Puck and the Watertown, SD VFW Hat

by Mookie The Twins Freak
***I Wrote this back in 2001, and just stumbled upon it again. One of many reasons why Kirby Puckett was so beloved by Twins fans and the baseball world. This baseball story is just one of the thousands of fan interactions with the Puck.***

It was toward the end of 1986 and I was sitting in an almost empty dome in the first row right by the Twins bullpen in Section 134 of the Metrodome. The Twins were just finishing up with their pre-game batting practice and I was in earshot of the players as they strolled around the left field area, stretching and doing wind sprints.

Most of the players had already worked their way back to the Twins 3rd base dugout, but as I looked straight ahead, I saw the "Puck" walking slowly toward me and I just could not resist.

"Hey PUCK!" I barked out to him, waving non-chalantly to him as he walked by.

"Hey! Hey! Whats UP my man?" he replied much to my astonishment as he changed direction and was suddenly walking right up to me as if I was an old friend. I was shocked by the fact that after all these years of waving and yelling salutations to Major League players from the stands, that one had actually come up to talk to me. Kirby was smiling and reached up to me as he came to end of the field nearest the stands.

"Where are you from with that hat on?" he asked in reference to my red hat which I was wearing at the dome that day.

"Oh this hat, this is my VFW team from back in Watertown South Dakota," I responded nervosuly taking the hat off to confirm that it was indeed my red hat, and not some other one"

"Well, do you want me to sign it,?" Kirby suggested as he reached towards me expecting that it was an autograph for which I had beckoned him. In fact, that thought had not crossed my mind and I was caught completely off guard by this young Twin's willingness to come over to just say "hi."

"Ah, sure... ah ya...here!" I handed him my hat, absent of having anything else for him to sign. Being a poor college student on a restricted budget it was all I could do to afford the Twins ticket and Metro Transit roundtrip bus ticket from my St. Paul campus. I did not have the money to buy a game day scorecard, yearbook, media guide or new Twins hat.

Puck looked over my sweaty hat for for a split second and then nailed me with the ultimate stumper question.

"Ah, man, you got a PEN or sharpie or something?" I was even more embarrased to admit to this potential MVP candidate, who was on the verge of finishing the season with over a .320 average and 30 plus homers, that I indeed did not have a writing utensil.

"No, I ah... actually don't have anything that writes." For some reason, I turned flush red with inadaquecy. It felt like I was taking a test that I did not study for, and I just wanted to take my "C-" grade and run. I could just feel the lost opportunity fading away. I was sure in my mind that Puck would just walk away and leave me with no proof of this brief and completely unexpected act of rare gratuity from a Major League Baseball MVPcandidate.
"Hey, that's okay man, just wait it out a few seconds here and this area down here (he pointed to the first row) will be full of kids who want autographs. We'll just steal one of their pens okay?" Puck then laughed at his own joke, roaring with that boisterous giggle that all Twins fans would grow to love over the next decade. I laughed with him and he then proceeded to strike up a conversation as if we were old friends from Chicago

"So how did our VFW in Watertown do this year,?" he asked as if genuinely cared. I literally could not believe what I was hearing. Kirby Puckett was going out of his way to make sure that not only would I get an autograph, but he was was polite enough to care about me and the team I had coached all summer! I don't even remember what I told him about the VFW team, but with just those few words and interaction, this man had won a fan for life. In my book, from this point in 1986, Mr. Kirby Puckett could do no wrong in his baseball career.

Within seconds just as Puck predicted, several kids were all over the area and they did indeed have pens. Kirby jokinly taunted me as he inked his signature onto that ratted out VFW hat,

"See, I told you they would have a pen for you, and it's even a good one...a sharpie!," he laughed in that now trademarked bubbly Hall of Fame laugh. He handed me the hat and I felt like that kid in the Coca Cola Mean Joe Green Jersey commercial. All I could say was thanks and Puck just nodded as he was now surrounded by several kids.

As I walked away with my new autograph, I could see #34 smiling and laughing and teasing the kids as signed what looked like thousands of autographs. I could hear high pitched screams of delight as kids would chirp out his name and beg for his attention. I watched Kirby walk down the the left field fence toward the Twins clubhouse, all the while he was laughing that laugh, and schmoozing with his adoring fans. He made them all feel good, if only for that brief moment.

Kirby signed for every single person he saw, and it all started because I waved at him and said, "Hey Puck!" I realize of course that it really wasn't because me that started that autograph session that day, it could have been anybody. I saw Kirby repeat that rutual almsot everytime I went to a Twins game and each time it made me realize how truly special this ballplayer was.

Kirby IS baseball in Minnesota. His accolades on the field, and induction to Cooperstown are all just confirmation of what we Twins fans have experienced all along. Kirby had many VFW hat days with many Twins fans over the years and each time, Puck added a more important stat to his resume. That stat is probably more significant then any other that will reside at Cooperstown. It's called "Fans Won Over" and includes the adoration and undying loyalty of fans who are respected by a player.

It is "PUCK" who goes into Coopertsown with the highest FWO stat because that is who is, was and always will be; a Hall of Famer with baseball talent, and a Human being with a heart of gold.

God Bless the Puck!

Bert Deserves the Hall of Fame Vote

Dedicated to Bert 'Be Home' Blyleven and his legion of fans!

The first time I witnessed Bert Blyleven, the non-pitcher, the prankster in action was on TV when a local station.
In the segment, it showed Bert doing crazy things like giving "rookies the hot shoe" and making weird faces, and wearing goofy glasses. There has to be that type of player on every team. The guy that keeps thing loose, and makes everybody around him less tense. Personally, I think baseball sticks it's nose up to these type of players, and that isn't fair. It might be the reason that the snobby league has kept this great player out of the Hall of Fame.

