Category: General Blogging

This is a general blogging category.

World Baseball Classic

January 7, 2009 – Once again it is almost time for the World Baseball Classic. This will be the second time this event has been held. The first World baseball Classic was held in 2006 and the Dominican Republic beat Australia 6-4 for the title. Sixteen teams including the USA will be battling for the championship this year. The first game is on March 5 in the Tokyo Dome between China and Japan. Games will also be played in Mexico City, Toronto, San Juan, San Diego, Miami, and the finals will be played in Los Angeles between March 21 -23.

A number of Twins including Justin Morneau and Jesse Crain (Canada) Joe Nathan (USA), Nick Punto (Italy), and Jose Mijares (Venezuela) may be competing. A number of Twins minor leaguers may also be found on some rosters. Bert Blyleven will be the pitching coach for the team from Netherlands. It should be fun to follow again this year. If you want to know more about the WBC, just click on the World Baseball Classic logo.

Twins owner Carl Pohlad passes away at the age of 93

January 5, 2009 – My condolences to the Pohlad family and to the entire Twins organization. I can’t say that I always agreed with Mr. Pohlad but then again what fun would life be if we all agreed on everything. Mr. Pohlad did come through and buy the Twins at a time that the Minnesota Twins needed to be saved and for that I thank him and his family. I think what I will remember most about Mr. Pohlad is his loyalty to the people that worked for him and the fact that he hired who he thought was the best person for the job and then he let them go about their tasks with little to no interference.

Pohlad, CarlBaseball is a business and Carl Pohlad knew how to make money but I think the Twins were more then that to him, I think he and Eloise really enjoyed the game and the characters that were part of baseball. It is sad really that Mr. Pohlad will never get to see the Twins play at Target Field, something that he worked so diligently for over the years.

So Carl, thanks for the memories, some good and others not so good, but you will be missed and for me you will always remain an important character in Twins lore for ever more.

Minneapolis Star Tribune Carl Pohlad obituary

A Difficult Opening Day

December 28, 2008 – Very heavy snowfall had piled up in early 1965 and the prolonged deep cold temperatures in March delayed the melt. When winter loosened its icy grip on the state, spring came with a vengeance. Rains in early April on the still frozen ground caused the water to pour into streams until they climbed out of their banks. Ice dams in several locations caused even more flooding in the Minneapolis area and throughout different parts of the state.

Jim KaatThe Twins opened their 1965 season against the American League defending champion New York Yankees at Met Stadium on April 12. The sunny but cool 44 degree temps and the difficult traveling conditions due to street flooding limited the opening day crowd to a disappointing 15,388 fans. Getting to the ballpark was not an easy task either for the players or the fans as Jim Kaat recalls: “I was living in Burnsville and was driving to the Met when I the traffic came to a standstill. I got out of my car and asked the driver ahead of me what the problem was. He said the highway, 35W was flooded over and you couldn’t get across the river. I went back home and called Paul Giel at WCCO radio and asked if they had access to a helicopter, they said to meet the copter at the Burnsville High School. Rich Rollins, Dick Stigman, Bill Bethea (who was staying at my house before reporting to AAA Charlotte) and I were flown in 2 at a time to the parking lot at the Met”. Paul Giel who assisted Kaat and the Twins in the helicopter episode was a pitcher for the Twins in 1961 and was now working for WCCO radio.

Cesar TovarJim Kaat started the game for the hometown Twins and Jim Bouton started for the Bronx Bombers. Kaat and the Twins thought they had the game won but with two out in the bottom of the ninth, 3B Cesar Tovar who was playing in his first game as a Minnesota Twin and had replaced an injured Rich Rollins earlier in the game, dropped an easy pop-up for the eighth error of the game (Yankees had five and the Twins had three) and the tying run scored. Here is how Kaat remembers what happened. “I had the game won 4-3 when Cesar Tovar dropped a little pop up that would have ended the game and the tying run scored. He felt terrible and I told him to forget about it and knock in the winning run, which he did in the 11th inning. We became good friends because of that incident, he was new to the team and fearful I’d be irritated that he cost me a W”.

