2024 Baseball Whatever act 2 - Minnesota Twins Cards and Season

Made it to only two Twins games this season.

One in June, against the Colorado Rockies. Another at the end of August, against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Twins I saw play both of those games could not have been more different. After a promising start to an already sour season, with a firm grasp on the Wild Card through the summer, the Twins let it all slip away. With plenty of blame to go around.

Due to rampant Skenes hunting, I hadn't seen any 2024 Topps Update at the retail level, until about a month after its release. Needed a few things from the WalMarts after work the other night, and found a decent amount of Hanger boxes. Arranged in a display box, sitting on a shelf, not hanging on anything. I added four of them to my cart, thinking it would give me a nice sampling of the base set.

I'd hoped to find these to include some of those cards here. Just looking at the checklist, there were a bunch of cards I needed to properly tell this story. As far as that goes, I did very well. As far as the cliché goes... None of these Hangers were doing any banging.

This story was 95% written when I picked those Hangers up. Then had to write some revisions to accommodate. You can see where I added new parts in. And probably see where I got to replace an older card. There's no Manuel Margot in a Rays uniform here! 

As far as my thoughts on the set, I'll get into that in Act 3.

For my thoughts on the year's ebay purchases and card sorting project, check out Act 1.

Now it's time for Act 2. Which is about the highs and lows and blame and surprises of the 2024 Twins season. Which has to start with October 2023.

2024 Topps - Twins Team

Excitement of our first playoff series win since 2002, quickly faded after our second round loss to the Houston Astros. The Twins television contract expired, and Bally (Diamond Sports) told them they wouldn't be getting near $55 million for the broadcast rights, as they did in 2023. With TV revenue down, it was announced that payroll needed to be cut by 20%. 

And the state of Minnesota vilifies this this man...

Joe Pohlad... Wearing a sport coat far too tiny, to deflect any of the blame. 

Just looks like a weaselly little heel here...

So we couldn't replace our #1 starting pitcher, who left as a free agent. We couldn't add the right handed power bat, the lineup sorely needed. We'd have to go with multiple question marks in the bullpen. No investments would be made on our depth, to help us recover from the injuries that always come up. 

Twins fans should be outraged. Teams run like the Twins don't have lengthy stretches of time where you have a clear window to win. Minnesota signed legitimate stars to help the team, coinciding with the minor league system producing the rookies to build with. We've finally been competitive and won a playoff game! 

And now is when you choose to drastically cap the team? 

If that's not bad enough...

One month into the season, Twins games suddenly went dark. 

May 1, 2024. 

As much as it pains me to say, I can't fault Comcast for this.

Even with this very passive aggressive statement.

Bally's parent company, Diamond Sports, and their parent company, Sinclair Media, invested heavily in a dying industry. When your company is in bankruptcy proceedings, you don't have a lot of leverage. Comcast called your bluff, and now you have no money coming in from one of your largest distributors. 

After hearing all winter how Bally Sports Network is responsible for the payroll cuts, and how they're the bad guy, the Pohlad's greenlit another 1 year contract with them, for (reportedly) half of what Bally paid the Twins in 2023. When questioned if the agreement with Bally meant the Twins could add some needed players to the 2024 team, Joe Pohlad and his tiny sports coat, came out to cry poverty. Citing not only the decrease in television revenue, but now the lingering losses due to Covid. Pohlad said the Twins payroll needed to be  "right-sided". Cutting it by $30 million. 

After all this, one month into the season, Bally can't deliver because of their own ineptness. 

Once again, Twins fans suffer. Now a good percentage of Minnesota can't even watch the team.

But I can't really blame the Pohlad's for this one too much. 

June 10, 2024

Colorado Rockies at Twins

I had taken the night off work to see the (now once every 2 years) Colorado Rockies appearance at Target Field. As per our usual routine, we were running late and the game was about to start as we parked and headed down to Gate 34. (Named in honor of Kirby Puckett, get it?)

After the typical getting through security delays, the Rockies already had two singles and hit into a double play. With all of their technology, x-ray machines, metal detecting wands, Geiger counters and P.K.E. Meters, you’d think they’d eventually stumble onto something that helps those power tripping usher teams understand just exactly what steel-toe boots are.

One of these years...

2023 Topps Chrome Refractor - Brenton Doyle

Centerfielder Brenton Doyle was at bat when we made it onto the right field pavilion. He’s won the National League Gold Glove award in both of his first two Major League seasons, giving the Rockies one of their best center fielders in years. He went 0-4, with 3 strikeouts tonight, but saw a massive .130 increase in his OPS from his 2023 rookie season to this year. Slugging 23 home runs and stealing 30 bases, giving Colorado a budding star in their outfield.

I’m quickly becoming a fan.

And the Rockies need some star power.

But it’s questionable if this guy can make it through even 50 games again.

2024 Topps Heritage - Kris Bryant

Yeah... This is money well spent...

2019 Topps Silver Pack - Brendan Rodgers - Green

Another Rockies player who seems to be injured more than active, also wasn’t available for tonight’s game. Rodgers was the 3rd overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, and I was excited to see what he could do in Colorado. So far, all I’ve seen is a line of .266/.316/.407, over 1690 plate appearances. Stretches of injuries mirror stretches of inconsistencies. Rodgers is a free agent after the 2025 season, and I doubt he sticks with Colorado. If he even plays there in 2025. 

I’m sure they are anxious to trade him for a 28 year old relief pitcher with control problems.

Who will then be signed to a 3 year, $30 million contract. 

Because they’re the Rockies.

2024 Topps - Nolan Jones

Here’s another Rockies outfielder we wouldn’t be seeing tonight, thanks to injury.  Colorado stole him out of the Cleveland system, in a strange November 2022 trade. He went on to slug an impressive .297/.389/.542 line with the 2023 Rockies. So of course those numbers dropped to .227/.321/.320 in 2024.

We made a stop on the way to our seats, to take some pictures from center field. Laura was trying to use her phone to see across the field, so she could figure out who was calling games from the Bally Sports North broadcasting booth. She was hoping for Justin Morneau. We would have known who was calling the games if we still had Bally Sports North on our Comcast cable plan. 

But that's not how the 2024 season would work out.

I was the cause of further delay in getting to our seats, because I needed some State Fair Mini-Donuts. As far as I know, they're only available at a pop-up stand on the narrow right center field concourse. The wall behind the stand is pretty much the wall for Parking Ramp B. I asked for, and paid for a small bag of Mini-Donuts. Which is like 6 or 7 mini-donuts or something. But they handed me the extra large bucket. Which is a ridiculous $17 for like 20 mini-donuts. We ate our fill of hot fried sugary dough, on our way to the left field corner of Target Field. Spilling more cinnamon sugar on our shirts than what made it into our mouths.

