D. Hocking

I do remember that - it was fantastic moment of cluelessness combined with arrogance if I remember correctly and luckily in the day of youtube -- here it is (2009 seems like a long time ago): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUtG-fXfKnI

That is because the Twins do things the right way (except for not knowing the number of outs).

I am so glad I did not have to deal with social media as a kid and entertainment on the computer consisted of playing Oregon Trail. I remember people passing paper around where you would grade what you thought of classmates. This paper would circulate to everyone, so people who were not popular would see that they were graded with a bunch of Cs, Ds, and Fs. I can only imagine what kids have managed to do via twitter, snap-chat, facebook (although I think they have moved on from FB) etc Not to mention worrying if you did not have enough followers or "friends".

I predict in about six years, the team will sign ex-Twin Nishi to be an experienced SS veteran to help this young emerging star to make the majors. (The Nishi experience now almost has a surreal feel to it where you look back to that time and say - that did not actually happen did it?)

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

The Strib also had a similar article -- but for once was smart enough to avoid the comments (which I should probably do for any article on the strib). I am sure they were well-reasoned, balanced, and rational and prompting some thoughtful, complex debate. This board is actually fairly balanced when it comes to Mauer. It is possible that he is just breaking down, but I would have to think that with being a year further removed from the concussion, a year removed from a position change, not worrying about the home all-star game, he is a good candidate for at least a partial rebound. Then at the end of the year, Souhan can write an article about how Torii helped him.

The game threads are solemn,reverential and very focused on the game. I have learned a lot from reading the game threads - they are a wealth of useful information.

I am hoping Torii at least lets Buxton talk to Molitor while he is there. While Paul is no Torii Hunter, he might have something to offer.

I think it is pretty clear #7 will be retired, but not because of Mauer.http://www.macmaroon.com/baseball/mlb/hocking_denny.jpg

This has been said on other threads, but it is nice to see people disagree about something without it descending into complete vitriol. I am not sure this conversation would go as well on some other boards (and in general this board is probably above average in keeping various debates respectful). Normally, I would say this is probably partially due to the wisdom and maturity of the moderators....

I think if things are going well or at the very least there is some good momentum and it looks like things are turning around, Torii can be an extra spark to help things go to the next level. If things are not going well, or if Torii is not happy, I think he can be moody enough where he can bring things down to a lower level. If I remember correctly, when he was not happy in 2007, he was not exactly a positive to the locker room. That being said, if things are going down, does it really matter if an unhappy Hunter sinks things a bit lower - and maybe it is worth the gamble that he can help invigorate the club house. I was not exactly thrilled about bringing him back, and I do think a lot of Torii is about Torii, but after hearing some of his recent interviews, I do think he is sincere about wanting to come back here and I think he would like to have a legacy as being a mentor to the next batch of stars. I am hoping the media does not go completely overboard on the lovefest though and overanalyze or over praise everything he says. I do think the media tends to give him a little extra love because he gives them the quotes they want. The steroid comment/ribbing is one done by any teammate from high school on up when someone on the team has put on some new muscle - if someone else would have said it, I am not sure Reusse would have even paid attention. The season has not started yet, and the deal is done, so I might as well be optimistic that he is going to add some energy to the clubhouse, be a good influence to the youngsters, and have a good bat and some adequate defense. Nothing will please me more at being wrong at not wanting him back when it was originally being discussed. Hell - I will buy everyone a round if he is the team MVP.

I predict there is a good chance either Hunter or Nolaso will also get the media good guy award - one of them having a slightly stronger chance than the other. I am going to go with Dozier and Hughes - although hope it is Mauer, because it will show last year more as an aberration. Hopefully both Mauer and Dozier will have strong years and make the MVP be a real contest. Same with Hughes and Gibson for pitching.

You forgot the most unthinkable, horrible change if he had gone this route ---- Twins Daily would never have been created. I am not sure it would be a world worth living. http://www.semissourian.com/photos/13/66/99/1366991-L.jpg

His year at first base was also decidedly below his own career average. Hopefully the numbers will better this year. If not, and last year was his new norm, - then we might have a problem...

