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The Minnesota Twins have a substantial change coming in 2024 regarding their television situation. That only got larger on Tuesday when it was announced that longtime play-by-play analyst Dick Bremer will be stepping away from his role of 40 years. Image courtesy of © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The Twins announced on Tuesday morning that Dick Bremer would transition from his role in the booth to the title of Special Assistant. Bremer has been a mainstay for Minnesota, working in the television booth since 1983. He saw a significant amount of run alongside Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven, replaced in 2021 by Justin Morneau. Through a press release provided by the Twins, Bremer said, “For 40 years, I’ve been blessed to totally immerse myself in the game that I love for the team that I love. In those 40 years, I broadcast 4,972 Twins games. Over the last year or so, I thought it would really be cool to make it to 5,000. Then, I thought to myself, how selfish would that be? A broadcast should NEVER be about the announcer. It should ALWAYS be about the game and those who play it. I hope in my final season, I proved that ‘I’ve still got my fastball’, a goal I set when I started with the Twins in 1983. I look forward to the next chapter in my life with the Twins and thank Twins Territory for 40 incredible seasons! God bless.” Some important additional context came from The Athletic's Dan Hayes. Regarding the change, Hayes notes, "A high-ranking team official confirmed health isn’t a factor in the decision; the Twins instead want a change in the booth." Nowhere in the release, or any other stories, is the word retirement categorically thrown out there. As Minnesota did with Blyleven a few years earlier, this seems to be an intentional decision towards ushering in a new broadcast as a whole. Bremer is a St. Paul native and had the pleasure of broadcasting the Twins since his late twenties. He got to witness two separate World Series teams, as call games for Twins greats such as Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, and Joe Mauer. The amount of baseball that Bremer experienced in the booth and the Twins teams that evolved through him is nothing short of extraordinary. Assuming roles outside of the booth was something that Bremer did exceptionally well on. He was a mainstay on the annual Twins Caravan, and he has been a great emcee for the Twins Diamond Awards. In a Special Assistant role, there is hope he could continue to be present and a figurehead for those events. In his wake, the Twins will usher in a new era of broadcasting. Not only does the transition away from Bally Sports North take place this offseason, but they will need to find a new play-by-play person. Cory Provus, the incredible voice of the Twins in that capacity on radio, would present an opportunity for a smooth transition. How the Twins handle the departure of Bremer remains to be seen. Still, you can bet that fans throughout Twins Territory will experience a very noticeable difference when tuning into games for 2024. Bremer's smooth tones have become synonymous with the action over the years, and no one has gotten more excited for the potential of a long ball than he has. Getting the new hire right is a must for Minnesota, and thanking Bremer for everything he has done in the organization can be an ongoing tribute. Morneau and Trevor Plouffe presented Bremer with a gift to celebrate his 40 years nearing the end of the 2023 season, and the touching moment was something to behold. Change always presents opportunity but sometimes is met with uncertainty as well. Bremer was the epitome of everything good about Twins Territory, and it will feel different to move forward without him. Thank you for the memories, Dick. A left-hand toast is offered to you today for all you have done. View full article

The Minnesota Twins treated fans to an exceptional season in 2023, with nearly all of their regular-season games broadcast on Bally Sports North. That won’t be the case in 2024, and the ramifications could have far-reaching ripple effects. Image courtesy of Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports Although there were times that Rocco Baldelli’s 2023 club could have taken advantage of greater opportunities, the end result was a postseason run that has now heightened expectations. Getting to these heights for 2023 required an Opening Day payroll near $150 million and a final bill close to $160 million. Those will represent franchise records when the page is turned on this season, but they may not be reachable in 2024. Payroll cutting is something fans never want to hear about, but the Pohlad family will face a new challenge in the form of television revenues. In a widely-reported reality, Diamond Sports Group has gone bankrupt. It took extended time for Minnesota to receive its rights fees in 2023, and something like $50 million will need to be replaced from an operating revenue perspective. Of course, the Twins won’t see that entire check go buh-bye; their games will be carried somewhere. How that looks, though, is anyone’s guess. The most logical explanation for 2024 is that Major League Baseball takes over the onus of broadcast dissemination. Hopefully, they would continue to employ much of the Bally Sports North crew. Justin Morneau and Trevor Plouffe have been excellent alongside Dick Bremer this season, and Glen Perkins has become a pre-game staple. Someone will now need to step in for Bremer though, who is stepping away from the booth after 40 seasons. There has already been a proof of concept developed with the Phoenix Suns in the NBA. Recently, Peter Labuza looked extensively into how that infrastructure could work in Minnesota. The Suns have leaned heavily into the transition, going as far as giving away antennas during one of their first games. The way television is consumed has never been different, and understanding that while embracing it is a must for the future. If and when the league or another outfit bails out teams losing their provider, though, the check shouldn’t be considered as significant. There’s little reason for an incoming source to pay the same rights fees as Bally, given that the bankruptcy results from cord-cutting and declining subscription fees. The difference in dollars will be felt somewhere, and a logical assumption is that payroll will be impacted. Of course, one area the Twins could look to explore to supplement their revenues is increased advertisements. Watching the American League Championship Series, you may have noticed the “OXY” patch on the sleeve of Houston Astros players. The Boston Red Sox announced Mass Mutual as their jersey patch sponsor to become the first team with one back in December 2022. The trend has been building for years. Looking to make up lost revenues during the Covid-shortened season, owners negotiated the placement of advertisements on uniforms into the latest CBA discussions. With so many other sports already having traveled down this path, it’s somewhat odd it took Major League Baseball this long to get there. If there’s something more odd, it may be that every team didn’t jump out with one in 2023. Looking around Target Field, there are plenty of potential options for the Twins to partner with. Minneapolis and St. Paul are home to several large corporations, and plenty of them could view an opportunity to expand their brand presence as enticing. Target putting a bullseye on the sleeve of a potential hit batter seems less than ideal, but money will talk. When Derek Falvey goes to his bosses during this offseason, he’ll have questions about personnel decisions. Those will ultimately be influenced by new changes in revenue streams, and the sooner Minnesota can have answers, the better. Fans will care more about how they can watch games, especially those that have been left out of the action for so long, but the organization needs to find ways where competitiveness doesn’t fall due to a lack of dollars. View full article