How can you not like a guy that pranks Sid Hartman every chance he gets? When I worked for the Twins in 1998, I remember a time, hours before a game when Sid was sitting at homeplate, watching the Twins Take Batting practice in an empty, tomblike Metrodome. I was sitting the stands, awaiting my instructions for the evening with the rest of the fan accomodations crew, when we saw Bert sneaking down the stairs behind Sid.

He gave us the "shh" sign, and pulled out a lighter as he approached the old Star Trib Sports columnist. He had the funniest, evil grin on his face as he pulled out a whole pack of Black Cat Firecrackers, and lit a long fuse. Tossing the pack a few rows behind Sid, he dashed out up the stairs as the noise started. Sid jumped straight up in his seat, and all the Twins players stopped their activities cold, to see what was going on.

As soon as people saw Bert running, they all laughed. It was great.

Bert Should be in the Hall of Fame

• 287 wins - 24th on the All-Time list.
  
• 250 loses - 10th on the All-Time list.
  
• 4,970 innings pitched - 13th on the All-Time list.
  
• 3,701 strikeouts - 5th on the All-Time list.
  
• 685 career starts - 8th on the All-Time list.
  
• 242 Complete games - 90th on the All-Time list.
  
• 60 shutouts - 9th on the All-Time list.
  
• Did you know that Bert Blyleven won fifteen games by the score of 1-0? Did you know that only two other major league pitchers have won more 1-0 games and they are hall of famer Walter Johnson and hall of famer Christy Mathewson?
  
• Bert Blyleven won major league games before he turned twenty and he won major league games after he turned forty — a durability "club" that includes only Herb Pennock & Mike Morgan.
  

Man dies after fight at Angel Stadium on opening day

This is sad, and just another reminder to ALL you sports fans out there: YOU DON'T PLAY THE GAME, YOU WATCH IT, YOU SHARE THE EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER FANS, and without a team to play against there would be no sports. RESPECT EACH OTHER'S DIFFERENCES, enjoy the game. It's life, and it's not worth taking over a sports game. C'mon...

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- A man involved in a fight at Angel Stadium on opening day has died.

Police said Brian Powers, 27, of Buena Park, Calif., died Wednesday at a hospital. No arrests have been made.

Angels spokesman Tim Mead said the fight occurred Monday night shortly after the game between the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics. Witnesses told police the man was fighting with someone when a third person came from behind and punched the victim in the head. The man fell and hit his head on a concrete step near a stairwell.

Police are unsure what led to the fight and who started it.

East Bound & Down: Nothing Like Twins Baseball, but fun as Heck!

I just finished watching a season of East Bound and Down on HBO and I have to admit, I enjoyed the F'n sh*t out of it. Kenny Powers would not make a good Minnesota Twin, but it's fun watching him be John Rocker like on a TV series. Surfing the web, I found the following article that gave a great review of the series, and thought I would share it.

LIFE ON THE COUCH: Blue-collar 'Eastbound & Down' riotously funny

Getting a series on the air is hard enough. Trying to make one that defines an era? That's like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. (Which, coincidentally, is how my cousin Stevie died.)

It's almost always just a case of good timing. "Miami Vice" borrowed much of its style from MTV just as the music channel's popularity was exploding. Premiering less than two months after Sept. 11, 2001, made Jack Bauer's fight against the terrorists on "24" feel that much sweeter. And "thirtysomething" would have been canceled before its first commercial break were it not for a large, untapped pool of similarly self-obsessed yuppies.

Which brings us to "Eastbound & Down" (10:30 p.m. today, HBO).

I'm sure its creators -- actor Danny McBride and his collaborators from the cult favorite "The Foot Fist Way" -- never set out to make anything deeper than a gut-bustingly funny comedy.

But the blue-collar series -- which focuses on Kenny Powers (McBride), an obnoxious, washed-up relief pitcher forced to move in with his brother's family and take a job teaching P.E. at the North Carolina middle school he attended, just so he can have wages that can be garnisheed -- feels a lot more relevant than it would have a year ago.

Although unlike most Americans who've recently experienced hard times, Powers contributed to his downfall. After gracing magazine covers from High Times to Highlights, the fireballer -- think John Rocker meets John Daly -- started treating his career the way he treated his mullet: neglecting the business in the front and focusing on the party in the back. Before long, a series of unfortunate comments about Jews, gays and blacks, combined with his rapidly diminishing fastball, led to his release.

Powers is a star-making turn for McBride, who's coming off high-profile supporting roles in "Tropic Thunder" and "Pineapple Express" and can be seen in June's "Land of the Lost" alongside "Eastbound" executive producer Will Ferrell. In fact, take away most of the F-bombs that Powers rains down on anyone and everyone in his life and this could have been yet another sports movie starring Ferrell, who guest stars in next Sunday's episode.

It's those F-bombs, though, as vital to Powers as the prized Jet Ski he tows behind his pickup wherever he goes, that make "Eastbound" particularly tough to write about. Replacing them with "(expletive)" just gets boring after a while, and it looks bad to children. (And believe me, in this day and age, any young person reading a newspaper is worth protecting.)

In that spirit, from here on out, that particular vulgarity will be replaced with something more kid-friendly. As in, Powers' catchphrase from his playing days was "You're (puppy)in' out!" Or that he regularly listens to drawled snippets from his autobiographical audiobook along the lines of "I'm the man who has the ball, I'm the man who can throw it faster than (a unicorn), so that is why I'm better than everyone in the world." Or that the book's title is "You're (Ice cream)in' Out, I'm (Rainbows)in' In."

This isn't to say that Powers is a bad guy -- the fact that he drinks while driving and throws his empties out the window, snorts coke, and tries to order a hooker over the phone from his brother's living room do that -- it's just to say he's a little, well, rough around the edges.

