Karbo

The last weekend of January can be brutal for Twins fans and Minnesotans alike. Brutally cold weather, losing sports teams, general malaise and seasonal depression just to name a few. But it also means Twinsfest Live, Diamond Awards and the granddaddy of them all: Twinsfest. 
Reduced down to just a single day for autographs, Twins fans nevertheless came out in droves after a successful 2023 season that saw the end of The Streak (no, not a repeat of Brock beating Taker, and that still wasn't the right choice imo, but I digress). Yes, the Twins have now officially won a playoff GAME (two in fact) the last 2 decades. 
Twins fans came out in droves, in fact it was announced Friday night that Twinsfest Saturday was sold out! 
I attended Twinsfest Autograph Saturday and here are some of my personal takeaways, as always, feel free to comment below!
1. Twins fans are just as excited as ever: Winning playoff games will do that to a fanbase. But it wasn't just that, it was the team they put on the field. I spoke to many people who were just as excited to meet Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan as they were Rod Carew or Kent Hrbek. Winning is contagious and this fan base has been waiting so long for post season success. The fans showed up on Saturday, now its up to the team to show up again in October. 
2. Royce Lewis is by far the MOST popular player on the roster. His line for Autographs was insanely long. He started signing at 3:15 and fans were lined up at 11:30 to get his autograph. He was a busy man and never took the smile off his face. Every fan I talked to said he was the player they were most looking forward to saying hi to or seeing play next year. When I yell you he's as exciting as Kirby was in his heyday, it's true. Now, with some success (and Twins history) under his belt, it's time for him to take the reigns and become the undisputed fave of the franchise. 
3. Byron Buxton is healthy and ready, that should excite fans. Buxton is the most divisive Twins player since Joe Mauer(not including Miguel Sano). Fans either love him or hate him, there's no in between. He's either an All Star caliber player that makes tough plays look easy, or he's an often injured soft bum whose collecting a paycheck. Wherever you lie on that scope, know this: Byron is ready. He hasn't been this ready for a while. I asked him on Saturday while going through his autograph line when we might see him back in the field and how he's feeling, and he said "I feel great, hopefully in the field on Opening day". That is music to this fans ears. Buxton makes the lineup better. You can't teach his speed and given the Twins haven't (and likely wont) re sign Michael A Taylor, who was his backup last year, a healthy Buxton is required for a deep playoff run. 
4. Players are excited about this year's team. Almost to a man, every player I spoke to briefly and asked how they were feeling about the 2024 season said something similar: "Excited" "Can't wait" "Build on last year". This team has, in my opinion, a perfect mix of veterans (Buxton, Correa, and Pablo Lopez) combined with younger players still looking for sustainable success/consistency or looking to take a step forward and build from 2023 (Ober, Wallner, Julien, Lewis). This is a mix the Twins haven't had in years, it showed last October and hopefully will again this year.
5. Joe Mauer is still a beloved figure, and a first ballot Hall of Famer. That's right, whether it's old school Twins fans who dont understand concussions and what exactly "bi lateral leg weakness" is, young fans to whom he's just a name in team history, to fans in their 30s and 40s like myself who saw his entire career, Mauer is as popular as ever. You can debate the first ballot thing, but you can't say that he isn't popular. He was signing at 9:15 on Saturday morning and my wife was in line at 9:02 (just after the doors opened) and she said there was already 150 people in his line. Hometown player, entire career with the Twins, Twins Hall of Fame and now the MLB HOF, he is without a doubt, the most popular Twins player, since Kirby Puckett. He helped the Twins stay relevant and was often the face of the franchise as a Catcher. I've always been a fan and always will be. Congrats on your incredibly well deserved induction, Joe! 
(Side note: I talked to people who said the Mauer line stretched out the room, down the hall and around the corner, roughly 400+ people)
Final Takeaways: Twins fans and players alike are excited for 2024. The players I spoke to (albeit briefly) all mentioned how much fun last year was and how they want more of that success in October, and the players feel like the team is built for it. In my opinion, it's going to come down to two big keys (health, as always; and growth). If they stay healthy and Lewis, Julien and Wallner continue to improve, they will make a deep October run, and then maybe next year, Twinsfest will go back to Two days for autographs. 

Welcome to Twinternationals! This is a space for Twins fans from different countries to read about their team in their native language. This section is run by Venezuelan Mariana Guzmán (@TwinsLatinos) and Brazilian Thiéres Rabelo (@TwinsBrasil). Today's entry is written in Portuguese.
Eu sou fascinado com a forte ligação que alguns jogadores nativos de Minnesota têm com o Twins. O Twins Daily publicou a imagem abaixo em suas redes sociais, com quatro Hall of Famers nascidos em Saint Paul.
Um deles, Joe Mauer, jogou a carreira inteira pelo Twins. Mas os demais, Jack Morris, Dave Winfield e Paul Molitor, construíram suas carreiras com outros clubes, mas, em algum momento de suas carreiras, escolheram o Twins.
Vamos relembrar juntos como foi a passagem dessas três lendas pelo clube de seus corações.
Jack Morris
Jack Morris foi draftado pelo Detroit Tigers em 1976, fez sua estréia nas grandes ligas em 1977 e disputou 14 temporadas com a camisa do Tigers, sendo campeão da World Series em 1984 e sendo selecionado para quatro All-Star Games. Seu legado foi majoritariamente construído em Detroit, mas ao fim da temporada de 1990, ele escolheu voltar para casa.
Aos 35 anos de idade, ele fechou um contrato de um ano com o Twins em fevereiro de 1991, na que seria sua única temporada com o clube. Em sua coletiva de apresentação, ele declarou, chorando: “Eu queria jogar em Minnesota desde criança. Não é sobre dinheiro. O Tigers me ofereceu muito dinheiro. É uma decisão de negócios”.
Detroit havia oferecido a Morris um contrato de três anos no valor de US$ 9,3 milhões, mas ele aceitou a oferta de Minnesota de um contrato de três anos com Minnesota no valor total de US$ 7 milhões, porém com somente o primeiro ano garantido e os dois últimos como options.
Morris teve três temporadas ruins antes de assinar com o Twins e em Minnesota ele se recuperou, tendo uma temporada excepcional. Pela primeira vez desde 1987, ele foi selecionado para o All-Star Game, recebeu votos para o prêmio Cy Young e para MVP. Na temporada regular, ele arremessou 246.2 entradas e mantendo 3.43 de ERA.
Na pós-temporada ele foi ainda melhor. Ele arremessou dois jogos na ALCS contra o Toronto Blue Jays, ambos vencidos por Minnesota. Na World Series, ele arremessou três partidas e foi excepcional em todas. O maior destaque foi sua apresentação no decisivo jogo 7, no qual arremessou o jogo completo, incluindo uma décima entrada, sem ceder corridas. Foi uma das maiores partidas de um pitcher na história da World Series, que culminou no segundo título mundial do Twins. Morris foi eleito o MVP daquela World Series, a única vez em sua carreira que ele ganhou o prêmio.
Infelizmente, ao fim do seu primeiro ano de contrato, ele optou por testar a free agency novamente e recebeu uma oferta ainda mais lucrativa do Blue Jays, onde arremessou pelas duas temporadas seguintes.
Dave Winfield
O lendário right fielder Dave Winfield foi draftado em 1973 pelo San Diego Padres, após ter jogado beisebol universitário pela Universidade de Minnesota. Ele defendeu o time da Califórnia por oito temporadas nas grandes ligas, antes de assinar um contrato de dez anos com o New York Yankees em dezembro de 1980.
Após passar pelo California Angels (1990 e 1991) e pelo Blue Jays (1992), ele se tornou um free agent novamente para a temporada 1993. Apesar dos 41 anos de idade, ele teve uma temporada excelente com o Blue Jays, sua melhor em quatro anos. Ele rebateu .290/.377/.491 (.867) e acumulou 4.1 bWAR, terminando em quinto na votação para o MVP da Liga Americana.
Ele escolheu assinar com o Twins e jogou pelo clube por duas temporadas, 1993 e 1994. Sua passagem não foi de tanto destaque, mas foi com a camisa do Twins que ele se tornou, em 16 de setembro de 1993, o 19º jogador na história das grandes ligas a alcançar 3.000 rebatidas na carreira – o primeiro a conseguir o feito jogando pelo time de sua cidade natal.
Winfield foi trocado por Minnesota para o Cleveland Guardians por um jogador a ser definido posteriormente, durante a interrupção da temporada 1994. Como a temporada foi cancelada, ele não chegou a fazer um jogo sequer com o Guardians naquele ano e nenhum jogador foi enviado por Cleveland para Minnesota, o que fez com que, tecnicamente, Winfield tenha sido trocado por “nada”. Mas na temporada seguinte ele assinou com o mesmo Guardians, onde disputou a última temporada de sua gloriosa carreira.
Paul Molitor
Um dos maiores jogadores da história do Milwaukee Brewers, Paul Molitor foi draftado pelo clube de Wisconsin em 1977, após também defender a Universidade de Minnesota. Ele construiu sua carreira com os cervejeiros, onde jogou por 15 temporadas, ajudando o clube a alcançar sua primeira e única World Series, em 1982, quando perderam para o St. Louis Cardinals.
Ele deixou o Brewers ao fim da temporada 1992, aos 35 anos de idade, após Milwaukee oferecer-lhe um contrato baixo de um ano e US$ 900.000 de salário. Ao mesmo tempo, o Blue Jays lhe ofereceu um contrato de três anos, no valor total de US$ 13 milhões. Ele disputou as três temporadas seguintes com Toronto, ajudando o time a ser campeão da World Series em 1993 (junto com Morris).
Ao fim do seu contrato com o Blue Jays, ele escolheu o Twins para disputar as três últimas temporadas de sua carreira com o Twins, entre 1996 e 1998. Ele teve uma boa primeira temporada em Minnesota, aos 39 anos, rebatendo excelentes .341/.390/.468 (.858), vencendo o quarto prêmio de Silver Slugger de sua carreira e recebendo votos para MVP.
Foi também nesta temporada 1996 que ele, assim como Winfield, conseguiu o feito de chegar à sua rebatida de número 3.000 na carreira vestindo a camisa do time de sua cidade natal. Foi em 16 de setembro de 1996, em uma partida em Kansas City. Ele foi o primeiro jogador na história cuja rebatida número 3.000 foi uma rebatida tripla.
Molitor cumpriu o restante de seu contrato com o Twins, disputando duas modestas temporadas (para seus padrões) em 1997 e 1998. Ele encerrou a carreira conseguindo duas rebatidas no último jogo da temporada.
A ligação de Molitor com o Twins não se encerrou ao fim de sua carreira como jogador. Ele permaneceu no clube como bench coach entre 1999 e 2001 e era cotado para se tornar o novo manager da equipe em 2002, mas com o risco do Twins deixar Minnesota, ele preferiu não assumir o cargo.
Após uma passagem rápida como hitting coach do Seattle Mariners em 2004, ele retornou ao Twins e ocupou diversos cargos de treinador nas ligas menores do clube entre 2005 e 2013 e subiu para o time principal em 2014. Em 2015, ele foi oficialmente anunciado como o novo manager do Twins, cargo que ocupou até 2018.
Mesmo após sua saída, ao fim da temporada 2018, ele permanece envolvido com o clube nos dias atuais. Regularmente ele faz aparições como comentarista na rádio oficial do Twins. Uma curiosidade legal é que nessas aparições como comentarista, ele ainda usa a primeira pessoa plural (nós) para se referir ao Twins, como considerando-se parte do time, algo que na cultura dos EUA não é comum como no Brasil, o que demonstra ainda mais seu grande carinho pelo clube.
 