What's in a streak? Let's consult everything, from game tape, to Baseball Reference, to Greek philosophy to find out. Get ready to Remember Some Guys™. Image courtesy of Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports It's been a long time since the Twins won a playoff game. I don't have to belabor that point. However, allow me to belabor that point. In the last 19 seasons, the Twins have made the playoffs seven separate times. Seven separate teams have taken the field since the last time. When the 2023 playoffs start, five separate, distinct cores will have attempted to win just one playoff game. The first team in this string of futility featured not one but two players born during the John F. Kennedy presidency. One player for the Twins in 2023 was born a month before George W. Bush was elected. It's been a long time. I invite you to come along on this journey with me as we examine the anatomy of the team that has reached a level of playoff futility never seen before, a level that may even reach higher this year. We'll even consult philosophers dead for nearly 2000 years and ask: Have the Twins lost 18 consecutive playoff games? If you haven't already had the thought that Greggory Masterson is the most insufferable Twins Daily contributor you've ever read, you will today. I'm going to discuss one of Baby's First philosophical questions. If you've ever had the misfortune of sitting in an introduction to philosophy course (or worse, watching Marvel's WandaVision), you may have heard of the thought experiment called Theseus's Ship. It goes something like this. Imagine a great wooden ship. Years go by, and it makes many voyages. Occasionally, it needs repairs. Rotten or damaged wood is removed and replaced with new boards. Eventually, all of the original pieces of the ship have been removed and replaced. None of the original pieces of the ship are currently part of the ship. Is this still the same ship, or did it become a new ship? If it became a new ship, at what point did it cease being the old one? When every single original piece was finally removed? When it 50% old and new materials? Is it a new ship every time that a single piece is removed? If it is still the original ship, what if all of the old, original pieces were kept and reassembled back into a ship? Is this newly constructed ship a new one, distinct from the first, even though all of the original pieces are back in place, or do we have two of the same ships? I'm not here to answer those questions. I am here to document the absurdity of the number of boards that have been added and removed from the Twins ship. You can call it whatever you want—the Champion Ship or the Friend Ship are the names I like. Let's start at the beginning. 2004: The Maiden Voyage A bully good crew manned this ship captained by Ron Gardenhire. The Twins were coming off back-to-back-to-back AL Central championships, and they were led by a group who had been there from the first one in 2002, like Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones, Corey Koskie, and Christian Guzman. Even Matthew LeCroy was still around, and Brad Radke was getting the last out of his shredded arm. This core was the first of five to lead the team unsuccessfully into the belly of the whale. In truth, many were already on the way out, as fellow members of the early 2000s core like Doug Mientiewicz, A.J. Pierzynski, and David Ortiz had already begun the phasing out process. Ironically, the three would each win a championship in 2004 or 2005. Supplementing the core affectionately known as the team that saved baseball in Minnesota or the Get to Know 'em Twins were veterans like 2003 trade deadline hero Shannon Stewart, journeyman catcher Henry Blanco—who was thrust into the starting role after an early injury to then-rookie 21-year-old Joe Mauer—and pinch-hitting extraordinaire Jose Offerman. A second core was beginning to emerge with players like Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer—who played second base down the stretch that year—and a pre-wrecked-knee Jason Kubel—who batted six times as a DH in Game 2. Also along for the ride were batters thought to be part of the following core like Luis Rivas and Lew Ford, neither of whom had terribly productive careers with Minnesota after 2004, though Ford received MVP votes that year and had a solid 2005. On the pitching side, supplementing Radke was a crew of Cy Young Johan Santana, Kyle Lohse, and Carlos Silva, who each took wildly different career paths following 2004. In the bullpen, Joe Nathan was beginning his reign as one of the top closers in the game behind Mariano Rivera. Other notable names in that pen were J.C. Romero, Juan Rincon, and Jesse Crain. Oh, there was also Terry Mulholland, a great name to know if you're into Immaculate Grid. The wily veteran served as the team's long reliever and spot starter. He predates the Kennedy assassination, and when paired with backup-backup-backup catcher Pat Borders—who was also born before the incident at the grassy knoll—he was the pitching side to a battery whose ages added up to the third-highest number of any pitcher-catcher combo in MLB history. Also, Borders was the MVP of the 1992 World Series. That's a lot of names, and with the Twins coming off three consecutive division crowns, the sky was the limit. Twins who played in the 2004 ALDS: Grant Balfour, Henry Blanco, Pat Borders, Jesse Crain, Michael Cuddyer, Lew Ford, Christian Guzman, Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones, Corey Koskie, Jason Kubel, Matt LeCroy, Kyle Lohse, Justin Morneau, Terry Mulholland, Joe Nathan, Jose Offerman, Brad Radke Juan Rincon, Luis Rivas, J.C. Romero, Johan Santana, Shannon Stewart Italics indicate the player never appeared in the playoffs for Minnesota after this year 2006: Sunk in the Bay After something of a disaster in 2005, the Twins bounced back in 2006 to secure their fourth division championship in five years. However, the years were already showing on the construction of the ship. Of the 24 players who appeared in the 2004 ALDS, only nine returned to the field for the 2006 playoffs—Hunter, Morneau, Cuddyer, Ford, Santana, Radke, Nathan, Crain, and Rincon. Technically Ruben Sierra could have made the cut, as he was a member of the 2004 Yankees (as you may well remember), but he didn't make it to the end of the year with the Twins. In truth, Mauer and cult hero Nick Punto were members of the 2004 team but were injured before the 2004 playoffs. Likewise, Kubel did not play in the 2006 playoffs, but he would return in the following years. You can make your own judgments on whether those count as continuous pieces. Luis Castillo and Rondell White—the closest Terry Ryan got to acquiring hitmen—made their only appearances for the Twins in the playoffs this year. A bit more obscure were Phil Nevin's three plate appearances. This is your reminder that Phil Nevin was a Twin and that he played in a playoff game for them. