Tonight Marks Bert Blyleven's Final Game as Twins Broadcaster

[Platoon]

I always thought Bert was at his best when the games were out of hand. He was more entertaining than analytical,  it’s not that he didn’t know the game, it’s that he seemed to enjoy the witty repartee more than the X’s and O’s. 

[BD57]

All the travel has to have gotten old - especially as Bert has gotten older.

 

I appreciate him.  Is he 'the best'?  No, but that's OK; there's only going to be one "best," and everyone can't have that guy (whoever he is).

 

He's been "good" and that makes the games entertaining.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Goodbyes suck.  So glad I had opportunities to see him work at the ball yard.  Hope he flips us all the bird on the way out tonight. 

[adorduan]

Thanks for the memories Bert!

[DocBauer]

I knew it was coming, but I'm really sad about this. Yes, his schtick and some "grumpy old man" stuff got a little tired. But grumpy old man meant he was also being honest in his evaluations and opinions.

 

I enjoyed his humor and perspective. Just last night he was commenting about a different stance and plate approach of one of the hitters. And I was thinking to myself, "this guy is still sharp and engaged and yet some say he should already be gone."

 

He never took himself too seriously, had a great sense of humor and was never afraid to poke fun of himself. I can't recall the exact quote, but a Twins pitcher was having an outstanding game last season and then allowed a HR. Dick's comment was essentially: "Must be hard to give up a HR like that."

 

Bert: "Not for me. I did that over 300 times in my career."

 

My favorite broadcasts in 2019 were Dick and Bert and Kaat in the booth. Stories, humor and perspective were flying through the mic.

 

Bert was a real pro, knows the game well and enjoyed having fun. He should be cherished. I know I will miss him greatly, for nostalgia if nothing less.

 

Bert, you are forever "circled" as a Twins ICON!

[ToriiRules!!]

I’ll never forget the game he dropped the F Bomb on live TV that was great!!!!

[SF Twins Fan]

Congrats on a long career Bert and best of luck in full retirement!

[DocBauer]

Sorry, but I got really nostalgic the last couple of innings tonight, and emotional, when Bert told a couple of stories and Dick said goodbye to their on-air partnership and then they showed the players paying tribute.

[Halsey Hall]

I know Bert was very upset having his games reduced.  My  guess is he had enough getting what he felt was screwed over and just quit. 

[FanFromPhilly]

I started following baseball in 1972 and Bert was one of my favorite pitchers so I'll miss him.  I have MLB.com but live in Chicago so couldn't watch last night's game, I'm sorry I missed it.

[Trov]

96 was when I really started to follow Twins and sports generally.  I was a huge fan of Bert as commentator when I was young, but in recent years felt he just became the grumpy old man that complained about how things are different and he does not like it.  As I got older I learned how little he added to broadcasts on the annalist side of things, but he entertained fans with the circle campaign that many loved.  He was like a broken record the last few years and personally looked forward to when he was not in the booth.  Any time a guy got a hit it was always because the pitch was up, even if it was not up.  He was against the shift, or any other changes to the game.  He would complain about how no pitcher went 9 anymore, and the Twins were the leader of the 100 pitch count and pull him thing.  So we had to hear about 100 pitches and the guy's arm will fall off every game.

 

If he would have adapted with the game and accepted times had changed I would have liked that but he was stuck in his old ways.  I enjoyed him in his prime as a broadcaster, but as he aged I was glad he dialed back his games.  Personally, I wish him well with whatever life offers.  I am glad he made HOF, but I am happy to see some other perspective in the booth.   

[Brock Beauchamp]

It’s well known that I am not a fan of Blyleven the analyst but still, he was a part of the fabric of this team for my entire adult life. In many ways, he’ll be missed.

[Finlander]

They reduced the number of games he was to work in recent years, which may have contributed to his occasional lack of inspiration lately. But I thought the chemistry between him and Dick Bremer was special. They seemed to genuinely enjoy working and having fun with each other. That chemistry, along with Bert's combination of humor and expert knowledge, will be hard to replace. May you have many more happy years and hotfoot victims Mr. Blyleven!