John Bonnes

Aaron and John review the Twins Wild Card Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays and break down facing the Houston Astros in the ALDS. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Let's start with the obvious: this will be remembered as the Royce Lewis Game. This game has a title. Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports And this kid? We keep trying to contextualize what Royce Lewis has done. We keep failing, because we are used to talking about statistics or subtleties. At Twins Daily, we believe in those details. We find beauty there. It's what we fell in love with. It's truth. It's my heart. But you know what else is my heart? The Natural. Maybe the sappiest baseball movie of all time - and that's a high bar, given Field of Dreams. But, also, maybe the most magical baseball movie of all time - and that's a high bar, given Field of Dreams. There is something magi….. no, it's too easy a word. Other-worldly? Pure? I'm struggling with the adjective. Let me try again. There is something inspiring/uplifting/emboldening about seeing somebody do the thing that they were clearly intended to do. Especially when that something was denied them by a career-threatening injury. Then, by the same career-threatening injury. Then, by a goofy injury. Then, a week before the postseason, by another goofy injury. Then? They still do it! Then they do it again! (Then the opposition just kinda decides they want nothing to do with that guy.) It's even better when that person rises above an environment that is just so … toxic. Not even purposely toxic like The Judge or Max Mercy or Memo Paris. But, toxic like they just can't free themselves, like Pop Fisher or Terrance Mann or Annie's brother. An environment that has been around them so long that they see hope as a surrender and victory as an unrealistic sin rather than something right there. And rightly theirs. As a Twins fan who has lived in that environment for 14 years, let me tell you…. I'm sorry, what? Only 14? Did you wonder why I didn't say 19, since the Twins last won a postseason game 19 years ago today? That's because I was at Game 163, another game with a title. I will tell you: last night's crowd was the best I've seen in the history of Target Field. It was the most energetic, most optimistic, most present, most supportive crowd since a dome of Minnesotans willed Bobby Keppel through a scoreless twelfth inning and a win. I want to get back to that, because one particular section of Target Field's crowd deserves a callout, so much so that they've getting one of my four stars of this game, but allow me to skip around a bit and come back to them. I'll tip my hat to conventional internet lists by starting at the end. The #4 star of the game goes to Michael A. Taylor. The Twins' outfield defense was a difference-maker in this game. I could describe Taylor's catches, but I expect you saw them, and if you didn't, I can't do them justice. Plus, again, the fielding details seem to move me away from what was important. The important part was that Taylor's glove snuffed out any spark of hope. Twice. And then a couple times more just to let the Blue Jays know that there was a No Oxygen Zone covering about 30% of the available turf to which they could hit the ball. Am I overstating that? Just ask the Blue Jays fans around you in Target Field about him. They will tell you: they really hate that guy. He couldn't get a better endorsement. Jumping ahead to the #2 star: Pablo Lopez, who was the perfect choice for Game 1. He was determined to set the tone, and not just on the field. Was it important that he showed up to the game wearing a Johan Santana jersey? Of course nawwwwww….. You know what? Yes. Yes, it was. Not because he idolizes his fellow Venezuelan, Santana. Not because Santana was the last Twins pitcher to win a postseason game 19 years ago. But because Lopez was putting a stake in the ground. Don't think so? Imagine the narratives he (and we) would have endured - especially from those fans bitter about losing Luis Arraez - if the Twins lost. If that little gesture backfired? Instead, he set expectations. Then he exceeded them. I suppose critics (trolls?) will dismiss "only" 5 2/3 innings. Those critics (trolls) should carry 19 years worth of postseason defeats on their back for 93 pitches, and then get back to me. Back to the #3 star: Target Field's crowd, and specifically, the entire left field lower level bleachers. The “GAAAUUUSS-MAAANNNNN” chants? That was them. The “JOOOOR-DAAAAN” chants? That was them. Standing and cheering on every two-strike pitch? They led that. They were passionate. Organized. Knowledgeable. Maybe a touch insane. Watching them infect the stadium down the arterial third base line was…. Inspiring. Uplifting. Emboldening. The same adjectives I settled on for Lewis' performance. Honestly, it might have been my favorite part of the night, even more so than winning. The whole crowd last night was incredible. I am convinced they helped Lopez though the fifth. Griffin Jax was a different pitcher in the eighth when they got behind