I didn't wanna see him go in 2018.
While I sat at home watching the Twins play on a perfect Minnesota night in September, Mauer came to the plate in the bottom of the 5th inning against the nemesis New York Yankees, and the ingredients were in place for this at-bat to be something special. The Twins were up 6-1 and the bases were loaded, and everyone watching knew Joe Mauer had exactly one thing on his mind: taking the first pitch, which he did, for a ball.
Because that was Joe's process. A quiet, understated patience that drove pitchers to frustration and subtly nudged umpires to up their game. Without saying a word, he communicated to his opponent that he was going to force him to deliver a pitch he could hit.
This was also evident in the broadcast booth, as Mauer's old teammate, Justin Morneau, commented on what we were about to see with just a tinge of excitement in his voice.
"I'll be surprised if Joe swings early, and I'll be surprised if he swings at anything out of the zone."
Joe took another pitch, a 96 mph fastball which caught the corner for a strike. Joe barely reacted while he kicked the dirt and began setting up for the next pitch. It was then that Morneau said something which made me catch my breath.
Upon Dick Bremer remarking that Mauer's average with RISP was still 5th in the league despite having dipped a bit, Morneau offered more than just platitudes: he offered an opinion.
"And that's the part that tells me he still has something left in the tank - he still should continue to play baseball when he can come through in those situations."
With Mauer's future uncertain and his contract coming to a close, this felt like a papal decree. For Justin Morneau, one of Mauer's closest friends, to make a statement like that during a broadcast?! Surely he would know what Mauer was planning for the future and wouldn't comment otherwise, right? 
Mauer took his third consecutive pitch for another strike on the outside edge, making it 1-2.
"Come on, Joe! Swing at 'em!" someone shouted from the stands.
Joe stepped out of the box and calmly looked around, resetting his focus and taking a big breath before watching the 4th pitch hit the dirt, and the 5th pitch follow right behind for a full count.
5 pitches, and the crowd was beginning to buzz without Joe ever taking the bat off his shoulder. 
"This is what Joe Mauer does, he makes you throw him something that he wants to hit."
And so it was, on this crisp autumn night, as Yankees pitcher Tommy Kahnle grooved a fastball directly down the center of the strike zone. and Joe Mauer let loose all the energy that he'd been holding in reserve up until that point.
Dick Bremer was immediately on the mic. "A high blast to center field! Going back is Hicks!"
"Go ahead, ball!" implored Roy Smalley.
"That ball is GONE, a grand slam!"
The only swing that Joe Mauer made was a no-doubter, and Target Field let their appreciation for their hometown kid be known. Sitting in my office with my dog asleep on my lap, it was all I could do to raise my arms in silent appreciation. He's still got it. He's still my guy.
"Like I said, there's plenty left in the tank right there. That's fun to watch," Morneau repeated. From his mouth to the front office's ears, I thought.
I didn't wanna see him go.
But baseball isn't a scripted narrative, and life doesn't revolve around sports, despite how much we believe it to be true. Mauer would take his final curtain call at catcher a few weeks later, while I tried to convince myself that this was simply him hedging his bets - this was just in case things didn't work out when he'd come back to the team to talk about a short extension. The lies we knowingly tell ourselves when the truth would be too painful.
Joe Mauer's legacy is one that is almost amusing in its stubborn adherence to form: an understated stature that loomed large when it needed to, never flashy, and knowing what was needed at the right time. In 2018, Mauer knew that it was time to be a dad, looking back on his career and deeming it a fine enough journey to be proud of. 
Later today, Joe Mauer will get the delicious icing of finding out that the baseball world wholeheartedly agrees with that assessment with his election to the Hall of Fame. A perfect ending to the career of an unassuming kid who, throughout it all, let his patience do the talking.
Here's to you, Joe.

I have speculated that if the Twins acquire a starting pitcher, he won’t clearly be seen as a top 50 or 60 starter. I would think the guy will be either unproven, an injury risk or coming off a disappointing or unproductive season. Further, I think most teams are placing a high price on pitching, particularly guys under team control.
Teams that have no real hope of contending should be a little more willing to part with starters under team control because by the time they expect to contend, guys in the majors will have moved on. In addition, bad teams might have pitchers whose stats look worse because they are playing for a bad team. Maybe a bad bullpen allowing lots of inherited runners to score, perhaps bad defense behind him or instances where the manager had no choice but to let a team put up crooked numbers because there was nobody available in the bullpen.
There were four 100-loss teams in 2023. Two of them were in the AL Central and thus would be unlikely to deal with the Twins. The other two teams are Oakland and Colorado. In exploring the pitching staffs for those two teams, my first thought was ugh!, there just isn't anything there. However, in looking a little deeper, I found one guy from each staff to consider. From Colorado, Austin Gomber was 29 last year and pitched 139 innings, he is a lefty, something I think the Twins would like to have in their rotation. In looking at Gomber's home-road splits, he compiled a 3.68 ERA on the road, away from Coors Field. I don't know anything about his injury history, but acquiring the road Austin Gomber for prospects might be something to consider. It appears that Coors messes with a lot of pitchers' heads and adjustments made in the high altitude diminish effectiveness when the pitcher is at a normal altitude. 
From Oakland, I nominate JP Sears. Similar to Gomber, he is a lefty in his late 20s. He worked over 170 innings last year and while his numbers weren't good overall, he seems to have worn down over the course of the year and perhaps the wearing down was exacerbated by being on a terrible team. His first half ERA was 3.97 with a 1.044 WHIP. and over 8 Ks per nine innings pitched. The walks and hits soared in the second half, so I will speculate he did wear out. He's not a big guy--5'11"180 lbs.--and this was his first full year of the major leagues. Also, I have to suspect that his manager was forced to work him longer in games because of the rest of the pitching staff being pretty awful. The coming season might allow Sears to handle additional work better and the Twins probably would be better suited to conserve his innings pitched. 
I know very little about either pitcher mentioned other than a quick look at BBRef. For all I know, either or both could already be scheduled for major surgery, but I do think looking for an undervalued asset on a bad team is one way to get value. 

The airwaves have been flooded with all the hysteria of the otherworldly accomplishments of Shohei Ohtani, and rightly so. He is indeed a “unicorn”, a unique baseball player who has taken MLB by storm since coming from Japan to the US.
To be able to hit and pitch with such excellence is almost unequal to any other baseball player ever, especially when you take into account that he is in the upper echelon of both pitchers and hitters at the same time. But is Ohtani not really unique and is he just following in the footsteps of someone who accomplished the same over 100 years ago? Of course I’m talking about Babe Ruth.
Most of us know the story of Babe Ruth, the hitter. But when he began his major league career with the Red Sox he was a full-time pitcher.
He joined the Red Sox in 1914 when the team purchased Babe, Ben Egan (a rather lackluster catcher with a career batting average of .165) and Ernie Shore for $25,000. Ernie Shore would have a great 4 years with the Red Sox (1914-17) where he had a 58-33 win-lost record and never an ERA under 2.63. Ernie and Babe would combine for one of the most bizarre games in baseball history. Babe was the starting pitcher in a game on 6/23/1917 when he walked the first batter. He ended up getting into an argument with the home plate umpire and was tossed from the game. Shore came on to replace him. The batter that Babe walked was thrown out trying to steal and the next 26 batters failed to get a hit or on base at all. It was initially call a perfect game, but with new rules to determine no-hitters and perfect games, it is now considered a no-hitter.
Back to Babe. From 1914-17 Babe would have a 62-34 win-loss record and except for 4 games pitched in 1914, he would have no ERA higher than 2.44. In 1916 he would lead the league with a 1.75 ERA, 40 games started, 9 shutouts, an ERA+ of 158, 6.4 hits/9 and would not give up a home run. He would give up 230 hits in 323.2 innings pitched.
Around that time the team started noticing that not only did they have one of the top pitchers in the league, but this guy could hit.
In the 1915 season he had a batting average of .315 with 4 home runs and 20 RBI’s and an OPS+ of 189 while pitching and pinch hitting (11 times). He was not as successful in the 1916 season but did have a batting average .272 with 3 home runs and 16 RBI’s, to go along with an OPS+ of 122. He pinched hit in 24 games in the 1916 season. For the 1917 season Ruth hit 2 home runs, drove in 14 runs, batted .325 and had an OPS+ of 162.
The big experiment began in 1918, when Babe pitched and also played in the field. He appeared in 95 games in total, and he pitched in 20 of them. As a position player he played 47 games in left field, 12 games in center field, 13 games at first base and pinch hit in 5.
For the 1918 season, here are his pitching stats:
W-L- 13-7, IP-166.1, BB-49, K-40, ERA-2.22, ERA+-122, FIP-2.75, WHIP-1.046
BB/9-2.7, K/9-2.2
The stat that jumps off this chart is strikeouts, Babe averaged 2.2 strikeouts per 9 innings. In looking at the American League pitching stats for 1918, the strikeout leader was Walter Johnson with 162 (326 innings, 4.5/9), Jim Shaw with 129 (241 innings, 4.8/9), “Bullet” Joe Bush with 125 (272 inning, 4.1/9), Guy Morton with 123 (214 innings, 5.2/9), Carl Mays with 114 (294 innings, 3.5/9) and Eddie Cicotte with 104 (266 innings, 3.5/9). Carl Mays would become infamous for an incident in 1920 when he hit Ray Chapman with a pitch fracturing his skull. Chapman would die the following day, being the only play to die directly from an injury received during a baseball game. And Eddie Cicotte would be remembered as one of the players banned for life in the 1919 Black Sox scandal.
For the 1918 season, here are his batting stats:
AB-317, Hits-95, 2B-26, 3B-11, HR-11, RBI-61,
BB-58, K-58, Avg.-.300, Slug.-.555
OPS-.966, OPS+-192, WAR-4.7
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
These batting stats include games where Babe appeared as a pitcher.
In 1918, Babe was tied for 2nd in doubles, tied for 5th in triples, tied for 1st in home runs (with Tillie Walker???), 6th in RBI’s, 8th in walks, 1st in strikeouts, tied for 7th in batting average, 2nd in OBP, 1st in Slug. Pct., 1st in OPS, 2nd in OPS+, and 7th in WAR. All of this was accomplished with Babe being 43rd in plate appearances and 44th in times at bat. His greatness as a batter was becoming more and more apparent.
For the 1919 season Babe pitched in 17 games over 133 innings. His stats were:
W-L 9-5, IP-133.1, Hits-148, BB-58, K-30,
ERA 2.97, ERA+-102, FIP-3.58, WHIP-1.545,
BB/9-3.9, K/9-2.0
There is no question that there had been a bit of a regression in his pitching performance.
He was now 20th in ERA, 21st in ERA+, 32nd in FIP, 33rd in WHIP, and 33rd in K/9. Obviously pitching in 17 games and appearing in 116 games as a batter was taking its toll on his pitching success. The Red Sox would play 138 games that season and Babe would play in 130 of them (he had 3 games where he pitched and played in the field).
While his pitching was on a downward trend because of pitching or playing the field in practically every game, his batting stats were on the upswing
AB-432, Hits-139, 2B-35, 3B-12, HR-29
RBI-113, BB-101, K-58, Avg.-.322, Slug.-.657
OBP-.456, OPS+-217, WAR-9.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In 1919, besides pitching in 17 games, Babe played 110 games in LF, 1 in CF, and 5 at 1B, he would also pinch hit in 1 game.
In comparing the Babe to all the other hitters in the American League, he finished: 27th in batting appearances, 43rd in times at bat, he finished 1st in runs scored with 103, 21st in hits, 5th in doubles, 7th in triples, and 1st in home runs. Babe had 29 home runs in the 1919 season, finishing 2nd was George Sisler, Tillie Walker and Frank “Home Run” Baker who had 10 each. There were a total of 240 home runs that year and Babe had 12.1% of the league total. Four of the eight American League teams had fewer home runs as a team than Babe had by himself. His Red Sox teammates hit a total of 4 home runs for the season.
Prior to Babe’s 29 home runs in 1919 the American League record for home runs was 16 in 1902 for Ralph (Socks) Seybold.
In addition to the stats for 1919 already mentioned, Babe let the league in RBI’s, was 2nd in walks, was 2nd in strikeouts, 8th in batting average, 1st in OBP, 1st in slugging percentage (.657 to George Sislers’ .530), 1st in OPS, 1st in OPS+, and he lead the league in WAR with 9.1 with Bobby Veach 2nd at 6.7.
After the 1919 season the New York Yankees received the best Christmas present ever. On December 26th they purchased Babe Ruth’s contract from the Red Sox for $100,000. This began the “Curse of the Bambino” in which the Red Sox would not win another World Series (they won in 1918) until 86 years later when they finally won in 2004.
Ruth’s pitching career pretty much ended with the trade. He did pitch in 1 game (4 innings) in 1920, 2 games (9 innings) in 1921, 1 game in 1930 and 1 game in 1933. Interestingly in those 5 games he pitched 31 innings, gave up 40 hits, walked 16 and struck out 5, but had a W-L record of 5-0!
Babe Ruth went on to have a legendary remainder of his career with the Yankees, but after the trade he would no longer be the “Unicorn”, just one of the greatest, or the greatest hitter of all time.
The one major difference between Babe and Shohei was that when Babe was in the game as a hitter he would play in the field, however in his entire MLB career, Ohtani when not pitching, would only be on the field for 7 games!
Are you ready to call both Babe and Shohei “Unicorns” or are you reserving the title for Shohei only?
 