I have also heard foul tip in the past. I thought it was an interesting twist that he was in a pitching duel for much of the game --- with Mauer as the other pitcher.

At the time people the memory of the four super bowls, the failed North Star Stanley Cup, and failed Presidential bids from Mondale and Humphrey that people were practically foaming at the thought of winning a championship. My sisters were just out of college and working downtown at the time and still look fondly back at the fun they had that fall. I have no problem believing that it was unnaturally loud -- but because of people's excitement being at an unnaturally high level and not due to technological help. Still it would be fun to see them replay it now -- but not sure the Twins would ever allow Hrbeck back on the field after the Turf incident of 2010.

There were will still be a few surprises, like the drama of Mauer missing game 5, not due to injury or health concerns, but due to being suspended for punching out Jim Souhan in a post-game interview.

A number of Mauer's injuries have also probably been related to crouching 5 to 6 times a week for six months of the year. It is possible some of his knee, back, mysterious surgery, etc. would not have occurred and he would have had a decent career. It is also possible he would have had a career ending injury in 2002 - we will never know. One thing that is too bad, is that you see kids doing multiple sports less and less. By the time they get in their early or mid teens, some are pressured to choose one, and then do special camps and extra seasons of that sport in the off-season. In order to be dedicated to that sport, they might feel pressured to give up another one they enjoy, not to mention devoting most of their summers and weekend tournaments at a pretty young age. Not much free time for these kids at any time of the year, plus it seems like other family activities end up having to be sacrificed for the hectic sports schedule. And I sound like the cranky 85 year old... (no offense to some of the more senior posters on this board).

It is all so obvious now. It is pretty clear Torii and the all star player in left field, Delmon Young, will both be sprinting directly for a ball and be so focused on the route - forget to call it and collide into each other. This will allow Ben Revere to get an in-park home run that ultimately wins the game for the NL and nets Ben the all-star MVP award. This is why the Diamondbacks will have home field advantage in the World Series, and have the potential to win with a walk-off in game 7. Torii's miscalculation in the all-star game contributes to why people are nervous when he plays the position in game 7, the first time playing the position for the Twins. The redemption of his World Series era by making the game-saving, series winning leap will add to many incredible moments of what will be one of the most talked about World Series in years - one that will eventually become legendary.

I heard him interviewed this morning. He has been working with Carew and has been talking and/or working with Bruno. He is going to head to Fort Meyers in a couple of weeks -- a quick detour to Disney World and then early start on spring training.

I have heard this from a few sources, that Sano is more outgoing and Buxton personality is more like Mauer's. I listed to Buxton's Twinsfest interview, and I noticed when they asked him who he interacted most or who helped him at spring training, he said Joe. Maybe a bit of a birds of a feather element there.

Reading articles like that makes you really want to cheer this kid on and hope he does succeeds. It was well written and fleshes him out a bit as a person. Hopefully he will improve the walk rate etc. I am wondering if he going to alter the sideburns at all. “He’s my new barber,” Twins first baseman [and buzz-cut wearer] Joe Mauer said. “My haircuts are pretty simple. But I know he’ll give me a good line in the back.”.

Is this the rally bunny from last year? - if so, not sure Trix is the way to go -- http://40.media.tumblr.com/195cb6a86ae114692b61d65263bf10a0/tumblr_n1z29sTcIx1rlb49io1_500.png and I suspect this one has gone stale by this point: http://sportzwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Z0021064.jpg

After being inspired by the Kare11 Twinsfest boy -- I am going to say yes. My Twins outlook has been changed by watching that video. I do think they have a chance of being 500 and in the off chance everything goes their way, to being better than that. I am not sure why -- possibly living in denial -- but I do think watching last season was not as painful as the previous couple. Something seemed different -- the momentum had subtly shifted and they are going to be on the rise. At this point in the year, might as well have some hope. I am guessing 75 to 80 wins and think there is some chance of being pleasantly surprised by something better.

The soul of the damned... (pic of fans at old Comiskey) [Picture of a soul of White Sox fan was too evil and hideous that the image kept coming up as not displayable]