Category: General Blogging

This is a general blogging category.

What the heck ails the Twins?

Rocco Baldelli

What is going on with our Minnesota Twins? They are only 22 games into the 2025 season and it is already no fun to watch this team play ball. A 7-15 record after 22 games? This team is better than that, I am not saying they are one of the upper echelon teams but they are better than 7-15.

So what ails this team? This past off-season they were bragging about having one of the best bullpens in baseball and so far they look like they have one of the worst bullpens. Hopefully that will will straighten itself out soon but it had better happen soon. What about the hitting? I would rate it between dismal and pathetic, they don’t seem to have anyone that can consistently knock in runs, but then again they have not had one of those players in years. Both of these things could be blamed on the Twins front office and ownership but with the Twins for sale I don’t see the Pohlad’s jettisoning Derek Falvey at his point. So the obvious move is to fire the manager and show the remaining Twins fans that the Twins are still trying to win. Perception is reality after all.

Continue reading What the heck ails the Twins?

Twins minor league players of the week

Triple-A St. Paul outfielder Carson McCusker and High-A Cedar Rapids right-handed pitcher Charlee Soto have been named Twins minor league Player and Pitcher of the Week.

Carson McCusker


Carson McCusker, 26, played in four games for the Saints, hitting .357 (5-for-14) with one double, two home runs, three RBI, three walks, a .500 on-base percentage, a .857 slugging percentage and a 1.357 OPS. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound outfielder was signed by the organization in June of 2023.

Charlee Soto


Charlee Soto, 19, started for the Kernels on Friday vs. Beloit, pitching 5 shutout innings, with one hit allowed, no walks and six strikeouts. The Philadelphia, PA native was drafted by the Twins in the first round (34th overall) of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft out of Reborn Christian Academy in Kissimmee, FL. Soto is rated as the Twins 8th best prospect by MLB Pipeline

MLB teams revenue versus payroll

An interesting chart showing how much revenue each MLB team generated in 2024, and how much of that is going towards their payroll in 2025. I borrowed this chart Brooksgate off of X.

Revenue data calculated by Forbes and Payroll Data comes from Spotrac.

The chart indicated that the Minnesota Twins fall right in the middle of the pack which seems to be where the Twins have stated over and over that they want to be. The Kansas City Royals rank 9th, the Detroit Tigers are 12th, The Cleveland Guardians are 25th and the Chicago White Sox are 29th.

I find it interesting that the luxury tax of $150 million paid by the Los Angeles Dodgers is more than the 2025 payroll for 10 teams or 33.33% of all the MLB teams. Not exactly an even playing field!

Sticky: Twins.TV

Xfinity/Comcast subscribers will be able to watch Twins games on channel 1261. DirecTV and DirecTV Stream customers will get games on channels 668-3 (satellite) and 668 (streaming), respectively.

Spectrum will have Twins games on channels 428 or 468, or 319 in Wisconsin.

Midco will have games on channel 638.

Other TV providers that have agreed to carry Twins games:

  • BEVCOMM
  • Consolidated Telcom
  • Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC)
  • Dickey Rural Services
  • Gardonville Cooperative Telephone
  • Halstad Telephone Company
  • Interstate Telecommunications Company
  • MLGC
  • North Dakota Telephone Company
  • Northwest Communications Cooperative
  • Paul Bunyan Communications
  • Red River Telephone
  • Reservation Telephone Company
  • Runestone Telephone
  • SCI Broadband
  • Sjoberg’s Cable
  • Tremolo Communications
  • United Telephone Mutual Aid
  • Venture Communications
  • West Central Telephone Association
  • Wikstrom Telephone Company

Where and how to watch the Minnesota Twins in 2025.

MLB, cable companies reach deal to broadcast Twins games
Twins broadcasts remain unavailable on major television providers

Bet the farm on it

My buddy here has assured me that his picks this season are right on the money. After months of study, research, computer analysis and a long conversation with the Woonsocket Rocket himself, the prediction for the 2025 American League Central Division is right here.

As a bonus he is throwing in another sure bet and that is that the Los Angeles Bums (Dodgers) will NOT be winning the World Series in 2025. He is not going to tell you the actual winner but he has a couple clues for you on who will win, it will be an American League team but no, it will not come from the AL Central. Alright, one more clue, it won’t be from the AL East either.

Enjoy the baseball season everyone!

Twins Game Notes for Sunday March 23

Just for the fun of it I thought I would post today’s Minnesota Twins Game Notes out here so that those of you that have never seen them might see what you are missing. I try to post them every day during the regular season and they always have fun and interesting facts.