For those of you that want to see the box score for the Twins 11 inning 5-4 win over the Yankees just click here.

 

The starting shortstop will be Nick Punto?

December 20, 2008 – It has been almost two weeks since the Twins resigned free agent infielder Nick Punto to a 2 year deal for $8.5 million with an option for a third year and I am just now beginning to accept what has happened. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire seems to already have anointed Nick Punto as his starting shortstop.

I am not a Nick Punto hater but let’s cut to the chase here, Nick Punto has proven he can not play regularly in the major leagues. The man can certainly play in the field and I have no problem at all with him being on the team as a utility player but a starter he is not. I know that the Twins are looking for someone that can play shortstop and hit a little but let’s look at Nick’s history.

YEAR G AB R H RBI SB AVG
2003 64 92 14 20 4 2 .217
2004 38 91 17 23 12 6 .253
2005 112 394 45 94 26 13 .239
2006 135 459 73 133 45 17 .290
2007 150 472 53 99 25 16 .210
2008 99 338 43 96 28 15 .284

 

In his favor Punto is a switch-hitter, can play multiple positions, has good speed, takes charge of the infield and he is an aggressive and fun player to watch even if he does seemingly stupid things like diving into first base on a regular basis. But I see two major drawbacks to Punto playing shortstop on a regular basis. Nick’s aggressiveness works to his disadvantage when he is diving and crashing into everything in site. These things are not bad in themselves but for Nick who is slight of build to begin with it, it leads to the DL list every now and then. Ability is important but so is durability and Nick has not proven that he can play for an entire season putting up decent hitting stats with out getting hurt.

Now let’s take a look at the season coming up, the 2009 season, an odd number. How is that important you say? Let us look at Punto’s batting averages, in 2007 he hit .210, in 2005 he hit .239, in 2003 he hit .217. In the even numbered years Nick hit .284 in 2008, .290 in 2006, and .253 in 2004. I would say there is reason to be concerned, very concerned. Punto wants to be the best player possible and who doesn’t but the bottom line is that (and I am trying to find a nice way to put this) he worries too much. When Nick goes a day or two with no hits he gets out of his normal rhythm and tries to make up for the bad days and this leads to more bad at bats which leads to long slumps. 2007 was a good indication of what happens to Punto when he gets on a bad roll.

If you look at Punto’s fielding stats you will find that Nick is a better 2B then he is a shortstop. So if Gardy has his mind already made up about playing Punto on a regular basis, maybe the Twins should look at moving Alexi Casilla to shortstop and playing Punto at 2B. Personally I think the Twins need to find a regular shortstop by hook or crook or they should try Casilla at shortstop and look for a 2B because I have no problem seeing Punto sitting on the bench waiting to come into the game for defense or to steal a base when it is called for but please don’t send him out there every day.

Veterans committee finalist’s announced for Hall of Fame

December 1, 2008 – Ten former major league players whose careers started in 1943 or later have been named as finalists for election and entry into the MLB Hall of Fame in 2009. Three former Minnesota Twins players, Tony Oliva, Jim Kaat, and Luis Tiant are part of this select and talented group. In addition, Dick Allen, Gil Hodges, Al Oliver, Vada Pinson, Ron Santo, Joe Torre, and Maury Wills make up the rest of the group. Boy, I must be getting old because with the exception of Hodges, I grew up watching all these guys play. How many if any of these former stars will make it is hard to say. The veterans group has not selected anyone for admission in years and the voting rules have changed since the last vote was taken. This year, candidates must garner 75% of the vote from living Hall of Famers. Since there are currently 64 living Hall of Famers, 48 votes will be required for entry.

