Category: Dailies

Becoming the Ace

Through the first two months of the season, Scott Baker’s performances only led to questions about his newly signed 4-year, $15.25 million contract inked in the off-season. Three months later, the pitcher that earned the deal with a tremendous 2008 season is beginning to reappear.

With his most recent one run, six inning performance in Cleveland, Baker moved to 13-7 on the season with an ERA of 4.34 – a decent mark considering the rough start to the season back in April.
After three starts and the first month of the season, Baker was 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA. The right-handed Baker lasted only 14.2 innings over the course of those three starts and hitters hit a combined .328 against him.
May was better for Baker, but in six starts in the season’s second month, he posted an ERA of 4.97, and his cumulative ERA stood at 6.38. After nine starts, Baker was still searching for an answer, and nearing the end of the line and staring the bullpen in the face, Baker finally changed for the better.
In the three months since Baker neared a move to the bullpen, he has posted a solid 3.42 ERA. The numbers date back to June 1, and span a total of 18 starts. Take out one poor outing against the New York Yankees on July 7 (3 innings, 5 runs), and Baker has posted a 3.11 ERA over the past three months.
Since the All-Star Break, Baker has been even more impressive. He has went 6-0 over the course of ten starts while posting a 2.64 ERA and an opponents batting average of .218 in the second half. Baker has not lost in his last 11 starts, and is 7-0 with a 3.04 ERA in that span.
A poor start to the season raised eyebrows and questions about Baker’s future. The three months since have made Baker’s off-season extension look like a brilliant move. Baker could be with the organization through 2013, and if his recent ways are a preview of the future, the Twins might indeed have an ace in the rotation.

Attendance Analysis: 12 Games Remain

Through 54 home games, the Minnesota Twins were averaging 29,212 fans per game, about 3,500 more fans per game than last season at the same point. Over the past month, and a total of 15 games, the team’s pace to break last season’s attendance mark has dipped.

After 69 home games, the Twins have drawn a total of 1,985,948 fans to give them an average of 28,782 fans per game. The average is still above where the team was last season at the same point, but the margin has gone from 3,371 more fans per game after 54 home matches to only a 1,049 fans per game difference 15 home games later.
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Last season the team drew just over 2,300,000 fans through the 81 games at the Metrodome. To meet that mark, the team must draw 26,171 fans per game over the final four weeks and 12 scheduled games. 
To meet the league average for attendance, which is set to be on pace for about 2,400,000, the Twins must draw 34,504 fans per game in the final month. Beating last season’s mark still looks doable, but meeting the league attendance average won’t be an easy task.
With the final regular season game at the Metrodome already ruled a sellout, the Twins are assured of about 55,000 fans in one of the remaining games, and by sticking in the race, a series with Detroit and other possibly critical games could draw large crowds. 

Off-Day Footage: Remembering Kirby

In a year in which the Minnesota Twins will play their final games in the Metrodome, it’s hard not to often think back about the games you attended, the moments you watched, and the feats that were accomplished under the roof and on the turf.

No matter how great it would have been to sit outdoors on the days with great weather, the Metrodome, and the player’s who took the field over the 28 years of baseball indoors have left a mark that will not soon be forgotten when Target Field is finally open.
As the Twins look to make the playoffs, and wait to take the field in Cleveland looking to wipe a gut-wrenching loss from their minds, here is a video of one of the best players to step foot on the Metrodome ground.

http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=1032311,t=1,mt=video

Dome Dominance

The Minnesota Twins will never again play the Chicago White Sox in the Metrodome. After dominating the team from the South Side of Chicago in recent years under the roof, the two sides will never again face each other indoors after they finished up their final scheduled series in Minneapolis for the 2009 season.