By the time we got down to our seats, we were completely done with mini-donuts. There was still half the bucket left. I attempted to eat one around the 7th inning. It was cold and nasty, and the last one I ate. The rest were tossed in the garbage can.

But I kept the bucket.

Concourse looking down the left field line. Luckily we did not have to navigate this mass of humanity, just head over to the elevators to take us down to field level.

Way too many people for my liking...

Twins Magazine, June 2024 - Ryan Jeffers

Grabbed a copy of the June Twins Magazine, on the way. Back in the early 1990's, these were sold at the Metrodome for $5 an issue. Now they give them away in the stadium for free!

Ryan Jeffers started the 2024 season as one of our best hitters. Then he went into a prolonged slump that lasted about five months. He was our primary catcher and had a few clutch hits that helped the ballclub, Problem being, it just wasn't consistent enough to save the team. Because there was a real shortage of other Twins being consistent around him.

2023 Topps Heritage High Numbers - Christian Vazquez

Our defense first backup catcher split time with Jeffers about 60/40. He hit better in 2024 than 2023, but still behind what Jeffers did. Between his defense and occasional power, I would have no problem with Vazquez taking up $5 million of our payroll. Problem is, Minnesota signed him to a 3 year, $30 million contract, 2 years ago. This overpay ended up hurting our payroll. Only because team ownership doesn't understand that profit can't be your only concern when you own a professional sports franchise.

2024 Topps Update - Jair Camargo

If the Twins trade one of their catchers this winter, I could see Camargo backing up either next nexr season. He's been in our farm system since the February 2020, when he was included in the Kenta Maeda/Brusdar Graterol trade. He's shown a fair amount of power in the high minors, over the last couple seasons. Don't know anything about his defense...

It was the top of the third inning when we finally got to our seats. Just in time to see Adael Amador come to the plate, in only his second Major League game. Called up over the prior weekend to take the place of the previously mentioned Brendan Rodgers, who was going on the injured list.

Have to give credit to whomever is responsible for posting the player factoids on the scoreboard. The Twins sometimes put up some cleverly written trivia for the visiting team. If you can't read it because of the net, it says: "They say he skipped triple A, but his middle name is Alexander. So he's already been triple A his entire life."

Amador is one of the Rockies top prospects, so I was happy to already get to see him play in person.

2022 Leaf Trinity Black - Adael Amador - Autograph 1 of 1

Besides, you have to go see them play in person, if you buy an autographed 1 of 1 card of theirs. 

So I could see Adael Amador go 0-3,  with 2 strikeouts!

At least it's an interesting looking glyph...

Chris Paddack was tonight's starting pitcher for the Twins. 2024 was an expected inconsistent and injury plagued season for Paddack, coming of his second Tommy John surgery. We got to see his best start of the year. Pitching 6 and a third inning, giving up 6 hits and no walks, zero runs, while striking out six. Watching Paddack throw this game gave me optimism for the season. Over two months in and we're holding a Wild Card spot, with first place within striking distance.

2022 Topps Update - Chris Paddack

His season ended in July.

Twins ownership wouldn't chip in any money to replace him, when they had the chance. 

"Despite stealing once and being caught once this year, is still considered a good man."

2024 Topps Heritage - Hunter Goodman

The Rockies took Goodman in the 4th round, of the 2021 MLB Draft. He's spent time at catcher, first base and both corner outfield spots. Goodman went 0-3 on the night, with a strikeout. He's shown big time power, but not much for an eye at the plate. Far too many strikeouts and far too few walks. That's gotta improve if you want to last.

Laura took too long getting her phone set up. So the Twins bear stole it from her.

I have no idea how you could see out of that mask.

We are sitting at the finish line for the Mascot Race, getting to see these weird looking mascots up close.

The green fish-woman won tonight's race.

I know you were concerned.

It was a beautiful night to sit outside and watch the game. Dry, mid-70's temperatures, the sun behind the stadium. The problem was the game was going too fast. We didn't make it to our seats until the top of the 3rd inning, and it was the 6th inning a few minutes later. 

The Twins infield of Royce Lewis at 3rd, Carlos Correa at short, Willi Castro at 2nd and Carlos Santana at 1st. Slow down the pace guys, I'd like to enjoy my Twins burger before the 7th inning stretch.

Which is now sponsored by the fevered ego of Kris Lindahl, and his real estate company. Lindahl's arms spread and contract predatorily across the scoreboard, with his creepy J.D. Vance face and smile, while "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" plays over the P.A. 

Watch out!

He's just trying to hug all the ladies...

2019 Optic - Jake Cave - Pink Prizm Autograph

Former Twin Jake Cave started the game in left for Colorado, but was taken out for a pinch hitter in the top of the 7th.

Hunter Goodman made an error earlier in the game, while playing right field. As punishment, they made him play closer to me. Replacing Jake Cave, for the bottom of the 7th. He did not make an error on this play.

Charlie Blackmon announced that he was retiring after the 2024 season, so this would be the last game I'd see him play in person. He had 2 singles and a strikeout. 

2021 Panini Spectra - Charlie Blackmon - Prizm

One of my all time favorite Colorado Rockies. Whose identity takes another big hit, with Blackmon leaving the game. You can't market Kris Bryant when he can't play...

2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary - Michael Toglia - Blue Prism Fractor

Toglia is likely to replace Blackmon in right field going forward. He needs to work on the batting average, as he posted a .218/.311/.456 line, with 25 home runs, in 458 plate appearances. The former 1st round pick (23rd overall) in the 2019 MLB Draft, made his debut in 2022, but finally earned an everyday job in 2024.

Twins up 3-0 in the bottom of the 8th. 1 out, Willi Castro on first. Royce Lewis is up, down in the count 0-2. After fouling a couple of pitches off, on the 4th pitch of his at-bat...

Lewis was hurt running the bases, during the first game of the season. He had just returned to the lineup a few days before tonight's game. This home run would already be his 4th of the season, in only his 21st at-bat. Coming off his success of last season, Lewis was looking like a budding superstar (with major injury concerns). His production through the first half of the season (after missing more than half of it) was exactly the superstar the Twins needed.

But neither Lewis' health, nor rate of production, kept pace.

Now up 5-0, the Twins set the Rockies down quietly in the 9th inning and won the game convincingly. Shouldn't have been a surprise. A team like the Twins shouldn't have any problem with a team like the hapless Rockies. But as the season went on, the Twins suddenly had problems facing the lesser teams. What should have been easy wins became too many frustrating losses.

2024 Topps Update - Griffin Jax

Oh, I forgot... Griffin Jax pitched the top of the 8th, striking out the side. He starred in the bullpen, turning in one of the better seasons in recent Twins history. Still fairly young, with 5 quality pitches, there are rumblings that he could be moved back into the starting rotation. Or traded.

