Michael Cuddyer and Al prior to their 10 minute radio interview at KKOK 95.7 FM Morris Radio Station
Tuesday, Jan. 15
9:15-9:45 a.m. BENSON: KBMO Radio
10:05-10:35 a.m. MURDOCK: Murdock Elementary
Noon-12:50 p.m. MORRIS: Old #1 Restaurant
Open to the public.
1-1:30 p.m. MORRIS: Morris Area Elementary School
5:30-8:30 p.m. WATERTOWN: County Fair Banquet Hall
ADDRESS: 8 2nd St NE, 57201
Open to the public. For tickets call 605-886-8444
Twins turn two
Morris Sun Tribune
Published Wednesday, January 16, 2008
"Minnesota Twins catcher Mike Redmond and Twins rightfielder Michael Cuddyer met local fans during the annual Twins Caravan stop in Morris Tuesday at Old #1 and Morris Area Elementary School. Several dozen fans turned out to eat ballpark food, fire a few questions at the players, get some autographs and pose for photos. In an accompanying photo, Cuddyer posed with one fan while a smaller one nearby still was having some trouble getting over an unpleasant meeting with T.C., the Twins mascot. See Saturday�s Sun Tribune for the two Mike�s views on the Twins� 2008 season, and the Sun Tribune Web site at www.morrissuntribune for more Caravan photos."
I am very sad to say that I wasn't able to make it this year because of my day-time job. However, it was cool that they came this year because after "them" not coming last year-I thought we (Morris) scared them to not come again!
Twins win over Morris crowd
Morris Sun Tribune
Published Saturday, January 27, 2007
"Matt Huot and Renae Mullins enjoy the antics of Minnesota Twins� mascot, T.C., Thursday during a visit from the Twins Winter Caravan at Morris Area High School. Twins pitcher Boof Bonser, former Twins star and broadcaster Bert Blyleven and Twins shortstop Jason Bartlett stopped in the school office to pose for photographs before getting back on the road for stops in Glenwood, Dassel-Cokato, and Willmar. This is the Caravan�s 47th year, making it the longest-running off-season team caravan in professional sports. This year�s Caravan made stops in more than 50 communities throughout the Upper Midwest between Jan. 15 and Jan. 25."
Michael Cuddyer and Al prior to their 10 minute radio interview at KKOK 95.7 FM Morris Radio Station
Bert Blyleven chatting with the fans at the radio station
I chat with Riley before the Twins enter in the radio station
I'm in the background behind Bert getting ready for some autographs
Al Newman poses with Ben
Bert with Ben
Bert with cop
Bert with Riley
Bert shatting with City of Morris Police officer, who happens to coach a little league team
Bert Blyleven
Lecroy and Cuddhyer
Lecroy and Cuddhyer head out after a 10-15 minute interview at KKOK's Radio Interview Box Room
Lecroy, and Cuddhyer heading out
Twins having fun throwing snowballs before they depart in their next city tour visit in Ortonville.
Twins "Winter Caravan" Bus is ready to leave Morris' KKOK Radio Station
Morris residents watch along the 3rd Base Foul Line in left field prior to the Twins game, which they won!
I went with my brother "Ceo" to this annual event this year, which we haven't been to together since we were avid fans growing up. This was my birthday gift to my younger bro!
Bert Blyleven signs my 87' Fleer Bert Baseball Card
Tony Oliva signs my "Oliva" Baseball Card
It cost only $15 to get the two Twin Greats to sign as it goes to the Twins Community Fund
I had the opportunity to revisit Twins Fest 2005 (Friday, January 29th 2005), which I haven't attended one of these since I was a kid (91 and after?)
I decided to check this event out just for "kicks" as I wanted to take a teenager (Cory) I mentor with me, so he can too experience the fun at his age. Ironically, Cory was born during the Twins first World Series Championship game that they won later in October 12th of 1987.
Mauer Brother (brother of the Twins fan favorite-Joe Mauer) signing autographs (no charge-FREE) in one of several autograph stations (others charged money according to profile)
Mauer Brother #2 signing too!
*I told him I played for Harding Senior High (freshmen and jv 1992-1994), which his alma mater h.s. (Cretin) was the team to beat all the time! He then shared that he and his family goes around West Central Minnesota-Morris area to go hunting!
Related Site:
Twins Fest View from the Press Box
Press Box Tour
Sal posing in front of the Twins Bear Inflatable
Cory tries out the pitching
Cory check out the pitching area
Cory poses in front of the 87' World Series Trophy (year he was born!)
