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Sweet Swingers: Rod Carew, Rookie

March 9, 2013, 8:17 pm
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In 1967, 21 year-old Rod Carew was still just a year removed from playing A ball. He would tinker with his swing in 1968, dropping from .292 to .273, still imagining himself as a power hitter. Modifying his approach to become the line-drive hitting machine we now remember, he'd make a 59-point jump to garner his first batting title (.332) in 1969.

I love this full color shot by the great Iooss of Sports Illustrated fame. More to come from him, in the continuing "Sweet Swingers" series. Because you, my readers, deserve nothing but the best! You can also read up on Carew's April 11, 1967 debut in Baltimore at this site.

As Herb Carneal ended his broadcasts: "So long everybody!"
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2013 Debut Recalls Frozen '62 Twins Home Opener

March 30, 2013, 9:56 pm
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 Click on above photo for larger version of the Northern gladiators, 
looking as if gathered for a photo shoot on the Alaskan tundra

There is again anticipation of another cold opener in 2013, this time at Target Field. Minnesota will take on the American League Champion Detroit Tigers, and temps hovering in the mid-30's will take away some of the joy for fans used to experiencing moderate conditions in the opening three years at the new ballpark (see all-time Minnesota home opener chart below). Assuming the weather forecasters are on target, one has to go back 51 years, back to 1962, if you're to find it's equivalent as openers go.

That game clocked in at 3:26, with 21 batters walked by both pitching staffs, including 23 strikeouts, one balk, and one batter hit by pitch. Angels closer and winner Ryne Duren (who threw three hitless, scoreless innings) referred to the conditions as "brutal;" most of the pitchers that day couldn't feel the seams on the baseball. 8,363 fans were in attendance- now THAT must have been a brutal fact for team owner Calvin Griffith to swallow! Half wonder if the penny-pinching Cal would've considered burning down the grandstand, if the extra warmth assured a bigger gate. Even if just for a day.

                                             A possibilty: Rich wanted to burn one that afternoon 
                                                 (1962 Twins Official Program and Scorecard)

The photos and archival newspaper accounts to follow bring back in focus the frigid Saturday, April 14, 1962 opener versus the California Angels (see BBRef Box), the granddaddy freeze out of all-time Twins history. With references to the new, "hot" rookie third baseman Rich Rollins (photo below), you get some idea of the discomfort at Metropolitan Stadium that day.


                                               Rollins fielding, June 8, 1962 versus White Sox

  

                        Plenty other Minnesota papers reported on the freeze, 
                                                      adding their own version of the ironic title... 


History of Minnesota Twins Home Opener Weather 
(chart + story available at link)
http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/Twins_home_opener_weather.htm





One would have to think the Twins will strongly back postponing the Monday, April 1, 2013 opener until the next day, a planned off day at the ready for rescheduling what with poor weather debuts commonplace in recent times.

It's an inconvenience to fans strongly anticipating the thrill of a new season, but when you consider the quality of baseball in the offing (even factoring in the improved amenities to boost player comfort), there is this too: it's kind of complicated to get fans to buy  & enjoy that microbrew, especially when they're gripping it with mittens.

As the old professional Herb Carneal ended his Twins broadcasts:
"So long, everybody."
Q: How cold will it be on Monday, 
Weatherman Bud?
A: Damn cold
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A Maestro At First: Trading For Vic Power, April 2, 1962

April 2, 2013, 7:17 pm
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LAST UPDATED: APRIL 7, 2013
The first major trade in the history of the Minnesota Twins went down on today's date, on April 2, 1962.

Vic Power was traded along with young reliever Dick Stigman in exchange for righthanded starter Pedro Ramos. At the time, parting with the talented Ramos was a significant event, especially noteworthy since he was next in line behind staff ace Camilo Pascual in tenure and talent. Jim Kaat was just coming into his own that season, and would win 18 games. In Stigman, they Twins were glad to get a promising, young arm. But the "sexy" part of this transaction was obvious...


The following story from the Jefferson City Daily summed up the trade, besides giving a very detailed, honest set of responses from Power himself (born Victor Power Pellot). Power was the key acquisition for the Twins , and at age 33, was joining his third organization.


He had a reputation for marching to the beat of his own drummer, and was not necessarily the "company man" management preferred. He also enjoyed the company of women of the white persuasion, truth be told, a liability for any dark-skinned player who otherwise desired stable employment in the period before Civil Rights legislation came into effect.


Power's comments regarding Jimmy Dykes, a long-time baseball man, were telling for me.  I don't know what Dyke's attitude toward blacks was. But as his formative, playing years were in the pre-Jackie Robinson era, it does make me pause. Was he out to rid himself of Power for some inward bias? Did he ever let slip anything in that vein? Did he really think he had a rotten apple in Vic Power, calling him a "clubhouse lawyer," a tag they also hung on Dick Allen? I don't know. I do know the Feds reigned in Al Capone for tax evasion when nothing else would stick. If you follow my line of thought...

Calvin Griffith, on the other hand, stated the case FOR acquiring Power (to whom I devoted a "Remembering Vic Power" post some time back) in this piece:



Besides the green-as-a-pea Rollins and Allen, Minnesota also had the mercurial Zoilo Versalles at short. Manager Sam Mele went on in the article to say "Power should be a steadying influence on the kids. They won't have to worry about making perfect throws. If it's within Power's reach, he'll come up with the ball."

Power himself had a little extra to add in this account, which sums up the pride and inner confidence he held for his talents:



The Brainerd Daily Dispatch revealed the Twins new mindset for what would constitute their daily lineup to begin the 1962 season. Anybody surprised at who's slotted for left field, replacing Jim Lemon? Some big, ox-strong kid, name of Harmon Killebrew:

More can be gathered about Power and his role as a trailblazer can be found at this very cool Baseball Hall Of Fame article.  

As the old professional at the mic, Herb Carneal, ended his broadcasts, I also say:
"So long, everybody!"



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1975 Minnesota Twins Camera Day

April 13, 2013, 10:31 am
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Today we call attention to one of the early, annual promotions staged by the Minnesota Twins. Camera Day has been chronicled slightly here at Classic Twins in a previous, early post, and here we get the full-color treatment. Among the finer nuggets of Twins and baseball treasures found on ye olde public internet is this collection of Twins players from Camera Day at the Met, before the Sunday, Sept. 14, 1975 game. 