And I was almost prepared to get a photo of the victory fireworks...

2024 Topps Heritage - Trevor Larnach

In addition to Royce Lewis, Trevor Larnach had a productive game. Going 1 for 3, with an RBI on a sacrifice fly. He played a decent left field, where we were able to keep a close eye on him.

Across the field, right fielder Max Kepler went 0 for 4. Because of course he did.

2024 Topps Chrome - Carlos Correa - Refractor

Correa went 2 for 4, with a double and an RBI. Up until catching a case of Plantar Fasciitis again, he was playing like our most valuable player. High batting average, clutch power and playing a great defensive shortstop. Sure he was a large chunk of our payroll, but he was producing at a high level. A good comeback after a disappointing (and injury plagued) 2023 season. Arguably our most valuable player.

2024 Topps Update - Manuel Margot

Tonight's designated Byron Buxton replacement was Manuel Margot. Last year it was Michael A Taylor. Taylor and the Twins couldn't agree on a contract, so they traded for Margot. Taylor signed with the Pirates and had a bad season. Margot's Twins season was slightly above bad. They didn't pick up his contract option after the season, and I don't see him fitting into the stagnant payroll of 2025.

Postgame celebratory team selfie for the scoreboard.

In contrast, the sad Colorado Rockies Bullpen Walk was plying out in front of us. Relief pitchers and coaches making their defeated trek back across the field, to the third base dugout. Seemed weird to us that the game was already over, and it wasn't even close to getting dark. 

Games are definitely quicker, thanks to the pitch clock. Which does make a better presentation for television. The years leading up to it had started to get ridiculous with all the delays, from both batter and pitcher. So the rule has achieved it's goal, in making the game flow better. Which is great, unless you are at the ballpark, and in less of a hurry than if you're trying to finish the game in time for the local news.

Now the Rockies should be back in their hotel by the time Colbert starts!

2024 Topps Chrome - Ezequiel Tovar - Pink Refractor

Tovar went 1 for 4 in tonight's game. 2024 was a breakout season for Colorado's shortstop. He won the National League's Gold Glove, and signed a contract worth close to $80 million. (Possibly a wise long term signing by the Rockies?) Tovar is showing more power than expected, and has become a nice building block for a franchise that really needs direction.

2015 Bowman Chrome - Ryan McMahon - Blue Wave Refractor

McMahon had tough game, going 0 for 4, with 2 strikeouts and grounding into a double play. With Charlie Blackmon's retirement, he's the longest tenured Rockies position player. (The starting pitcher trifecta of Kyle Freeland, German Marquez and Antonio Senzatella have all -shockingly- been with the team longer.) Still signed for a few more seasons, it's questionable if he'll still be around if/when the Rockies can finish above .500. 

Or at the very least, NOT in last place.

The scoreboard was broadcasting a live on-field Interview with Royce Lewis. He was the player of the game, going 1 for 4, scoring 2 of the Twins five runs. Big knock coming from his 8th inning, 2 run homer. His 4th of the year, because he missed two months of games. 

2020 Bowman Chrome Mega Box - Royce Lewis - Green

About five weeks after coming back, Lewis was hurt again. Losing our budding superstar was tough, his hitting through June and into July was carrying the team, along with Correa. Lewis got a bit cocky and stated that he didn't get into slumps. Well buddy, you just done pissed off the baseball gods. Take another month off for another injury, then come back to hit .190, with no power, for the rest of the 2024 season. When the team REALLY needed you...

Getting ahead of myself.

As Laura and I were getting our stuff together, on-field security was talking to the usher by the access gate. He gestured to a woman and several small children behind us, and said it was Jacob Stallings' wife. The usher let them on the field and the Rockies catcher came jogging up to meet them. 

Jacob Stallings pinch hit in the 6th inning, then caught the rest of the game. He had a single in two plate appearances. Now he was talking to his wife and playing catch with his kids on the field.

2024 Topps Update - Jacob Stallings

Earlier, he caught an inning or so of pitches thrown by Dakota Hudson, the Rockies starting pitcher today. He equalled twins starter Chris Paddack's 6 and 1/3 innings, but Hudson game up the 2 deciding runs. Only one of them was earned. The other was Hunter Goodman's fault. Hudson took the loss, only because the Rockies offense only mustered 6 hits total, scoring zero runs.

I don't know if Hudson is staying in Colorado for 2025, but the Rockies do have a promising pitching prospect, who should make his debut at some point in 2025...

2024 Panini Crusade Squires - Chase Dollander

Dollander was the Rockies first round pick (9th overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft, out of the University of Tennessee. He split the 2024 season with High A Spokane and Double A Hartford, going a combined 6-2 with a 2.59 ERA. Ramping his workload up, while still being cautious coming from a 3 year college program, Dollander only pitched 118 innings. However, he struck out 169 batters in those innings, against giving up only 94 hits. He did walk 47 batters, which is rather high. Hopefully those numbers smooth out as he approaches the major leagues, but with as dominant of stuff he has, may be able to overcome the wildness.

On our way out, we stopped in the 3rd Base Lounge for the restrooms. Last chance for that before going back to the ramp and our car. So this is the selection of vastly overpriced self service vending coolers and pay kiosk, blocking the names and likenesses of popular Twins third basemen of the past.

And the closed down grill side of the lounge.

Waiting for Laura, I was hearing the WCCO Radio postgame report on the overhead speakers. While I don't remember anything covered on it, I'll use that to segue into some other Twins that deserve mention.

2024 Topps Update - Carlos Santana - Blue

Minnesota's big free agent acquisition for the 2024 season, setting us back $5.25 million. Of course we had to trade longtime second baseman Jorge Polanco to free up enough salary under the Pohlad imposed salary cap. (Not that Polanco would have helped the Twins in 2024 anyways...) Santana provided some decent power and on-base skills, and he won the American League Gold Glove award at first base. 

We definitely got our money's worth here. 

Of course he's a free agent, and will likely command a higher salary for 2025. So we'll be looking for a new first baseman. Hopefully not too high above the league minimum, so we don't have to trade Pablo Lopez... 

Hey Joe Pohlad? Did you notice that the team you own actually has a chance to make some noise in the postseason? Maybe kick down some pennies, the fans WILL reciprocate!

2022 Topps Chrome Sapphire - Jose Miranda

Miranda is an option for first base in 2025, though he is no threat to take the Gold Glove award from Carlos Santana. Miranda is also maddeningly inconsistent at the plate. In June and July, when the Twins were at their hottest, Miranda became a force at the plate. At one point, tying the league record for hits in 12 consecutive at-bats. Unfortunately, he lost his bat in August and September, batting well under .200 with no home runs over the last 6 weeks of the season.