From this group I sure would like to see Tony O, Jim Kaat, and Maury Wills get in. Voting results are scheduled to be announced on December 8 during baseballs’ winter meetings in Las Vegas. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

December 9 update – Disappointment….is how I would describe my feelings when I heard that for the fourth consecutive time no post 1942 players were selected to the Hall. How can this be, are you telling me none of these guys deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? That is a bunch of Bull*&^%, a number of these players belong there, the problem is how to get them there. I have no problem with the 64 living Hall of Famers voting but it seems to me that they are all over the board, there is no leadership here, someone needs to stand up and take charge. To achieve the necessary 75% for election, a player must receive 48 votes. The results for the most recent voting were as follows: Ron Santo (39 votes, 60.9 percent), Jim Kaat (38, 59.4 percent), Tony Oliva (33, 51.6 percent), Gil Hodges (28, 43.8 percent), Joe Torre (19, 29.7 percent), Maury Wills (15, 23.4 percent), Luis Tiant (13, 20.3 percent), Vada Pinson (12, 18.8 percent), Al Oliver (nine, 14.1 percent), Dick Allen (seven, 10.9 percent). All 64 living HOF players cast ballots, the Hall of Fame stated that voters could choose up to four candidates, and an average of 3.33 votes per ballot was cast.

Something needs to change, it is not right that players that deserve to be in the HOF are left outside looking in and then years after they pass away, someone decides they do belong in the HOF, that is just not right. This year 256 votes could have been cast and only 213 were cast, that is 43 votes that went unused. Let’s change the rules for this finalist group; I have no problem with at least one player, the highest vote getter getting the call to the hall. If you don’t want to do that, then let’s make sure that each player cast 4 votes on each ballot. You will not cheapen the entry into the MLB Hall of Fame by doing this, you will only make it better for the players and the fans who want to see the stars they cheered for many years get the credit they deserve. All I can say now is “shame on you the living 64 Hall of Famers who have your noses so high in the air that you can’t see the ballot itself”, you guys really disappointed me.

The Twins First Manager

November 18, 2008 – Harry Arthur “Cookie” Lavagetto was born December 1, 1912 in Oakland, California. The tall, dark, and handsome Lavagetto was signed by the Oakland Oaks after a high school all-star game. He acquired his nick name from his Oakland teammates, who called him “Cookie’s boy,” because he had been hired by Oaks’ president Victor “Cookie” Devincenzi. Cookie played pro ball for 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1934-1936) and the Brooklyn Dodgers (1937-1941) and again from 1946-1947. Cookie missed four full seasons while he served in the military during WW II from 1942 to 1945. After being released by the Dodgers after the 1947 season, Cookie returned to play with the Oaks from 1948-1950.

Cookie played in 1,043 major league games, primarily at 3B although he also played 2B and made a couple of appearances at SS and 1B. Cookie threw and batted right handed and during his major league career he batted .269 with 40 home runs, 486 RBI’s while stealing 63 bases. Cookie was named to the National league All-Star team between 1938 and 1941 although he did not play in the 1938 and 1939 games. Cookie played in the 1941 World Series for the Brooklyn Dodgers against the New York Yankees in a losing cause and again in 1947 when the Dodgers again played the New York Yankees. But it was game 4 at Ebbets Field of the 1947 World Series that brought Cookie Lavagetto to the pinnacle of the baseball world. On October 3 the Yankees and pitcher Bill Bevens were ahead 2-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning with two out. Bevans had surrendered no hits, an unprecedented World Series feat at the time but two runners were on base from Bevens’ ninth and tenth walks of the game. Lavagetto was summoned by Dodger manager Burt Shotton to hit for Eddie Stanky and he cracked an opposite-field double to break up the no-hitter and score the two Dodger runners for a 3-2 Brooklyn win. It was Lavagetto’s only hit of the series (won by the Yankees in seven games) and his last as a big leaguer. An excellent write-up of this famous event can be found at http://www.users.qwest.net/~yarnspnr/baseball/bevans/bevans.htm .

