Twinsfest: The 2010 Edition

So in all the years that I have watched and supported the Twins, I was never able to attend Twinsfest until this year. I went yesterday along with my nephew, Betsy (For Love of The Game), and a few other friends. I had a wonderful time getting to see and meet some of the players. We were also lucky enough to run into the wonderful K-Bro (k-bro's baseball blog) and Topper from Curve For a Strike.

It was a wonderful experience and even though we were unable to go through any of the autographs lines 1) I was not paying those prices and 2) the lines were WAY too long, we were still able to meet some of the players or get pictures of most of them as you will see.

First we were able to make it through Cuddy's photo line and he was just as nice as always. Everyone should love Cuddyer, hands down the friendliest person on the team. Photo lines this year were $2 per player (they were free last year). According to the sign, all proceeds from that line were going to be sent to Haiti for the earthquake relief fund.

We were also able to meet Justin Morneau, Carl Pavano and Kevin Slowey (even though he didn't have a photo line on Saturday). As you'll be able to tell from the pictures it was a good time had by all and well worth the money.

My nephew Skyler and Cuddy

Denard Span

Jason Kubel and Matt Guerrier

Brian Duensing

JJ Hardy, pretty sure he's going to give Mauer a run in the looks department :)

This is as close to Mauer as you could get

Myself and Justin

Betsy had asked Justin to puff up his cheeks like he does when he bats, cause as you can see, Skyler does it too

Myself and Kevin Slowey :)

Skyler and Carl Pavano

Jon Rauch and Pat Neshek

Credit for this one goes to Betsy, but it's by far my favorite picture from Twinsfest :)

As post will be coming in the next couple of days with my thoughts on the two newest members of the Twins family, JJ Hardy and Jim Thome.

Bring Out The Brooms!

That's right, the Twins swept the Sux, in the South Side no less. We're still 2.5 games back since Cleveland has obviously given up for the season, but I'm holding onto a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe the Tribe will pull whatever is stuck up their ass out and figure out how to play baseball again.

I love seeing our guys sweep a team, but there is something special and kinda funny when the guys sweep Chicago. I'm not sure if it's watching AJ piss and moan and complain about everything not going his way or what. I figured for sure after those couple stolen bases, that he would go back in the dug out and whine so he wouldn't have to finish the game. It seems to be AJ's way.

I always find it funny how no matter how many times these teams play the Twins at home and they always play that Walks Will Haunt animation, they still walk our guys and in the end it haunts them. Tonight was the prime example, they walked the White Sux killer and in the end he scored anyway. Not that I'm bitching, keep walking our guys and the runs will continue to come.
I strongly believe that after his performance tonight, Brian Duensing has earned his spot in the starting rotation for next year. So many people or journalist have said he needs more seasoning, really how much more seasoning does he need then what he's getting right now pitching in a race for the division title? I know tonight may have not been his best night on the mound, but he's proven in his last few starts he knows what he's doing and he's got what it takes to be a starter.

Enjoy your day off guys, Denard rest up, we want you back in the lead off spot on Friday. All the fans can taste it guys, as we all know you can too. Go out there and go after it :)

I Don't Wanna Fight Anymore

After a disappointing game on Friday night (I don't think the work disappointing covers it, heartbreaking is more like it), today's beautiful performance from Brian Duensing made up for it. I think a few people around us were starting to get nervous when Brian had a couple guys on base, but I knew he could get out of it, I've seen him do it before.

Betsy and I were troopers and actually stayed for the whole game on Friday night in hopes that maybe, just maybe they could rally enough to comeback and win the game, they rallied, just not enough. I'm not sure what's up with Nick, but apparently he didn't like our little tribute that was set up down by the bullpen (I'm letting Betsy fill everyone in on that one). We felt like we were at the home run derby during that game. Last time I checked that was in July... not September.

I don't wanna dwell on the what could/should have been from this weekend; what I wanna focus on is the game today. Like I said, it was a beautiful performance from Duensing. I felt bad for him though because when they were announcing the line-ups before the game, there was maybe only a handful of people that cheered for him :-( of course when he started getting strike outs everyone was cheering for him.

I would like to officially announce that Joe Nathan and I are no longer fighting! I did get a little nervous when he started warming up in the 9th because I didn't wanna see the shutout get thrown out the window for Brian cause he deserved that. When he made it through the first batter, I thought "Okay, this might be ok." And when the batter got the base hit, then made it to second, and then third on the wild pitch, I really got nervous. But when he got the last guy swinging, I figured it was safe to say we're not fighting anymore.

I'm just glad we didn't get swept at home again, I don't think I could have handled that in person.

First I'll start with pictures from Friday night:

"Look I can fly!"

Busted!

Super Span

Bobby Keppel signing autographs for the kids

Duck and cover! Incoming!

Now today's game:

Skyler and I before the game

Skyler thought he needed to fill in for Morneau since he didn't play.

Uh... GoGo, that's kinda inappropriate don't you think?

The Rocket

Justin Huber... the newbie.

Now it's time to face Cleveland... can we please get back on a winning streak guys?