Twins Fan Forum -- Q&A with TR and Dave St. Peter

[glunn]

I listened to the conference call two nights ago and took a few pages of notes.  The call consisted of Terry Ryan and Dave St. Peter answering questions posed by season ticket holders and group organizers.   I heard some things that I found VERY interesting and that will perhaps generate some debate that is vigorous yet respectful.

 

Below I will summarize what I heard, based on my notes.  I wrote as fast as I was able, but my hand started cramping after a few minutes.  Please note that I am merely reporting what I heard and wrote down.

 

I missed the first question because my secretary was slow in transferring the call, but TR's answer was that he is interviewing manager candidates and the coaches are on hold, and the new manager will have a lot of say about the coaches.

 

The next question was about Bruno helping Arcia become a better hitter and the value of Bruno.  TR answered that the offense improved this year and continuity is important.  TR also said that Arcia made strides but not enough and will do better.

 

The next question was why should someone renew his season tickets in light of the Twins' poor perfomance.  TR's answer focused on Santana/Arcia/Vargas/Gibson as "home grown" players who have shown "signs of improvement."

 

The next question was about the timing of hiring a new manager.  TR's answer was that he was starting with the candidates in the organization, and that some outside candidates cannot be interviewed until the playoffs are over.  TR also stressed that free agency does not begin until November 1.

 

The next question related to the Twins' August/September collapses during recent years.  St. Peter said that the questioner made some good points and TR said that the Twins were fairly competitive this September, but found too many ways to lose.  TR then said that the Twins showed a lot more "grit" than in previous years.  TR then talked about Hughes and Suzuki being good decisions.  TR then said that he does not want to "punt" on 2015, but the team needs work.

 

The next question was about how the next manager should be different from Gardy.  TR said that the next manager should be like Gardy in terms of respect from the players, management of the pitching staff and sabermetrics.  (Yes, he said sabermetrics).  TR then said that despite Gardy's strengths, something was wrong and needed to change.  TR then said that he is looking for a guy who is ready to go and take it to the next level.

 

The next question was about increasing payroll.  TR said that $100 million would be "plenty", that payroll peaked at $94 million last year when the Twins signed Morales and was $80 million after the departures of Willingham, Correia and Morales.  TR then noted that other teams made the playoffs this year with lower payrolls.

 

The next question related to the decline of the "Twins way."  St. Peter stressed that this phrase did not originate with the Twins and has never been used in marketing.  TR then said that the next manager will set the culture of the clubhouse and lead the club out of difficult years.  TR then said that Santana and Vargas are "good signs" and that Gibson and May showed "some good signs."

 

TR then said that the Twins need a new manager and coaching staff and that the team will get better.  

 

TR then said that "Twins way" is a fallacy, and that the problems have resulted from not executing fundamental baseball.

 

The next question was about top priorities other than selecting a new manager,  TR talked about Suzuki and Plouffe getting better, and Dozier improving his batting average.  He also said that Arcia has upside but strikes out too  much.  TR then said that the starters are an issue, that they need to "fix Nolasco" and hope Pelfrey performs as hoped and Hughes repeats his 2014 performance.

 

The next question was about when Santana will play SS.  TR said that it would be "no problem" if Santana plays CF or SS and he was a godsend when Hicks struggled. TR then said that Escobar's bat was good for 3/4 of the season and he played good defense.  TR then said that either Escobar or Santana could be an every day SS.  TR then said that it would be no problem if Santana plays CF if needed and that the team needs his bat and Escobar's in the lineup.

 

The next question was about whether the Twins should go after a Scherzer/Lester/Shields level pitcher or a McCarthy/Ervin Santana level pitcher.  TR said that the Twins need to get Nolasco going in the right direction and that Nolasco gave quality starts in November.  TR then said that he may put a lot of money in one player or spread the money around, but pitchers will be in demand.

 

Then there was a question about Sano moving to the outfield.  I have already summarized TR's answer to this in the thread that is dedicated to this topic.  Briefly, Sano may go to the outfield if there is a roadblock at 3B.

 

The next question was about hiring a Latin coach or manager.  TR said that he will be searching for a Hispanic coach and has a number of candidates in mind.

 

The next question was about Mauer's heart not being in it any more because he is no longer catching.  TR said that Joe had a tough year of transition and was hurt for about a month, but he is only 30 years old and TR expects him to bounce back.  TR then said that Joe looks stoic and calm, but is committed and TR expects improvement.

