I was sitting down from working on my car to watch some golf, and my NBC station (KARE11) cut from programming and said “Breaking News.” I am sitting here thinking oh great… what did Obama do or who died? To my amazement, they said Joe Mauer reached an agreement with the Twins for 8 years and $184 Million dollars… $184 Million Dollars… Wow. That is the price of greatness. Now he HASN’T signed YET, he will tomorrow. I once told one of my friends about a month ago, if Mauer leaves, I am done being a baseball fan. I have seen Hunter, Santana, Gomez, and many other greats and fan favorites go, but to have the best player in the AL, the best catcher ever, and our hometown hero leave, that would all be too much. He is locked up for 8 years… I also heard there is a no-trade clause but I was bouncing off the walls when I heard that so I may have heard wrong. But one thing is for sure, Joe Mauer ain’t leavin.

I also want to talk about Joe Nathan and the closing spot. It was announced today that he will have Tommy John surgery, but I think that is the best thing for him. I think Jon Rauch will get the closing spot, and Liriano is going to stay a starter. Neshek was a toss in, but I know he won’t get it, leaving Crain, Gurrier, and Rauch. Best of luck to the 4 guys up for consideration. Also get better soon Nathan.

Thanks for reading guys. I hope you enjoyed it

Those three words have came to mind alot lately. I watch as another childhood favorite exits the stage. I remember why I even liked Normar. It was a simple game called Backyard Baseball 2002. Once and a while, I still sit and enjoy it. I was always upset when Normar came to the plate, because he would take so long to get into his stance. Ever since he left the Sox, I have only heard his name once or twice. Yesterday, in a half empty classroom after school, I read that Nomar Garciaparra, had left the game. I love the fashion in which he did it. He signed a 1-day contract with the Boston Red Sox, then announced his retirement. Just like Duece McAllister did this year, only he gave up a Super Bowl ring. He should have signed with the Saints for a few more days.

Baseball is here, Strasberg has finally hit the mound, and Nathan has been hurting, literally. My gym teacher is a big Tigers fan, and he was gloating about the fact that without Nathan, the Twins are no-bodies. That gave me a good laugh. We have the best catcher in the game, the best clean, DH in the game, and not to mention many players in there strongly such as Hudson, Hardy, Cuddyer, and Kevin Slowey.

Now I had the chance to go to the Metrodome last weekend for the DQ Gopher Baseball Classic. I witnessed 4 teams go at it. Layola Marrymount defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys 2-0. Thomas Keeling pitched and the scouts were on him tightly. He was drafted in the 20th round by the Yankees last year. Then it was the Gophers and Northwestern Wildcats. We won (of course) 8-3, with a stupendious play at the plate to end it all. But it renewed something in me. It was the feeling of good clean baseball. These guys don’t get payed. These guys are out here trying to prove themselves, just trying to get noticed by someone. No, they are not WBC champions, or nor do they hoist the World Series trophy… This is baseball. No endorsements, or money. Baseball. I don’t know how many kids I saw go get foul balls. It was fun. I wish that the Pros would play like this too, but they have money at stake.

Snow still covers the Minnesotan land. Our fields can’t be played on, but especially in this small southern-MN town, baseball is in the air. It is finally here. Nothing do I enjoy better then the great American Pastime.

The Winter Olympics are ending up, and Spring Training is beginning. My mail is mostly directed to 2 places… Arizona and Florida. I just found out how easy it is to certify autographs through the kings of the buisness, so I will go ahead and score some middle grade autographs and have them certified just to see what it’s like.

Here in Minnesota, the snow is actually melting a bit, and around our grocery store, I actually saw some bare ground. I don’t hate snow, but it needs to go away. You can’t play baseball in a winter coat and boots.

So go team USA, and go Twins. I will see you when I hear that some big buisness has been going on… but on an interesting note, I heard that Heyward was bombing them so far he was hitting cars in the parking lot. HAHA

First, I need to start off with the Opening Ceremony that is on right now. I think it is way out of line to try and compare this to Bejing. First off, what I have witnessed so far doesn’t come close to what that one was. I can garuntee you that London, Rio, and whatever else in between and past that won’t come close.

I think it hurt big time to have it indoors, in a CFL stadium. I did never know that those things were that big… Some say the sky is the limit, but when you cover it, you cant go any higher.

Next, is the countdown for spring training. Some big changes have taken place. Especially one that gave me a good laugh, and one that had me bouncing off the walls. Jacque Jones is back ladies and gentlemen. The man who helped save our team. I guess he was playing independent with Newark, and came and asked the Twins to sign him. Which they did.

Toby Gardenhire is comming to Ft. Myers. He is going to backup for Morales because he isnt doing so hot right now,.

We now have Hudson, which just puts m,ore emphasis on our spectacular team.

So have a happy Spring Training, and I will write again