Which is probably why he regales his nephews with the story of how their now straight-laced dad used to beat up a pair of retarded brothers. Or why, when he finds out his niece was named Rose after Kate Winslet's character in "Titanic," he explodes. "Y'all named your daughter after (a Jonas Brother)in' 'Titanic'? Oh, wow. ... What's his name?" Powers asks, referring to his nephew. "(Another Jonas Brother)in' Shrek?"

I'm sure I'm not doing the series justice. In less capable hands, Powers would be an offensive, unwatchable mess. But McBride is funny, riotously so, in a primal, visceral way that's usually relegated to "Jackass" stunts or "America's Funniest Home Videos" clips of babies falling over.

And, sure, maybe I'm reading too much into this. Maybe decades from now Powers won't be remembered as some sort of foul-mouthed Tom Joad for this pending depression.

All I know is, "Eastbound & Down," with its above-ground pool and its Southern- and blues-rock soundtrack, is way easier to relate to now than, say, "Gossip Girl," considering that what's left of my 401(k) not only wouldn't pay those kids' bar tab on a given night, it would barely cover the tip.

And for the time being anyway, Kenny Powers, as his book-on-tape suggests, is (the cast of "High School Musical")in' in.

Christopher Lawrence's Life on the Couch column appears on Sundays. E-mail him at clawrence@reviewjournal.com.

Top Ten Ways to Mispronounce Kirby Puckett

Just or laughs and giggles and trips down memory lane:
David Letterman’s Top Ten Ways to Mispronounce Kirby Puckett from May 9, 1997
10. Kooby Pickett.
9. Creepy Pockets.
8. Bernie Crumpet.
7. Turkey Bucket.
6. Buddy Hackett.
5. The Puckett Formerly Known as Kirby.
4. Punky Brewster.
3. Kent Hrbek.
2. There once was a man from Nantucket who Kirbied his very own Puckett.
1. Englepuck Kirbydink.

Twins Spring Training Trip 2009

Just got back from Florida, and a week of Twins Spring Training. Here are some pictures in an animoto slide show that shows the experience from my camera...

see slide show on top navigation (March 2009)


Some thoughts on the team after witnessing the week before the World Baseball Classic:

1. Brian Buscher will be a valuable member of the team this year. He will give Justin Morneau breaks at first base, and he is really swinging a nice bat so far.
2. The future shortstop of this team is Trevor Plouffe.
3. Jose Morales could beat out Mike Redmond as a back-up catcher this spring. He looks ready to play right now.
4. The pitching looks great, and that includes the middle relief that everyone is so concerned about.

Minnesota Twins Preview 2009

Written March 3, 2009 by Jason Lowry (from www.betfirms.com)

There were few experts that thought the Minnesota Twins had much of a shot at competing in the AL Central last season after they traded away their ace Johan Santana to the Mets and let their long time star center fielder Torii Hunter sign with the Angels in free agency, but with two studs in Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer in the middle of their lineup they found a way to nearly win the division. The Twins lost a one-game playoff to the Chicago White Sox after the two teams both finished the regular season at 88-74. The Twins are hoping that they can once again be in the thick of things, as they have pretty much kept the team intact, but have made one big addition to the hole at third base by signing Joe Crede away from the White Sox. The only other significant addition this team has made is signing free agent relief pitcher Luis Ayala. With no real big losses from 2008, here is a look at the 2009 Minnesota Twins and my prediction on where they will finish in the AL Central this season.

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Offense:

As long as Mauer and Morneau stay healthy the Twins offense should help send the Metrodome out in style, as this is the final season before they move to their new ballpark. Mauer is the team’s catcher, but you wouldn’t guess that by his batting average, as he won his 2nd batting title last season after hitting .328. Mauer doesn’t hit for much power with only 9 home runs, but did drive in 85 runs, and constantly gets on base for Morneau, who nearly won his 2nd AL MVP award, as he finishing 2nd with 23 home runs, 129 RBI and a very solid .300 average while playing in every game for the Twins. The Twins are loaded with talent in the outfield, as they have 4 guys for 3 spots in Denard Span, Carlos Gomez, Michael Cuddyer, and Delmon Young. I think that Gomez earns the center field job after leading the team with 33 stolen bases last season, but does need to work on his strikeout totals, as he easily led the Twins with 142 last season. Cuddyer has great upside if he can stay healthy, as he played in just 71 games last season, but this is a guy who hit an average of 20 home runs and 95 RBI in his previous 2 seasons. That likely leaves Span and Young battling it out during spring training, and while both are former first round picks, you have to like the upside of Young in the long run. Span could be the starter come opening day, but his spot is by no means guaranteed. Joe Crede also has the potential to give this team some more pop in the lineup, as he hit 30 home runs with 94 RBI in 2006, but has hit just 21 home runs and 77 RBI in the last two seasons thanks to injuries. 2B Alexi Casilla and SS Nick Punto will be the key up the middle on defense, and if they can both hit around .280 this season, the Twins will take it. That leaves DH Jason Kubel, who had a good 2008, as he increased his home runs from 13 in 2007 to 20, and 65 RBI in 2007 to 78 last season. If he can accept the everyday role as the DH, this guy could really blossom into a solid hitting in 2009.

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Pitching:

The Twins had five pitchers win at least 10 games last season, and four are back for 2009, as the team lost veteran Livan Hernandez. That shouldn’t be a problem with the young and talented Francisco Liriano likely back to full strength after showing signs of getting back to form at the end of last season. Scott Baker will likely be the ace of this staff to start the season, as he is coming off an 11-4 season with a 3.45 ERA, in just his 2nd full season as a starter. Both Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins had 12 wins to lead the team last season, but Perkins was much more effective, going 12-4 compared to Slowey, who went 12-11, even though he had the better ERA at 3.99. The final spot will likely belong to Nick Blackburn who was 11-11with a 4.05 ERA in his first extensive look as a starter in this league. The bullpen is solid at the end in the all-star Joe Nathan, but getting the ball in his hands was a problem in 2008, and could once again be a problem in 2009. The team is hoping that the combination of Jesse Crain, Jose Mijares, and Luis Ayala will be able to solve this problem, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the Twins didn’t try and get some kind of help here before the season gets underway.