After being released by the Dodgers, Cookie went back and played for the Oaks from 1948 to 1950. When Oakland manager Chuck Dressen was named to manage the Dodgers in 1951, Cookie was named as one of Dressen’s coaches and Lavagetto stayed with Dressen in Brooklyn (1951-53) and the PCL Oaks (1954) and followed him to the Washington Senators when Dressen became their skipper in 1955. On May 7, 1957, with the Senators floundering in last place, Dressen was fired and Lavagetto was named his successor. The team improved slightly, but finished last in 1957, 1958, and again 1959. In 1960 the Senators rose to fifth place in the eight team American League but it was too late as Senators owner Calvin Griffith had decided that he had had enough of Washington and received permission from the American League to move the team to greener pastures in Minnesota where they became the Minnesota Twins. Cookie Lavagetto was the first manager in Twins’ history, but he did not even get a chance to finish the 1961 season. With the Twins mired in ninth place in the new ten team American league, Calvin Griffith told Cookie to take a short fishing vacation to clear his head. Lavagetto took a seven-game leave of absence in early June, then returned to the helm. But he was fired June 23 with the club still in ninth place and replaced by coach Sam Mele. Cookie Lavagetto wore number 51 during his short tenure as the Twins manager. Cookie’s career as the Twins manager ended after only 66 games and a 25-41 record. Lavagetto’s major league managing record was 271 wins and 384 defeats (.414). Lavagetto rejoined the coaching ranks the next season with the New York Mets where he stayed from 1962-1963. He then joined the San Francisco Giants as a coach from 1964 through 1967 before retiring. Harry Arthur “Cookie” Lavagetto died in his sleep at his home in Orinda, California on August 10, 1990 at the age of 77.

Do you remember September 22, 1968?

September 7, 2008 – How is your memory? Do you remember what happened 40 years ago this coming September 22nd? If you don’t, you should be checking my “Today in Twins History” page. On that day Cesar “Pepe” Tovar played one inning at each position for the Minnesota Twins at the Met Stadium against the Oakland A’s becoming only the second major leaguer in history to accomplish the rare feat. Bert Campaneris of the Oakland A’s was the first. Tovar became the one and only Twins position player to be a starting pitcher in Twins history as he tossed a scoreless first inning and struck out future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson along the way. Cesar went on to play C, 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, LF, CF, and RF in that game. Tovar did not forget his offense either as he was 1 for 3 with a run scored and he sole a base for good measure. You can find the box score for this game on my “Twins Box Scores” page.

Tovar is regarded as the all-time AL leader in breaking up no-hit attempts with five. In April 17, 1967, Tovar’s single was the only hit against the Senator’s Barry Moore. On August 10, 1969, Mike Cuellar of the Baltimore Orioles was working on a streak of 35 consecutive batter retired before giving up a ninth inning single to Tovar and losing his no-hitter. Earlier in the same season (May 15), Tovar broke up the no-hit bid of another Baltimore pitcher, Dave McNally. Tovar was also responsible for spoiling two other no-hitters during his career: against the Washington Senators Dick Bosman on August 14, 1970 and against the Yankees Jim “Catfish” Hunter On May 31, 1975.

On May 18, 1969 Tovar and Rod Carew set a major league record for most steals by a club in one inning with 5 in the second inning against the Tigers pitcher Mickey Lolich and catcher Bill Freehan. Carew stole 2nd, 3rd, and home while Tovar stole 3rd and home in front of Carew. The two base steals of home in the same inning also tied an existing record.

Cesar Tovar also became the first Twins player to hit for the cycle at Met Stadium when he accomplished that unusual feat on September 19, 1972 against the Texas Rangers in a Twins 5-3 victory.

Tovar was traded after the 1972 season to the Philadelphia Phillies for Ken Sanders, Ken Reynolds, and Joe Lis. Later in his career Tovar played for the Texas Rangers, Oakland A’s, and finally the New York Yankees before retiring after the 1976 season. Cesar Tovar passed away of pancreatic cancer at the age of 54 in Caracas, Venezuela in 1994.

