I think last year burned some good will, but if they keep playing like this they're going to change some minds.

I think everyone has that letter to write, but I’m waiting to write mine at the end of the season.

I was in favor of the signing all the way, and scratched my head constantly regarding the angst over it.

I was in favor of the signing all the way, and scratched my head constantly regarding the angst over it.

Oh, sure ... there’s always that one person in the crowd.

Oh, sure ... there’s always that one person in the crowd.

There might have been two or three of us

 

Full disclosure, I didn't like the Parker signing, so we all have our own crow to eat.

For my part I have been really pleased with Falvey and Lavine. I think they have done a great job hiring through out baseball operations. They gave us a very fun and competitive team this year. They have done a great job restocking our farm system and bringing in new systems and technologies. The picking of nits seems almost compulsive for some and it seems fair to give credit to the Twins leadership. I have not agreed with every decision from the front office but they have certainly got a lot right.

Edited May 7, 20197 yr by Wizard11

Last year was disappointing to the average, casual fan not only because they underperformed and only won 78 games, but because it marked the end of their beloved Dozier (and Escobar to a certain extent) in Minnesota. This is the angriest fans have been since the Justin Morneau trade to Pittsburgh in 2013.

 

In retrospect, letting go of Dozier has worked out beautifully for us. I loved him, but he didn't do much for the Dodgers, where he sat on the bench for most of the playoffs, and has not been good for the Nats this year either. Furthermore, most of the moves from this past offseason are working out fine.

 

People were angry, and understandably so, that some of the most recognizable names were traded off. 

 

As for attendance, Here is what I have gathered:

1.) The weather has sucked, and not just in Minnesota. Attendance has been a problem throughout baseball thus far in many places. 

2.) The Twins have not had a good decade. They won the division in 2010 and make a Wild Card game in 2017. The 2017 team wasn't that great, they just happened to be better than the rest of the mediocre teams in the AL and took advantage of those teams in August and September. 2018's weather started crappy too, and by the time it got better, the Twins were already buried in the standings en route to another sub-.500 season. Looking at the wholistic picture like that, I get it, but I agree it's sad.

3.) People are boycotting games in protest to the Pohlad's being cheap... Too bad the Pohlad's make a profit off this team before selling a single ticket.

This raises another serious question - I've been here longer than Falvey; WHERE THE HECK IS MY INVITATION?

I don’t like your roster management commentary style. You think you’re sooooo smart. “Blah, blah, blah, I’m gil4 and I think the roster isn’t good. If we did things *my* way, I’d have those 25 guys playing like they were 28 guys.” That’s just not a party guest for me.

 

Unless you can bring a fruit bowl? Joe Mauer was going to bring a fruit bowl, but now he can’t make it.

 

I would reply, but this doesn't apply to me.

 

I'm an above-average Twins fan.

 

I always suspected you grew up in Lake Wobegon. 

Edited May 7, 20197 yr by IndianaTwin

 

which direction?

 

Yes?

 

I always suspected you grew up in Lake Wobegon. 

Partially correct.

 

I never grew up.

There's a vocal group of fans who think they aren't "ball guys" because they didn't spend their entire professional lives on the backfields scouting players.This is also the same group that claims they are trying to build the team through a math equation.

 

It's a bad take but that's the group the OP is talking about

 

the top predictors of attendance are two factors:

 

the previous year's attendance

the previous year's (and the one's before that) W-L record.

 

Neither of those moved in a way to have attendance increase this year. Also, outside the HUGE boost in PHI this year, attendance is down across the league.

Agreed. While I won't say that the weather isn't a factor, fans weren't coming out last year when the weather was nice either. Announced attendances were usually about double what the actual number of fans in the stands were in my experience. It was pretty bad. Not a fun atmosphere as a fan and I'm sure terrible to play in front of too. I think, and rightfully so in my view, that it'll take a lot more than one month of good baseball to bring fans back in.

Talk radio troglodytes have to talk about something... Now that Mauer is gone, they are desperate for new straw men.

Edited May 7, 20197 yr by blindeke

I am beyond impressed with what Mr. Falvey and Mr. Levine (I can't stand the "Falvine" thing) have done with this ball club in such a short period of time. The strengthening of the developmental system has probably been the most notable feat. There is actual position depth and competition for the first time in many, many years.  The additions to the coaching and front office analytic staff should pay benefits for many years to come. I think the hiring of Rocco Baldelli was a great choice and seems to be working.  Not to say there haven't been some headscratching moments, but as a whole I think this franchise is headed in a good direction. A think a few more years of experience for Falvey/Levine/Baldelli and staff will only strengthen what they have put in place. 

 

I don’t like your roster management commentary style. You think you’re sooooo smart. “Blah, blah, blah, I’m gil4 and I think the roster isn’t good. If we did things *my* way, I’d have those 25 guys playing like they were 28 guys.” That’s just not a party guest for me.

Unless you can bring a fruit bowl? Joe Mauer was going to bring a fruit bowl, but now he can’t make it.

I can bring a fruit bowl and I can be boring - I'm the perfect party sub for Mauer! (especially since I also can't make it.)

 

I am beyond impressed with what Mr. Falvey and Mr. Levine (I can't stand the "Falvine" thing) have done with this ball club in such a short period of time. The strengthening of the developmental system has probably been the most notable feat. There is actual position depth and competition for the first time in many, many years.  The additions to the coaching and front office analytic staff should pay benefits for many years to come. I think the hiring of Rocco Baldelli was a great choice and seems to be working.  Not to say there haven't been some headscratching moments, but as a whole I think this franchise is headed in a good direction. A think a few more years of experience for Falvey/Levine/Baldelli and staff will only strengthen what they have put in place. 

I agree. For the first time ever I have more confidence in the guys running baseball ops for the Twins than in the guys writing about the Twins on TD. (That's a pretty high bar to get over, and the previous regime didn't get very close.)

 

I can bring a fruit bowl and I can be boring - I'm the perfect party sub for Mauer! (especially since I also can't make it.)

Well, consider yourself invited. Please RSVP.