The Twins ended the season with a 7-2 home record against the White Sox, and the two losses came by a combined three runs. From the beginning of last season, the Twins went 15-3 (.833) at home against the White Sox. Dating back to the ’07 season, the Twins went 20-7 (.741), and all the way back to the magical ’06 season, they went 25-11 (.694).
The dominance at the Metrodome against one of the team’s biggest rivals has been well documented, but it will be no more. If there is any home dominance for the Twins against one of their biggest foes, it’ll need to come outside at Target Field.
The ending to what has been a great tenure for the Twins against Chicago wasn’t a fitting one. With a 2-0 lead, two outs and an 0-2 count, Joe Nathan blew the save and eventually the game. 
The Twins time and time again in recent seasons have been the team to collect the walk off victories. They’ve seen Alexi Casilla jump down the first base line, and Jose Morales get mobbed. They’ve seen Joe Nathan dominate the ninth, and the Sox rarely had much to celebrate. With one more opportunity however, the White Sox got the last laugh in Minneapolis.
Getting within one pitch of a second sweep of the White Sox and further advancement above the .500 mark is devastating, and feels like a punch to the gut; it’d be difficult to find a more difficult loss to swallow.
The Twins could drop back in the division tonight, but the season is not over. With 30 games remaining, including 7 against the Detroit Tigers, the Twins must bounce back as they head to Cleveland this weekend. An extended downfall could doom the hopes of adding to the list of Metrodome Memories.

Final Dome Series

It may not feel close, but with each passing game, the end of an era in Twins Baseball draws near. The Minnesota Twins have 34 games remaining this season, and 17 will come under the roof.

Fans looking to be in a seat for the final game in the Metrodome’s baseball history may be out of luck — it has been ruled a sellout with the outfield curtain being pulled up. A baseball sellout with no curtain has been considered a crowd of over 55,000 fans; the exact total of tickets sold has not been released.
There are still tickets remaining for the other two games of the final Dome series however, which will come against the Kansas City Royals and could potentially be critical to the team’s playoffs hopes.
The other games will too provide highlights worth seeing, including appearances by former players, giveaways and more.

Wheeling and Dealing

Entering their three-game series with the Texas Rangers, the Minnesota Twins find themselves one game below .500 with 35 games remaining on the regular season schedule. After acquiring shortstop Orlando Cabrera at the non-waiver trade deadline, the Twins have decided to attempt to bolster their roster for the final month.

The team today acquired relievers Jon Rauch and Ron Mahay, and according to major league sources, won the claim on starter Rich Harden. 
Neither reliever acquired by the team has a dominant ERA, but both could provide an upgrade in the bullpen to help support Matt Guerrier and Jose Mijares; Rauch could also contribute in 2010, the final year of his deal.
After getting off to a slow start with a 9.31 ERA in April, Rauch has drastically improved since with ERA’s of 3.46, 2.08, and 1.86 in the months of May, June and July. Thus far in August Rauch has a 5.00 ERA, but has allowed all runs in two of his nine total outings.
Ron Mahay meanwhile has posted solid numbers in half of the months, and less-than-stellar numbers in the other half. Mahay could provide another left-handed option out of the bullpen which could take a load off Mijares.
The additions in the bullpen for the Twins might not be the end of the team’s activity. Before the end of the day Monday, the Twins could also add starting pitching. Major league sources have confirmed that the team placed the winning claim on Chicago Cub, Rich Harden.
In the second half Harden has posted a tremendous 1.80 ERA and has held hitters to a .151 batting average. The sides have until noon Monday to work out a deal, but it won’t be easy. Projected as a Type A free agent, the Cubs could receive two draft picks by holding onto Harden and letting him walk this off-season.
While Harden may seem like a long shot, starter Brad Penny has been called a more feasible option. Reports say the Twins may be willing to pay Penny nearly $1.5 million over the final month which could be enough to put him in Minnesota pinstripes.
Whatever might happen in the final 35 games, the front office is making moves and attempting to make the final season in the Metrodome a memorable one.

Target Field: Grass Installation Begins

Playing Surface
With each passing day the opening of Target Field draws closer. Seats continue to go in around the ballpark, and by the end of fall the ballpark will be ready for testing. Next spring, reportedly on April 12th, the Minnesota Twins will finally take the field to begin a new era in Twins Territory.
Tonight at 10 p.m. the stadium will begin to resemble a ballpark and more so a baseball field. Early this morning the transporting of Kentucky Blue Grass began in Fort Morgan, Colorado; tonight it will arrive at Target Field and throughout the week the process will continue until the field turns green. 
You can follow the installation live on your computer by watching the Ballpark Webcam.
The diagram above shows the field surface at Target Field. The top layer is the Kentucky Blue Grass. The grass is followed by the sand-based root zone which is 10” deep and is a water storage area. Next comes the field heating tubes which will heat the field in the cold days of spring and fall. A 4” drainage gravel blanket helps further drain water, and the bottom layer is compacted sub-grade which helps support a high quality playing field.
The bulk of the playing field is completed, and by week’s end, the final step will be taken.

