Thank you Twins Fans!

Thank you to for all the Twins fans that made it out to Target Field in 2012!

And guess what? 2013 will be here before you know it and it's going to be better than ever!

Twins, Cole DeVries Look Good Through Seven in Loss to Rangers

If I was not a born and raised native of Minnesota and had been born in a state without a team to call mine, I think it would have been pretty easy to fall in love with the Rangers. I've always kind of liked them, but have maintained strong loyalties to the Twins, of course.

The Rangers overcame a 3-0 deficit in the 9th to win 4-3 in 13 innings over the Twins. Ian Kinsler lined a game-winning single in the 13th inning for the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.

Cole DeVries pitched seven scoreless innings on a great performance. I love seeing a Twins starting pitcher actually do well. :) Casey Fien followed up with a great performance as well.

The Twins were an out away from shutting out the Rangers at Arlington. That never happens... especially to the Twins. Minnesota had padded a 1-0 lead in the top of the ninth with two unearned runs off Joe Nathan. Then, Kinsler led off the ninth reaching on a two-base throwing error. Glen Perkins threw a wild pitch. Elvis Andrus then had an RBI groundout before Hamilton popped out to third base.

After losing five straight, the Twins managed to give the Rangers back to back 4-3 wins in extra innings. The Rangers are very easy to like. Even when you are on the other side.

Despite my disappointment we didn't at least win the series, I am proud of the Twins for giving the Rangers a run for their money. After all, the Rangers have eight players going to the All Star game. That is almost enough for one team. The Twins have one.

Mauer Makes All Star Team

Joe Mauer was selected to the American League All-Star game after finishing second in fan balloting to the Texas Rangers catcher Mike Napoli. Mauer finished with 2,922,422, while Napoli tallied 4,317,718.

Josh Willingham and Scott Diamond were potential candidates to represent the Twins. Willingham (LF) has 17 home runs and leads the Twins with 55 RBIs. Diamond has the lowest ERA among Twins starters, at 2.61. Both players were passed over as reserves.

Mauer is batting .324 with four homers and 36 RBIs.

Adam Dunn, White Sox Pummel Twins

It has been/will continue to be a busy week for me as a Twins fan.

I went to the Twins-White Sox game on Monday as well as Wednesday. I am going to the Twins-Royals game on Friday with some coworkers and the Twins-Royals double header on Saturday with my friend, Scott.

Busy, busy Twins week.

Not to sound like every other fan in the land of 10,000 lakes, but it sure would be nice if the Twins were winning these games instead of losing. That's a no brainer, right?

Seriously though. I will, based on a rough estimate of a 2.5 hour game, spending almost 13 hours at Target Field this week. I love baseball. I watch it at home, at the gym and (obviously) in person. But I'm going to level with you. Time flies when you are having fun. Generally, you are having more fun when you are winning...

Yesterday was brutal. The atmosphere at Target Field as the Twins lost to the Chicago White Sox 12-5 was TERRIBLE. Time was not flying. Fans were not having fun. 

It was so bad, Adam Dunn snapped an 0-for-24 slump with a three-run shot. Brutal. Let's try to pull together a sweep against the Royals, Twins. I would like to keep some money in my pocket by avoiding the mind-numbing beers Target Field has to offer in lieu of a win.

Minnesota Twins Choose Byron Buxton, Outfield

Byron Buxton made a splash as he signed as the Minnesota Twins' second overall pick. Buxton received a $6 million signing bonus - the biggest contract in this year's draft class.

The Twins announced the signing Wednesday, one day after Buxton joined the team for batting practice and a physical at Target Field. Buxton is an 18-year-old outfielder from Appling County High School.

The $6 million bonus is bigger than Joe Mauer received when he was signed by the Twins.

The number one overall pick, Carlos Correa, received a $4.2 million bonus from the Astros.

Target Field Photos

I recently went around Minneapolis, St. Paul and a few of the surrounding suburbs to take photos of all the great venues! I took pictures of 24 total venues.

