Just a group of friends that have known each other for years...

Mara, Jim, Carl, Me, Scott

Minnesota Twins Poised for AL Central Lead?

After the first inning of last night's Minnesota Twins game against the World Series Champs San Francisco Giants, we were on trend to score 72 runs after scoring 8 in the first with at least 8 more innings to play. However, that seemed unlikely and didn't happen. Know what did happen? We won our eighth game in a row. Eat it Cleveland.

The first eight batters scored, which hasn't happened since the Yankees in 1990. San Francisco's pitcher didn't get an out until Carl Pavano came to the plate. Not much of an accomplishment getting Pavano out either, he hacks like a lumberjack. A blind lumberjack. I like to think of it as getting back to those Paul Bunyan roots.

We are only 6.5 games back and have upcoming series against the White Sox, Royals, Indians and Tigers in July. I bet the Twins will be at .500 before the All-Star break if not shortly after.

As for Division leaders? Clearly it would be nice if we were poised to take the AL Central by the time we take on Boston, the Indians, Tigers and Yankees in the beginning of August as that is a tough stretch of teams with half being on the road. Bottom line is we are now talking about winning the AL Central. Two weeks ago we were talking about dumping players before the trade deadline to prepare for next year. The Minnesota Twins never die.

The record for a deficit made up by a postseason team is 15 though no one reading this has first-hand records of this because it happened in 1914. The Indians are on the pace to win 88 games this season. We would have to go 56-35 the rest of the way to win that same 88. That is a .615 pace. .615 is hardly impossible considering the Phillies have player .622 ball this whole year, but the last Twins team to maintain a pace like that happened in 1965.

There are ZERO pictures of "Carl Pavano batting" on google. This lumberjack picture was the closest I could find and, though the facial hair is inaccurate, it does the job.

Its a Toss-Up between Blackburn and Pavano

I can't decide... it should be easier than what it is, but frankly I'm back and forth on it almost everyday: who is more pleasing to look at?

Carl Pavano's stache is just so spicy I can't help but think it is his most redeeming attribute. I can't take my eyes away. Plus the whole 'tall, dark and handsome' thing is definitely working for him.

Yet... when Balckburn's turn in the pitching rotation comes around... I'm not so definitive.

Nick Blackburn. The name says it all. Plus he has the facial hair thing too... what a hot mess. And he is also tall, dark and handsome. (Well I guess I've found 'my type')

They are both righties, which I can appreciate. Being one myself, I know we would have something in common to talk about.

Blackburn edges out Pavano when it comes to ERA, but that has nothing to do with looks (unless an ERA were to get so bad I could no longer look at the guy).

I knew this was a close call when I went to look at their debut dates and college education.

Blackburn is obviously younger and debuted later... meaning if we dated I probably would get to go to more games overall. Plus, he went to college - not one I've ever heard of, but he went. Pavano didn't. I don't know if I like that. And then, I remember Pavano played for the Yankees. I KNOW I don't like that. And married... as a side note.

When it seems cut and dried that Blackburn is my man... I realize I can't commit to just one.

Oh well... guess I just wasted another day in a lover turmoil. =)

Toronto, Canada for Minnesota's Opener

For those of us to took geography in rural Minnesota, this is a map of Canada.

The word on the tailgating-streets of Minneapolis is that Carl Pavano is likely to pitch Minnesota Twins' opener.

When I first heard that, I thought... well I'll be darn. I'm going to make sure I get my opener tickets. Then I realized the Twins start off on the road in Toronto. Now... well looks like I'll be going to Toronto.

Ok, I could never lie to you. That's not true. While I would love to go to the season-opener on April 1st in the land of our Northern Neighbors, I have no funds to (especially considering my every last penny is going to the Twins for season tickets [cross your fingers]). However, I will be at the home opener.

I wouldn't miss it for my life. Hopefully Carl doesn't either.

Carl Pavano Returns to Minnesota

I love Carl Pavano. I think he has the stuff to help make Minnesota another serious contender again this year. I also enjoy his choice of facial hair. I don't love his girlfriend so much... for obvious reasons. Overall though, I give him a 9 out of 10 so naturally I am very pleased he is remaining in Minnesota for at least another year.

Whether you like Pavano or not, I'm sure you can agree with my next statement: Anything that upsets the New York Yankees or even makes things just a bit harder for them is just fine.

Agree? Figured.

Well... turns out the New York Yankees had been in negotiations with Pavano and his agent-- the Yankees wanted him back in New York were they treated him like garbage. And made him shave (another extreme example of this would be Johnny Damon). So whether you like Carl Pavano or not, which I think you should, you can appreciate that signing him makes the world a better place by making the Yankees the least bit miserable.