I think it's cool for the glimpse of civilian clothing styles in vogue, the team's uniform of the mid-70's, and the simple beauty of a sunny day at Metropolitan Stadium. Plus, none of the players are unbelievably ripped and "top heavy" (see "Jose Canseco"), as would become common 20 years later. Normal, is the word I'm searching for.



 Rod Carew, Bert Blyleven, Lyman Bostock, Larry Hisle, Tony Oliva Phil Roof, Glenn Borgmann, Bill Campbell, Bill Butler, Porkchoppin' John Briggs,* Dave Goltz, Frank Quilici, Joe Decker, and Danny Thompson are all here for perusal - at least, they're the ones I can ID. It's one of the excellent, vintage collections at snaebyllej2's Flickr photo share site - worth a look, take my word on that. It's one of the few examples of close proximity fans could hope to have with players back then, when Twitter and the internet, card shows, fan fests, and 24-hour cable sports were miles away on the horizon.

*All-time Twins leader, sideburn/facial hair category

As the great broadcasting professional Herb Carneal signed off, I say:
"So long, everybody.!" - TT
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Bert Blyleven, Reggie & Revisionist History

April 14, 2013, 8:24 pm
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[LAST EDITED, APRIL 22, 2013]

Blyleven pitching against Tigers, 1973


-PHOTO: Jackson batting, Game 1 '73 ALCS vs Orioles - 

Funny how people change their minds over things!

It's what we do. We're all prone, and it's our right, to alter the way we think. That includes the very opinionated and fluctuating Reggie Jackson!

Last year, Reggie was outspoken in a published piece or two about his druthers for including Bert Blyleven and others in the Hall Of Fame.


Blyleven, August, '73 shutout vs Royals

So, it was interesting for me to come across this article with a game report from 40 years ago today - Sat., April 14, 1973 (BBRef) at the Met (hmmnnn...my favorite light-hitting team of the 70's, another one run loss for Bert...who coulda guessed that one?), in which you get a completely different take from the famous slugger. To wit (see middle section, especially):





Bill James has said it's useful to go back and factor what was said about players in past decades, the word of their contemporaries, to help in deciding their rank as players. Sensible, yes? So, what changed in 30 years for Reginald (keeping in mind he hit .200-some vs. Bert, career)?

When he put his sizable foot in his mouth - forget about "Killing the Queen" - Mr. October was really "Mr.-Kill-The-Fun"!
[ : do check out soundbite of Reggie, "Naked Gun," - suggesting you substitute "fun" for "queen" as you listen!]

Maybe Billy Martin had something there when he said of George Steinbrenner and Reggie: "One's convicted, the other's a born liar." Rough, but when the shoe fits...I guess if Jackson had gone on to have a great career batting line against Blyleven post '73, I would understand his turnabout. But, like so many low-info Hall of Fame voters, my guess is he's going on results - the bare fact that the Curveballer came up short of 300 victories - to judge worthiness. Jackson, of all people, should know pitching wins are dependant upon having your team score more runs than the opposition.

So, I will close thus: the next time one of your baseball friends up and changes his mind over a matter inexplicably, even though past history and facts dictate some other action or response, give them this:

"You pullin' a Reggie on me?

As our old broadcasting buddy Herb Carneal said it:
"So long, everybody!
***

This article gives some more detail from that game when Reggie got so lucky against Blyleven - if you're so inclined...





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1965 All Star Game: Killebrew & Met Stadium

July 15, 2013, 7:40 pm
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Over the next day or two, I will be adding wise words of wisdom, as only I can, regarding the 1965 All Star Game.

For now, I'm content in just posting up these lovely Walter Iooss , Jr. photos, and those from some newspapers from around the country.

Besides Harmon Killebrew, I'll concentrate on Jimmie Hall, Earl Battey, Tony Oliva, Mudcat Grant, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, and, of course, Willie Mays and the rest of the magnificent National League Squad present at the Met on that day, July 13, 1965.



Mays hitting first inning home run, Hank Aaron looking on



Gibson in that wild windup

Fifth inning home run, Brooks  
Robinson on back pat detail


Much more to come - please check back for extra shots, commentary later!!

As Herb Carneal would put it: "So long, everybody."

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Twins Killers, Vol. #1: Dick Allen Hits Two Inside The Park Homers (With Video!) At The Met

July 31, 2013, 7:43 pm
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TWINS KILLERS will be a semi-regular series, profiling the greatest performances AGAINST our Minnesota Twins. One day performances, career logs (See Jim Thome) will be fodder for posts. If you have suggestions, the Editorial Politburo would love to hear 'em - leave thoughts in "Comments." Special thanks to our friends at that humdinger of a site,  Dick Allen HOof F,  for great photos, and the accompanying Vimeo video.

On July 31, 1972 (BBRef Box). Dick Allen accomplished the feat of hitting two inside-the-park homeruns in one game at Met Stadium, something that has occured only one other time since in baseball history (by a Twins infielder named "Greg," by the way). He had long been thought by the MLB establishment as being among the most talented players and hitters of his generation. An iconoclast. A man who marched to his own drum (code language for "he's could be kind of an odd duck - or "dick," if you'll pardon the pun). Being an individual was one of the fastest ways a player could make himself suspect, and subject himself to scrutiny. Now, we can live with players like Nyjer Morgan, Cliff Lee, Ichiro Suzuki - players who march to their own beat - and nobody thinks much about it. Not so for players in the 60's and 70's, however! 


 "See Dick run. Run, Dick, run (for another tater)."

The truth was complicated: while many believed he was a polarizing figure in the locker room (disputed by "brawl" link, below), who often punched the time clock late, he was also a gentle, soft-spoken man who was far more comfortable in the company of his horses than with general managers, and some of his team mates (see "Frank Thomas" and  "1965 brawl with Allen") who didn't cotton to his brand of individuality.  And he was arriving in Chicago not long after the Curt Flood verdict, a further signpost of the impasse and power imbalance between owners and players.

 It was the era of bad-ass anti-heroes. For us little, ten year-old boys from the midwest, he was a Clint Eastwood, or more accurately, a Richard Roundtree "Shaft" come to life with a 40-ounce bat. He had been the NL Rookie of The Year in 1964, and after another seven stormy years with the Phils, Cardinals, and Dodgers, he was in the midst of an MVP, career year with the Chicago White Sox. He had changed leagues at a time when players rarely did. Not only had Allen joined the Junior Circuit, but Nolan Ryan had also come over that season from the Mets, incidentally. You'd see these National League studs only in the All-Star Game*, or the Game of The Week, on Saturday afternoons. And, without a doubt, he sure added excitement to the previously static, and more white-faced American League in 1972. 

