O/T: TV Sponsors, Media and MLB Holds It's Breath

[tbob]

Minnesota 13 Kansas City 4. The Twins made up 7 games back and 3 down with 4 games to go in the season (first time ever in baseball history) to complete an incredible comeback. Ignored by the media all season long, the specter of The Twins being in the playoffs and, could it possibly be 1987 again, in the Series has to have a lot of moneymen and media quaking. Instead of showing the Twins incredible comeback this weekend on TV, ESPN and FOX opted to show the Cards (already in) and in passing the Tigers. With a bunch of fresh faced kids and some aging veterans thrown in, the Twins survived the loss of AL MVP Justin Morneau, their best pitcher Kevin Slowey, and top bull pen reliever Pat Neshek to patch it together and tie for the Division title on sheer guts.
Instead of New York v. Philadelphia or Boston v. Los Angeles, how incredible would it be to have Colorado v. Minnesota, two small market teams in the Series. Advertisers and media guys like Peter Gammons would hate it but baseball fans in Oakland, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, etc. would love it.
OK, they still have to win Tuesday night in the play-in (they fell 1-0 in the 163rd game last year) and beating the Yankees would be a Herculeian task but we can still dream.
For 2 more days, at least, I am on top of the world

[sox1903wschamp]

Congrats to the Twins and good luck Tuesday.

[calvindog]

Bob, I like the Twins and what they did without Morneau is pretty incredible. And I think they'll beat Detroit tomorrow. And then get destroyed by the Yankees.

I watch Mauer and all I can think is how good he'll look in pinstripes in the near future.

[HRBAKER]

C'mon Bob don't you know to the media the only thing in Minnesota that matters is Brett Favre. They are way too busy slobbering all over him to notice the Twins. BTW, congrats to the Twins for an incredible run. I too hope it is not over.

[tbob]

Just finished watching the closing of the Metrodome celebration on tv and I had to wipe away a tear as they saved the last player on the all-Metrodome team for last, Kirby Puckett. I wasn't alone I guarantee that.
They then zipped away to the new beautiful Target Field where Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew and Tony Oliva raised the new flags.
What a great day!!!
P.S. Joe Maurer isn't going anywhere. He has become the most beloved sports figure in the history of the State Of Minnesota (he grew up in St. Paul) and the Twins will pay whatever they have to to keep him. The Pohlad kids are the richest owners in major league baseball and realize the explosion which would occur if they let him go.

[ullmandds]

I went to the game today...it was rockin'! What a comeback for the twinkies this year...I hope the outcome is different from last year's playoff! It's a great time to be in MN...with the twins and vikes... But as a Yankee fan at heart...I must agree with Calvindog...and I can't wait to witness the carnage!

[barrysloate]

Joe Mauer is a new breed of ballplayer...a young catcher who has already won three batting titles! It's unprecedented.

Hope the Twins win on Tuesday, but without Morneau they will have a tough time in the playoffs.

[sox1903wschamp]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

But as a Yankee fan at heart...I must agree with Calvindog...and I can't wait to witness the carnage!

Yes the Bombers should crush whoever emerges from the Central but I have to say I will be lovin it if the 103 and 59 boys falter . Pressure is all on them.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by tbob

P.S. Joe Maurer isn't going anywhere. He has become the most beloved sports figure in the history of the State Of Minnesota.

I thought Favre was? Seriously, Maurer is incredible and I agree the Twins will pay him anything he wants. He's a once in a generation player and surely the MVP of the league this year. Even without Morneau the Twins are dangerous but I just don't think their pitching will get them anywhere in the postseason. With all those pieces in place I would hope their owners would spend some money at last on pitching because they're potentially a fantastic team.