Alex Boxwell

The best baseball game I have ever attended was Twins vs. Tigers in the Hubert H. Humphery Metrodome in 2009. Game 163. Image courtesy of © Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports The Detroit Tigers led the American League from May 16th to October 6th, when the game was moved from its original date of October 5th because Brett Favre and the boys had a ball game. On September 6th, the Tigers held what seemed to be an insurmountable lead of seven games. They went 16-12 in September but floundered in the early October games, winning one of four. The Minnesota Twins won all four games, beating Cy Young award winner Zach Greinke in the process, thus leading to a tie after the final day to force a "163" for the division crown. The rosters for both teams are a treat to look back on. The Tiger's notables in the pitching department were Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello, Edwin Jackson, Armando Galarraga, Dontrelle Willis, Fernando Rodney Joel Zumaya, and Fu-Te Ni. A formidable staff even before they added Max Scherzer. The bats brought some noise, led by Miguel Cabrera, Magglio Ordonez, Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, Brandon Inge, Ryan Raburn, and Marcus Thames. A balanced lineup with decent reserves to make up a very formidable opponent. The Twin's roster was steeped in talent as well. It was a potent offense with some sluggers and the famed piranhas. The staff was middling with a rotation of Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, Francisco Liriano, Glen Perkins, Kevin Slowey, and Carl Pavano. None had an awe-inspiring season. The bullpen was the strength of the staff in the 2009 season, led by Joe Nathan, Matt Guerrier, Jose Mijares, Jesse Crain, and Bobby Keppel. The lineup was where this team made its hay—led by Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Denard Span, Delmon Young, Carlos Gomez, Jason Kubel, Alexi Casilla, and Orlando Cabrera. One of the more talented lineups the Twins have ever assembled, but it didn't have the starting pitching to match. We parked the Porche in the driveaway with the lack of starting pitching. So on October 6th, 2009, these two very talented ball clubs would clash in a wild (mid)west showdown in the giant inflatable toilet, and I got to sit with my butt touching the back of the dome in the third deck. I was as far away from the field as humanly possible, and it was the best fan experience of my life. We enter the dome to the familiar scent of peanuts, dome dogs that you can almost taste while you walk the concourse, and spillage from the trough. It's an aroma that I can smell to the day, and if I could get it made into a candle, I would. We meander to our seats, doing the awkward dance of not wanting to divert our path to a stranger then it ends up being a classic midwest exchange of "ope, scuse me." After taking in the smells and midwestern hospitality, we got to our seats to see the dome's bright lights and the place humming. The fans, the music, and the players getting ready for a win or go-home ball game, the excitement was palpable. The game started slow, contrary to the energy draped all over the Metrodome. The first two innings were scoreless until the forever underrated Magglio Ordonez ripped a single to center field. Then one of the most memorable sports moments of my life took place. Twins fans capitalized on the energy in the building and the controversy that surrounded Miguel Cabrera that season. The crowd slowly started chanting. I couldn't understand what was being said at first, but then the crowd noise began to swell, and the entire state of Minnesota was chanting "Alcoholic." The crowd grew louder and more confident until the future first-ballot hall of famer blasted 430 foot no-doubter off the chairs in right-center field. The dome was deflated, and the score showed 3-0 in favor of Detroit. The Twins did what all great ballclubs do in the bottom of that inning. They didn't get all three back, but they responded. Matt Tolbert and Span hit back-to-back singles. Tolbert advanced on a fly ball out, and then on an errant pick-off attempt to first base, Tolbert scored. In true piranha fashion, the Twins responded and kept the crowd alive. The game stayed at three to one in Detroit's favor until the left-handed bat of Kubel deposited a homer of the future Cy Young Award winner Porcello to end his evening. The Twins then loaded the bases but failed to cash in again in the bottom of the sixth. Baker walked the leadoff hitter in the 7th and was relieved by big Jon Rauch , who ended the threat. The little guys struck again in the bottom of the