Here is a lineup of ex-Twins or current Twins:
Molitor 3b, Mauer c, Winfield rf, Hrbek 1b, Steinbach dh, Eisenreich cf, Wallner lf, Terrell ss and Kindall 2b, Morris p. The lineup features three Hall of Fame players (with Mauer likely #4), another Twins player who had his number retired along with a couple of jouneymen in the middle infield. Jack Morris leads a rotation which features three guys who won 20 games and a bullpen with an All-Star closer. Here's the pitching staff: Jack Morris, Jerry Koosman, Dave Goltz, Dick Stigman, and Louie Varland for the rotation. Bullpen: Bob Gebhard, Mike Morin, Tom Johnson, Caleb Thielbar, Tom Burgmeier and Glen Perkins. Bench players: Greg Olson (c), Brian Raabe (if), Tom Kelly (1b-of), Michael Restovich (of) and maybe Tom Quinlan (3b).
As most of you have noted by now, this is a team of Twins all born in Minnesota. There are more native born Minnesotans who have worn the TC, including sports writer Charlie Walters and the immortal Fred Bruckbauer (infinity ERA), but this is a plausible all-time all Minnesota Minnesota Twins team.
Edit to add: George Thomas played briefly for the Twins in 1971. His career was far superior to Tom Quinlan. Add him to the roster. Thanks @Paul D.
 

It's that time of year, and the Minnesota Twins will soon be fully engaged with spring training activities down in Sunny Fort Myers, Florida. Before the season kicks off though, and with prospect positioning set to move, I needed to put out my updated top 15 prospects for the 2024 Major League Baseball season.
The highest ranked player on the 2023 list, Royce Lewis, has since graduated and he took a couple of players with him. Both Matt Wallner and Louie Varland are no longer prospect eligible, and Edouard Julien joined them in becoming a regular for Rocco Baldelli's squad. It should be expected that a few of these names will move on by the time the dust settles on 2024, and that would be a good outcome in terms of development.
I have been posting my top 15 prospect lists here since 2016, and you can find each of them below:
2016 Top 15 Prospects
2017 Top 15 Prospects
2018 Top 15 Prospects
2019 Top 15 Prospects
2020 Top 15 Prospects
2021 Top 15 Prospects
2022 Top 15 Propsects
2023 Top 15 Prospects
Now to get into the 2024 list:
15. Yunior Severino INF
Signed when the Atlanta Braves were made to forfeit players from an international signing class that they cheated to acquired, Severino has become the darling of that group. He emerged to the highest level of the farm for Minnesota last year and showed thump that could have him as a valuable first base type. There's a lot of swing and miss, but he's now on the 40-man roster and has a clear path to a debut.
14. Matt Canterino RHP
No one has bounced around more on these prospect lists for me over the years than Canterino. Drafted out of Rice, he underwent Tommy John surgery and has dealt with arm issues as many of their pitchers do. Fully healthy, he could be an absolute weapon for Minnesota in relief this year. His stuff is impressive, and should play up even more as a reliever.
13. C.J. Culpepper RHP
A 13th round pick in 2022, Culpepper reached High-A Cedar Rapids in his first full professional season. The 3.56 ERA across 86 innings was impressive, and he owned a 9.3 K/9. There's still plenty of development to take place here, but a late round arm that works in the vein of Bailey Ober or Louie Varland is something to dream on.
12. Kala'i Rosario OF
Sent to the Arizona Fall League after the season, Rosario got in extra reps and showed out with the power. He flashed some exciting potential during big league spring training action prior to the 2023 season, and his solid year at High-A should have him ready for the Double-A challenge this season at just 21 years old.
11. Luke Keaschall INF
Minnesota took Keaschall in the second round of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft out of Arizona State and he immediately took to pro ball. He posted an .892 OPS in 31 games, and helped the Cedar Rapids Kernels secure a championship at the end of the season. He probably starts in Iowa, but could make his way to Double-A Wichita quickly.
10. Tanner Schobel INF
The Virginia Tech product tore up High-A Cedar Rapids in 2023 and earned a promotion to Double-A. He struggled out of the gate for Wichita, but did bat .294 over his final 14 games. He'll need to tap back into some of the power potential that was left in Cedar Rapids, but there's the makings of a big league regular here.
9. Charlee Soto RHP
The Twins took Soto with the 34th overall pick in the 2023 draft and he didn't pitch at all last season. Looking to build up his body and prepare for pro ball, 2024 should be a fun debut season. There is an upper-90's fastball in the arsenal, and while he's a high school arm, there is a lot to work with here.
8. Brandon Winokur OF
A tools'd out high school kid taken in the third round of the 2023 draft, Winokur impressed in limited action last year. He posted an .884 OPS across 17 games at the rookie ball level, and he showed off the power and speed combination. The plate discipline is something to watch as he develops, but the ceiling for him is immense.
7. Cory Lewis RHP
Drafted just inside of the first ten rounds during 2022, Lewis has emerged as one of Minnesota's best pitching prospects. He throws a knuckle ball but isn't a knuckleballer. With dominant stuff that led to a 10.5 K/9 in his first pro season, Lewis could start at Double-A in 2024 and may be a late season option for the Twins to consider.
6. Austin Martin INF/OF
Similar to Canterino, Martin has bounced around on my prospect lists. He got back to a workable swing last year, and while the power potential isn't there, he has solid bat to ball skills and has a good contact ability. Speed is the play here, and while exit velocities could limit his overall production, he already profiles as a plus defender in center field.
5. David Festa RHP
Taken in the 13th round of the 2021 draft, Festa represented the Twins at the 2023 Futures Game. He made his way to Triple-A St. Paul and is right there among the best pitching prospects in the organization. Festa can push velocity while also showing a strong command of his pitches. He had 119 strikeouts in 92 1/3 innings last season. Expect to see him at Target Field in 2024.
4. Marco Raya RHP
If Festa isn't the best pitching prospect in the organization, then it is Raya. Just 20 years old and a former prep arm, the Twins already have him at Double-A. He took his lumps for Wichita, but was incredibly young for the level and should be expected to use that experience for significant offseason development. He'll begin 2024 with the Wind Surge again, but getting to Triple-A St. Paul at 21 would be eye-opening.
3. Emmanuel Rodriguez OF
One of the most exciting prospects across baseball, Rodriguez has significant power potential and his ceiling is that of a slugging corner outfielder with all-star aspirations. He posted a ridiculous .400 OBP for Cedar Rapids last year despite batting just .240, and he doesn't sacrifice plate discipline for power. A meteoric rise could happen this year at 21, but Rodriguez's future is still one to be excited about even if it takes a bit more time.
2. Brooks Lee INF
Maybe the safest bet to be a big league regular for a long time across all organizations in baseball, Lee is near major league ready at this point. He's going to hit for more average than power, and can play shortstop but doesn't necessarily need to. He does everything well, and if any of the tools take another step forward, he'll end his career with more than a few all-star selections under his belt.
1. Walker Jenkins OF
The fifth overall pick from the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft, Jenkins is a superstar in every sense of the word. He may outgrow centerfield as his body develops, but he should hit for average and power while remaining a strong defender and runner. The maturity here is off the charts, and the abilities could push him into future MVP discussions. A 2024 debut isn't going to happen, but all bets should be off in 2025.
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One of the most underrated players for the Twins may have been Cesar Tovar.
His professional career became reality largely because of his close friend Gus Gil. On New Year’s morning in 1959 Cincinnati Reds General Manager Gabe Paul would sign Gil and at the urging of Gil, Cesar Tovar. Gil received a $2,000 signing bonus, Tovar got nothing.
Tovar’s first professional season was with Geneva of the NY-Penn League (Class D). He batted .252 in 87 games with 3 HR’s and 41 RBI’s. His 2nd summer was with Missoula in the Class C Pioneer League. He batted .304 with 12 HR’s and 68 RBI’s. In 1961 he was back in Geneva and he would hit .338 with 19 HR’s and 78 RBI’s, he also stole 88 bases in 100 attempts, shattering the NY-Penn League Record. In 1962 he played for Rocky Mount of the Carolina League (Class B), batting .329 with 10 HR’s and 78 RBI’s.
In spite of his success in the minors there was no clear path to the Reds. In 1963 the Reds would have a rookie named Pete Rose playing 2nd base, future major leaguer Bobby Klaus was in AAA, and his buddy, Gus Gil played in Macon (AA). The Reds would end up sending Tovar to the Twins on loan to their AAA team in Dallas-Ft. Worth. At Dallas-Ft. Worth manager Jack McKeon had Jim Snyder at 2B, so Tovar became a utilityman, mostly as an outfielder and shortstop. McKeon commented that “he has to be in my lineup and he has to be my leadoff man, but where do I play him?”
Cesar made 2 friends in his brief time in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Billy Martin, who was a minor league instructor in spring training and Tony Oliva.
Tovar returned to the Reds organization for the 1964 season, playing in San Diego. He hit .275 with 7 HR’s and 52 RBI’s, playing 3B, SS, 2B and the outfield.
On December 4, 1964, Tovar joined the Twins in a 1 for 1 trade with the Cincinnati Reds for Gerry Arrigo.
Manager Sam Mele gave Tovar a long look at 2nd base during spring training in 1965 in a competition with light hitting Jerry Kindall. Billy Martin who was now the Twins’ infield coach, again became Tovar’s tutor. Tovar would end up being sent to Denver of the Pacific Coast League to start the season.
Cesar would only appear in 18 games for the Twins in 1965, but as a sign of things to come, he would play 4 games at 2B, 1 game at SS, 2 games at 3B and 2 games in CF.
He appeared in 134 games in 1966 and had a WAR of 3.3. Tovar became only the 9th Venezuelan to reach the majors, and he would join two other countrymen, Luis Aparicio and Vic Davalillo in MLB.
For his entire Twins career he had a total of 26.0 WAR over his 7 years (3.7 average). From 1967 to 1971 he received votes for league Most Valuable Player with his best finish of 7th in 1967. In 1967 Carl Yastrzemski won the American League MVP Award, receiving 19 of the 20 1st place votes. Tovar received the other 1st place vote courtesy of Minnesota beat writer, Max Nichols.
Versatility was definitely part of his game. Much like Willi Castro in 2023, Tovar would be all over the field. In 1967 he played at least 6 games at 6 different positions (only missing out at 1B, C and P). He would play at least 5 different positions from 1969 to 1971. But 1968 was the most noteworthy. In 1968 he played 1 game at 1B, 18 games at 2B, 35 at SS, 75 at 3B, 37 in LF, 36 in CF, 11 in RF, 1 game where he caught and 1 game where he pitched.
What made 1968 noteworthy was that he became the 2nd player in major league history to play every position in a game. The date was September 22, 1968 against the Oakland A’s. What was even more special was that playing for the A’s that day was Bert Campaneris, who was the first to accomplish the feat in 1965.
According to an article written by Henry Palattella for www.mlb.com, Campaneris’ accomplishment was taken as a publicity stunt by Angels manager, Bill Rigney and he considered it “bush”. Campaneris ended up dropping a fly ball in the 6th inning that let in a run, and in the 8th inning he pitched and gave up 2 walks followed by a run-scoring single. But the most memorable inning was the 9th when Campaneris went in to catch. The Angels Ed Kirkpatrick started the inning with a single, stole 2nd base and eventually ended up at 3rd. While on 3rd there was a pitch in the dirt and he took off for home, there was a jarring collision at home plate between Kirkpatrick and Campaneris that nearly ended with both players coming to blows. The game would end up going extra innings, but without Campaneris who was send to the hospital due to a left shoulder injury caused by the home plate collision.
Tovar’s game was much different. The Twins were managed by Cal Ermer. They would end up in 7th place that season, and the game was played near the end of the season against the A’s who would finish in 6th place. Also the A’s were owned by Charley Finley who was famous for this type of “unique” event (including Bert Campaneris doing the same 3 years earlier).
Ermer started the game with Tovar on the mound. He ended up pitching a scoreless first inning where he got Campaneris to ground out, had a walk, a balk and struck out Reggie Jackson. Getting the toughest positions out of the way, Tovar caught in the 2nd inning. The Minneapolis Star Tribune would report that Tovar was in a semi-crouch stance due to “the shin guards being too long for his stubby legs”. In total for the game, Tovar fielded one ground ball, along with having 5 putouts. The team rewarded him with a color TV for his performance. It was the only game ever that Tovar was to pitch, catch or play 1st base.
Since Tovar accomplished this feat in 1968 only 3 other players have played every position in a game: Scott Sheldon on September 6, 2000 for the Texas Rangers against the Chicago White Sox, Shane Halter on October 1, 2000 (less than a month later) for the Detroit Tigers against the Twins, and finally, Andrew Romine on September 30, 2017 for the Detroit Tigers, also against the Twins.
Cesar Tovar definitely had a memorable career. He was a huge contributor while he was on the Twins. He played for 2 pennant winning teams and 2 teams that finished in 2nd.
He would stay with the Twins through the 1972 season when he was traded in the off-season to the Philadelphia Phillies for Joe Lis, Ken Reynolds and Ken Sanders. Lis would play for the Twins for the entire 1973 season and would be purchased by the Guardians in June of 1974, Sanders would only last until August of the 1973 season when he was released and Reynolds’ Twins career would end before it started when he was traded before the start of the 1973 season to the Brewers for Mike Ferraro.
After the 1973 season Tovar’s contract was purchased by the Texas Rangers. They purchased him because their manager, Billy Martin said “get me Cesar Tovar”.
He would play for the Rangers and Oakland Athletics in 1975, and the Athletics and New York Yankees, managed by Billy Martin in 1976. He would retire after the 1976 season.
Sadly Tovar passed away on July 14, 1994 in Caracus, Venezuela at the age of 54.

