I was sitting in a hot tub last night soaking my aching bones and was pondering all things Twins. Oddly, I started racking my brains trying to remember stuff that happened many moons ago in Twindom. The Eddie Bane debut came to my mind as something strange that happened back in the early 70s. Does anyone remember that surrealistic promotion by the Twins?

I also remember a pitcher named Hughes who started his rookie (I believe he was a rookie) season 6-0 relying on the fearfully named palm ball. Of course, once teams realized the dreaded palm ball was his only decent pitch. He was soon being shredded by opposing teams.

I also tried to remember players on the Twins whose family names were palindromes and could only recall one, but I am sure there is at least one more. Of course, the one I am thinking of is Mark Salas. Can anyone recall another? How about on another team other than the Twins?

Finally, comes the one I could not resolve no matter how hard I racked my brains. Does anyone remember who the Twins player was who developed some sort of mental aversion to playing in front of large crowds? He tried going to psychotherapists but just couldn't readjust. I can't for the life of me remember that player's name.

As always thanks!

This is not a panic post. I am just wondering if Liriano could benefit from being a two/three inning reliever for a spell until he gets the kinks worked out with his control. It has been exasperating for fans (and I am sure his teammates) with his inabilitiy to throw strikes. I know this will raise some hackles for some of you, but we know that if Slowey becomes a starter, he will at the very least throw strikes and will likely be an adequate fill-in for Liriano for now. If he gets lit up, what has been lost? If he shines, then it's champagne all around. As it stands, Liriano can't seem to get through four innings in good shape. What say you?

We here in Japan are looking forward to the return of Nishioka so we can get more press than one sentence in the newspaper. We no longer get any report on the Twins on the national news (via TV) either. Big hits and great plays made by Japanese players playing in the majors are taken very seriously by the Japanese media. (They love to use the term "re-za bimu" (laser beam) whenever Ichiro guns someone down on the basepaths, and, of course, every time Godzilla hits a home run it is big news.) So, I want to say, "Get well soon Tsuyoshi!!"

PS-Nishioka's former team the Chiba Lotte Marines have started the season 1-2. They played the Rakuten Eagles whose home field is in Sendai--one of the hardest hit areas by the earthquake. The games were held in Sendai and the opening game (two weeks delayed) victory by the Eagles was very emotional for the team and the fans (most of whom held banners or signs encouraging the victims of the quake and tsunami). In a way, baseball seems like a minor thing in light of the disaster; however, I really think the start of the season has helped to take the focus away from all of the troubles that Japan has had recently. In a way, it is a sign that things are getting back to normal (even though the opener was temporarily halted mid-game because of a very strong aftershock). I am a Twins fan first, but I am also a fan of Japanese baseball, so a shout out to the Chuinichi Dragons, who like the Twins usually make the playoffs but can't seem to win it all. Sometimes baseball is good medicine!

Well, I should say his leg got busted, but this got your attention , I hope. My real intent is to ask, why on earth is/was Nishioka playing second base in the first place? Once Hardy was gone, I would have thought it a no-brainer that Nishioka be inserted at shortstop. Casilla and Tolbert have both played extensively at second base, and Nishioka had always played shortstop in Japan. It would be fine if he wasn't a particularly good fielder in Japan, but he was the BEST FIELDING SHORTSTOP in Japan. I thought it was ironic that Gardenhire mentioned his clumsy turn...DUH...it's the first time he has played second base in his career! Since, he feels the need to rotate the shortstop position, why not let Nishioka play the position he won the gold glove playing and rotate Tolbert and Casilla at second instead? I know Gardy can be stubborn and he has his own ideas, but I really don't understand this one on any level.

Dear Gardy,

What can I say but, thank you for leading the Twins to the postseason once again. You have every right to be as upset as I am about these recent discussions questioning your abilities to manage the Twins in the playoffs. How dare they question your abilities!

You have proven every year--well at least six times--your ability to lead the Twins to playoff land. I know once you get your team in the playoffs that the players stop looking to you for advice and suggestions on how they should be prepared. I dare say they even ignore what you tell them.

Some people say that the team is not prepared once they get to the playoffs. This is just insulting. I know some of the players look lethargic and uninspired...why some of them even look like Bambi in the headlights. I guess our players are just a bunch of overpaid whiners. It couldn't possibly be that the Yankees are always better prepared than the Twins because that would mean you might be somewhat responsible, and I for one just can't believe that...why it makes me sick just thinking about it.

