This week, the Yankees lost two legends, George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard.

Derek Jeter’s walk to the plate:

“Now batting, for the New York Yankees, the shortstop, numbah 2, Derek Jeter, numbah 2.”

That was a powerful moment.

Now, being a Twins fan, we have lost the same legends that the Yankees had (I am in no way making it a competition). Our legendary PA announcer died a few years ago, his name was Bob… Bob Casey… who rarely missed a game. He was famous for…

Kirbbbbyyyyyyyyyyyy Puckett!!!!!!!

and…

Christian GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUZMAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We also last season, lost Carl Pohlad. He was another man who brought his team into a 180 fashion and made them a more fearfull team.

1. Bryce Harper-Nationals

2. Jameson Taillon-Pirates

3. Manny Machado-Oriols

4. Christian Colon-Royals

5. Drew Pomeranz-Indians

6. Barret Loux-D-Backs

7. Matt Harvey-Mets

8. Delino DeShields Jr.-Astros

9. Karsten Whitson-Padres

10. Micheal Choice-A’s

11. Deck McGuire-Jays

12. Yasmani Grandal-Reds

13. Chris Sale-White Sox

14. Dylan Covey-Brewers

15. Jake Skole-Rangers

16. Hayden Simpson-Cubs

17. Josh Sale-Rays

18. Kaleb Cowart-Angels

19. Mike Foltynewicz-Astros

20. Kolbrin Vitek-Red Sox

21. Alex Wimmers-Twins

22. Kellin Deglan-Rangers

23. Christian Yelich-Marlins

24. Gary Brown-Giants

25. Zach Cox-Cardinals

26. Kyle Parker-Rockies

27. Jesse Biddle-Phillies

28. Zach Lee-Dodgers

29. Cam Bedrosian-Angels

30. Chevy Clarke-Angels

31. Justin O’Conner-Rays

32. Cito Culver-Yankees

Compensation Round

1. Michael Kvasnicka-Astros

2. Aaron Sanchez-Jays

3. Matthew Lipka-Braves

4. Bryce Brentz-Red Sox

5. Taylor Lindsay-Angels

6. Noah Snydergaard-Jays

7. Anthony Ranaudo-Red Sox

8. Ryan Bolden-Angels

9. Asher Wojciechowski-Jays

10. Drew Vettleson-Rays

11. Taijuan Walker-Mariners

12. Nick Castellanos-Tigers

13. Luke Jackson-Rangers

14. Seth Blair-Cardinals

15. Peter Tago-Rockies

16. Chase Ruffin-Tigers

17. Mike Olt-Rangers

18. Tyrell Jenkins-Cardinals

Ok, so here is the backround story to this special edition. I love autographs. I always go for the cheap, Minor League/Rookie autographs of people that really never amounted to anything. But up until last Sunday’s perfect game, thrown by Dallas Braden, my thoughts were just that. These guys probably won’t do much in their careers.

This Christmas break, I stayed with my grandparents in their cabin in Northern Minnesota. I had a lot of money, and the closest store with packs of cards was in a town about ten miles away, at an ALCO. I had got a lot of money for Christmas, and I decided to spend some on some cards, because this wasn’t the first time I had luck at this store.

We headed over to a relative’s house, and I had opened a pack or 2, got nothing. We were sitting at their kitchen table, me in a pile of wrappers and cards, and I had a pack of 2007 UD Future Stars. This pack was the whole reason I bought the box, because I had a shot at some Dice-K autographed cards. That in itself was a long shot, but this was even a longer one. I opened it and was greeted by a rookie autograph than none-other than Dallas Braden (who I thought his name was Dallas Graden). I was satisfied. I put the card in a toploader and a box and didn’t think much of it until I actually heard about his perfect game (which wasn’t until Monday or Tuesday). I knew where it was and pulled it out, wondering how I was so lucky to own it. I know it doesn’t hold a lot of value, but it amazed me that I had it.

