Getting back to the roots, tonight’s Sports Daddy post takes on the flavor of a Twins blog with a live picture or two from the Bulls-eye.

The Sports Mom was presented with one ticket in the Champions Club for this evening’s Twins win in extra innings. Yes, I was jealous. While I had the privilege of staying home with very spirited  but loving sports kids, she had the sweet seats!

Life isn’t fair sometimes. Read more…

In 2010 the 50 greatest Twins list of all time was announced, commemorating the 50th season of franchise’s existence.

In early September that year, I spent a good part of the weekend watching the ’10 version of the Minnesota Twins play some great baseball vs. the Texas Rangers. The pennant race was heating up, and Twins on the field were playing like real ball players who like to play in October.

At Target Field that weekend, many of the greatest Twins of all time (many who played deep into cold weather of the Fall) reunited to play a “legends” game. It was pure pleasure to watch the “Boy’s of Summer” take to the new outdoor field in Minnesota and try to recapture their “Glory Day.”

The highlight of the Legends Game for me was watching Kent Hrbek put his own special mark on Target Field. T-Rex, as he was known back in the day, tried to make one of his patented foul ball catches near first base, but this time instead of getting Metrodome rug burn, he dented out a chunk of the new Twins infield grass. It’s a good thing Hrbie has a sense of humor.

The 50 Greatest Twins list was  voted on by a panel of print, radio, and television journalists, plus senior members of the Minnesota Twins staff.

Here is the entire list of players. I will create links to each player, as I blog about each one in the typical Sports Daddy story telling tone.

• Rick Aguilera
• Bob Allison
• Earl Battey
• Bert Blyleven
• Lyman Bostock
• Tom Brunansky
• Rod Carew
• John Castino
• Michael Cuddyer
• Gary Gaetti
• Greg Gagne
• Ron Gardenhire
• Dan Gladden
• Dave Goltz
• Jim “Mudcat” Grant
• Eddie Guardado
• Larry Hisle
• Kent Hrbek
• Torii Hunter
• Jim Kaat
• Tom Kelly
• Harmon Killebrew
• Chuck Knoblauch
• Jerry Koosman
• Corey Koskie
• Gene Larkin
• Billy Martin
• Gene Mauch
• Joe Mauer
• Sam Mele
• Paul Molitor
• Justin Morneau
• Jack Morris
• Joe Nathan
• Tony Oliva
• Camilo Pascual
• Jim Perry
• Kirby Puckett
• Frank Quilici
• Brad Radke
• Jeff Reardon
• Johan Santana
• Roy Smalley
• Rick Stelmaczek
• Kevin Tapani
• Cesar Tovar
• Zoilo Versalles
• Frank Viola
• Dave Winfield
• Al Worthington

It never fails.

Just when you think you have seen and heard enough stupid in your lifetime, some idiot across my cube at work blurts out to a co-worker:

“Oh my, I sure hope the Twins don’t win out this weekend and make the playoffs, wanna know why?”

“Why?”

“Because then Bill Smith will feel empowered, and stick to his guns, believing that Twins won’t have to go out and pay for talent. They are cheap ya know?”

“Well..”

“You know what else? They should trade Morneau now when they can. He will never sign with the Twins once they have to pay for Mauer.”

Conversations like this are wrong and without merit. But Twins fans, they happen pretty much happen everyday. When I hear junk like this, all I say is…

“Are you guys a special kind of baseball dumb?”

Just got back from Florida, and a week of Twins Spring Training. Here are some pictures in an animoto slide show that shows the experience from my camera…

see slide show on top navigation (March 2009)

Some thoughts on the team after witnessing the week before the World Baseball Classic:

1. Brian Buscher will be a valuable member of the team this year. He will give Justin Morneau breaks at first base, and he is really swinging a nice bat so far.
2. The future shortstop of this team is Trevor Plouffe.
3. Jose Morales could beat out Mike Redmond as a back-up catcher this spring. He looks ready to play right now.
4. The pitching looks great, and that includes the middle relief that everyone is so concerned about.

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Sid the Kid will have to settle for second place this year.

Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins is the winner of the Lionel Conacher Award as The Canadian Press male athlete of the year.

The New Westminster, B.C., slugger had a .300 average, 23 home runs and 129 RBIs for the Twins last season.

The 27-year-old first baseman topped a survey of the country’s sports editors and broadcasters with 99 points.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain and 2007 winner Sidney Crosby was second with 82 points.

Wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc claimed female athlete of the year honours Friday and the top team of 2008 will be revealed Monday.