nclahammer

To lead off, thank you for reading my very first blog. For me, the coming of the Minnesota Twins winter caravan was always a time of sharing and celebration. Taking my two daughters to meet Twins players and catching up with friends and fellow baseball fans was a great way to warm up during what always seemed to be some of the coldest times of the year. The picture above is of my oldest daughter during the 2014 winter caravan and even made it into the Twins yearbook that year. Following the “kick-in-the-groin” of cutting back to one day of player signings at TwinsFest, I know that I, along with many other fans are, really looking forward to the return of the caravan. Prior to COVID, the Minnesota Twins have usually had their winter caravan schedule out for some time by now. Here’s what was announced by the team back on December 1st. According to Andrew Halverson, the Director of Broadcast for the Minnesota Twins… ”The goal will be to connect with Twins fans in person but also look for opportunities to give back as well. We are partnering with the Twins Community Fund to help us create those charitable events and contributions. As a result, we will be re-wording the Twins Caravan to the “Twins CARE-avan.” I read this to mean perhaps fewer stop-and-run free community visits, and more buy a ticket, get a quick meal, to help raise money for a local organization, type of events. No big deal, many of their winter caravan events have been like this in the past, and I’ve been more than happy to buy a ticket to help support a local cause and get some autographs from my favorite team. Today is January 8, and there has not been a formal announcement by the Minnesota Twins with their winter caravan schedule for 2023. So I starting doing some searching online, and I’ve found a few crumbs of a caravan schedule through their radio affiliates. Here’s what I’ve found with links to more information. January 23, Monday, in St. Paul, MN. St, Paul area Twins Caravan Event: St. Paul Baseball Old Timers Hot Stove League Banquet Southview Country Club: 239 Mendota Road East, West St. Paul, MN 55118 Batting Practice (social hour): 5:30 pm Game Time (steak dinner & program): 7:00 pm Q & A Session, Door Prize Drawing, Silent Auction, and more! Personalities include: Dan Gladden, Louie Varland, Kris Attebery (emcee), Dave St. Peter, Thad Levine, Jerry Bell, Jim Rantz, Derek Sharrer (St. Paul Saints AAA), John Anderson (MN Gophers) Further Info / Tickets: http://tricitybaseball.org/oldtimers.htm (Tickets must be purchased by 10 pm Sunday, Jan. 15th) January 24, Tuesday, in St. Cloud, MN, at Rivers Edge Convention Center. UPDATE Doors open at 5:30 pm with program beginning at 7:00 pm. Players expected (subject to change , of course), Jose’ Miranda, Nick Gordon, coach Tommy Watkins, and broadcasters Kris Atteberry and Dan Gladden. See the link for more information. https://wjon.com/twins-winter-caravan-stopping-in-st-cloud-in-2-weeks/ January 25, Wednesday, in Fargo, ND, at the Sanctuary Events Center (from KFGO.) Doors open at 5:00 pm with program starting at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $10.00. You receive a ballpark meal…again likely a hotdog, chips, and pop. Players expected (subject to change , of course), Jose’ Miranda, Nick Gordon, coach Tommy Watkins, and broadcasters Kris Atteberry and Dan Gladden. See the link for more information. https://kfgo.com/twins-winter-caravan/#:~:text=The%20Minnesota%20Twins%20are%20coming,meal%20thanks%20to%20Country%20Hearth. January 25, Wednesday, in Mankato, MN, at Kato Ballroom (from KTOE - just added from comment below.) Hours are 6:30 - 9:00 with guests Ryan Jeffers, Justin Morneau, Dick Bremer, Tony Oliva, and Caleb Thielbar expected to attend. See this link for more information. http://thefanmankato.com/event/twins-winter-caravan-2/ January 29, Sunday, Treasure Island Resort and Casino, Welch, MN (by Red Wing.) This date has not yet been confirmed, by my source at our local Minnesota Twins affiliate (KWNG) says it is the date being considered at this time. I will post an update with time and players when this information is confirmed. January 30, Monday, at Whistle Binkies on the Lake in Rochester, MN (KROC.) Time from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Guest include Louie Varland, LaTroy Hawkins, Cory Provus, Rocco Baldelli, and David Popkins. Here a link with details and ticket info. https://kroc.com/mn-twins-caravan-rochester-mn/ UPDATE - January 12 - The Minnesota Twins finally release their Winter Caravan schedule for 2023. Here's the link. https://www.mlb.com/twins/community/winter-caravan

Not needed. Farmer will man that shortstop until Lewis is healthy. Gordon iprovides utility depth in the infield and outfield, unless Royce Lewis is not the answer for the Minnesota Twins at shortstop (which I feel the team thinks he is.)

