Just Something To Point Out...

If you know me at all or read my blog at all, you'll know why I find this picture of a gunman with a Yankee friend is interesting. Marinate on it.

Picture on cnn.com

Twins decline Joe Nathan's Option

The Minnesota Twins appear to be declining the $12.5 million option on Joe Nathan.

Nathan missed all of 2010 following Tommy John elbow surgery and struggled this year, but did pitch all the way down the stretch.

However, it is also reported that the Twins do want Nathan back for 2012, but apparently don't want to pay him that much.

Nathan threw 29 innings with a 3.38 ERA and a 28/5 K/BB ratio from late June through the end of season, but Nathan's velocity was below his pre-surgery levels. Nathan is a 37-year-old entering a saturated market of veteran closers.

My Target Field Experience: Game 1

If you recall (and if you don't, its below...) my last post was a foreshadow of my Game 1 adventure at Target Field. Last night was the actual adventure.

The night got off to a rough start as I walked in and they didn't have my name on the list or have a nametag for me. I'm willing to help a guy out, but come on. First you don't have season tickets for me, then you don't have my nametag? Lucky my Type A personality was ready for anything, resulting in me bringing my confirmation email and my Twins Account #.

If that hadn't worked, then my hostile personality would've kicked in and had a meltdown. Fortunately for the gentleman at the table, the confirmation email did the trick.

We (Mara and I) got to the Legends Club just in time to see Dave St. Peter get grilled about the growing payroll and the receding wins. His answers were very political, which is absolutely what I expected, but still interesting to hear. It was kind of like Occupy Target Field - fans giving their opinions on The Man. There were other interesting questions, but one that particularly peeked my interest was a question about 2nd base.

St. Peter THREW Nishioka under the bus. Hardcore. It was brutal. He basically said Nishi would have to earn his spot on the team during Spring Training (duh), but that they fully expect Casilla to be playing at 2nd and will be looking for a fresh player at shortstop. So... basically this guy is willing to go out and break a leg for the Twins (literally) and we won't even grant him support as he attempts to transition. Sure, it was a rough year for him and for everyone. He played terrible and couldn't make simple catches or execute easy throws, but does that mean we give up on him?

If so, then we should have given up on the whole team a while ago.

Dave also talked a bit about moving Justin Morneau off the field and solely into a DH role. Sucks.

Anyway, back to my experience. It was great. The night really turned around after the nametag incident. There was a free ballpark food buffet and beers were only $4.50. The view was amazing with the centerfield screen lit up with Game 1. It was like an oasis in the blacked-out stadium with the Minneapolis skyline to the right. How poetic.

Towards the end of the night we went on a tour of Target Field. Let me tell you... that Champions Club is no joke. It is pretty sweet. When we were just outside the Club, our tour guide told us a story about how when the Yankees are in town, Yankee fans will fly in and purchase Champ Club tickets because they think they are such a deal. Kind of irked me because the tickets are expensive, it doesn't matter what some Yank thinks.

As the tour progressed, we got to see the underground batting cages as well as the Twins clubhouse. Interesting fact: Mauer and Morneau have the two biggest 'cubbies' (or lockers) in the whole place. They are easily twice the size of everyone else's. What is that about? The less you play the more you get? Sounds like something Michelle Bachmann would say.

Anyway, the whole experience was a lot of fun. My only disappointment of the night hinged on a bet that I made with Mara regarding the outcome of the game and the series as a whole. I put $50 on the Rangers winning it all and a beer on the Rangers winning Game 1. At least I still have the $50 to look forward to.

If I remember, I'll post some pictures of the tour and such at a later date. We weren't supposed to take pictures of the clubhouse, but I was sneaky and managed a blurry one. NBD.

Game 1 at Target Field!

Though I didn't get to have Twins season tickets this past year (huge disappointment), I guess being in the On Deck Circle does have a few perks.I will be taking advantage of one of those perks this Wednesday as I head to Target Field to watch Game 1 of the World Series in the Delta SKY360 Legends Club!

I get to watch the big game from the comfort of the Legends Club on HD TV screens throughout the club and also on the giant HD scoreboard in center field. The Twins will be giving away prizes such as framed autographed prints and game-used items! Not only that, but there will be a complimentary ballpark fare buffet, a discounted cash bar, and mini-tours of Target Field including the Champions Club and the Twins Clubhouse!!!

I AM SO EXCITED!

I will let you know how it goes when I'm back to blogging on Wednesday.

GO RANGERS! Which reminds me... I have to get a hat...

Bill Smith Admits Offseason is Critical

You better believe it when I say I'm keeping one eye on the Twins throughout this offseason. Not only that, but I'm willing to bet I'm not the only fan doing so with the Twins Territory fan base being very unaccustomed to the kind of season that just ended.

Sure, fans showed up game after game, tallying over 3 million strong for a second straight season, but that patience and goodwill waivered. We, meaning Twins fans, won't be so 'Minnesota nice' come next season...

Bill Smith said in a press conference a day after the season ended that he and the front office had a lot of heavy lifting to do in the offseason. No kidding?

We are going to need our negotiation skills and knowledge of the free agent markets this offseason more than ever. Last year we made minimal changes; this year needs to be more drastic. We need to bounce back in a way that will please Twins fans and shock the AL Central.

I won't accept anything less and, after all, I am the Gold Standard.

Minnesota Twins Have Surgeries

The Minnesota Twins sure know how to throw a postseason party... consider their theme: "Feel the Pain Friday."

Justin Morneau, Ben Revere and Nick Blackburn all went under the knife to clean up some of their injuries bothering them throughout the season. Mind you, these are three of many, many injuries that contributed to the Twins' almost-100-loss season. All three are expected to be ready for the start of spring training in February.

Yea... I've heard that before. Those boys better be ready considering the recent email I received from the Twins (see previous post). No matter how masochistic Twins fans are, you really shouldn't try to beat our heads into the wall. I guess they've got me right where they want me... My heart will never leave Twins Territory!

Anyway, here is to a happy recovery