him. They reassured Jhoan Duran. They pestered pitchers into walks and bad counts. The Blue Jays' dugout felt the malevolence. The crowd tonight created a home field advantage I haven't felt in Minnesota since the claustrophobic Metrodome. I'm legitimately a little baffled where it came from. It didn't come from the lead; the crowd was like that from the first pitch. Was it from nearly 20 years of frustration? Was it from facing the Blue Jays? Having veterans like Carlos Correa? The youth? Or was it having faith in players that could rise to the occasion, like…. Our #1 star: Royce Lewis. OK, let's use the word. Sure, it was magical. But there is a place beyond magical, where you expect the magic to happen. That's what I saw tonight. Eyes opened wide at that first home run, but it was followed by knowing looks. Heads shook back and forth incredulously at the second home run, but it was followed by the Michael Jordan shoulder shrug. I saw it. In the stands. In the dugout. Maybe you saw it or felt it, too, wherever you were. We're probing a different level, as a team, as fans, as people. It made for a helluva night, a night worthy of a title. But for now, it doesn't mean anything more than the end of a crummy streak and a one-game lead. Plus, the job is getting harder, because the Jays also watched Lewis' performance up close. With Lewis clearly having a bum hamstring, they pivoted in his third at-bat. They aren't going to give him a pitch that allows him to trot around the bases. They'll let him walk to first, but he's going to need to run (as best he can) the rest of the way. Which means tomorrow's stars will likely need to be awarded to different players. I believe the Twins will find them. After all, if, before tonight, you believed that 0-18 despair would lead to more losses, must you also not believe the other side of the coin? That streak-breaking magic is contagious? After tonight, how can you not? View full article

Nearly 200 Twins fans joined Twins Daily to celebrate the Twins postseason appearance - and that was before the Twins won. Imagine the excitement at today's event as we all celebrate a Game One win! Join the fun! Our event perfectly blends excitement, camaraderie, and Twins Territory spirit. Our event is about living and breathing baseball with fellow fans. You'll get to engage in these exciting activities and get a chance to win Pourhouse gift cards and other great prizes! 1. Talk Baseball with Twins Daily's Writers and Fans: Dive into passionate baseball discussions with Twins Daily's talented writers and other Twins-obsessed fans. Share your insights, trivia, and predictions! 2. Q&A with John Bonnes and Twins Daily Writers: Get close and personal with The Twins Geek, John Bonnes, and our knowledgeable writers. Ask your burning questions and lets' talk about the big Game 1 win! 3. Social Media Sharing: Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram! If you share your Twins Daily experience using our event hashtag on social media, you'll be entered to win prizes. 4. Our famous Baseball Card Mixer: Trade and discover baseball cards with fellow attendees. Put together a collection and win prizes. 5. Last Fan Standing Trivia Game: Test your Twins baseball knowledge in a thrilling trivia competition. Compete against fellow fans for the title of "Last Fan Standing" and win yet more prizes! 6. Free Jello Shots: and other great specials, plus plenty of food options. 7. Sotatstick Gear and Giveaways: Sotastick will be by to get you some last minute gear, and provide some great giveaways. And it's all FREE. If you RSVP below, you'll be included AND be eligible for a gift card just for letting us know you're coming! But even if you can't RSVP, just stop by and check it out! Don't strike out on this fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the Twins community, meet like-minded fans, and cheer for our beloved team. Join us at The Pourhouse for a wild series of Twins baseball celebrations! Grab your tickets, rally your friends, and make this Twins Daily event a home run! We can't wait to see you there, so RSVP now and prepare for a baseball experience like no other. Together, we'll make this Wild Card series one to remember! Location: The Pourhouse Address: 10 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402 Dates: Game 2: October 4th (RSVP Here!) Game 3 (If necessary): October 5th (RSVP Here!) Parties start at 1:00 (or 2.5 hours before game time!) View full article

