Opening weekend in review: The nice, good, bad and ugly

From the Seats, April 11, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins drew over 118,000 people for the 2005 opening series at the Dome against the rival Chicago White Sox. The third largest opening weekend crowed in Twins history saw a variety of things.

 

Friday — I participated in my first ever home opener, and for those who have not yet gone to one I suggest it, but don’t know if I will make it a yearly event. The festivities got started with remembering Bob Casey. John Gordon gave a nice speech followed by a video of Bob Casey that included a few words by current players. The Twins and Gordon than presented the Casey family with a framed headset and poem. The Casey family than introduced the players by doing a full team introduction.

 

An error early on by Cuddyer lead to a run in the first. After that Lohse settled down until the sixth inning when he gave up two home runs good for three runs. Bartlett drove in Cuddyer for the only run the Twins would see. Orlando Hernandez had the Twins number and the game.

 

Saturday — Johan Santana received his Cy Young award, possibly the highlight of the night. Brad Radke started off by giving up a two run home run in the first and like Lohse calmed down after that. Shannon Stewart and the Twins tied things up in the 5th with a three run home run, all was good in the world and the Twins had a good chance of winning the game. It all fell apart in the 7th inning though when Perez homered and than two singles took Radke out of the game in favor of Jessie Crain who pitched to one batter, who singled, and than was taken out in favor of J.C. Romero.

 

Romero looked good at times this spring, but looked like the old on Saturday, as he tried to pick off the runner at first he threw the ball away and than a passed ball made for 4 runs in the inning and put the game away. A pair of run, including a Hunter home run got the Twins close and made it a little more exciting but still resulted in a Twins loss.

 

Sunday — Tony Stevens, who was in AA New Britain with many currant Twins in 2001 but after 9/11 left the Twins to join the Marines was welcomed back with a standing ovation to throw out the first pitch. Cuddyer delivered his ball and jersey and Lew Ford caught the first pitch. Thank you Mr. Stevens, it is people like you that allow fans like me to be able to enjoy this great game.

 

With Buehrle on the mound and a national audience with ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball the Twins and Santana were thirsty for a win. Taking the final game of the series and salvaging a win would make all ok for the weekend.

 

Santana gave up another early run in the first and than a second in the 3rd. That would be it, as Torii Hunter hit a three run home run to give the Twins a 4-2 lead. The three run shot gave the Twins and fans a big boost, the first lead in the series.

 

That is all Johan Santana would need. He showed his second half 2004 form when he struck out 10 guys from the 4th to through the 7th. After 107 pitches and 7 innings pitched Rincon and Nathan came on and pitched pretty harmless innings, giving up a walk and single respectively. Rincon got his second hold and Nathan saved his second game.

 

The Twins needed a big win from Santana and got it.

 

All good aside though, in the 8th inning with Torii Hunter at the plate and one out he pops up, but Pierzynski has no idea where the ball is, never saw it. The pitcher, Politte comes in, gets glove on the ball but it pops out and Hunter is safe. I look at first, no Hunter, look at second, no Hunter. He is standing 5 feet away from home plate, the only way he reaches is because no one is on first. Hunter than steals second standing up without a throw and goes on to steal third off Pierzynski. There is no doubt that Hunter should have been on second base if he was running.

 

After the game in the post game interview Dan Gladden gave Johan Santana the number 2 star and Torii Hunter the number 1 star. There is no way Hunter should have received the number 1 star after what happened in the 8th inning. Granted, he reached second base, but he should have been there from the start. In my opinion this drops Hunter from the 1st to 3rd star, maybe even off the star charts.

 

If anyone knows how I can email Dan Gladden, let me know, I would like to do so!

 

It wasn't the best opening weekend, or the best start the Twins would like to get off to, but it isn’t the worst one.