Was Zoilo Versalles a One-Hit Wonder?
When the Washington Senators relocated to Minneapolis/St. Paul for the 1961 season they brought a team that had finished 7th, 8th, 8th, 8th, and 5th the previous 5 years. After the move the team finished 7th in 1961, then 2nd, 3rd and 6th in the 10 team American League.
The 6th place 1964 team had a starting lineup of Earl Battey-catching, Bob Allison, Bernie Allen, Zoilo Versalles, and Rich Rollins in the infield, and had an outfield of Harmon Killebrew, Jimmy Hall and Tony Oliva. Their most used subs were Don Mincher, Jerry Kindall and Jerry Zimmerman. The starting rotation was Camilo Pascual, Jim Kaat, Dick Stigman, Mudcat Grant and Lee Stange. Coming out of the bullpen was closer Al Worthington, along with Gerry Arrigo, Jim Perry, Bill Pleis and Johnny Klippstein.
The 1965 team didn’t have a lot of turnover from the 1964 team. Don Mincher took over at first base and Jerry Kindall at second, Bob Allison played left field instead of 1st base and the rest of the lineup was the same as 1964. Because of injuries Harmon Killebrew only played in 113 games. 1964 starter, Lee Stange, was traded to the Cleveland Guardians along with George Banks for Mudcat Grant. Besides Grant, the other starters were Jim Perry, who went from a reliever to a starter, Jim Kaat and Camilo Pascual. Dave Boswell, got an occasional start. The bullpen still had Worthington, Klippstein, Pleis, and added Stigman (a converted starter) and Jerry Fosnow, who came to the Twins in an offseason trade with the Cincinnati Reds for Gerry Arrigo. Cesar Tovar would also come over in the trade, but he would spend most of 1965 with the Denver Bears.
While there were not a lot of personnel changes from 1964 to 1965 the team would go from a 79-83-1 record good for 6th place to a 102-60 record that would win the AL pennant.
WAR leaders in 1964 (batters only) according to Baseball Reference were: Oliva 6.8, Allison 6.4, Killebrew 4.7, Hall 4.0 and Rollins 3.0. For the 1965 season the WAR leaders were: Versalles 7.2, Oliva 5.4, Killebrew 4.4, Hall 4.3 and Allison 4.2.
Jimmy Hall would show an increased WAR from 1964 of 0.3, but the major increase would come from Zoilo Versalles, who went from 2.5 in ‘64 to 7.2 in ‘65.
Versalles would go on to win the American League Most Valuable Player award with 19 of the 20 votes. Tony Oliva would receive the other vote.
While Versalles would have a solid baseball career, he never had another year that came close to approaching 1965.
In 1965 he had career highs in plate appearances in (728), runs scored (126), hits (182), doubles (45), 2nd most triples (12), 2nd most home runs (19), most RBI’s (77) and stolen bases (27), 2nd highest Batting Average (.273), best OBP (.319), Slugging Pct. (.462), OPS (.781), OPS+ (115), and Total Bases (308). He led the American League in plate appearances, runs scored, doubles, triples, and total bases. He did make the All-Star team and won a gold glove that year.
Versalles would never come close to repeating his accomplishments of 1965. The Twins would have some success by finishing 2nd in 1966 and 1967 and would again with the pennant in 1969, but Versalles would only have a WAR of 1.6 in 1966, -1.6 in 1967 and would be traded prior to the 1968 season to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Mudcat Grant, for Bob Miller, Ron Peranoski and John Roseboro.
In Zoilo’s entire 12 seasons in MLB he had a total WAR of 12.6 with only 5.4 of his total over his other 11 seasons.
Sadly, he passed away at age 55 in 1995 while living in Bloomington, MN.
Zoilo would be the 1st of only 2 players in MLB history with the name Zoilo, the other would be Zoilo Almonte who played a total of 47 games (as an outfielder/DH) for the New York Yankees in 2013 and 2014.
While Zoilo had 7 seasons as the Twins primary shortstop, would you consider him a “One Hit Wonder”?

I read somewhere on Twins Daily that the MVP for the Twins in 2023 was depth. After losing a lead in 2022, the Twins added several depth pieces to their roster along with keeping Carlos Correa after it appeared that he would leave due to free agency. Adding to the starting pitching staff by acquiring Pablo López wasn't directly adding depth to the rotation, but adding a solid starter moved Bailey Ober out of the rotation temporarily, so when injuries eventually occurred, they had Ober and Louie Varland ready as the sixth and seventh guys to take the ball. The Twins traded for Michael A. Taylor and with Byron Buxton's inability to play center, that depth piece became a regular. Correa's signing meant that Kyle Farmer, pegged as the regular shortstop, could assume a utility role and the Twins signed Willi Castro, a speedy guy with the ability to play several positions, as another depth piece. Nick Gordon had flourished in the latter part of 2022 and was another player capable of manning several positions. Finally, the Twins signed Donovan Solano late in the winter. He proved to be a vital hitter with the ability to fill in at three different infield spots. 
Many, including myself, lauded the front office for the foresight to be ready for the inevitable injuries and underperformances. As mentioned, Buxton never got to center field and only played in 85 games as the DH, José Miranda, coming off a nice rookie year was both disappointing and injured and only played in 40 games, Projected starters Jorge Polanco and Alex Kirilloff both started the season on the IL and went back on the injury list later in the season. Every position player starter spent time on the IL, one rotation member (Mahle) was lost for the season before the frost was out of the ground and yet the depth (and reinforcements) kept the Twins above water and finally carried them to a comfortable division flag. 
So, this year seems to be totally different. While the Twins appear to have a pretty solid 26-man roster, they have only added a lottery ticket to their bullpen. I know it's only January, but the lack of activity seems telling. There hasn't been any speculation that the Twins were in on a substantial free agent. The club has announced they will be cutting payroll, perhaps to the point that any payroll additions would have to be countered by subtractions. There hasn't been a replacement added for either of the two rotation members who left by free agency and so far no activity to bolster the center field mix minus Taylor. It looks to me like the Twins are going to try to fill these gaps internally, a complete departure from 2023. 
I have belief that players on the roster or in St. Paul can fill those gaps. I think Austin Martin will be a capable outfielder with good speed and bat to ball skills. I think Miranda will come back and capably fill the role that Solano handled so well in '23. I think Brooks Lee will be a future star as soon as this year.  I expect that the current five-man rotation will be among the best in the American League. However, beyond those just mentioned, my confidence is not nearly as high. There will be injuries to the pitching staff and to position players. Most everyone on the 40-man roster will be on the major league roster at some point in the season. I don't see the proven depth to step in when the inevitable rash of injuries occurs. 
I guess the front office is gambling that a) injuries will be manageable and b) the internal options will adequately fill the gaps in the Opening Day roster. I am not so sure, but do understand how tough it is to acquire the help needed with the payroll constraints. 

Of all the professional sports, no sport seems to have as many and as many colorful nicknames as Major League Baseball. This was especially true in the early years of the sports. Some nicknames were so attached to the player that when they were inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame, their nicknames were included on their plaque.
Most nicknames have a known beginning, “Dizzy” Dean’s resulted from an incident in his military career when a sergeant found Dean throwing potatoes against a garbage can and yelled at him, “you dizzy son-of-a-bitch!”. Satchel Paige received his nickname when he had a job of carrying passengers’ bags (satchels) at the train station in Mobile. Lawrence Berra received the nickname “Yogi” from his friend who, after seeing a newsreel about India, said that he resembled a yogi from India whenever he sat around with arms and legs crossed waiting to bat or while looking sad after losing a game.
Here are a few Hall of Famer nicknames: James “Cool Papa” Bell, George Herman “Babe” Ruth, Grover Cleveland “Old Pete” Alexander, Adrian “Cap” Anson, Luke “Old Aches and Pain” Appling, Frank “Home Run” Baker, Albert “Happy” Chandler, Ty “The Georgia Peach” Cobb, “Wahoo” Sam Crawford, Joe “The Yankee Clipper” Di Maggio, and Bob “Rapid Robert” Feller. 
I have nicknames of other Hall of Famers listed below: If you are interested in trying to see how accurate your guesses are leave your answers in the comment section:
1) The Human Rain Delay, 2) Sandman, 3) The Wizard, 4) The Man of Steal, 5) Captain Hook, 6) Double X, 7) Hoot, 8) Big Six, 9) Ducky, and 10) Old Hoss.  Try without using the internet.
In addition to researching nicknames on plaques I discovered a few facts that I was completely unaware of. These are the real first names of some of the inductees: George “Ken” “The Kid” “Junior” Griffey, Harry “Doc” “Roy” Halladay, Umpire Harold “Doug” Harvey, Dorrel “Whitey” Herzog, Monford “Monte” Irvin, Larry “Chipper” Jones, Santurino Orestes “Minnie” Minoso, John “Buck” O’Neil, Alan “Bud” Selig, and Lynn “Nolan” Ryan.
Some nicknames had relevance to physical descriptions of the player, such as: Don "Ears" Mossi, Walt “No Neck” Williams, and Ernie “The Schnozz” Lombardi.  Do a search on each of these player's images to quickly see how they "earned" their nicknames.
You can add to that list Robert “Lefty” Grove and Vernon “Lefty” Gomez who were left-handed pitchers and Mordecai “Three Fingers” Brown who lost most of his index finger in a farm accident when he was a kid.
Baseball also has nicknames that are interesting or unique:
Ron Cey – The Penguin
Marc Rzepczynski – Scrabble
Ted Williams – The Splendid Splinter, The Kid, Teddy Ballgame, The Thumper
Frank Thomas – The Big Hurt
Randy Johnson – The Big Unit
Jimmy Wynn – Toy Cannon
Pete Rose – Charlie Hustle
Bill Lee – Spaceman
Mark Fydrich – The Bird
Will Clark – Will the Thrill
Don Mattingly – Donny Baseball
Rusty Staub – Le Grand Orange
Steve Balboni – Bye Bye
Shane Victorino – The Flyin’ Hawaiian
Kenny Rogers – The Gambler
Vince Coleman – Vince Van Go
Hideki Matsui – Godzilla
Phil Rizzuto – Scooter
Carlton Fisk / Ivan Rodriguez - Pudge
Don Zimmer – The Gerbil (given to him by Bill “Spaceman” Lee)
During the discovery part of this article, I started questioning how some nicknames came into existence. Some of these are very interesting.
Willie Mays – Say Hey Kid – He used to greet everyone with “Hey” when he saw them
Jim Hunter – Catfish – Given to him by Charlie Finley because he thought he needed a flashy nickname
Leo Durocher – Leo the Lip – Based on his constant baiting of umpire from his position in the dugout
Harold Traynor – Pie – As a child he would often frequent the grocery store and ask for pie. The store owner would eventually call him Pie Face which was shortened to Pie.
Frankie Frisch – The Fordham Flash – Attended Fordham Prep and Fordham University where he was a track star as well as playing baseball, basketball and football.
Walter Johnson – The Big Train – Given by sportswriter Grantland Rice because of his size and because the express train was the fastest vehicle known at the time.
Denton Young – Cy – Shortened from Cyclone because of the speed of his fastball.
James Gavin – Pud – Writers said he made hitters look like pudding.
Edward Ford – Whitey – named for his light blond hair.
Leo Hartnett – Gabby – named because of his shy, quiet manner.
Richard Marquard – Rube – His sweeping delivery reminded a sportswriter of Rube Waddell.
Walter Maranville – Rabbitt – He said it was because his penchant for bounding and jumping, others said it was because of his protruding ears.
Lewis Wilson – Hack – He was 5’ 6” and weighted 195 lbs. with an 18 inch neck, and feet that fit into a 5 ½ size shoe. A teammate said his build resembled Hack Lewis, an outfielder for the Chicago Cubs.
Enos Slaughter – Country – Grew up in Roxboro, North Carolina
Joe DiMaggio – Yankee play-by-play announcer compared DiMaggio’s speed and agility to that of the new Pan American airliner “The Yankee Clipper’. Another story equates DiMaggio to the beauty and grace of a clipper ship. He also had the nickname, Joltin’ Joe.
Domenic DiMaggio – “The Little Professor” - He looked like a college professor because of his size (5’9”), wire-rimmed glasses.
John Odom – Blue Moon – As “Blue Moon” explained, he had a classmate in the 5th grade who started calling him “Moon Head”. A few days later he changed it to “Blue Moon”. He hated that nickname, but later really liked it.
Pedro Sandoval – Kung Foo Panda – Given to him by Barry Zito after a play at the plate where Sandoval jumped over the tag of the catcher.
Dennis Boyd – Oil Can – According to Boyd, “growing up in Mississippi there was a woman who supplied the town with moonshine. When I was 7 I started drinking it myself. One day someone caught us in a tin shed drinking Big Momma’s whiskey out of oil cans, so my friend Pap started calling me Oil Can.”
Sal Maglie – The Barber – Named because he pitcher inside to batters, giving them close shaves.
The Society for American Baseball Research penned an article “An Analysis of Baseball Nicknames” . From 1871 to 1968 these were the most popular baseball nicknames: 1) Lefty, 2) Red, 3) Doc, 4) Bud/Buddy, 5) Dutch, 6) Big, 7) Mickey, 8) Whitey, 9) Chick and 10) Kid. There is a lot of interesting information contained in their article.
While nicknames are not as common now as in the past and there is no question they are more PC, but here are a few current players who have nicknames:
Pete Alonso – Polar Bear
Noah Syndergaard – Thor
Shohei Otani – Sho Time
Blake Snell – Snellzilla
Todd Frazier – The Toddfather
Brandon Belt – Baby Giraffe
Jeff McNeil – The Squirrel
Carlos Carrasco – Cookie
Sean Manaea – The Throwin’ Samoan
Finally, a number of Minnesota Twins have had nicknames. Here are players that had nicknames given to them:
Rocco Baldelli – The Woonsocket Rocket
Doug Mientkiewicz – Eye Chart
Josh Donaldson – The Bringer of Rain
Harmon Killebrew – Killer
Kirby Puckett – Puck
Jim Grant – Mudcat
Tom Brunansky – Bruno
Rod Carew – Sir Rodney
Gary Gaetti – The Rat
Kent Hrbek – Herbie
Torii Hunter - Spiderman
Frank Viola – Sweet Music
Willians Astudillo – LaTortuga (The Tortoise)
Nelson Cruz – Broomstick
Luis Arraez – La Ragadera (The Sprinkler)
Chris Paddock – Sheriff
Feel free to comment and include some unique nicknames that I failed to mention.