Homestand Highlights: Orioles, Rangers, White Sox

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After a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals, the Minnesota Twins return home for a nine-game homestand that will feature three finals in the Metrodome with the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox.
There will be many highlights on the field and goodbyes from the opposing players, but there will also be highlights for the fans at the box offices and gates.

Orioles (8-24)

Rangers (8-24)
White Sox (8-24)

Interview: Ben Tootle

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The Minnesota Twins were pitching heavy in the 2009 Draft, and after selecting pitchers in the first round, compensation round, and second round, the team continued the trend in the third round when they selected right handed pitcher Ben Tootle from Jacksonville State University.
Tootle went a combined 19-9 in his career at Jacksonville State, and was highly regarded by many teams. Named as one of the best prospects in the Cape Cod League, Tootle throws a mid-90s fastball that has touched 99 MPH according to reports.
After signing with the organization quickly, Tootle headed to play for the Elizabethton Twins. Thus far, Tootle has appeared in six games and pitched 6.1 innings allowing no runs and an opponents batting average of just .190.
Ben took some time to answer a few questions for an interview.
Voice From Twins Territory: Growing up, what was your favorite team, and who were a few of your favorite players?

Ben Tootle: My favorite team is the Atlanta Braves, and my favorite player has always been John Smoltz.

VFTT: You were ranked by some as the 4th best prospect in the Cape Cod League. What does that mean to you?

BT: Being ranked is neat, but it really didn’t mean too much to me because it’s basically just someone’s opinion or projection. I try not to think about what others think I am or could be, I just like to play.

VFTT: Had you talked with scouts, and were you expecting to be selected when you were?

BT: I talked with scouts the entire year, but they told me many different things. The draft is so crazy that it’s hard to tell when you will actually go. 

VFTT: When were you when you were drafted by the Minnesota Twins, how did you find out, and what was the feeling like?

BT: I was at my apartment in Jacksonville, AL with my parents. It was basically a big relief that it was over and I’d be taking the next step in my career.

VFTT: Going from being selected, to working on getting signed, to getting started in games, what is the entire process like?

BT: The drafting and signing process isn’t something I enjoyed, honestly. I’m happiest when I’m actually on the field. The process in between just gets me to that point and you have to do it.

VFTT: What have been your initial impressions of professional ball since your debut?

BT: My initial impression was that there is such a variety of cultures and different people from different parts of the world who are talented and come together to play on one team.

VFTT: What is your goal for the rest of the season at Elizabethton, and what are you looking to do in the off-season?

BT: My goal for Elizabethton is to get adjusted to pro ball life and get better. My off-season goal is to get stronger and work on my skills.

VFTT: Through little league, high school, college, and even the first games at Elizabethton, what is your greatest baseball moment?

BT: My greatest baseball achievement I think is my summer in the Cape Cod league. All my drills, bullpens, long toss and conditioning paid off and everything came together for me to put forward a great summer for myself.

VFTT: Who is one person or a few people who helped you along the path to get into professional baseball?

BT: My parents have supported me my entire life and were very supportive during the whole draft and signing period, so they had the biggest impact. Coach Case at Jacksonville State definitely helped me a lot, believing in me during my three years at Jacksonville, so he also had a huge impact in getting me to where I wanted to go.

VFTT: What do you think it would be like to make a major league debut with the Minnesota Twins?

BT: Making a major league debut for me would be a dream come true because it’s what every player wants to achieve. I would not take it for granted and would soak up the entire experience to remember every detail.