seventh. Fan favorite Nick Punto singled to start the inning, then The OC- Orlando Cabrera, dug in. One false pick-off move, then a hanging breaking ball... From my vantage point, it looked like he popped up to shortstop. The crack of the bat was almost on delay. The crowd noise was like a tidal wave that built up and crashed into our row in the back. The left fielder was moving back, and the ball kept floating and found the seats in the first couple rows in left field. Pandamonium. Cabrera immortalized himself in the hearts of Twins fans with one swing and sent Minneapolis into a frenzy. Homer hankies enveloped the sea of fans. It felt like the game was in hand, and our bullpen was our strength. Nathan and Guerrier were waiting in the wings. Each with a sub-three ERA. Guerrier, with the double braided Phiten necklace, the mark of a good baseball player back then, was not sharp. Ordonez pumped a homer to left field to tie the game, and then Guerrier followed it up with two walks. Ron Gardenhire had to pull his best setup man and go to the closer. The game was hanging on by a thread, with our last big-time arm taking the hill, but we had our stud on the mound. Nathan fell behind 2-0 to Brandon Inge and induced an infield fly on a borderline pitch. Nathan and all his twitchiness got the backward K with his big curveball and recaptured the momentum. The closers ruled the ninth inning. Rodney and Nathan both hung zeros, and we headed to extras. Crain entered the game and promptly hit Aubrey Huff with a pitch, and the pinch runner scored on a Inge double. Former Twin Clete Thomas was the defensive replacement for Ordonez in the outfield for the Tiger's attempt to close the ball game. Cuddyer led off with a looper to right field. Ryan Raburn made a sliding attempt at the dying quail that made it to the fence in right field. Delmon Young couldn't cash in with the ground out. Brendan Harris then was able to work a walk, but the double play was in order. The Twins were one grounder away on the Metrodome's turf to getting a jump-start on the off-season. Tolbert tapped one back up the middle, but on this day, the turf giveth. Tie game. Redemption was spelled Raburn however. Punto lined a ball to left that was caught, and Raburn hosed the pinch runner Casilla at the plate. More baseball. The 11th went quietly, but the dome was ready to burst. Thus began the inning that may have given me gray hair as a 13-year-old. Bobby Keppel was on to pitch and intentionally walked Raburn to load the bases. Keppel threw his first pitch to Inge, and he at least thought the pitch hit him. To this day, I still couldn't tell you if that was the case. After the game, Jim Leyland said that the replay confirmed the pitch hit Inge. What matters is that the home plate umpire kept Inge at home that day. The conclusion of all the hoopla was Inge hitting a tweener ground ball similar to Tolbert's, but Casilla made an excellent play and got the force out at home, two outs, bases still loaded. Keppel then struck out Gerald Laird to close the inning, immortalizing another player in Twins' history. The bottom of the 12th felt inevitable. If Keppel can show that heavy of a sack, we can snag one run with the bottom of the order. Go Go Gomez led off with a single and made it to second on a ground out. Leyland put Young on to get the double play back in order, with Young's run not meaning anything. That brought Casilla to the dish, along with his .202 batting average with zero home runs. The slap hitter got his barrel out front and shot one through the right side. We all knew who was on second base. All I could think was "don't fall." Mauer got gobbled up by the turf monster earlier in the game on a fringe double. Gomez flew around third, and the team met him in a pile of dust after the celebratory slide. The top of the Metrodome flipped its top. We were hugging people we didn't know, and the blur of homer hankies took over the stadium. It may not have been perfect, but it was our moment. The season wasn't galvanized by a World Series or even a post-season win. It was just a beautiful baseball game. The game had everything a lover of the game could dream of; much like a heavyweight title fight, the teams traded punches until finally, in the 12th round, someone hit the canvas. It's a game I will look back on and remember the beauty of a crap stadium and group that wouldn't be denied on October 6th, 2009. And to cap off the night of baseball, we got blasted by that famous gust of Hubert Humphrey Metrodome air, trailed by the scent of dome dogs you could taste, peanuts, and urine. On that night, it was perfect. View full article