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Prediction: 1st in AL Central

I think that so much is going for the Twins in 2009, with this being the last year in their historic stadium, and having a team that can really compete. We think that Liriano will be dominant once again for this team, giving them one of the best starting rotations in the division. The offense will do its job, and this team is going to be tough at home. It will be close, but i like the Twins to hold off the rest of the division.

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Dmitri And Delmon Young The Focus Of MLB Productions' First-Ever Original Film, "We Are Young."

Dmitri Young has done this before. Anyone who doubts that DY can come back from the health issues which cost him most of last season to make the '09 Nationals' roster just has to look back to the 2007 season, when Young, who had fallen out of favor, (and almost out of baseball) and been released by the Detroit Tigers the previous year, signed on with Washington and rewarded their faith in him by hitting .320 with 38 doubles, 13 HR's and 74 RBI's, earning himself an All-Star selection and the MLB 2007 Comeback Player of the Year Award. Dmitri Young is in camp with Washington this Spring, on the field, healthy, and once again trying to fight his way back...

Tonight at 9:00 pm on the MLB Network, MLB Productions presents their first-ever original film, "We Are Young", which focuses on the struggles Dmitri and his younger brother Delmon have had to overcome to make it the Major Leagues, and I was given a chance to ask the Executive in charge of Production and Vice President of MLB Productions, David Gavant a few questions as a preview to the film's debut on the MLB Network:

1) With all the stories in baseball, how did you decide on Dmitri and Delmon for MLB Productions' first original film?

WE FIRST DECIDED TO FOLLOW THIS STORY IN 2001 WHEN DELMON WAS A 15 YEAR OLD PHENOM WITH A BIG BROTHER IN THE BIG LEAGUES. AT THAT POINT WE THOUGHT WE WERE PRODUCING A FILM THAT WOULD BE BASEBALL'S ANSWER TO "HOOP DREAMS" WHERE WE WOULD DOCUMENT DELMON'S JOURNEY TO THE MAJOR LEAGUES. THROUGH 2003 (DELMON WAS THE #1 PICK IN THE AMATEUR DRAFT AND DMITRI WAS AN ALL-STAR) THAT IS THE FILM WE THOUGHT WE HAD. BUT THEN THE STORY OF THE YOUNG FAMILY WOULD TAKE SOME SOME UNEXPECTED TURNS, WHICH ACTUALLY MADE FOR A MORE COMPELLING FILM ABOUT A BASEBALL FAMILY GROWING CLOSER IN TOUGH TIMES.

2) MLB Productions seems to be making a distinction between "documentaries" (like Josh Hamilton's) and "original films" (like the Young brothers')...what's the difference? Just semantics?

THE YOUNG FILM WAS 7 YEARS IN THE MAKING. WE WERE SHOOTING AT KEY JUNCTURES THROUGHOUT AND HAD PLANNED TO GO THE FILM FESTIVAL ROUTE ONCE THE STORY CAME TO A RESOLUTION. AS FOR JOSH HAMILTON, WE MADE THE DECISION AFTER HIS INCREDIBLE 2008 SEASON. WE THEN WENT ABOUT THE PROCESS OF GATHERING THE NECESSARY ELEMENTS TO PRODUCE THIS DOCUMENTARY. THAT IS THE REAL DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO PROJECTS.

3) How willing were Dmitri and Delmon to discuss their respective struggles? How about their family and friends?

I AM SURE THERE WERE TIMES THAT DELMON AND DMITRI WERE RETICENT TO TALK ABOUT THEIR STRUGGLES, BUT ULTIMATELY THEY STAYED TRUE TO THE SPIRIT OF THE FILM AND COOPERATED WITH US AT EVERY TURN. FOR EXAMPLE, WE INTERVIEWED DELMON JUST DAYS AFTER HIS BAT THROWING INCIDENT WHEN HIS AGENT HAD CALLED FOR A MEDIA BLACKOUT. WITH DMITRI WE SPENT TIME WITH THE EMBATTLED BALLPLAYER DURING THE 2005 WORLD SERIES (A MONTH AFTER HE HAD BEEN CUT FROM THE TIGERS AND WAS UNDER VIRTUAL HOUSE ARREST STEMMING FROM DOMESTIC BATTERY CHARGES EARLIER IN THE YEAR) AS HIS FORMER TEAM PLAYED IN THE FALL CLASSIC. IT WAS A GUT-WRENCHING TIME FOR HIM AND YET DMITRI OPENED HIS HEART TO US.

4) Any chance Dmitri discusses why he knocks off his helmet when he doubles, or tucks his arm into his chest when he rounds the bases after homering? (If not any other interesting personal information on Dmitri?)

FAMILY MEMBERS TALK ABOUT DMITRI IN THAT REGARD. VIEWERS OF THE FILM WILL SEE HOW MUCH OF A BIG LOVABLE GUY DMITRI IS AND HOW HIS INFECTIOUS PERSONALITY MAKES HIM EASY TO ROOT FOR.

5) Did you get a sense for how closely the two brothers follow each other's careers?
DESPITE THEIR 12 YEAR AGE DIFFERENCE, THEY ARE VERY CLOSE. DMITRI IS DELMON'S BIGGEST FAN WHILE THE YOUNGER OF THE YOUNGS HAS MOTIVATED HIS BIGGER BROTHER WHEN HE NEEDED IT THE MOST.

6) Is the next original film already under production? More planned for the future?
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PRODUCTIONS IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON OUR NEXT FILM AND WILL HAVE MORE DETAILS IN THE COMING MONTHS...

