Front Page: Handbook Preview: R.T. Rybak's Poetic Preface

Nick Nelson · October 22, 2019

Twins Daily was conceived, above all, as a platform to elevate Twins fan/writing communities. In line with this vision, we try to infuse our annual flagship product – the Offseason Handbook – with a variety of new and exciting voices.

Today we're pleased to announce our foreword contributor for the 2020 Offseason Handbook: R.T. Rybak!First, a little background on Mr. Rybak. Those in the Twin Cities are likely familiar with the name at least, because he spent 12 years as mayor of Minneapolis, from 2002 through 2013. To say he was popular among his constituents would be an understatement – Rybak was elected in 2001 by the widest margin of victory in the city's history, and he won reelection twice in resounding fashion.

While "three-term mayor" is quite the distinction, R.T. might characterize himself as a Twins fan first and foremost. He is an unabashed DIEHARD – exactly the type of passionate baseball nut this site was built for.

Those of us who follow him on Twitter have come to cherish his whimsical postgame poetry. Examples below:

We at Twins Daily are grateful and humbled to say that R.T. is also an openly avid fan of our site and community. (If you came to our Game 1 ALDS viewing party at Brother's, you might've spotted him and said hi.) When we asked if he might have interest in contributing to this year's Handbook, he was eager to step up to the plate.

R.T. came through with a longform of his classic Twins balladry, this one serving to set up the many winter story lines as foreword for the Handbook. He knocks it out of the park. Below, as a sampler, the first three stanzas:

If winter dreams have you pining

For some new Twin-for-hire

A free agent to help

Beat the Yankee Empire

Take the day off of work

Stay home, play hooky

Imagine managing the Twins

Like Rocco, no longer a rookie

Know offseason moves

Have supporters and critics

Get it right with this Handbook

Filled with stats and analytics

....

This is merely a small taste of what you'll find at the outset of the 2020 Offseason Handbook, now available for digital preorder! As R.T. alludes, we'll be covering all the moves and decisions that lie ahead in this critical offseason, with plenty of supporting stats and analytics.

Secure your digital copy now, and you'll get it before it's officially available to the public (ETA is around the conclusion of the World Series). You can name your price but the minimum for preorders is $10. After the official release there will be no minimum.

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