stretch there were less than 20K.

But here is a question I would really be curious to ask the players - When the crowd gives up on them and gets quiet or leaves the stadium, how much are they affected by it? There was a real change in atmosphere once it became obvious that the results for that game would be the same as the previous two. Heavy, quiet, bored... you know what I mean. I know they can feel it, but to what extent? Is it enough of an impact where if the crowd stayed in the game and was cheering and loud that they could turn it around and win a game?

I for one did my part and cheered the entire game, sometimes (okay - often) being the only one clapping in my area.

Let's hope for a much better result against the Indians and get some energy back into the fans!

Go Twins!!!

Swarzak rocks!

Did you watch last night? It is always fun to beat the Brewers, but watching the new guy made it even more fun.

Anthony Swarzak pitched his major league debut as a starter. He threw 98 pitches in seven innings with 3 strike outs, 2 walks, and 5 hits. He handled himself with so much poise that it was hard to remember at times that he was a rookie in a stadium that was jam packed with 40,500 fans. And anyone who has been to a past Brewers vs Twins game knows the raucous atmosphere. I would like to point out that he threw almost 100 pitches and went seven innings, something that our starters have struggled with all season. If you saw the expression of the always stalwart Anderson (he was practically beaming), you could tell that the staff was pretty happy with him, too. His excellent performance earned him three pies in the face, courtesy of teammates Cuddy, Gomez and Ayala. I know that one game does not predict success. But he should be very proud of his debut!

Rochester AAA stats for 2009 - 44 innings, 32 strike outs with a WHIP of 1.16. He had a 3-4 record with a 2.25 ERA.

He now has a major league 1-0 record with an ERA of 0.00.

Good job Swarzak! You made it a fun game to watch.

We love you Ardell

My Father-in-law passed away yesterday. This is going to be a very rough few weeks for my family as we try to get my mother-in-law settled and deal with our pain. I may not be around for a while, but check back in a few weeks. I have started researching a couple of interesting questions and can't wait to share what I learn.

As I won't have much time probably for reading my blogs and newspapers, if you come across anything interesting or fun, please email it to me.

Please keep my family in your prayers.

Back soon.

Transaction Tally

4/14/09 - Brian Duensing optioned to AAA Rochester
4/15/09 - Scott Baker activated
4/17/09 - Philip Humber designated for assignment, Juan Morillo claimed from the Rockies
4/20/09 - Jesse Crain placed on the disabled list due to shoulder inflamation, Jose Mijares brought up

More Kubel

And Kubel had another great night last night getting another four hits, yeah! That's my boy!

(Funny side note - the pregame is on and my daughter saw a picture of Kubel and said, "there's your baby, Mom." Baby?? lol! Funny word choice.)

Go Twins!

Kubel hits the cycle!

Ok - you knew I would have to brag this up, right???

Way to go my boy Kubel!! Not only hitting the cycle, but leaving the grandslam for the exciting game winner.

I am having a blast texting all my friends who don't get the Kubel-love.

So what ya saying now all you nay-sayers???

Go Twins!!!

Enjoying the second game from the nose bleed section.

Tax season is finally over and I am looking forward to more Twins time. I have been watching and listening when I can.

Some good things, some great things, and some really not so great things so far.

So far I am having the most fun watching Punto and (yes, you guessed it) Kubel. They are having some pretty good games. And I know there are a lot of people who have a hard time supporting Crede, but I still love to watch him. I liked him when he was the enemy, and now I get to cheer for him, fun!

I know we are up and down. Dave saw the score for last nights game, and said right away, "we must suck this year." Little does he know... we're just getting going.

T minus 2 to 25 man

Another decision moving towards the starting day 25 man roster, Tolbert was optioned to Rochester. One less battle for positions.

Opening day line up is sure looking to be different than what I expected. In case you haven't been following Spring Training, it has been one plagued by minor injuries. Long list - ready? (I am doing this off the top of my head so I might miss a couple.)

Crede was hit in the hand but seems to be fine.
Morneau has a stiff back and has missed the last several games.
Mauer has an inflamed sacroiliac joint and will miss the first several games.
Baker was put on the DL after developing shoulder stiffness.
Bonser had shoulder surgery.
Cuddy and his finger from last year - I believe I read he was having more tests a week or so ago.
Young had a sore shoulder.
Punto apparently is injured but I didn't hear why.

Now - in case you haven't been following and are now in a panic, don't be. Sounds much worse than it is. Mauer and Baker will miss opening day, and Morneau is apparently questionable, but is expected to play. Injuries happen in baseball, but it is interesting how a rash of them changes the lineup considerably. So as of today we don't know what Monday's lineup will be. Can you imagine being Gardy right now??? (Or his wife?)

I am going to jump on my soapbox for a moment and say that I am tired of fans saying that the players are just being babies. Two thoughts come to my mind. One, they worked hard and long to get where they are and most do not want to miss games. If they were babies they would never have made it to the point they are at. Second, they have an investment if you will in their bodies. If something is off, they need to do the right thing to be sure it corrects itself properly. Mauer gets the most criticism. Which would you prefer given the choice of having him rush back without a proper recovery, play so-so at best for a few games until he injures it again, or inflames it to a point that he is out for a larger chunk of the season; or have him miss half a dozen games at the beginning of the season to come back ready to play at his full potential for the rest of the season? If there is a problem with your car's engine, you would certainly spend the time to get it properly diagnosed and repaired rather than risk further damage by driving it before it was ready. Let's give these guys a break, and stop second guessing their decisions. They have a team of people helping them make the correct one. (Get's off her soapbox quietly...)

No matter who plays, I am so excited for the season to get underway! I have been unable for the most part to hear the games at work (poor, spotty reception) so I am ready for some baseball!!! You know where I will be Monday! (Ok - actually I will be in a Board meeting during the game. Thank goodness for DVR!!!)

Go Twins!!!

April Transaction Tally

4/3/09 - Matt Tolbert optioned to AAA Rochester
4/2/09 - Joe Mauer placed on 15 day DL due to inflamed sacroiliac joint
4/2/09 - Boof Bonser placed on 15 day DL due to R shoulder surgery recovery
3/28/09 - Scott Baker placed on 15 day DL due to right shoulder stiffness

Oh Happy Day!

Today is a great day for a couple of reasons. I have been busy from getting over an extended illness, followed by my daughter going through a completely different illness, and then all the catching up on everything that it entails. Nothing major, but it delayed my long awaited return to getting back into the swing of this. I am so excited to be back and hoping there is someone out there still reading!

The second reason for my joy should bring out a few emails from my friends. I have made no secret of my love for Jason Kubel, and I get teased mercilessly for that. Today it looks as though Jason and the Twins have come to a tentative agreement. Yeah! Here is the article from the Twins site. While it is not an unexpected move, I am still relieved. Now, honestly, could the Twins have done better? Of course, but I like Jason and his production. Now we just have to make a deal with Guerrier.

I was in the shower yesterday thinking about the fact that this is the first year that we will go into the season knowing all of the starters. It remains to be seen whether that is a good thing or a bad. I am going to believe that it will be a good thing.

Welcome back Jason!