 

The next question was about lessons to be learned from certain teams that made it to the postseason.  TR said that every team would like to be like the Cardinals just as they wanted to be like the Twins in the 2000s.  He said that the Royals are a result of "patience."  He then said that the As do a good job with acquisitions and the Cardinals and the Giants are great at drafting players.

 

The next question was about the status of Glen Perkins.  TR said Perk will be fine if he does his maintenance/strengthening.  TR then said that Hughes could be even better next year -- he had some better years with the Yankees.  He then said that the bullpen pitched well for the first 3/4ths of the year, then wore out.  He then said that Gibson had good starts alternating with bad starts.

 

The next question was about improving the pace of play.  St. Peter and TR spoke at length about changes that re being tested in the AFL, including a pitch clock and requiring batters to stay in the box.

 

The next question was about leadership in the clubhouse.  TR said that the Twins have been missing some of this and mentioned Cuddyer.  TR then talked about who could emerge as leaders, but stressed that a player has to be productive to be a leader.  The players who TR mentioned as potential leaders were Arcia/Perkins/Suzuki, as well as Pelfrey if he becomes productive, and Santana some day -- Santana has the personality to be a leader.  TR then said that Dozier is not afraid of the media or to challenge teammates.

 

The final question was about the Ramos for Capps trade and TR's response was that he was going after a closer in an effort to get to the World Series and Capps met that need.

 

Please keep in mind that I am merely reporting what I heard TR say.  There are some things here that I don't personally agree with, and I may have missed some points -- TR was speaking somewhat fast when a question seemed to make him excited, and my hand was cramping from writing as fast as I can.

 

 

[stringer bell]

Thanks, glunn! Wasn't it Billy Smith that traded Ramos for Capps?

[TheLeviathan]

There is a lot of mildly annoying stuff in there.

[Kwak]

Thanks, glunn! Wasn't it Billy Smith that traded Ramos for Capps?

Perhaps not.

[drjim]

There is a lot of mildly annoying stuff in there.

Wouldn't exactly inspire me to renew my tickets.

 

But there are limited ways to spin a train wreck and excessive emphasis on young players is a bad idea.

[TheLeviathan]

Wouldn't exactly inspire me to renew my tickets.

But there are limited ways to spin a train wreck and excessive emphasis on young players is a bad idea.

Yeah, that bugged me but I kind of get it. What bugged me most is how bristly they seemed to be about the "Twins Way". As if it is some fan-based "fallacy" to attack the team, rather than something we fans constantly have heard out of the mouths of various Twins employees for more than a decade.

 

The "hey don't forget about what an awesome leader Pelfrey is!" at the end probably didn't help either.

[DuluthFan]

I do believe the sports media coined the term "Twins Way" back when the Twins were constantly picked to finish in the bottom of the standings during their run of division titles. They had to explain why they seemed to play well with a suspect roster filled with 'piranhas'. A team filled with players who could play old fashioned small ball baseball. Hit & run, sacrifice, bunt, steal, error free baseball, not worrying about their own stats, playing as a team. The Twins Way.

 

There had to be a reason why a team picked to finish last (or nearly) every year could finish first against everybody's projections.

[Kwak]

1 Twins Way, Minneapolis, MN, is the address the Minnesota Twins Baseball Team uses.  So, any attempt to distance themselves from the term, The Twins Way, is a baloney sandwich.

 

 

The "Pelfrey" comment:  virtually guarantees that he will be on the Active Roster at season's start, but will be assigned some games to be the starting pitcher.

 

"...talked about Plouffe and Suzuki 'getting better'. ..."  Because after age 28 is when baseball players "make their move"? And continue to improve too.

 

"The next manager will set the culture of the clubhouse".  So exactly what is this culture?  How does this "mate-up" with the "leadership from productive players"?

 

Perkins--so he just kind of "ran out of gas"?  From having to close so many games?  To me, August and September was "the off-season" for a Twins closer and should have provided ample time off to "recharge his batteries".

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Great summary. Some good questions were posed. I image Terry wanted to answer "I just fired Gardenhire so please leave me alone" to every one of them.

 

Reading between the lines it looks like they are preparing to go with Santana as CF. That's not a majority-held desire in TD-territory but I am fine with it.

 

Another thing that strikes me is how much they are backing off Sano. Maybe Sano could DH and move Vargas to 1B. I know Sano is young and had surgery but what am I missing. The 2013 season he is in AA hitting prodigious home runs, and we're not supposed to expect him full time in MLB until 2016. I'm not being critical it just doesn't add up.

