Pardon This Interruption - Hipster Kevin Slowey

Things have been pretty crazy lately, and I'm sorry for the lack of posts.  I invite you all to check out my friend Karlee's latest entry.  It's great for a good laugh and pokes some fun at the Twins front office and (in good fun) Slowey.  It's definitely worth checking out.

Hipster Kevin Slowey

Harmon Killebrew 1936-2011

It's a sad day in the world of baseball.  One of the greatest players (though I never had the honor of seeing him play) and the greatest baseball players I've ever met passed away this morning.  As a fellow baseball fan reading this, you probably have already heard the news.

I just want to share a link to Michael Cuddyer's FSN blog with you.  It's a great story about Harmon that I think everyone will enjoy.  (Make sure to have some tissues with as you read it.) Michael Cuddyer 'He Was Able To Paint A Masterpiece' Blog

RIP Harmon Killebrew "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24)

Storm of Emotions

The sky after the hail storm had passed over Target Field

It's been a tough spring for Minnesota sports fans.  Heck, it's been a tough year.  There's been several times this Twins season, that I've been asked if I'm still a fan.  To answer that: Yes, I am always a fan of the Twins. Win or lose.  Sure, I like everyone else, enjoy watching them win more than I like watching them lose.  All in all, I love baseball and will watch the Twins even when it's hard (like it currently has been) and when they are doing great.

Tuesday's game was actually fun to be at.  Sure, it was super sticky hot and there was a rain/hail delay that caused the game to go until about 11:30. (63 minute delay).  I think I found the game to be fun because I was under the shelter of an overhang on the lower level.  I got to watch people run from their seats and some people stay in their seats even through the golf ball size hail storm.  I had heard after the delay that sirens were going off around Target Field for tornado warnings.  Where I was sitting, I was not able to hear them.  I don't know what the Twins would have done had their been a tornado that was threatening the area.  Where do you take shelter at Target Field?!

I am truly honored to have been able to meet Harmon at Twinsfest a few years ago.

Yesterday was another tough day for Minnesota sports.  Harmon Killebrew released a statement saying that he was entering hospice care and he is losing his battle with cancer.  He's going to be someone who is truly missed when he leaves this life.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family and him during his final days.

Flowers at the foot of the Killebrew statue at Target Field

Another tough pill to swallow in sports, was Derek Boogaard (NHL player).  He was 28 years old and his two brothers found him dead  in his Minneapolis apartment.  Boogaard was currently a New York Ranger, but he played several seasons with the Minnesota Wild.  I got the chance to meet him a couple times during his time here.  Once at a signing and then he also came into the bar I used to work at a few times.  Always seemed like a nice guy.  It's hard to lose anyone, but someone so young makes it a little harder to swallow.

The best thing that was said yesterday in reference to Harmon Killebrew news was from my friend Ben (Bennyc50 on Twitter or of That's Twins Baseball blog.)  "News about Killebrew should remind us how insignificant the bad start to the Twins season is. It's just baseball.
It's been hard to write good things about the Twins lately and I've struggled to find things to write about.  I will keep plugging away however and try to bring you recaps of the games/series, win or lose.  I do have some pictures for everyone to enjoy from my fabulous seats last night. (Section 3, row 3, seat 3...seemed to fitting.)

Carl and Drew coming from the bullpen

Justin, you should be looking toward the ball...not the umpire.



Cuddyer

Plouffe

throw over to first

too bad this running wasn't on a home run or a single even.

Nathan

A Gem of A Night

Photo courtesy of Sara Conrad

I'm sure most (if not all) of you have heard that Steve Holm has been sent back down to Triple A and Rene Rivera has been called up to take his spot.  I'm skeptical like every other Twins fan about whether or not Rivera will really make any more of a difference than Steve Holm did.

I'm jealous of some of my friends.  They got to witness Liriano's no hitter the other night in Chicago.  It wasn't that exciting of a game, nor was it a clean game. Liriano gave up 6 walks and only had 2 strikeouts
Liriano – no hitter/6 walks (friends witnessing the event).  They said it was a little cold outside (they looked cold too in snow hats and winter jackets), but I'm sure they were happy to be there to witness the first no hitter of the 2011 season.  I know I was glad that it was the Twins and Francisco Liriano who got the first one!  I do think Liriano owes Jason Kubel a meal (at least a beer) because without that home run, who knows how long that game might have gone on.

It was nice to see the Twins sweep the White Sux.  Sure, they were a team that before that series, was only one place ahead of us in the division, but it's quite possible that it could be the jump the teams needs to start winning.

I guess having 1/3 of the Triple A Red Wings players here may also be something that could boost the Twins and make them start winning.  I know a lot of people don't really have faith in a team that is compiled of so many triple-a players, but I'm trying to keep the faith in these guys until they prove me otherwise.
Welcome to the other Red Wings: Plouffe, Revere, Tosoni.

The news that's been announced that I enjoyed the most is that Kevin Slowey will be activated after the game tonight.  He's going to still be in the bullpen as the long reliever.  My guess is Alex Burnett with get the ax and be sent back down to Triple-A to make room for Slowey.
Can Liraino pitch a gem again?  This is the question everyone will be looking for an answer to come Monday night when Liriano is scheduled to pitch again.  I don't want to make an calls on this because I honestly don't know if he has it in him to do it again. I guess we will all see

Twins take on Boston all weekend and then are home on Tuesday to face the Tigers.