2015 Hammond Happenings

[Halsey Hall]

Mauer did show up today, took bp in the cages and went inside for a commercial.  Most of us think he should of been here earlier playing with the rest of his teammates.  I heard TK was coming on saturday.  Seems strange someone else running drills on his field.  Pelfrey, Duensing, Perkins and Tonkin threw off the mounds today while I was watching. 

[eLee612]

A little quiet on my end this winter, but I've been dutifully reading! I won't make it down until the end of March - probably 23rd to 28th. Hope all the TDs haven't gone home by then! 

[Halsey Hall]

Friday, the 27th.  Cool, only 65 now down here, but many people at the fields today.  Yesterday was a short day because of the golf tournament for Cancer Care.  I saw several more unfamilar face today wearing uniforms, there's a ton of uniforms here, as I'll mention later.  Vargas launched some long balls in bp, and I heard that Sano lost a dozen on another field.  TK was back in his usual spot on the half field.  He was taking it easy, if that's possible for him to do, taking time between hitting ground balls to pitchers going thru drills. 

 

We still can't get into the stadium, where most of the pitchers walk off, but today some did come over to the fans and sign autographs instend of just waving.  Gibson and Thielbar came over right away, as Gibson seems to do every day.  And then it was kind of a mad house as May, Graham, Aaron Thompson, Hamberger, Pressly, Fien and Stauffer came over, so there were alot of folks getting autographs.  LOL, some get them for grandkids, or so the story goes, as one guy got Tony O earlier and then tried again and Tony said he already signed for him.  The guy says "but I've got 18 grandkids".  I did knock off 4 more on my team bat, which has over 30 now, and I need 3 more.  Guess I should have the 25 man covered. 

 

The best thing of the day was they finally came out with the roster.  This one isn't like the past where it was just a sheet of paper.  This is printed like a schedule, with Molly on the cover.  It lists the 40 man and then all the non-roster players.  It's like a program, with birthdates, home, 2014 club, and all their stats behind their names.  On the side is a numerical listing, which also includes coaches.  It starts at number 1 and ends with 95, only skipping the retired numbers of whom aren't here.  #95 is Phil Roof.  The back cover has the Exhibition schedule.  Then it has a pronunciation guide.  Examples:  ACHTER..........OCK-ter, ARCIA........ARR-see-ya,  SANO........sah-NO, SUZUKI.........soo-ZOO-kee. 

 

On the bottom it lists the Twins Annual Spring Record, which was 9-16-3 last year.  in '87 it was 14-10, and '91 it was 21-10.  I found it interesting that in '90 they were 6-9, and '95, 8-6.  Must of been strike year or work stoppage. 

[Bob Sacamento]

Hope to see you out there tomorrow Halsey, they have a Domestic Violence class at 8am but are to have their first full squad workout.  Sunday is the Bowling Tourney at Pin Street on Fowler.  Don't think they get their uniforms till the 2nd.

[NoCryingInBaseball]

I returned from my Florida visit that included two separate visits to spring training and I absolutely loved the ability to have direct conversations with players and get thrilled about the upcoming season. Like all other baseball fans, it’s difficult to not come away overly optimistic. All the players had their “best” off-season and are healthier than they have been before, which is probably the case for all other major league clubs. There was something I noticed that I wanted to share.
I have to admit that I was not entirely thrilled with bring an aging outfielder back for a curtain call. Tori Hunter’s defense has been diminishing and his batting average probably won’t be on the rise, but his fan base would certainly put more people in the seats and I like a bigger crowd during home games. I saw the long lines for autographs at Twins-Fest, so it was obvious a great marketing tool to bring Toro back to the Twins. As I watched players come out of the clubhouse and past the sparse crowd as they walked to the practice fields, I was a little surprised that there was a smattering of clapping and cheers when Tori made his way…with that familiar smile.
Not sure I had any opinion about the talk of Tori’s positive influence in the clubhouse discussed all winter, but while watching a group of outfielders in BP (Arcia, Hicks and Hunter) on Wednesday with Brunansky tossing under the watchful eye of Tony O, I couldn’t help to notice how Tori always has a smile on his face while joking and interacting with the group (and anyone else in the vicinity). Compared to the serious and near introspective looks on the faces of the others, I loved having Tori hanging with them and drawing them out….loosening them up a little.

[GMinTraining]

Did anyone go over to minor league park this week for any period of time? What non invitees are getting early work? Is Harrison still looking good? Did all the minor league coaches leave them to work MLB park?

 

These daily updates are the highlight of my day. So jealous

[Otto von Ballpark]

so it was obvious a great marketing tool to bring Toro back to the Twins.