* - See Tony Oliva playing centerfield on hit, Dean Chance pitching! Check out this 1972 AS Game footage too!

It was just after the players strike, and MLB was in need of some positive press. He was a perfect athlete, a multistar athlete back in his hometown of Waumpum, PA, possessing incredible, compact power for a man a hair under six feet, and less than 200 pounds. Just watch the swing he puts on his second HR, waving that 38-40 oz. bat like a wand.


Did Glenn Borgmann have an alternate nickname..."Lynn?"



The 1972 White Sox hit 107 homeruns, total. Dick Allen? 37. Yup, over 1/3 by himself...MVP!

The video pretty much tells the story! Watching the backhanded play by Bobby Darwin, and you're liable to conclude he was a fielder with terrible instincts. He really wasn't! For 1972, in particular, he was just a shade under the league average, fielding percentage-wise, as an outfielder (see averages at CF and RF, where he received most of his innings). This article the next day helps explains Darwin's dilemna:


(ABOVE) An all-round, excellent ballplayer, baserunner
- Photo courtesy Dick Allen HOF site-






That season, the Commiskey Park organist played
"Jesus Christ, Superstar" whenever Allen came to bat.
- Photo courtesy Dick Allen HOF site-



Allen Splits - 1972GABRHHRRBIBBSOBAOBPSLGOPSTB
Minnesota Twins1143310210114.233.250.395.64517
Generated 7/31/2013. 

And there you have it...the sum total of long balls Allen generated versus the Twins for the entire '72 season! The Twins pitching staff and Bert Blyleven could at least brag he never took them over the wall! Check the fine table of inside-the-park homeruns at Baseball Almanac.

To quote the great Herb Carneal: "So long, everybody."
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The 1st Camera Day, 1962: Day Of The Jack Kralick No-Hitter

August 26, 2013, 8:27 pm
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By sheer coincidence, the Twins 1962 Camera Day landed on the very day (8/26/62, BBref Box) the franchise's first Minnesota no-hitter was pitched, by Jack Kralick. Through the goodness of Twin Cities blogger Michael Haas (@digitalHaas, Alright Hamilton!), we have this beautiful set of photos from that historic day. They were shot by his grandfather, who attended the game that day along with Michael's mother and grandmother. We also get a sampling of Michael's thoughts at the end of this post, lending context to the photos. 1962 Twins team members Jim Kaat, Zoilo Versalles, Vic Power, Don Mincher, Dick Stigman, Jose Valdivielso, Rich Rollins, Johnny Goryl, Hal Naragon, Marty Martinez, Coach Floyd Baker, and Manager Sam Mele are all present in this collection.

What is so great to me is how relatively shiny and new Metropolitan Stadium was - it was only in it's seventh season of existence, and its second as home to the Twins. The right field view is beautiful, encompassing the scoreboard, crowd, and bullpen areas. Especially nice is the Rollins / Valdivielso photo, with the first base foul territory and upper deck mezzanine in the background.

          [ NOTE: HELPS TO SINGLE CLICK PHOTO, ENLARGE FOR DETAIL! ]
My first inclination before posting these photos was to couple them with archival newspaper reports of the famous game by Kralick. After some thought, however, I felt they deserved a post of their own.  A separate blog entry will follow this week, concentrating on the original "Black Jack's" efforts.





























Ironically, Jack Kralick was nowhere to be found on the field for interested fans. The Sporting News Sept. 8, 1962 edition gave this explanation (see PDF of TSN page for extra context from that game) :


My Questions For Michael Haas: Behind The 1962 Camera Day Photos

ClassicTwins: I've always wanted to know about that blog title: "Alright Hamilton." How did that come about? How would you summarize the blog?

Michael:Oh, it's just a line from the movie "Fast Times At Ridgemont High," uttered by Sean Penn's character. I didn't put much thought into the title, obviously. Actually, we were a pretty legitimate blog in the pre-Twitter days. Myself and a few others tried to document the Twins fan experience and random off-topic things. You can see the archives at alright-hamilton.blogspot.com. The alright-Hamilton.tumbler.com is where I post random media very sporadically. I wish I could get back into the writing daily, but I just lost the momentum. Someday.

ClassicTwins: I get that "momentum" thing. Tell me about the photos, Michael. What’s the history behind them?


Michael:My Aunt digitized these old slides and gave some framed prints to my Mom for Christmas. My Grandpa was likely the photographer. My mom, 12 years old, is visible in the Athletics’ dugout on the left, and that’s my Grandma in the blue dress.


ClassicTwins: Very cool, a piece of family history with your grandparents and mom at the game, the photos literally a snap shot of a small part of their lives at the time. Could you give any information regarding the type of Twins or baseball fans they were – avid, casual, or otherwise? Did they make regular outings during the summers to Met Stadium to see the Twins? Do you know if they had any favorites among the players or coaching staff?



Michael: I would describe my grandparents as casual fans. I don’t remember them having much to say about the Twins while I was growing up in the 90’s. However, they must have been pretty close with the team because my Grandpa worked as an usher at Met Stadium. I’d guess my mom was the big fan of the family. I think she has a Bob Allison autographed picture around somewhere. And I know she still has her ticket stubs from games 1 and 2 of the 1965 World Series she saw as a 15 year old. I have no idea why she didn’t go to 6 and 7.

ClassicTwins: Bob Allison – perhaps the“Mr. Photogenic” of all the Twins ‘60’s guys. Does the photo set give you any particular feelings, i.e. “I wish I could have seen Earl Battey play in person,” or “Did the Twins REALLY have Harmon play left field a lot when they had Vic Power around to play first?” Or anything at all that you wonder about from that period in Twins history?


Michael: Well, the things that strike me most is the ballpark and the uniforms. I had no idea the Athletics had changed their primary colors to orange and black during their brief stay in Kansas City. It’s also interesting to see the way Metropolitan Stadium evolved over the years as they added seating. What’s most amazing to me is the fan access to the players and the field. Can you imagine what it would be like, as a 12-year-old, to stand on tobacco juice and sunflower seed shells in the dugout with the players? It would be fun to know what was going through their heads.


ClassicTwins: Great observation! I like word-pictures! So, how would you rate yourself as a fan? What was your favorite player growing up as a kid? Or now?