Sal poses inside the garage (right field) as he heads out
Cory also poses inside the garage
Above were just some of the highlights of his career. Many off his off-the-field highlights occurred with no cameras. I remember one-time he came over to our school in St. Paul to visit. My whole school was excited, which I didn't really had the chance to personally meet him because of the large crowd. However, I had the opportunity to meet him in person twice-both times during Twins Fest. Back then, the autographs were free, which I had him sign my baseball both times (year unknown?).
I decided to write this tribute today (Wednesday, March 8th of 2006) after his "unexpected" death this past Sunday...
"The Minnesota Twins have announced that Kirby Puckett is hospitalized in Arizona after suffering a stroke at his Scottsdale home. Puckett was a fan favorite"-Minnesota Public Radio
Friends, Fellow Athletes Remember Puckett (WCCO)
"(WCCO) Even though Kirby Puckett played his last professional game on Sept. 28, 1995, the loss of #34 is being felt across the Minnesota Twins' spring training complex in Fort Myers, Fla."
Public memorial set for Puckett on Sunday (Kare 11)
"On Tuesday, the Minnesota Twins announced that a public memorial service for the Hall of Famer would be held at the Metrodome in Minneapolis at 7 p.m on Sunday, March 12. Doors will open at six o'clock.
Ball club officials said that the program celebrating Puckett's life and career will include tributes from family, friends, current and former Twins players, as well as video highlights."
Legislature pauses in tribute to Puckett
Last update: March 08, 2006 � 1:20 PM (Star Tribune)
"Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson held up a baseball Puckett gave him and talked about Puckett's impact in baseball and beyond, through scholarship programs and children's charities.
Senators bowed their heads and observed a moment of silence in Puckett's memory.
The secret life of Kirby Puckett (Pioneer Press 2002)
"Kirby denied all the allegations to police, saying they argued after Tonya threatened to keep him from seeing their two adopted children again. Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar declined to file a felony complaint because the alleged threat came on a long-distance call from Atlantic City, making it hard to prove Tonya was in imminent danger. Edina city attorney Marsh Halberg declined to file a misdemeanor complaint because Tonya waited six days to file her report and because the two participants were the only witnesses, and their stories were so conflicting."
I first heard of him being at the hospital when I was at work Monday morning. Then I would hear the tragic news that he died as I was checking my e-mail at a friend's apartment that evening. I then started to reminincse my personal encounters (e.g. getting his autograph) with friends. I remember playing baseball with neighborhood friends as a kid in East St. Paul (Battle Creek neighborhood) , we would love to copy Kirby when we bat. I would do the "cross" (first on the chest and then on homeplate with the bat) right at the plate as Kirby did many times. As a Catholic growing-up, I thought it was cool to see him do this. I saw this a faithbuilder in my early years before growing-up in my dedicated personal relationship with Jesus Christ!
Other Sites:
-Stats
Baseball Almanac
Baseball Page
-Charitable
Believing is seeing-
Kirby Puckett's vision is impaired, but his worldview is clear by Margie Haack of World Magazine (October 5th of 1996)
"But what really made Kirby stand out was the character he displayed...
Kirby was generous: giving away millions in free tickets, scholarships, medical treatment, and community service.
And another: Two years ago in spring training, after three hours of drills, he signed about 200 autographs. When one child deceitfully wanting an extra special signature on a baseball asked, "Mr. Puckett, could you write on it, 'opening night,'" Kirby laughed and said, "I don't know if I'll be living opening night . . . kid, you can go any time." Stretched out in the Twins clubhouse later, Kirby spoke seriously: "You don't know how long God wants you here, so you should always give all thanks to him."
How to be a Disciple (religion-online)
"Few have illustrated this better than Kirby Puckett, for 13 years center fielder for the Minnesota Twins baseball team. He had a career batting average of .318, made the All-Star lineup ten years in a row, and won six Golden Gloves for defensive play. He was one of the most loved men ever to play the game, and a well-known Christian.
Dennis Martinez, pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, once crushed the left side of Kirby's face with a pitch. Martinez assumed that Kirby would hate him. But when he had recovered a bit, Kirby called Martinez "my good friend" and blamed himself for not getting out of the way of the fastball. He was an outstanding community leader for good causes, and expressed his faith naturally in words that matched his life. Everyone knew who Kirby was trusting and why he would not hate someone who had injured him. He was living in God's world and relying upon it."