So is it a good idea to take the chance at getting these scrub autographs, that might somewhere in their carrer? To be honest, the odds are freakeshly out there. Some lower end autographs will cost a ton of money (as far as these are concerned) because they might have potential. Then after they leave the league, the price goes down, to a dollar or two. That is when I snatch them up. I can get the lowest end for cheap. I keep them around because they are cool. They don’t sturr up a lot of wow in the card community, but I love them.

-My name to go under Jason Kubel’s in the display they would have made with the ball

-Another ball from that game, team signed

-Some sort of Ticket Vouchers

I think he was a deserving person to smack the “3rd”, 1st homerun at the new park. It was an awesome no-doubt shot.

One other man came close to hitting the 1st today and that was Mike Cameron, who in the fourth inning, drove one deep right between the foul pole and the limestone wall. They even reviewed it, which I don’t know how many times they have reviewed things in baseball, but this was the first at Target Field.

Most importantly, the Twins have a .5 game lead in the Central (I believe) and are still goin strong. Congratulations Minnesota Twins on earning official win #1 at Target Field

My feelings simply put? I can’t wait. I will be in school for the “first ever” pitch, (which for you history buffs, TJ Oaks delivered the first pitch 2 weeks and 1 day ago). I have the chance to drive to school tomorrow, so that means I can leave right after, and get to a place to watch the rest of the game.

Carl Pavano gets the honors tomorrow, which he is deserving in my eyes (not many others think so…). He also threw out MLB pitch #1 at Target Field last Friday.

I sense a good, very loud game. I think the Twins will take it, although they arn’t very good in memeroble games. I can remember rooting my heart out on the day (just moments before the game) that the I-35 bridge collapsed. It was a hard game to see us lose. I searched the entire town I live in the next day for a newspaper. I couldnt find one, but my grandpa’s friend happened to have one in his truck. The sports headline was something like “They decided to play” but it was short, sweet, and very full of feeling.

Another game is one that is very looked over. No it wasn’t Game 163, but rather Game 3 of the Central/East Division Series. That one was lost. That was the last game ever in the Metrodome.

How about more recently?  The Gophers broke in the new park, but only managed to score 1 run off of an RBI by AJ Pettersen late in the matchup. They didn’t even get the first home run.

A week after that, the Cardinals came to town. Many personal memories were made that game. Seeing my childhood hero, Mark McGwire stand in the dugout. I also snapped a money photo of both MVPs right next to each other, and other shot of the 09 NL MVP standing at first with the 06 AL MVP. The most moving moment was seeing fan favorite Jaque Jones step up to the plate and recieve a MASSIVE standing ovation. I was included in that ovation, because he was one of my favorite back in the early years of last decade. The Twins managed to get on base early. Even Denard Span hit homer #2 in the park, but it was topped by a 1-2 home run combo by Matt Holliday and Colby Rasmus, for a total of 3 points that tied the game.

I can tell you I will be celebrating the new park tomorrow. I will have one of my many Homer Hankys on hand all day. If I can find a Twins shirt I will wear that too.

The Twins lost today. I got to watch it on 2 different channels (WGN, and My Network Television WFTC-29). The Chicago one was about 3 seconds faster. Gordon Beckham had an outstanding game, even getting his first homer of the year. A pair of other Sox (no pun intended, I think) also gave some souvenirs to outfield fans. Paul Konerko went deep early, and Mark Kotsay later in the matchup. Twins ended up losing 5-4 on a Jim Thome hit that was deep against the wall. Hardy tried rounding 3rd to get the tie-up, but was too late. Even he must have known it because he seemed to sort of slow down a bit.

So for all you Twins fans, let’s hope Pavano makes John Gordon say SWIIIIING and a MISS for some of the Boston Big Guns.

Also, I would like to officially welcome Jim Thome to Minnesota. There has been a lot of speculation if he was going to be good or not… I can’t remember his exact stats, but I believe he had the game winning RBI at U.S. Cellular last night, and I believe he homered the night before.