Enjoy these Target Field photos!

Great Twins Prospects

The Twins are clearly in need of some new and developed talent. Here are my top Twins prospects we need to keep within the organization.

Travis Harrison, 3B
Joe Benson, OF
Brian Dozier, SS
Hudson Boyd, RHP
Liam Hendriks, RHP
Aaron Hicks, OF
Oswaldo Arcia, RHP
Kyle Gibson, RHP
Miguel Sano, 3B
Eddie Rosario, 2B

Notice how heavy I am on the pitching prospects. This highlights the Twins' deep need for quality and consistent pitchers. Who do you consider to be a future major contributor?

Twins Win Two in a Row

Well, Minnesota... looks like we have a winning streak on our hands!

Before the win on Monday over the Oakland Athletics, the Twins were 0-28 when heading into the 8th trailing their opponent.

The Twins beat Oakland on Monday after trailing. The Twins beat Oakland on Tuesday after trailing. The wins are great! Especially as we are tied with the Chicago Cubs for the worst record in baseball. However, I would argue the more important aspect of the games is the ability of the Twins to overcome a deficit.

Keep it up, boys. We need more wins to get out of the cellar.

Twins Host Tribe

The Twins play their first games of the year against the Indians, tonight and tomorrow night. Target Field will welcome the Tribe as the Twins try to pick up crucial wins against the Central Division.

Want to see the rivalry live? Me too. I already have my tickets, do you?

Tickets

Weaver, Angels Play Twins at Target Field

The Minnesota Twins return home tonight after a brutal West Coast road trip that should have been more of a pick-me-up than a depressing state of affairs.

The Twins will play one of the teams that made their trip out West so toxic; the Angels are back in town tonight.

Jered Weaver will take the ball for the first time since his no-hitter, facing the team he threw the no hitter against. Weaver will be facing the Twins for the third time this season. Weaver is 6-3 lifetime against the Twins with a 3.73 ERA in 12 starts.

Ugh...

Pujols appears to be on track to full rejuvenation, coming off his first HR as an Angel.

Pull it together Twins. I can guarantee fans will be brutal tonight if a win isn't the outcome. I will be one of those fans.

Twins Host Angels, Blue Jays and Indians

The Minnesota Twins are heading out west to begin a week-long road trip. The Twins will play the Angels and Mariners. After those games are completed (hopefully adding to our win column), the Twinkies will be playing the three home-series: Angels, Blue Jays and Indians.

Plan ahead and get your Target Field Twins tickets. The boys will be back in town and looking to improve in the AL Central. The season is early and there is definitely room to grow.

Twins Tickets

Minnesota Twins: Who are they?

The Minnesota Twins are a Major League Baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins are a member of the Central Division of the American League. The Minnesota Twins play all of their home games at Target Field, 550 3rd Avenue in Minneapolis, which was built in 2010.

 The actual Minnesota Twins franchise originated in Kansas City, Missouri in 1894 and then moved to Washington, D.C. in 1901 when the American League was formed. In D.C. the team was known by two nicknames, the Nationals and the Senators. The team then moved to Minnesota in 1961 and was renamed the Twins after the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The Twins mascot follows lead, referred to as TC Bear. The Minnesota Twins team colors are navy blue, red, and white.

Clete Thomas, Welcome to the Twins

The Minnesota Twins claimed outfielder Clete Thomas off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. Jim Leyland, the Tigers manager, said he wasn't surprised that the Twins claimed him - apparently Ron Gardenhire has always loved Thomas.

Clete Thomas was a young bat boy for the Minnesota Twins. In high school, the bat boy was the son of a Twins scout, and the Twins selected him in the fifth round of the 2003 draft. He chose to attend Auburn.

Thomas hit .210 during spring training. His first swing at Target Field launched a drive toward the power alley in right.

Minnesota Twins Find Stride?

