Friday Links-N-Thinks

Anytime the Twins end a week with a .500 record, it is a step in the right direction. A sweep of a day-night double header in Kansas City last Saturday helped to get the team off to the right track for the week. The big offensive showing on Tuesday night against the White Sox was also fun to see even though the Twins ended up losing the series. It might be sad to be happy about a .500 record for a week but when your team is 18.5 games out of first place you look for any positive signs that you can find.

One of the biggest positive signs for the Twins has been Chris Parmelee and his performance so far in September.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] The first baseman turned outfielder has been on a tear since the team recalled him at the end of last month. In the last seven days, he is hitting .407/.448/.815 with three home runs and two doubles to go along with eight RBI. The front office for the Twins is giving plenty of players a chance to prove their worth and Parmelee seems to be making the most of his chance for the second September in a row.

The Twins will return home tonight for a 10-game homestand against the Indians, the Royals, and the White Sox. It will be the last time the team faces the White Sox and the Royals in 2012. But before the weekend action kicks off, make sure to peruse this week's edition of "Friday Links-N-Thinks."

• Tom Kelly's number will be retired this weekend and the former manager is humbled by the whole situation.
  
• After a breakout season for two players at Double-A, it's tough to pick out the MVP for the Rock Cats.
  
• Both of those hot hitting Rock Cats might have been snubbed from a September call-up.
  
• Make sure to take a glance at this great write up about the season in New Britain.
  
• It looks like the honeymoon might be ending for Target Field.
  
• There were some very good performances in the minor leagues for the Twins in the last month of the season. Check out the hitter of the month, the starting pitcher of the month, and the relief pitcher of the month.
  
• Joe Mauer's offense seems to be back to normal but his defensive skills seem to be going the wrong direction.
  
• It's never too early to start looking at the 2013 MLB Draft and some of the players that might be available for the Twins.
  
• Jamey Carroll ended the longest HR drought in baseball with his long ball earlier this week.
  
• The Twins made their September call-ups in the last week and they were kind of a downer.
  
• If you missed the end of the Appy League Championship, it was a series for the ages as all three games went to extra-innings and the E-Twins came out on top.
  

• Former Twins pitcher and Cy Young candidate R.A. Dickey signed a deal to write children's books.
  
• Nick Punto brought his jersey shredding skills with him to Los Angeles.
  
• The title of most exciting player in baseball has changed a lot since the late 70s.
  
• Ozzie Guillen is back on Twitter and he is always entertaining.
  
• Insurance might have played a part in the decision to shutdown Stephen Strasburg.
  
• Attendance was low on Tuesday, the day after Labor Day, and Chipper Jones wasn't happy about it.
  
• Here is an epic tale of Johnny Damon trying to throw a ball to home plate.
  
• The rules for expanding rosters in September might be changing for 2013.
  
• Phil Humber threw a perfect game earlier this year and this week he got destroyed in an outing by the Twins.
  
• Lots of weird things can happen in a meaningless minor league game at the end of the year including a 350-pound relief pitcher stealing third.
  
• It sounds like Adam Greenberg's comeback isn't going to happen with the Cubs.
  
• Royals stud prospect Wil Myers was named Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America.
  

My Weekly Rundown

Monday: LABOR DAY

Tuesday: What will another good September mean for Chris Parmelee?

Wednesday: The Curious Case of Anthony Slama

Thursday: Revisiting my preseason projections for the minors

Video of the Week: Former Twins outfielder Jason Repko made one of those catches that will be shown in highlight reels for years to come. Granted it came in a minor league game for the Red Sox but he still went up and over a wall to make a catch. Make sure to check it out if you haven't seen this amazing play.