DRizzo

I had a chance to meet Kirby once in my life when I was a kid. My friend and I were playing basketball at the Edina Community Center and Kirby was there with his son doing the same. When my friend and I went over to ask him for an autograph, he smiled, asked his son to wait, signed the autographs and wished us the best. This story doesn't mean to excuse the information that came out against him but I appreciated his willingness to take the time to sign an autograph for some star-eyed kids and I wish I had been able to see him play in his prime.

Looks like something happened to Hughes and Milone is making the start now... (Credit ESPN) Anyone know what happened to Hughes?

Has anybody read anything about why Jeff Jones didn't get in the game against TCU? The Gopher site said he was dressed for the game so I can't imagine he is still academically ineligible.

Looks like they moved Boyer to the 15 day DL retroactive to 8/9 and recalled Tonkin from Rochester... They are using duck tape!!!

How long before we see Sano hit one deeper than Stanton did at the 2014 Home Run Derby? Is it completely unrealistic to think he might HIT the scoreboard in left field one day?

I am a fan. Not a player. Or a coach. Or a manager. Or a GM. Or an owner. I am a fan. I played my last organized (non-pick up/wiffle ball) game of baseball in 2003. It was in a 'I-can't-play-for-my-high-school-team' league and I remember that we needed one more win to get into the playoffs. I was playing 3rd that day so me and a teammate were on the field so I could take some throws to first when our last teammate finally showed up. In basketball shorts. Without a glove. We lost the game. The reason I bring this story up is I remember getting into the car with my mom after and telling her "I don't understand how someone would show up so unprepared to play. Why would you even come?" I can't quite tell if this was how I felt about the Twins. I rode the high of the first half of the season like all of us. "Holy crap, this team can play!" "How is Torii hitting like this??" "Good lord! Is this the same Mike Pelfrey??" "Terry Ryan is finally moving prospects up instead of AAAA players!" I got to see the team I love riding a huge series win against the Tigers into the All-Star break. Heck, Dozier finally got some national attention and got into the All-Star game! Through the last 4 years, I couldn't remember feeling like this. I was actually going to Target Field to watch baseball, not just to hangout in the summer while drinking some beer and looking for beautiful women. (No shame on that one, that was a large factor) And now the 2nd half has started and I've started to think I'm one of the people I listed above. "Why is Danny Santana still playing SS?" "I'd so much rather watch Oswaldo Arcia wiff multiple times a week but mash one into the parking lot in right field than pretend Eduardo Nunez can take another a bat at DH." "Does Molitor even look at stat lines?" "How the hell is Blaine Boyer still on this team?" (Okay, that one is legitimate. Seriously, why?) Games have gotten back to being the background noise on my TV while I'm at home. I watch a couple innings but it doesn't have the same pull as the first half. I look at the box score everyday but it's more out of habit than passion now. But I finally remembered something last night. I am a fan. And that means I'm going to go through the same things as the team. I'll get into a slump. I will roll my eyes and sigh. I'll start playing with my phone in the 3rd inning and look up to see the start of the 6th. And that's perfectly normal and okay. This isn't to say I shouldn't be critical when the team doesn't play well or question front office moves but seriously, I'm a fan. And every team in baseball slumps at some point. Because I've remembered that, I'm disappointed the team is playing this bad but I don't feel anything like I did the last 4 years. And I am incredibly excited for what this team can do, the rest of this year and the coming years.

If the Twins trade Trevor May, I'm not renewing my season tickets... I just can't see the benefit to moving a guy who can be a solid 3-4 for the next 5-6 years given what the rotation will likely be following the season (ie. Pelfrey and Milone gone leaving a spot for May and Berrios). Just seems short cited to move a guy, who seems like he can be a critical piece, for a CHANCE to grab the last wild card spot this season. And he does Reddit AMA's along with this... http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2015/04/12/117748036/twins-rookie-pitcher-trevor-may-has-an-alter-ego-named-dj-heybeef

I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet but, dare I say it, the Twins do something unconventional *gasp* and roll with a 6-man rotation? Completely agree with Nick that May needs to be in the rotation to start the year, especially given the stats Seth mentioned earlier about his turnaround. But I also think Milone really deserves a spot. Not only for the Twins to decide on him, but to also showcase what he is in case they want to move him (the fact that he was hurt at the end of last year didn't give anyone much of an opportunity to look at him objectively). We all agree his stuff isn't overpowering but if Pavanostache proved anything to Twins fans, it's that you can be successful with a 88-89 fastball. I don't think Meyer is ready to start yet for the reasons mentioned above. Too many walks, not enough innings, etc. Better in the Long Relief role. Rolling with a 6-man rotation would mean they don't sacrifice meaningful innings for May, see what Milone actually is and still give Meyer a shot up here in the Pen.