Some people also complain that you haven't led the Twins to the World Series. Well, I, for one, don't mind losing in the playoffs. I guess I'm like you in that way. I am proud of you for letting these losses roll off of your back without a care. I don't care either!! I'm just happy you're around (although, I must admit, I was a little bit disappointed not to see Nick Punto in those games). Twins baseball was a bore with Tom Kelly at the helm, and he was so mean to players who made mistakes. So what if he has a RING (I mean two rings)...big whoop-de-doo. You will always be a World Series hero in my heart even if we never actually win any games.

Some people have also questioned your ability to manage in the playoffs such as bunting in the first inning and giving up an easy out. How do we know how things will turn out? I'm sure that although you knew the Twins couldn't hold the Yankees scoreless because it had never happened in Twins playoff history against the Yankees that the loss was a given. I thought this was a fantastic decision. It's much better to lose 10-1 than 10-0!!!! One of those players may remember scoring a run against the evil Yankees and be able to tell his grand kids about it. Way to think futuristically!!!

Also, those evil Yankees get paid so much. They aren't overrated like some folks would like you to believe. Your players just can't compete against that money and when you couple that with Twins players' bad attitudes, the Twins have no hope. I am actually proud of the fact that you filled the team with a kind of hopelessness that brings the players into a state of reality. The Twins players should realize who they are playing and not get too confident when they already know they have no chance. Why should they get their "pie-in-the-sky" hopes up? Just to have them dashed? I think not!! (You're always thinking about the players' welfare...it makes a tear come to my eye.)

Also, as some wise people have said, you can't hit for the Twins in clutch situations and you can't get batters out in critical situations. That means it is all on the players! You have NO RESPONSIBILITY for the Twins losses so don't fret about it, but of course, I know you are COMPLETELY RESPONSIBLE for the Twins making the playoffs and for that I give you +1000 kudos. Those people who question you, they all must be a bunch of nerds who think winning in the playoffs is something the Twins should aspire to. Frankly, I don't care if we ever win another game in the playoffs. I'm just happy to see you sitting in the dugout knowly that the bliss we feel, even when getting stomped by those evil/cheating Yankees, will continue for another season (please don't let this fantasy end by listening to the crazies who think you aren't as wonderful as you and Twins management believe you are).

Finally, I just want to close with this, "Gardenhire forever, may the doubters arguments be severed."

Love a real Homer

PS-Again, I say please don't listen to those who think that you had anything to do with the Twins playoff losses. Sure the Twins are setting playoff loss records, but remember: IT'S ALL THE PLAYERS. NONE OF THE FAULT IS YOURS; YOU'RE ONLY THE MANAGER AND THE MANAGER HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY for how a team plays!

Record-breaker Keppel puts faith in teammates

By KAZ NAGATSUKA
Staff writer

In his first year in Japan, pitcher Bobby Keppel has been serving as a messiah for the ailing Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.

A humble attitude and flexible mind-set have played major roles in his success so far.

After a win over the Orix Buffaloes on Sunday, Keppel is 9-1 and tied for the Pacific League lead in wins.

In beating the Buffaloes, Keppel posted his eighth consecutive victory, setting a new franchise record by surpassing Carlos Mirabal and Ryan Glynn for the longest winning streak by a foreign pitcher.

On March 22, Keppel was forced to leave the mound after the first inning of his very first appearance for the Fighters due to muscle pain. But he has been phenomenal since then, and is now one of the team's most reliable starters along with ace Yu Darvish (6-4).

"Oh, wow," Keppel said last week, a couple of days after he equaled the previous record of seven straight wins with his first shutout in Japan against the Chunichi Dragons at Sapporo Dome. "That's neat. I didn't know."

The 196-cm right-hander only fanned three, but was able to fool the Dragons by utilizing his signature two-seam fastballs. Nineteen batters hit groundouts in Keppel's in-control outing.

"When things are going well, I usually get ground balls. That's not unusual for me," the 28-year-old Keppel said. "I consider a double play better than a strikeout. My mind-set is more ground balls, ground balls. Strikeouts come every once in a while. I'm not going to strike out, that's not my pitch."