Hey! What do you know? The Twins are on their first win streak - 2 w's in a row at Target Field!

If you watched the game last night, you probably almost had a heart attack given the thrills of the game. The Twins started out with four uninspiring losses, but have come alive the past two days at Target Field.

The Twins took a three-game series from the LA Angels (2-for-3) this past week. Recall that the Angels were one of the most active teams in the off season, picking up highly desired free agents.

I love a nail biter when we come out on top. However, there is something to be said about a straight-up win. Twins fans might not be able to take this kind of fun for 156 more games...

Let's pound Texas... and let Twins fans sigh with relief.

Red Sox Series at Target Field

The Red Sox come to town early this year. The Twins Red Sox series happens 4/23-25 at Target Field. Don't miss these games! They are likely to be crucial in the Twins coming out of their first month at or above .500.

Does Ben Revere Belong in Target Field's Right Field?

Minnesota Twins fans have grumbled that Ben Revere just doesn't have the arm to play in center field. He's got the stuff to be a great defensive player... except he probably couldn't throw out a guy at home.

Ron Gardenhire acknowledges this. However, he said his arm is good enough for right field. Right field at Target Field is the shortest place to throw the ball home.

Gardenhire revealed that Josh Willingham will play left field will Revere will likely be in right.

First Five Target Field Games 2012

Yikes! I can't wait any longer! Here is a mini-preview of the first games at Target Field.

4/9- Twins v Angels @ 3:10

4/11 - Twins v Angels @ 7:10

4/12 - Twins v Angels @ 12:10

4/13 - Twins v Rangers @ 7:10

4/14 - Twins v Rangers @ 12:10

I LOVE BASEBALL SEASON!!

Baseball Season!

Baseball season is almost here, which means great baseball at the best ballpark in America - Target Field. With the great weather this week (and basically all winter), I keep thinking this summer might be the steamiest yet!

Last year, the Twins saw everything from rain, snow to hail come down at Target Field. Sure, it normally is cold in April. But with my fingers crossed that this mid-March (whaaatt??) weather holds, we are sure to have great April weather too, right?

Minnesota Twins Analyze Target Field Dimensions

It is no secret that the Twins play in a pitchers ballpark.

In the infancy of Target Field, the Twins have not been afraid to change up the dimensions of their beloved ballpark. After the inaugural 2010 season, the Twins removed the spruce trees from behind the center field fence (which I was extremely disappointed in because TC hid in those trees) and hung black mesh off the batter's eye to improve the hitting background.

As the club prepares for club year 3 at the best park in America, it has yet to address the issue that every hitter has grumbled about: the dimensions.

Target Field has been one of the more unfriendly ballparks when it comes to homers, with the park averaging 1.56 homers a game in 2011 and 1.43 in 2010. That places Target Field 12th of the 14 AL teams each season. In contrast, the Metrodome gave up 2.30 home runs a game in the final year of the Twins presence.

The Twins aren't the only ones looking to make a change. The New York Mets, who moved into Citi Field in 2009, are altering their dimensions for the 2012 season. An 8-foot wall will be built from foul pole to foul pole, which will take the 16-foot wall in left field, out of play. That wall is famously nicknamed "The Great Wall of Flushing". The power alley in left field will shrink from 371 feet to 358. According to studies conducted by the Mets, the team would have hit 81 more home runs and given up 70 more home runs over the past three seasons under the new dimensions.

Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw!

The Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw Brother of the Suns Tour is sold out at the Target Center. Granted there are still some tickets available through the MinnesotaTwins.com website, but those will cost you $300 a pop and you don't even get a seat. Yikes.

If you're looking for tickets, there are still some available here.

Give Target Field this Valentine's Day

I would like to take a moment to express how EXCITED I am to spend at least 120 hours at Target Field this spring and summer as I utilize my 40-game season ticket plan... as well as go to Opening Day!