Michael: I’m a big Twins fan, but I’m a reasonable one. I don’t let their stinky performance affect my mental health, or anything like that. I grew up in the era of the ‘M’ hat and Kirby Puckett. I don’t actually remember either World Series title, but in every picture of me as a kid, I’m wearing a “World Series Champ” hat.


ClassicTwins Are there any particular games you’ve attended that stand out in memory?


Michael: The best two games in recent memory that I’ve attended were game 163 in 2009 and the Jim Thomewalk-off bomb against Thornton and the White Sox in 2010. Every fan remembers those two games.


ClassicTwins: What do you think about Target Field (what a dump, right?)?


Michael: I like Target Field a lot. We’re four years in and it still feels brand new. In fact, I’m still learning about the best views, best seats for the money, and most excellent and secret parking spots. The only thing I dislike about modern stadiums is the separation between seating areas. They put a moat in Target Field to close off the padded seats from the regulars, and they place almost all the memorabilia in exclusive seating areas. But that’s the nature of the modern sports palace - - gotta make sure the corporations feel special.


ClassicTwins: I have no doubt many Twins fans share that idea! I loved my single visit to the Legends Club area, swanky, but I wish it would be easier to just glide through there, in particular, and see the fantastic museum-like exhibits. Great stuff, Michael! Anything else pertinent you’d like to add about “1962 Camera Day At The Met”?


Michael: That’s really all I got. But it sounds like you’ve done further research on the game and roster than I, so anything you want to add about that era would be really cool. You could just add my twitter handle I guess. Thanks a bunch. I really think the Twins have a cool circle of fans on the internet, and you’re one of them.


ClassicTwins: You show yourself a man of great judgment. 
10-4 on that handle:@digitalhaas.

Thanks again, Michael and Win! Twins! (okay, that IS how the song is properly titled!).


***

What a great thing it was, having our Mr. Haas's permission to go ahead with these gems!
As the great Twins announcer finished every broadcast, I also say:
"So long, everybody!" - Herb Carneal
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Jack Kralick & The First Twins No-Hitter, August 26, 1962

September 4, 2013, 7:50 pm
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This post is the companion piece to "1962 Camera Day." It is one of my more enjoyable posts personally, and I hope you can take something away from it as well!
* * *

Here is my favorite photo from the whole endeavor: a picture and a piece from The Sporting News, detailing Jack Kralick's 1-0 no-hitter versus the Kansas City Athletics:

 


The entire Sporting News Story of "Jittery" Jack's gem can be found in PDF form here in page one and here in page 2. Make sure you read the bottom of page one, to view the description of the Allison catch to save the no-hitter. Below is his line as seen at BBReference:


PitchingIPHRERBBSOHRERABFGScIRISWPAaLIRE24
Jack Kralick, W (10-8) 9 0001304.0228890.7361.224.6
Team Totals 9 0001300.0028890.7361.224.6
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/4/2013.

Some box scores (see the August 26, 1962 near-perfect game link) flow so well that they give you a good sense of the game's rhythm. Dare I say it - this game is very eye-catching in print (or on the screen, as it were) - not as pretty as say, 1960's pin up favorites Mamie Van Doren or Brigitte Bardot, but still damn pretty in the numeric, aesthetic sense. You might not believe me, especially if you clinked on the last two links, but I'm thinking ground ball hound Tommy John when I view the innings that must have flown by frustratingly quick for the Athletics batters. We all get our kicks in different manners.

The economy and effectiveness of Jack Kralick's performance are apparent - a very worthy and signature performance for the Minnesota Twins first no-hitter in Minnesota. The time of game was a 1:57, and as Kralick and Kansas City starter Bill Fischer were tossing so many 1-2-3 innings, it had to be a challenge for the stations broadcasting the contest to fit in their ads and promos. Damn!! Not enough time to advert the Thunderbird Motel, right across the parking lot on Cedar Avenue!! 

Playing into the rapid pace of this game was the fact that the K.C. batters were actually swinging away, typical of 1960's hitters - this was over  thirty years before money ball, after all. In their average lineup in '62, only Norm Siebern demonstrated above-average plate discipline, earning 110 walks; the next-highest total, 54, belonged to Ed Charles (who would go on to achieve cult hero status with the Amazin' Mets in 1969.

It was Charles who nearly ended the no-hit bid in the fourth inning,with his opposite-field drive that forced Bob Allison to reach above the right field fence in front of the bullpen (description, PDF page one above). There went the one, serious threat.

Besides Allison, also important to Kralick's success was having, quite possibly, the best defensive first baseman in modern baseball history backing him, Vic Power. As opposed to shortstop Zoilo Versalles, who was credited with handling the baseball ONCE, on a fourth inning 6-3 groundout by Bobby Del Greco (just preceding Charles's threatening flyball), Power was involved in plays resulting in 17 of the 27 outs in the ballgame. This was spectacularly achieving the goal the Twins management had in mind to stabilize the Twins infield by trading for Power (discussed in the post "A Maestro At First: Trading For Vic Power, April 2, 1962"). See the chart below for the full rundown:

[BELOW] Plays involving Twins first baseman Power,
 inning play occurred, fielder designated on 
play (pitcher 1, catcher 2, etc.)

Groundout-unassistedthird out-1st inn
Groundout: 1-3second out-2nd inn
Groundout: 1-3third out-2nd inn
Groundout: 5-3first out-3rd inn
Groundout: 4-3third out-3rd inn
Groundout: 6-3first out-4th inn
Groundout:3-1third out-4th inn
Groundout: 4-3second out-5th inn
Groundout: 3-1third out-5th inn
Foul fly: unassistedsecond out-6th inn
Groundout: 5-3first out-7th inn
Groundout: 1-3third out-7th inn
Groundout: 4-3first out-8th inn
Groundout: 1-3third out-8th inn
Groundout: 4-3first out-9th inn
Foul fly: unassistedsecond out-9th inn
Foul fly: unassistedthird out-9th inn


                                                                          
It was obvious to both Battey and Kralick that he didn't have control of his curveball early in the contest, as seen in the Winona Daily News PDF. My pet theory is that Kralick focused much better, bereft of his "yellow hammer," so that he was even more on point spotting his sinking fastball and slider. Of course, none of this would have meant anything without Lenny Green's sacrifice fly, driving home Bernie Allen in the 7th inning.





As noted in the previous post "'62 Twins Camera Day," Kralick had been absent from the fan photo-taking activities, pregame. In keeping with his "lone wolf" persona...