[Willihammer]

He said that the Royals are a result of "patience."

Seriously?

[glunn]

Seriously?

 

I am merely reporting what TR said.  He did not appear to be joking at any point during the one hour call.

[Bark's Lounge]

The final question was about the Ramos for Capps trade and TR's response was that he was going after a closer in an effort to get to the World Series and Capps met that need.

4 long years and still this fan is pained by that trade. Poor guy/gal.

 

At least Ramos hasn't started the world on fire with his play. Too much time on the DL.

 

Now that I have said that I bet he has an OPS of .900 with 550PA next year.

[Thrylos]

The next question related to the decline of the "Twins way."  St. Peter stressed that this phrase did not originate with the Twins and has never been used in marketing. 

 

Got to love those statements.

 

What is the official street address of the Minnesota Twins, again?   And I am sure that it was the City of Minneapolis that renamed that road and nothing to do with the Twins' marketing Department.

 

And here is what St. Peter himself said what that steet was renamed (from here)

 

 

"We've been blessed with signature addresses in the past -- from Killebrew Drive to Puckett Place," St. Peter said. "In many ways I think Twins Way says it all. People around Major League Baseball talk about the Twins' way and it's the way we do things on the field, led by people like Tom Kelly, and now Ron Gardenhire, and those people and players deserve a lot of credit. As people find their way to Twins Way and Target Field, hopefully they'll remember that symbolism there."

 

Something's got to give...

 

I just cannot believe that there any Twins' fan out there that they can believe what they are saying any more.

[glunn]

4 long years and still this fan is pained by that trade. Poor guy/gal.

 

At least Ramos hasn't started the world on fire with his play. Too much time on the DL.

 

Now that I have said that I bet he has an OPS of .900 with 550PA next year.

Could you please say something negative about Mauer?  I would like to see Mauer get his second MVP next year, and one negative comment from you might do the trick.

[Bark's Lounge]

Could you please say something negative about Mauer?  I would like to see Mauer get his second MVP next year, and one negative comment from you might do the trick.

I wish I could Glunn, but I don't want be exiled from my hometown of St. Paul or even worse being banned from Shamrocks or the Nook (St. Paul Burger Joints with close ties to Cretin-Derham Hall).

 

There is only so much I will do for the right cause.

[Highabove]

If I remember correctly, forty five minutes went by before there was a mention of Joe Mauer.

[chopper0080]

A couple thoughts.

 

The first thing that struck me is that when discussing a lack of leadership, and any potential leaders, Joe Mauer's name is not even brought up.  While I don't believe every top player needs to be a leader on the team, but it sure would be nice if our highest paid player was one.  Not shocking, but still a pretty glaring omission.

 

The 2nd thing is Ryan even discussing punting 2015.  Come one man.  At least pretend your are interested in trying to contend.

 

3rd...that is a lot of money spent on a guy you need to fix in terms of Nolasco.  Just saying.

 

Other's have called out the "Twins Way" nonsense.  Payroll talk is always a joke.  I don't know what Pelfrey has on this staff, but the fact that he is being mentioned in future plans is funny to me.

[nicksaviking]

 

 

The next question was about hiring a Latin coach or manager.  TR said that he will be searching for a Hispanic coach and has a number of candidates in mind.

 

 

 

Well I'm reading this through your interpretation of the interview, but from the sound of it, Ryan stresses the need for a Latin "coach" while conveniently ducking the option of hiring a Latin manager.  He did this at Gardy's press conference as well.  It almost seems as though he doesn't believe a Hispanic manager is an option and instead thinks a token Hispanic coach will suffice.  It might, but I really don't like the way he has twice modified his answer to make it sound like he'd really only be looking to add the Latin influence in the form of a coach.

[drjim]

Yeah, that bugged me but I kind of get it. What bugged me most is how bristly they seemed to be about the "Twins Way". As if it is some fan-based "fallacy" to attack the team, rather than something we fans constantly have heard out of the mouths of various Twins employees for more than a decade.

 

The "hey don't forget about what an awesome leader Pelfrey is!" at the end probably didn't help either.

They certainly aren't looking good on this Twins Way stuff as Thrylos pointed out as well. It does seem Ryan is somewhat taking a bigger picture view and looking for overall improvement in basic things and not worrying about labels, or at least that's how I read it.

 

I just reread it and I'm more "meh" than anything. Probably shouldn't have high expectations, but there really is very little inspiration in this conversation. Maybe I'm just bored with words and spin and await some actual moves and improvement.