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the man who played DH and hit 8th instead of Nevin in the final two games—Jason Tyner. On the pitching side, much looked similar regarding the most notable names from 2004. Still, Matt Guerrier and standard-issue bullpen goofballs (big LOOGY) Dennys Reyes and (submarine pitcher) Pat Neshek made appearances. While I have you here, look up Dennys Reyes's statistics as a Twin. He was way better than you remember. Folk hero and September Rookie of the Month Boo(ooooooooooo)f Bonser replaced Silva in the rotation, pitching Game 2 Radke's final MLB appearance came in the third game, pitching with half an arm and enough cortisone in his body to kill a horse. 2006 also featured a third of an inning pitched by a rookie, 23-year-old Glen Perkins, who would never throw another pitch in the playoffs. Sadly, these were the last playoffs in Minnesota for Santana, Hunter, and Morneau. Morneau's case is unfortunate, as although he was a Twin in 2009 and 2010, injuries kept him out of the playoffs both years. 2006 was the last time Twins fans could watch him swing it in the postseason for their hometown team. By now, the only remaining leading cast members of the early 2000s teams were Radke and Hunter. Sure, some players like Santana and Cuddyer were around in those days, but they weren't the faces of the franchise. At this point, the focus had turned to the core built around the M&M Boys: Mauer and Morneau. But, for the first time in this streak, the Twins were swept. They couldn't muster even one win like they had in 2004. The count is at six. Returning pieces from 2004: Jesse Crain, Michael Cuddyer, Lew Ford, Torii Hunter, Justin Morneau, Joe Nathan, Brad Radke, Juan Rincon, Johan Santana New pieces in 2006: Jason Bartlett, Boof Bonser, Luis Castillo, Matt Guerrier, Joe Mauer, Pat Neshek, Phil Nevin, Glen Perkins, Nick Punto, Dennys Reyes, Jason Tyner, Rondell White Italics indicate the player never appeared in the playoffs for Minnesota after this year Look out for part two, which will cover 2009-2017. View full article

Anytime a professional sports club achieves a record that spans across all type of sport, the fanbase realizes that this is a "special" event. When that "special" event represents the longest postseason losing streak in all of professional sport, the trophy loses its shine. How did the Twins actually get to this record of records, and what must they learn from that story of 0-18 before 0-20 becomes a reality? Image courtesy of Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports October 5, 2004. Yankee Stadium (the elder), New York Yankees, American League Divisional Series Game 1 That was the last time the Minnesota Twins won a playoff game. When the Twins take the field to kick off the playoffs in October of 2023, it will 19 years since the last taste of playoff victory lingered on the lips of Twins Territory. Johan Santana scattered nine hits over seven scoreless innings, and Juan Rincon and Joe Nathan finished off the shutout with an inning each. Shannon Stewart drove in Michael Cuddyer for the game's first run, and Jacque Jones took Mike Mussina deep for the last run. 2-0 Twins, and the 2004 squad was on the verge of toppling Goliath and grasping the decade for their own. In fact, even the most pessimistic of Twins fans couldn't have predicted just how terrible the narrative would turn for over a generation of teams and fans. In 2004, the margin between ecstasy and misery was a fine one, as the Yankees needed extra innings to win two of the next three games to take the series. No part of the series screamed out that "This is the beginning of a two-decade curse!" If anything, the Twins squad was left thinking optimistically at just how close they were to climbing back into the World Series conversation despite the disappointing loss of the series. How were we to know that losing three games in a row would become a trend and not a mirage? That's how 18 losses in a row in the MLB Playoffs becomes a reality. In three and four day spans of playing baseball after long and successful seasons. One at-bat at a time. Fueled by late season injuries and unexpected bullpen misfires. Therein lies the lesson of 0-18, for those brave enough to go there. Like when the Harry Potter squad realized that in saying Voldemort's name you took away some of his power, perhaps if Twins fans can name what happened perhaps we can neuter the streak. It's time to take the narrative out of the realm of myth and to break it down into real, live, human action and inaction on the baseball diamond. Here are the true stories that stuck out upon closer inspection., and are worthy of being named lest they be repeated. Prologue - Twins Postseason Losing Streaks Existed Before 2004 The Twins playoff losing streak actually begins before the collective memory of the event formed. The Twins' very first World Series trip ended in valiant defeat to the Dodgers in 1965. The years between that appearance and the Twins next playoff victory would span 22 years. Yes, even longer than their current winless streak. In that era of "only the two division winners make the playoffs," to make the dance at all was a rare gift, and the victories once you got on the dance floor were icing on the cake. The Twins got swept 0-3 by the Baltimore Orioles in both 1969 and 1970. That was the extent of their playoff opportunity until the magical run of 1987 came to pass. Again, after the ecstasy of 1987, the homer hankies stayed in the closet until 1991. The Twins were able to win the Central Division that year, and survived two playoff rounds to clinch their second miraculous World Series trophy in only four seasons. Here is where the narrative of 0-18 makes its first turn from reality. When a fanbase ignores the fact that two decades went by without a playoff victory, and leans into the belief that World Series victories happen all the time, disappointment lurks right around the corner. Indeed, the Twins would take another decade off from the playoffs completely, not seeing the lights of October again until 2002. It was here that they experienced the only time in history that the Minnesota Twins won a playoff series, but didn't reach the World Series. They managed to win the AL Central, and then overcame the 103-win Oakland A's to advance to the ALCS against the eventual World Series Champion Anaheim Angels. The Rally Monkeys won the series by dropping the opener, but winning the final four games of the series. More importantly for Twins fans, in 2002 the Twins started a decade of regular season success that would lead to ample opportunities for playoff games...and therefore playoff losses. 2003 saw the Twins reach the postseason again, and Johan Santana took down the Yankees in Game 1. The offense never scored more than one run in any of the remaining three games in the series, however, and the Twins exited the series after getting swept after winning the first game yet again. In summary, from 1965's World Series team to 2003's playoff effort, the Twins made the playoffs six times in 38 years. In the four years that they didn't win the World Series, they were bounced from the playoffs by losing three or four games in a row. The Formative Years - Without "Winning Streak Builders," Sweeps Happen Now that we've addressed the themes of the first 38 years of Twins postseason life, we can more fully understand what has transpired in the last 20 years: Nothing new, nothing unheard of, just more of the same. The Twins of the 2000-2010's maintained balanced clubs that made the playoffs more often than most, but they never could put together two aces and offensive consistency when October rolled around. 