When the Twins acquired Pablo Lopez this off-season, this was the exact kind of start they envisioned him making. It was a steep price for them to part with Luis Arreaz. After all, Arraez became a fan favorite and an excellent contact hitter. Batting Title Kings/ Short Kings get traded less often. Early in the season, many fans lamented missing out on that type of hitter, but it's hard to disagree that the Twins had a plan when they acquired Lopez from the Miami Marlins. He said so himself. "I'm extremely grateful for all the resources the Twins made available when it came to pitch developing and understanding the benefits behind why a pitch moving in that direction could give us the options we were looking for," Lopez told reporters after his final regular-season start. The right-hander said the organization gave him stats, facts, numbers, and information. These were very appreciated and embraced. The Twins have a system that has grown quite good at identifying, building, and developing pitchers. Lopez was already a reasonably outstanding pitcher from outside of the organization. He was worth about two wins each season with Miami. The Twins, however, were able to tap into more. Lopez said that with Miami, he concentrated on being a north-south pitcher, focusing on his fastball up in the zone, pairing it with his excellent changeup, and breaking ball down in the zone. The Twins offered a different path for Lopez - they saw he could be more of an east-west pitcher, getting hitters to chase on pitches running away from the strike zone. The Twins could take what was an outstanding pitcher and build on it. Let's start with the mechanics. Returning to Lopez's statement about deviating from being a north-south pitcher, we can see how he's altered his delivery to help add more east-west movement. Unfortunately, the video breakdowns are for Caretakers only. We need to reserve this deep-dive content for Caretakers because these types of stories cost more to produce, and Caretakers support them. So if you're a Caretaker, just scroll down. If you're not, maybe consider becoming a Caretaker? There are lots of other benefits, like a free Winter Meltdown ticket and early access for guests, special callouts on the site, and lots more inside or in-depth content like this. So please consider joining our little club. The money is going to a site you love, to support coverage you love, and writers you value. Thank you so much. View full article

Event starts at 1 PM at The Pourhouse, and includes a Q&A, free Jello shots, a baseball card mixer, a Twins trivia game, and lots and lots of Twins camaraderie. And it's all free! Just stop by! It's a double-header! Our event perfectly blends excitement, camaraderie, and Twins Territory spirit. We're bringing you both a pregame extravaganza and a watch party to keep you on the edge of your seat. Have a ticket? Join us before the game! Don't have a ticket? Just stay and watch the game on The Pourhouse's TVs, including the massive 158-inch behemoth screen! Our event is about living and breathing baseball with fellow fans. You'll get to engage in these exciting activities and get a chance to win Pourhouse gift cards and other great prizes! 1. Talk Baseball with Twins Daily's Writers and Fans: Dive into passionate baseball discussions with Twins Daily's talented writers and other Twins-obsessed fans. Share your insights, trivia, and predictions! 2. Q&A with John Bonnes and Twins Daily Writers: Get close and personal with The Twins Geek, John Bonnes, and our knowledgeable writers. Ask your burning questions and gain exclusive insights into the game. 3. Social Media Sharing: Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram! If you share your Twins Daily experience using our event hashtag on social media, you'll be entered to win prizes. 4. Our famous Baseball Card Mixer: Trade and discover baseball cards with fellow attendees. Put together a collection and win prizes. 5. Last Fan Standing Trivia Game: Test your Twins baseball knowledge in a thrilling trivia competition. Compete against fellow fans for the title of "Last Fan Standing" and win yet more prizes! 6. Free Jello Shots: and other great specials, plus plenty of food options. 7. Sotatstick Gear and Giveaways: Sotastick will be by to get you some last minute gear, and provide some great giveaways. And it's all FREE. If you RSVP below, so you'll be included AND be eligible for a gift card just for letting us know you're coming! But even if you can't RSVP, just stop by and check it out! Don't strike out on this fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the Twins community, meet like-minded fans, and cheer for our beloved team. Join us at The Pourhouse for a wild series of Twins baseball celebrations! Grab your tickets, rally your friends, and make this Twins Daily event a home run! We can't wait to see you there, so RSVP now and prepare for a baseball experience like no other. Together, we'll make this Wild Card series one to remember! Location: The Pourhouse Address: 10 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402 Dates: Game 1: October 3rd (RSVP Here!) Game 2: October 4th (RSVP Here!) Game 3 (If necessary): October 5th (RSVP Here!) Parties start at 1:00 (or 2.5 hours before game time!) View full article