See you in April you darn Yankees. We'll bring Pavano. You can bring your clean shaven boring men.

Manager of the Year Speechless

The Twins caravan, on the northwestern portion of their Midwestern route, found themselves in front of large crowds of fanatical Twins fans. Fans that were so ecstatic and so supportive of the organization and the captain himself, that they gave Ron Gardenhire a standing ovation that left him speechless.

As Gardy was announced, the crowd at the Lodge in Brainard Lakes, the crowd stood and roared for our deserving leader. Gardy told the crowd that he "actually get[s] to stand next to guys like Harmon Killebrew and Tony Oliva and now Bert Blyleven and they get standing ovations. So to get one of those is pretty cool."

You know Gardy... anytime. Anytime you want to wave your arms frantically to drive in the runner, anytime you want to curse out the incompetent umpiring crew (whether they really deserve it or not), and anytime you want to lead our Twins to another Division Championship and perhaps the World Series, we will all stand for you -- you always deserve a standing ovation.

Along with Gardenhire winning the Manager of the Year award, Twins fans have many things to be excited about. The organization recently signed Jim Thome (one year, 3 million) back, along with Carl Pavano (two year, sixteen-five). These two guys are two of my favorite Twins. I love home runs and I love Carl's stache. What can I say?

Check back for more Twins information/updates. As my favorite sport and Minnesota sports team, the Minnesota Twins hold a special place in my heart.

As for me... I'm going to see if the Twins hold a special place in Mom's bank account via the purchase of season tickets. Wish me luck!

Carl Pavano and the Minnesota Twins

Carl Pavano. Love him. Love the stache. Love the pitches. Love him.

Lucky for me, it appears that Pavano and the Minnesota Twins are making steady progress towards keeping the right-hander on the roster. Pavano has indicated he wants to remain in Minnesota and it now appears that may just happen!

Pavano, who turns 35 on Saturday, is considered the top remaining starter in the free-agent market. He went 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA for the Twins in 2010. Pavano made $7 million dollars last year as well.

If we can keep Pavano, and prevent him from going to the likes of the Royals and the Pirates, the Twins would possess a powerful one-two punch with Francisco Liriano at the top of Minnesota's rotation.

Personally... I would give Pavano anything if he stayed.

Minnesota Twins Off-Season Roster

The Minnesota Twins, who are well known for their silent and patient off-season approach, have rebuilt their middle infield and added some interesting (not in a bad way) arms to the bullpen. Below are the moves made by the Twins thus far. I'm sure there will be more to come as there are existing questions for the Twins off season, but take a look at the current roster changes.

Who Left Minnesota:

JJ Hardy (SS): traded to the Baltimore Orioles
Orlando Hudson (2B): signed free-agent contract with the San Diego Padres
Jose Morales (C): traded to Colorado Rockies
Matt Guerrier (RP): signed free-agent contract with Los Angeles Dodgers
Jesse Crain (RP): signed free-agent contract with the Chicago White Sox
Brendan Harris (IF): traded to Baltimore Orioles

Who Came to Minnesota:

Tsuyoshi Nishioka (SS/2B): signed as a transfer from Japan for three-years and $9 million
Brett Jacobsen (RP): acquired in trade from Baltimore Orioles
Jim Hoey (RP): acquired in trade from Baltimore Orioles
Scott Diamond (RP): selected in Rule 5 draft

To Be Determined:

Brian Fuentes (RP)
Jon Rauch (RP)
Nick Punto (IF)
Carl Pavano (SP)
Jim Thome (DH)

The Twins are still extremely interested in signing Carl Pavano while he is interested in making bank off a season in which he won 17 games.

Nick Punto still has a shot at re-signing with the Twins, but would likely have to take a pay cut. If money were not an issue I would definitely keep Punto at the $4 million he made in both the 09 and 10 seasons because, well he works very very hard and never has a clean uniform after playing a game. I like him.

Jim Thome also has a good chance of returning to Minnesota, though he will undoubtedly be more expensive and, with Justin Morneau back, Michael Cuddyer will move back to right field and Jason Kubel to the starting DH position. Basically, I love Jim Thome and would love to have him back. I would pay almost anything for him, if not anything.

Fuentes and Rauch are unlikely to sign with the Twins again because the Twins have already committed $18 million to Matt Capps and Joe Nathan. I sure will miss Rauch's tattoos and Russian-mafia mentality and looks.

Happy hunting Twins!