This game somewhat parallels the Francisco Liriano no-hitter on May 3, 2011:  the same score, & each were thought to be either sub-par or VERY sub-par in their performance of late prior to their classics. 



Hope you enjoyed this look at the first great pitching performance in Minnesota Twins history!!

As the great broadcaster ended his post-game shows, I also say:
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This Week In Twins History : Calvin Griffith Backs Down On Moving Senators, Sept. 8, 1958

September 10, 2013, 8:20 pm
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The forces keeping the Washington Senators in the nation's capitol, and away from Minneapolis, were strong and entrenched. For starters, the franchise had been a charter member of the American League since 1901, with not just a history of losing permeating the air, but also the faded, but warm, fuzzy memories of pennants, World Series winners, and beloved players.

 Calvin Griffith's August 27, 1958 assertion that he'd move the Nats ("Senators") to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area if an acceptable offer was made had prompted President Dwight D. Eisenhower (see below photo) to suggest that Griffith should improve the team and stay in Washington. Then, the pressure on Griffith to stay put was ratcheted up with the inevitable lawsuit. This link to the Google Docs PDF file (AND in the "sneak peak" below) maps out a fraction of the political intrigue swirling at the time, on September 8,1958.

The gist of this page:
  • In a special meeting of American League owners in Chicago, IL, Washington owner Calvin Griffith succumbed to pressure ( translation: he backpedaled like a hen avoiding a fox*) from other AL owners and advised Minneapolis, MN officials that he was staying in Washington, DC. Eventual Baseball Hall Of Fame historian Joe Reichler also wrote about this development in this news piece in the Sept. 8, 1958 edition of the Ocala Star-Banner. It was a near-reversal of his oft-repeated desire to move the franchise, without completely closing the door to the possibility.

  • * Yes,I really DID need to turn Cal's Hall Of Fame stepfather Clark Griffith's nickname inside out for the sake of irony!

Griffith and AL Prez Will Harridge

Forcing the A.L. owners hand against Griffith was this development ("Sporting News" pdf) that had the Nationals ("Senators") club stockholders suing Cal once bonding was approved to enlarge Metropolitan Stadium, and that on the heels of Calvin so un-diplomatically declaring his desire to pull up stakes - it would have been uncharacteristic for him to adopt a cagey, strategic MO in any event! 

Add to this the interesting subtext that included Midway Stadium in St. Paul [cue St. Paulites beaming with pride] as another possible Twins venue in the very same article. Intrigue! As it was, Calvin had now enraged the movers and shakers in Minneapolis with his waffling - and, essentially, EVERYONE was disenchanted with him, including the Commander-In-Chief.

 Eventually, the climate would change, the seas would part, and Griffith would garner support for moving with the momentum of developing circumstances (i.e., the "Continental League") and personalities (see  "William Shea").

The Sporting News - September 17, 1958



December 2, 1957: from appearances, it looks as if Calvin is ticking off his choice destinations to where he might relocate the Washington Nationals. Minneapolis? St. Paul?Denver...or...Wichita??..for MLB Commissioner Ford Frick...actually, he's indicating he's picking Bobby Malkmus of Wichita, in the December, 1957 Rule 5 draft.

Griffith's reasons for seeking better alternatives - poor attendance, stadium location, local support - were legitimate. But, by not culturing a favorable audience among fellow owners, or not effectively maneuvering the D.C. City Fathers, he almost doomed the move to Minnesota from the start.

As the great announcer ended his post-game show, I say to you:
"So long, everybody!"  (Herb Carneal)
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Book Review - Jim Kaat: "Still Pitching" (Excerpt)

September 18, 2013, 8:06 pm
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Jim Kaat is one of the best to ever toe the rubber for the Minnesota Twins, winning 283 games in his pitching career. That is commendable in itself. But what has made him marketable far past the boundaries of his career is his grasp of the language of his sport, and making plain the nuances of pitching for the pedestrian fan on his baseball telecasts.

 Here ( starts at 23 minute mark) is a podcast from a year ago. I think you'll enjoy his views of his old teammate Camilo Pascual and then-Twin Francisco Liriano:




Strides in straight line towards homeplate, squares off
shoulders to face the batter, in position to field the ground ball..
any wonder how Jim Kaat won sixteen straight gold gloves?
 Kaat WAS the clinic........

Jim Kaat pitched with Pascual, Dean Chance and Steve Carlton, Jim Perry and Wilbur Wood, and against Sandy Koufax and Catfish Hunter, Luis Tiant, and Tom Seaver. This fellow has rubbed shoulders with the very best, and it would be hard to find a better man from whom to get as many great stories about the Golden Age of Pitching, or from one better prepared to tell them.

 It would be great to get the whole book to read here, but that's what libraries are for. I will say that I completely enjoyed Kaat's workmanlike, humble attitude about his career, and how completely relevant for the modern game are his theories for the craft of pitching. I loved the story of how he attempted to impart his strategies for Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina (Ch. 11), and just got a quizzical stare, as if he was nuts! Sometimes the most down-to-earth, practical truisms are the most difficult to comprehend!

Personal favorite in this excerpt? Chapter 12 (click "Contents"), "Work Fast...Throw Strikes...Stay Ahead," is a great treatise by Jim on those theories! I read this book several years ago after a double hernia operation, when I could essentially do nothing, or go anywhere exept stay confined to my bed for several days. It was the best "sick" gift I've ever received (thanks to my wonderful Mother-In-Law Audrey!). 

Enjoy this excerpt!




As the great broadcaster ended his postgames, I say to you:
"So long, everybody!" (Herb Carneal)
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Euphoria Squared: The Great Metrodome Victory Celebration, Oct. 12, 1987 VIDEOS

October 12, 2013, 8:58 pm
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The Twins 9-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers to win the 1987 ALCS was unprecedented not only for ending the team's 17 year absence from post-season play, but just as much for that game's aftermath. The outpouring of fan joy that greeted the team as it set foot on the springy Metrodome surface that evening was truly an occasion never before seen in Minnesota.

It was a hastily organized "Welcome Home" at the H.H.H. Metrodome for team players, coaches, trainers, and execs fresh off landing at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. It was a Monday night, a school night, and event organizers weren't expecting much better than a polite turnout - Minnesotans aren't like New Yorkers, news flash. They're famous for keeping the kiddies home, early to bed, feed the cats, put on the nightcap...you get the idea.

