NoCryingInBaseball

Nice game....saw some bright spots this afternoon.

Thanks Brock! Three strike outs by Santana after 2 innings, that's a nice start!

Hey....how do you start a game thread for today's game?

Something I haven't thought about much before the Spring Training began is what if Escobar outshines Santana at Short? He has made a fast start at the plate and already has a homerun. I have agreed with the commitment to keep Santana at Short, but if Hicks, Schafer, Robinson or Rosario are not preforming at the plate and Santana is showing similar stats as last season, wouldn’t his presence in the lineup be more valuable in Center?

I agree that Josh Willingham's "Your Love" (The Outfield) was by far my favorite, and Joe Mauer's was my least favorite.

Reading Tweets that Several subs in for Twins, including Sano, Buxton and Polanco.

Well...Hicks normally looks good during spring training.....

This line-up might be a good formula.

It's the old Mauer!!

Alright, a little BASEBALL with the Bean Town Boys!!!

Polanco hits a dinger!

Cool scene when Molly being interviewed by TV crew with headset on gives signs to coach in the middle of answering a question for Cory Provu.s

Little embarrassing having the Gophers leading the Twins....probably a result of that error from the no-name 2nd baseman. Buxton starts the Twins inning with a double!

It's baseball time again!!!!! It just started on TV with the radio guys doing the broadcast.

I have been reading about Sano's weight and it concerns me as well. Obviously Plouffe has 3rd base covered for now, but by the time Sano is ready for the big league he may not be the "flexible" enough for the range needed for infield hits between SS and 3rd or bunts. Since Mauer can's be traded until after 2018, maybe he should learn another position.

Toro is back? I'm holding out for the return of the Snapper Mow 'Em Down Inning. Oops....guess spell check didn't catch that!

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

Coming before Pitchers & Catchers really allows a close up of those that show up for the optional practices. Halsey was easy to find among the small group of spectators yesterday and he quickly pointed out who the various players were and who might be showing up. I realized that there are much better opportunities to be have real one-on-one meet-ups with the players. Most players will be there as early as next week, but many players are there now. It was pretty cold (got as low as the mid 30’s) out and that might have had something to do with it, but the 12-15 spectators get to mingle with players. There was no batting practice, but I watched the pitching of Michael Tonkin, Trevor May, Alex Meyer and Caleb Thielbar as they went through their sessions. Spectators have the opportunity to watch the pitches right behind the catcher, almost where the umpire would stand, which was a fascinating way of watching their respective pitches. Was about to ask for a photo with Meyers, but when Bob Sacramento stood next to him for his photo….well, the height difference was a little too dramatic for me. Some of the position players (Tori Hunter, Brian Dozier) would walk through our small group on their way to get dressed or to go on the field and interact with anyone present. Walking with Halsey on my way to the parking lot we passed Jose Berrios (Halsey told me that it was his first day in Ft Meyers) leaning up against a fence watching infielders doing some work. He appreciated when I complimented him in on his videos of his workouts he posted over the winter. Thanks Halsey for showing me around and pointing out Plouffe way off in the distance, I’ll join you again next week.

Just made arrangements to be at the practice fields of Hammond Stadium on Friday morning! Hope to join you guys....although I don't know who are Twins Daily regulars.

I like the categories and your lists Stringer, but I would add Buxton, probably to the last group that will have plenty of chance to impress.

I see that Reusse must have heard the same bantering from Hunter about Hicks because he tweeted: Patrick Reusse ‏@1500ESPN_Reusse Torii Hunter here working out for 2nd day. He's the Pied Piper for players -- including Aaron Hicks, who arrived today. I pointed to Hicks & made a gesture as to width of his shoulders. Torii went right to his man Puck's playbook for teammates & shouted: "Steroids! I'm turning him in." Hicks might as well get used to it. Agitation is going to make a comeback in Twins clubhouse this spring. Great stuff Halsey!

Great report Halsey!

Halsey, any more updates? Here in the North Country we are hungry for sightings, descriptions and stories about the pre-Spring Training happenings. Loved your reports last week, but it made me hungry for more….

By all means Halsey...Please keep posting the updates. Your observations are fun to read!

Seth, how many prospects came up in 2014?