But, Keppel emphasized, he wouldn't have been able to accomplish what he has so far without a total team effort, and pitching is just one part of the equation.

"I think a lot of things have to go right," said Keppel, a former Minnesota Twin. "Your team has to hit, has to have defense. So the games I win, that's great. My name's attached to the wins. But it's definitely team victories.

"I can put zeros up but if we don't put a run up, I don't get a W. It's completely true. To get seven wins, that shows the team's really performed well every time I've taken the mound."

The humble St. Louis native even gave some of the credit to Darvish, who pitched on the previous day against Chunichi.

"Darvish pitched great the day before." Keppel said. "That helped cool their bats down because they're a good hitting team. Darvish went seven shutout innings. So that helped me the next day."

Another key for Keppel's success was his ability to adapt to a new environment. He said he made a big adjustment on the side of the pitching rubber he works from — toeing the rubber closer to third base as opposed the side nearest first — before his start against the Hanshin Tigers in May. Afterwards, he said he could put more of an angle on his pitches.

Interestingly, one of the pitchers who inspired Keppel to make the change was Darvish, who often alters his pitching style in search of his best stuff.

"I watched Darvish. Darvish is able to pitch in the middle of a game switching sides (of the rubber). He can do it, I can do it," Keppel said with a smile.

Keppel arrived in Japan without much of an idea about the game here. But his trust in his new team eventually deepened and that is another pivotal factor in his success. His belief in catcher Shinya Tsuruoka is particularly strong.

"I really trust Tsuru behind the plate," Keppel said. "He's done a great job calling the games. Without him behind the plate, I probably make some pitches that aren't the best pitches. But he knows the hitters well and I trust him. So he should be given the most credit."

PS-Since this article was published, Bobby Keppel has won one and lost one and so stands at 10-2 for the year with an ERA at 3.43.

Twins patheticity (not bad for an invented word, eh?) has been exposed by teams in the East (wait, haven't we had this discussion before?). If we throw out the horrible Orioles the Twins boast a 6-13 record against those teams...39-27 against everyone else. Hitting has been miserable and pitching beyond Thunderdome rancid. When we have won, it seems as if we were hanging on by our fingernails, and when we've lost, well, let's just say even a good manicurist couldn't repair the damage.

I've asked this before and I'll ask it again. Why do the Twins seem to perform like they are deer in the headlights when they play these teams from the East? Dare I say (as I have said previously) that the Twins approach is different against those teams? Is it a mentality thing? Is it fate? Are the Twins saying to themselves: "Please don't lose this game and covering their eyes (like I am as a fan)?

What does the think tank suggest to this seemingly unending conundrum?

Arguably, the team playing the best baseball in the Central isn't the Twins or the Tigers but none-other than the battle-scarred and often maligned Pale Hose. My question to the think tank is, "Are the Pale Hose legit?" (They actually have the best record on the road of any Central squad due mostly to their recent winning streak.) Should the Twins be concerned about the White Sox surge? Does the fact that Obama sported a WS hat recently bode well for them? (75 words is sometimes a lot to ask :-)

I think that the Twins would be smart to make an offer to pick up Iwamura since the infield seems to be holding together by a thread at the moment. The guy hit close to .300 for two seasons; he's a good fielder and he's the kind of player that Gardy likes--gritty.

He probably just needs a change of scenery. What does the Twinkie Towners think about this idea?????? Good? Bad? Indifferent?

PS-His nickname could be very cool since 'Iwa" means rock in Japanese and "mura" means town--Rocktown!!!

Bobby Keppel after being injured slightly in his first start (he threw only 17 pitches and left the game) has since reeled off 6 straight wins for the Nippon Ham Fighters. His record is 6-1 with an ERA of 3.63 and a WHIP of 1.00. For the Nippon Ham Fighters, Keppel has been exclusively a starter in Japan. His most recent outing he pitched seven innings gving up 3 runs on 7 hits and a walk. He had a shaky start but settled down after the first two innings and the Fighters slowly took control of the game, eventually winning (on the road) against the Yokohama Bay Stars 13-3.