2024 Bowman - Brooks Lee

Top infield prospect, Brooks Lee, was playing great in Spring Training, then he hurt his back. After missing most of the first three months of the season, he was called up to the Twins in early July. He started strong, then got hurt... When he came back, he didn't hit much at all. Notice a pattern? 

It's harder to fault Lee, than players like Lewis and Miranda, for the Twins absolute 2024 collapse. They've been around a bit, and have seen varying degrees of success. With Lee, he was going through his first time through the league, and you have to suspect there was still lingering issues with his back. He also hit for virtually no power during the final 6 weeks of the season.

The Twins were simply doomed by the failure of their younger players to step up during the lengthy absences of Correa, Buxton, Lewis and later, Max Kepler. You can (and should) point fingers at ownership for not adding to the roster of a postseason contender to back up your stars, but some blame should go to the group of younger players who seemingly gave up on the team in August.

But this was still June... The oncoming collapse was only being seen as a "worst case scenario" type deal! The playoffs and that inevitable loss to the Yankees was already ours!

We left Target Field from the center field exit, instead of through the plaza in right field. This gave me the chance to take a picture of the scoreboard, from an angle I've not seen before.

Gate 3 in center field. Named after Harmon Killebrew.

Looking to the northeast, at the corner of 5th and 3rd. 

Looking west down the light rail tracks, Target Field is on the left.

As you can imagine, the Twins are marketing Royce Lewis heavily. Banners featuring him and the other Twins stars line the sidewalks around the stadium. Across the street from which is the parking ramp. We need to take the elevator to level 5. Where we are parked.

The 5th floor elevator has a mural dedicated to the 1980's.

Which is kind of odd, but I popped for The Jets cassette. Nice touch.

One of the photos featured in the mural was of the northeast corner of the infamous Block E (demolished in 1988). This section housed the original Shinders newsstand and original Suns! Where one Cure t-shirt will cost you $30, but if you buy 5, it's only $60. If you know, you know...

Wish I would have been old enough to have experienced Block E during it's grossest.

******

2024 MLB Draft took place in July of this year, but I wasn’t overly excited about it. The Twins weren’t making their first selection until 21st overall, which likely wouldn’t be a player that I knew anything about.

2024 MLB Draft - Kaelen Culpepper

Minnesota took a college shortstop, out of Kansas State University. After signing, the Twins put him in low A, and he played well for 9 games, earning a promotion to High A Cedar Rapids. Small sample size of only 26 games between the two levels, Culpepper posted a composite line of .242/.330/.394, with 3 home runs, 11 walks and 15 strikeouts. Encouraging results for a 21 year old kid.

Who is still 2 years older than Minnesota’s first round draft pick in 2023…

2022 Panini USA Baseball - Walker Jenkins

It was well after the Twins drafted him that I realized I had a Walker Jenkins card. Since he wasn’t eligible for the 2022 MLB Draft, I set his card aside. He wouldn’t be selected, so I wouldn’t be writing about him in my 2022 MLB Draft story. 

Then a year later, he signs with the Twins!

2023 MLB Draft - Walker Jenkins

Jenkins missed about 60 games in 2024, but still advanced from rookie ball, all the way to AA Wichita. After recovering from his (minor) injuries, Jenkins played in a total of 82 games, with 368 plate appearances. Between the 4 levels he played, he slashed an impressive .282/.394/.439, with 6 home runs, 17 stolen bases, with 56 walks and only 47 strikeouts. At 19 years old, Walker Jenkins was named the #2 prospect in all of Major League Baseball.

So that was a good pick.

This one wasn’t.

2017 Bowman - Tyler Jay

Jay was one of the worst thought out high draft picks in Twins history. A college relief pitcher with a history of injury problems, was taken 6th overall by Minnesota, in the 2015 draft. The Twins tried to convert him to a starter. When this didn’t work out, they sold his contract to the Cincinnati Reds, in 2019. The Reds released him year later. After a couple years off, he made a comeback in Independent ball, in 2022. The New York Mets signed him in 2023, and he was recalled a few games into the 2024 season. After 3 appearances in April and July, Jay was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, who put him in 2 July games, then sent him back to AAA.

2024 Topps Update - Tyler Jay / Dedniel Nunez

The early season appearances with the Mets was enough for Topps to include him in the 2024 Topps Update set. Believe it or not, this was the base card I wanted most from the set. Thank you, Topps!

How about another failed Twins first round draft pick?

2019 Bowman Draft - Keoni Cavaco

Seen as a possible lottery ticket when the Twins drafted him 13th overall, in 2019. Scouts raved about his power potential, but there just wasn’t enough to the rest of his game to make a productive prospect. And his power never developed either. In parts of 5 minor seasons, Cacao never made it above high A, and slashed a total of .212/.267/.335, with 23 home runs in just over 1100 plate appearances.

Minnesota released Cavaco in June 2024. 9 days later, he signed a contract with the Houston Astros, who sent him down to Rookie Ball, with the intent to convert him into a pitcher. He did not appear in any minor league games as an Astros pitcher.

Heheheheh.... I also dropped $20 on a 2021 Bowman Mega Box Aaron Sabato Orange Autograph 17/25. Two drafts in a row where they struck out on first round picks. That card came too late to scan for the story.

The most stunning development of a (fairly) recent Twins draft pick happened shortly after the 2024 season ended.

2024 Topps Chrome - Alex Kirilloff - Refractor

Minnesota's first round draft pick (15th overall), in the 2016 MLB Draft, suddenly announced his retirement from baseball. I had just woke up and checked MLB Trade Rumors during my breakfast smoke. "Twins' Alex Kirilloff announces retirement from baseball." Huh? After dealing with multiple back, shoulder and wrist injuries, he now needed a back surgery that would take him out for another year. After thinking it over, he decided to walk away and get on with his life. 

Sad that he never got to play a full season at full health. When he was on and going good, he was a very promising hitter. Then he'd go into bleak looking slumps that lasted for weeks. Then he'd go on the injured list for months. Obviously he was trying to play through the injury, and I don't blame him for that. 

Kirilloff played parts of 4 seasons with the Twins. Unofficially 5 seasons, since his first actual major league game took place in the 2020 playoffs, against the Houston Astros. We lost... Kirilloff was only 22, and had been added to the playoff roster at the end of the regular season. Between the 2021 and 2024 seasons, Kirilloff played in 249 games for Minnesota. For his career, he batted .248/.309/.412, with 27 home runs.

When Laura and I were here for the Rockies game in June, we saw Alex Kirilloff's second-to-last major league game. Certainly didn't expect that at the time...

Twins Magazine, July 2024 - Joe Mauer

Laura went to a July game with her nephew, and picked up a copy of the Joe Mauer Hall of Fame Induction issue of Twins Magazine, for me. I watched his induction (alongside Todd Helton, Adrian Beltre and Jim Leyland) on MLB Network and man... I'm sorry, but what an expectedly bland speech... It wasn't bad, it was just what I'd expected from every Mauer interview I've ever seen. Almost robotic. He went on last after the other's speeches. After the ceremony, MLB Network was lauding praise on the other three speeches. They were engaging, with interesting and funny stories, and showing some genuine emotion.