Twins Notes, 3-23 at BOS (3)

Jose Valdivielso – a member of 1961 Twins passes away

Jose Valdivielso

One of the few remaining members, Jose Valdivielso, of the 1961 Minnesota Twins passed away on March 4, 2025 at the age of 90. José Martinez de Valdivielso Lopez was born on May 22, 1934 in Matanzas, Cuba.

Valdivielso started his professional baseball career as a shortstop with the Class C 1953 Lubbock Hubbers in the West Texas-New Mexico League. During the 1954 season Valdivielso was assigned to the Washington Nationals in an unknown transaction and was sent from Lubbock to the Class B Rock Hill Chiefs and then on to the Class A Charlotte Hornets. He started the 1955 season with Charlotte but was called up by the Washington Nationals and made his MLB debut on June 21, 1955 at Griffith Stadium against the Chicago White Sox in a 6-1 Nats loss in which Valdivielso went 0 for 3. Valdivielso split his time with the Nats and their minor league teams in 1955-1956.

Valdivielso with Minneapolis Millers in 1958

Somehow he ended up playing for the Chicago White Sox AAA Indianapolis Indians in 1957 and in 1958 he split his time with the AAA Boston Red Sox Minneapolis Millers and the AAA San Francisco Giants Phoenix Giants. He started the 1959 season with the AAA Baltimore Orioles Miami Marlins and then low and behold he showed back up with the Washington Nationals where he played in the rest of the 1959 and the 1960 season.

In 1960, the team’s sixtieth and last season in Washington, Valdivielso was the Senators’ most-used shortstop, starting in 92 games and playing a career-high 117 contests. But by late September he had lost his starting job to Zoilo Versalles, a 20-year-old fellow countryman.

Valdivielso spent the 1961 season with the Minnesota Twins but only played in 76 games mainly as a defensive replacement and had just 158 PA’s in which he hit .195 with 29 hits and 9 RBI. One of those 29 hits was his lone Twins home run a long blast to left field that took place on June 4, 1961 at Tiger Stadium off Frank Lary in a 10-4 Twins loss to the Detroit Tigers. Jose played his final major league game at Met Stadium against the Detroit Tigers and went 2 for 3 with an RBI on the 1961 season’s final game, which was called in the top of the sixth inning on account of rain.

Valdivielso never played in the major leagues again and finished his career with the Minnesota Twins AAA Vancouver Mounties in 1962, and the Chicago White Sox AAA Indianapolis Indians in 1963-1964. In total, Jose Valdivielso collected 213 hits in the majors, with 26 doubles and eight triples to go along with his nine home runs.

Continue reading Jose Valdivielso – a member of 1961 Twins passes away

“Twins Pass” returns for 2025 season

The Minnesota Twins announced on March 10 that “Twins Pass” returns for 2025 season with access to all 81 home games for just $4 per game. One-time, all-in payment option of $324 available now through April 2 with access to all 81 regular season Twins home games, including the April 3 Home Opener. Monthly packages also available at a rate of $59 per month.

Twins Pass ticket holders can watch a game from any of Target Field’s wide variety of indoor and outdoor social spaces, located from foul pole to foul pole and on all levels of the ballpark (Club level access not included). Fans also have the option to upgrade on a game-by-game basis into select seat locations, should they choose.

If you are looking to catch a lot of Minnesota Twins games at the ballpark for an inexpensive price and can get by without a seat other than in the social spaces, then this might be just the deal for you.

The most thrilling Minnesota Twins moments throughout history

With so many decorated and celebrated moments studding the historic timeline of the Twins, we’re going to pick only the most thrilling moments today. Unlike some teams in the MLB, there are plenty to choose from for the Twins.

While they might not be at the dizzying heights of the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Minnesota Twins have played an enormous role in the development of the MLB in the US. According to the sportsbooks, the Twins go into next season at around +3000 to win the World Series. So, sportsbooks aren’t too confident. We don’t blame them, to be honest.

While the best new betting sites focus on getting new customers through the door and offering a raft of promotions to potential new clientele, it’s unlikely they will put their hard-earned money on the Twins to get their hands on baseball’s biggest prize. WSN has compiled a list of the newest sports betting sites making a name for themselves, including those covering the top MLB markets. So, without further ado, let’s glide through some of the most thrilling moments in Minnesota Twins history.

The 1987 World Series Win

The 1987 World Series compilation video, accompanied by Bonnie Tyler’s immortal “I Need A Hero,” is something Twins fans remember vividly to this day. As far as music and sports videos go, was there a better combination?

It is still such a nostalgic period for many of us – when the team was packed with some of the best baseball talent in the US. While the last few years might have been a rollercoaster, the 1987 World Series win easily goes down as one of the most thrilling in the Twins’ history; the final out is easily one of the most thrilling – for me, it’s in the top three.

