Month: March 2019

Twins Pitchers make history

Jose Berrios
Jake Odorizzi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With 10 strikeouts from Jose Berrios on Opening Day and 11 strikeouts from Jake Odorizzi yesterday, it’s only the second time in MLB history (since 1893) that a team has had a pitcher strike out 10+ batters in the first two games of the season. The only other team to have a pitcher strike out 10+ in each of its first 2 games of a season is the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks Randy Johnson & Curt Schilling. Not bad company at all. Credit to @morsecode.

Who would think that Twins pitchers would set strikeout records?

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Complete games on Opening Day are a rarity

Pedro Ramos

Back in the 60’s and 70’s it was not unusual to see the opening day pitcher pitch a complete game. Twins pitchers did it three times in the 60’s including in 1961 when they played their first game against the New York Yankees and Pedro Ramos went the distance in the 6-0 Twins win and again three more times in the 70’s. The last pitcher to pitch a complete game on opening day for Minnesota was Dave Goltz in 1978 but he lost to the Mariners that day in a 3-2 game.

Continue reading Complete games on Opening Day are a rarity

The 2019 Minnesota Twins season opens at Target Field on Thursday

Kluber and Berrios face-off to open the season

When the Twins open the season against the Cleveland Indians it will be only the third time they have hosted a season opener at Target Field and the fourth time they have played the Cleveland Indians in a season opening game. It should be an interesting game as Twins ace Jose Berrios faces off against Indians ace Corey Kluber. Many baseball experts are picking the Cleveland Indians to defend their AL Central title while others are picking the Minnesota Twins to over-take the Indians this season so the predicted sell-out crowd should see some good baseball.

Season opening games against the Indians over the years

Ervin Santana

The last time the Minnesota Twins opened the season at home in Target Field was in 2017 when they beat Kansas City Royals 7 to 1. Ervin  Santana went seven strong innings that day and held the Royals to just two hits and one run to earn his first win of the season. Attendance was reported at 39,615 and when Santana threw his first pitch it was 50 degrees and overcast. The Twins went on to win 83 games that season and lost a one-game wild card game against the New York Yankees. Box Score

The first time the Minnesota Twins opened the season at home in Target Field was on April 1, 2013 when the hosted the Detroit Tigers but lost the game 4-2 in front of 32,282 fans on a cool but sunny 35 degree day with 17 MPH winds howling out to center field. Vance Worley started on that April Fool’s Day and was the loser. Box Score

I can’t wait, let’s PLAY BALL!

How will the Minnesota Twins fare in 2019

The Minnesota Twins are an IF team. IF Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano play up to their abilities than Twins fans might be in for a lot of fun and exciting baseball. IF those two important cogs don’t show more than they did last season the Twins will once again struggle to get to the .500 mark.

The Derek Falvey regime has three off-seasons in the books and begins their third season on the playing field. When the year is done we should have a good feel for where this team is. We know the organization has gone head over heels for technology with expensive toys all over and more nerds in the front office than they probably have room for. Owner Jim Pohlad must feel like he gave Falvey an unlimited budget and he has already exceeded it with his organization rebuild.

I can’t help but feel that the Twins organization is so busy trying to help their players with technology that they forget what baseball is really all about. I am no spring chicken and I am not from Missouri but you have to show me that the new ways work better than the old. In spite of my concerns about the organization I am cautiously optimistic that Sano and Buxton will start to shine and help the team achieve the success we all hope for.

The post Joe Mauer era is here, there will be no Twins number 7 on the playing field. With Cleveland dumping some players and seemingly not trying to improve I think that the Minnesota Twins can over take the Indians this season and win the division by two games. I see the Chicago White Sox getting better and finishing in third place followed by the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals occupying the AL Central cellar with a 100+ loss season.

I can’t wait for the season to start and for the Twins to show me what they got! What about the rest of you, how do you think the Twins will do? Leave a comment with your prediction.

The 2019 TMR Fan Cost Index is out

The 2019 version of the Team Market Report Fan Cost Index is out, it is always something that I look forward to every MLB season. 

The Team Marketing Report Fan Cost Index® is comprised of the prices of four adult average-price tickets, parking for one car and the least expensive ballpark-available pricing for: two draft beers, four soft drinks, four hot dogs and two (adult-size) adjustable caps. Costs are determined through calls, emails and online research with teams, venues, concessionaires and season ticket holders. Identical questions are asked of all sources. TMR reserves the right to update FCI numbers when additional information is presented and verified.

 

Please click on image to make it larger and easier to read

 

The Twins FCI is in the bottom third of MLB this season after the team worked to reduce some prices and their FCI dropped by 11.3%, only the Miami Marlins with a FCI drop of 23% dropped their prices more than the Twins did. Way to go Twins and Marlins! One of the items that jumps out at me is the Twins parking price of $6, making it the third lowest in all of baseball. I wonder where you have to park to get that rate? Heck, it costs $10 just to park at Hammond Stadium for a Twins exhibition game.

