John Bonnes

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

Twins Daily’s Social Club is at it again, but you’ve got to go to Philadelphia to get it on the fun. Join John Bonnes at Chickie’s and Pete’s just prior to the Twins/Phillies game on Saturday, August 12th, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. It’s not complicated: just show up … BUT if you sign up at this link, you’ll also be registered to win a $40 Chickie’s and Pete’s gift card! Chickie’s and Pete’s is just across the street from Citizen’s Bank Park, where the Twins will face the Phillies at 6:00. This is your chance to connect with fellow fans, share your passion for baseball, and enjoy some pregame excitement. You can meet and mingle with other fans, discuss the upcoming game, and maybe even make some new friends. It's a casual and informal gathering, so come as you are and get ready to have a great time! This is Twins Daily’s Social Club’s third event of the season, and we had over 300 Twins fans join us for each of the first two. We know it’s a whole different ballgame in a different city, but it also gives us a chance to reach out to people we normally couldn’t. That’s important to us. But that’s also why we’re asking you, if you’re planning on coming, to sign up, so we know how many servers to schedule. (But also … $40 gift card!) So sign up HERE, plan on coming to the game early, and get ready for an unforgettable experience. See you there! If you can’t make Saturday’s pre-game, don’t despair! John will likely also be doing other pregame/postgame meet-ups at other Philly haunts, which we’ll announce on the Twitter accounts for @TwinsGeek, @TwinsDaily, or @GleemanandGeek. So click through and follow those! View full article

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' empty trade deadline, Joe Ryan hiding a hamstring injury, Dallas Keuchel joining the rotation, and top prospect Brooks Lee getting bumped up to Triple-A. 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

Swear to gawd, it was impromptu, but it was also a hanging curveball.

Aaron and John breakdownthe Twins trading Jorge Lopez to the Marlins for Dylan Floro and look ahead to what other moves to expect before the trade deadline. 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

This was inevitable, unless they go on a helluva run here over the next two weeks (and maybe even then). It makes zero sense to hold on to him on the off chance he might pick them over the half dozen big spenders that are going to be bidding for him. I'm surprised there was even a question about it, TBH.

Aaron and John preview the Twins' options and approach ahead of the August 1 trade deadline, break down the remaining schedules and odds in the AL Central as the second half begins, and discuss the good fortune of landing Walker Jenkins in the draft. 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 Pablo López joining Joe Ryan in the shutout club, the Twins having MLB's best ERA, Jose Miranda replacing an injured Royce Lewis whether he's ready or not, and what happens in a players-only meeting. 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