As we all get ready for the new memories to be created at TF. I was just reminiscing about some of my favorite radio and TV guffaws made by Twins' announcers in the past. Since I am in Japan and can't listen or watch games, my favorite bloopers are older ones. I think it would be interesting to hear some of Twinkie Town's best radio/TV bloopers. I have a couple, but the my favorite is one by Frank Quilici as the TV color commentator for the Twins (way) back when I was just out of high school.

"There's a seeing eye dog into left field."

My friend and I watching the game nearly fell off the couch we were laughing so hard, but apparently, it went unnoticed by the other broadcaster--either that or he ran out of the studio.

So we have at last arrived at the point the dome will be deflated and filled with water to become the world's largest swimming pool and ice rink (during winter), but I am not a dome-basher and never have been, so it is with some sadness that I think about the dome disappearing from the baseball world.

Immediately, I hear incredulous cries of, "What? Have you lost your last ounce of sense?" Baseball was meant to be played on grass and in places where the natural elements can be felt enveloping the lucky fan who attends. To this I say, "BAH!" One man's trash is another's treasure.

I went to few Twins games as a lad. My father worked long hours and baseball games were a bit extravagant in his mind, but I did manage to get to a couple of games at the Old Met. I went with some lads from our church once and saw Tony-O tie the game up in the 9th with a home run down the right field line (only to realize that the organizers had only planned on staying 9 innings and we had to leave--that was crushing). I also saw a mammoth home run to deep left field (where I seemed to be seating the few times I managed to get to a game) by the Killebrew. It was going to land right in the aisle about 5 rows below me and I thought, “I am going to play the bounce and glove that sucker,” but alas, a hotdog vendor with an empty plastic container caught the ball in his container. I was a bit miffed to see that happen, but hotdog vendors are part of baseball. Those were the fond memories, but there were also some memories I don’t look back at with fondenss.

When I was older, I went to a Vikings game and sat in right field in the bleachers; it was so cold, I really couldn't feel my fingers or my bum. The Vikings won, but it was miserable to be there really. Of course the drunk behind us helped us freeze our keesters by dumping a large quantity of Hamm's beer on us and our wooden slats. It's all part of the game and fun--aaaahhh, NO, sorry! (I also got slivers where the sun doesn't shine, but I suppose that the new ballpark will have plasti-seats, so that part will be OK.) And, lest you think, "Ahhh we're talking baseball here sonny," I also attended a Twins' night game at the Old Met in mid-September. It was so cold that we had to sit on our hands and we could see our breath. And, speaking of outdoor parks in general, I took a trip to Oakland to watch the A's play the Twins at the Coliseum. The expected heavy thunderstorms that were supposed to ruin the game, never materialized until the middle of the night. They cancelled the game hours before the game even started, so my trip to Oakland was washed out without any rain falling!

 Enter the Dome. I went there often with a pal of mine to watch the Twins play. Man we saw some great games; we never cared if it was raining, sunny or snowing. Sure the PA system is campy and echoes all over the park; sure the baggie in right field looks, ahhh, baggie or a giant blue bicycle uniform. Sure Kong hit the ceiling with the mystery ball. It was all part of the charm to me.

I also loved to feel that whoosh of air as one passed through the entry way. It was like entering a different kingdom. The field was always green and had that bounce, which I thought was great. Fenway has the Monster and outfielders have difficulty playing the carom off that wall. Wrigley has the wind and high-sun, both of which give fielders fits at times, and the Dome has that puffy grey ceiling. “Don’t take your eye off the ball Willie Wilson because you might just lose it and have it bounce over your head.” And, the dome has the baggie and its line-drive-deadening effect and crazy bounces too, but they could be mastered with a bit of practice.

 Of course the number one reason I love the Dome is that the Twins won their only two World Series within the confines of that Dome. Minnesota professional sports teams have only those two championships. The name Gene Larkin is known simply because of a fly ball hit to left field inside that dome! And Frankie V. played his sweetest music so he could go to Disneyland (and shortly thereafter to the arch enemy’s camp), inside that Dome. I have to associate the historical names of the great teams with the Dome as that is where I saw those players excel: Brunansky, Hrbek, Gagne, Aguilera, Blyleven (yes, even he), Gaetti, Gladden and of course, Kirby. Kirby was a Domer. He played half of all of his games under the Teflon. He didn’t complain about it, he took advantage of it.