Twins Send Out Post Season Invoices

August 27, 2008 – Being a Twins partial season ticket holder, I received my 2008 post season ticket invoice in the mail this past Saturday. In our case we have the “Gold Glove” season ticket holder package which gives us ¼ of the games in our seats and someone else owns the other ¼ and yet another buyer owns ½ of the games. We like our seats which are in the first row right next to the visitor’s bullpen and our row only has two seats, which means we never have to get up to let someone in or out and you can’t beat that. What is frustrating is that with our seats split between three parties as they are, we have no assurance of getting our normal seats for the playoffs because the first choice obviously goes to the party that has the tickets for the ½ season ticket plan. If they choose not to order the tickets then it comes down to the other ¼ season ticket holder or us, depending on who gets their payment in first. It is always a nice to attend playoff baseball games but the prices today are getting up there and with the economy the way it is, it really makes one think before they write that check for the big bucks that it takes, in our case $2,500+. First thing on Monday I went down to the Ridgedale Twins Pro Shop and ordered my tickets but it is anyone’s guess at this point where our seats will be. I am not sure there is a better way to do this but never the less it is frustrating not to sit in your normal season ticket seats.

It seems like the post season ticket invoices go out earlier and earlier each year. I can’t help but wonder, who benefits from all that post season ticket money sitting in those coffers, is it MLB or is it the individual teams? That is a lot of money that can be invested for a month or more before monies start to get returned when teams get eliminated from possible post season play and or when playoff teams get eliminated. What about the $35 non refundable processing and handling fee? That seems kind of steep to me particularly since they have had my money for an extended period of time earning interest.

But we are talking playoff baseball here, what Twins fan wants to pass on seeing his team play in a Division or League Championship game at the Dome? What if they get to the World Series and you didn’t get tickets, how would you feel then? But that day will surely come for some of us in the near future as the 2008 prices for a single ticket for a World Series game go for $200 in the lower reserved sections.

Are the Twins going to get in the playoffs? My heart says yes and my mind says no. So why did I order post season tickets? Because this team is just damn fun to watch and I LOVE baseball.

Interesting piece with Terry Ryan

 

Terry Ryan (courtesy of SI.com)

 

August 1, 2008 – There is a very interesting piece and well worth your read at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/07/31/aschburner.ryan/index.html by Steve Aschburner as he talked with former Twins GM Terry Ryan about the trials and tribulations of a baseball GM at trade deadline time. It also makes note of a new Twins book that Aschburner has coming out soon called The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: Minnesota Twins.

Twins Uniform Numbers

July 12, 2008 – Did you know that there are only two Minnesota Twin uniform numbers between 0 and 60 that have been worn by only one player each? Junior Ortiz, the sometimes “strange but like-able” catcher from Puerto Rico wore the number 0 in 1990 and 1991. During one of those seasons after a prolonged slump, Ortiz asked that his first name be changed to Joe but after a time he found that did not help so he went back to Junior. Ortiz also served as the designated catcher for Scott Erickson in the Twins 1991 World Series championship season. The only other number lower than 60 that has graced the uniform back of only one player is the famous number 3 worn by Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew.

How about number 13 you ask? The first Twin to wear the number 13 was outfielder Bill Tuttle from 1961 through 1962. Jerry White, the current Twins 1B coach has worn the number 13 since 1999 and has worn the number longer than any other Twin. Other Twins players to wear the number 13 were:

Rich Reese – 1964-1965

John Roseboro – 1968-1969

Dick Woodson – 1972-1974

Tom Lundstedt – 1975

Mike Pagliarulo – 1991-1993

Todd Walker – 1996

Lucky or unlucky, we will let you be the judge of that.

The number worn by more Twins players than any other? The number 21, currently worn by outfielder Delmon Young.