Monday the Twins traveled across the state to Jupiter, Fl. to play the Cardinals. Tommy Milone and Mike Leake pitched 4 innings each in 45 minutes with no score. Leake struck out 6 while Milone was getting lazy fly balls and ground balls to short. The Twins scored 2 runs in the 5th with singles by Park, Escobar, Keplar, and Polanco. The Cards got single runs in the 5th, 6th, and 9th innings. The Twins scored in the 7th and added 2 more in the 9th. Final score 5-3. Polanco had 3 hits and 2
I went to the Twins vs Orioles game on Saturday. Perfect weather; 75 degrees with partly cloudy skies. Dozier got things going with a leadoff homer, the Twins scored 8 runs in the 6th inning (very sloppy fielding by the O's) and won 13-2 (it was a split-squad team for Baltimore). Also homering were Rosario and minor league catcher Juan Centeno. I was looking forward to seeing Santana and Berrios pitch the first 4 innings. Santana was done in the first after only 7 pitches, but the second star
The first action took place on Tom Kelly Field with TK working with Mauer, Park, and Vargas and Gene Glynn working with the middle infielders on fielding grounders and looking toward base runners. Vargas with his trimmed down look is much more agile around first base. My first prediction of the year; Vargas with start the year at DH with Park being sent to AAA to learn the "Twins Way." Things were like yesterday with pitchers warming up in the pen and then alternating between Hammond and the m
Monday morning found bright sunny skies, temps in the mid 70's, and lots of fans watching the workouts. Everyone was watching Tom Kelly Field where TK himself was putting the infielders through drills. There were a lot of guys switching off at first base; Park, Mauer, Carlos Quentin, Max Kepler, and a much lighter Kennys Vargas. Nothing much of note except when Dozier threw a double play pivot over the fence beyond first. On Hammond field the outfielders were fielding throws and throwing to t
Wednesday's storms brought sunny skies, cool temps (low 60's) and strong winds to Ft. Myers. Got to Hammond a little later than usual (bad traffic) and pitchers were already into bullpen sessions. The first 5 pitchers I watched were Hughes, May, O'Rourke, Abad, and a lefty Pat Dean. As in other years Hughes' control is terrific and Abad is a big lefty, 6-1, 220 lbs. Neil Allen, Eddie G., and Latroy Hawkins were behind the mounds watching. The next 5 were Gibson, Jepsen, Brandon Kintzler (AAA
A rainy day in Ft. Myers, but the boys still got their work done. The first 4 hitters on field 4 were the same as Monday; Buxton, Park, Arcia, and D. Santana. The second group was Benson, Escobar, Rosario and Mr. Joe Mauer. Buxton, Santana, Rosario, and Escobar were hitting line drives consistently. Tony Oliva was working with Arcia between at bats. Mauer looked very rusty at first, but during his last round hit the ball hard to right field. His last pitch one hopped the fence in right cent
I got to Hammond about 9:30 (temp was 73). The back infield was busy with pitchers (minor league guys I think) taking fielding practice. Field 4 had Tony Oliva watching over the guys doing warmup drills. Then they started hitting. Brunansky was pitching; the first 4 were Buxton, Park, Arcia (Bruno called him Archie) and Danny Santana. They all hit the ball fairly well; Arcia seemed to be trying to hit liners to left-center. The second 4 were Escobar, Sano, Rosario, and Joe Benson (He looked
Monday was a busier day at Hammond. A few more players and a lot more fans (school holiday). To explain this day to those who have not been to Ft. Myers I will give a little geography lesson. As I understand it Hammond Stadium is the ball park used by the Miracle and Twins during spring training. The rest of the facility is called Century Link Sports Complex. Hammond is in the northeast corner; to the south is parking lot; and to the west is where the spring training action takes place. To th
I see where MLB Network is showing a Bob Costas tribute to Rod Carew next Tuesday at 8 p.m. This reminded me of a spring training game about 2 years ago. For those of you not familiar with Hammond Stadium the stands run along the 3rd base side to just past the infield. Then comes the Twins bullpen area and outside of that is a picnic area with concrete tables. Above this area is a concrete ceiling and above that is a big bar area with railings all around. As you stand in this bar area and f
Not much happening at Hammond, today. The best hitter on the day looked like Plouffe. Arcia, with huge diamond (or fake) earings in both ears swinging upper cut high fly balls. Watched Byung Ho Park quite a bit. He has very wide stance, then brings his front leg back until both knees almost touch, then strides out to meet the ball. Reminds me of a right side Tony Oliva. Speaking of Oliva, lotsa talk about Sano moving to the outfield. Tony was not the greatest outfielder, either. He took l
I am lucky enough to get some updates from a friend who visits Hammond often, I bet there are a few on here that would enjoy them. Here is the first one of the year. Hi guys! I went to Hammond this morning. When I arrived Phil Roof was pitching to Byung Ho Park, Adam B. Walker, O. Arcia and someone I didn't know. Park has a nice smooth swing, hits line drives with little effort, and hit at least one that was way over the fence in left. Arcia did not impress; hitting ground balls and popups. Th
I really hold back what I would like to say about then payroll arguments here. The fact that people don't accept the amount taken in dictates the amount going out requires one of two things. Extreme financial ignorance or fanatical bias that prevents the acceptance of something some basic. I did not change the argument. It's the same idiocy over and over. Do you really want to be on the side that suggests revenues does not determine spending capacity?
At this point in the pre-season, I’m just so happy to be seeing games again, I don’t care about the Twins record in 2023. I think they’ll win it all, unrealistically speaking 🙂
I really hold back what I would like to say about then payroll arguments here. The fact that people don't accept the amount taken in dictates the amount going out requires one of two things. Extreme financial ignorance or fanatical bias that prevents the acceptance of something some basic. I did not change the argument. It's the same idiocy over and over. Do you really want to be on the side that suggests revenues does not determine spending capacity?· 0 replies