So it is with a bit of sadness for me that games will no longer be played in the Dome. I have tons of great memories that came about inside that giant popover that I will never forget them. Additionally, I will never have a chance to take my Japanese wife to a dome game. She’s always wanted to go but that chance is lost. For the few of us who loved the Dome, we will miss her. And to her I say, "Thanks for the memories." And mark my words, someone, somewhere next year when everyone is full of love and joy for the new stadium is going to slip up and say, “You know I think that one might have gotten through at the Dome.”

So here we are again--different year same story.

• I do hate the Yankees
• I do not like the Angels
• I do not like the Dodgers
• I do hate the Phillies

...so much for postseason enjoyment. I think I'll cheer for the Vikings. You see what you have done to me TWINS? I am considering abandoning baseball to cheer for the Vikings; that's how low I have sunk this time.

This may sound like sour grapes; well, actually I guess it is sour grapes. Why do the Twins play like that whenever they play against the Yankees or the Red Sox? Did anyone notice the distinct difference between the way the Twins played the Tigers (full of confidence and swagger) and the way the Twins played the Yankees (like children of the corn)? They actually did few things that would make anyone believe that they won the Central. The Yankees looked beatable!!!!!!!!!

The Twins led in every game, but never held the lead for even two full innings! The Twins swiped what, two bases? This, despite the fact that opposing teams were stealing bases at over 70% against Posada. EVERYONE should have been trying to steal against him. Did the Twins hit and run against their slower opponents? NO! Did the Twins try to bunt with Captain Cheeseburger on the mound? NO! Did the Twins hit like -.700 with runners in scoring position? YES! Did the Twins have 900 runners left on base? YES! The Yankees simply hit home runs so they didn't have to worry. (And did anyone notice the difference in the Yankee dugout when they scored a run compared to the Twins? Where was that us against the world spirit?)

The Twins gave us all hope with the way they played in September. No way could they catch the Tigers, but they did!! And RG gets a lot of credit for that; however, NONE of that carried over into the games agains the Yankees. I don't care if your tired--it's the playoffs! The adrenalin should be flowing like Niagara Falls.

The bottom line is this. The Twins play the same way every time they enter the playoffs under Ron Gardenhire and company. This year looked no different to me than any other year they have entered the playoffs. RG has still not learned tha the playoffs are a different animal than the regular season. Nothing could have magnified this more than his statement after the first two losses: "Now we're going to have to take some chances." As much as anyone would hope and wish that the regular season and the playoffs are the same; they are not. The Twins did not play every game like it was Game 7 and for that, we sit here watching the Yankees and Angels play (except some of us who cannot tolerate doing so--and they are showing the games because of Matsui).

Sorry, LESSON STILL NOT LEARNED, but I have vented, and please let the poison arrows rain from the sky. I don't mind,; I've been critical of RG and the Twins in the past. Whew! Now I'm done. Bring on 2010.

It says on the front page of this blog:

"We strive to be the best Minnesota Twins blog by providing quality content and analysis, as well as daily news and notes on the team. "

As for this quote, I would like to say, "Well done lads." And, I think there is no doubt that your goal has been met once again. Thanks for bringing the Twins a little closer than 6500 frequent flyer miles away (many miles more if one flies Continental through Houston).

An additional thumbs up to all of the contributors who really do help to make this the best Twins blog.

Now let's win some postseason games.

I am of lover of all things related to language and names have always intrigued me, so I thought I would pick everyone's brains around here and try to come up with a "best names of all-time baseball team." I have one good outfielder for the list, but let's see if we can build a whole team. (I've thought of some others too, but I was sure that there must be better choices that other folks would surely come up with). So without further ado, please start tossing some names in for the team.

Here is my first choice:

Now playing CF for the best names team is Cesar Geronimo (unless you can top it :0).

The Twins have certainly been the benefactor of home-cookin'; they have had the most home games of any American League team, so far and stand 18-17 for the young season.

However, June and July are on the horizon where the Twins will have two ten game road trips and one nine game road trip in a month and a half.

What I want to ask all of you wizards of smart is: How many games over .500 do the Twins need to be at that point to have a real chance of making the playoffs...or do they need to be above .500 at that point.?