2004 - Lose to New York Yankees 3-1 in ALDS Again the Twins enjoy having the greatest Twins pitcher of recent decades, Johan Santana, and his ability to defeat the Yankees. Unfortunately, the trend of getting swept out of the series after winning game one continues. But how? Why? Does it all boil down to the fact that the Twins only had one starting pitcher worthy of winning a playoff game? Would you be surprised if I told you the answer for the past two decades was "Yes"? Looking more deeply into the 2004 series, Santana came back for Game 4 on only three days rest, and it almost worked. He held the Yankees to one run over five innings while running his pitch count up to 87. Juan Rincon's eighth inning was one to forget, unless you are Ruben Sierra, because Sierra's three-run homer capped the four-run rally and sent the game into extra innings. But games two and three were decided because the Twins didn't have a number two that had dominant "stuff" to throw at their playoff opponent. Without having winning streak builders up and down the rotation, losing streaks are inevitable. 2006 - Swept by Oakland A's 3-0 in ALDS Starting pitching did the Twins in yet again, with Santana taking the hard-luck loss in Game 1. An expired Frank Thomas still tasted good enough to clobber two solo shots, including the game winner in the ninth off of Jesse Crain. Boof Bonser got the call for Game 2, and Brad Radke couldn't make it to the fifth inning of Game 3. Once Santana didn't get his victory, the Twins felt the pain of Francisco Liriano's absence all the more acutely. When Liriano went down in August of his rookie campaign with elbow inflammation, he was unhittable. Cruising at 12-3 with a continuously shrinking 2.13 ERA, Liriano was going to be the second ace that got the Twins back into playoff success. He was going to be the losing streak-breaker or winning-streak builder that the Twins had missed having since 1991. The trend of Twins bats tightening up in playoff action also continued, with outputs of two, two, and three runs in each game. The first two games were in the dome, and the last game was in Oakland, so temperature can't be the excuse. The Twins averaged 4.9 runs per game in 2006, but couldn't find their groove against a talented A's staff. Combine a lack of a dominant number two starter, and a failure to string together quality at-bats against quality pitching, and you have a recipe for misery that the Twins have been trying to make taste gourmet for the past decade. 2008 - Defeated in Game 163 by the Chicago White Sox, 1-0 You might be checking your Twins playoff history coloring book and wondering why you don't have a 2008 page. I'm counting the time Jim Thome broke our hearts in Game 163 here because if we will allow it, it actually proves that 0-18 doesn't really exist! Back when one-game extensions of the regular season determined who would advance to the playoffs, the Twins found themselves knotted up with the Chicago White Sox. Nick Blackburn did his best to get the Twins into the dance, but Thome took him deep and the Twins offense could only muster two hits off of John Danks and crew. This time the offense again proved to be the Achilles heel, when Ken Griffey Jr. threw a missile to A.J. Pierzynski to catch Michael Cuddyer at the plate on a sacrifice fly attempt. You read that correctly. Griffey Jr. to Pierzynski. This 1-0 loss was a crushing way to end the season, but realistically the Twins didn't have the starting staff to manage playoff success anyways. Glen Perkins, Scott Baker, and Livan Hernandez were good to average, and weren't going to strike fear into opposing lineups. 2009 - Defeat the Detroit Tigers in Game 163, Swept by New York Yankees 3-0 in ALDS This is where, I would argue, that the 0-18 streak actually stopped at seven! That's because 2009 also featured a Game 163 tiebreaker, and the Twins won it in epic fashion against the Detroit Tigers at the Metrodome. As staff was actively trying to clean out the dome for the move to their new Target Field home in 2010, the Twins just kept playing baseball. By the time Twins Territory was told they would be "Ca-see-ya'd tomorrow night," the team and its fans had a glimpse of "post-season" victory. Legally, this game is considered an extension of the regular season. Emotionally, it felt like the Rally Monkey had finally been tossed off of our backs. We all know what happened next. A Joe Mauer double gets called foul, 54,735 fans say goodbye to the Metrodome with a loss. But what else was at play here? Again the starting staff was a middling mix with 4.50 or higher ERA's. The offense held there own in the regular season, but could again only muster an average of two runs per game in the playoffs. This series wasn't an outlier, and the Twins weren't robbed. It was the norm. 2010 - Swept by New York Yankees 3-0 in ALDS If we toss out Game 163 in 2009, the streak of losses just runs right through 2010 again. The Yankees again play the willing villains, and the injury gremlin gets a participation award. 2010 saw the launch of Target Field, a whole lot of success, and a horrible injury to Justin Morneau mid-season. He never recovered from his concussion, and the offense he was carrying never recovered either. The starting staff continued to be average at best, even with a mildly resurgent Liriano and a surprisingly able Carl Pavano leading the way. Jon Rauch and Matt Capps were the closers, so those who could see clearly knew that playoff success was going to be hard to find. Game 1 against the Yankees started out hopeful enough, with Michael Cuddyer launching a two-run shot in the second and Liriano catching lightning in a bottle through five scoreless innings. The bottle burst in the sixth, and four runs later the Twins had lost again. The offense went dormant in the final two games of the series, and the official playoff loss streak reached 12 games and counting. 2017 - Defeated in one-game Wild Card round by New York Yankees 8-4 New York Yankees, rinse and repeat. This time it was only a one game Wild Card playoff (a then-legal form of Game 163), but the result was the same. The offense started strong and went quiet. The pitching struggled mightily after Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios took turns giving up runs. It turns out that Miguel Sano wasn't the only injured Twin that was missing, as we later learned Santana was pitching injured as well. Again the Twins were left wondering what might have been after their season long heroes were unable to perform in playoff time. The Modern Era - When the Pieces Aren't in Place, the Results Repeat 2019 - Swept by New York Yankees 3-0 in ALDS This series was the last time a sellout crowd at Target Field got to try to will their favorite squad to victory. The first two games were at Yankee Stadium (the younger), and Game 1 started with a couple of bangs. Jorge Polanco homered in the first, and Nelson Cruz also hit a solo shot in the third. The Berrios start couldn't make it past four innings, and the Yankees put up crooked numbers on the Twins bullpen in the fifth, sixth, and seventh. The Twins offense, the vaunted Bomba Squad, had beaten the Yankees in the regular season for the home run record, but come playoff time it was the Yankees' ability to manufacture runs against the Twins' pitchers that led to three lopsided victories. Randy Dobnak was a great story, but he wasn't a number two starter. The Twins once again averaged just above two runs a game of offense. Rinse and repeat indeed. 