* a definition of prayer- an earnest hope or wish.
- Blessings & thanks to all TD writers, who continue to give us great articles to discuss even amidst some opposition.
- Blessings to my friends at TD.
- Blessings & thanks to the moderators who keep the baseball forum civil & open
- Wisdom & insight to our FO so they can evaluate our needs & make the right decisions.
- Uplift the lowly & humble the proud.
- Health, soundness of mind & body to all our players so they can achieve their full potential.
- Qualify our coaches to help train our players
- Happy New Year to all & a prosperous season! Go Twins! 

Pitching, SS, CF & catching are the 4 most important positions where hitting prowess is nice but it takes a back seat to defense. There's a lot of emphasis on drafting & developing SPs, SS, CFers, and MN puts a lot on bats but catching as of late has been ignored. Defensive catching is a vital need, which any serious team must have. Defensive catchers that can hit are very few & are in great demand. It's not that hard to find catchers that can hit but to draft & develop them into elite catchers is very rare. There has been a gaping wound in our catching depth that goes down deep in our organization since '22 and actually longer when you go beyond Garver, Jeffers & Rortvedt. Vazquez has been a nice band-aid,  greatly seeing fantastic effects in catching & pitching. But once we rip off that band-aid it's going to hurt a lot. We need to heal that wound by now trading for, drafting & developing promising young catchers, Below is an interesting article that I'd like for you to read.
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/baseball-believes-in-jeff-mathis-and-the-hidden-value-of-game-calling-by-catchers/
Jeff Mathis was a horrible hitter but his valuable expertise in catching kept him in the game for many years while mentoring young catchers along the way. He has been out of the game since '21 when he caught for the World champion ATL Braves. Mathis is open to coaching, having him as our catching coach will go a long way toward healing our gaping wound by his insight on who to sign, draft & especially development. MIL has made Contreras into an elite catcher & has a great development system. I believe Mathis can do the same for the Twins. With his expertise & experience (which I value the most) he also sees the need to use analytics that makes his work easier. Mathis IMO should be highly sought after & as in any opportunity to fill our great hole we should quickly seize it, he has my vote, How about yours?

The 1961 American League season was unique because for the first time since the turn of the century the league was not made up of 8 teams. Not only did the Senators move from Washington to Minnesota, but the league added 2 expansion teams, the Los Angeles Angels and the “new” Washington Senators. Originally the expansion teams were supposed to be located in Los Angeles and Minneapolis-St. Paul, but Calvin Griffith, the owner of the Washington Senators, asked for and received approval to move the Senators to Minnesota, giving Washington the expansion team. Even though the Senators had a hard time getting fans to attend, the baseball felt that because of baseball’s anti-trust issues that it was best to have a team in the Nation's capital.
Up until the Senators moved to Minnesota there had only been 5 teams that had pulled up stakes in one city and moved to another. They were: 1) in 1953 when the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee, 2) in 1954 when the St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore, 3) in 1955 when the Philadephia Athletics moved to Kansas City, and 4/5) in 1958 when the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants moved to Los Angeles and San Francisco, 
There would be other relocations after the Twins: 1) in 1966 the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta, 2) in 1968 the Kansas City Athletics moved to Oakland, 3) in 1970 the expansion Seattle Pilots moved to Milwaukee, 4) in 1972 the Washington Senators moved to Dallas/Ft. Worth, 5) in 2005 the Montreal Expos moved to Washington, D.C. and 6) in 2024 the Oakland Athletics moved to Las Vegas.
When the Washington Senators relocated to Minnesota in 1961 they brought with them a team that had finished the 1960 season with a 73-81 record, good for 5th place in the 8 team American League. This was their best finish in 6 years -
1946
4th
1947
7th
1948
7th
1949
8th
1950
5th
1951
7th
1952
5th
1953
5th
1954
6th
1955
8th
1956
7th
1957
8th
1958
8th
1959
8th
1960
5th
Not only were they in the 2nd half of the 8 team division in standings, but here are their attendance standings.
1946
5th
1947
7th
1948
6th
1949
7th
1950
6th
1951
6th
1952
6th
1953
6th
1954
7th
1955
8th
1956
8th
1957
8th
1958
8th
1959
8th
1960
8th
Their attendance for the 1960 season at Griffith Stadium was 743,404 (9,655 per game), which was the lowest in the American League. When they moved they brought with them their Owner and General Manager, Clark Griffith, Farm Director – Sherry Robertson and Manager – Cookie Lavagetto. Cookie would only last 59 games into the season when he was fired with a 23-36 record and was replaced by Sam Mele who would be 47-54-1 for the season. Their overall record was 70-90-1 good for 7th place (out of 10 teams). Both the expansion Senators and the Angels would finish behind the Twins in the standings as well as the Kansas City Athletics. The Twins attendance for the season was 1,256,723 (an average of slightly over 15,000 per game (3rd out of 10 teams).
How much better was it to receive a team as a transfer rather than an expansion team?
If we examine the 8 teams that relocated between 1901 and 1968 you will see that many of them had early success that may not have happened if they had received an expansion team.
Here is where those 8 teams finished in the standings in their first five years in a new city.
Team
 
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
1953 Milwaukee Braves
 
2
3
2
2
1
1954 Baltimore Orioles
 
7
7
6
5
6
1955 Kansas City Athletics
 
6
8
7
7
7
1958 Los Angeles Dodgers
 
7
1
4
2
2
1958 San Francisco Giants
 
3
3
5
3
1
1961 Minnesota Twins
 
7
2
3
6
1
1966 Atlanta Braves
 
5
7
5
1
5
1968 Oakland Athletics
 
6
2
2
1
1
It’s really interesting to note that there have been a total of 8 franchise moves listed above and 6 of the teams won a league championship within 5 years of moving.
Here are the first five years of every expansion team.
Team
 
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
1961 Los Angeles Angels (of 10)
 
8
3
9
5
7
1961 Washington Senators (of 10)
 
9
10
10
9
8
1962 New York Mets (of 10)
 
10
10
10
10
9
1962 Houston Colt .45s (of 10)
 
8
9
9
9
8
1969 Kansas City Royals (of 6)
 
4
4
2
4
2
1969 Seattle Pilots (of 6)
 
6
4
6
4
6
1969 San Diego Padres (of 6)
 
6
6
6
6
6
1969 Montreal Expos (of 6)
 
6
6
6
6
6
1977 Toronto Blue Jays (of 7)
 
7
7
7
7
7
1977 Seattle Mariners (of 7)
 
6
7
6
7
6
1993 Colorado Rockies (of 7) (of 4)
 
6
3
2
3
3
1993 Florida Marlins (of 7) (of 5)
 
6
5
4
3
2
1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays (of 5)
 
5
5
5
5
5
1998 Arizona Diamondbacks (of 5)
 
5
1
3
1
1
Of the 14 expansion teams listed in the table only the Diamondbacks were able to finish in 1st place in their division (3 times). Only the Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals and Colorado Rockies experienced moderate success.
1960/61 Expansion Draft to stock Los Angeles Angels and Washington Senators
In the very first expansion draft an existing team had to make available seven players from their active roster as of August 31, 1960 and eight others from their 40 man roster, with a maximum of seven players that could be taken from each existing club.
The Angels took Eli Grba, Jerry Casale, Duke Maas, Tex Clevenger, and Bob Sprout with their 1st five choises, while the Senators took Bobby Shantz, Dave Sisler, Johhny Klipstein, Pete Burnside and Carl Mathias with their choices. The Senators/Twins would lose Tex Clevinger, Hal Woodeshick, Hector Maestri, Rudy Hernandez, Johnny Schaive, Faye Throneberry, Julio Becquer and Joe McClain.  
1997/98 Expansion Draft to stock the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks
In the most recent expansion draft each existing team could protect 15 players. All players in an organization were eligible to be drafted except with those with no prior major league experience who had less than 3 years of service. A team could lose no more than 1 player per round, with 28 selections in rounds one and two, and 14 selections in round 3. After the first two rounds a team could add three more players to be protected.
The Devil Rays chose Tony Saunders, Quinton McCracken, Bobby Abreau, Miguel Cairo and Rich Bulter with their 1st five choices. The Diamondbacks chose Brian Anderson, Jeff Suppan, Gabe Alvarez, Jorge Fabergas, and Karim Garcia with their choices. The best player taken in the draft would turn out to be Randy Winn taken from the Marlins by the Devil Rays in the 3rd round. The Twins would lose Brent Brede (1B) and Damian Miller (Catcher).
Conclusion
Clark Griffith did the fans of the Twins a great service by moving his franchise to Minnesota in 1961, rather than giving Minnesota an expansion team.

