The End
The Twins 2009 season and the Metrodome era finally came to an end on Sunday night with the Yankees completing the sweep of the Twins with a 4-1 victory. Carl Pavano pitched his best game as a Twin, but was ultimately tagged for 2 solo home runs in the 7th inning. Nick Punto made a costly out on the basepaths, running through Scott Ulger's stop sign, but in the end the Twins just couldn't muster enough offense to compete with the Yankees.
The Twins defied expectations by making it to the playoffs this year. With 87 wins, the team played up to their potential, but sub-par years from Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland allowed the Twins to become a playoff team. The Team played its first month without Joe Mauer and its last month without Justin Morneau. Kevin Slowey was lost for the season and Francisco Liriano failed to return to his pre-inury form. They lost on the bet they made with Joe Crede's health and failed to see any improvement from Delmon Young and Carlos Gomez. Despite all that, they made the playoffs for the first time since 2006, and that's nothing to be ashamed of.
The Twins should enter 2010 with a stronger bullpen than they started 2009 with. Jon Rauch is signed for next season, and the Twins could benefit from the return of Pat Neshek. They should start the season with their entire core of big boppers--Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. The team has an opportunity to make a few key off season signings and really position themselves for a playoff run in 2010--the inaugural year of Target field.
Let's hope they have an active off season.
Topics: Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Carl Pavano, Nick Punto, Scott Ulger, Minnesota Twins, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Francisco Liriano, Kevin Slowey
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scottOct 12, 2009 04:38:00 PM
Ha Ha!!! I'll never forget how the Twins celebrated when they beat the Tigers in that playoff game, like they had just won the world series. Like they didnt belong there? I love how the yankees barely celebrated at all when they squshed the twins. You were never that good... you just had a streak of luck. The luck ran out!
KrisOct 12, 2009 06:08:47 PM
Bret, I couldn't agree more. I was at the dome last night and I wasn't surprised by all the classless Yankee bashing, only because I've seen it before and had no reason to expect differently.
There's a level of insecurity among most Twins fans that I don't really understand. I'm not sure why it's so difficult to appreciate a talented player that plays for a different club.
Maybe next year the fresh air at Target field will help bring some sanity. Thanks for your comment.
chiefOct 16, 2009 04:34:13 PM
Hey bud all we needed was Morneau. Maybe we should get a starter that can win a game every 2 starts?? Halladay Hello
Cody Reid-DodickDec 27, 2009 11:18:14 PM
Yeh it'll be really difficult to see the metrodome go, but I feel like the Twins have a bright future at their new home. I was looking around the web for some predictions and I found one website that had us at 2nd in the A.L.C. http://garbagetimesports.squarespace.com/mlb/2009/12/26/30-teams-in-30-days-twins.html
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Oct 12, 2009 12:49:32 PM
Watching Gardenhire after the game last night made me think I was in bizarre world. The Twins manager was praising the Yankees as “classy” when just before that they fans were embarrassing themselves and the manager by shouting things like “Steroids!” after A-Rod’s HR, and “Jeter sucks!” They should all start practicing “Mauer sucks!” because they will want to be prepared when he is in pinstripes in 2011.
Kind of an embarassing end to the Metrodome.