7) Were the Nationals willing to talk about Dmitri and his time in DC?
THE NATIONALS WERE VERY OPEN TO TALKING ABOUT DMITRI AND HIS TIME IN DC. IN FACT, THEY HANDLED HIS SITUATION ABOUT AS WELL AS AN ORGANIZATION COULD HANDLE IT. GM JIM BOWDEN (DMITRI'S FOMRER GM IN CINCY) SIGNED HIM TO A MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT BEFORE THE 2007 SEASON, BUT MADE IT CLEAR THAT TEAM OFFICIALS WOULD BE MONITORING HIS SITUATION VERY CLOSELY. AS NATIONALS FANS KNOW, HE WOULD MOVE UP THE DEPTH CHART DURING SPRING TRAINING, STARTED @ FIRST BASE ON OPENING DAY AND ENDED UP BEING THEIR LONE REPRESENTATIVE @ THE ALL-STAR GAME. THE NATIONALS HAD SHOWN FORESIGHT IN GIVING DMITRI ANOTHER CHANCE AND HE REWARDED THEM AS HE WAS NAMED THE 2007 COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

Thanks to Lauren and David for agreeing to the interview, I saw an interview with DY yesterday, and he seems pleased with the way the film turned out, and even hinted that there might be more to come...

Ozzie: Twins better with Crede

It's all over You Tube on the Joe Crede video Tributes by White Sox fans to their World Series hero. They are disgruntled and upset that their former third baseman is now a member of the arch rival Twins fans. Just type in "Joe Crede" and read the banter back in forth from loyalists of each Central Division fan base.

"You better appreciate how good he is..."

Now, the White Sox players and managers are saying it. Read this from the Chicago Sun Times, and yes, you too will see the seller's remorse that is now the Twins potential benefit,

BY JOE COWLEY
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It took a few months, but with the rumors of Joe Crede signing with the Minnesota Twins a reality as of Saturday, Crede's former manager knows the team the White Sox faced in a one-game playoff to decide the division last year just got better.

''It's not pitching,'' Ozzie Guillen said of the Crede signing. ''He will make [the Twins'] pitching staff better because their defense will be a lot better. He will create double plays. He knows how to play the game. There is one player who didn't grow up with the Minnesota Twins organization, and he played like a Minnesota Twin. He's that type of player.

''They will help him, yes. They got better? If Crede is on the field, they're going to be better. I don't think they'll win the division because of one player. They always had a good club and always will be in the pennant race, and you have to handle it the way we always handle it and see what happens.''

Crede, 30, spent his entire career in the Sox organization, becoming a fixture at third base in 2003. While he made a career out of late-game dramatics at the plate, it was his defense that made him a pitcher's best friend.

''One of the greatest third basemen of all time, if you ask me,'' Sox starter Mark Buehrle said. ''What he did, like I said before, when he wasn't over there, there were balls he got to that you expect to be caught, and you turn around and they weren't caught.''

While his former teammates were wishing him the best, one question that was on all of their minds was how his chronic back problems the last three years will hold up on the Metrodome turf for an entire season.

Crede missed most of 2007 after back surgery, then played in 97 games last year before the injury forced the club to shut him down.

''I'm not a doctor,'' catcher A.J. Pierzynski said, ''but I know when I was there [with the Twins], I know we had a different turf, but we had guys all the time that had healthy backs who were complaining about the field. Joe says he's healthy, so we'll see.''

And see quickly.

Crede will make his return to the South Side on April 10. Considering the Sox' dugout is on the third-base side, he can expect more than a few comments made in his direction.

''I'm sure we'll be giving him [bleep] when we play at home,'' Pierzynski said. ''That's the way it goes. When I went to Minnesota, they were giving me [bleep] from their dugout, too, so that's the way it is -- especially when someone has been with an organization as long as Joe was.''

Twins Get Joe Crede

Add another J to the first names of the Twins batting attack with Gold Glove defense! Joe Crede signed with the Twins and will play 3rd Base this season. Hooray!

From AP Reports:By JON KRAWCZYNSKI – 1 hour ago
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Minnesota Twins finally made a big move.
After sitting idle for more than four months following a season in which they lost to the White Sox in a one-game playoff for the AL Central title, the Twins agreed to terms with free-agent third baseman Joe Crede on a one-year deal on Saturday.
Provided Crede's back holds up, he will fill a major need for the Twins as a power-hitting third baseman who also has a great glove. The team scheduled a news conference for later Saturday.

Crede has had two major back surgeries in the last two seasons. He hit .248 with 17 homers and 55 RBIs last season for the White Sox. But the All-Star played sparingly in the second half because of recurring back trouble, which limited him to 47 games in 2007.

Crede topped 20 homers in three straight years, including a career-high 30 in 2006, before back problems held him to 144 games total in the last two seasons. He hit 16 home runs in the first half of last season and earned an All-Star bid, including batting .432 with seven homers and 17 RBIs in 10 games against Minnesota. But he managed just one homer after the break when his back injury flared up.

Crede was a key player when Chicago won the World Series in 2005, hitting four homers and driving in 11 in the postseason while playing his usual stellar defense.

The Ultimate Twins Spring Training Guide 2009: To Hammond Stadium and Beyond!

I found this nice little Spring Training resource from the Bleacher Report.com, and just had to share it.

Lee County, Fla., isn’t near Miami. It’s nearly 1,800 miles from Cabo San Lucas, and a full 2,000 miles from Las Vegas.

Yet for thousands of Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox fans, Ft. Myers and the surrounding Lee County area will always be the heart of their spring break plans.

Without a doubt, part of the allure of attending spring training games for many fans is the break from long Midwestern winters.

Hammond Stadium provides a great chance for fans to sit in the sun and watch their favorite team, a feature not even available to fans in Minneapolis in mid-summer.

Hammond Stadium and its surrounding complex are situated in the southeastern section of the city, positioned between the Fort Myers airport and the more densely populated sections of downtown.