The Johan comps are fair but the argument could be made his early career led to his arm issues and being out of the league at 33-34 years old. That's way to young for a guy that threw and relied on a change up like that. The risk on the volume and intensity of throwing 100+ mph in one outing is also way higher. Even with all the new arm care programs we just don't see power arms last as starters besides your outliers like Verlander and Scherzer.

100% agree, a bird in hand is better than two in the bush in this scenario. It's such a powerful thing to have. Being in a place to better handle his usage now, we will likely see 'second half Duran' for 162. I know how I felt when Emmanuel Clase entered the game for Cleveland. We have that with Duran, the game is over when gets the ball in the 9th.

I would like to address that I have no issues with Rocco and the FO, I think they have done a good job of getting this franchise moving in the right direction. I've made my stance on that public before everyone took a running leap back on the FO bandwagon. The handling of Buxton or any player for that matter can get cloudy when you want something to happen so badly, judgement gets cloudy in the trenches of a baseball season. It's easy to say in hindsight, I know that. I just don't think we should treat Buxton like damaged goods because he is not. I also, don't blame anyone for their handling of him last year based on how everything played out. It's easy to lean towards caution when a player of his talent is bitten by the injury bug but with him healthy I hope we lean towards more days in CF than at DH. Thanks to all who joined in on the discussion. Go Twins!

We will find the meaning of life if we just look hard enough 🤓

That's so interesting to me. Terry Ryan as more of an old school baseball guy I thought for sure would be in the camp of, getting the ABs. That's a great quote, thank you for sharing that! Really adds to the debate. It may be more of a 50/50 split than I originally thought. I know playing with some elite hitters some can "role outta bed and just hit" and others need spring training and then some to feel like they're in form. Mark Teixeira was a guy I always think of, very good hitter but always hit like .180 in April. I'd be curious if there were certain characteristics in hitters that point to 'this guy needs volume' to be in mid-season form or 'this guy can role out of bed and flat out hit'.

No worries! It's never personal and I don't take it personal either. We're on the site because we're passionate fans and that's what makes it fun to watch and debate. Does it get us too fired up sometimes? Of course... As general philosophy, we should all be able to disagree, debate and shake hands afterwards. We're all Twins fans at the end of the day! Appreciate all the responses, Go Twins!

Thank you for that rollercoaster ride. But come on man, you have no idea who I am- "more than most" = not doctors, this isn't the Joe Rogan experience. More than you though? Probably. We're driving different cars to get to the same place, I want what's best for Buxton and his career too... This article was not about stirring the pot, I hope your day gets better man.

I'm very aware of Byron Buxton's injury history. He's my favorite baseball player to watch on the planet. Is it selfish I want him in center field and green lighted on the base paths for 140-150, yes, no doubt. The only point of me shoehorning in my own injury history (that know one knows or cares about) is that I rehabbed a ton injuries very similar to Byron and I get it to a degree that a lot of people might not. However he is not broken, he can play centerfield full time again, I do believe that- baseball is not that dangerous and the human body is built to last. The addition of Michael A. Taylor all but confirms he won't be a regular in center field though and that's fine. The moral of the story is that no matter how much I day dream of him playing 150 in CF. His best production will be with consistent ABs and if DHing regularly is the answer then that's fine. We all want Byron Buxton to play as much as possible but in the business of pro ball the result is very important.

That's a fair point, we can call it the Matt Stairs effect. Some guys don't struggle as much but the sample size is much smaller and could maybe be attributed to lightening in a bottle or that fact they are always put in "favorable matchups". One thing I've always wanted to dive deeper into is the April numbers of some of the best players of all-time. Could be very telling on how some of the games best fair on getting in a rhythm and being comfortable in the box. I think some have a more natural rhythm than others and don't struggle with it as much. For most, it's something guys find in the regular season. Injury is obviously a huge disrupter because you lose those cage swings that might have helped save some of that. It's something I find endlessly fascinating and love hearing people's takes on it. In the end... probably too many variables but that's what makes the topic fun I think.

I do like the addition of Michael A. Taylor. Great defender that provides a solid insurance policy. My day dream of Buxton in center for 140 is not going to happen. The key piece now is keeping Buxton's at-bats consistent. If we get 90-100 of Byron in center and 40-50 DHing I think we can all agree with that body of work, it will end up being very impressive. 500+ ABs, speak it into existence.