The average ticket price for an MLB baseball game this year is up 2.1% to $32.99 and the average price for a Minnesota Twins ticket is $32.68, just 0.2% above last season making the Twins the twelfth highest average ticket price in MLB. The highest average ticket price belongs to the Chicago Cubs at $59.49 and the lowest average ticket price is in , where you can watch the Diamondbacks for $20.86. The Cubs ticket is almost three times higher than the Dbacks ticket. 

Average ticket price represents a weighted average of season ticket prices for general seating categories. This is determined by factoring the full season ticket cost for each category as a percentage of the total number of seats in each venue. This takes into account variable pricing.

To see the entire TMR FCI for 2019 and for more information and history on Minnesota Twins ticket prices please stop by our Twins Ticket Price History page.

Twins players from long ago – Charlie Manuel

Charlie Manual

Charlie Manuel signed with the Minnesota Twins for $20,000 prior to the 1963 season by-passing college in order to provide for the family after his father committed suicide. Charlie was a four-sport star (baseball, football, basketball and track) in high school and had scholarship opportunities after graduating but decided he needed to work to help support is family. 

Manuel started his pro baseball career in 1963 near his home with the Wytheville (Virginia) Twins of the Appalachian League, hitting .358 with seven home runs in 58 games. Manuel worked his way through the Twins system and in the spring of 1969 under manager Billy Martin finally made the Minnesota Twins roster.

Manuel who was known as Chuck instead on Charlie in his playing days could not win a regular outfield position and suffered some injuries and in his four seasons on the Twins roster from 1969-1972 never appearing in more than 83 games. In 1973 Manuel spent the entire season with AAA Tacoma and after the season ended he and catcher Glenn Ezell were traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Jim Fairey and Mike Floyd.

Manuel appeared in just four games with the Dodgers in 1974 and 15 games in 1975 never starting any of them and after the 1975 season ended so did his big league career as a player as the age of 31. In parts of six big league seasons Manuel played in 242 games hitting just four home runs (all in a Twins uniform) and had a career batting mark of just .199.

Manuel’s career as a player in the major leagues was over but he was not done playing. It turned out that he was just beginning the best part of his playing career, not in the United States but in Japan. The Yakult Swallows of Tokyo signed Manuel and treated him as a star. Despite his concerns about playing baseball in Japan, between 1976-1981 Manuel played like a man possessed in Japan’s Central League, hitting .303 with 189 home runs and 491 RBIs for the Swallows and the Kintetsu Buffaloes. His .324 average, 37 home runs, and 94 RBIs for Kintetsu in 1979 earned him the league MVP, the first American player to be so honored. He followed up his MVP season by slugging 48 home runs for the Buffaloes in 1980, which long stood as a record for an American player in Japan. Manuel played for two pennant-winning teams in his six seasons in Japan. His power at the plate and his reddish hair earned Manuel the nickname Aki Ono (Red Devil) among the fans and players in Japan.

Manuel left baseball as a player after the 1981 season and signed on with the Minnesota Twins as a scout in 1982. Manuel missed being on the playing field and was named the manager of the Minnesota Twins Wisconsin Rapids team in 1983. Manuel then moved on to manage AA Orlando in 1984 and 1985 and the AAA Toledo and Portland in 1986 and 1987.

Manuel moved on to the Cleveland Indians in 1988 and served as a hitting coach for two seasons before again going back to the minors as a manager. Manuel took over as the Cleveland Indians skipper from 2000 thru July of 2002 at which point he was fired. Manuel had numerous health issues between 1990 and 2001 including two heart attacks, bypass surgery, diverticulitis, kidney cancer, and gall bladder removal surgery. 

Manuel then moved on to the Philadelphia Phillies in a front office capacity and after the 2004 season the Phillies fired their manager Larry Bowa and Charlie Manuel got the job. Manuel managed the Phillies from 2005 until mid 2013 when he again got the axe after winning exactly 1,000 games, two pennants and a World Championship (in 2008) for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Now Charlie Manuel is enjoying retirement in Florida.

Sporting News – April 5, 1969 – Chuck Manuel

 

Twins Opening Day starter will be Jose Berrios

Jose Berrios

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli named Jose Berrios as his his Opening Day starter when the Twins take on the Cleveland Indians at Target Field on March 28. This will be the first opening Day assignment for the 24 year old Berrios who was one of three Twins starters to make 32 starts in 2018.

By the number fun facts about Twins Opening Day starters

 

4 – Number of wins that Twins pitchers with just one Opening Day start on their resume have recorded.

