Teflon

I agree. The best broadcasts from last year were when Perkins or Plouffe were in the booth with Morneau. It was more animated and jocular.

No. Byung-ho Park is still too fresh in our memories.

Does anybody know what Rules 1 through 4 are? Just curious.

I'm assuming this means the suddenly-progressive MLB has finally realized how despised and self-destructive the in-market blackout policies were and, as teams' current broadcast contracts end, will be requiring live in-market streaming over MLB.com in the new contracts. Not sure how long before this impacts all 30 MLB teams - but this could eventually be great news in Iowa where the Cubs, White Sox, Cardinals, Royals, Twins and Brewers are all blocked. It's mind-boggling that the MLB could have been so stupid about this for so long.

People that knew him in high school also said Joe was a real Cretin.

Are you using the historical transactions and lineups , Vanimal, or letting the game make the calls? I'd love for the Twins to have not pinched so many pennies in the late 70s and to have held on to Lyman Bostock instead of losing him as a free agent to the Angels. What could he have accomplished over a full Twins career if not tragically murdered at age 27?

Dick Bremer, like Herb Carneal, became a soundtrack to our spring and summer evenings. His departure has some of the same feeling as when Carson or Letterman signed off. You were so familiar with them - almost like someone in your family. I doubt the next Twins TV play-by-play choice will have that kind of run, especially as media continues to change. I seriously loved when MLB.com used to have the option to just pipe in the ballpark soundtrack without the announcers. There's more than enough graphics these days to keep up with all the details of the game.

I also read that the Twins have made a sponsorship deal to heavily feature the K-A-R-S Cars for Kids jingle between innings.

I share your sentiments about AJ in the booth. Not a fan of Wainwright, however. Maybe he'll grow on me as he gets more experience but I didn't think he was adding much and there was a lack of chemistry between him and AJ. Speaking of a 3-man booth, I really liked when the Twins did it this year with either Perkins & Morneau or Plouffe & Morneau joining Dick. Pairing the ex-teammates made everyone more candid. It was fun to hear Morneau loosen up a bit. I hope the Twins consider doing it more in 2024.

With the postseason losing streak at an end, Twins fans should be eager to try new food items since they no longer have to eat crow.

As of 9/25 the Twins have 222 home runs, only 2 behind the AL-leading Angels. It's conceivable that the Twins could end up leading the American League in long balls with no individual player reaching 25 home runs on the season. What a testament to this team's depth. Twelve players have reached double figure homerun totals with a distribution that looks like a sample for chart design: 23, 21, 20, 18, 17, 15, 14, 14, 12, 12, 11, 10. (RBIs are even more freaky: 65, 62, 52, 49, 48, 42, 42, 40, 39 ,38, 38, 35, 34, 34, 32)

"Pittaro has a chance to be the greatest second baseman who ever lived." –Sparky Anderson.

Thanks for the article, Brandon. MLB teams have access to such large amounts of information and video on prospects these days I feel it's much harder to whiff on picks than when they were just relying on written reports from regional scouts and cross-checkers. I also feel the rate at which prospects ascend can be inflated by the injury situation on the big league club or deflated by logjams at certain positions - so there's not alway consistent opportunities from year-to-year.

Royce Lewis has just joined Don Budge, Rod Laver, Stefi Graf, Mo Connelly and Margaret Court with four grand slams in a calendar year.

That Royce Lewis is quite good!!

We knew when he was drafted Royce had tools, but the amount of heart he's shown coming back from the ACL injuries is even more impressive. If the Twins don't do everything to make him a fixture in the lineup and the face of this ballclub, they're crazy. He should be piece #1 when putting together next year's team.

Teammates used to be in awe of Kent's svelte physique. Then he discovered Grain Belt.

Or this one:

The one, the only...

Game 162 in 2009 was supposed to be the last regular season game in the Metrodome. Not so fast, souvenir seekers! (It was actually the second year in a row the Twins played a game 163 - having lost 1-0 to the White Sox in 2008 on a Jim Thome 7th inning HR.)

Roger Erickson?