How about those Twins? They have only lost one game this year, I joke that it was the pitcher’s fault, but I think it was bad luck. I predict a loss today sadly, I just don’t see them pulling through, but I hope they prove me wrong.

I heard something interesting, that Jason Heyward had a Homer at his first at bat. This kid is crazy good. There is something special about him and I can smell it.

Target Field “Officially (for the fourth time)” gets to open up Target Field Monday afternoon against the Boston Red Sox. I predict a loud, exciting, homer-filled game. With a Twins win. I can just see these guys overpowering the Sox. Unfourtunately, I will not be at this game, but I was fortunate to be at the first 2 games.

The Northwoods League team, Willmar Stingers, will hold a press conference on Tuesday, where they will reveal their uniforms, and the MLB HOFer that will throw out the cerimonial first pitch.

Speaking of the Northwoods’s league, I am watching TWIB, and they are doing a story on Northwood’s League Alumni, Curtis Granderson. He played with Mankato.

Have a great season guys

The Twins closed Spring Training last night with the first Target Field win, and some say that game was more exciting than the first game the Twins played there. Nothing is more exciting than the first. I can’t say that. Yes, there was more action, but the atmosphere and the feeling of being at the first game has it’s own advantages.

I wasn’t able to watch the game, but I hear Jacque Jones had a standing ovation again. He deserves everything he gets. He played back when TC made his appearence back in 2000 and was a member of the Soul Patrol. He was playing in the Independant Minor League system sitting on a below-.100 average, and recently came and talked to the Twins. They let him come back, which I thought was a good descion because it is win-win. He gets what he wants, Twins get a few more fans in the seats, and if it doesn’t work out, Jacque can retire with the team that loves him.

Their season opens on Monday against the Angels in California. Come on Twins Territory, let’s cheer so loud that not only the Angels hear us, but every team in the American League as well.

Twins play just under 90 games at home (87 to be exact, I think) and a good 50+ are currently sold out. Now I have only been to 1 sold out game in my life, and it was exciting. I hope to see the Brewers when they come to town for their first game here. I want to see what reaction Carlos Gomez gets.

We bought some tickets 4 hours before the game. They were decent seats. Only problem with last night was they were print out tickets so I didnt get a stub. I will get one on ebay or something.

Okay so there were 2 problems, concessions. I got the brunt of that. I wanted an over-priced souvenir soda to go with my Twins Big Dog (not a creative name…) but I didn’t get any. I did get to yell at the guy selling soda for the first time though! I wasn’t holding on to my money, and I really wanted one so I got a Sierra Mist… It was amazing. Again overpriced.

Enough with the complaining. What was it that I liked most about the game? Was it snapping the photo of Albert Pujols batting for the first time at Target Field? (The significance goes way beyond that). No… Was it watching Pavano throw out the “first” pitch? No. Was it seeing Killebrew, Hrbek, Oliva, and Carew, with peolpe representing Jackie R and Kirby Puckett? Not that. Was it seeing my childhood hero, Mark McGwire for the first time? Not even that.

Ok I told you tthe awesome things I saw that wern’t my top moments of the game. My camera was dead for this one, or else I would have taken a video and a picture of it. It was looking down  in the batters circle, to see none other than Jaque Jones. He got a chance to bat. He walked up to the plate, and every fan in the building stood up for him and gave him a good welcome back. What this man has done for the Twins is beyond whay Joe Mauer will ever do. He helped save them. Took them to the ALCS nonetheless, kept them from becoming another California Novelity. I don’t remember if he struck out, or pop-flied, but as he left the field, he got a bunch of cheers.