12 – Losses by Twins pitchers making their lone opening day start 

13 – Twins pitchers have made multiple opening day starts

15 – Twins Opening Day starters took a ND for their work

18 – Twins pitchers have one Opening Day start on their resume

1967 – Last time a Twins pitcher on Opening Day had a hit

I Bet You Didn’t Know This About Former Twin Randy Hundley

 

I recently checked out a book out of the local library called “The 34-Ton Bat” written by one of my favorite writers, Steve Rushin. Rushin was born in Elmhurst, Ill. and raised in Bloomington, Minnesota.

According to Rushin, he had a great-great uncle Jack Boyle who played for the Cincinnati Red Stockings, St.Louis Browns, Chicago Pirates, New York Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies between 1886 and 1898 and in 1892 was signed by the Giants for $5,500 and was the highest paid player in baseball history. Boyle was primarily a catcher and first baseman but could and did play every other position but pitcher.

Steve Rushin wanted to get into baseball and was hired by the Minnesota Twins at the age of 13 in 1979 to be a vendor at Met Stadium and did so until the early 80’s when he along with the Twins moved to the Metrodome. After graduating from Bloomington Kennedy High School in 1984 and Marquette University in 1988, Rushin joined the staff of Sports Illustrated. 

Randy Hundley

But on with our story, it is not about Steve Rushin, it is about what he wrote about former Twins catcher Randy Hundley. Hundley was acquired by the Minnesota Twins on December 6, 1973 when they sent catcher George Mitterwald over to the Chicago Cubs.

Continue reading I Bet You Didn’t Know This About Former Twin Randy Hundley

Minnesota Twins lower some concession prices – really?

The Minnesota Twins announced yesterday that they will now offer select concessions at family friendly prices in 2019 at Target Field. According to their March 6 Press Release (that you can read below) it states that it applies to concession stands located in sections 133 and 327.

I have been told it applies to everyone but the prices for the select products are only available in those two concession stands. What is the logic behind lowering prices on select products in select concession stands? Why possible create long lines at two concessions stands and inconvenience the fans? Why not lower the select products prices at all concession stands? I smell something fishy here but fish are not one of the select products being discounted.

I tried to get an answer from Twins President Dave St. Peter twice yesterday via Twitter but no reply in either case and we all know Mr. St. Peter watches and responds to Tweets all the time but in this case he chose not to comment.

Being the suspicious person I am I can’t help but think that there is more here then meets the eye. My best guess is that the products are different in some way, smaller in size maybe or fewer in number. Who knows? The Minnesota Twins are always looking to make or save an extra dollar so I can’t help but wonder. I may be way off base here but my gut says you can’t always believe what you read. 

I hope I am totally wrong here because the Twins should have done this years ago to reward Twins fans for their on the field play at Target Field since 2011.

 

Twins Press Release dated March 6, 2019

Target Field introduces family friendly concessions pricing for 2019 season

 

The Minnesota Twins and Delaware North Sportservice – the team’s exclusive food, beverage and retail partner – today announced Target Field will now offer select concessions at family-friendly prices during the 2019 season.

“The Twins are excited about partnering with Delaware North Sportservice to bring family-friendly concessions pricing to Target Field,” team president and CEO Dave St. Peter said. “The affordability of the Target Field experience remains paramount to our efforts to attract kids and families to the ballpark. Moreover, we believe the family-friendly concessions will only further enhance Target Field’s longstanding reputation for delivering the best in food and beverage.”

The family value pricing will be available at the State Fair concessions stands located in sections 133 and 327 and will be offered on some of the ballpark’s most popular food items. The concessions stand will also offer a more convenient self-checkout process with fans being able to purchase food using touchscreen kiosks. Included in the new pricing will be:

• Schweigert™ Hot Dog – $4

• Nachos – $4

• Soft Pretzels – $4

• Peanuts – $3

• Popcorn – $3

• 16oz Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew or Sierra Mist – $2

• 12oz Budweiser or Bud Light – $5

“Great food is essential for a great experience at the ballpark,” said Pete Spike, general manager for Delaware North Sportservice at Target Field. “We’re excited to offer some of our most popular food items at a price that allows the whole family to enjoy a great meal while taking in a game.

About Delaware North

Delaware North is one of the largest privately held hospitality and food service companies in the world. Founded in 1915 and owned by the Jacobs family for 100 years, Delaware North has global operations at high-profile places such as sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos. Our 55,000 employee associates are dedicated to creating special experiences one guest at a time in serving more than a half-billion guests annually. Delaware North operates in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurant and catering, parks, resorts, gaming, and specialty retail industries and has annual revenue of more than $3 billion. Learn more about Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality and food service, at www.DelawareNorth.com.