John at Rod Carew’s Gate at Target Field
Posted by John on March 8, 2010 under John | 
4 Comments to Read
MVB LIVE – March 7th
Posted by John on March 7, 2010 under John | 2 Comments to Read
We had a great MVB LIVE show last night chatting for nearly an hour with 20 people. Thanks to everyone who stopped by.
If you missed the show we talked about the good, the bad, and the Target.
MVB LIVE Tonight
Posted by twinsmvb on February 28, 2010 under John | 2 Comments to Read
Reminder that tonight is the second broadcast of Twins MVB LIVE on Ustream. Click here for the show link.
We’ll be chatting about spring training, the Twins infield, new uniforms, and whatever YOU want to talk about.
MVB LIVE Premiere
Posted by John on February 22, 2010 under John | 2 Comments to Read
A recap of the premiere episode of MVB LIVE from last night. Thanks to everyone for stopping by and congratulations to Amy for answering the trivia question and winning two tickets to Target Field.
We’ll see you next Sunday night at 7:30 pm.
Twins MVB LIVE Set to Launch
Posted by John on February 16, 2010 under John | 6 Comments to Read
Twins MVB LIVE will launch its first episode this Sunday night at 7:30 pm CST. Come join John for 30 minutes of Twins Talk, baseball chatter, and a chance to win two tickets to a 2010 Twins game at Target Field.
Follow this link for the first episode on Sunday night or bookmark this: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/twins-mvb-weekly-wrap-up
Happy Nick Punto Day
Posted by John on February 12, 2010 under John | 4 Comments to Read
A couple weeks ago Twins blogger and Twins MVB contributor, Andrew Kneeland, asked the Twins blogging community to come together to celebrate February 12 as Nick Punto Day. Kneeland knew that Punto has been one of the most polarizing and head-scratching players for the Twins over the past six years.
My feelings for Nick Punto are difficult to put in writing, so I had to simply say them to you directly…
* Correction * I meant to say a .647 OPS (on-base plus slugging… not just slugging)
Thanks to Andrew for allowing me to release some steam over the man, the myth, the legend, little Nicky Punto.
The real value in today’s holiday is hearing what the rest of the blogging community has to say about number 8. I could link all the blog posts from today, or I’ll just send you to the #NickPuntoDay Twitter feed. Yes, that’s correct. Nick Punto Day has it’s own Twitter feed… and that’s all folks.
Sunday Night Links
Posted by John on January 31, 2010 under John | Read the First Comment
A few links here on a Sunday night that I wanted to pass along.
MVB.com – Liriano’s Winter has Twins Excited
If you haven’t heard yet, Francisco Liriano had an amazing outing Thursday night in the Dominican Winter League striking out 10 batters in just five innings and allowing just one hit. Liriano has a 0.49 ERA in 37 innings this winter and apparently has a fastball that is topping off at 95-96 mph.
Twins fans are smart enough to be cautiously optimistic about Liriano’s performance this winter. Granted the Dominican Winter League is not the AL Central, but Liriano is competing for the number five spot in the rotation and has the potential to pitch like a number one ace.
ESPN.com – Morneau to Carry the Torch
Justin Morneau was selected as one of the elite Canadians to carry the Olympic torch on its way to Vancouver for the upcoming winter games. The best part of this story, Morneau joins other Canadian celebs including Steve Nash, Sidney Crosby, and of course Shania Twain. Can’t believe Jesse Crain isn’t on that list?
Curve For a Strike – Get to Know ‘Em: Twins MVB
Twins blogger, Topper Anton, is doing a great series interviewing and introducing various members of the Twins blogging community. You get to learn a little more about some of the great Twins bloggers. This week I was honored to be highlighted in Topper’s column. Learn a bit more about Twins MVB.
And the winner is….
Posted by John on January 29, 2010 under John | Read the First Comment
Look for the new header to appear on the site in the next week or so and thanks to everyone for your patience with this contest. I sincerely appreciate all the Twins MVB fans for participating in this competition and look for more throughout the 2010 season.
Fan Friday: Jennifer Rumpca
Posted by John on under John | 3 Comments to Read
This week’s Fan Friday comes from a Jennifer Rumpca of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jennifer accounts her experience from this past week’s visit from the Twins Caravan. You can follow Jenn on Twitter.
This past Tuesday, January 26, 2010, the Twins Winter Caravan rolled into Sioux Falls, SD, and I was one of the many fans in attendance. I have always wanted to attend this event but never got the chance or had a stop this close to me, except for when I lived in Minneapolis I suppose.
Anyways, I arrived just before starting time and did not really know what to expect. I found a seat in the bleachers and waited for the festivities to start. It was a nice feeling to be around so many Twins fans and it had a kind of similar feeling to being at a game.
The event started with a detailed video going through the expected roster with commentary by Ron Gardenhire and others. The video also talked a lot about Target Field and the excitement of finally bringing outdoor baseball back to Minnesota. The video was interesting, but I, along with the rest of the crowd, was anxious for Bert Blyleven, Jeff Manship, and Denard Span to take the stage.
They finally did to a standing ovation from the crowd and each answered some questions. The topics ranged from how the players keep up their arm strength in the off season to Bert’s curveball and his quest for the Hall of Fame to that day’s signing of Jim Thome (which all three seemed to approve of).
After the short question and answer session, it was time to get in line for autographs. I am really bad at judging crowd sizes, but I would guess there was maybe around 500 people there, give or take a few hundred, and just about everyone got in line for autographs including myself. After a short two hours of standing in line I finally got my autographs and could not wait to brag up my experience to my dad, who is a huge Twins fan and the reason I am a Twins fan today.
So after about 10 years of being a Twins fan officially, I finally was able to experience some of the off season action and now have one more reason to love the Twins. I really give the Twins organization props for involving and engaging the fans as much as they do. With that said, the event was quite the teaser and I am ready for the season to begin. How many days until opening day?
Thome Could Add Bench Depth
Posted by John on January 23, 2010 under John | 3 Comments to Read
So the rumors are true, the Twins are having conversations with free agent slugger and long time Twins-killer, Jim Thome. The 39-year old Thome is looking to find at bats his options appear to be down to the White Sox or Twins. Joe C. from the Star Tribune has a great piece covering the topic.
Besides just the sticker shock of the star slugger’s name and his 564 career homeruns, I actually really like the move for the Twins. It would be the perfect addition if Thome was a righthanded bat, but his addition would bring pop to the bench as well as give Ron Gardenhire to play Jason Kubel in left or rightfield and DH Thome. This move could push Delmon Young into working hard and also give the Twins a go to pinch hitter in clutch situations if a guy like Nick Punto steps up with two men on base.
There are a few other points made in this story that are worth nothing:
- No one has hit more homeruns, 57, against the Twins than Thome.
- The Opening Day payroll will be above $90 million which is up considerably from last year’s $65 million. If the Twins do find a way to lockup Joe Mauer to a long-term deal fans certainly can’t call this current Twins team cheap.
- For the first from what I’ve seen, Joe C. mentions the Twins have had internal discussions about infield free agents Orlando Hudson, Felipe Lopez, and Miguel Tejada. Rightfully so, the Twins are waiting for prices to drop and the club could still fill a few holes before spring training at affordable prices. Patience is a virtue!
In another interesting note, St. Paul native, Joe Mauer, will be filming an episode of ESPN’s Homecoming this Wednesday, January 27 at his high school alma mater, Cretin-Derham Hall.