It sounds like you may have the full picture, though? I look forward to your future in counseling big league teams. I will drink from the fountain that is your wisdom as often as possible. However, it is a matter of fact that Buxton will be better if the at-bats can be strung together. The level my play, Rocco's or the FO's, has no bearing on that fact. I have no doubt if he was just a DH for 140 games his offensive numbers would be excellent. If you peek at his fielding metrics in a year where he was hurt the whole season you might see the value in sacrificing some weird playing structure to have Buck on the field in all his glory. I also do not think anyone was an idiot for how they handled him last year. Now that he is, in theory, healthy my whole point was he should be written in CF everyday (by today's standard) with no restrictions on his play style.

Is this Rocco Baldelli? Am I being punked? Seriously though, yes, I was that player in college. I played through various injuries to try and help my team and play the game I love, I get it more than you probably realize and that's ok. Like you said he was unable to run some days, I think most people that followed baseball were aware of that. In the instance of last year, the conversation should have been let's get it fixed so you can run and/or manage this so the at-bats can be consistent. A competitor will always want to take the field, it's the organizations job to protect them. Protecting them isn't a weird on again off again schedule where we watch a players batting average disintegrate. There's a great article on this at the top of the page.

Can confirm, the shoe does fit here as well.

Byron Buxton is the most talented player I have ever played against. I was fortunate enough to share the field with many talented players in my playing days, but seeing Byron up close in 2015 was a treat as a fan of the game. The raw ability was undeniable if you watched him as a young player. It applies even more today. Seeing his confidence at the dish almost makes you emotional after his early struggles. Image courtesy of © Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Advanced analytics love Byron Buxton . The eye test screams even louder. If you sit down next to a random person in Target Field who has never watched baseball on a day Lord Byron is in center field, ask them in the 5th inning, “Hey, who do you think the best player on the field is?” Anyone that can focus on the game will see the undeniability of Buxton’s baseball ability. Inconsistent playing time will never equal a .300 batting average at the Major League level with the stuff guys are throwing now. I felt it myself as a player dealing with wrist and hamstring issues. Being in one day and out the next, a week on and a week off, hitting big-league caliber stuff is based on comfort, rhythm, and timing. That comfort, rhythm, and timing are so fragile at the highest levels, and we saw what happened last year to a player with all-world ability. Byron looked like the MVP front-runner, but then the knee injury led to sporadic playing time, a strange playing time structure, and a dip in his performance at the plate. We got a flaccid Buxton last year. An ambivalent playing schedule alternating center field, designated hitter, and off-days isn’t suitable for Byron Buxton or his performance. The less time he spends in the outfield, the more it feels like we’re declawing a jungle cat. He was born to roam the outfield and steal bases, so why deny it? The one glaring thing that can and has denied Buxton and his ability is injury. Buxton is well worth his contract if he plays 80-90 games a season. So why not write him in the lineup every day? The risk is worth the reward, and 80 games of linear playing time in center field is more valuable than 90 of intermittent playing time. Baseball is not a dangerous sport. Some of his injury history can be attributed to happenstance. If the baseball gods smile on us, he will keep pace and play those 145-150 games, likely leading to an MVP or, at the least, a top-five finish. We will get a much better Buxton if he stays on pace for 150 games and plays center field. If he gets hurt at the all-star break after playing 80 games, or plays 90 games sporadically and gets shut down in August, what’s the difference? I want us to unleash the glass cannon that is Byron Buxton. Even if it’s just by sheer good fortune, he will stay healthy eventually. Luxury is meant to be lived in. Keeping the Rolls Royce in the garage isn’t good for the engine. We have to let Buck buck! View full article

I'm a big Dan Harmon fan, my writing being something in the realm of 'meta' is high praise for me.

Because the roster is pretty talented and it will be fun to watch. It sounds like you might not be a Twins fan and that's ok too.

