Article: Twins Catcher Tim Laudner Join Twins Daily’s 2015 Winter Meltdown

[John Bonnes]

The guest list for the Twins Daily Winter Meltdown continues to grow!

 

We're very excited to announce that Tim Laudner will be joining us to talk about the 1987 World Series, catcher framing, moving from player to media, and maybe show off what a World Series ring looks like.

 

Laudner is best known to Twins fans as being the starting catcher of the 1987 World Champion Twins. In that seven-game Championship series versus the Cardinals, he started every game, hitting .318 (with a .444 OBP).Laudner played nine seasons with the Twins, retiring towards the end of spring training in 1990. He also played high school football, where he was an all-state tight end, and high school baseball with Park Center, where he mostly pitched, including starting the semi-final state championship game in 1975. But in the summer of 1976 he converted to catcher and attended the University of Missouri.

 

Three years later, he was drafted by the Twins and slugged 42 home runs in AA before getting called up to replace the injured Butch Wynegar in 1981. Laudner homered in both of his first two games with the Twins and went on to post double-digit home runs in four of his seasons and was named an All-Star in 1988.

 

Since retirement he has worked as a project manager, run a Big League Baseball Camp and works as an analyst at Fox Sport North and Fox Sports Wisconsin. We're thrilled that he is interested in hanging out with the Twins Daily community and know you won't want to miss it, so here are the details:

