Another poll from the archive of Twinnin, a MN Twins blog, first published in 1998. “Who is the best Twins player of all time?”

• “Harmon Killebrew because he was my boyhood idol, and I liked the sound of his name!”

Read more…

In 1987, I was college student attending my first Spring Training games in Florida when I first met Harmon Killebrew.

Today, the Minnesota Twins legend, Hall of Fame baseball player passed away. As I listened to fans calling into local Twin Cities Sports station KFAN all day to share their stories about the Killer, I reflected on my encounter 24 years ago. Read more…

Originally published in the Mac Weekly (Macalester College), March, 1987 this is Part 2 of a series of articles that were written to chronicle a trip of three college buddies to Orlando, FL for Twins Sping Training games.
March 23, 1987: The next morning we drove to Vero Beach, alias Dodgertown. Los Angeles players were walking around and socializing with the fans before their exhibition game that afternoon. It was like a softball tournament!

Someone once told me that Dodgertown was the Disneyland of training camps. They were right. What a setup. It is a baseball country club. Read more…

I used to be diehard WWF fan, back in the day, and was big fan of Mick Foley. His characters (Dude Love, Cactus Jack & Mankind) were always fun, almost mocking the the muscle heads he had to face when in the ring. To me, he wrestled like the Twins played baseball; as an under dog, but as the favorite of the silent majority.

Well, back then, I remember seeing Mick Foley wear a Twins jersey frequently on TV, Read more…

I love reading baseball books. Ever since I was a kid, my favorite additional pastime  has been to pick up a book about the sport I love and read it. Of late, I have enjoyed going to garage sales, library scale down events, and even used book shops  in the Twin Cities to buy baseball books.

My wife thinks I am crazy to have so many books in the office, and  believes that they just collect dust and take up space. But, over the years, I have read almost every book that I have found. I will review each of these books soon, but thought I would share a partial list of a few of my favorite Twins books.  Most of these re available via eBay, or Amazon.

Cool Of The Evening: The 1965 Minnesota Twins (Perfect Paperback) by Jim Thielman (Author)
In 1965, the Minnesota Twins were an endless surprise. Baseball was the nation’s sport, and it gave people a little break from the world. The Minnesota Twins’ powerful lineup drew huge crowds in cities such as New York, Boston, and Los Angeles.

The Minnesota Twins (Team Spirit) (Library Binding)
Kids book, ages 9-12, 48 pages.

Kent Hrbek’s Tales from the Minnesota Twins Dugout (Tales) [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover) by Kent Hrbek (Author), Dennis Brackin (Author), Kent Hrbek (Author), Dennis Bracken. In his Minnesota Twins career, Kent Hrbek hit 293 home runs and helped his team to two World Series titles. But fans remember the hulking first baseman for much more than his solid play. Hrbek is a Twin Cities lifer, starring at Kennedy High School in nearby Bloomington, Minnesota before signing with the Twins.

Season of Dreams: The Minnesota Twins’ Drive to the 1991 World Championship (Hardcover) by Tom Kelly (Author), Ted Robinson (Author) This book depicts the opinions and experiences of the Minnesota Twins greatest manager, TK, during the magical 1991 World Champion season

Minnesota Twins Baseball Book (Baseball Newspaper Books, Volume 14) (Hardcover) by US HISTORIC (Author) A unique gift idea that will take the baseball fan back through the moments that made history!

Minnesota Twins Memo Book (6 Pack)
Product Description Whether you are at home, school, or work you can show your team pride with this MLB Minnesota Twins Memo Book. This is a 3″ x 5″ top opening (6 pack) of MLB Minnesota Twins Team Memo Books that contain 50 sheets of paper per Memo Book.

Be the Best You Can Be (Hardcover) by Kirby Puckett (Author)
Grade 2-4-A picture-book autobiography of the late Hall of Fame of the Minnesota Twins. Puckett describes highlights of his career and simultaneously admonishes readers to believe in themselves; be good people; and stay away from troublemakers, drugs, and tobacco.

Kirby Puckett’s Baseball Games (Paperback) by Kirby Puckett (Author), Andrew Gutelle (Author), Paul Meisel (Illustrator) Illustrated by Paul Meisel. With his solid work ethic, knowledge of baseball, and contagious enthusiasm, Kirby Puckett’s an inspiration to everyone on his team–a team that’s just been expanded to include every six- to nine-year-old who plays the game. Kerby Puckett s Baseball Games is an illustrated book about learning and improving basic baseball skills through 34 great games

I Love This Game!: My Life and Baseball (Paperback) by Kirby Puckett
In a style reflective of his engaging disposition, Puckett relives the events that led to his rise as one of baseball’s most proficient and popular players. As the title indicates, the star of the Minnesota Twins harbors a deep respect for the game, a conviction that governs his approach to matters on and off the field

Puck! Kirby Puckett: Baseball’s Last Warrior (Hardcover) by Chuck Carlson (Author)
This is the story of Kirby Puckett and his remarkable journey from the projects of the south. Chuck Carlson is author of Titletown Again, The Super Bowl Season of the 1996 Green Bay Packers and True Brew, the 25th anniversary commemorative book of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Rod Carew’s Art and Science of Hitting (Paperback) by Rod Carew, with Ian Ketey, and Pace after 19 seasons and 3000 major-league hits Carew has written an excellent book on “the single most difficult thing to do in sport.” Suitable for little leaguers on up to the professional ranks, the book outlines the fundamentals of hittingchoosing bats, the swing, the stancewith detail and clarity. The advanced aspects of hittinge.g., reading spin, situational hitting, and buntingreceive thorough treatment too.

Carew (Hardcover) by Rod Carew & Ira Berkow (Author) This is the story of former great Rod Carew from the Minnesota Twins adn California Angels. He tells us the story from a child in Panama to his Hall of Fame career. On the way, he marries a white woman, must deal with the results and insults from society. His wife is jewish and his telling of his acceptance and cultural shock is a must read.

Kirby Puckett. Approximately 32 pages. Author: James R. Rothaus. Publisher: The Child’s World, 1991

Tony O!: The trials and triumphs of Tony Oliva, by Tony Oliva (Author)

Youth League Hitting: Like a Champ (Youth League) (Paperback) by Tony Oliva (Author), Jack Clary (Author)

Harmon Killebrew, Baseball’s Superstar (Unknown Binding) by Wayne J Anderson (Author)