I'm sorry, they're not going to compete with the '82 class. Hrbek and Gaetti both finished in the top 5 of ROY voting. Laudner, Hrbek, Gaetti, Brunansky and Bush played in nearly 6000 games for the Twins and compiled 86 career WAR. They also played in a combined 71 postseason games and 5 all-star games as Twins. Add to that 4 Gold Gloves. (All Gaetti -Hrbek should have 1 or more) On the pitching side, Frank Viola pitched in 260 games for Minnesota and another 5 postseason games. He pitched in an All-Star Game, won the '87 World Series MVP award and the '88 Cy Young award. He posted 27 career WAR for the Twins. Pitcher Pete Filson was another '82 Twins rookie and would appear in 130 games with a total WAR of 3.5. Gaetti, Brunansky, Viola and another Twins rookie, Jim Eisenreich, would all go on to add significantly to their career totals outside of Minnesota. I don't see this year's group matching those totals. - especially as sticking with the Twins for as many seasons as the '82 group isn't as likely for players in the current era.

I think it depends if the Twins plan to deploy a conventional clockwise rotation or surprise their opponents with a counter-clockwise rotation.

For the Minnesota Twins, games played after the regular season are more often called "Forgone Conclusions,"

As a preliminary interview for the open White Sox front office positions, I asked ChatGPT what it though were the major factors in building a sustained contender in the MLB. (Interesting to hear how TD patrons would rate the Twins on each of these points) "Building a sustained contender in Major League Baseball is a complex and multi-faceted process that requires a combination of factors and strategies. Here are the major factors that the White Sox should consider to build a sustained contender: Talent Development: Developing a strong farm system is crucial. Teams need to invest in scouting, player development, and the minor league system to cultivate a steady supply of young talent. This includes drafting well, signing international prospects, and ensuring that prospects receive quality coaching and development. Analytics and Data Analysis: Modern baseball heavily relies on analytics to make informed decisions regarding player performance, injury prevention, and strategy. Teams need skilled analysts and the technology to collect, process, and interpret data effectively. Front Office Expertise: A competent and forward-thinking front office is essential. This includes a strong general manager, assistant GMs, and analytics staff. A well-structured front office can make wise decisions regarding player acquisitions, trades, and contracts. Financial Resources: While smaller-market teams can compete, financial resources do play a role. Larger budgets allow for more significant player acquisitions and the ability to retain talent. However, wisely allocating those resources is equally important. Scouting and Player Evaluation: A successful team must have excellent scouting to identify talent both in the draft and through international signings. The ability to assess player potential accurately is critical. Health and Injury Prevention: Keeping key players healthy is vital for a team's sustained success. Investing in sports medicine, injury prevention programs, and recovery strategies is essential. Managerial and Coaching Staff: Having a skilled manager and coaching staff is crucial. They set the team's culture, manage player development, and make in-game decisions that can impact the outcome. Team Chemistry: Building a cohesive team with strong chemistry can enhance performance. A harmonious clubhouse can boost morale and lead to better on-field results. Player Development Philosophy: Establishing a clear player development philosophy throughout the organization helps ensure that young talents are groomed consistently to fit the team's long-term goals. Adaptability and Innovation: The ability to adapt to changing circumstances, rule changes, and trends is essential. Teams that embrace innovation, both on and off the field, often have an edge. Market Understanding: Understanding the dynamics of your market and fan base can help in making decisions about ticket pricing, marketing, and revenue generation, which in turn can impact player acquisition. Ownership Commitment: Ownership that is committed to winning and willing to invest in the team's success is crucial. Owners who are engaged and supportive of the team's vision can make a significant difference. Draft Strategy: Teams need to have a well-defined draft strategy that takes into account their current needs, long-term goals, and the available talent pool. Player Retention: Keeping core players through contract extensions and free agency is essential. Losing key players can set a team back significantly. Fan Engagement: Engaging with the fan base through marketing, promotions, and community involvement can help maintain a strong fan following, which can provide both financial support and a home-field advantage. Building a sustained contender in MLB is a dynamic and ongoing process that requires a combination of smart decision-making, long-term planning, and a bit of luck. Teams that consistently excel in these areas are more likely to remain competitive over the years."