Great article Melissa, I also roadtripped to Chicago to see the Twins play the Sox last year. Took the 'L' downtown for deep dish pizza, and then watched the game a couple of rows from Max Kepler down the RF line. Some Chicago fans were trying to speak to him in German during the game (seriously.) The Target Field post game country music concert took us completely by surprise with the number of people who attended. Yes, I felt like I was back at the county fair in South Dakota with all of the cowboy hats I saw. Normally on a Thursday night, August, Twins out of the playoff race game, we'd have no problem moving up to better seats (personal upgrades I call them), but not that night. Packed house for the post game concert, good idea by the Twins, and next time we'll know better if we want to upgrade our seats.

Great reads and reporting from the TD staff.

Chase Utley a HOFer? Less that 1,900 career hits? Hall of Fame? Yes, for Joe Mauer the catcher. No, for Mauer the firstbaseman. You combine the two and you have a very good player over their career. Playoff wins are much more a part of the team you are on , rather than the individual player. Let's not have MLB become liek the NFl where a Super Bowl can get you in the HOF.

If you win, they will come. Just win baby!

The ultimate baseball road trip, what an awesome idea. Thanks for taking us along.

It's like a countdown, 3...2...1...hopefully it doesn't hit zero when it comes to actual days of being able to get autographs of your favorite Twins. As a season ticket holder, I enoyed the perk of being able to get a pair of free tickets to TwinFest when it was mutliple days, but I fear those days are over too. I'm disappointed.

I hope next season Kirilloff is able to shake his Buxton-like label of "when healthly" and put together a complete season with 500+ at bats. The kid can flat out hit "when healthy."

I'm just fine with scenerio A with Farmer filling in until Lewis is healthy.

Congratulations to everyone, well done!

Jair Camargo is just 23 and has put up double-digit HRs each of the last two seasons, 13 and 18. The Twins received him from the Dodgers in the Graterol trade. I think Camargo needs to be part of the Minnesota Twins catching depth conversation in the minors.

Terrific article. I remember being so high on relievers like Chargois, Reed, Burdi, and starters Stewart, Romero, and Jorge. Being a high pick is no guarantee of making it to The Show. Saw Hildenberger pitch in Cedar Rapids, and visited with him for an inning at a spring training game in Port Charlotte, where he was charting pitches in the stands behind home plate. Very classy guy who was generous with his time.

Great read and info. For sure, Jair Camargo has to be at the top of the Twins priority list, especially with their lack of depth at the catching position. I saw him play in Wichita this summer and he made solid contact and seemed to handle himself well behind the plate.

He looked awesome when I saw him pitch in Wichita this summer. Good stuff.

Saw him pitch in Cedar Rapids and he looked downright nasty at times. Saw him in St. Paul in July of this year and he was atrocious. That being said, he seemed to figure some things out at the end of the season. I'd lean toward keeping him on the 40 man because of his upside.

Twins Daily is "Simply the best" when it comes coverage of the Minnesota Twins and their minor league affiliates. Thanks TD on another terrific season of reporting.

Congrats on a terrific season Wind Surge. I had the chance to catch a couple of games in person down in Wichita and they're a fun team to watch.

With one notable exception (the Bomba season) Max Kepler has been an underwhelming MLB outfielder.

Good luck Kernels and Mighy Mussels, hit em' where they ain't.

Good luck Kernels and Mighty Mussels in the playoffs!

Joe Ryan will always be compared to Jose Berrios because that is who he was traded for. When you compare their stats this year, I'll take Ryan and the money we saved.

If you are a batter at the professional level, IMO you should be able to bunt or hit the ball the other way and beat a shift. Few hitters have been willing to do this. Shifts have been around since Ted Williams played and have only increased because hitters have been unwilling to change to beat them.

Congratulations louie Varland, go get em' kid!

Milk squirting out my nose funny. Well played.