To quote an Elton John song, "I've seen that movie too." We've been down this road before and the story always ends the same way. You know, if the manager doesn't matter when it comes to winning and losing, then why even have one? If there aren't any particular strategies that are either winning or losing games, then we don't even need a manager. If there is not a certain mentality that can be passed on to the players before a certain game, then is there any need for a manager? If it is never the manager's fault that the Twins choke at a certain time every year, then I guess he must be expendable, but hey, he comes cheap and he is well-liked in the clubhouse, so I guess that's all that matters!

The other side of the coin, is that the manager does matter and he makes decisions and provides the team with direction and purpose, in which case RG has failed at the most crucial moments. This is the stance that I have always taken (even though I was again hoping to be proven wrong). (Of course, players matter as well. It is impossible to win consistently with lousy players, but the Twins have always had a solid minor league pipeline, so decent players keep coming up through the system. I think the Twins have a very good group of players at the moment and before one of those dry spells comes about, it would be nice to get a third WS championship.)

In the real world, I would like to see the Twins land a third World Series ring, but with RG at the helm folks, it ain't gonna happen, is it? Do you really think that it will??? Honestly??? We've been there and done that four times (or is it five), and we've always ended up losers--even thought the press always marvels that the Twins compete. Here's a news flash, the Twins don't compete when it comes to the playoffs! The game against the Sox was just one more example of ineptitude at the worst time.

The bottom line is this Tom Kelly took the Twins into the playoffs twice. In 1987, the Twins were gonna get their heads served on a platter against the Tigers, and then were supposed to get stomped by the Cardinals. They won the World Series. In 1991, the Twins were a better team than they were in 1987, but they were still supposed to get their clocks cleaned both in the championship and in the World Series. They won the World Series again......personally, I think the manager matters.

OK, I'm finished. Let the poison arrows fall where they may.

In this season of ups and downs, I have realized that the Twins have quite a talented team. I have to give a half-bow to the Twins organization because the Twins have put together a team that can actually get hits on certain occasions, which had been one of my pet peeves over the years. On their acquistions, I will give them a B+.

On the other hand, teams like the Twins who do not rely on raw power to drub opponents into submission, do the little things well. That's the Twins's signature, isn't it? The answer is of course, "No way."

The recent meltdowns are a point in case. In a one-week span the Twins lost three games simply due to miscues in the field. On another occasion, not walking a batter and then falling behind the next batter so that you have to toss a waste-high watermelon on the inside portion of the plate, are considered as a part of doing the little things well. These problems have less to do about talent and more about preparedness and being ready to be in such situations, IMHO. Earlier in the year, when on the road against the Yankees and the Red Sox, the Twins played absolutely bizarro baseball. Four Twins' runners were gunned down on various miscues iduring one game.

Are the players to blame for this lack of readiness? That is the question that I put before you all.

Well, it seems as if the Twins will not be able to pull off a winning season in 2007 at the end of it all. The Twins turned out to be an extremely mediocre team.

The year started on a relatively strange note. The Twins management rolled the dice on two washed-up veterans again, while keeping one washed-up veteran around for another season. That's okay; Gardy loves veterans, and he can get the most out of them. I could go on and on about how the money could have been invested in a qualitatively better option, but that horse has been beaten into oblivion.

The offense seemed offensively challenged right from the start. I was lambasted in early blogs because I complained that the Twins did little to alter their lineup from the previous year. Neverhtheless, I still had plenty of hope. Early successes belied much deeper problems, which surfaced early on and then dominated after the All Star break. And, in any case, this is another horse corpse to hurdle, so I'll stop there.

Amazingly there was still some hope; despite the hitting woes of the Twins, Detroit and Cleveland's dog days' performances found the Twins just a handful of games back. The Twins would make a deal--a deal that would vault them back into the race. They had an ace up their sleeve, and fans could smell a division busting deal coming down the pike. They got their deal--this is the Twins afterall--as they dumped Castillo and Cirillo to save a little "hard-earned" cash. The Pohlads are....okay, I won't even go there.

After the deals, Hunter and Santana complained. A lot of folks said they were whiners (this confirmed to many that they were indeed whiners because they also failed to accept the Twins paltry offers for multi-year deals--see C. Pohlad reference above). The arguments were furiously flying online. Some folks said that professionals ought to shut-up, put their jerseys on and play. Others said that when the management at any workplace treats seniors like garbage, the seniors have a right to express their feelings. This seems like a legitimate argument, but that might lead to all kinds of heated debate, so I'll just drop the subject.