And Mauer was Mauer...

Golly gee willickers and thank you.

******

Trade Deadline thoughts...

Going into the July 31st(ish) 2024 Trade Deadline, the Twins had no glaring holes. A right handed power bat would have been nice. Maybe some backup rotation/bullpen help. There were areas that needed improving, and areas where depth was a concern, but no immediate holes. Of course, this can always change, so a contending team needs to address this at the trade deadline. Your last chance to fix the things you can fix.

Speculation was all over the Twins, who could they go after. More important, would Joe Pohlad's tiny sports coat allow the team to acquire what they needed?

Heheheh... Yeah right...

While the Royals and Guardians made moves to shore up weaknesses, the Twins could only muster an unranked prospect to the Blue Jays for a relief pitcher having a bad year, that they weren't using anyways. 

2019 Stadium Club - Trevor Richards

Funny how Topps chose the triple exposure gimmick for Richards, when this set's rookie class includes Fernando Tatis Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., amongst many other current stars. Not to disparage him, but I don't think anyone had him as more of a mid-rotation starter at best. By 2024, he'd settled in as an average relief pitcher. With just enough success to stay in the league for 5 seasons.

Cheap enough that the Pohlad's would allow for the last 2 months. The remainder of his contract couldn't have been $400,000 above the league minimum.

But the quality was missing. Richards pitched in 10 games (13 innings) for the Twins. His ERA was only 4.15, Which is a miracle considering that in those 13 innings, Richards walked 11 batters, gave up 8 base hits and threw a shocking 7 wild pitches. He did strike out 13 however.

So we face the rest of the season knowing there is really no help on the way.

******

August 31, 2024 

We're now over 2 weeks into a stretch of really bad Twins baseball. Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, Alex Kirilloff, Brooks Lee and Jose Miranda have all been out of the lineup for weeks now, and no one has stepped up to take their place. Watching the Twins at the plate has become almost painful. Taking hittable pitches, and waving at ones way out of the strike zone. When contact is made, it's a weak ground ball or pop up. Baserunners only seem to score if driven in by home runs. Which have become scarce as the summer rolled on.

There was a bright side! Diamond Sports stopped being bitches and agreed to terms with Comcast on a new contract. As of August 1st, the Twins were back on Comcast services. Just in time for the Twins to blow an easy Wild Card lead, in pure "Yeah... We give up..." fashion.

A few weeks earlier, I came home from work and Laura tells me: "I accidentally bought tickets to the Twins game on August 31st. It's a Saturday so you don't have to take off work..." How do you accidentally buy tickets? She explained that she was looking at this game as an option, and had the seats in her cart to ask me later. That's cool. I like the Blue Jays, and it might be a good match up, we'll go.

Our normal approach via the 4th Avenue exit was closed for construction, so we used 7th Avenue route instead. I'd never driven this way to Target Field before, and it was easier than the 4th Avenue route. Will do this again in the future.

I'd never gotten a picture of Target Field from this angle before.

As I mentioned, I like the Blue Jays. They're from Canada. Canada doesn't have a second ballclub anymore, thanks to Bud Selig, so I'll adopt the Blue Jays. I've always tended to keep Blue Jays cards at a level just below the Twins, Expos and Rockies. You could safely place the Mariners and Marlins in that tier as well. I guess I have a thing for the expansion teams? 

Subconsciously, it's because I want to be older than Major League Baseball franchises. 

Or something...

But you have to cheer for the team with Vladimir Guerrero's son...

Especially when you add in Dante Bichette's son...

2020 Donruss The Rookies - Bo Bichette - Something Prizm

Bichette was injured, so we wouldn't get to see him play tonight. 

2019 Bowman - Orelvis Martinez - Blue 49/499

Replacing Bichette at shortstop was supposed to be Blue Jays top prospect, Orelvis Martinez. The team announced he was being called up from Triple A to make his Major League debut. And he was immediately popped with an 80 game PED suspension. And that sucks. I've had this card since I pulled it from a box of 2019 Bowman, in 2019. So I've been following his career fairly close. Would have been cool to see him play shortstop, in place of Bichette. 

Our seats tonight were in the third deck down the left field line. I liked this vantage point. Especially the Minneapolis skyline beyond right field. I can see why this was an appealing location and design, which offers up subtle hints at an updated Metropolitan Stadium. When the weather is decent (and it was tonight), this is a pretty cool view.

And the Beavis in me, giggles at "Folds of Honor".

Twins Magazine - August 2024 - Byron Buxton

Laura brought me a copy of the new Twins Magazine, when she came back to our seats. Laughing and pointing out the headline and reality that Buxton hasn't played in a month. Unfortunate timing for the Twins, as the whole pitch was Byron Buxton was back playing center field every day. And that was big news. He was playing great defense and it was a giant positive for the team. So celebrate it. WITHOUT Byron Buxton. 

To be fair, Byron busted ass and returned to the field over the last few weeks of the season, and again played well. Hitting some clutch home runs, and playing excellent defense in center. It was just not enough and too late for the Twins.

There were just too many problems that our returning superstars couldn't fix by that point.

For example, the pitching staff…

Tonight’s starting pitcher for the Twins is 24 year old Zebby Matthews. The scoreboard tells the story, just as the game is getting started. Daniel Zebulon “Zebby” Matthews was making his 4th major league start. He’s facing a batter who ranks second (to Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson) in leadoff home runs. 

2022 Topps Triple Threads - George Springer - Purple Jersey/Bat Relic

To the point where Topps made a card recognizing this feat, while Zebby hasn’t even seen a Bowman card, to date.

Zebby Matthews blazed through the Twins system in 2024, going from High A to the Major Leagues. Posting a record of 6-3, 2.60 ERA in 97 minor league innings. An extreme control pitcher, he walked only 7 batters in 97 innings, while striking out 114. His major league results were mixed, a 1-4 record with a 6.69 ERA in 37 2/3 innings, over 9 starts. He walked 11 batters in those starts, but struck out 43. Knowing that Matthews typically would be pitching around plate, opposing batters could pick a pitch and sit on it. As the Toronto Blue Jay showed, Zebby was torched for 10 hits and 9 runs in 2 innings. No walks and 5 strikeouts. The stuff was there and good, but it was very hittable. 

I want to see Zebby succeed, but I don’t think he’s ready for the major leagues at this point.

The Twins were down, 9-0 after 2 innings. Minnesota batters quickly gave up and it showed.

We have a number one starter in Pablo Lopez. So it’s not like we’re looking at the late 1990’s Twins. 