Toro is back? I'm holding out for the return of the Snapper Mow 'Em Down Inning.

[NoCryingInBaseball]

Toro is back? I'm holding out for the return of the Snapper Mow 'Em Down Inning.

 

 

Oops....guess spell check didn't catch that!

[JB_Iowa]

Toro is back? I'm holding out for the return of the Snapper Mow 'Em Down Inning.

 

 

Oops....guess spell check didn't catch that!

 

Blame auto fill-in.  I can't figure out how to disable it so it does things like change Torii to Toro.  

 

I also love these updates.  Keep 'em coming.

 

With Torii, Kennys and Miguel, the Twins could have a best grin contest.

[Halsey Hall]

Toro is back? I'm holding out for the return of the Snapper Mow 'Em Down Inning.

I'll never forget listening to the game when John Gordon called my name for the snapper mow-em down inning.  Radke on the mound and Pudge leading off.  He hit a flair into right for a single and then Brad mowed 'em down.  the next year I told Brad I had a bone to pick with him.  He looked startled, then I told him what had happened, and I ended up with a Dairy Queen cake.  We both laughed. 

[Halsey Hall]

Did anyone go over to minor league park this week for any period of time? What non invitees are getting early work? Is Harrison still looking good? Did all the minor league coaches leave them to work MLB park?

 

These daily updates are the highlight of my day. So jealous

I haven't gone over there, just looked from afar.  Burdi is here.  The coaches are there, and there's alot of players, I'd guess 30-35. 

[Halsey Hall]

On the minor league side, AB Walker is here along with Nick Gordon and Kohl Stewart. 

 

I watched Pelfrey, Perkins, Duensing and Boyer throw live bp.  Most of the hitters just took the pitches but Dozier swung a few times, Mauer and Hicks at least once.  No hard hit balls today. 

 

But the big new of the day is the flu bugs has hit the clubhouse.  Torii is sick but still practiced.  Plouffe was back on the field after recovering from it.  Buxton was sent home, Suzuki has it along with a few more. 

[stringer bell]

Will Buxton be back on the field by May 1?  (Couldn't resist).

[Squirrel]

Will Buxton be back on the field by May 1?  (Couldn't resist).

/swat!

 

Hush, you!

[D. Hocking]

Will Buxton be back on the field by May 1?  (Couldn't resist).

 

 You are the type of person who mentions the possibility of a no hitter in the 7th and 8th inning aren't you?

[USAFChief]

Will Buxton be back on the field by May 1? (Couldn't resist).

yes.

 

2016.

[Halsey Hall]

Brand spanking new uniforms today, blue jerseys with white pants and a new hat.  It was quite a fashion show today. 

 

I watched Adam Brett Walker 111 launch  a bunch of balls into the high school parking lot, and followed Nick Gordon for awhile.  Nice day at the park.  Torii was here and Trevor May too so it must be a quick flu. 

[Halsey Hall]

Looks like the starting lineup all stayed behind today.  A great day to be at the park for the 50 or so fans that did come out. 

 

Maybe Molitor gave these guys the pass to stay at home since it was a long game last night and there's plenty of road games ahead.  Or maybe he wants to see some of the invites play more early in the season and will make cuts sooner than Gardy did. 

 

But the guys that did stay back worked hard.  I watched Trevor May throw live bp on one field, don't know who threw on the other.  It's hot already, and will be a hot one up in Port Charlotte. 

[Squirrel]

Halsey, what time are guys usually there working out on away-game days?  Do they stay until noon?

[Halsey Hall]

Halsey, what time are guys usually there working out on away-game days?  Do they stay until noon?

They came out around 9:30 today, the minor leaguers about 8:30.  The pitchers were done earlier than the rest of the team today, but it lasted til about noon. 

[Squirrel]

Okay, good to know ... Dad is through with his morning stuff at 10, so might make a nice outing for him from then until lunch.  Heading down on Sunday ... so maybe I'll see you there.

[NoCryingInBaseball]

I joined Halsey and a small group yesterday and again this morning, and it's no surprise that there are a lot of players and interesting stuff happening....Don't you think it's time to do another Hammond Happenings Halsey?

 

By the way, it was chilly today...appreciate loaning me a jacket, Halsey!

[Seth Stohs]

 

I joined Halsey and a small group yesterday and again this morning, and it's no surprise that there are a lot of players and interesting stuff happening....Don't you think it's time to do another Hammond Happenings Halsey?

 

By the way, it was chilly today...appreciate loaning me a jacket, Halsey!

 

Let's start a new thread... 2016 Hammond Happenings, or something like that... 

[Squirrel]

New thread here.