 

I get the sense that this is the last chance. If there is no improvement I sense they blow the whole thing out. I'm ok with one more season.

[drjim]

Well I'm reading this through your interpretation of the interview, but from the sound of it, Ryan stresses the need for a Latin "coach" while conveniently ducking the option of hiring a Latin manager. He did this at Gardy's press conference as well. It almost seems as though he doesn't believe a Hispanic manager is an option and instead thinks a token Hispanic coach will suffice. It might, but I really don't like the way he has twice modified his answer to make it sound like he'd really only be looking to add the Latin influence in the form of a coach.

I don't think Alomar was a token interview but he is the only candidate as of now right? Odds are it won't be a Hispanic manager.

[TheLeviathan]

I just reread it and I'm more "meh" than anything. 

 

"Meh" is a good description.  I wasn't inspired (as should have been the intent of such a forum) but I wasn't outraged.  Just mildly annoyed at some of the nonsense being spun out there.

[DocBauer]

A few thoughts from me.

 

Please note, I did not hear the interview, I'm simply reacting to the reports of Glunn.

 

1) I find the comments about needing a new manager because something was wrong and needing a change. I find this to be very honest and forthright, especially considering Gardenhire's successes, being a good company guy, and the difficulty in making the change. I find this to be a very honest admission that the team needs a new direction for a new era. I find NOTHING in his comments to indicate a Latin manager is a dismissed possibility at all! I think he just acknowledged that it's a real concern to be addressed on some level.

 

2) The leadership comments were interesting. Personally, I felt letting Cuddyer leave, forgetting he's one of my favorite all time Twins players, was a huge mistake. Not only was he still productive, but I wondered at the time about his leadership void. Over the past several seasons, the Twins have lost Hunter, Kubel, Cuddyer, Morneau and Santana, to name a few quality players. Experience, production and personality-wise, that's a lot to lose. Teams, businesses and families all have leaders and a hierarchy. And it can be really hard to replace those pieces. Please note, I don't blame Mauer for not being a leader, or enough of a leader. Personalities and leadership style come in many forms, and no-one should attack Mauer if he isn't THE GUY to fill that role. But I do believe it is and has been an issue with this team. Very, very interesting about the comments on Santana having the personality to being a potential leader.

 

3) I found the payroll comments of huge interest on many levels. I never reacted to St Peter's flippant payroll comments, and have gone in to depth twice in that thread concerning so. My best guesswork, not having full financial details and timeframe to work it out accurately, had the Twins around $88-89M with Morales, so the high of $94M caught me off guard a bit. Although, I did respond that had the Twins actually succeeded in signing Garza, even before bringing Morales on board, they would have been in the $95M mark, or so. And I find the "$100M should be more than enough" to be VERY TELLING!

 

The Twins spent last season, were willing to spend more, and ultimately did. This would clearly send a signal that they ARE willing to spend more in 2015 to right the ship. There is no promise or obligation as to how much they will spend for 2015, but based on attempts made last offseason, the $94M mark mentioned, and the comment seeming to indicate $100M should be enough leads me to believe the team will be pretty proactive again this offseason.

 

Once again, accounting for sinter actions already off the book, and some obvious ones yet to take place, the projected payroll locked in, keeping Deunsing, is about $66M with raises putting them in the low $70's. Did Ryan just tell us the Twins may have anywhere from $25-30M available to improve the club?

 

4) I am beyond disconcerted, bordering on actual anger in regard to comments made concerning the Twins Way. The Twins Way is not about an address, so everyone just drop that argument right now. We all know what the Twins Way means and represents, and TR and St Peter should know and understand as well. I don't care if the press or fans or whoever coined the phrase, it is what the Twins have been and represented, for the most part, for the past 27 years. It hasn't always worked, hasn't always been present, but it's about a team that is well rounded. It's about pitching, defense, a balanced lineup of hitting, power, speed, taking the extra base, hustling to 1B, and just playing the game the right way. But it's even beyond that.

 

It's about a team that doesn't employee prima donnas. (Countless players have been described as a Twins or Twins-type player) It's about smart scouting, smart drafting, player development, being smart in acquisitions, building academies in foreign lands, building a state of the art facility in Ft Meyers and Target Field, and running a class and smart organization.

