Someone wrote a book explaining that all you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I bring this up as a way of introducing a mid-term evaluation of the Minnesota Twins. In the spirit of early childhood education, we’ll do our grading with either an “H” (happy face), “S” (sad face), or “H/S” (combo platter).
On Sunday, the Twins played their last game before the all-star game break. On their way to finishing a 162-game schedule, they’ve already played 95 games, winning 53 and losing 42. That record has placed them in second place in the American League Central, 1.5 games behind Chicago. Overall, they have the fourth best record in the American League, while a year ago at this time the Twins were 48 and 43, six games out of first place.
Around the start of the 2008 season, Sports Headliners was part of a chorus that predicted a .500 season. So far the chorus has been off key. Give the Twins a hallelujah and happy face for their record.
It’s a little early in his career, and construction costs are increasing, but with a small amount of hyperbole we suggest building a monument to Ron Gardenhire at the new ballpark. Building a monument for a manager is unusual; constructing one for a pitching coach might stretch the imagination of a kindergartner.
But go ahead. Build monuments to both Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson. The two are reincarnated country doctors who saved lives and patched up cowboys in the old west with nothing more than clean bandages and bad whiskey. They’ve taken a team with five or six new positional players and a rebuilt starting pitching staff, and patched those pieces with other odds and ends, and maneuvered the group into contention (so far) for a division title. H+ for Gardy and Andy.
Since last year management has been busy sending players in and out of town with trades, recalling players from the minor leagues, plus free agent acquisitions, and signing Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer and Joe Nathan to contract extensions. For its collective work, we’ll give management a combo rating, “H/S.”