 For Minnesota fans so long accustomed to ignominious defeat in four Superbowls, and being the butt of flyover land jokes, or of ill-fated closers (let's not mention the name "Ron Davis,") the return of the AL Champs from Detroit was an excuse to let loose the emotional floodgates and "Party Like It's 1999."

I well remember waking up every morning after a Twins win late in the season, my head a-swirl with giddiness about what seemed to be happening, breathing it all in, and yet not wanting to let go of my disbelief...yes, giddiness, euphoria...it was like being at a month-long Grateful Dead or Pink Floyd concert.

With that as context, you can hold back on your urge to have Viking Alan Page materialize and blindside the whistle-blowing Twins players' wives, or muzzle over-eager television sports reporters. God knows I had to.

Can someone tell me where Juan Berenguer got the idea for this get-up?

Listen closely at the 4:00 minute mark of the second vid. John Rooney correctly reminds fans that Bert Blyleven predicted an '87 pennant. He's 100 percent spot-on; I heard him say it live at the Dome, after the '86 season-ending game; it was a fan appreciation ceremony, with player speeches. My brother Kevin and I turned to each other - and laughed out loud. Sure, Bert, whatever!


What this evocative group of videos helps me remember is the fun of a completely unexpected pennant race. It was seeing grizzled veterans* like Steve Carlton, Joe Niekro, Don Baylor, Bert Blyleven and Roy Smalley mesh seamlessly with the Class of '82 players like Kent Hrbek, Tom Brunansky, Gary Gaetti, Tim Laudner, Randy Bush (and later) Greg Gagne, Kirby Puckett, Frank Viola, Dan Gladden, Jeff Reardon, et. al., to create an improbable, crazy-quilt patchwork of a playoff contender. This was all 1-2 years ahead of the timetable, in the estimation of youthful Vice President Of Player Personnel, Andy McPhail. Blueprints? Who needs blueprints?
*Could have included Rod Carew, discussion in '86The Sporting News article




If you actually made it to the second and third videos, consider yourselves "real" men and women, in the stout-hearted Norseman sense. By all means, you now should be able to whether AND enjoy this vintage '87 newspaper account about that great evening in downtown Minneapolis.

I just like how the giant baseball behind Kent Hrbek's head make's it look as if he's wearing a sombrero. Which only would have been fitting, as it WAS a huge fiesta for 55,000 people. Check out the stand-alone, Google docs version of this page, for a larger view.



Hope you enjoyed Herb Carneal in the above videos! May as well let him have the last word:

"So long, everybody!"
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1987 World Series: The Twins Cop A Break And Miss Jack Clark

October 23, 2013, 8:23 pm
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Did the Minnesota Twins luck out in the 1987 World Series, not having to fact the Cards best player? Well...

"Sucks having to watch"
The re-emergenece of Allen Craig in the lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals the Red Sox in this year's World Series has some interesting parallels with that of Jack Clark in 1987. The fortunes of the Cards in this year's Fall Classic hinge heavily upon middle of the order slugger Craig's recuperation from his ankle sprain, just as Clark 's injury impacted St. Louis in '87.

 "The Ripper" was hurt on a play at first (see benign mention, Sept. 9, 1987 news pdf), like Craig (Sept. 4, ankle sprain) this year. Indications are that Craig has sufficiently recovered (that from seeing his first at bat against Jon Lester in tonight's Game One) enough to be a factor; there was no such prospect for Clark, who had ligament damage (PDF newspaper report at link). Clark, in fact re-injured himself in a pre-Series workout, all but ending speculation over his availability for St. Louis

Top 1987 NL MVP CandidatesGamesHRsRBIOBPSLG %OBP+WalksTotal BasesMVP Vote
Jack Clark131351060.4590.5971.0561362503rd
Andre Dawson153491370.3280.5680.896323531st

Andre Dawson won the MVP that year, despite playing for the last-place Chicago Cubs. But, given "The Hawk's" defensive abilities, his "good guy-who-plays-the-game-right" reputation, his truck load of RBIs and homers in (hitter-friendly) Wrigley Field for the sad-ass Cubbies, it was all too intoxicating for the voters. Dawson was playing in a time when modern metrics weren't given shrift, or were not even in the lexicon. For instance, his wRC (weighted runs created, 100 being average) was 124 (excellent), while Clark had176. Read that as "Jack Clark created 76% more runs than the league average in '87." So, who was the better run creator? Who was more valuable? Um, let's see now...

But as Jack the Ripper (now known better as "The Man Least Likely To Be Asked Out For A Beer By Albert Pujols") was known as a prickly interview, and a  less-than-interested defensive player, the voters gave Dawson the nod. He did not play nice with everyone at all times, an old-school type player who debuted at age 19 in the '75 season with the Gigantes. I present the above stats as another way to look at the voting. And, mainly, to illustrate what an offensive force the Twins avoided.

I feel even the most alcohol-influenced, rabid, bar room '87 Twins fans would agree with me (I think) - I'm basically saying what Cardinals fans have been saying for so many years. The Twins got lucky. No matter that Clark batted .247, with only 13 of his 35 homers versus left handers (see "Frank Viola"), he still had an excellent .966 OBP against them. It was even better against righties (see "Bert Blyleven"), it was perverse: a 1.117 OBP, with 22 homers.

Beware Bert, man of 46 homers allowed, 1986

A healthy Clark would have gotten on base somehow, Twins fans, as his bushel basket of walks proves; and getting on base so often begets runs, and forces pitching and defensive mistakes, and on-the-fly managerial adaptations. Manager Tom Kelly would have had his hands full, decisions, decisions.

This excellent series preview offers a look at how the experts saw it - another larger view of this at Google docs. You may have guessed - I dig the newspapers, builds my brain.



A rebuttal to the Cardinal claim is Reggie Jackson and the 1972 Oakland Athletics. The "Mustache Gang" won the World Series against the Big Red Machine Reds despite not have Mr. October on the active roster, breaking his ankle in the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers. So, it does not necessarily follow that a resourceful team cannot have other players step up - like Gene Tenace - and fill in gaps.

As the great broadcaster would have put it:

"So long, everybody!"



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Sweet Swingers: Harmon Killebrew GIF

November 5, 2013, 10:53 am
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Sweet swings from The Killer: Harmon Killebrew    
               



A few general impressions...

This was Killebrew yet in his prime.
The top frame is attractive for the imagined mayhem. You never see ball meet bat, nor the trajectory of the pitch, or whom Harmon is batting against. But you can well infer it's bad medicine for whomever's chuckin. Just another sunny day for the fans at Metropolitan Stadium, with The Killer providing the thrills. 