Opening Day is a holiday similar to that of Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day is essentially a holiday made up by retailers, but it has importance to a large portion of the country. Opening Day is a holiday made up by baseball fans, which make up a large portion of the country. In that sense, Valentine's Day and Opening Day are similar. While Valentine's Day favors the woman in your life, it seems as though Opening Day might favor the man - though I am an exception: give me Opening Day any day...

Take a moment to consider, then, whether or not you should be buying Opening Day tickets for the man in your life. If you answered 'yes', then you should buy those right now, wrap them up and gift them this Valentine's Day. Did I just kill two birds with one baseball? Yes. People need to think more like me, honestly.

If you answered 'no', you need to reevaluate your position.

Spring Training Almost Here!

If you don't have a fire in your belly for spring training and the greatest sport known to mankind, consider this: Rich Anderson, the pitching coach for the Minnesota Twins, has already set the starting pitching for the Twins' first three exhibition games. Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano and Jason Marquis will start the exhibition games 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

The Minnesota Twins, who struggled with, among other things, starting pitching last year, have 33 pitchers coming in to spring training. A couple of those guys have to be able to pitch... At least enough to round out the starting rotation.

If Scott Baker and Nick Blackburn are healthy, they'll round out the rotation, at least for the beginning of the season. Essentially that would mean Brian Duensing would go back to the bullpen, where he will join Glen Perkins, Joel Zumaya and Matt Capps. This is assuming, of course, that all of the aforementioned pitchers remain healthy and on top of their game... Or that their game is at least better than the next person's game.

Anderson spoke out about Matt Capps and his relationship with the mound and Minnesota Twins fans, "It broke my heart every time people booed him before he even got to the mound." I believe that fans didn't completely grasp what Matt Capps was going through last season, meaning that we booed him in ignorance. Which... is brutal. I also think there is a point to be made that Twins fans were so frustrated and disappointed in the Twins that it was easy to boo Capps because he was often at the transition point that led the Twins from a win to a loss.

Basically, the Twins have to play better this year. And Twins fans need to remain some of the most loyal fans in the MLB.

Target Field Area Benched From Vikings Plan

There had been talk of relocating the Vikings' new stadium to areas near Target Field. Those plans tentatively had my vote. Now, however, it appears as though those plans have been scratched... to my disappointment.

Yes, traffic would have been terrible on the nights where events overlap. Sure, parking would have been a nightmare.

Let's try to think about the positive aspects of having the Wolves, Twins and Vikings within walking distance of each other.

The light rail - hey, people might actually start using it regularly seeing as the traffic and parking would have been horrendous.

The Block E economy - as we have seen by the closing of several key restaurants, the Wolves and the Twins aren't enough to sustain all the entertainment on the block of entertainment. Adding Vikings fans could help. Think of all the new restaurants and bars that would spring up in the name of purple and gold.

The atmosphere - I personally believe Vikings and Twins fans are some of the most energetic and fun to be around. The Wolves fans are clearly loyal. Combine those three and you have the best party and fanatic atmosphere around. I would thrive in it!

If it were up to me, I would build the new Vikings stadium by Target Field for sure. I need to be president.

Target Field Hub

The Interchange project, Hennepin County's proposed rail transit hub in downtown Minneapolis that officials want to begin building this year, will go up for public review Wednesday.

Citizens' input will be collected during a hearing to discuss possible effects of the almost $70 million proposal. The project is designed to be downtown's premier transfer point for thousands of commuter and light-rail train passengers outside Target Field in the North Loop district.

Twins Spring Training tickets

Spring Training is just around the corner! Who is excited to get baseball going again!? This guy!

There are plenty of Twins Spring Training tickets available out there! Head out of the cold of Minnesota and see the Twins play in Florida at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers!

The first spring training game for the Minnesota Twins is on Saturday March 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05pm.

March 18 the Twins take on the Pirates at 1:05pm on Minnesota Day! You can buy Twins Spring Training tickets at www.minnesotatwinstickets.com! Hammond Stadium tickets are available for every game! Let's go Twins!