The Other Evil Empire

[Archive]

Posted By: Bob

A small market team which has been highly competitve the last 3 years, winning the AL Central despite losing guys like David Ortiz, Eric Milton and others because of a tight fisted owner. A bunch of young guys playing their guts out, a team that willingly signs autographs for fans, keeps their noses clean, provides lots of role models for young fans, doesn't use steroids, and plays in the most beautiful city in America. Yes I know the Dome sucks and the manager couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag but this SHOULD be America's team.
The media constantly underestimates and even ignores them every year, even when they occasionally win World Series rings. Sportscenter relegates them to the last spot each night unless they are playing the Yankees.
Don't ignore them in 2005. If we get rid of the deadwood like Jacque Jones, Luis Rivas, Christian Guzman and play the AAA stars, we will be right back in the thick of things next year. The sexy pick lately has been the White Sox, the cool pick lately has been the Indians but the Twins keep coming through. If Gardenhire doesn't mismanage the pitching staff in the playoffs, it is the Twins and Sox in the ALCS. The Twins and 'Stros in the Series would probably have reached an all time low television rating though
One thing which always bugs me is that the 91 series which was probably the greatest of all time has been relegated to an afterthought and is never mentioned by today's talking sports heads. All games but one came down to the final at bat before being decided and Game 7 was 0-0 through 9 innings and Jack Morris, who SHOULD be in the HOF, pitched a 10 inning shutout in the walk-off finale.