 

Pardon me as a fully invested fan of 43 of my 48 years on this earth who lives and dies with my team when I say to Mr Ryan and Mr St Peter, who I have admired and often defended, if you don't know what the Twins Way is, has been, and is supposed to be, and want to dismiss it so haphazardly, then why in the hell are you still employed by MY team? Dismissing the Twins Way is an insult to not only the fans of the Twins, but to every coach, player, scout and employee over the past 27 years since the Twins Way was first established in 1987.

[Boom Boom]

Regardless of who coined the term, to act like the Twins didn't fully embrace the myth of the Twins Way is completely disingenuous.

[TheLeviathan]

Regardless of who coined the term, to act like the Twins didn't fully embrace the myth of the Twins Way is completely disingenuous.

 

Exactly.  Both in action and by how frequently their most visible mouthpieces disseminated the idea.  Phony humility because you don't want the title associated with your methods rings hollow when your play by play guys, Tom Kelly, and even St. Peter embrace it like a shield against any other failures of the team.

[Kwak]

A few thoughts from me.

 

Please note, I did not hear the interview, I'm simply reacting to the reports of Glunn.

 

1) I find the comments about needing a new manager because something was wrong and needing a change. I find this to be very honest and forthright, especially considering Gardenhire's successes, being a good company guy, and the difficulty in making the change. I find this to be a very honest admission that the team needs a new direction for a new era. I find NOTHING in his comments to indicate a Latin manager is a dismissed possibility at all! I think he just acknowledged that it's a real concern to be addressed on some level.

 

2) The leadership comments were interesting. Personally, I felt letting Cuddyer leave, forgetting he's one of my favorite all time Twins players, was a huge mistake. Not only was he still productive, but I wondered at the time about his leadership void. Over the past several seasons, the Twins have lost Hunter, Kubel, Cuddyer, Morneau and Santana, to name a few quality players. Experience, production and personality-wise, that's a lot to lose. Teams, businesses and families all have leaders and a hierarchy. And it can be really hard to replace those pieces. Please note, I don't blame Mauer for not being a leader, or enough of a leader. Personalities and leadership style come in many forms, and no-one should attack Mauer if he isn't THE GUY to fill that role. But I do believe it is and has been an issue with this team. Very, very interesting about the comments on Santana having the personality to being a potential leader.

 

3) I found the payroll comments of huge interest on many levels. I never reacted to St Peter's flippant payroll comments, and have gone in to depth twice in that thread concerning so. My best guesswork, not having full financial details and timeframe to work it out accurately, had the Twins around $88-89M with Morales, so the high of $94M caught me off guard a bit. Although, I did respond that had the Twins actually succeeded in signing Garza, even before bringing Morales on board, they would have been in the $95M mark, or so. And I find the "$100M should be more than enough" to be VERY TELLING!

 

The Twins spent last season, were willing to spend more, and ultimately did. This would clearly send a signal that they ARE willing to spend more in 2015 to right the ship. There is no promise or obligation as to how much they will spend for 2015, but based on attempts made last offseason, the $94M mark mentioned, and the comment seeming to indicate $100M should be enough leads me to believe the team will be pretty proactive again this offseason.

 

Once again, accounting for sinter actions already off the book, and some obvious ones yet to take place, the projected payroll locked in, keeping Deunsing, is about $66M with raises putting them in the low $70's. Did Ryan just tell us the Twins may have anywhere from $25-30M available to improve the club?

 

4) I am beyond disconcerted, bordering on actual anger in regard to comments made concerning the Twins Way. The Twins Way is not about an address, so everyone just drop that argument right now. We all know what the Twins Way means and represents, and TR and St Peter should know and understand as well. I don't care if the press or fans or whoever coined the phrase, it is what the Twins have been and represented, for the most part, for the past 27 years. It hasn't always worked, hasn't always been present, but it's about a team that is well rounded. It's about pitching, defense, a balanced lineup of hitting, power, speed, taking the extra base, hustling to 1B, and just playing the game the right way. But it's even beyond that.

 

It's about a team that doesn't employee prima donnas. (Countless players have been described as a Twins or Twins-type player) It's about smart scouting, smart drafting, player development, being smart in acquisitions, building academies in foreign lands, building a state of the art facility in Ft Meyers and Target Field, and running a class and smart organization.

 

Pardon me as a fully invested fan of 43 of my 48 years on this earth who lives and dies with my team when I say to Mr Ryan and Mr St Peter, who I have admired and often defended, if you don't know what the Twins Way is, has been, and is supposed to be, and want to dismiss it so haphazardly, then why in the hell are you still employed by MY team? Dismissing the Twins Way is an insult to not only the fans of the Twins, but to every coach, player, scout and employee over the past 27 years since the Twins Way was first established in 1987.