The Twins moved into the Lee County Sports Complex in the spring of 1991, the first year the facility was open. After finishing second to last in the American League the year before, the Twins left their site in Orlando where they had played since 1946.

Their arrival in Ft. Myers must have brought them good luck, since they improved their finish by 21 games and went on to defeat the Atlanta Braves in the 1991 World Series.

Their 20-year lease on the facility ends soon, but the Twins have made no motions of heading away from their home-away-from-home, due to their strong connection to the area.

Not only do the Twins occupy the facility from late February to early April, they also keep a nearly permanent presence in Hammond Stadium. The single decked stadium houses the major leaguers for a while, but when the Twins head north, their high-A affiliate, the Fort Myers Miracle, takes over.

If you’re looking to eat at the park, just follow your nose. Many stations have open grills and their own take on the baseball classics. The right field area has a number of good choices and provides a great atmosphere in which to enjoy the game.

One thing many fans love about spring training is the chance to get an autograph from their favorite players. The complex is a very open facility with lots of practice fields, which gives fans a chance to see their favorite players up close. The best way to get a player to sign is to arrive before practice starts or after it has concluded.

While there may be an urge to stop your favorite Twin as they move between fields during the day, it’s not advisable. They are still in practice and probably will not stop. Once the day is over, however, most are more than happy to stop and chat.

Unlike many Spring Training facilities, the Lee County Sports Complex provides fans with a number of hotel choices, depending on your priorities.

If the Twins are all you’re coming for, consider staying at either the Best Western-Fort Myers Airport or the Comfort Suites Airport. Both are between the Fort Myers airport and the stadium, providing easy access to both places and saving on gas.

If you’re looking to take in the city or the surrounding beaches, The Clarion Hotel Fort Myers is closer to the center of town, but still within a short drive of the stadium.

The Ramada Limited Fort Myers is just off the Midpoint Bridge, further from Hammond Stadium, but closer to local activities. There are also reports that this where the Twins players stay during their time in Florida.

If your plans involve staying for more than a week, looking into a condo rental is worth your time. You can fit a larger number of people, which helps to defray costs, and having a full kitchen can help save on food costs.

If eating out is half the reason you go on vacation, you’re in luck, there are myriad local places with great fare.

The Shrimp Shack provides great seafood, and The Farmer’s Market gives Northern folks a taste of Southern favorites like fried okra. Ichabod’s took over for Dwyer’s, which used to be a favorite hangout of the Twins’ players.

No word on whether or not they’ve continued to go there since the change, but the menu is worth the trip, even if Ron Gardenhire isn’t seated at the table next to yours.

One thing to keep in mind is the time of year you choose to visit. Games begin on Feb. 25, and continue through the entire month of March. If you go at the beginning, you’re likely to find cheaper airfare, hotels and a generally quieter atmosphere.

As spring breakers arrive, everything will get more expensive and more crowded.

The Ft. Myers area is a fantastic place for families and die-hard fans alike. When the Twins are elsewhere, or have a day off, there’s a lot to do, but having a rental car is certainly recommended.

Florida staples like a day at the beach or on the golf course are a given; both abound in the area. Other local attractions include Fort Myers’ many parks: Lover’s Key State Park has one of the best beaches in the state, City Lakes Park (near the Red Sox’s facility) has bike and rollerblade rentals and plenty of trails to try them on, and many of the local parks will allow you to rent a kayak or canoe to explore mangrove islands or cypress swamps.

The easy ocean access provides opportunities for dinner cruises, deep sea fishing excursions or a more laid back sightseeing trip.

If you get seasick easily, or if you arrive without a necessity or two, you may prefer to investigate the area’s expansive shopping centers. Two outlet malls are just the beginning, but they do provide a nice starting point.

Just across San Carlos Bay are islands worth any visitor’s time, though it would be wise to plan a full day to take in all they have to offer.

Sanibel Island, the largest island, boasts some of the best white sand beaches and a fantastic nature preserve on the island’s northern coast.

Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge gives visitors a chance to walk around a mangrove ecosystem and view an incredible array of migratory birds.

Renting a bike is a great way to survey the island, and keeps you out of the traffic jams that can clog this narrow island with fewer arterial streets.

Jacarandi and the Over Easy Café are good spots to stop and grab a bite to eat here. Jacarandi is a little more upscale, though in this part of Florida the term is relative as it pertains to dress.

If you’re looking for a bar and club scene, head to Fort Myers Beach.

The beach is actually a thin barrier island connected by bridge to the mainland, so many places are located within walking distance of one another.

The Smoking Oyster hosts live music and sits near other popular spots such as Parrot Key and Yucatan Beach Stand Bar and Grill.

Fort Myers Beach is on the opposite side of the city from Twins’ fields, so unless you have a car getting between locations could be difficult. Fort Myers has a bus system, but reports vary as to its usefulness.

Thus concludes the overview of the Fort Myers area, but for everything included, something was left out. The area is extremely visitor friendly and brimming with new places to eat and spend the day.

Take this guide as just that, a guide. When the games end, hit the town and enjoy everything the area has to offer. If you find a great spot, let others know!

Just remember if you plan on going: practice starts bright and early; most day games begin at 12:05; and if you sunburn on the first day, you’ll be miserable the rest of the week.

Corey Koskie Might be Solution at Third Base?

If Corey Koskie gets a clean bill of health from the Minnesota Twins doctors, he hopes to be in the batting cages and getting into some games this spring at Fort Myers as he attempts to make a comeback.

Crede Works out for Twins Again? C'mon Already...SIGN HIM

3B Joe Crede will hold another workout for scouts, including at least one from the Twins, a week before spring camps open, agent Scott Boras said. The Twins remain interested in the former All-Star but have doubts about his ability to stay healthy while playing on the Metrodome's artificial turf. Crede, who missed most of August and September because of a back injury, is believed to be seeking a raise from his $5.1 million salary of a year ago.