2020 - Swept by Houston Astros 2-0 in AL Wild Card Round 2020 brought a global pandemic and an eerie shortened season of empty stadiums. The Twins survived the divisional race of attrition without fully regaining their Bomba identity. This was the season that the Twins thought the curse would be reversed, because they had two aces in Kenta Maeda and Jose Berrios and a more balanced offense that didn't rely solely on the home run to find victory. Maeda and Berrios were aces, but were both pulled after only five innings of work. Taylor Rogers, Sergio Romo, and Tyler Duffey didn't perform up to their regular season standards, and therefore the Astros scored late while the Twins stayed stuck in neutral. The Twins offense only generated a run in each game, and only seven hits total in the two-day sweep. Opportunity lost, and the streak rolls on. 2023 -? On paper, the Twins have two aces again in Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray. The Twins offense, unfortunately, is more likely to get two runs or less per game than they are to break out crooked numbers against quality pitching. Can Lopez and Gray pitch shutout baseball into the seventh inning or later? That answer will determine whether or not the Twins can break the curse. History shows that five innings of quality pitching won't get the team to playoff victory lane, so now is not a time for quick hooks when things are going well. The Twins also will have the home field again for this best of three opening round. The problem being, of course, that if the Twins can't take Game 1 the curse narrative amplifies and Game 2 suddenly becomes a one-or-done scenario. You can hear the nerves tightening from here. In nine of the 12 best-of-three playoff series in 2020 and 2022 (2021 briefly went back to the one-game model), the series ended with a 2-0 sweep. The emotional realities of such a short series stand out in this statistic, and Game 1's importance becomes magnified. This is why the Twins traded the AL batting champion Luis Arraez for Lopez before the season. This is why the Twins have been filling their bullpen tank with gas late in the season. This is why the Twins have been nurturing along their lineup for optimal postseason health. Will the Twins break the streak and journey forward towards World Series glory like the legends of old? Or will Game 1 disappointment fuel the fires of the myth of 0-20? Do the Twins finally have the right kinds of pieces in place for playoff success, or is 2023 another prime example of a punchless offense not supporting a moderately decent rotation? Ready or not, it's time to find out how this story goes. View full article

On Sunday's Twins broadcast, Dick Bremer asked Justin Morneau if he'd ever use a different sized bat. I found the conversation that followed interesting and figured I'd preserve it and pass it along. View full video

The Minnesota Twins played a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night during the middle of a push toward the postseason. That was all a footnote though as Joe Mauer was making his entrance into the Twins Hall of Fame. Image courtesy of Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports Let’s be clear that while an induction into a team’s Hall of Fame is an exceptional accomplishment, it’s equally an effort to drive ticket sales. Someday he’ll have a bronze statue on Target Plaza, and Minnesota will again see the gate swing wide open. Neither of those compare to the honor that was immediately bestowed upon Mauer as his number “7” was retired. For fans of a certain age, Joe Mauer is the embodiment of the popular Sandlot phrase, “heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” Harmon Killebrew and Rod Carew had long finished their playing careers. Tony Oliva’s didn’t match up, and Kirby Puckett either didn’t cross into the same threshold or is held in lower regard. For this 32-year-old, Mauer is the closest it gets to the greatest ever witnessed in a Twins uniform. (Editor's Note: This, ummm... older-than-32 Twins fan believes Kirby Puckett crossed that line and threshold, and his playing career is not held in lower regard. His post-playing career is a different story.) For the occasion, white chairs were set out in foul territory. Twins greats and former teammates alike had a front row seat for the occasion. Brian Dozier, Trevor Plouffe, Josh Willingham, and plenty of past players that shared a clubhouse with Mauer made their way back. Justin Morneau now calls Target Field his office as a broadcaster, and Kent Hrbek can always find a reason to be back at the ballpark. Family and friends of Mauer also made their way to the occasion, including wife Maddie, and their young family. Taking the podium as the emcee, Dick Bremer eloquently discussed who Mauer was and still is. He noted that Mauer just entered his senior year of high school in 2000 when the Twins created their Hall of Fame. Speaking on his exploits from youth ball all the way through the big leagues, Bremer summed up Mauer’s career perfectly calling it a “Well-played journey.” With some former players not in attendance, video tributes came rolling in across the newly installed big screens. It was recently-inducted Hall of Famer Jim Thome that put it best saying his congrats and ending with, “I hope there’s another hall of fame in your future.” Taking over for Bremer and introducing the other part of his M&M moniker, Morneau steps up. “Well, my friend, you not only lived up to those expectations but you exceeded them. It’s not easy being the face, or in your case, the sideburns of the franchise.” Morneau delivered his thoughts with a wide grin on his face, and was clearly proud of what his friend had accomplished. Finishing with a story of when the pair ran into a fan with the name Joe, Morneau recalled, “This person thought as much about you as a player, but even more as a person, to name their child after you.” The pair embraced and the microphone was passed. In a way that only he can step in, Mauer took over the podium as his ballad, “What You Know” by artist T.I. rang out. Mauer thanked the crowd for being there, everyone that showed up for him, including his dad Jake, as he was certainly looking down on him from above. The entirety of Mauer’s speech was related to that moment he got a call from Carew in the car with his girls. The twins asked what it took to make a Hall of Fame, and the Minnesotan put it in the most thought out description possible. Noting the support system it takes, Mauer touched on his dad, “I tip my cap to you, dad, and for being one of the main reasons I’m standing here today” choking back tears. Maren and Emily are very clearly the apple of his eye, and having them look on with wide smiles and pride was certainly something Mauer shared for his own dad. Knowing how she held down the fort, Mauer said, “Thanks for always being there for me, mom, and supporting me from day one.” Leadership is another thing that provides a Hall of Fame opportunity. The youngest of three boys, Mauer talked of the relationship Jake and Bill provided him. They pushed him, and allowed him to be part of their experiences as well. He told his girls they now have that responsibility for son Chip. Continuing on leadership, Mauer talked of his wife, Maddie. “We are very lucky to have a leader and a role model like their mom. Thank you for all you do for our family, I love you.” The crowd for this occasion was not just in the stands, but in those white seats on the infield as well. Teammates spanning nearly two decades made it back to Target Field. “I want to thank you boys for traveling here tonight and celebrating this moment with me.” Those in the stands, sitting in a stadium that was built largely because of what Mauer did for the organization, Mauer had a message for the fans as well, “I want to thank you all for supporting me, even in my down moments. It truly means the world to me.” As he