Growing up in the 1950’s was so different for those of us who loved to play baseball. Today you can drive past a ball field during the summer and find it empty. With us we needed to rise early in the morning, have a quick breakfast and ride our bikes to the closest field hoping to be there before another group staked its claim. And besides bringing your baseball equipment, you needed to have a lunch with you. If you didn’t eat lunch at the field you took a chance that the field wouldn't be empty when you returned.
Of course our equipment was different. My glove was a Rawlings John Groth model (outfielder for the Tigers). The glove was small and the web was barely large enough to contain the ball. Only the catcher and first baseman had the "big gloves."
The ball we used was probably coming unstitched and was dark and dirty. If the stitching was too far gone, the ball was covered in electrical tape, normally the shiny kind.
Lastly, we probably only had one or two bats between us and in most cases the bat was probably broken and was held together with either a nail in the bat, or more electrical tape (the non-shiny type acted as a nice grip).  Batting gloves were not thought of at this time, and would have been perceived as unmanly.
We didn’t need adults to organize us, and we didn’t need rides to get to the field.
Most of us played Little League, but usually we were all on different teams. The good players make the “majors” at 10 years old, the lesser at 11 or 12 (12 year olds were not allowed to play in the “minors”).
Our Little League uniforms had been used for a number of years and the knees on our pants probably had a patch or two on them. The shirt and pants were made of flannel, so they lasted for many years, but during the heat of the summer, they were really hot. Our hats and stirrups were made of wool and the stirrups usually needed an elastic at the top of them to stop them from drooping every time you ran.
We had batting helmets, but they were not really helmets, but earmuffs. They were made of leather and came in a couple of sizes.
But baseball was king. There was no organized football for us and very few options for playing basketball. Most football was one or two hand touch and played in the street. Living on a quiet street was a huge plus because you wouldn’t have to keep stopping the game to let cars pass. Basketball rims were at the playground, but many of us hung a basket from our garage and played in our driveway.
Most of us collected and traded baseball cards.
Buying cards was convenient. During the school year, we would walk past two stores near our school that sold baseball cards and penny candy. During the summer our neighborhood was serviced by a traveling store. The vehicle was about the size of a self-contained RV and was like a convenience store on wheels. It came by 3 days a week, and always stopped in our neighborhood, because most of our families were Italian and we had to have Italian bread with our supper.
You could buy cards two ways, for one cent you could buy a pack with one card in it, and for five cents the pack would contain 6 cards.
There was no such strategy of collecting stars. Your goal was to have a complete set, and if you needed to trade a star for one of your missing commons, you’d do it.
Of course we all had a favorite team. Living in Rhode Island there were two options: you rooted for the Red Sox and hated the Yankees, or you rooted for the Yankees and hated the Red Sox. A lot of friends started out as Red Sox fans, but changed their allegiance because the Yankees always won and the Red Sox never did. I would collect and hoard Red Sox players and draw beards and mustaches on Yankee players. I can’t image how many Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra cards I had were ruined because of beards.
Cards were for collecting and making complete sets.
Doubles and triples were used for pitching. Pitching cards was a school yard activity. You would take your extras to school and either at recess or after lunch you’d find an empty area with a wall. Because you were pitching these cards against a wall, there were no cards in mint condition. They all had rounded edges from colliding with a wall, or have creases because you bent the card as you were picking them up off the ground (usually cement or asphalt).
We played three different games and who ever won the previous game would pick the game. The first game was “farzees (pronounced far zees)”. The game was not limited to one player against another, you could put together as large a group as you could find. With farzees you would pitch your card (one toss per player) and the person who’s card stopped closest to the wall would win all the cards. On occasion the card would stand up. A standing card would beat any other card that was tossed.
The second game was “standeez (pronouced stand eez)”. With standeez the person choosing the game would stand a card up against the wall. It would be at about a 30 degree angle. The game would end when someone tossed their card and it knocked the standing card down to the ground. If you knocked the card down, you would win all of the cards that had been tossed up to that point.  Baseball cards were severely damaged in this game. You never wanted to hit the standing card and not knock it down because you didn't toss your card hard enough.
The last game was “topzees (pronouced top zees)”. With topzees the person choosing the game would pitch a card out in the playing area, trying to keep it away from any wall. The winner of the game was the person who would toss their card and it would land on top of any of the cards already on the ground. It didn’t have to cover a lot of the card, just some part of it. The winner would pick up all of the cards that had already been tossed.
Because most of us “pitched” cards, finding cards from the 50’s or early 60’s rarely came in mint or excellent condition. We never anticipated that our cards would ever be worth anything and that the stars would be worth more than the common.  We loved our cards because they were play things, never investments.
Please feel free to leave comments on this article, especially if you are at an age where you may have pitched cards also.
My blog will try to recreate loving the game of baseball and what it was like playing and watching the game in the 50’s and 60’s.
 
 

It feels like Twins fans would burn Target Field to the ground if the team trades  Édouard Julien this offseason — roughly a year after they traded fan favorite Luis Arráez. I myself would never do it, but I don’t think it’s such a crazy possibility.
Let me start by saying my opinion right away: I don't think the Twins should trade Édouard Julien. However, one thing intrigues me: how can we be so sure Julien is the real deal? When I remember the kind of rookie season José Miranda had in 2022 and then how his bat disappeared in 2023, I can't help but feel a bit apprehensive. What are the chances the same won't happen to Julien?
Many might say, "There's no evidence that Julien will slump". Well, was there for Miranda? When you compare some of Miranda’s expected numbers with the actual ones during 2022, you find out that the gap between them wasn’t large. I’m not at all an advanced stats specialist, but I assume such a small gap didn’t point out the kind of regression he had in 2023.

Expected stats aren’t meant to be predictive, but if there's a significant gap between a player's expected stats and their traditional stats, regression to the mean should be considered. Since Miranda’s gap wasn’t significant — nor his sample size —, his regression in 2023 is hard to understand.
Was his 2022, both at the majors and Triple-A, a mere fluke?
Miranda’s case is perplexing, and we might get some more definitive answers in 2024. But with his case in mind, I come back to Julien. Say you’re Derek Falvey, and you could go 12 months back in time from today, knowing everything that would happen this year. Would you have considered trading Miranda in December of 2022? If you answer yes, given how you know he’ll regress in the following season, then considering a trade involving Julien right now isn’t the craziest of ideas.
I must remind you about what I wrote in the first paragraph and repeat it: I would not trade Julien right now. Just like I wouldn’t trade Miranda — I still hope he can bounce back. To be fair, Julien’s rookie season was better than Miranda’s, as you can you on the charts below. But even though I wouldn’t personally do it, I must admit: it’s tempting. His trade value is at its peak right now. Provided the Twins would get a haul in exchange for him, I’d be okay with it.

And a potential Miranda bounceback is actually a big part of why trading Julien wouldn’t be the end of the world. If Miranda can figure it out and handle third base on a daily basis, you can simply move Royce Lewis to second. Sign, say, Mitch Garver to be your everyday first baseman, and use Julien and Jorge Polanco as trade pieces to bring in more pitching help. There you have it.
Not knowing if Miranda is, in fact, going to bounce back next year shouldn’t stop you from trading Julien in this scenario. After all, you do have Lewis at third at this moment and wouldn’t need Miranda to step in over there right away. But that would make trading Polanco a considerable risk.
Anyway, I, personally, wouldn’t trade Julien, but I understand why anyone would, and I don’t judge. If Julien’s rookie season wasn’t a fluke, the Twins might have in him a tremendous bat for a decade. And if Miranda can figure things out, this Twins lineup can become a serious threat.
What do you think? Would you trade Julien right now? If so, what kind of return would you expect?
 

jharaldson's blog got me thinking & instead of discussing it on his blog, I was afraid we'd get off-topic so I opened a new one.
1st we have to look at the older fan which makes up a good portion of the total of fans, that would get lost streaming , So cable would make more sense, going back to Midwest Sport Channel or Fox. But cable is more expensive & we have to make Twins games more accessible. The older fans are less active so cable works but more active younger fans needs apps on their phones & something cheaper than cable. If I could buy cable the main reason is to watch the Twins but in Brazil, Twins games are absolutely not an option on cable.
Ownership needs to know that the Twins fanbase is dying out. How? #1 Twins fans are literally dying  #2 Tickets are too high for most fans #3 Twin games assessibity is very limited, #4 Twins are not as competitive as they should be, so they aren't attracting new fans, #5 as a State we are losing that family/ baseball connection on all levels.
Now with some Twins success IMO we have gained some new fans so how do we maintain them & further grow the fanbase? Creating new clean city uniforms won't do it (not that it hurts), Getting back to to main idea of making the Twins games accessible we need a combination of cable & streaming. We can be creative about this & be much more conservative with the blackouts, So even people in Brazil can watch them. Reducing the ticket prices, will attract more people along withsome of  my other suggestions. All with the goal of maxing the attendance, maxing the attendance elevates the teams moral, elevating the moral, team wins more games, win more games you increase attendance. As you can see it can produce a snowball affect. So reducing ticket prices can actually make ownership more money. Not including the extra $ from merchandizing & concessions
We must have a more competive team. That means aborting the "Plan" of drafting, signing & hoarding big bats while ignoring the rest like defense & details of small ball. FO has made good steps in upgrading premium positions of SS, CF & SPs; becoming more open to good trading opportunities instead of ignoring them.  Even trying to encourage base stealing & taking the extra base. The other premium position catcher, they got Vazquez which vastly improved the catching (which elevated it to upper mediocre) & pitching. Other than this the catching position has been completely ignored, never drafting any upper level prospects. The ranking of our catching prospects now are super low. When we lose Vazquez, the level of our catching will greatly decrease with no hope in view. We must start to focus on upgrading our catching by obtaining very good/ elite potential MLB ready & soon to be prospects. Pitching we need to at least maintain what we had. FO can't rest on their laurels & let things slide or we'll lose all the new fans that we gained.
We need to encourage & invest in the family/ baseball connection on the State level. By putting baseball in the hearts of families & individuals it's easy to be become Twins fans while improves the community, encourage young people to play baseball & could provide a better avenue of life to some kids.
Those are some that I can think of on top of my head. Maybe you have others because baseball should be important to all of us.

This offseason there is little heavy lifting to do to improve our team.  The main move needed is to find a starting pitcher who can come somewhat close to replacing what Sonny Gray provided the Twins last season.  beyond that we are looking for a backup CF and keep in mind we have several available in-house options too like Castro, Gordon, and Austin Martin.  and either an upgrade at 1B or someone who can add to it.  Keep in mind we have a supposedly now healthy Killeroff and Miranda who both dealt with injuries last year.  And if we want to get really nitpicky, we can look to sign a castoff reliever who we think we can turn around here like so many others.  Also, I wonder if the Twins can sign DeLeon back to a 2-year minor-league contract so he can be a 2-time cast off turn around project when he recovers from Tommy John again.  So that should constitute our offseason in a nutshell.
So why should we be cool with the offseason so far?  I mean we lost 2 good starting pitchers and a reliever too.  We did gain an extra draft pick out of the deal.  So, there is that.  Maybe it's because Falvine signed Paddack to that 3-year extension for just over 12 million while he was injured and also note that during the last 2 seasons, they actually acquired too many starting pitchers.  Creating a logjam that was fixed by 2 of them going on the disabled list for most of last year.  Both Paddack and Mahle missed most of the season, yet we still had 5 good starters all season long.  and looking forward in 2024 we have:
2024 Starting Pitchers and depth:
1.  Lopez
2.  Ryan
3.  Ober
4.  Paddack
5.  Varland
6+.  Festa, SWR, and Dobnak and maybe Canterino though I expect him in the pen.  
So, if we want to be like last season, we want to get one more major-league starter who can push most of the rotation down a peg to give the rotation lots of depth and talent going into next season.  Here is where things get really fun.  all 5 of these starters are under contract or control for extended time.  Paddack can't be a free agent until 2026 and Ryan, Ober, and Lopez in 2028 offseason.  Varland is 2030.  but wait there is more.  Next offseason our depth is expected to grow internally exponentially as many pitchers will be closer to being ready for the 2025 season.  This gives us lots of depth to even be able to trade from except with the rotation depth locked in and the position player side looks pretty good too.  we may only be able to trade for more prospects to cover as this new version of the team gets more expensive.  
2025 starting rotation and depth
1.  Lopez
2.  Ryan
3.  Ober
4.  Paddack
5.  Varland
6+ Festa, SWR, Lewis, Raya, (CJ Culpepper and Zabby Mathews should be ready by mid 2025)  Preliepp could surprise and be ready by mid 2025 too.  
2026 Rotation and starting depth.
1.  Lopez
2.  Ryan
3.  Ober
4.  Varland
5.  finally someone from all that depth makes it up to the rotation.  
and also the 2027 rotation ....... (this may sound kinda familiar)...
1.  Lopez
2.  Ryan
3.  Ober
4.  Varland
5.  finally someone from all that depth makes it up to the rotation.  
And while I do expect injury and trades to change things.  That is why I list multiple pitchers for the 6th+ spot in the rotation.  The rotation looks pretty well set for now and in the future.  for now, to really give us depth, we just need to get a starting pitcher for 1 season while all of those other pitchers develop and pitchers like Varland, SWR and Festa start to get more time and experience in the show to be fully prepared to move in. 
On the position player side of things looks similar too with so few positions needing players for a while.  Expect many boring offseason ahead wondering which bench/ minor league and scrub bullpen signings we have to help raise the floor on the last spot or two on the bench or bullpen.  

so Ohtani looks to be signing with Toronto very shortly. in part because he values his privacy.  WHat better way to live a private lifestyle than with the Twins?!?!?  hehe
Twins should do a last minute 10yr $625M offer.
 
