Good for them!

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

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!

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

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!

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!

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

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

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

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

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.