JB_Iowa

First, I want to thank you for a well-written first blog post. And, I agree with much of what you've written. I want to point out what has been another "conundrum" for me that ties into your 2nd to the last paragraph. I'm am absolutely convinced that Gardenhire's long-term approach ("Keep playing hard boys, we'll get 'em tomorrow), is a significant part of the success that the Twins enjoyed during the 2000's. He generally did not allow them to get too high or too low -- keeping them on an "even keel" with an appreciation for the length of the season. I do believe that it helped them down the stretch. But I also believe that it puts them in middle gear and that they were unable to shift out of it when it came to the playoffs -- when time is NOT on your side and there isn't always a game tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, the lack of power pitching and the gaps in the line-up were also a big part of those losses. But sometimes "little engines" do win, even in the playoffs, but they have to have the right mindset. And I just don't think that Gardenhire and the other leaders on this team (whoever they may be cuz I'm not sure I've ever been able to identify them well) were able to shift from a long-season view to the urgency of the playoffs. And in a sense, I wonder if the organization's current stance isn't somewhat like that. They were used to sustained long-term success in the 2000's (albeit no playoff wins) and now that they have had a disastrous two seasons, I think they are still stuck in 2nd gear. I hope that they can shift to 1st as some of the prospects develop so that the Twins may eventually be competitive in the post-season but I'm not sure that it'll happen especially if 2nd gear (no substantial changes in the organization) eventually produces regular season competitiveness.

Merry Christmas! And please don't drink all 10 beers at one game.

And people wondered why more and more posters moved to the "dark side" even before the off-season? Some of us would simply rather be "pleasantly surprised" than to get kicked in the teeth again. Yes, there is still time and a few limited opportunities for Terry Ryan to salvage this off-season but as of right now, things don't look good. And, ironically, that's true whether -- before the offseason -- you hoped for a complete rebuild OR you thought they could be competitive in 2013.

Silly me. I thought that the TD use rules were simply that people were never supposed to attack other individuals. Attack ideas? yes. Individuals? No. That's basically what I see how I see any "direction" or "support" provided by TD leadership.

I don't know. Your possible explanation would have seemed plausible to me 5 years or more ago but 11 years after Gardenhire was hired? That water should definitely be under the bridge by now. I don't see Molitor as any more of a threat to Gardenhire than Gene Glynn. I would hope that if things go badly for Gardenhire next season, the Twins would be looking for someone with experience outside their system. Glynn would fit that profile much better than Molitor. Personally, I would hope that the Twins might be considering a broader range of candidates. Gardenhire, Glynn and Molitor are all very similar in age (with Glynn and Molitor both a year older than Gardenhire). I'm not saying that they have to go younger but it may be something they should consider along with other factors -- especially some new perspectives from outside the Twins system.

My thoughts were almost entirely the opposite. I am incredibly happy for the Tigers and for Delmon Young. And I really hope that they play -- and beat -- the Cardinals. I don't understand this hatred of rivals. I love the Twins but that doesn't mean that I hate any of the other Central Division teams. They are still the ones that I root for in the post-season -- and it doesn't matter if it is the Tigers or the White Sox (or Indians or Royals if they could manage to get in). My other big passion in sports is the Iowa Hawkeyes. Similarly, I root for every B1G team in the bowls and tournaments (even the Goo-fers). As I posted elsewhere when he was traded, DY was the big winner in the Twins-Tigers trade. He didn't take advantage of it the way I hoped he would this season but at least he came on strong at the end. Relative strength/weakness of the Central: Dombroski has been talking a lot recently about building this rotation for the post-season. The Tigers also have an owner who is willing to gamble on picking up the additional pieces they need. For all those who argue that the Pohlads did that for 2010 going into 2011 -- c'mon don't kid yourself. We all saw that the team wasn't good enough to compete in the post-season in 2010. What did they add for 2011 that changed that scenario? It comes down to a matter of philosophy. The Tigers seem to be willing to suffer some losing seasons for the possibility of a short surge (1-3 years) once a decade. The Twins don't seem to be willing to take that risk, instead preferring to idle along near the top but never reaching for that "star". Interestingly, neither team has won the World Series for more than 20 years. But the Tigers have advanced in the post-season. I can only hope that the misery of the last two years causes the Twins to re-evaluate their approach.

Thanks for making me smile. At least you can take comfort in being surrounded by other addicts when you are here at TD. This probably isn't the place to go for an intervention. Part of it is that hope springs eternal. As pessimistic as I am about next season, there is still that kernal of hope inside that the Twins can turn it around.

Oh, and there was plenty of negativity around Michael Cuddyer (despite his smiling countenance). But since he was never "deified" the way Mauer was, he wasn't "villified" quite as much eitehr.