-Tributes:
Kirby Puckett Tribute Video, from youtube.com
Sue's Views: Kirby touched 'em all, touched us all(Morris Sun Tribune)
This song was played during the tribute to Kirby Puckett, which was sung by a former Twin Great-Jim "Mudcat" Grant. They would play this throughout the 06' season at the home games during the 7th inning stretch. A last quote of Kirby that was repeatedly mentioned was...
Related Sites:
Tribute to Kirby Puckett
"This is Channel 4's tribute to Kirby Puckett "
What do you want in the new Twins Ball Park?
" As a fan since their first World Series Championship in 87', I would like to see a memorail type (similar to Green Bay Packer's Lambeau field) museum (that can be open for tourist-similar to the Orioles, which has the Babe Ruth House a couple blocks down) display as a rememberance for Twins fans in the future. I've visited ball parks across the country (e.g. Fenway, Shea, Camden Yards, Kansas City, etc...), as an admirer of architecture, it'll be "nice" to include a unique outside look that can be a touristy place for baseball and non-baseball fans that go through downtown Minneapolis.
As an avid baseball fan, I would like to see some batting cages to "kill some time" prior to the game or even after. Also, include a speed pitch game to measure how individuals can pitch. I reccomend some shopping plaza across the street or inside for girls/lady's so they won't get too bored when the go with their "man"!
As a 2nd generation Filipino-American, it'll be "cool" to see different flags representing the different countries that has been represented in a Twins Team (e.g. Liriano-Dominican Republic, Santana-Vanezuela, Reyes-Mexico?, Blyleven-Netherlands?, etc...). I feel this will encourage fans from different ethnic groups represented in out growin diverse ethnic population in Minnesota (e.g. I live in small rural town Morris, and I've been playing ball with a kid whose mom is from the Dominican Republic)
As a 2nd generation Filipino-American, it'll be "cool" to see different flags representing the different countries that has been represented in a Twins Team (e.g. Liriano-Dominican Republic, Santana-Vanezuela, Reyes-Mexico?, Blyleven-Netherlands?, etc...). I feel this will encourage fans from different ethnic groups represented in out growin diverse ethnic population in Minnesota (e.g. I live in small rural town Morris, and I've been playing ball with a kid whose mom is from the Dominican Republic)
These are just some ideas for now...
Cards
-2006 Team Set Price Comparisons
-Rookies
Fans
Memorabilia
Other
Radio
Testimonies
Where is...?
16-4 Win vs. Detroit Tigers at the Metrodome
Highlights: Bonser finally gets his first win; HR: T Hunter 2 (8, 1st inning off V Vasquez 2 on, 1 Out; 7th inning off W Ledezma 1 on, 0 Out); M Redmond (1, 7th inning off W Ledezma 0 on, 1 Out); M Cuddyer (3, 8th inning off J Mesa 2 on, 0 Out)
Record: 18-19 (4th place in Central Division)
Minnesota 12, Chi White Sox 0
By ANDREW SELIGMAN, AP Sports Writer
July 7, 2007
"
Minnesota Twins' Justin Morneau celebrates with teammates after hitting his third home run of the second game of a baseball doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, during the seventh inning Friday, July 6, 2007, in Chicago. The Twins won 12-0, after taking the first game 20-14.
CHICAGO (AP) -- Justin Morneau took a swing at history, but settled for a career game.
Morneau homered three times in the second game of a day-night doubleheader and the Minnesota Twins capped a huge day on offense by routing the Chicago White Sox 12-0 on Friday night.
"Those are just days you put in your memory bank and don't expect them to happen," Morneau said.
Morneau became the fourth Twins player to hit three home runs in a game, and Minnesota hit six in all in the nightcap to complete the sweep. The Twins won 20-14 in the opener.
It was the most runs scored by one team in a doubleheader since the Boston Red Sox totaled 35 in a sweep of the Philadelphia Athletics on July 4, 1939, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Morneau hit a three-run drive in the first, a solo shot in the third and a two-run homer in the seventh, giving him 23 this year. He became the first Twins player to hit three in a game since Tony Oliva against Kansas City on July 3, 1973, and he joined a group that also includes Bob Allison and Harmon Killebrew.
Morneau had a shot at tying the major league record in the eighth but fell one homer shy. He unleashed a big swing and missed the first offering, then flied to left five pitches later.
"He just missed that last one," teammate Torii Hunter said. "He popped it up, hit it high. We hadn't had anyone do that in 34 years, Tony Oliva, so that's a big honor for him."