But we don’t have as much depth as would be ideal.

2024 Topps Pristine - Sonny Gray

Last year’s number 2 pitcher in our rotation, left for St. Louis in free agency. We didn’t sign anyone to replace him. (Not even going to mention Anthony DeSclafani, who we traded for, but didn’t throw one pitch for Minnesota, before going down to injury.) I wouldn’t have given Gray what the Cardinals did (3 years, $75 million), but it would have been nice to replace him with an experienced starter. 

2024 Topps - Bailey Ober

Ober took a big step forward in 2024, solidifying himself as #2 in our rotation. 

Which means I expect him to get traded this winter.

2022 Topps Gold Label Black - Joe Ryan - Auto

Ryan also took a step forward and pitched very well, until he was hurt in early August and was finished for the season. Zebby Matthews was called up to take his spot in the rotation. Ryan’s injury came a few weeks after Chris Paddack (whom we saw pitch against the Rockies) was lost for the season. His spot in the rotation was filled by prospect David Festa. (Ranked just above Zebby, among Twins pitching prospects.) Festa was called up from the St. Paul Saints, and pitched pretty well, until he ran out of gas towards the end of the season. 

There’s two rookies in Festa and Matthews, who were not expected to play a prominent role on the 2024 team, that occupied 2/5’s of our rotation for the final two months of the 2024 season.

2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary - Simeon Woods-Richardson - Refractor

Woods-Richardson pitched in the rotation all season, and was also a rookie. Minnesota got 28 starts and 133 2/3 innings out of him, where he posted a respectable 4.17 ERA. He looks to return to the rotation for 2025.

Minnesota got Woods-Richardson in a 2021 trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, for tonight’s starting pitcher, Jose Berrios.

2022 Stadium Club - Jose Berrios

This is such a great card. You have Berrios talking to Twins legend Rod Carew, with 2 time Cy Young Award winner, Johan Santana behind him. This would have been the Twins Hall of Fame induction ceremony in August, 2021. Shortly after Berrios was shipped to Toronto (for Austin Martin and Simeon Woods-Richardson) at the July trade deadline.

Twins management wanted to sign Berrios to a long term contract, but couldn't agree on years or millions. So we traded the best starting pitcher the Twins system had developed in decades. The following offseason, Berrios and the Blue Jays agreed on a contract for far more than he ever would have gotten in Minnesota. 

While he hasn't been an ace for Toronto, he's been above average and reasonably durable. He dispatched the Twins with ease tonight. Pitching 6 innings, giving up only 3 hits and 1 walk, no runs allowed with 5 strikeouts. Between Martin and Woods-Richardson's early success and future promise, This is a rare trade that helped both teams.  

2024 Topps Chrome - Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Waveyfractor

I wore my Vladimir Guerrero Expos jersey because why wouldn't I? Knowing there would be a sea of Guerrero Jr. jerseys in the crowd, I wanted to be the anomaly. Blue Jays games are broadcast nationwide throughout Canada, and Minneapolis is easy to get to from Canada, so when Toronto plays here, they draw a huge crowd of Blue Jays fans. A majority of their jerseys had Guerrero Jr. on the back.

At one point in the game, a Blue Jays fan sat down on the stairs next to my aisle seat. He was wearing a Guerrero Jr. jersey. I asked Laura to get a picture of the two Guerrero jerseys, side by side. The Expos senior and Toronto junior. Number 27 on both. But he moved before she got the chance. Sucks. Thought it would be a cool picture.

So how's that scoreboard looking?

Down 11-0 in the top of the third... Out hit 13-1...

If ever there was a game fitting an accidental ticket purchase, this would be it...

Earlier in the year, the Blue Jays parted ways with Craig Biggio's son. Not wanting to upset their sons-of-former-major-leaguers ratio by too much, they traded for the son of Craig Biggio's Houston Astro teammate, Billy Wagner. Will Wagner had quite the day. Five hits in 6 at-bats, a double, a home run, 2 RBI's and 3 runs scored.

The Blue Jays would have still won if nobody other than Will Wagner showed up to play.

High above left field, people out on the whateverth floor patio, watch the game from across the street. Named North Loop Green, this 36 story tower has been going up behind left field, for the last several years. Now people are living here, and getting to see the game for free. 

2024 Topps Update Rookie Debut - Austin Martin - Yellow

One of North Loop Green's tenants is Twins outfielder Austin Martin. According to a story that ran in the Star Tribune last spring, Martin moved in when he was with the St. Paul Saints. Once he was called up to the Twins, he could just walk across the street to go to work. Martin didn't make the Opening Day roster in 2024. But he was called up on day 2, when Royce Lewis hurt himself running out a double in his second at-bat of 2024. (Lewis hit a home run in his first at-bat of 2024.)

Austin Martin had an okay rookie season. He played a lot of left and center field, and occasionally filled in at second base. He put up a modest line .253/.318/.352, with only 1 home run in 257 plate appearances. Something to build on.

2024 Topps - Willie Castro

Minnesota signed Castro in December 2022, after he was non-tendered by the Detroit Tigers. It has proved to be a smart move, as Castro has played all over the field, filling in for other injured Twins. Which keeps him quite busy. He was the shortstop when Correa was out. He was the center fielder when Buxton was out. He was the second baseman when Brooks Lee was out. And if all of them were healthy, he played left field. The decent production and versatility was rewarded with a roster spot in the 2024 MLB All Star Game.

Now it's time for a different vantage point of the creepy mascot race!

Minnesota has brought in a relief pitcher whose last name is actually pronounced "BLEW it". That's so on point, it's scary. Cast against the rest of tonight's Twins pitchers, Scott Blewett pitched pretty well. 3 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. He was on the shuttle between Minneapolis and the St. Paul Saints, so he didn't get into a big buncha games, but he wasn't bad. And at this point in the season, the bullpen needed anyone that was not bad. Knowing that we will be attempting to rebuild a bullpen on the cheap, I wouldn't mind Blewett getting a shot at the 2025 Twins bullpen.

Too late... Blewett was outrighted off the 40 man roster and elected free agency.

2020 Topps Update #1 Prospect - Daulton Varsho

According to the scoreboard, Blewett was facing (former Cubs outfielder) Gary Varsho's son, Daulton Varsho. Who hit a home run immediately after I took that picture of the scoreboard. Varsho went  2 for 4, with this home run. His 17th of the season. Good to see Varsho doing well, I ended up with some decent looking Panini autographs and hits of his, between all the 2021 Select, Mosaic and Chronicles I bought.

But didn't scan. So you get this ugly 2020 Topps insert, instead.