Another guy from his time that was there was Kyle Lohse. Now apparantly a starter for St. Louis, he made his return to Minnesota and recieved a mix of cheers and jeers. He got some boos too. I cheered for him, for no reason other than the fact that he played ball for us a while back

Something scared me on Wednesday. The local news portrayed Denard Span’s incident as more violent than anything. I have seen Denard Span in person, without a jersey, and he is a really nice guy. In fact, fun to be around. I heard this and stayed to watch the sports section of the news. He actually hit is mom in the chest with a foul ball and ran over to help her. I was praising his actions, but also thinking about the media. What is wrong with them?

Now I want to talk about the AL Central. They are the most competitive 5 teams in baseball, and besides the Royals, the hardest to predict. So I will give them a try here.

I will start at the bottom with #5. The Kansas City Royals. I always joke that they will win, they start strong but never capitalize. They have a strong line-up and rotation, but they can never keep it together.

Now for #4. The Cleveland Indains. This is just their home. They came out of nowhere in ’07, but for the most part, they just can’t stay up there.

#3, the Detroit Tigers. They always amaze me. They can go worst too, well second I suppose, but this will be an off year for them, even with the pickup of Johnny Damon.

#2 was a doozy, and I have to say MN Twins. It pains me inside, and this has nothing to do with Joe Nathan. They won’t keep it together long enough to do something. All hope isn’t lost though, I think they will get the Wild Card,

#1 dem Sox… Yeah..

Well I am off to golf in about an hr, and I need to get ready to go. See yall

I really like the new stadium. Where else in the world can you go to a baseball game and shiver while ordering walleye?

But in anycase, the second largest attendance in a college game is all over. It was fun, but what about the residents of the new park? The Twins did win 8-4 over the Phillies.

I can tell you that Cliff Ewing had the first homer at the Field (Tech) and TJ Oaks had the first pitch. That pitch will forever be ingrained in my mind. It was a great moment to be a Minnesotan, and to be a baseball fan.

After the game, we helped our selves to a tour of the first 2 decks, which included the Legends Club, the Metropolitan Club, and regular Suites. We also took a look around all the art and commerative plaques strung in and outside the stadium. The scoreboard, (which was partly made in the town that I currently live in) is huge, but had a LOT of problems today. It actually isnt all that thick, I estimated it to be about 60 ft tall, but only 8-12 inches thick. The sightline of the place is beautiful. Everywhere you walk on the lower deck you can see the field. Not so much the upper deck, because of all the rooms. There is a lot of standing room, which was a great addition. There is a deck about 6-9 stories up in the air from the field, that I saw a bunch of people watching the game from. We entered from gate 34 right onto the plaza.

What is interesting though is that a ton of the plaques and things are outside of the plaza. There was a cool little glass piece showing the professional ball parks dating back to the 1880′s with Athletic Park (which I believe is the home of the Millers, which I need to do more reasearch on) then went to Nicollet Park (Millers) to Met Stadium (Millers-Twins) then the Dome, and Target Field. There were plaques commemerating every roster since 1961. I took a look at 2002′s, because that was my first Twins game against the Rangers. Micheal Cuddyer (who turned 31 today) was the only one that still plays on the ML roster.

One thing is for sure, that stadium was built not for baseball, but for Minnesota. That is why the people on the news reports that I am watching, say they love it.

But yet, we want to be nice to our “Ugly-Duckling,” the HHH Metrodome. That is a football stadium, but has more baseball history than anything. I was there a couple weeks ago for the Gopher Baseball Classic, and it was weird looking up to see a MOA flag instead of the usual Canadian flag posted there for the Expos and Jays. It will always be the center of Twins Territory, no matter how many more stadiums we go through, and how much happens at them.

Also what was interesting, was they were capping attendance at 25,000 for today’s game. The actual attendance hit 36,052 (either that or 54, I can’t remember, maybe 56). This tops the Gopher record (considering regular games are about 500, and the Classic was 1,100). This also gains the silver medal in the history books for being the second highest attendance ever at a college game.They even brought in their marching band for today’s game.

In any case, good job Gophers, and good luck Twins