• January 24th, from 5-8, at Mason's. Just walk the block from Target Field and TwinsFest and join us.
• Question & answers with Minnesota Twins President Dave St. Peter, Twins alum catcher and .... you'll need to wait until Monday to find out.
• Two free beers from local craft brewery 612 Brew. Drink
• Drink specials from Dobel Tequila and Three Olives Vodka.
• The limited edition Twins Daily Winter Meltdown Pint Glass
• Tickets go on sale Tuesday RIGHT HERE for $25! We sold out last year within hours. Plus the price goes up to $30 on Wednesday. PLEASE don't miss out.

~~~

 

Wednesday morning update:

Time for a Meltdown! (The good kind.)

 

Last year, the 1st Annual Twins Daily Winter Meltdown featured Twins president Dave St. Peter, former Twins pitcher Scott Erickson and Miguel Sano documentarian Jon Paley. Over 200 people showed up and advance tickets sold out inside of four hours. As with seemingly everything this community does, the stories that came out of it were legendary.

 

Let’s do that again.

 

On Saturday the 24th, from 5:00 to 8:00, we’ll be throwing the 2nd Annual Twins Daily Winter Meltdown. You can walk over from TwinsFest because the event will be just a block away, at Mason’s Restaurant and Barre on 6th and Hennepin. Not only will you get to gather with Twins Daily writers and members and talk Hot Stove, but we’ll include:

• A Twins Daily Winter Meltdown Pint Glass
• Two complimentary local craft beers from 612 Brew
• Drink specials on Dobel Tequila shots and Three Olives Naked Vodka drinks.
• Aaron Gleeman and John “Twins Geek” Bonnes interviewing three special Twins guests.

We’ll announce two of the guests on Friday and Monday morning, but we can confirm that we’ll lead off with Twins President Dave St. Peter. St. Peter has served as President of the Twins since 2002, overseeing a decade of success, a move to Target Field and the recent struggles of the team. He has also made enormous efforts to engage Twins fans directly, including a very active (and popular) Twitter account. We really appreciate his support.

 

Download attachment: Dave St. Peter.jpg

 

And, you’ll be treated to some fantastic locally brewed beer from 612 Brew in Northeast Minneapolis. This is 612 Brew’s second year sponsoring our Meltdown and they have supported various Twins Daily and Gleeman and the Geek events for several years. They are some of the more creative brewers in the city, as their beer list details.

 

Last year, the tricky part was getting tickets, and that could be true again. Tickets are $30, but because we want to reward those folks who stop by Twins Daily every day, they’ll be on sale for $25 the first day of the sale, TUESDAY (1/13). Even more importantly, last year they sold out by noon on the first day, so I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you find a way to stop by TwinsDaily.com this Tuesday morning when they go on sale at 8AM at Twins Daily and get your tickets.

 

Download attachment: Winter-Meltdown-2015-Pint-Glass_300.jpg

 

Want to bring friends and family? Great. Mason’s is known for their fantastic food. Also, kids under 21 are absolutely welcome if they would like to meet or ask questions of our guests. (You’ll need ID to get any alcohol.)

 

So please join us for our biggest event of the year. It’s easy, it’s affordable, it’s crazy fun and you’re going to be kicking yourself that weekend if you can’t be there. Stop by tomorrow for more news on our guests or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Click here to view the article

[nicksaviking]

I have to say, no matter how one feels about the job St. Peter does and the oft ill-timed comments, he certainly is a friend of TD.  It's great he's granted more face time. 

[John Bonnes]

And he's certainly willing to face the music. The questions he is asked at this are not softballs, and he also responds to questions on Twitter.

 

To be honest, I find that kind of willingness to be honest and candid about themselves prevalent among most "baseball" people. They need to be to succeed. They usually aren't overly sensitive. Sometimes people around them are overly sensitive, thinking that they're protecting or sticking up for them, but in reality, the performers and decision-makers are pretty willing to talk candidly about their actions, provided the criticism and analysis isn't stilted. 

[Parker Hageman]

And he's certainly willing to face the music. The questions he is asked at this are not softballs, and he also responds to questions on Twitter.

 

 

The questions to Dave St. Peter have definitely not been asked softball questions. Between last year's Winter Meltdown interview and this year's No Juice Podcast interview I'd say he's received some tough questions. 

[jharaldson]

The questions to Dave St. Peter have definitely not been asked softball questions. Between last year's Winter Meltdown interview and this year's No Juice Podcast interview I'd say he's received some tough questions. 

 

The twinsdaily member submitted questions that you asked Dave St. Peter was my favorite thing that TwinsDaily.com has done.  It was a direct connection between the concerns of those on this board and the president of our favorite team.  If you are willing to do it I would highly suggest you solicit questions for him again.

[Parker Hageman]

The twinsdaily member submitted questions that you asked Dave St. Peter was my favorite thing that TwinsDaily.com has done.  It was a direct connection between the concerns of those on this board and the president of our favorite team.  If you are willing to do it I would highly suggest you solicit questions for him again.

 

 

Yes, we will definitely allow Twins Daily members to submit questions for Mr. St. Peter and the two other guests. 

[Thrylos]

And he's certainly willing to face the music. The questions he is asked at this are not softballs,

 

Nah.  They are softballs

Nobody asked him:

a. Whether the fact that the Twins' top executive is not a baseball person, is a competitive disadvantage for the Twins