Since it was more interesting than the game, I was distracted by that airplane flying above the scoreboard. It's 12-0 in the bottom of the 6th, so at least Blewett has held the Jays down. Royce Lewis is up, and hit a fly ball down the left field line. It was caught by Davis Schneider and his mustache. Royce came up again with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th, and hit a fly ball down the left field line. This time the mustache didn't make the catch and Lewis got a double.

2024 Topps Update Stars of MLB - Davis Schneider

The comeback was on!

Laura accidentally bought our seats in the Tick Pick Family Section. Complete with overhead heat lamps, near the "Beer Me" stand. You're not allowed to purchase or consume alcohol in the Tick Pick Family Section, so that stand serves as a tease to all the drinkers acting on their best behavior.

Unlike the Rockies game, this one lasted until it got dark. Even though the game itself was only 21 minutes longer than the game in June (2:30 vs 2:09). Still a nice night for August. Humidity wasn't a thing today. Rare for a Minnesota August.

Top of the 8th and it's only 14-0, Blue Jays. 

Center fielder, Joey Loperfido is up. 

2024 Topps Update - Joey Loperfido

He was with the Houston Astros earlier in the season (before his trade to Toronto with Will Wagner), and made one of the most amazing juggling catches after running into the Target Field wall in right.

Both of the runs Toronto scored in the the 8th (without making an out), came off new Twins relief pitcher...

2024 Topps - Kyle Farmer

Infielder Kyle Farmer!

And he did all sorts of not good!

We watched him lob batting practice pitches to the Toronto batters, who obliged by knocking the crap out of the ball. Obviously this was a mop-up duty assignment to save on another bullpen arm. Just try to get outs so we can end this nightmare game, and go home type thing. 

Farmer's final pitching line: 2 innings, 5 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 0 strikeouts.

Better than Zebby's line. Although, of the 6 outs Zebby recorded, 5 of them came on strikeouts.

Which counts for something.

The radar readout above the bullpens registered this Kyle Farmer pitch at 48.5 MPH. Which is slow, but Farmer threw a few in the 30 MPH range. You question what's going on with that. Farmer can obviously throw a baseball much harder. There's no way you could make a throw from third to first at even 48.5 MPH, and ever get a runner out. 

Even stranger was a few weeks later, the Twins called on right fielder Matt Wallner to pitch a mop-up inning. He was only throwing in the mid-40 MPH range as well. When the Twins drafted Wallner, he was an outfielder in college, but also would come in to close out games as a relief pitcher, throwing in the high 90's. Since he was a better prospect as a hitter, the Twins never developed him as a pitcher.

Watching that game on TV, the commentators explained this as follows. Twins position players that come in to pitch are instructed to only toss rainbow throws to home plate. The last thing the team would want is a valuable position player tearing their UCL trying to throw 90 MPH curveballs, in a game they're losing by 15 runs.

Makes sense. Looks funny, but it makes sense.

Not far to our left is the lineup of Twins retired numbers. Personally, I feel the Twins have retired a few too many numbers. Anyone inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame should have their number retired, that a no brainer. And 42 for Jackie Robinson, I get that. But the Hrbek’s and Tom Kelly’s on this list? Notable for who they were and what they did, but not a number retirement notable. 

What do you do next, as the board is crowding up?

Let’s retire a LETTER!

So in August, the Twins held a pregame ceremony where they retired the letter W. Retiring a W in honor of their past as the Washington Senators. Which is ridiculous as a concept, but they showed some AMAZING video of the Senators, that I'd never seen before, on TV before the letter retirement ceremony. 

Guess that means if by some odd chance the Twins were to ever sign me, I wouldn’t be allowed to wear a large W, instead of my assigned number, on the back of my jersey. 

Other than Junior Ortiz and Adam Ottavino, no one else has been allowed to wear their initial on their jersey. Good thing the Twins ensured it couldn’t happen.

Whatever...

Not to be mean, but I am absolutely done with Max Kepler as a Minnesota Twin. He went 0-4 again tonight, because that's what he does best. His power completely disappeared in 2024. He became a singles hitter that didn't take walks, but plays excellent defense in right field, when he isn't sitting the bench hurt. His time in Minnesota is now over, after signing as a 16 year old, out of Germany, in 2009.

2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary - Max Kepler - Blue Shimmer 7/100

More so than most Twins, when I get a rare parallel out of a pack, it will usually be Kepler.

This is one of the nicer ones.

But it pales next to the parallel I pulled from a different retail blaster...

2023 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary - Matt Wallner - Autograph

Wallner replaces Kepler in right field next season, barring any unforeseen development. While he went 0-4, with 3 strikeouts tonight, his hitting was about the only offensive bright spot during the season’s final month.

His 2023 Twins co-rookie, that helped lead the team to a division and playoff series win, did not see near the same level of success in 2024.

2023 Topps Silver Pack - Edouard Julien - Autograph

Julien did go 1 for 3 tonight. One of a whopping four hits the Twins mustered up I don’t know what went wrong with Julien. His 2023 line of .263/.381/.439 with 16 home runs in 408 plate appearances absolutely looked budding superstar-worthy. For 2024, it was all the way down to .199/.292/.323 (8 home runs), with an alarming 102 strikeouts in 301 plate appearances. And it seemed like most of those strikeouts were called. He’d flail away early in the count, then stand and watch strike 3 go down the middle. No idea what happened, but Julien looked lost at the plate all year.

You add all of tonight’s failures up and you’ll get 15-0 Toronto. 23 hits vs 0 runs on 4 hits.

We never stood a chance.

On our way out of the upper deck, we walked past the dormant TC Express train. Behind an arrogant guy who wouldn’t move aside for me to take this picture. Thanks...

Either way, it’s nice to see the old Apache Plaza Express is still finding work!

Back down on the main concourse, as the stadium empties out. Waiting for Laura to use the restroom, I snapped this shot looking down the right field stands.

I was leaning against the counter for Kramarczuk’s sausages. The Polish is top notch, their brats are not bad, though I prefer Sheboygan. Not just because of Byron Buxton’s awkward radio spots. But I’m still wondering why the T of brat is missing on the digital menu boards. Or are they really selling Polish sausages and bras?

Well, they’re not open so let’s make our way to the car, so we can get in line to leave the parking ramp.

******

Here's something new and kind of interesting...

The 2024 Topps Trading Card Day Twins Set, consists of 5 cards. The were packaged in clear cellophane wrappers and given away at Target Field, on July 3, 2024. These were intended to promote Topps Trading Card Day, which came month later August 3, 2024. That was a promotion with other 5 card packs of cards, 1 player from each of the 30 teams, that would be given away at Hobby Shops. Serial numbered  autographed cards are available in the clear cellophane packs.

My mom has been a partial season ticket holder for the last three years. (She is not renewing for multiple reasons regarding how the team/stadium/customer service, was run in 2024.) She went to this game and gave me the cards. The Twins lost 9-2 to the Tigers. Some dramatic foreshadowing there...