Jersey guy gets probation for impersonating Yanks Joba Chamberlain

From the Philadelphia Daily News...

For years, people told Ryan Ward that he was the spitting image of Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain. You know Chamberlain, the chubby flamethrower whose animated mound reactions make it seem as if he's had one too many Red Bulls? Well, Ward, 30, of Toms River, took the resemblance and turned it into an act, fooling scores of people starstruck by who they thought was the Yankees hurler.

The impersonator was showered with free food, drinks and other complimentary items. As a result, Ward narrowly missed prison time on theft-by-deception charges, punishable by a 1-year jail term. Instead, Ward copped a plea yesterday and was convicted of disorderly conduct, sentenced to 2 years' probation and ordered to pay a fine of $2,518, according to the Associated Press. Ward claims he signed more than 100 autographs, received free drinks and food at various restaurants and hung out with women who believed they were spending the night with Chamberlain. When asked by the AP about the number of women, Ward replied, "There were many." --

Twins Big Signings this Off Season?

So far, with baseball fever running at high pitch in my January World, the Twins have made some moves this off-season that don't exactly make me feel like a kid at Christmas.

In December the Twins re-signed Nick Punto, Captain of the Pirhanas. I am happy that he stayed, but can't believe he will be the short stop for every game in '09. I like Punto, he is fiery and plays "balls to walls' but he isn't the most threatening guy at the plate.

Today the wins announced that they have agreed to terms with outfielder/designated hitter Jason Kubel on a two-year contract, with a club option for the 2011 season. Kubel is SoDak homeboy, so I like him, but he is also untapped potential. Remember, a few years ago before his knee injury, he was touted as the team's top prospect. I have a feeling that this will be a good year for Kubes. Twins fans saw "pockets of power" from his bat last season, and I think they are counting on him as a full-time DH.

But, there are still plenty of Free Agents out there who could help this team kick the World Series door down in 2009. I know one player who would guarantee us a chance to play in the Fall Classic the next 3-4 years; MANNY! You know, the must clutch hitter in all of baseball, in my opinion... Well heck, we got money, let's go get that guy... Say Good-bye to the Dome in classic style by playing the last game of it's history for the World Title, and then say hello to "Target Field" with a back-to-back championship.

Manny Ramirez would be make the Twins line-up more dangerous than any team on the planet. I am dreaming here, but Championship chances have been few and far between in the State of Lakes. The Twins can bring winning back to Minnesota if they pony up for big name player, and throw the cash at him.

1. Denard RF leads off,
2. followed by Casilla 2B (hello speed)
3. Mauer C bats 3rd and gets 3rd Batting title
4 followed by MVP Morneau 1B,
5. Ramirez DH, (who ya gonna pitch around?)
6. Cuddyer 3B, (Defense be damned, be got pitching and speed in the outfield
7. Delmon LF, looking for big numbers in '09- and yes he can play this game
8. Punto at SS
9. Gomez in CF

Are you kidding me? That line up would be AWESOME!!!! Just sign Manny!!!

Morneau picked as top male Athlete over Sidney Crosby by Canadian Press

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Sid the Kid will have to settle for second place this year.

Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins is the winner of the Lionel Conacher Award as The Canadian Press male athlete of the year.

The New Westminster, B.C., slugger had a .300 average, 23 home runs and 129 RBIs for the Twins last season.

The 27-year-old first baseman topped a survey of the country's sports editors and broadcasters with 99 points.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain and 2007 winner Sidney Crosby was second with 82 points.

Wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc claimed female athlete of the year honours Friday and the top team of 2008 will be revealed Monday.

Relive Viola's gem as Twins win in 1987

With their first World Series title in 26 years, the Minnesota Twins finally earned league-wide respect. As second baseman Steve Lombardozzi put it, they could no longer be called the "Twinkies."

The Twins, who were the Washington Senators until 1961, edged the Cardinals, 4-2, in Game 7 of the 1987 World Series to capture the franchise's first championship since 1924.

Every day from now to Spring Training, MLB.com Live will air a classic game on Baseball's Best. Game 7 of the 1987 World Series can be seen on Wednesday at 10 a.m. CT.

The Twins trotted out Frank Viola for the third time in the series, this time in a rematch of Game 1 against Cardinals rookie Joe Magrane. In Game 7, Viola outdueled Magrane for the second time, throwing eight innings of two-run ball in his second straight start on three days' rest. For his efforts, Viola earned World Series Most Valuable Player honors.

Though St. Louis tagged the left-hander for two runs in the second, taking a 2-0 lead, Minnesota slowly chipped away and claimed a 3-2 edge in the sixth. Dan Gladden's RBI double in the eighth provided closer Jeff Reardon a 4-2 cushion, not that he needed the extra help. Reardon pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to wrap it up. Minnesota finally had a professional sports championship to call its own.

Still, the title wasn't totally convincing for a few reasons.

The Twins went 85-77 in the regular season, the worst record for any World Series champion at the time. The Cardinals, who won the National League pennant for the third time in six years, were hindered in the series by injuries to star hitters Jack Clark and Terry Pendleton.

Also, if it had been 1986 or 1988, Game 7 would have been played at Busch Stadium. Before the All-Star Game determined home-field advantage, the American League champion earned the honors in odd-numbered years regardless of regular-season success. That gave the Twins a huge edge in hosting the final game, given the home team had won each of the first six contests and they had hit .184 in the three losses at St. Louis.

So the critics certainly had ammunition, not that the 55,000 screaming fans waving "Homer Hankies" cared.

"It doesn't matter how we did it, as long as we did it," third baseman Gary Gaetti told the Associated Press afterward.

For the first time in World Series history, the home team won every game. The series was played partially indoors for the first time, too. It marked the beginning of plenty of October baseball in the Metrodome.