often did, Mauer turned the focus back to the task at hand, and with a handful of Diamondbacks and Twins players at their respective dugout railings he said, “Good luck out there tonight boys, go get ‘em.” Paul Feiner, the only player to ever strike out Mauer in high school, brought three balls to the newly-inducted Hall of Famer. One was for each of his children. They delivered a ceremonial first pitch, and the night was set to get underway. The game could have been inconsequential, but in a postseason race every win matters. The Twins handled business bludgeoning the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-1. Most impressively in that win was the performance of starting catcher, Ryan Jeffers. On a night with a backstop going into the Hall of Fame, Rocco Baldelli’s starter went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs. It was a storybook ending to an evening. It’s very likely we won't see a player like Mauer again for decades. The Twins haven’t had a Hall of Famer enter Cooperstown without significant help for years. Top prospects flame out or fail to reach expectations. We’ve seen that with Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. What Mauer did as a hero playing entirely for one organization is something only dreamed up in storybooks. Accepting that reality makes Saturday even more impactful. As a state, and collectively as Twins fans, few things are more exciting than seeing success for one of our own. Joe Mauer epitomized that, and seeing his career immortalized after he has hung up his cleats is truly something to behold. 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The Minnesota Twins have not been considered one of the most premier teams in baseball on a yearly basis for some time. However, the 2019 Bomba Squad holds the Major League Baseball record for most home runs by a team in a single season. With the Home Run Derby upon us, it’s worth looking back at some franchise performances. Image courtesy of Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports Despite the Minnesota Twins posting a Major League Baseball record 307 home runs, they did not have a single participant in the Home Run Derby that year. Nelson Cruz, Max Kepler, Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario, and Mitch Garver all blasted more than 30 homers individually, but none of them competed in the longball event held at the Guardians Progressive Field. Over the years, Minnesota has had their fair share of Home Run Derby participants. With the next iteration of the event on tap, here are the top five performances in franchise history. 5. Brian Dozier 2014 Once a failed shortstop for Minnesota, Dozier turned himself into among the best offensive second basemen in all of baseball. He found a way to yank pitches out to left field, and his home run numbers went through the roof. Despite missing the All-Star Game in 2014, Dozier was invited to participate in the Home Run Derby. He was a hometown contestant with the event held at Target Field, and despite just hitting two dingers, his appearance fueled excitement. Yoenis Cespedes ultimately won the event, but Dozier would go on to blast 42 home runs just two seasons later. 4. Miguel Sano 2017 As a first-time all-star, Sano took his talents to South Beach and appeared in the Home Run Derby following a 25 dinger season the year prior. Hometown favorite Giancarlo Stanton was expected to win, but Sano drew a favorable bracket matchup with the Kansas City Royals Mike Moustakas opposing him. After knocking off the Royals third basemen, he also bested future teammate Gary Sanchez to find himself in the finals against Yankees star Aaron Judge. Sano came up one longball short, but his showing was beyond impressive and highlighted a story of player that had been clamored for since being a teenager. 3. Joe Mauer 2009 Through his first 561 career games Mauer had just 44 homers to his credit. Having won two batting titles already, the Minnesota-native began flipping baseballs into the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome seats. He finished 2009 with an MVP award and 28 homers. Invited to the derby that year in St. Louis, Mauer’s five first-round dingers forced a swing off with Albert Pujols and Carlos Pena. He wound up netting no more and went home quietly, but his season ended with some better hardware. 2. Tom Brunansky 1985 Competing in the first-ever iteration of the Home Run Derby, Brunansky represented the Twins with the event held at the Metrodome. He was a first-time all-star and his 32 dingers the season before was a career high. Parameters were obviously be shifted as the event drew popularity, but in its introduction, Dave Parker won, sending just six longballs into the seats. Brunansky finished second with four to his credit. He tied with all-time greats such as Carlton Fisk, Dale Murphy, Eddie Murray, and Jim Rice. 1. Justin Morneau 2008 Forever known as the Josh Hamilton derby, Morneau wound up winning in New York. Widely regarded as one of the best contests of all time, Morneau made it through the first round with eight homers to his credit. After Hamilton’s 28 blast barrage, he couldn’t keep things going in the final round. Morneau launched five homers in the final round to take the crown. The field was an interesting one with only Morneau, Hamilton, and Lance Berkman as true sluggers. More pure power hitters like Ryan Braun, Dan Uggla, and Chase Utley also filled out the competition. Which is your favorite Twins Home Run Derby performance of all time? View full article

As Major League Baseball continues on past the halfway point of the season, and into a well-deserved All-Star Break, one of the consistent highlights is the Home Run Derby. Revitalized with a new format that brings a countdown into play, one of the most forgotten events featured Minnesota Twins legend Justin Morneau. Image courtesy of © Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports This year is the 15th anniversary of the 2008 Home Run Derby. While that year may seem arbitrary to almost every other fanbase, and the Texas Rangers fondly remember the show Josh Hamilton put on, it was the year of Justin Morneau. Having been named an MVP just two years prior, and getting votes the season before, it was the Minnesota slugger providing the fireworks at old Yankees Stadium. By 2008, Morneau had fully established himself alongside of Joe Mauer as a superstar in Ron Gardenhire’s Twins lineup. Despite just one All-Star appearance to his name, Morneau had blasted more than 100 homers during his first 569 career games, and he was every bit as talented as the other half of the M&M Boys moniker. Invited to participate in the 2008 Home Run Derby at Yankees Stadium, Morneau came into the event with a .903 OPS and 14 longballs through the Twins first 95 games. It wasn’t gargantuan power numbers by any means, but he was a consistent producer that sent the ball out with a pure left-handed swing. The field included Morneau, Hamilton, Lance Berkman, Ryan Braun, Dan Uggla, Grady Sizemore, Chase Utley, and Evan Longoria. With juicers and true sluggers involved, Morneau wasn’t ever going to be the betting favorite. Minnesota was often trounced by New York, and they were less than four years into a playoff drought dating back to 2004. On this night though, it was Morneau’s time to shine in the Bronx, kind of. Still utilizing the old format in which players had just 10 outs and no time limit, batters could stand in the box and take their time when looking for the perfect pitch to send barreling into the night. Hamilton did that plenty during the first round, rocketing