Brooks Lee made his MLB debut in this game, playing third base.

He went 2 for 4 at the plate with an RBI.

David Festa started for the Twins. This was only his second game. His first was pretty good... And this was pretty bad. Festa gave up 7 runs over 5 innings. No walks, which is good. But 9 hits says they were sitting on what he was throwing. Or he was tipping his pitches. 

David Festa surprisingly does not have a card in any Topps, Bowman or Panini lines.

2024 MLB The Show - David Festa - Digital Trading Card

So here's a digital trading card from MLB The Show, on the Playstations.

That works until the 2025 stuff comes out.

These are the five cards in the 2024 Trading Card Day Twins team set:

2024 Topps Trading Card Day - Bryon Buxton

2024 Topps Trading Card Day - Carlos Correa

2024 Topps Trading Card Day - Ryan Jeffers

2024 Topps Trading Card Day - Max Kepler

I would have swapped out either Kepler or Jeffers for Royce Lewis. Funny Topps didn't.

2024 Topps Trading Card Day - Pablo Lopez

Couple other end of season notes and I can wrap this up...

As September wore on, Minnesota's pitching was stretched thinner and thinner. It got so dire, the Twins checked their ashtray and found enough coins to make a waiver claim. From the Baltimore Orioles, on Sept. 16, 2024.

2024 Topps Update - Cole Irvin

Being that late in the season, Irvin would not have been eligible for the playoff roster. Not that it mattered. Cole Irvin pitched in 4 games, taking the loss in one of them, 5 runs given up, off 6 hits and 4 walks, in just 3 23 innings, for an unsightly 12.27 ERA. He was released the day after the season ended.

On a positive note...

On the final day of the 2024 season, long time Twins minor leaguer, Dashawn Keirsey Jr. hit his first major league home run. I was watching it live. His home run doubled the Twins lead, now 2-0 over Baltimore. Because it's the 2024 Minnesota Twins, we lost that game, 6-2.

Keirsey was finally given a cup of coffee, after being drafted in the 4th round, and now 27 years old. He's a centerfielder, which begs the question; why didn't he get a chance during ANY of the previous Byron Buxton injuries? While he only had 2 hits in 14 plate appearances, he only struck out once. Which is notable for any rookie. He put up a .782 OPS in 865 AA plate appearances, and a .821 OPS in 657 AAA plate appearances. If we're looking to save money in 2025, I'd be fine with giving him a bench spot.

Today's loss gave the Twins a record of 82-80. Dropping us to 4th place, and 3 games out of the Wild Card. Which we had until mid September, when the Tigers -rightfully- took it from us. 

It was a frustrating season.

******

However, on October 10, 2024, it was an early X-Mess!

Didn't see this coming...

Carl Pohlad swooped in to save the Twins from legendary racist, Calvin Griffith, in 1984. Buying the team for $44 million. Ending Griffith's attempts to move the Twins to wherever it was he wanted to move them to in 1984. Now Carl Pohlad was a hero who kept on giving, as the Twins won the World Series in 1987 and 1991. But as the 1990's wore on, Pohlad wanted more. And more meant a new stadium. To be fair, the Metrodome was absolutely terrible for baseball, but that's an entirely different argument. 

Since Pohlad wasn't  going to get his way, he went very cheap on the Twins. The late 90's Twins were 24 guys making the league minimum and Paul Molitor. Twins fans remember Don Beaver and North Carolina. We remember the buy back attempt to kill both the Twins and Expos franchises. Twins fans remember all the dirty shit Carl Pohlad tried to pull, because he didn't get his way. His years weren't all bad. But the bad cancelled out the good, every time good showed up, just to let you the bad was still dominant.

But then Carl Pohlad got his way. In 2007, the future Target Field was approved and construction started. Fans were promised that the new ballpark would lead to competitive payrolls, in comparison to rest of the league. Well, our 2024 payroll ranked in the low 20's, in comparison to the league. It was slightly above average in 2023. Target Field opened in 2010. By 2012 payroll was shrinking. It didn't improve until great nephew Joe Pohlad...

...and his tiny sports coat, took over in 2019. He gave the press his big "we're gonna win and bring star players here" speech. And it seemed like it carried some water. Say what you will about the results, but I was shocked by the (overpay) for Josh Donaldson in 2020. I'm still stunned that we (basically) signed Carlos Correa to a 7 year, $235 million contract. The most un-Minnesota Twins move in team history.

In 2023, we had a respectable middle of the road payroll, won the division and won the first round of the playoffs. In 2024, we had to "right-side", fell to 4th place and missed the playoffs. Between the budget cuts and the television nightmare, public opinion of the team plummeted. Live attendance followed.

After the season ended, Joe Pohlad (presumably in his tiny sports coat) took some questions from the media. Podcaster and writer for the Athletic, Aaron Gleeman, had the following exchange:

This made quite the wave throughout Twins territory.

I've been reading Gleeman for at least 15 years. I used to follow his blog way in 2007, while living in Colorado. It was the best Twins coverage I could find back then. His podcast, Gleeman and the Geek (with co-host John Bonnes) debut in 2011, and is a weekly listen. That was to their free show, which got me through many late night shifts at my old job in Denver. A few years ago, they started recording additional bonus shows for Patreon. I'd been planning on subscribing, but hadn't gotten around to it.

Then I read about Gleeman's conversation with Joe Pohlad. I'll always mark out for follow up questions to people trying to pass off bullshit. And this was an excellent job. When the perspective sale announcement was made, I signed up on Patreon. I wanted to hear their perspective on how this offseason was going to go, with the teams under the For Sale banner. If you're interested in the Twins, the Gleeman and the Geek podcast is highly recommended. Even if you just go with the free show.

Considering the 1984 purchase price was $44 million, and the franchise is currently estimated to be worth around $1.4 billion, the remaining Pohlad family members will all receive a nice pay day, when it sells. No matter what it sells for, the profit will more than cover all of the alleged millions of dollars that Carl claimed he was losing every year.

The same pile of millions that Joe is now claiming to be losing. 

Like father's brother, like great nephew...

A Pohlad is a Pohlad.

I know it's mean to say, but my favorite part of Target Field will always be that Carl Pohlad didn't live to see a game played here. With all of the shit he pulled on this franchise, threatening to take the team away from Minnesota, or outright kill it, if he didn't get a new stadium. I find it very appropriate that he got to live long enough to get his way, but not long enough to see it completed. 

When you start your career foreclosing on farms during the Great Depression, you may get to live a life of luxury...

But karma will always pay you back.

******

That wraps Act 2 up. To anyone still reading...

Act 3: The Great 2024 Baseball Card Whatever, coming sorta-soon.

I may want to write about something else first. I don't know. Got stuff to do.

Game's over.

Go home.