Quick Thoughts:
Favorite baseball movie? Rookie of the Year
Superstitious? I toss some dirt after my last warmup pitch every inning. I don’t know why, I just do it. 
Pre-game meal? Don’t have one.
Do you wear a particular number? I try to get number 13. If not, the closest number to it. When I was younger everyone said it was unlucky so I wanted it to prove them wrong.
I’d like to thank Ben for taking some time to answer these questions, and wish him the best of luck for the remainder of the season at Elizabethton.

Interview: Matthew Bashore

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With a compensation pick sandwiched between the first and second rounds, the Minnesota Twins used the 46th overall pick in the June draft to select left-handed pitcher Matthew Bashore from the University of Indiana.
Bashore was a two-time All-Big Ten selection, once on the first team and once on the second. He finished one strikeout shy of the school record with 108 strikeouts last season, and he signed quickly after being selected and has already made his professional debut with the Elizabethton Twins.
Matt took some time to step away from the field and answer some questions.
 
Voice From Twins Territory: Growing up, what was your favorite baseball team, and who were some of your favorite players?

Matthew Bashore: Growing up in Ohio my favorite team was the Indians and my favorite players were Jim Thome, Omar Vizquel, Kenny Lofton, and Sandy Alomar Jr.


VFTT: What current player would you say you’re most like and why?

MB: A current player that I am most like would be Andy Petite. I think he was my dad’s favorite pitcher and my dad taught me to pitch after him.


VFTT: What was the college experience like, and what does it mean to you to make two All Big Ten teams?

MB: The college experience was great for me because it taught me so many things. It helped me grow up and learn to be on my own.


VFTT: Had you talked with scouts, and were you expecting to be selected when you were?

MB: Yeah, I had talked to scouts and I went around where they seemed to say I would.


VFTT: Where were you when you were drafted by the Minnesota Twins, how did you find out, and what was the feeling like? 

MB: When I got drafted I was watching it on the computer at my parents house with my family and girlfriend. It was funny because some teams were outspoken about what they thought of me and showed interest. The Twins were very quite about it with me. So when it was their turn to pick and they selected me, I was already looking ahead to see who I thought maybe would pick me.


VFTT: What have been your initial impressions of professional ball since you made your debut? 

MB: My initial impressions of pro ball are great, I enjoy the freedoms that come with pro ball compared to college ball. It’s hard to complain or have a bad impression when your getting paid to play baseball.


VFTT: What do you feel is your biggest strength, and one thing you’re looking to most improve upon?

MB: I feel that my biggest strength is my mental strength. I am always composed and can always relax myself. I feel that I can push myself harder and further than others. The biggest thing that I look to improve on would be getting a good change-up. When I get a grasp for that pitch I will become a more complete pitcher. 


VFTT: Through little league, high school, college, and even the first games with Elizabethton, what is your greatest baseball moment?


MB: Throughout my baseball career my favorite baseball moment would be in legion ball when I was in high school. I had pitched a good ten inning game and I was being DH’d for until the bottom of the tenth. We were down by two and the coach let me hit for myself with the bases loaded. I hit a ball which I thought was gone so I was jogging a little to first. It hit the wall so I started running hard. I tried to stretch it into a triple and the ball kicked away into the dugout. So I then got home for what I call a walk off grand slam.

   

VFTT: Who is one person or a few people who helped you along the path to get into professional baseball? 

MB: The one person who has helped me the most would be my father. He has put so much time and energy into helping me with the game and I wouldn’t be the player or person I am without him.

VFTT: What do you think it would be like to make a major league debut with the Twins?

MB: To make a major league start with the Twins would be an amazing feeling. I have a lot of hard work to get there but that thought helps me push myself each and everyday.

Quick Questions:
Favorite baseball movie? Major League
Superstitious? Yes, I am superstitious but only on the days I pitch. I have a pair of sliders that I only wear on the days I pitch and whatever I do inbetween innings I’ll do exactly again if I have a good inning. I’ll sit in the same spot if I have a good inning, but if I don’t, I’ll sit somewhere else. 
Do you wear a particular number? Any number the Twins give me I’ll wear, I just want one. But if I had a choice my favorite number is 22.
I’d like to thank Matt for taking some time to answer these questions and wish him the best for the remainder of the season at Elizabethton.