an astounding 28 dingers into the seats. It was a performance unlike anything we had ever seen before, and that round was the calling card of the entire event. It wasn’t an individual show though, as Morneau crushed eight dingers of his own to tie Berkman, and join Braun in round two as a foursome. Hamilton clearly felt the effects of his heavy lifting in round one as he launched just four home runs in round two. The rules made it so the finals were comprised of a total between the first two tilts, and Morneau’s nine during his second time up trumped both Braun and Berkman’s 14. A showdown of David and Goliath proportions was set to take place. Both gassed from the swings they had taken to send baseballs into the night, Morneau and Hamilton combined to hit just eight home runs during the final round. The Twins slugger grabbed the title when he hit five, and Hamilton could only muster three with his last at bat. Despite rocketing 35 on the night, Hamilton’s timeliness cost him and allowed just a second place finish. The derby will always be remembered for Hamilton’s incredible opening salvo, but it was the Twins Morneau who held the crown when everyone dispersed. Often the case, playing alongside Mauer or in smaller markets, Morneau was quiet about his accolades despite generating otherworldly numbers. Just a few years later Morneau was on pace for a second MVP when he posted a 1.055 OPS through 81 games before injury ended his season. A .345 average and 18 home runs could’ve led to a career-year for the Canadian, but the baseball gods had other plans. He eventually wound up winning a batting title in 2014 with the Colorado Rockies, but much like his night in New York, the accomplishment is routinely forgotten. Now a consistent face on Twins broadcasts, it’s great to see Morneau stay in the public light. He was at the pinnacle of individual performance on July 14, 2008, but rarely is remembered for doing so. It may have been the Hamilton derby, but it was the Morneau trophy when all was said and done. View full article

Twins top prospect Edouard Julien made himself a household name thanks to his time with Team Canada in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Find out what the young second baseman learned from the experience and what he learned from other great Canadian ballplayers. Image courtesy of Zachary BonDurant, USA Today ST. PAUL – It has not even been two full weeks since the conclusion of the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). Still, the global tournament ended sooner for Twins prospect Edouard Julien who represented his home country of Canada. Julien raked for Team Canada. In their four games, he hit .538/.667/1.154 (1.821) with a double, triple, and two home runs in 18 plate appearances These stats alone made him the unofficial team MVP for Canada in this WBC, but the experience beyond his on-field performance was what made the whole thing worth it to Julien. “It was a great experience for sure,” said Julien. “Just to be able to play for your country, represent a whole nation, and to be with guys that you play when you're younger, growing up, even meet Freddie Freeman. It was an unreal experience for me, and I learned so much at the WBC and it's something I'm looking forward to doing again in a few years.” Getting to play once again with guys Julien grew up with in Quebec is what made Julien most proud of team Canada’s infield. Everyone, minus Freeman, was a French-Canadian between him, Abraham Toro, and Otto Lopez. “In the offseason, we all work out together and we just do stuff together. And to be able to suit up and be on the same team. It was for sure a cool experience,” Julien said. Julien’s time away for the WBC kept him from spending a lot of time with Twins Hall of Famer and fellow Canadian, Justin Morneau, while he was at Twins spring training. Fortunately, one of Julien’s icons was able to see him play in one game for Team Canada at Chase Field. “I didn't get to be in big league camp when he [Morneau] was there. Last week, I went to play the game at home, I saw him and it was cool just to see him again. He's for sure one of the best Canadian baseball players that have ever played the game. When I was younger, he's one of the reasons why I wanted to be on the Twins,” Julien said. While his time away from camp kept him from spending time with the best Canadian in Twins history, Julien was able to learn more from Baseball Hall of Famer and Canadian legend, Larry Walker. Walker served as Team Canada’s first base coach and a hitting coach for the next generation of Canadian hitters who, like Julien, are following in his footsteps. “It was fun just to be around Larry. He's just been around the game for so long, and he's just such a pure talent. He knows so much about the game and just to be around him, Freddie, Tyler O’Neil, and Russell Martin, was fun. Even the pitching coach, Paul Quantrill. All smart people. Just to be around them. Them giving me advice and just got me to make adjustments and also just trust my abilities.” All in all, Julien is grateful for his WBC experience because, above all else, the knowledge and playing time have made him a better and more confident player, ready to make his major-league debut for the Twins in 2023. “I just believed in myself a little more and made some quick adjustments with what Freddie told me in Arizona. I'm confident that (I'm) ready for this season.” Feel free to discuss Julien and his WBC opportunity in the COMMENTS below. In his first Saints game, he hit his first Triple-A home run. View full article

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As the world mourns the loss of England’s long-time monarch, Twins Daily reached out to current and former Minnesota Twins for their thoughts. Image courtesy of Unsplash/Ferdinand Stohr TOM KELLY (MANAGER, 1986-2001): Just a great gal. Broke out of the gate quickly, lightning fast down the stretch, amazing haunches. So powerful. Always left the track in a good mood when she ran. [INFORMED THAT THIS IS NOT QUEEN ELIZABETH II, THE GREYHOUND KELLY WAGERED ON AT ST. CROIX MEADOWS, BUT RATHER THE HUMAN WOMAN] Oh. Well, that’s a shame. What country? EMILIO PAGAN (PITCHER, 2022): I was fortunate enough to meet her on a visit to Great Britain in 2018. I even threw her a baseball for a photo op. She hit it 440 feet. I tip my cap to her. ANDRELTON SIMMONS (SHORTSTOP, 2021): 96-year-old woman dies after getting the COVID vaccine? Coincidence? Yeah, right. JOE MAUER (CATCHER, 2004-2018): Wow. Pretty big deal. NICK PUNTO (INFIELDER, 2004-10): I slid headfirst into Buckingham Palace once. Guards got all bent out of shape about it and I’m like, “Hey, hustling doesn’t stop at the water’s edge, muchacho.” Anyway, that’s the only other time I had to fight extradition for wanting it more. RIP get money. JUSTIN MORNEAU (FIRST BASE, 2003-16): As a Canadian, this means one thing: I must take up arms for the crown. If (Glen) Perkins or (Dick) Bremer get in my way, so be it. GLEN PERKINS (PITCHER, 2006-2017): You know, it’s a complicated legacy. I th—wait a minute, what is (Justin} Morneau doing with…is that a musket? DICK BREMER (TWINS PLAY-BY-PLAY, 1983-PRESENT): That’s a musket. Take cover, Glen. Fortunately, I’ve been to a St. Cloud State Homecoming or two in my day. [LIGHTS MOLOTOV COCKTAIL, HEAVES FLAMING COUCH AT POLITE YET FERAL SASKATOON HORDE] BRAD RADKE (PITCHER, 1995-2006): I don’t think she was much of a fisherman, right? BYRON BUXTON (OUTFIELDER, 2015-PRESENT): England is a country where I’ve never had a devastating injury. Liz is good by me. ROCCO BALDELLI (MANAGER, 2019-PRESENT): Was following Phish around the country in 2015, just chill vibes for days. They played Alpine Valley and on night 1, the minute they kicked into “Tweezer,” who gets up on stage but the Queen herself? Just started jamming with Trey, couldn’t believe my eyes. Everyone says I was “feeling the effects” so to speak and there’s no video evidence, but I know what I saw. Her Majesty could shred. DAN GLADDEN (OUTFIELDER, 1987-1991; RADIO ANNOUNCER 2000-PRESENT): America fought a damn war for me not to care about this. I tell you what though, if the Queen came out to the farm and helped me move some earth, lay some sod, get her hands dirty, and maybe punch that egg-sucking bastard Steve Lombardozzi right in the solar plexus, I’d pay my respects. Image license here. View full article