b. Whether or not it is a coincidence that the Twins really went South (in this Century) right after Jerry Bell relinquished that top executive position

c. How many organizations would stand to have the same Front Office Leadership (pretty much) for 20+ years with one a single post-season series win

d. Whether he cares more about: 1. The Twins Winning 2. The "Brand" 3. $

 

Those are tough questions.  But if you ask him, he might pull a Hunter on y'all...

[Brock Beauchamp]

Ugh. Just ugh.

[Seth Stohs]

Ugh. Just ugh.

 

Exactly.

[Parker Hageman]

Wow. Ok.

 

a. Whether the fact that the Twins' top executive is not a baseball person, is a competitive disadvantage for the Twins

 

 

I recall you trying to ask a similar question in the DSP Q&A thread but you did not clarify the question upon my request...

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/15671-want-to-ask-twins-president-dave-st-peter-a-question/?p=288420

 

I'm not sure what constitutes a "baseball person" to you. And judging from the re-post here, I'm now seeing that you meant Dave St. Peter as the "top of the organization". Should I just list them?

 

• Larry Lucchino, president and CEO of the Red Sox, was never a "baseball person". 
• Randy Lavine, president of the Yankees, was never a "baseball person".
• Stan Kasten, president of the Dodgers, was never a "baseball person".
• Brian Auld, president of the Rays, was never a "baseball person."
• Paul Beeston, president/CEO of Blue Jays, was never a "baseball person".

I could continue this but there seems to be a trend. If you wish to continue this list, Google is free. 

 

What I will say is that there are plenty of teams that have "non-baseball people" that run the organization that delegate the work out to other "baseball people" to make "baseball" decisions. 

 

 

 

b. Whether or not it is a coincidence that the Twins really went South (in this Century) right after Jerry Bell relinquished that top executive position

 

 

Dave St. Peter took over the president role in 2002. The team won the Central in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2010. Not seeing the correlation. 

 

c. How many organizations would stand to have the same Front Office Leadership (pretty much) for 20+ years with one a single post-season series win

 

 

I think everyone knows the answer to this question. You just want this asked for what reason? 

 

d. Whether he cares more about: 1. The Twins Winning 2. The "Brand" 3. $

 

 

Again, if you listen to the podcast interview we did with him in October, I know you will find that these two are not mutually exclusive. Winning creates interest. Interest leads to ticket sales. Ticket sales leads to higher revenue. No secret there.

 

http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/podcasts/no-juice-podcast-27-dave-st-peter-r3169

[Squirrel]

Parker, excellent.

[Thrylos]

Dave St. Peter took over the president role in 2002. The team won the Central in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2010. Not seeing the correlation.

 

Indeed.  But Jerry Bell was the Chairman and he was higher in the organization than St. Peter, until he retired.

 

 

 

I recall you trying to ask a similar question in the DSP Q&A thread but you did not clarify the question upon my request...

 

fair. And I was traveling and did not see the request for clarification in time.  The point is not whether a successful franchise can win without a baseball man on top.  The point whether an organization that has not won for a while would be better of getting a baseball man on top, like the Rangers did with Ryan and the Diamondbacks are doing with LaRussa etc.

 

As far as the other 2 questions go, you are answering them.   He never was asked to answer them. 

 

Asking Ryan's boss, how come he is around after 20 years of futility, including the last 3, is more than fair, don't you think?

Edited January 9, 2015 by Thrylos

[old nurse]

Point of clarification please. Jerry Bell headed the sports facility comission before working for the Twins.  Wouldn't Calvin Griffith have been the last baseball person to run the Twins?

[Thrylos]

Point of clarification please. Jerry Bell headed the sports facility comission before working for the Twins.  Wouldn't Calvin Griffith have been the last baseball person to run the Twins?

 

Andy MacPhail.

[Parker Hageman]

Indeed.  But Jerry Bell was the Chairman and he was higher in the organization than St. Peter, until he retired.

 

 

Just to be clear, Jerry Bell was appointed president of Twins Sports Inc in 2002 after he stepped down as president of the Twins. His duties between then and 2011 revolved around getting Target Field funded and constructed (he was a part of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission from 1977 to 1987). 

 

To you question regarding Ryan/LaRussa as team presidents, that's fair. Again, it wasn't clear to me what the question was. We will have a thread to place questions for Mr. St. Peter and Mr. Laudner and that seems like a good question to add. 

 

To the last point, yes, I answered them. You are definitely welcomed to submit them. 

[old nurse]

Andy MacPhail.

He wa GM, not president of baseball operations. Howard Fox was between Griffith and Bell. I kind of recall Fox was not in the scouting department

Edited January 9, 2015 by old nurse

[Mike Sixel]

If only this thread could not be one person's thread, and be about the cool event.....If y'all want to talk about the other stuff, maybe move it. I know I'm not an admin, but I came to this thread to read about a cool event, not to re-hash an argument over and over.

 

Great event. Have fun everyone. I probably can't make this work this year, alas*

 

*alas, as I hope this is my last winter in MN, so this would be my last shot.

[Sarah]