Then of course there was the ever present Mother of All Discussions: What's the deal with Nick Punto. Nick-the-one-hit-wonder (2006), found himself transmogrified back into the hitter that many of us thought he actually was. In 2006 Nick Punto was a decent player, with decent defense and was known for his constant hustle. In 2007, Nick Punto was the worst hitter in baseball, who failed to execute even fundamental baseball but who was rewarded with starting practically every game. Why? He was suddenly the greatest defender to ever put on a baseball uniform. He was Brooks Robinson without the hitting (really, I swear he was compared to Brooks). I better stop, before I say more. Otherwise...

What I really want to say is that this year could have been much better. Those are sour grapes to be sure, but I really think so. This club had won the division in 2006 because of the players' abilities and they had most of those players back. They really needed to make some alterations to the lineup and they didn't and that really hurt the Twins, but there is a deeper problem that gets often gets ignored because the Twins have won division titles--the Gardenhire problem. Just the mention of this probably infuriates a good portion of the bloggers that are reading this. I am sorry, but I think you are wrong defending Gardy.

Gardy may have some admirable characteristics and there are probably some things that he does very well. I think that he creates a relaxed atmosphere--for veterans, even those who can't perform. Nonetheless, the Twins did not play fundamentally sound baseball under these relaxed guidelines. That's the players' faults, right? Well, not exactly. Fundamental baseball starts with the way the team is managed--right out of spring training. You can say a lot of bad things about Tom Kelly over his final years, but one thing you could not say is that his teams played fundamentally poor baseball.

Another point that has been somewhat belabored but cannot be ignored is that Gardy treats veterans differently than nubies. There is nothing wrong with this on the surface, veterans don't need the same kind of admonishing as younger players, but there is this issue of blame, which seems far too often to raise its ugly head in the media of all places. Nubies get blamed for all the Twins' woes and veterans are inevitably given a pass because they are, "...battling their tails off."

I remember (way, way back there) when the Twins had a rookie pitcher named Hughes. (Stay with me here; I do have a point.) He threw a palmball at the exclusion of all other pitches. He really didn't have much else; it was just the palmball. He started out an amazing 6-0! The problem was that the palmball wasn't like a knuckler; a palmball, which is thrown fairly slowly, makes a very predictable movement. The second time around, when other teams saw the palmball, they ripped it. Hughes didn't get out of the first inning in his second start against Boston. Why am I wasting time talking about Hughes? Because Gardy's management style is mindful of Hughes' pitching style. He offers very little variety in his approach because at one point in time the system he had employed worked. He doesn't alter his approach to meet the demands of what is required for success. If anyone has doubts, think back to how long Nick Punto remained at the top of the order despite his inability to get the job done. This is just one example.

I always believe that the players are the ones who wins divisions. Sometimes poorly managed teams win their division despite poor management. This is what the Twins have been in the past. Nevertheless, in the playoffs, management skills always have an effect. In 1987, the Twins were the least talented team in the playoffs, and they won the World Series. In 2004, the Twins were the most talented team in the playoffs (IMHO), and they were unceremoniously dumped from the first round of the playoffs, winning one game against a very average Yankees team.

I was never a fan of Gardy; from day one, I didn't like the way he managed the team. I thought and I still do that he was a big step down from Tom Kelly, but I am a fan of the Twins, so I have to say I often feel conflicted--hoping the Twins have success and still hoping that the team gets rid of Gardy. I now feel that the Twins are starting down a road where neither of these things will happen. Tom Kelly's stamp is slowly fading from view as players who were tutored under Kelly slowly fade into history; the team is really becoming a Gardenhire team. We'll see how it goes, but I cannot honestly say I am optimistic.

I could stay annoyed, but I guess in my heart of hearts, I know that I will be online checking how the Twins are looking right from spring training, and hoping that something has changed and it has affected Gardy's style. I guess that the old saying, "Hope springs eternal," describes me as well as a lot of us Twins fans. I actually look forward to eating crow! I want to be able to console myself with these words again at some time next year, "We're gonna win Twins. We're gonna score. We're gonna win Twins. Watch that baseball soar. Crack-out a home-run. Shout a hip-hooray. Cheer for the Minnesota Twins, today!"