Two of our sponsors have just added great new giveaways to attendees! Are you ready for a baseball celebration like no other? Mark your calendars, because the Twins Daily Social Club is bringing you an unforgettable experience at The Pourhouse, just a couple blocks from Target Field. Get ready for the Twins' Wild Card Pregame party that will get you pumped up and a watch party that will keep you on the edge of your seat! And today we have even more specials to announce! First, The Pourhouse will be providing free Twins Daily Jell-o shots during the pregame party, and $4 domestic and rail drinks for everyone sticking around to watch the game on their TVs, including the enormous 158" screen. Second, Sotastick will be on site to provide great prizes. To what? I'm glad you asked. 📱 Share your experience on Twitter and Instagram with our Social Media sharing activities for a chance to win a prize. ⚾ Turn in a collection of baseball cards from our famous Baseball Card Mixer for a chance to win a prize. 🧠 Test your baseball knowledge in the Last Fan Standing trivia game for a chance to win a prize. 🎟️ RSVP now for a chance to win a prize. Meanwhile, we'll be celebrating the Twins and our Twins-centric community: 📚 Talk baseball with Twins Daily’s writers and fellow Twins-obsessed fans. ❓ Participate in a Q&A session with John Bonnes and Twins Daily writers. Did I mention it's all FREE!?! So, get ready to cheer for the Twins, connect with fellow fans, and make unforgettable memories at the Twins Daily Wild Card Pregame & Watch Parties. This is your chance to be part of the ultimate Twins fan club! Don't miss out – RSVP now and let's celebrate the Twins in style at The Pourhouse! 🎉⚾🙌 #TwinsDailySocialClub Location: The Pourhouse Address: 10 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402 Dates: Game 1: October 3rd (RSVP Here!) Game 2: October 4th (RSVP Here!) Game 3 (If necessary): October 5th (RSVP Here!) Parties start 2.5 hours before game time! Sign up now! View full article

The Twins are back in the postseason! Are you ready to paint the town red and blue? The Twins Daily Social Club is back, the our Wild Card Pregame & Watch Parties are bigger and better than ever! Join us at The Pourhouse, just two blocks from Target Field, for a thrilling series of baseball festivities that you won't want to miss. And it’s all FREE! It's a double-header! Our event perfectly blends excitement, camaraderie, and Twins Territory spirit. We're bringing you both a pregame extravaganza and a watch party to keep you on the edge of your seat. Have a ticket? Join us before the game! Don't have a ticket? Just stay and watch the game on The Pourhouse's TVs, including the massive 158-inch behemoth screen! Our event is about living and breathing baseball with fellow fans. You'll get to engage in these exciting activities and get a chance to win Pourhouse gift cards and other great prizes! 1. Talk Baseball with Twins Daily's Writers and Fans: Dive into passionate baseball discussions with Twins Daily's talented writers and other Twins-obsessed fans. Share your insights, trivia, and predictions! 2. Q&A with John Bonnes and Twins Daily Writers: Get close and personal with The Twins Geek, John Bonnes, and our knowledgeable writers. Ask your burning questions and gain exclusive insights into the game. 3. Social Media Sharing: Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram! If you share your Twins Daily experience using our event hashtag on social media, you'll be entered to win prizes. 4. Our famous Baseball Card Mixer: Trade and discover baseball cards with fellow attendees. Put together a collection and win prizes. 5. Last Fan Standing Trivia Game: Test your Twins baseball knowledge in a thrilling trivia competition. Compete against fellow fans for the title of "Last Fan Standing" and win yet more prizes! Believe it or not, that's not all! We'll be announcing even more, including some special giveaways from The Pourhouse, on Wednesday! And it's all FREE. Just RSVP below, so you'll be included AND be eligible for a gift card just for letting us know you're coming! Don't strike out on this fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the Twins community, meet like-minded fans, and cheer for our beloved team. Join us at The Pourhouse for a wild series of Twins baseball celebrations! Grab your tickets, rally your friends, and make this Twins Daily event a home run! We can't wait to see you there, so RSVP now and prepare for a baseball experience like no other. Together, we'll make this Wild Card series one to remember! Location: The Pourhouse Address: 10 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402 Dates: Game 1: October 3rd (RSVP Here!) Game 2: October 4th (RSVP Here!) Game 3 (If necessary): October 5th (RSVP Here!) Parties start 2.5 hours before game time! Sign up now! View full article