1) We offer the privacy he may desire.
2) With the MSP airport we would have a major INTL airport with all of the direct flights back home he could want.
But wait... He also wants to win!!
1) well if he is onboard this team, we would be AL Central contenders/Champs almost annually.
2) when looking at contending you not only have to look at current roster, but also future roster. and while we may not have a Vlad Guerrero Jr, or a Bo Bichette,  we do have Carlos Correa (yeah yeah yeah I know a number of you will trash him, but he has proven a top SS, and a playoff stud). we have a strong current and future rotation he could slide into next year  and we have a slew of young players who are just opening their own winning window in Royce Lewis, Julien, Wallner, Jeffers.... We have Byron Buxton, who is a true wildcard, COULD be a nothing burger, but also could be an MVP candidate... at this point even I have to admit better chances of the nothing burger.  BUT we have a number of quality young players 1-2 years away as well to hopefully extend window  ( OF COURSE this will be different than the Buxton/Sano window!!!  LOL)
3) Basically we have a good to strong rotation, that will only improve when Shohei joins.  we have a good nucleus of position players from which to build and a strong group of prospects who will be arriving on an almost annual basis over the next few years.
 
 
But we cant afford him!!! the TV contract!!
 I will not go not the whole details like I had previously about how we are actually one of the few teams who actually CAN afford him, btu will just go cliff notes version.
1) the massive spike of season tickets, and single game tickets will offset at least half of his contract.
2) Having Shohei on this team would actually allow us to command significantly higher new TV deal than without him, This difference could easily result in offsetting 25-50% of his annual salary.
3) this does not even take into consideration the spike in revenue from concessions, from away game attendance which will spike, and opening up a whole country worht of advertising rights,  These alone could completely offest the cost of Ohtani.
4) We have already shaved off $35M+ with no longer having Sonny Gray, Maeda, Gallo, Mahle.  Should we need, even if having to add prospects to move Vazquez or get nothing in return, that is another $10M.  and if we do end up moving Kepler and/or Polanco, then that is another potential  $20M shed  These moves alone cover the cost of Ohtani as well. Taylor's $4.6M being gone brings it to nearly $70M shed.
5) we have cheap replacements for almost EVERY positional loss.  Kepler = Wallner, Polanco = Julien,  Taylor = Buxton (if he can actually play ANY CF) plus Austin Martin, also have Castro & Gordon.  Sonny Gray = Louis Varland... OK OK maybe we say Maeda - Louis Varland and while still possible downgrade, he would be serviceable #5.  Sonny Gray would actually be more like Ohtani being that replacement (albeit NEXT year)
Positional Fit with Buxton as possible DH?
1) if... IF Buxton can play CF that solves that issue, .. and really anyoen who says  "well yeah but where would we put him!?"  well, Ill just say no comment.
2) if Buxton CANT go in the OF, then since Ohtani would not be pitching this year, he could easily handle 1B which would be a massive upgrade over Kirilloff/Miranda. or even OF.. he is such an "athlete" it shouldn't be a big deal taking on 1B or a corner OF spot... heck could HE be the CF protection for Buxton???
 
SO again, even if he was NOT on the verge of signing with Toronto,  I of course do not believe this would ACTUALLY happen.  I just want everyone to know it is not because  "we cant afford him"  or any "woe is me" Twins Front Office mumbo jumbo.  it is becasue it is a CHOICE!  we have CHOSEN not to go after him.
Yes he COULD fit financially very easily!!
Yes he DOES fit our positional/roster needs
Yes he/we WOULD win consistently with him on this roster
Yes it WOULD have been fun as heck to have him on this team and see/feel all the buzz and excitement surrounding this club.
and finally...
Yes I know there is no point to this post because it was and will never happen, but still fun to think "what if".   hehe
 
 

Alright folks listen up I have some thoughts I want to get off my chest and I'm digging deeper then a home run hit by the REAL TC Bear at the Metrodome so buckle up.  In this essay, I will explore and evaluate Carlos Correa's performance as assistant general manager, 2 years in.
On January 11th 2023 a day that will live in infamy Carlos Correa who was turned down because of medicals by the giants and Mets came crawling back to Minnesota because no one else would take him and he got 200 million buckaroos to boot.  And that fateful day he was dubbed "assistant general manager of the Minnesota Twins" by Thad Levine and Scott Boris.  Miriam Webster defines assistant as "a person who assists someone" general as "not confined by specialization or careful limitation" and manager as "a person who conducts business or household affairs" so that means Correa is someone who assists the business of the Twins that is not confined by specialization.
Now I have a gripe to pick with that definition as Correa is confined by specialization he's just a defensive specialist stop me if you heard this before but he's just another Mark Belanger in the field and he shouldn't hit higher then seventh.  But I suppose that's besides the point because these days there changing grammar rules to fit what people are more comfortable with.  Just the other year the Associated Press (whom I would never want to associate with) said that "less" and "fewer" are interchangeable now. Folks,, that's fewer then ideal if you ask me.  Fewer refers to quantifiable entities but less refers to things you can't "count."  Theres less sand on the beach but fewer grains of sand I'll just leave it at that if you catch my drift.
But I digress.  With Correa's new title as assistant general manager (abbreviated to AGM henceforth) comes responsibility.  Just like Uncle Ben told Luke Skywalker, with Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.  So where is his assistant general manager responsibility when cheap pohlad issues a edict from on high that the Twins are cutting payroll.  The pocket protectors at the Athletic reported that it could be as low as 125 million but with how buddy-buddy those clowns are with the owners, I would guess it will be closer to 115 DESPITE the taxpayer funded stadium.
If Carlos Correa is really the AGM, why hasn't he stepped up to the plate and forced cheap pohlad to recant his ways?  A true leader would walk right up to that man and demand a bigger payroll, even if that meant he got cut and didn't get his 30 million dollars a year.  It's called integrity.  My first job I walked into the managers office and said "sir I would like a job" and look at me now I'm the floor supervisor.  It's called initiative.  cheap pohlad might even like his gumption.  The Twins are paying Correa enough that he shouldn't be afraid to step up and do the right thing but I guess that's just how baseballer are raised these days when they don't live in fear of Bob Gibson or Christy Mathewson or Eddie Cicotte putting one in there earhole.
Speaking of doing the right thing, the Twins never bunt except for scrappy infielder Jorge Polanco and my favorite player Michael A. Taylor who sneakily plays the game the right way.  Why hasn't Correa sat Baldelli (the "field manager") and told him "No Rocco, we're playing smallball now.  Its not 2019 anymore.  If it was good enough for the 1927 Yankees than why isn't it good enough for the 2024 Twins."  As AGM, he is Rocco's boss.  He's a puppet for the front office anyway and that includes Carlos.
And another thing, speaking about bunting.  How come bunting is only placed around the stadiums after the fourth of July (Independence Day).  I really like those little half-circle flags.  They really tie the field together and it reminds us of the greatest country God ever invented where we play the greatest Sport He ever invented,  It's like how there's no jobs for pumping gas anymore.  We just take things away that are useful and good to streamline the process, which is probably why Driveline is personally snipping 14 year olds' UCLs so they have to get Tommy John surgery.
Anyway, I want to point out some hypocrisy from our friend Carlos.  He exerted his influence to make signings like his old Astros friend Christian Vazquez and also Dallas Keuchel.  But he's refusing to put his foot down and challenge cheap pohald on one little thing?  And don't come at me siting things like "The Ballys's Situation" because that's a load of hogwash.  If Derek and Thad "the smartest guys in the room" couldn't see this whole thing come crashing down then why are they paid for?  But of course the whole Ballys's situation blew up in everyone's faces and now we have half the screen taken up by bally betting lines (there a gambling company like the Bellagio).  But of course you can gamble during the baseball game from your smart TV but Pete Rose, an upstanding public figure, bet on some games that he had control over and made in-game decisions based on whether or not he bet on that game and now he can't get into the Hall of Fame?  What a joke.
Speaking of fairness and equality, [Hi, this is Greggory's wife, Earnestine.  I have been editting this post and fixing type-os for Greggory, but I'm making the executive decisions to omit this paragraph.  While his head was in the right place, Greggory's calls to rename singles to "gentleman singles" and walks to "lady singles" in an effort to promote gender equality probably didn't come off in the right way.]
And so that brings me to my next point.  Carlos Correa needs to also reconsider the money he's making.  Instead of trading a team legend like all-American boy Max Kepler (who I would let date my daughter) to shave salary, maybe Carlos could consider a paycut.  Based on Fan Graphs WAR he was only worth about 15 million dollars which is a kings ransom for Buxton but okay for Correa, so maybe he should except the paycut down to 15 million.  IF he's as committed to winning as he said then maybe he's willing to do so.  It's what leaders do.  Or maybe he could restructure his contract a la Kurt Cousins.
I once had a offer to double my salary and jump over to the meat packing plant but I know the value of loyalty and look at me now I'm the floor supervisor.  So that's what's got this on my mind like a Sheboygan sausage, which reminds me whatever happened to the Hormel W***** Winner Row?  I never got one but I always wanted a free DomeDog.
This winter, if Carlos Correa wants to prove that he has earned the title of AGM, well then it's time to start putting the money where his mouth is.  It's just sad to watch this childrens' game become a big money grab for everyone involved.  Sure, back in the day you had your Chick Gandils and Billy Mahargs, but they were the exception not the rules.  Owners used to be willing to spend on their teams.  Remember the time that Tommy Lasorda beat up the San Diego Chicken?  But the game we used to love is now dominated by launch velocity and exit angle and seam shifted wake and they don't give away physical ticket stubs either.  I can only add it to my Apple Wallet which is the only billfold you can't put in your back pocket or else it will break.
Everything is just too streamlined and money focused these days which is probably why downtowns don't decorate for Christmas anymore.  I miss seeing wreaths and tinsel and statues of Santa now the only place I can go to get that ambiance is the hellhole that is Duluth, MN.  But even Duluth makes they're downtown look like that all year.  It's like they waited for Bing Crosby's song Winter Wonderland to hit the public domain then made a town around it.  just another sign of the corporatization of middle America.  Speaking of winters in Minnesota why didn't they build a roof on Target Field? Probably never expected to have a playoff game in October which is why cheap pohlad only invests enough to pretend to compete like signing Carlos Correa when they could have signed 42 minimum-salary players for the same money.  And don't even start with me about how having a roof on Target Field would mean fans can't see the Minnesota skyline because let me tell you about downtown Minnesota. Ever since [Earnestine again; we are going to skip this part].
Which brings me to my final point and thesis.  I think that the Twins rolled out the red carpet for Correa and he didn't deserve it.  Beyond the salary, he also got "Star Wars Night" instituted and I'm here to say that he's not even a real nerd because Kylo Ren and the Sequel Series are NOT cannon.  I consider myself more of a Trekkie myself they really have some good messages about inclusivity unlike Star Wars which is all about space wizards for children committing terrorism against the state.  But Correa has probably never even read Asimov or knows the rules to robots.
So the Twins did all that work to bring him in and the fans have nothing to show for it.  Just another Hershel Walker trade and Parise and Suter.  When will he earn his salary and demand cheap pohlad invest in this team?  Probably never.  Instead they'll probably trade all there good players for prospects who will just be traded again once there good.  And speaking of good I have one last thought.  I really miss seeing Mary Tyler Moore on the tube. She was a real fox and they don't make women like that [except for my loving wife Earnestine].  It's just frustrating that people these days don't value the same things anymore.  It says a lot about the state of our country, if you ask me.

As we end 2023, the Twins find themselves at a crossroads regarding local TV revenue.  They have no current plan to replace the $55 million that BSN paid them last year.  This is leading to an expected drop in payroll as revealed by management at an end of year press gathering.  Where we go from here is an open question.  Will the Twins play it safe, let the MLB handle for them, or do something truly innovative and adventurous?  To figure this out we need to look at the options and the money behind each.