I think you nailed with- "he doesn't get in the way of the players". Now it is a double edge sword with he probably won't make them much better either but we know he won't make Buxton try and hit grounders to 2nd base. I'd love to see him hammin' nails in the dugout and MF'n star players out of spring training like Jim Leyland but that's not what baseball is anymore for better and for worse. He did gain a lot of favor when he got chucked after the blocking home plate incident. He might have a little more 'dog' in him but it's just not really in the job description to be that guy anymore.... great post, tip of cap

That's very brave of you to turn down a hypothetical big league contract.

Fans were not on the field blowing leads in 7 of 9 games agains Clevland or whatever it was over that crucial stretch last year so no I don't think fans are entirely to blame, that's absurd. I think our attitudes and the things we say as fans has a bigger impact on the clubhouse than people realize. I think a lot of our sad attitude bleeds into the clubhouse and our "what do you expect? It's the Twins.." attitude has an impact, especially on young players.

Thank you for your overwhelming positivity and echoing a lot of things I said in the article. Buxton and Correa are arguably the most talented besides the Angels duo. I did not say they had the greatest output. I merely was referencing what a scout would write up about their baseball ability. This team can contend for the central right now but I also say they have more moves to make for this six year window to be maximized and to compete for a WS but again I appreciate the positivity and making a lot of my points for me.

Two of the most incredible things that come from the Carlos Correa signing are the Twins have a discernable direction, and the era of the miserable Twins fan has expired. Image courtesy of Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports As Twins fans, we have an unfortunate reputation for being ungrateful and being a group that says, “well, it’s Minnesota sports. What do you expect?”. We should expect that for the next six years, the Twins will push the payroll and the trade market to put a championship-caliber ballclub on the field for this window. What does this mean for the fan base? As a fan base, we owe this front office an apology and patience leading up to spring training. Carlos Correa is no doubt a significant domino that has fallen. Our emotions over the last 20 years with our playoff misfortune are justified, but it has to stop here. As a former player, I can tell you a fanbase’s attitude bleeds into a clubhouse. Players hear you, players are human, and our attitude as losers needs to be adjusted. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. A great example of our impact is the Vikings kicking situation. Imagine being a 22-year-old kicker for the Vikings; everyone tells you that you are supposed to stink and miss the big kick because you are a Viking. Let’s think about it on the micro level as well. Everyone has a friend or family member who blames everything on their ‘bad luck.’ Those people are exhausting to be around, and for lack of a better term, “they end up living in a van down by the river” - Matt Foley. You put that unfortunate attitude into a large group of people, and it can have power over a group of athletes no matter how confident they are. It’s human nature. There needs to be a shift in the attitude of the Minnesota sports fan that contributes to the success rather than them having success despite us. If our journey as Twins fans was a romantic comedy, we would be the girl with the glasses who gets overlooked by everyone. The Correa signing was Minnesota taking off the glasses, and the world has realized we are pretty desirable. We landed arguably the best shortstop in baseball, and it doesn’t matter how. He is a Twin, and the narrative must shift that we are a mid-market team at worst. We may not be the belle of the ball, but Minnesota has announced its commitment to championship-level baseball for the next six years. It’s a wonderful time to be a Twins fan, and we should celebrate, but now the creativity of this front office needs to show its power and acquire the remaining pieces to compete for a World Series. I implore you to fight every instinct to bring up injuries and playoff failures this year. In the immortal words of George Costanza, “My life is the complete opposite of everything I want it to be. Every instinct I have in every aspect of life, be it something to wear, something to eat… It’s often wrong.” Costanza then announces how he will change, “Yes, I will do the opposite. I used to sit here and do nothing and regret it for the rest of the day, so now I will do the opposite, and I will do something!” We have the same opportunity as Twins fans. We love being miserable, and our instinct is to be a bummer. The Correa signing goes against all those preconceived notions. It’s time to enjoy arguably the most talented duo in baseball besides Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani (Byron Buxton/Correa) and the creativity of a front office that will not be done with just the Correa signing. It’s time to support a team rather than being the thing the team has to conquer. We are the Minnesota Twins, and we are a good baseball team, and it’s time to show up at Target field in 2023. View full article