The 1987 World Series win was so memorable for many reasons, including the fact that the Twins were outscored in the regular season. Frank Viola, who etched his name into the folklore of Twins history when he was named MVP in the 87 World Series, was no stranger to thrilling baseball moments.

Having risen to the occasion against the Cardinals and proved to be the most impactful player, he was also a big part of one of the most thrilling college baseball games ever, in 1981. It was exhilarating for fans, and considering it was their first in 63 years, most had not seen a Twins team win a World Series.

Kubel’s grand slam

Aside from the World Series wins, which come with that particular level of thrill and excitement, Jason Kubel’s grand slam to complete the cycle was pure baseball cinema. Although it wasn’t in a World Series game, we couldn’t not mention it today.

It’s a moment that is ingrained in the minds of Twins fans, and although I wasn’t there, those who were still have vivid recollections of what was one of the defining moments of that MLB season. Granted, there hasn’t been much to shout about in the modern era, but Kubel’s Grand Slam is undoubtedly up there.

Mauer magic

Sticking to the more contemporary Twins events, if a name resonates with Millennial Twins fans then it has to be Joe Mauer. His 2009 season was one of the most thrilling season-long events that any Twins fan can recall in recent memory.

A sure name on any list of the greatest Minnesota players of all time, Mauer’s 2009 season consisted of 96 RBI and 28 homers. His 2,000 career hit was a special moment that I was lucky to witness – and the around-the-net catch in 2010. While the latter might not have been one of the most thrilling per se, it was one of the most entertaining and unusual.

We won’t forget Joe in a hurry – and now that his number has been retired, there’s a whole new generation of Twins fans finding out just how special a player he was. For us, he was one of the best, so we gave him his own section.

The 1991 World Series

Moving back to the World Series, the Twins’ 1991 team was packed with players who knew how to perform when it mattered most. Kirby Puckett’s triple in the bottom of the first inning put the Twins in the driving seat. His run-saving drive is still one of the best catches of modern MLB.

Puck’s performance in Game 6 in the 1991 World Series is what baseball players dream of when they first sign a pro contract – it was the very definition of an elite MLB performance. It helped define his legacy as one of the most extraordinary Twins ever, and it goes down in baseball history as one of the most thrilling Twins moments.

Not only did he have a pair of base hits and a run-saving catch, the must-win game went into the extra innings. At the bottom of the 11th, his walk-off home run clinched the game for the Twins. This list would not have been worth its salt if we didn’t feature Kirby, but his whole performance in the 1991 World Series truly is the stuff of legend.

Conclusion

Of all the Twins moments we could have touched on today, this list is a fair representation. Sure, some people might be upset that the tie-breaker in 2009 against the Tigers didn’t made the cut, but if we’re sticking to moments and games, then we’re confident that our list today is more than sufficient.

We know many other moments have narrowly missed being chosen, but we’ve covered modern events and delved into the archives to find the right blend of magic Twins moments. Hopefully, over the next decade, a few players or moments will be able to challenge some of the great Twins names that have appeared on today’s list. It’s a shame that two of the Twins’ World Series were grouped so closely in 1987 and 1991. As the drought continues, the player or players who end it will almost certainly find themselves in this conversation. However, judging by the way they have been playing recently, we could be waiting a long time for this to happen.

They knocked in 100 and scored 100

HOF “Goose” Goslin

Every good baseball team needs those big bopper’s that that can knock in the ducks off the pond and it is even better, when he too, can also score a lot of runs. Those kind of hitters don’t come around too often but the Minnesota Twins/Washington Senators franchise has been blessed with 13 of those types of players and they have accomplished this feat a total of 18 times since 1901.

Hitters like this aren’t always power hitters and they aren’t always high average hitters either. Hitters on the list below have hit as many home runs as 49 by Harmon Killebrew or as few as 5 by Buddy Meyer. Some hit for very high averages like Rod Carew‘s .388 or as low as Bob Allison‘s .266 (which in today’s game wouldn’t be considered low at all.) Six of the 13 are MLB Hall of Fame players.

The first player in franchise history to turn this trick was outfielder Goose Goslin who who actually did it three years in a row from 1924-1926. The Senators won the World Series in 1924 and lost the World Series in 1925. If you want to learn more this Hall of Fame player take a few minutes and stop by here.

Harmon Killebrew

Six Minnesota Twins players have accomplished this rare feat over the years with Bob Allison being the first in 1962 and Michael Cuddyer being the most current player to it it back in 2006. Killebrew and Kirby Puckett are the only two Twins to do it twice.

The MLB career leader’s in this feat are Lou Gehrig with 13, Alex Rodriguez and Babe Ruth with 12, Barry Bonds and Jimmie Foxx with 11 and Henry Aaron with 10.

Franchise players with 100 runs and 100 RBI in a season