1.    Play it Safe – The option that has been coming up in recent conversations is the Twins cutting a 1 year deal with BSN to play out the string and see what happens next year.  The Twins received roughly $55 million last year from BSN but I would anticipate with Diamond Sports going through a bankruptcy and the Twins wanting a 1 year deal that all the leverage with this would be with BSN.  I would guess a reduction to $40-45 million with the Twins sweating it out every month to see if BSN actually pays or not.  In addition, the Twins weren’t willing to give BSN streaming rights last year so I would doubt they would give them out this year so continued blackouts are possible for folks not on specific cable systems.  
Upfront Cost - $0
Likely income 2024 - $40-45 million.  
Income beyond - $0.
2.    MLB – MLB broadcast the Padres last year after Diamond Sports backed out midseason and paid 80% of the rights fee which mitigated a total financial disaster but as we go into 2024 MLB will not be in the mood to cover costs for known issues like the Twins and Padres having open rights deals.  In this situation I can see the MLB partnering with the Twins to ensure they have a cable channel, they have adequate production support, and that they have access to MLB.tv tech.  With this move the Twins can make money off of in game advertising which was $40K a game in 2004 but the Twins thought they could increase that and with inflation would be closer $80-100K a game for a potential total of $16 Million.  Ad to that a guess of 50,000 people/bars/businesses able to pay $200 a year for a stream of the Twins and that is another $10 million.
Upfront Cost - $0
Likely income 2024 - $26 million 
Income beyond - $30 million+
3.    Buy BSN– The Twins are in a unique position where they have the option of buying a channel with a well known location to fans, that has content deals with other local teams, and has broadcast facilities for their various pre and post game shows.  BSN will limp along into 2024 but once Twins games start there were provisions in 2004 to cut the subscriber rate by 33% and I would anticipate since the Victory Sports debacle that the cut rate has only gone up.  The NBA has made a deal in bankruptcy proceedings with Bally that all deals are up after this year so once June of 2024 they basically are Wild Sports North.  I would anticipate that 1.3 million homes they have access to with the $3.07 a month they get from each home would be cut in half on MLB Opening Day and by 75% on NBA Opening day before the channel is worthless.  The Twins are at a point where they can make a capital purchase of this asset for something like the $15-20 million range.  Twins then have access to the $50 million in subscriber fees and can work to increase that without the baggage that Diamond Sports brought.  They have the Ad revenue above of $16 million a year I detailed above.  They can still offer some streaming but since it is staying on cable we are looking at only half of the estimate above ($5 million).  
Upfront Cost - $20 million
Likely Income 2024 - $71 Million  
Income beyond - $75 million+
I would prefer to have an established storefront that people know and trust, especially when so many of my customers are elderly.  This plan would keep the channel id and allow for some semblance of a planned transition on-air.  Capital costs can be depreciated over time and with the immediate return looking like over $70 million I would personally take the risk, buy the station, and become the “Midwest Sports Channel” again.  Will the Twins take a $20M gamble this offseason or will they fade back and let the MLB and other more aggressive teams take the lead?

One of the more surefire ways for know-nothing schmucks like myself to gain insight into the world of MLB is to examine market trends. The unprecedented money spent on relievers in recent years indicates the growing importance that front offices are placing on bullpens. Stars such as Xander Bogaerts, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper have recently received contracts that will overlap with their AARP benefits - evidence of a new emphasis on skirting the annual luxury tax brackets.
Now, in the early days of the offseason, attentive Twins fans may be noticing a new trend: Their exes have been very popular.
Their ex-pitchers in particular have garnered a lot of attention. The flurry of moves began in Detroit, where the Tigers agreed to a 2-year contract with the effective but oft-MIA Kenta Maeda. Before Twins fans could catch their breath, their 2023 team MVP Sonny Gray had found a new home in St. Louis. Then, in the most surprising transaction of the bunch, Emilio Pagan secured a 2-year, $16 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds.
Yes, that Emilio Pagan! The man that was universally derided in Twins Territory as recently as April of this year will now spend the next two seasons making a dollar for every groan he elicited out of fans during his time in Minnesota. His $8 million salary for next season is currently tied for 12th among MLB relievers, 
So if market trends are supposed to reveal hints to the baseball audience, what does this rapid-fire raid on ex-Twins pitchers tell us? Perhaps it’s a coincidence, or these gentlemen were simply excited to escape another brutal Minnesota winter… Or perhaps other MLB brain trusts have noticed something that just a decade ago would have seemed impossible: The Twins seem to know what they’re doing when it comes to pitching.
Now cynics could argue the exact opposite; if teams are rushing to pick up pitchers after they leave the Twins, couldn’t that mean they’re confident they can make them better than they did? But consider the three specific cases we have seen this offseason.
Kenta Maeda joined the Twins after four solid seasons with the Dodgers. In LA’s formidable teams of those years, he often found himself towards the bottom of the rotation, and even accepted demotions to the bullpen during the team’s playoff runs. 
Though his overall numbers during his time in Minnesota depict him as the same #3 or 4 starter he was in LA (52 GS, 4.02 ERA, 106 ERA+), they are altered by two stretches in which he pitched through significant injuries. Thus, those numbers don’t reveal the new heights the Twins helped Maeda reach; he finished 2nd in Cy Young voting during the shortened 2020 season, and after battling injury issues early in 2023, he enjoyed a second half in which he put up a 3.79 ERA with a splendid 82 Ks in 71 ⅓ IP. Now, the Tigers are clearly believing in Maeda’s better days as a Twin, slotting him into the middle of their rotation as they push toward competing for the AL Central.
Gray had a longer and more illustrious track record when the Twins acquired him, which is why he commanded their 1st round draft pick Chase Petty in trade. However, he was able to make himself an even wealthier man in St. Louis thanks in large part to the extra gear he found with the Twins this past season. Riding a revamped and reshaped sweeper, the 33-year-old finished 2nd in Cy Young voting - the highest of his career - and was the veteran leader of one of the best rotations in the league. He will be the undisputed #1 of the Cardinals staff, a vote of confidence from St. Louis’ front office in Gray’s fantastic Twins tenure.
Compared to Maeda and Gray, Pagan joined the Twins with more significant question marks. He had stretches of success under his belt, most notably in Tampa Bay (2.31 ERA in 70 IP). He was also made expendable by the Padres after back to back seasons with an ERA over 4.50. Before long, those question marks turned to angry exclamation points, as Pagan blew 7 of 16 save opportunities in an infuriating 2022 season for the Twins.
Though many considered his Twins debut season worthy of a swift release from the squad, Pagan entered 2023 in the team’s bullpen, albeit lower on the totem pole. He, like the team, rebounded in a big way. He pitched to a 2.99 ERA and continued to display his underrated durability by posting 69.1 IP. Though he deserves the majority of credit for his persistence and fortitude, Pagan was aided both by the Twins’ belief in him as well as their guidance in making his pitch mix more effective. He’ll reap the hefty rewards in Cincinnati over the next two years. 
It’s undeniable that all three of these pitchers improved during their time with the Twins. For Maeda and Gray the improvements were modest but important; Pagan’s 2023 season may have saved his career. After their Twins tenure was finished, all three entered a free agent market full of teams anxious and unafraid to compete for their signatures. Other signs exist of the Twins growing reputation as a top pitching organization, such as pitching coach Wes Johnson being poached midseason in 2022 and the consistent flow of unheralded prospects becoming solid big-league arms. Ultimately though, rival front offices typically have the most accurate and detailed view of the Twins operation; if they’re not scared to invest in the team’s pitching operation, perhaps the fans don’t have to be either.
 

Seattle just traded their 3B to AZ for a back up C and pitching prospect.  They were looking for a second base upgrade before but this makes it even more important for them to trade a starting Pitcher to Minnesota for a package around Polanco.  The pitcher acquired may not replace the starter we acquire but will help give them more depth.  
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/dbacks-trade-seby-zavala-mariners-catcher.html
A deal with trader Dipoto in Seattle will get done.

First, I congratulate Sonny Gray for coming in 2nd in the CY & thank you for what you accomplished as a Twin. As expected Gray turned down the Twins QO. In this thread I like to show how  Gray should appreciate the Twins.
Below is a '21 comparison between Gray & Mahle before the '22 offseason
 
Name G GS W L PCT ERA SV IP H ER R HR BB SO                               Sonny Gray 26 26 7 9 .438 4.19 0 135.1 115 63 67 19 50 155                               Tyler Mahle 33 33 13 6 .684 3.75 0 180.0 158 75 78 24 64 210 Here we see that Mahle was a better pitcher than Gray going into the '22 off season. Better record, better ERA & pitched more innings.
In the 1st half of the '22 season, Gray pitched 63 innings & Mahle pitched 96 innings. The Reds pushed Mahle & his arm fell off (figuratively speaking) when the Twins got him.
Let's supposed that roles were switched that Mahle was traded in the offseason to the Twins & Sonny stayed with Reds to be traded at the deadline. With the Reds wanting to showcase Gray they'd (with Gray's blessing) over-stretch him like Mahle. I'd imagine that Gray's arm would also fall off & prematurely ruin his chances to have anything to show coming into free agency, let alone 2nd in the CY. It'd be very hard to forecast what Mahle could have accomplished if he was properly managed by the Twins if he was traded in the off season. But he could have been just as good.
So Gray has a lot to thank the Twins for properly managing him against his stern grievances. And how grateful do you think Sonny should be?

Introduction of the series here
Part 2: 1961-1962 Offseason MLB expansion here
In the 1962 regular season, the Minnesota Twins showcased their talent with players like Harmon Killebrew, Jack Kralick, and Don Lee earning All-Star nods. With a 45-40 record, they stood in 4th place at the All-Star break. A notable trade saw Lenny Green moved to the St. Louis Cardinals, paving the way for the rising star Tony Oliva. However, their playoff hopes dimmed by September 20, finishing tied for 3rd with the New York Yankees at 90 wins. The Red Sox represented the AL, while the San Francisco Giants emerged as NL champions.
During the offseason, Pedro Ramos and Harmon Killebrew originated the "Get to Know 'Em" campaign because Metropolitan Stadium is hovering around 55% of its capacity...

The Houston Colt .45s, led by @USAFChiefin his first season of ownership, struggled as expected for an expansion team, losing 113 games. Despite the challenges, they had the promising 18-year-old outfielder Rusty Staub as a building block for the future. The Chicago White Sox experienced a significant downturn, going from 102 wins in 1961 to 65 wins in 1962.
The San Francisco Giants, boasting players like Willie McCovey and Willie Mays, dominated the 1962 season, earning the World Series title by defeating the New York Yankees in a 4-1 series. Willie McCovey is also this series' 1st Triple Crown winner for batting! 

In the 1962-63 offseason, individual accolades came as Zoilo Versalles won a gold glove at shortstop, and Harmon Killebrew and Bob Allison secured silver slugger awards. A major trade involved sending Bernie Allen to the Milwaukee Braves for Frank Bolling and Sandy Alomar. The Twins made no notable free agent signings. Even with the lack of activity, the team was predicted to perform very well in the upcoming season.

The 1963 season was marked by a close pennant race with the Twins, Yankees, and White Sox.

Despite a strong showing, the Twins were eliminated on the 161st game of the regular season. Pascual led MLB in pitching wins with 20, and Killebrew topped the charts in home runs with 42. The Los Angeles Dodgers, led by Sandy Koufax, won the World Series against the New York Yankees.

In the 1963-64 offseason, Gold Gloves were awarded to Earl Battey and Zoilo Versalles, while Battey, Rich Rollins, and Bob Allison earned Silver Slugger Awards. The Twins signed 18-year-olds Dave Boswell and Reggie Smith. A major trade with the Baltimore Orioles brought Jackie Brandt to the Twins.

The 1964 season was a year made for the cinema theatres! 
The Twins are 52-29 and in 2nd place in the AL at the All-Star break. 1.5 games back from the New York Yankees, It was another star studded affair for the Twins, with 7 All-Stars named.  21 year old RP Pete Magrini, C Earl Battey, 1B Don Mincher, 2B Rich Rollins, 3B Harmon Killebrew, LF Bob Allison, and RF Tony Oliva were named to the All Star team.    The Twins are in a 3 way tie with the Yankees and Tigers at the trade deadline with a 64-39 record. At the deadline, the Twins traded SP Pedro Ramos to the Los Angeles Dodgers for RP Ron Perranoski. While Ramos had a 2.81 ERA in 94 innings prior to the deadline, the underlying numbers were not promising, and 25 year old Phil Niekro was ready to make the transition from reliever to the starting rotation.    It was a 3 team race starting in September between the Twins, Yankees, and Tigers.     With 2 games left in the season, it was still anyone's chance to win the division. The Twins and Yankees played in a 1 game take all series to represent the AL in the World Series. Game 163 was dictated by both catchers throughout the game. Earl Battey came through with the walk off hit in the 12th inning. 
 
The Twins faced a powerhouse 107 win LA Dodgers team led by Triple Crown winning SP Sandy Koufax. The Twins won the series 4-2 for their first title since relocating to Bloomington, MN!