The date was July 14, 2008, and Yankee Stadium was buzzing with the excitement of baseballs being launched into the night. Kicking off the All-Star Game festivities was Chris Berman’s shining moment, the Home Run Derby. This particular event was highlighted by Josh Hamilton’s crazy performance, but everyone in Twins Territory remembers it for a different reason. Minnesota Twins first basemen Justin Morneau capture the MVP trophy in 2006, and in 2007 he became an All-Star for the first time. A two-time All-Star in 2008, Morneau participated in his second Major League Home Run Derby. Through the first 95 games that year, all played before the break, Morneau walloped 14 homers. The field was split between American and National League participants, with Morneau being joined from the division by Cleveland’s Grady Sizemore. The format was different than it is today, with 10 outs being available and the rounds being untimed. As long as the baseball was sent into the bleachers, a tally was added to the total. There were no distance challenges and the goal was simple. Following a set by rock band 3 Doors Down, The Derby was set to get underway. Vladimir Guerroro was the 2007 victor, but was absent as he opted to spend time with his family. This time around, it was anyone’s opportunity to capture the crown. Selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft, Josh Hamilton had finally surfaced in the big leagues during the 2007 season. Making his debut with the Cincinnati Reds, Hamilton posted a ludicrous .922 OPS over the course of 90 games. With a troubled past and demons he had seemed to fight off, Hamilton appeared firmly entrenched with a focus on baseball. In 2008 Hamilton made the All-Star Game for the first time. Now a member of the Texas Rangers, his 21 homers prior to the break were plenty noteworthy, but nobody was prepared for what would happen that night in Yankee Stadium. Over the course of his 10 outs, Hamilton blasted a ridiculous twenty-eight baseballs into the seats. It immediately became a record for the most home runs hit in any single round of The Derby. Some were majestic while others were wall-scrapers, but in total, Hamilton put on a performance that left fans awestruck. Needing three other contestants to join Hamilton, fans at Yankee Stadium saw Morneau hit eight, Ryan Braun hit seven, and Lance Berkman hit eight to round out the finals field. Although the rounds were untimed, there was no denying that the work put in by Hamilton during the opening salvo took its toll. That’s when Morneau went to work. Minnesota’s representative put up a solid number with nine in round two. With 17 dingers hit combined between the first two rounds, Morneau was sitting pretty. Braun matched his first round total pushing his overall to 14, while Berkman ended with six in round two tying Braun on the overall mark. Hamilton knowing he could take a rest, voluntarily ended his round with four homers using just four outs. It was here, on the final stage of The Derby, that Morneau found himself with an opportunity. Although Morneau hadn’t captured the crowd like Hamilton had, he was ultimately in the same place. Both players were gassed at this point, Morneau had enough in the tank to finish with five in his final round while Hamilton wound up with just three. There’s no denying the talk of this derby has always been Hamilton’s insane round, but Justin Morneau and those around Twins Territory will never forget who took the crown. Morneau talks of the experience fondly and brought it up on a broadcast over the weekend. He went on to celebrate that night, and then played an integral part during the All-Star Game the following night. Over the years there have been multiple moments that define All-Star action, and Morneau’s Home Run Derby exploits could be up there with Torii Hunter’s catch against Barry Bonds in Milwaukee. Thinking back across all of them, what are some of your favorites? View full article

Monday night is one of the most exciting parts of the All-Star Game as sluggers from both leagues look to be crowned Home Run Derby champion. Here are the best Minnesota moments from the Derby. The Twins had an opportunity to add to this list during the 2022 Home Run Derby, but Byron Buxton turned down an invitation to participate. Buxton wasn't the only player to turn down an invite, as some All-Stars need to get as much rest as possible even when attending the week's festivities. Still, there are plenty of other Home Run Derby moments that some fans may or may not remember. 5. Joe Mauer Holds His Own Fans don't typically associate Joe Mauer with home runs, but his sweet swing can produce power. During his MVP season, Mauer was selected to participate in the Home Run Derby in St. Louis. He missed the second-round cut after losing a swing-off to Carlos Pena and Albert Pujols. Former Twin Nelson Cruz finished second in the Derby to Milwaukee's Prince Fielder. 4. Metrodome Hosts First Official Home Run Derby At the 1985 All-Star Game, Minnesota hosted the Mid-Summer Classic for the second time. Part of these hosting duties included hosting the first HR Derby. Since then, the Derby has come a long way with the hype on TV and social media and tons of sponsorships. Dave Parker was named the champion with six home runs, while Minnesota's Tom Brunansky finished tied for second with four homers. 3. Miguel Sano Falls Short in Final In his only All-Star appearance, Miguel Sano finished one home run behind Aaron Judge in the 2017 HR Derby Final. Sano had clobbered 21 home runs during the first half, so he was a deserving participant. He showed up on the big stage and had a chance to be the club's second HR Derby champion. Current Twin Gary Sanchez was one of the players Sano had to defeat to make the final. 2. Target Field Provides Picture Perfect Derby Backdrop The 2014 All-Star Game festivities occurred at Target Field, and the HR Derby line-up included multiple current and former Twins. Brian Dozier got to represent Minnesota, but he struggled and only hit two home runs. Other Twins-related contestants were former Twin Justin Morneau and future Twin Josh Donaldson. Yoenis Cespedes walked away with the title, and a passing storm provided a full rainbow over the stadium. 1. Justin Morneau Upsets Josh Hamilton's Show Justin Morneau is the only player in franchise history to compete in multiple Home Run Derbies. In the 2007 Derby, he finished fifth and missed the cut to make the second round. He returned in 2008 and got an upset win at Yankee Stadium. Josh Hamilton smashed 28 home runs in the first round, but Morneau was more rested and took home the title. It's the franchise's only HR Derby win, and it came from one of the best power hitters in franchise history. What do you remember about the Home Run Derbies mentioned above? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article