The Twins Way  Perhaps the definition you provided is your definition as opposed to their definition.  SD it's OK to be a fan[atic] but that passion is what owners rely on to generate their profits.  I believe that their definition is not the same as yours and is consistent with Carl Pohlad's philosophy.  I have observed that those of great wealth have passions of their own where they may spend lavishly (without regard to financial end results) but that in business matters they are (shall I say) far more disciplined.

Some owners have viewed their sports teams as a passion (to be enjoyed), but others (remember Cal Griffith?) view their team as a business.

[The Wise One]

I do not know what some here are talking about as the Twins Way. To relate it to business practice is absurd. . The St Paul newspaper website has this article http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2014/09/29/twinsights-twins-way-still-exist/

It has always refered to the way to play baseball. http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20100122&content_id=7956246&fext=.jsp&c_id=min for an older example

lifted from an older article

Notes: The Twins retired the No. 10 before the game in honor of former manager Tom Kelly. Kelly led the team to World Series titles in 1987 and 1991, and is the club's all-time leader in managerial wins with 1,140. Kelly was credited with creating the "Twins Way", an emphasis on fundamentals the team has been known for since he took over as manager in 1987. "TK was all about respecting the game of baseball," said Gardenhire, who succeeded Kelly in 2002. "He preached that constantly, on how we take the field, playing hard."

Did the team play that way last year? Played hard, but not fundamentally sound

 

Kelly still has the recrod for managing the most Twins wins.

[The Wise One]

Regardless of who coined the term, to act like the Twins didn't fully embrace the myth of the Twins Way is completely disingenuous.

Fundamentally sound baseball and playing hard. I would really hope that a team fully embraces that concept. I would hope that any team embraces the concept.

[glunn]

Well I'm reading this through your interpretation of the interview, but from the sound of it, Ryan stresses the need for a Latin "coach" while conveniently ducking the option of hiring a Latin manager.  He did this at Gardy's press conference as well.  It almost seems as though he doesn't believe a Hispanic manager is an option and instead thinks a token Hispanic coach will suffice.  It might, but I really don't like the way he has twice modified his answer to make it sound like he'd really only be looking to add the Latin influence in the form of a coach.

 

I am not sure this means anything, but my recollection is consistent with my notes on this point.  What I will find more interesting is whether TR actually interviews any Latino prospects for manager.  It seems to me that it would be foolish not to interview a broad range of candidates, including Ozzie Guillen, if for no other reason than to gain their insights about the Twins.

[glunn]

 

4) I am beyond disconcerted, bordering on actual anger in regard to comments made concerning the Twins Way. The Twins Way is not about an address, so everyone just drop that argument right now. We all know what the Twins Way means and represents, and TR and St Peter should know and understand as well. I don't care if the press or fans or whoever coined the phrase, it is what the Twins have been and represented, for the most part, for the past 27 years. It hasn't always worked, hasn't always been present, but it's about a team that is well rounded. It's about pitching, defense, a balanced lineup of hitting, power, speed, taking the extra base, hustling to 1B, and just playing the game the right way. But it's even beyond that.

 

It's about a team that doesn't employee prima donnas. (Countless players have been described as a Twins or Twins-type player) It's about smart scouting, smart drafting, player development, being smart in acquisitions, building academies in foreign lands, building a state of the art facility in Ft Meyers and Target Field, and running a class and smart organization.

 

Pardon me as a fully invested fan of 43 of my 48 years on this earth who lives and dies with my team when I say to Mr Ryan and Mr St Peter, who I have admired and often defended, if you don't know what the Twins Way is, has been, and is supposed to be, and want to dismiss it so haphazardly, then why in the hell are you still employed by MY team? Dismissing the Twins Way is an insult to not only the fans of the Twins, but to every coach, player, scout and employee over the past 27 years since the Twins Way was first established in 1987.

 I love what you have written here about the Twins Way -- it is a great summary of why many of us have been very loyal fans through good years and bad.  

 

I wish that there was some way that we could follow up with TR about this.  Please note that I signed up to ask a question in the Q&A and my question was going to be about what will be done to get the team back to playing good fundamental baseball.  Unfortunately, they did not get to me. 

[Boom Boom]

Fundamentally sound baseball and playing hard. I would really hope that a team fully embraces that concept. I would hope that any team embraces the concept.

I'm familiar with the concept, but there's nothing uniquely Twins about it. To call it the Twins Way smacks of the team's hubris.