These give just a quick take on the violence of the basic, Killebrew homerun cut. As if he was hacking down a maple. I recall Bloomingtonite Kent Hrbek sitting at a panel of others (Jack Morris, Paul Molitor, Jim Grant) three years ago when Killebrew passed away, and saying that Harmon was like the mythical Paul Bunyan for him as a kid.

Appropriate he would choose an icon central in Minnesota lumbering history in describing the area's favorite "ax-man" of the diamond. For a really great view of that swing, you should pick up the great Red Sox commemorative 1967 DVD, which features the oldest known preserved, full-length, color MLB game on record. Harmon homers for number 44 of the season in game 161(box), and it is the true, typical vicious swing for which he was known.

The second frame gives a bit more context of  "The Fat Kid," at work (see book excerpt below) as Jim Bouton referred to him. In fact, when I first saw the pitcher in the road blue, yellow piping, I immediately thought "Oh...Seattle Pilots, 1969!," but then noticed Harmon's jersey didn't have the MLB 1969 Centennial logo on his right arm sleeve (see photo ABOVE, BELOW), which would date the image from the 1970/71 seasons - which means the opponent was not the Pilots, but their children, the newly transplanted Milwaukee Brewers.


I had said this was Harmon in his prime. A Few stats from BBRef: keep in mind, ye not impressed -  this period was still part and parcel of the pitching rich late-60's. A special player! As a public service OPS & OPS+ are linked to a definition for old dudes like me who've time-traveled in from the '60s, other times unknown, and were fed mostly RBI, jacks, doubles and triples on the backs of their Topps baseball cards :

Year
G ▴PAABRHRRBIBBSOBAOBPSLGOPSOPS+TB
1970
157
665
527
96
41
113
128
84
.271
.411
.546
.957
159
288
1969
162
709
555
106
49
140
145
84
.276
.427
.584
1.011
177
324
Generated 11/5/2013.   BOLD TYPE = LEAGUE LEADING TOTALS

Killerologists will recall he finished third in the MVP voting in 1970, and took home the heavy hardware in 1969, the only such time he was honored. It will be worth my while to post some more gifs of this subject. Yes, there are a few in the pipeline, and the world awaits.

It's the least I can do for the player who taught me it was okay to eat Old Dutch chips in the dugout during a game.

To sign off in typical Herb Carneal Fashion:
"So long everybody!"

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President Kennedy, Earl Battey, And The 1962 All Star Game

November 22, 2013, 12:45 pm
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"World War II Aviation hero Quesada and friends"
                                          Those little tykes (Dennis Marcel, Frank Brown, members of the Washington Boys Club)
                                                     certainly got a front row to history! PHOTO: Cecil (Cecil William) Stoughton

The above photo was posted by Minnesota Twins President Dave St. Peter on Twitter today, the 50th anniversary of November 22, 1963 assassination. Earl Battey shakes hands with President Kennedy at D.C. Stadium before the playing of the 1962 All Star Game. Between them stands then-MLB Commissioner Ford Frick, and Elwood R."Pete" Quesada  (glasses), the new Senators chief majority owner. Off to the side (left) stands Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey and an unidentified dignitary. Do examine this You Tube video of the game. You see superb footage of not just the ceremonial first pitch, but that of Pascual pitching in the the 6th inning during the NL rally, the Rollins blooper hit, run scored, and closeups of JFK sitting in the box seats.

In it's lightheartedness, the entire scenario that included two young boys as guests stands in stark contrast to the pivotal fall approaching, i.e., the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the year to follow in the Kennedy's lives.


Above Photo from Alton Evening Telegraph 7/11/62- "Minneapolis Twins" - LOL!! (see PDF)

Battey was the starting catcher for the AL that day, going 0 for 2 at the plate in the 3-1 loss to the NL. He still shined, however, using his howitzer of an arm to throw out Roberto Clemente on an attempted steal in the fourth inning. Twins third baseman Rich Rollins also started that day going 1 for 2, scored the only AL run, and was hit by a Don Drysdale pitch (yes, Dandy Don drilling someone, quite the shock!). 

Twins star righty Camilo Pascual was the losing pitcher, tossing 3 innings, and allowing 2 earned runs.   The Sporting News (page 1) of  July 21 included a great account of the game, with the circumstances surrounding their handshake in the photo, plus a black and white photo of Battey on page 2.


You can view a story with this Kennedy photo, game report included, at a newspaper PDF link to the Burlington Daily Times of July 11, 1962. One of my personal favorites, Stan Musial, was playing in his 22nd All Star Game that day, got a key hit off Camilo, and earlier had a personal audience with JFK (see Eau Claire news link PDF). Dodger shortstop Maury Wills also got a ton of press with his exploits, running wild and stealing bases.  The Lima News also had a nice account and photo of the game's stars the next day. 

It was the first All Star Game ever played at D.C. Stadium, the home of the new expansion Washington Senators. They had come into existence in 1961, when the original Senators franchise up and moved to Minneapolis-St. Paul to become the Minnesota Twins. D.C. Stadium would later host the 1969 All Star Game, renamed R.F.K. Memorial Stadium by then. Clem's Baseball retro stadium site is fantastic in its photographic and architectural schematics of the stadium and its history. The FIRST cookie-cutter style stadium, as the You Tube video makes plain.

Kennedy threw out the First Ball, with Lyndon Johnson standing by (left), hoping he'd be asked to throw one of his infamous curve balls in relief if needed - you'll read of the photographers caught napping at The Sporting News link above. That would include Presidential Photographer Stoughton.


Prior to handshake - President attends the 32nd All-Star Baseball Game, throws out first ball. Speaker of the House John W. McCormack, Dave Powers, Vice President Johnson, President Kennedy, Commisioner of Baseball Ford. C. Frick, Lawrence O'Brien, others . Washington, D.C., D.C. Stadium - PHOTO: Cecil (Cecil William) Stoughton


First pitch of the game below: note high pitch, where Battey sets up to receive - higher strike zones were more the norm, especially pre-1969...

Photo: Logansport (IN) Herald 7/11/62, see PDF)

More than likely, I'll be adding to this post later, the incessant tinkerer.


Ready to wing it towards Earl!

As Herb Carneal signed off after post game shows:

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Game Of The Week (Video): Lyman Bostock's 4-4 Night Sept. 21, 1976

November 24, 2013, 6:44 pm
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CAREFUL - KEEP Volume low for first 40 seconds, high pitch test signal HUM before it starts!! Starts immediately after you load page - patience - give it time!