Manager Tom Kelly piloted the club to another Game 7 triumph in the 1991 World Series and, 10 years later, handed the reins to Tom Gardenhire, who made Minnesota an annual playoff contender at the turn of the millennium. Clearly, Lombardozzi was onto something.

"We are not the Twinkies anymore," he famously shouted. "I don't ever want to hear that again. We are the Minnesota Twins."

The Eyes of Twinnin are Upon You

Twins Get in Line for Laser eye surgery?

After hitting .267 at Triple A in 2007, Minnesota Twins outfielder Denard Span went in to get new and improved vision. He hit .340 in his first 40 games at Rochester, then .294 after being promoted to the big leagues in 2008.

His teammates do not believe the improvement was a coincidence. That's why 2006 AL Most Valuable Player Justin Morneau, coming off a season in which he hit .300 and drove in 129 runs, had the procedure done in November. Right fielder Michael Cuddyer also went in for laser surgery.

Span, a left-handed hitter, had surgery only on his right eye, the one closest to the pitcher. Morneau and Cuddyer had it on both and already report positive results.

Because they are in the middle of guaranteed contracts, Morneau and Cuddyer needed the Twins' approval for the surgery.

"I had multiple discussions with people on it," general manager Bill Smith said. "The biggest thing is making sure the people involved are reputable, and they were.

Mets and Twins Link Again? Castillo Back in Minnesota?

Okay here's a reach, but a realiztic scenario. The Mets (and others) are trying to get Michael Young from the Rangers. If they do, they will have get rid of Luis Castillo...

If this happens, you can expect to see the Twins go after Luis Castillo at 2B, and move Alexi Casilla back to Shortstop...

It could happen.

Everett Jumps to Tigers, Pirates Jack Wilson to Twins?

LAS VEGAS -- The Detroit Tigers are out of the Jack Wilson scenario.

The Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be waning.

On deck: The Minnesota Twins.

The first day of Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings at the Bellagio hotel threw a large wrench into the Pirates' clear attempts to trade their veteran shortstop, with Detroit choosing a far less expensive option by signing free agent Adam Everett to a one-year deal worth $1 million plus incentives.

The Tigers likely represented the best chance for a Wilson deal to happen quickly, as they and the Pirates had scheduled -- then canceled -- a meeting about Wilson.

"Looks like this is going to take awhile," one source close to the discussions said.

Wilson, who drove to the meetings to check out the event and enjoy a day or two with some friends, seemed to feel the same way.

"I don't know what's going to happen or when," he said. "It is what it is. You get used to it. It's a little different when it's in the offseason. During the season, you can have issues with concentration and getting ready for a game."

Wilson allowed to some disappointment about Detroit, as he would have welcomed a chance to play for manager Jim Leyland and his former manager, Lloyd McClendon, the hitting coach.

The Tigers' decision, as with so much in the majors this offseason, was driven by economic concerns. Although the Pirates were willing to pay part of Wilson's salary -- $7.25 million this year, plus an $8.4 million club option for 2010 and $600,000 buyout -- and Wilson was willing to restructure the second year, it still was not enough.

Other teams have cited the sagging economy and the Pirates are no exception.

"I think the economy is real," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "We need to be cognizant of how we spend our dollars. We need to be aware of what might not be there in the future."

What that impact means in the Wilson scenario is that the Pirates surely will have to pick up a portion of his salary, wherever he might go. And that could complicate things, if the Pirates are not confident they are receiving fair value for the player and money.

A further complication is possible in the dwindling number of musical chairs for shortstops, another team and player crossed off with Everett's signing. "I think there are teams that still need shortstops, and there are still shortstops out there. As the options narrow from the buyer's and seller's perspective, there still needs to be the right fit," Huntington said.

"But, as we sit here right now, Jack Wilson is our shortstop for the 2009 season, and that's not a bad thing. Jack's loved by the fans, and he's fun to watch on defense. A healthy Jack Wilson will be a productive Jack Wilson."

But a happy Jack Wilson?

Wilson was asked if he might already have crossed the bridge to another team, at least in his mind.

"Not yet," he replied. "I mean, you think about it. But I'm still with the Pirates."

The Dodgers remain in need of a shortstop and, persistent reports out of Los Angeles to the contrary, reignited talks about Wilson last week. But there was been no known continuation over the weekend or at these meetings. Moreover, the Dodgers last night reopened talks to re-sign free agent Rafael Furcal.

"The Dodgers are just lying low," one source said.

The Twins' emergence was a surprise to some in the industry, word developing yesterday morning, but perhaps it should not have been: Everett was their shortstop part of last year, and the others they employed at the position were ineffective defensively.

As with other teams, Minnesota would expect the Pirates to pay part of Wilson's tab, but a possible return was not known. The Twins' system is deep with prospects, though, so a match on that front seems plenty doable.

One player Minnesota is shopping for a trade is Delmon Young, 23, a talented, sometimes troubled outfielder. He batted .290 with 10 home runs and 69 RBIs over 152 games last season, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said in a recent interview that Young will not be part of his outfield in 2009.

There was scant mention of the Pirates' other players known to be on the trade market -- second baseman Freddy Sanchez, first baseman Adam LaRoche, reliever John Grabow and catcher Ronny Paulino -- mostly, it appears, because the high-spending teams are trying to first see if they can address needs through free agency.

Huntington was asked if a trade of Wilson would lessen the chance that Sanchez would go, too. The Pirates are remarkably shallow in middle-infield depth throughout the system.

"I don't think they're attached at the hip," Huntington said of Wilson and Sanchez.

"Each situation will be evaluated independently, and we'll do what we think is right for the organization. If we get the right fit for one, that doesn't prohibit us from looking for the right fit for the other. If we get the right fit for both, we move both. If we don't get the right fit for either, we keep both."