also available at www.sethspeaks.net –
NOTE – Be sure to join Travis Aune and I for the first episode of the Minnesota Twins Weekly Minor League Report. Travis and I will talk about the Twins affiliates and prospects each week. Tonight we will be joined by Kyle Gibson, who will be starting the Ft. Myers season opener on Thursday night. Maybe one other guest, but we will try to talk about all the goings on in the Twins system. The main focus tonight will be the opening day rosters. By the way, The Twins signed former big leaguer Jason Repko to a minor league contract and he will play in CF in Rochester. The move pushed Rene Tosoni back to New Britain. In recent days, the Twins released Charlton Jimerson, Blair Erickson, Adan Severino and Jeff Lanning.
It’s official. The Twins will not go undefeated in 2010. And if you read comments by some Twins Tweeters, you would wonder if this team will ever win a game. It always amazes me how riled up some Twins fans get during the season’s first week, last month and in October. Every at bat is so magnified. Here are some thoughts from the game:
- Denard Span was 0-5 with three strikeouts. Not too worried about it. I think he’ll be OK. I like when people (some sarcastically, some seriously) bring up that the Twins maybe should have kept Carlos Gomez over Span because Gomez went 4-5 with a double, a homer and a stolen base on Opening Day. I think we can all comfortably say that Span will be better.
- Scott Baker gave up two runs in the first inning. He went just 4.2 innings. Not too worried about it. He will be very good this year. It’s not like he typically walks two in an inning.
- Jose Mijares gave up back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. Not too worried about it. He will likely be one of the Twins top bullpen options throughout the season and his numbers will be great.
- On the positive, Jesse Crain looked tremendous, but again, it was one outing.
- It was great to see Pat Neshek get in a game after missing 23 months of regular season games. It was probably great for Neshek to be able to move past his rough outing on Friday night.
- It was great to see Delmon Young smack a home run to deep left field in his first at bat, beat out an infield hit in his second at bat and steal a base.
- Overall comment on the offense. The Twins left 12 runners on base. More often than not, they will knock in a few more runs.
- Gomez wasn’t the only former Twins player to have a nice Opening Day in the National League. Garrett Jones homered in his first two at bats of the season as the Pirates starting RF and #3 hitter.
- Jason Frasor blew a save opportunity for the Blue Jays. George Sherrill gave up three runs on two hits and a walk in 0.2 innings for the Dodgers. Franklin Morales got a save today. In other words, closers blow saves and have rough outings. And anyone can close, so be patient with Jon Rauch. I’m sure he’ll be fine.
One game down, 161 (or 162?) to go!! What were your thoughts on the game? Leave your comments.
SethSpeaks.net 
The new road uniforms look like blah. I guess the Twins are getting their fashion style from Cleveland and Detroit.
Their old road uniforms were distinctive and classic.
At the same time, the uniforms will not decide a game.
I like the hats. Don’t care for the blah uni’s either.
Seth, grammar police: Join Travis Aune and ME
you don’t join I 😉
Gomez over Span does not make a lot of sense; Gomez over Cuddyer, makes much sense…
I’m not sure Jon Rauch will ever get a chance to close against the Angels. This team can’t beat any good ball clubs.
Agree the unis are too plain looking. At least they could add some stripes around collar line, bottom of sleeves, and down front on flap. That would help. And have more of a red outline on the blue “Minnesota” logo.
Excellent comments, Seth. Nice to see/read someone who knows baseball is a zen sport. See things as they are. Gomez is splashy – wouldn’t surprise me if he goes hitless the next 15 games. Bake always starts out a bit shaky – don’t think he should be the opener next year. Same for Mijares – finds his mojo as season goes along. And OH YEAH, 12 LOB… bases loaded with twice with Morneau and Young… more times than not, they will bring a couple home. Steady Blackie will even it up tonight.
I actually like the new roadies. Less noise on them. I’ll worry about the Twins chances in August. It always seems they sputter along for 2 months before everything starts to click.
Personally, Love the new road uniforms, wouldn’t change a thing.
Good thing about opening day: Baseball is back.
Bad thing about opening day: Ignorant posters are back.
Twins lost, but I bet Delmon Young went to bed with a smile on his face. Boy was that a sweet swing on that home run. But maybe as important, did you see that running catch he made in front of Span? Did you see his stolen base? And his body was slim and strong.
Yo Delmon, you lost 3 bowling balls of jelly, and now you’re a new man!
I’m not worried, but I am wondering:
Does anyone know what the exact medical issue is with Mijares’ vision?
The official Twins line is that he’s experiencing blurriness, but they don’t seem to think it affects his pitching?
Hey Margo,
No need to worry the Twins training staff is the best in the business and they no what their doing. Just ask Bonser, Neshek, Morneau, Mauer, and now Nathan they are outstanding professionals. Don’t make me laugh!! I would trust Dr. Jack Kevorkian more than these bozos. I wonder which player will miss most of 2010 because of their misdiagnosis.
As I said, Jack, I’m not worried.
But inquiring minds want to know.