Aaron and John talk about the Twins closing in on clinching the AL Central, the toughest playoff roster decisions, the latest on Byron Buxton, why getting and keeping everyone healthy is essential, and how the bullpen could look much different with Brock Stewart, Louie Varland, and Chris Paddack. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Aaron and John talk about the Twins pulling away from the Guardians, Joe Ryan rejoining the rotation and what it means for Dallas Keuchel, when and where Byron Buxton and Alex Kirillofff could rejoin the lineup, and the increasingly worrisome state of the bullpen. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Our closest MLB neighbor has worthier attractions than their retractable roof. Image courtesy of © Mike De Sisti - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - USA TODAY NETWORK Prior to 2010, Milwaukee was a pilgrimage for Twins fans looking for (partially) outdoor baseball. That luster has faded with Target Field’s emergence, but the Brewers are still the closest (less than a five-hour drive) MLB team, and Milwaukee keeps getting better and better as a city to visit. Don’t believe me? Then try these five things you must do when you follow the Twins to face the Brew Crew. The Ballpark Tailgate - AmFam (American Family Field, the ex-Miller Park) isn’t in the group of Major League ballparks that are surrounded by a vibrant downtown social scene (Target Field, Wrigley, Coors, Petco). It’s in the group that is surrounded by a parking lot (Kauffman, The Bank, Dodger Stadium). That’s bad news if you enjoy a pregame bar scene, but it's great news if you enjoy tailgating. And Brewers fans enjoy tailgating. All you really need is a ticket to the game and a car. You can reserve a spot, but you don’t need to. If you want to tailgate with friends in adjacent spots, they need to arrive with you – you can’t save a spot for them later. You also cannot tailgate long after the game; all tailgating must cease 30 minutes after the end of a game. All the rules are here. If want to include brats or dogs (hint: you do) but don’t want the hassle of bringing a grill, we used these tiny disposable grills. They’re just 23 dollars for two, don’t take up much room, and each provides enough grilling power for about two hours of grilling. You can put them right on the pavement or bring a small (non-meltable/flammable) table to put them on. Food & Entertainment Third Ward - The southern end of Milwaukee’s downtown is the Third Ward, and it’s where you’ll want to eat/drink/explore at least one of your nights in Milwaukee. It’s packed with too many great places, so let’s hit them fastly and furiously. Smoke Shack – BBQ and Craft Beer so good you might go back twice in the same weekend. The Wicked Hop – Famous, massive Bloody Marys that include a delicious mozzarella cheese mess. Tupelo Honey – Southern food. The shrimp & grits was the best thing I ate in Milwaukee – and I don’t like grits. Milwaukee Public Market – Enormous, lively food hall. Third Ward Beer Garden – Craft beer trailer in Catalano Park. Zad’s - Quintessential Milwaukee dive bar. (Probably officially outside the Third Ward but not by much.) Beer Broken Bat Brewing – Let’s start with the obvious caveat: you’re in Milwaukee, so you’re not going to have any trouble finding beer, craft or macro. But if you’re a baseball fan, I can’t recommend Broken Bat Brewing highly enough. First of all, it’s got the basics down: it’s a good brewery, located in the Third War neighborhood, in an old warehouse, with friendly beertenders and at least a dozen very solid beers on tap. I especially like the NE IPA, and my wife wanted to go back for a Belgian Wit she loved. It would be a great brewery even if it didn’t lean into its baseball obsession. But lean it does. All the beers are named after baseball terms. Baseball is almost always on TV. Bobbleheads and baseball art surround you. Their “mug club” serves beer in hollowed-out baseball bat glasses. When they did a series of Berliner Weisse beers, the flavors were derived from the confections at ballparks, like red licorice or cotton candy. The examples go on and on, but stop there and discover them for yourself. Attractions Bobblehead Museum - The highest praise I can give the Bobblehead Museum is that I’m not a bobblehead guy, and it was still great. The organized collection of over 10,000 bobbleheads costs just $5, and it will keep you (and especially kids, I imagine) entertained for a solid 45 minutes. I especially recommend participating in their scavenger hunt that takes you to all the main areas for just about the right amount of time. It’s not complicated, but it’s engaging, simple, creative, entertaining, and you learn some fun stuff. It’s a great activity to fit in between other pursuits. It’s also across the street from Broken Bat Brewing. Summerfest –I’m absolutely cheating on my last “must” recommendation because, odds are, the Twins won’t be playing in Milwaukee during one of the three weekends/two weeks of Summerfest. So why mention it? Because if they are, you’ll want to extend your trip. It’s even worth a separate trip. Summerest is simply the greatest, most affordable outdoor concert series in the world. For three weekends, for three nights each, they have seven permanent stages, and each has two to four national-level bands each night. Take a second and do the math on that last sentence. The range of the bands is incredible: classic to brand new, covering every conceivable genre. Itl happens in downtown Milwaukee, right on Lake Michigan. And the cost is less than $30 per night. So embrace the rivalry, but be careful about disparaging our eastern neighbor. Indeed, Milwaukee is worth visiting even when your favorite local nine aren’t playing there. Combine it with an influx of Minnesotans and a couple of Twins wins, and it gets even better. View full article