Morneau watched a video of his hits from last season on Thursday night and responded with his first three-homer game at any level.
"I was trying to get something good in my mind before I went to bed, and it ended up working," he said.
Hunter added a solo shot in the third after going deep in the early game, Michael Cuddyer hit a solo homer in the fifth and pinch-hitter Jeff Cirillo had a three-run homer in the seventh.
That came after a day game that featured more runs than any contest in more than eight years. The 34 runs were the most since May 19, 1999, when Cincinnati beat Colorado 24-12, according to Elias.
Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan, right, celebrates with catcher Joe Mauer after the Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 12-0 in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Friday, July 6, 2007, in Chicago. The Twins beat the White Sox 20-14 in the first game.
But a major scare tempered the good vibe for Minnesota.
Twins catcher Mike Redmond sustained a bloody gash on his head after Chicago's Jim Thome accidentally hit him in the head with his bat in the first inning of the second game.
Thome fouled off a pitch and lost control of the bat on the backswing, sending it flying into the right side of Redmond's helmet. Redmond took seven stitches at the ballpark but said he's fine.
Designated hitter Joe Mauer went in to catch for the Twins, meaning starting pitcher Matt Garza became the first pitcher to hit in an American League game since Boston's Hipolito Pichardo at Seattle on July 31, 2000.
Garza (1-0) pitched six shutout innings, allowing five hits and three walks while striking out six in his first start and second appearance this season since being called up from Triple-A Rochester.
Gavin Floyd (0-1) allowed six runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings. He also walked four in his first appearance for the White Sox. Acquired from Philadelphia in the Freddy Garcia trade last December, Floyd was called up from Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.
"It was hard to watch, hard to feel that way," Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said. "You can do nothing about it."
Morneau and Hunter hit consecutive shots in the third -- the third time the Twins did that this year. It was Morneau's fourth multihomer game this season and the eighth of his career.
Morneau became the fourth big league player to connect three times in a game this season, joining Houston's Carlos Lee (April 13), the Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano (June 8) and Texas' Brad Wilkerson (July 3).
It was fitting given what happened in the first game.
Minnesota Twins' Justin Morneau hits a three-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning in the second game of a baseball doubleheader Friday, July 6, 2007, in Chicago.
Hunter homered, Jason Kubel hit a grand slam, and the Twins handed Chicago's Jon Garland one of the worst beatings of his career.
The Twins scored their most runs since piling up 23 against Cleveland on June 4, 2002. The White Sox had not allowed 20 since April 2, 1998, against Texas.
Garland (6-6) tied a career high by allowing 12 runs, 11 earned. He gave up 11 hits, tying a season high, walked three and did not strike out a batter.
He did all that in just 3 1-3 innings, his earliest exit since lasting 2 2-3 innings against Detroit on Aug. 19, 2004. But that was enough time for his ERA to leap from 3.15 to 3.92.
Garland's day ended when Kubel hit the second grand slam of his career to make it 12-4 -- even though things had gotten ugly long before that.
"The result was absolutely terrible," Garland said. "I'm embarrassed by it."
Scott Baker (3-3) got the win despite allowing seven runs and nine hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked one.
Chicago set season highs for runs and hits (18). It was the most runs for the White Sox since scoring 20 against St. Louis on June 20, 2006.
"I didn't know we were going to play a football game," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.
Kubel drove in a career-high seven runs. Mauer had four hits and tied a career high with five RBIs. Hunter, Luis Castillo, Jason Bartlett and Morneau each had three hits, and Minnesota banged out 21 in all -- one shy of its season high.
Hunter delivered a highlight reel play in the third inning of the first game when the center fielder raced into the gap to snag Juan Uribe's drive to left-center. He leaped as he backhanded the ball, avoiding a collision with Kubel. ... The White Sox placed reliever Mike MacDougal on the 15-day DL with right shoulder inflammation and activated right-hander Dewon Day (sore back).
Updated on Saturday, Jul 7, 2007 1:27 am EDT
2006
2006 Tribute
2007: Johann Santana (P), Justin Morneau (1B)-homerun derby, Tori Hunter (CF), and Ron Gardenhire (asst. coach) played at (San Francisco, CA)
2006:
2005:
2004:
2003:
1993:
Kirby Puckett (CF)-MVP played at Oriole Park Camdem Yards (Baltimore, MD)
1985:
played at the Metrodome (Minneapolis, MN)
Twins History-Timeline, from Twins Official Homepage
Related Sites:
