Twins Games

[Maximum12]

So...I suspect like most of the rest of you, I love baseball. Have since I was six years old, carrying about the round orange AM radio on my bike while out playing so I could listen to the exploits of Al Williams, Bob Gorinski, & all those legendary late '70s & early '80s Twinkies.

I have no idea how many Twins games I've been to in the 'Dome & the old Met. A lot.

Last year I didn't go to a Twins game for the first time in probably 20 years. I wondered why. The team was scrappy & exciting. I watched most of the games, & listened to those I couldn't get to a TV for.

It's dawned on me as I've watched this off-season unfold.

I love baseball. I hate the Major Leagues.

What the Yankees & others are doing is obvious. The Twins can't compete, resource-wise, with the massive-revenue teams. When someone like C.C. or Texiera hits the market, there are realistically only a handful of teams bidding for them.

I know it's been discussed before, but the competitive balance of the game is being destroyed more & more every year. And I just can't support that any more.

So while I'll continue to watch them on TV & listen on the radio, I'm not planning on going to any games (I'll have to go to the new stadium once, though) nor buying any more MLB merchandise. Until they fix the money situation, which I assume will be never, I can't support this awful system with my money. It makes me unhappy.

[HaveBaitWillFish]

You do have some very good points about the "top tier" free agents. However, proof being last year the Twins finished in first in their division, and the Yankees didn't even make the playoffs. I say let those teams spend all the money they want. High payrolls don't necessarily mean championships. For example, the last World Series these "high salary" teams won....

Yankees 2003, LA Dodgers 1988, Mets 2000, Angels 2002. When's the last time any of these teams even made it to the World Series? Now let's look at the "small market teams"...Rays 2008, Rockies 2007, Astros 2005,Marlins 2003.

What does this prove? To me, it proves that a solid farm system is more important than a big checkbook.

I will go to the Metrodome for a couple more games this year to say goodbye and then on to the new ballpark.

[frogtosser]

the Yankees keep giving up their draft picks when they draft free agents, they gave up their first 3 rounds this year for the guys they got. I am not sure how much I will goto the new stadium. I will take the boy to a few games this year

[IFallsRon]

Owners and free agency have pigged up all professional sports. The process has created false expectations for spare players in all sports. I encourage my kids to enjoy sports and excel in education.

[blue_healer_guy]

I think it is more of a perception than reality. The twins will win their share of games this year but not contend for the big one until we sign 1 of those "big guys."

[masterpuppet]

Watching the Yanks buy the Big Player just proves to me that I love the small market ball like the Twins. Yes we give away great players but the players we have LOVE to play ball.They just doing for the game not the money because the Twins wont spend that money. So I just love watching the guys who play for the love of the game.

[KMR85]

So guys like Santana and Hunter just love to play the game? How come they aren't with the Twins anymore?

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Love to play it for the highest payor

[frogtosser]

wait till they start throwing money at Mauer and see how much he loves the game and is not playing for the money, because you know the twins will make a weak offer to him. looks like baby jesus is going to boston in a couple years.

[101winchester]

There is not or hasn't been a loyal Twins ball player since Kirby. There have been several that could have been but ownership wouldn't let them or even meet them part-ways. Its a day and age that defines "whats in it for ME!" I don't expect the Twins to keep Mauer or Morneau past 2011, once the new ballpark is opened and the ownership gets all the revenue from the inital first year, they'll dump for profits, period!

[CodyDawg]

First of all, we cannot say yet whether Mauer or Mourneau are loyal or not. Let time decide.

Second, I too have no desire to support either the Twins or MLB financially. The Twins/Pohlads treat it as a business. Okay, fine. I will too. You do you best to put the BEST product you can out there and I will buy. You sit on your hands and do nothing in the offseason to fill your 3B and relief pitching gaps and I will sit on my hands (and wallet) this summer. Dont forget, the Pohlads have more money than the Steinbrenners.

Third, I will try and share my love of baseball with my kids....it will not however involve a lot of live MLB games if the current situation doesnt change.

[B. Amish]

I'd say Brad Radke was pretty loyal to the Twins. Could've signed elsewhere for more money.

[Scott K]

Nick Punto!

[goingdeep]

Nuck Punto should be in AAA for his career

[knoppers]

Nuck Punto should be in AAA for his career

show me a harder working player in MLB!

plus he plays multable positions, he is our al newman.

there are a lot of teams that would love to have him on there roster.

[goingdeep]

I will agree with you that he is hard working, but hard work doesn't pay to bill's give me a guy that has some talent and can hit the ball... This guy has been given the oppotunity to play on a consistant basis and he chokes.. He is one sided ball player.. Has a great glove, but can't hit SH&*

[CourtlandKid]

nick punto is a great player- all around , aggresive and can play anywhere in the infield! just needs alot of hitting practice

[Juneau4]

nick punto is a great player- all around , aggresive and can play anywhere in the infield! just needs alot of hitting practice

Maybe a great college player, but just an average or below- Major league ballplayer and one the Twins would find hard to replace with all the positions he can play well.

[zamboni]

Nick Punto is 200 million times better than Denny Hocking and how long did that clown sit on the bench???

[Jarrod32]

I'd say Brad Radke was pretty loyal to the Twins. Could've signed elsewhere for more money.

Yep. And in the offseason when possible contraction was being discussed, he exercised his player option to be a Twin...not knowing if there would even be a team.

It was a pretty strong statement at the time...

[pinkfloyd4ever]

Always liked that Hrbek stuck around too. But like the rest of said, field me a decent team and I'll show up, so far they have not done anything to impress anyone. Still say, why not throw some money at Sosa or even Bonds, at least would generate some interest locally and nationally

[Chode2235]

Am I the only one who likes watching the twins pull the rabbit out of the hat every year?

I love to go and watch the no-names make a name for themselves.

I am a twins fan because I like the way they play the game--scrappy; as long as that doesn't change I will still go and support them.

Sure it can be frustrating, and the Twins should make some moves. But it is always exciting at the beginning of the year to try and figure out how they will be above .500

The names on the jerseys really dont matter to me.

[Jagsballar19]

Watch out for the twins this year with a young starting rotation!

1.Francisco Liriano

2.Scott Baker

3.Kevin Slowley

4.Glen Perkins

5.Nick Blackburn

With what they did last year wouldnt suprise me if they won a few more ball games next season!

[kr8r.tom]

the twins have always been a professional farm club.