A video I discovered the other night, with the help of my Twitter friend Lord Of The Fries. It is the last 20 minutes of the 13-6 win against the White Sox on September 21, 1976.
Bostock, during his final at-bat
Beautiful beyond words. From seeing that uncomplicated, whippy swing of Lyman Bostock, Larry Hisle settling in under a can of corn in left field, Mike Cubbage (think John Denver in baseball hosiery), and that crazy pitching delivery of Tom Burgmeier from the first base side, to how impossibly unathletic Glenn Borgmann REALLY appeared - all on top of seeing hitless wonder Bob Randall  (4 hits that night) AND hitting wonder Rod Carew bat (hitless that night) - is too much for words. It was when my fandom was in its most innocent stage.
 "My last time up, I was definitely trying to hit a home run [for the cycle] and I almost got it." - Lyman Bostock, Winona Daily News, September 22, 1976
BONUS: you get to hear Harry Caray go completely incoherent at about the 5:30 minute mark, remarks about "Minnesota's proximity to Oakland versus Oakland's to Kansas City." Or some such gibberish. Oh yes - -I will be adding additions to this post on the original Minnesota Lumber Company faster than a psychotic carpenter, rest assured.

I couldn't watch this segment, and Caray's references to the leaders in the batting title race, without thinking about the controversial finish to come days later in the season finale (Oct. 3, 1976)  for Carew and Bostock against Kansas City's George Brett and Hal McRae. Brett won the title (news story pdf) by .001 of a point with a ninth inning inside-the-park home run, which McRae claimed Twins left fielder Steve Brye let drop purposely because of racial bias on the part of Twins Manager Gene Mauch. A story for another time...


Found free of charge at Media Burn.Org site

Harry Caray: 
"Minnesota has a great shot at finishing second!" LOL!




Signing off, in the style of our old broadcasting buddy, Herb Carneal:

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Bert Blyleven Photo: 1972 Yearbook

December 5, 2013, 1:07 pm
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This photo of young Bert Blyleven was forwarded to me and others by Twins Twitter historian and local educator MNTwinsZealot. He had found it right here, at Classic Minnesota Twins blog, which I'd forgotten I'd ever scanned and posted in the nether regions of this page. 

This is what he accomplished in his first full season for the fourth place Twins in '71, who finished 26.5 games back of Oakland:


How's that strike you? He had already become the 1971 Twins staff ace by the numbers over Jim Kaat and Jim Perry. He had a legitimate chance to win 20 games, as the Twins lost 5 games in which he gave up 3 runs or less (game logs). The Brainerd (Minn.) Daily Dispatch gives this impression as well, from an April 13, 1971 report of a Blyleven shutout of Kansas City, with thoughts from Bill Rigney.

That theme would play out several seasons in succession, and would be (in my opinion), a large factor contributing to Bert failing to record 300 lifetime victories (287-250). Of course, lousy teams in Texas and Cleveland (two of Bert's future employers) would contribute to that fact. I recall somebody, a player, media member playing the naysayer regarding Blyleven's eligibility for the Hall Of Fame, some verbal flatulating about his not being "dominant" enough.

Funny - Don Sutton put in 22 workmanlike seasons (a 20-game winner once, like Bert), knocked no one over with electric stuff, but won 324 games with better clubs. No one ever referred to him as "dominant," or being among the best starters of his era. But, he had the all-important W's, see?

If it was good enough for Herb Carneal as a send off, it's good enough for me:

"So long everybody!"
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One Gritty Left Hander

January 13, 2014, 7:53 pm
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I suppose I have done quite enough commentary on the original Twins, especially that core group that traveled as one-time Washington Senators to the Twin Cities of St. Paul  and Minneapolis in 1961. It really did define my life as a twenty-something, being a zealous fan of the pennant and World Series winning teams of 1987 and 1991. And at the moment, I'm preparing a piece on a Twin from the last decade that "got away," but for now...

The career odyssey and skills of Jim Kaat still grab my attention. The photo below was taken during the game of Saturday, August 19, 1961 , at Wrigley Field, the first home of the spankin' new Los Angeles Angels.

Besides the fact that it looks odd to us today in the era of the designated hitter, a pitcher on the base paths as an offensive ballplayer, it is also notable for the grit with with which pitchers like Kaat played the game (newspaper story, hit in face by batted ball, '62). He and other hurlers really were total baseball players, who could also hit, hit with some power, and competently run the bases. Today, it would merit a spot on ESPN's Sports Center highlights recap. If you like my newspaper attachments, here is another of Kaat (Farmington Daily Times July 25, 1962) getting familiar with the turf.


The caption correctly states he is safe while sliding into third, playing a version of the childhood game of leap frog with veteran third sacker Eddie "The Walking Man" Yost. Yost began his career, ironically, in 1944 with the Washington Senators, the original franchise that signed Kaat. Unmentioned is that Kaat was advancing there on a bunt by his second baseman, shy and demure Billy Martin (see photo).

The picture above also reminds me of the sliding injury he suffered while running the bases 11 seasons later, in 1972. He was having a career year when , on July 2, he was injured. While sliding the bases in the 6th inning,  Kaat broke his thumb on his pitching hand (Hardball Times story). It would effectively end his season. Also of irony, this was the last game he would play before the adoption of the designated hitter rule by the American League for 1973. 

For now, I parrot the old master of the mic in saying:

"So long, everybody!" (Herb Carneal)
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Social Media: The Old Met In Ruin

January 17, 2014, 6:21 pm
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A Winter Mind's Meandering Towards Spring

January 19, 2014, 4:33 pm
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Sometime after John Elway and the Super Bowl-bound Bronco's 26-16 dismantling of the New England Patriots, this disjointed piece of reality began to unfold in my brain...Minnesota winters can be truly debilitating, I will maintain.

Behold: the scene from old Metropolitan Stadium's right field bleachers, overlooking the new right field foul territory seating. It's from the July, 1962 cover of the Twins scorecard magazine. Oh, yes - my added effects, in case you were wondering. I think it's delirium.


With Twins Fest 2014 now 5 days away, the REAL trudge towards spring and Twins baseball begins in earnest. That means, at the moment, we're at 77 days, and 19+ hours to the first game at Target Field. Ohhhh, doctor....!

Hope you're doing better waiting than I am, presently. As the old broadcasting professional put it:
"So long, everybody!" - Herb Carneal


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