Thrylos, I see that you live in Pennsylvania so you can't attend in person but I attended this last year and I thought Dave St. Peter was candid and engaging with the fans. Do you ever attend fan events for any of the teams on the east coast? I grew up in Minnesota but am always interested to know if other teams have the same level of engagement from team personnel that the Twins do.

 

And a side note, I got my picture taken with Scott Erickson last year and my sister said, "He looks like a Ken doll!"

[Brock Beauchamp]

If only this thread could not be one person's thread, and be about the cool event.....If y'all want to talk about the other stuff, maybe move it. I know I'm not an admin, but I came to this thread to read about a cool event, not to re-hash an argument over and over.

 

Great event. Have fun everyone. I probably can't make this work this year, alas*

 

*alas, as I hope this is my last winter in MN, so this would be my last shot.

Thanks, Mike. You bring up a good point.

 

This thread is about the Meltdown event. If anyone wants to talk about how much they despise the front office, go do it somewhere else. There are at least a dozen threads more applicable than this one.

[nicksaviking]

Andy MacPhail.

 

I prefer a "baseball guy" to run the organization too, but even if we use MacPhail as the template, there might be issues in what we consider a "baseball guy."  As far as I can tell, the MacPhail clan's only on-field experience is Andy's stint playing DIII ball. 

 

He got started in the business because of his dad, who got into the business because of his dad.  Patriarch, Larry, was a lawyer who bought a minor league team for what seems like just a hobby.  If we're being critical (and I'm really just playing devil's advocate) the only reason anyone would think of the MacPhail's as baseball people is because of generations of nepotism started by a rich lawyer who went to law school with Branch Rickey (who would also then not be a "baseball guy"?)

 

So along those lines, would Bill Smith's kids automatically be considered "baseball guys?"

Edited January 9, 2015 by nicksaviking

[daanderson20]

I feel like Tim Laudner isn't gonna put up the kind of night Erickson had last year. What guest are you looking at to fill that void?

[Brock Beauchamp]

I feel like Tim Laudner isn't gonna put up the kind of night Erickson had last year. What guest are you looking at to fill that void?

*holds a mirror toward dan*

[Parker Hageman]

Yes, question for Mr. Laudner? How badly did you want the next guy drilled after this?

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/0/5/8/92771058/lawless_gif_twitter_heddgre3.gif

[h2oface]

Laudner gave him the Papelbon grab the junk gesture instead - an offense that didn't get you suspended then. Or maybe he didn't mean it that way? Another question.

[Thrylos]

Thrylos, I see that you live in Pennsylvania so you can't attend in person but I attended this last year and I thought Dave St. Peter was candid and engaging with the fans. Do you ever attend fan events for any of the teams on the east coast? I grew up in Minnesota but am always interested to know if other teams have the same level of engagement from team personnel that the Twins do.

 

And a side note, I got my picture taken with Scott Erickson last year and my sister said, "He looks like a Ken doll!"

 

I am a Twins' fan.  I have zero interest in attending any east coast (or other in general) teams' events, unless they involve the Twins some way, but those are usually minor league games.   Now, if there were something in DC about the history of the Twins' franchise in its time there and I was at the area, I might give it some thought.  

Edited January 10, 2015 by Thrylos

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Yes, question for Mr. Laudner? How badly did you want the next guy drilled after this?

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/0/5/8/92771058/lawless_gif_twitter_heddgre3.gif

 

Even though it's against the Twins, that's such a great GIF - I mean, If I were Tom Lawless and I hit a Homer in the World Series, I would probably do the same thing. When would he ever in his life get that opportunity again? (yeah yeah unwritten rules, act like you've been there before, etc etc.) To that point in his MLB career he'd only hit one homer. He only managed one more after that, in 1988.

 

I looked it up and Lawless played his entire MLB career without being hit by a pitch once - so if there was payback, it wasn't on him. Jim Lindeman did get plunked by Joe Niekro later in that same game, though the score was still close enough that it was likely an accident and not revenge. Lawless faced Viola again in game 7 of the series, and went 0-3.

 

That homer was the only hit Lawless managed against Viola in 10 career plate appearances.

[jharaldson]

1. We have heard over the past season or 2 a lot of talk from the Twins about Josmil Pinto needing to improve as a catcher.  I can look at his numbers and see he has thrown out 5 of 26 runners in his career which isn’t great but isn’t awful.  Can you point out some other things he needs to improve on that the average fan can watch for during a game?

 

2. There has been a recent advancement in baseball statistics where analysts are measuring the number of balls called strikes and the number of strikes called balls and attributing that to the catcher.  A number of questions on this:

• Do you think that the catcher has an impact on the umpire’s call of ball or strike?
• Do you think that impact can be measured?
• What are your thoughts on the fact that Kurt Suzuki is measured very poorly in this stat over a number of years and teams?

3. I grew up watching the Twins starting in ’85 and loved how much fun it looked like that group had playing baseball.  I have always been curious about how the Gaetti conversion went over with that team as I heard a number of rumors that it created a rift in the team.  A couple of questions on this:

• Did  his conversion have an impact on the team or was that overblown by media and fans?
• Have you ever seen anything like that on other teams you have covered or been around?