Aaron and John recap their Initials Game matchup with the help of Marney Gellner, and then talk about Royce Lewis' return to the Twins' lineup, when (and where) Byron Buxton might return, Ryan Jeffers' breakout season, young bats stepping up, and the state of the increasingly shaky bullpen. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' inability to handle even the slightest success, Carlos Correa's season-long struggles, how much they should rely on veterans vs. youngsters down the stretch, Bailey Ober possibly running out of gas and how the rotation could look come playoff time, and the 12th anniversary of the podcast. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

By now, you probably either hate Philly or you love Philly. I love it. If you don’t, I don’t care, and neither do they. Image courtesy of © Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports But love it or hate it, it's a fascinating city steeped in passion and history, and you're a damn fool if you go there and don't take a full swig of it. So, if you're going to any of the Twins-Phillies games this weekend, here are nine ('cuz it's baseball) things you must do during your visit. Logistical Stay in Center City – Don't wimp out. Philly's downtown, Center City, is gritty, but it's where everything is. Safe and easy to get to the ballpark via the Broad Street (subway) Line or your favorite ride-sharing service. Center City is also massive, which means there are plenty of hotels in every range. We've had excellent luck scouting them using the Hotel Tonight app. Make a Friend - The easiest thing to do is ask them for recommendations about their city. They're proud of it, they want to share it, and you don't have to worry about a lot of BS. They'll tell you if something is great or sucks, just like they tell their professional athletes if they're playing like garbage. Visit a Wawa - They're everywhere, and they're beloved. Is there anything exceptional about them? Not really, but they have good coffee, Tastycakes (try the Tasty pies), surprisingly decent hoagies, plus they're usually clean and friendly. They're so embedded in the social fabric that they're now involved in a cross-state rivalry with Sheets. When you have a sworn enemy, you know you're part of Philly. Food and Drink Eat Philly – Obviously, get a cheesesteak. Trying to find the best is a full-time job or a fool's errand – they're almost all great. Snack on a soft pretzel. If you want variety, Reading Terminal Market is lively and houses Dinic's Roast Pork Sandwich, which is world-famous and delicious. Other favorites of ours include Bud and Marilyn's or any Irish Pub. Drink at Dirty Frank's - My favorite dive bar in the world doesn't have a sign - look for the corner bar with various "Franks" painted on the outside - Sinatra, 'enstein, Pope Francis, etc. The clientele is as eclectic as the interior, with everyone just wanting cheap drinks, a lively vibe, and a good time. Cash-only. Order a Citywide - Philly has its own drink: The Citywide Special. Yeah, it's just a bump and a beer, but every place from Dirty Frank's (Kamikaze & High Life stubby for $3) to the Ritz-Carleton has its variation. Attractions Independence Hall - It's where it all started, so check it (and the Liberty Bell, across the street) out, but don't stop there. South and east is the oldest area of Philly, so it's filled with colonial row homes and small buggy-wide alleyways. Walking late at night is incredibly cool, maybe on the way home from a bar, where you feel like you could bump into Ben Franklin or Thomas Jefferson on the right night. If you have less time or want a bite, across the street from Independence Hall Park is PJ Clarke's, a solid eatery with great balcony views of the area. (Also, if you go in there, take advantage of the lobby in the Curtis Center.) Barnes Museum – It's not usually on these lists, but it's my #1 recommendation, and anyone who has taken even an hour to try it has agreed with me. This art museum in Center City has a priceless collection (Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Matisse, Cezanne, Renoir) that shames more famous art museums, all packed in about 23 small rooms. For instance, it has 46(!) Picasso works. Even better, rent "The Art of the Steal" documentary for the flight there and learn how it ended up in downtown Philly. The Game, Duh Schmooze with Twins fans – Before Saturday's game on 8/12, from 3-6, we'll meet at Chickie's and Pete's, just across the street from the sports complex. It's free, and if you let us know you're coming, you'll be entered for a free $40 gift card to help cover your tab. In addition, The Voice of Reason™ and I will probably be doing some impromptu pregame and postgame meet-ups at other Philly haunts, so follow @TwinsGeek, @TwinsDaily, or @GleemanandGeek to keep up. Philly demands a lot from its players and fans, and it's requiring a lot from you if you visit. So toughen up and lean into it a bit, huh? Maybe, just maybe, you'll also learn to love Philly. Not that we care. View full article