I don't have a lot of feelings about Mauer -- one way or another. As I've said several times before, I didn't understand the deification and I don't really understand the viliification. Mauer has just always left me pretty cold. I can admire his professionalism and his accomplishments -- but I don't (and never have) felt any particular emotional connection to him. But I really think that a lot of the "backlash" as you characterize it, is due to the "deification" that he enjoyed during his first 8-9 years with the organization. And no, he didn't ask for that either. But honestly, people were treating him as though he was God. There is no human being who could continually live up to the image that a lot of people (mostly Minnesotans) ascribed to him. When he was going through his troubles last summer, I remember posting elsewhere that all Mauer could do this year to "rehab" his image was to come out and play almost every day this year and put up numbers that are in keeping with his career averages. He hasn't quite done that in the sense that he is catching in only about 1/2 the games (I think and maybe not even that). But at least this season saw a return to productivity (although he will probably never approach the stats of 2009). But even as I posted that, I added that I didn't think he could EVER regain the elevated status he once had. If he continues to be productive -- and if he can get back to catching 100 games or more a year as Terry Ryan envisions -- I think a lot of the "backlash" will fade. But I don't think he'll ever be "Saint Joe" again. And I don't think that's all bad. Overall, I think people will end up with a more realistic picture of him and a more realistic perception and appreciation for his accomplishments. And, to me, that's a good thing.

The mute button is your friend -- turn off the sound. You'll be surprised at how much more enjoyable it is to watch the games (even the way the Twins are playing) without listening to all the blathering and incessant interviews and gimmicks.

Amen.

Great column and posts. Waiting to see that photoshop creation!

Welcome to TD. I hate complaining about everything you do but I guess I'm just crabby by nature. Did you do something about 7:30 or so on Friday evening that caused all these scroll bars to appear? I appreciate shortening the pages but the scroll bars are annoying as h*ll. Especially because with the ads you get about 2 lines of each post and then have to scroll. Could you just eliminate them or at least allow more text before you have to scroll?

Can't disagree with anything you say. Given that Revere is only 24, I would expect his power to develop somewhat over the next few seasons (although I doubt he'll ever be a real power hitter). He also brings a spark and enthusiasm that often seems missing from this team. He is one of the least of the Twins problems right now. And given his highlight reel catches and captivating grin (he has SO much positive energy and that grin is infectious), I have to think that he is one of the few players on the team that may actually put b*tts in the seats.

Interesting. Thanks.

Thanks for the smile. I can actually picture this coming out of the spinning machine.

Do they have to move the same ones back or could they just use new ones, I wonder? At any rate, I agree that they need to break the curse of the pine trees (or spruces or whatever the were). So either replant or hire an exorcist.

Interesting post. Terry Ryan has indicated that Mike Radcliff will be deeply involved in this year's draft and the info above seems to bear out the wisdom of that decision.

Thanks for the laugh but 2nd in this division is a bit depressing.

I'm not a stats person but as I watched him run to 1st in his last AB yesterday, I commented on his knee. It wasn't a limp but it seemed like there was a hesitation in his step. I don't know the answer to all this but I think you are absolutely correct in your conclusion that he will go through periods like this (probably many of them) as long as he continues to cqatch.

The only thing good about the last series was that it was on the West Coast ... and I didn't feel compelled to watch it. In the past I would have decided to forego sleep. Not doing so was a really easy decision this week. Always enjoy your thoughts, k-bro

I don't think this says anything about him leaving permanently (not that I'd be opposed to that). And, while they have metaphorically hit the rocks, it isn't like they are in any physical danger (except perhaps from rabid fans). As I recall, he has taken days off for family matters in the past. In addition to his brother's (? as I recall) death which was obviously unscheduled, I specifically remember him taking time off for his daughter's HS graduation. That may have only been for 1 day but I think it was during a homestand. So I really don't view this as unusual. And, moreover, this may be coming at a really good time. Perhaps a few days away will give him some new energy when he goes back to this disaster of a team. I just don't see this break as a big deal. (That doesn't mean that a change of managers isn't warranted ... but not for taking these few days off.)

That's the way I interpreted it as well -- that Smith wanted to keep payroll near or above 2011 amounts and the Pohlads weren't willing to do so. I really thought it was Smith who didn't think rebuilding was necessary and that they would "be okay" with just a few additions & changes. I call that the "recapture 2010 glory philosophy". I really don't see Ryan rebuilding either but he's doing it on the "spend 15% - 20% less" philosophy.

As a non-Minnesotan, I never really grasped the Joe Mauer "deification" thing. To me he was always a very talented player with great potential and accomplishments and a pretty milquetoast personality. From the outside looking in, it seems to me that there are a lot of factors that may figure in for those who boo Joe Mauer -- and John has mentioned many of them. I believe that the team's current misfortunes are the biggest factor. If the Twins were winning "forgiveness" for last season would come a lot faster. But when the team is as bad as this one is, people tend to lash out at the most visible factor (in some ways its payback for the way they idolized him when the team was winning). And things like his salary and his Florida residency start to nag at people and put a bullseye on his back. I don't think Joe Mauer will ever be the "golden boy" that he once was. I do think that he would regain a lot of his "goldeness" if the team would start winning and if he stays healthy over several seasons. Obviously he has to have some decent level of performance as a result of that health. It also wouldn't hurt if he was a little more publicly involved in charitable endeavors in Minnesota (again a case where more is expected from an "idol"). And remember, when you are lost in the dark forest of losing, it is hard to see any shining lights.

Well, personally, if I had spent over $112 million last year and $94 million this year ... and saw it swirling down the drain the way it is, I'd be out kicking some b*tts in the team leadership (front office; field staff; players all included). Bah, humbug. And yes, they made money last year and undoubtedly will this year but it's not hard to see that profits may be getting smaller. Face it, if the profit margin is 10% (hypothetically), I'd rather have 10% of $300 million than $200 million.