Minnesota Twins Make Moves in Winter Meetings

The Minnesota Twins lightened the roster by trading shortstop J.J. Hard and Brendan Harris, along with $500,000 straight cash homie (I miss Moss), to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. In the trade, we picked up minor league right-handers Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson.

These two trades indicate that the Twins are likely closing in on a contract with Tsuyoshi Nishioka, a Japanese infielder. (I don't know how that name will fit on the back of a jersey!). It is doubtful that the club would have moved Hardy unless they were in a position to finalize a deal with Nishioka. The Twins would then be set-up to have a middle-infield combination of Nishioka and Alexi Casilla, with Casilla likely playing shortstop.

The Twins are also making a strong push to re-sign veteran starter Carl Pavano. I am definitely hoping for this contract to work because I love Pavano and his stache. Very attractive. The Twins are considered a front-runner for Pavano, but there are at least three other teams interested.

On a side note that actually may be more exciting to Twins fans, Jim Thome wants to play for two more years!!!!!! Love him.

Twins Look to 2011 After Slump Finish

The Minnesota Twins' season stopped short this year, despite their aspirations of a deep postseason run. Such a deep postseason run has been out of the grasp for the Twins since 2002. In Fort Myers, for Spring Training, it seemed to be the year where the Twins had expectations of returning to the World Series for the first time in almost two decades, their last World Series experience being in 1991.

The magic of Target Field had shown through all season for the Twins, but failed to keep the Twins from another first-round exit from playoffs via another loss, in this case a sweep, by the New York Yankees. You guys know how I feel about this.

Despite another disappointing end for the Twins, the team did accomplish great things in their 2010 season; things that do not deserve to be forgotten. Let's review them.


The Twins managed to shift some players and dampen the loss of first baseman Justin Morneau when Morneau suffered a season-ending concussion back in early July. Gardenhire used the Twins depth on the bench to bring Cuddyer in to first, take Kubel off the bench and out to right, and utilize Jim Thome in the DH position. Which brings me to, possibly, the biggest and best surpise of the Twins 2010 season.

Jim Thome. Jim Thome, the veteran bat who came to the Twins looking for a job, received a $1.5 million contract in January. Twins weren't inclined to believe Thome would emerge as one of the Twins' most potent sluggers as a left-handed power hitter, clearly they had no idea what they were talking about. I personally give Jim Thome my blessing as one of the most fun players to watch and one of the greatest assets this 2010 season. In addition to being very fast. Thank you, Jim Thome.

This season, the Twins also managed to solidify their bullpen. Something the organization has struggled with. After Joe Nathan exited Spring Training early looking to Tommy-John surgery, the Twins feared they may be plagued with a hole again this year. Fransisco Liriano, post-Tommy John, returned to the game as the Twins ace pitcher. I look for Liriano to be an important person in the Twins' rotation for years to come.

Joe Mauer, our hometown hero, started off slowly offensively, but made a roaring comeback, and even became a contender for the Batting Title with a .373 batting average.

Carl Pavano grew a mustache.

Danny Valencia stepped up as a rookie third baseman and quickly became a fan-favorite to watch because of his innate talent and boyish good looks.

Jon Rauch continued to shut down hitters, who were equally likely to be intimidated by his Russian-mobster looks, accompanied by tattoos, as they were with his pitches. He came out of the 2010 season with 21 saves.

I maintain my belief that the Minnesota Twins are the best team in baseball and are even better than some teams that aren't in baseball... like many soccer teams for example. I also hope to visit my Twins in Fort Myer this year. Until then, Twins. Let's start gearing up for next year.

The Twins ended their season with a 94-68 record, first place in AL Central.

Twins Fever, I've Got It Too!

If you have been in the Vicinity of the Central Division (baseball) lately, you know how hot the Minnesota Twin are. And I'm not talking about the attractive 'stache of Carl Pavano, the rear end of Joe Mauer, or the beckoning backhand of Danny Valencia. While I would LIKE to talk about that, I am speaking of the amazing winning season the Minnesota Twins have had.

Minnesota has Twins FEVER! While I would never classify myself as a fair-weather fan, I am a VERY hardcore Twins fanatic, I must say my temperature has definitely risen since the Twins clinched the division. I, myself, am planning on attending one of the post-season games. Personally, I am holding out for the World Series, but I do know this great place that has all the post-season tickets you will need.

Ticket King has the best post-season tickets available with an array of sections ready for purchase. Hop on the bandwagon and join your Minnesota Twins at Target Field as they take on their upcoming opponents on the way to the World Series. Take it from an expert, don't miss these amazing post-season match-ups.

Then, when you are at the game, you and I can discuss the various attributes our home-town boys have.