Author: David Shama

The increased revenues include more than tickets receipts, with money coming to the Twins from sources such as suites, signage, corporate sponsorships and merchandise.  The lure of Target Field and one of baseball’s most exciting teams has transformed the Twins from a small market franchise to a mid-level one.

The term small market is associated with teams from smaller population areas and more minimal revenues compared to the “haves” of baseball such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Phillies, Dodgers and Giants.  But good ball clubs and extraordinary stadiums have made teams like the Cardinals and Mariners deserving of the mid-level tag.

The Twins have joined that club.  Their payroll was approximately $65 million in 2009 but seems likely to approach $100 million in 2010.  Never has the franchise’s new found swagger (and deeper pockets) seemed more apparent than earlier this month when the Twins signed Joe Mauer to a new eight year contract for $184 million, the fourth richest in baseball history.  (The team payroll was about $15 million in 2000, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts Website).

Without Target Field, the sports marketing source said the Boston Red Sox public address announcer next year would be announcing, “Now batting, catcher Joe Mauer.”

The source believes that even if owner Carl Pohlad were still alive, the Twins would have signed Mauer to that franchise record deal.  Pohlad didn’t become a billionaire by being careless with money but the opinion is he would have been comfortable with the deal because of the franchise’s resurgent revenues (the club isn’t announcing budget projections).

The front office’s willingness to expand the payroll even further will be tested in the immediate years ahead.  The size of the Mauer contract means 20 percent or more could be tied up in one player.  But the Twins raised ticket prices and demand for tickets when they left the Metrodome after last season.  Who is to say they can’t even build on this year’s revenues?

The Twins’ on-field product could be outstanding for years to come.  The team has a nucleus of exceptional players under 30 years old including Mauer, first baseman Justin Morneau, shortstop J.J. Hardy, center fielder Denard Span, designated hitter Jason Kubel and pitchers Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey.  And the organization has been impressively stockpiling promising players in its minor league organization.  Last year the Twins signed one of the Caribbean’s most talented prospects in shortstop Miguel Sano and maybe the best prospect in Europe when they brought German outfielder Max Kepler into the organization.  Minor leaguers who could help more immediately include highly regarded center fielders Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks, and catcher Wilson Ramos who one day may ease the move of Mauer to third base or first base.

This is not commissioner Bud Selig’s contraction Twins.

The next big Twins contract could be first baseman Justin Morneau, but then again, maybe not.  Morneau’s six year deal runs through 2013 and is worth $80 million, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts.  The Twins first baseman, who will be 29 in May, has some injury history and his body may not be as durable as hoped.

Last year Morneau’s back injury didn’t allow him to play in the final weeks of the team’s drive for the Central Division championship.  He’s struggled with his stroke in spring training, hitting .171.  By 2013 the Twins front office will certainly know if the 32-year-old Morneau is worth a mega contract.

Kevin Noreen from Minnesota Transitions Charter school has been named the state’s Mr. Basketball for 2010.  The 6-10 power forward helped his team to the Class 1A state title last week.  He is the state’s all-time leading scorer with 4,086 points, and as a senior averaged 38.6 points, 16.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 3.9 steals and 3.2 blocks. The announcement of Noreen’s honor was made yesterday by Mr. Basketball chair Ken Lien and his committee.

Braham’s Isaiah Dahlman has been a “spectator” in Michigan State’s four NCAA tournament games, playing briefly in only one game.  The senior guard, though, will have the best seat in Lucas Oil Stadium (on the bench) when his Spartans make their second consecutive Final Four appearance on Saturday.

College basketball has been slowed to a crawl by the TV enforced timeouts and all the timeouts called by coaches.  At best, viewers see game action for about four minutes before a series of commercials streams across the screen.  At worst, there’s a timeout within the first minute of a half, followed by another team timeout and then the TV timeout.  A beautiful game that once offered several minutes of continuous play has almost become programming that is secondary to commercials.  Suggest performing your Pilates exercises, or write memoirs during the constant interruption of basketball.

Eden Prairie’s Ryan Wittman, Cornell’s Ivy League Player of the year, has range and accuracy on his jump shot.  He might be a second round pick in this June’s NBA draft.

The Big Ten Network will offer the most comprehensive coverage of Big Ten spring football with programming beginning April 14 and continuing through April 28.  Coverage consists of studio shows and televising six spring games.

Those who follow college hockey have to wonder if the next men’s power coach to be hired will be Wisconsin women’s coach Mark Johnson whose father Bob coached at Minneapolis Roosevelt High School and built the Badgers men’s program into one of the best.

The Wild is 15-4-0 when Mikko Koivu has two assists in a game as he did on Monday night in the team’s 3-2 win over Los Angeles.  His 48 assists and 68 points this season are new career highs.

Owen Nolan is now tied for 98^th place (with Peter Forsberg) on the NHL’s all-time scoring list with 885 points.  His 155 power play goals ranks one behind Mike Modano for fifth place on the NHL active player list.

“Black Out Breast Cancer” will be the theme on Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center when the Minnesota Swarm host a game against the Edmonton Rush.  Swarm players will wear pink and black uniforms, and pink helmets.  A helmet auction will generate revenues for charity.  More at https://www.mnswarm.com/news/news.asp?news_id=699

In a response to civic pride, a sportswriter thrust out his chest on Saturday as he approached the entrance to the Twins’ new palace in downtown Minneapolis.  Target Field is a winner that will have Minnesotans feeling good about their ballpark and themselves for years to come.

The new stadium debuted with a college ball game on Saturday when Louisiana Tech and the Gophers abandoned the Metrodome for one day in their Friday, Saturday and Sunday weekend series.  An “open house” crowd of over 37,000 meandered in and out to see the stadium and watch outdoor baseball in the place the Twins will play two exhibition games this Friday and Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The game was a sideshow to the $545 million facility.  Yes, many fans watched baseball being played on real grass and under gray skies during a day when temps rose to 50 degrees, but they mostly came to gawk at the state-of-the-art 39,504 seat ballpark and enjoy its amenities.

This was a test run for fans and the Twins who deliberately limited attendance so as not to overwhelm the operation.  Before, during and after the game fans came to see the new stadium, and most no doubt said the playground at 1 Twins Way in the historic Warehouse District exceeded their expectations.

The sportswriter with the puffed out chest had avoided traffic by entering downtown from 35W where traffic flowed as on a normal Saturday.  He parked on the street, more than eight blocks from Target Field, but the price was right and the traffic escape route flawless.

Approaching the stadium near Gate 29 is an opportunity to both appreciate the ballpark’s exterior beauty (Minnesota limestone) and reflect for a moment on local baseball history.  The Minnesota Ballpark History Monument along the 7^th Street side of Target Plaza pays tribute to old baseball stadiums here including Athletic Park, located where Butler Square is today and was home to the Minneapolis Millers in the late 1890’s.

The sightlines at Target Field will remind fans somewhat of Met Stadium, home to the Millers from 1956 to 1960 and the Twins from 1961 to 1981.  The new ballpark is intimate and built for baseball like the Met but with many more prime viewing seats.  Target Field’s lower bowl ranks with baseball’s best stadiums for proximity to the field.

The ballpark offers amenities that will have fans trying to decide whether to spend time in enclosed areas or outside viewing the game from their seats.  Food and drink options are everywhere you turn.  With a nod to Minnesota traditions like Lunds & Byerly’s Wildrice Soup, J.D. Hoyt’s Pork Chop on-a-Stick and Murray’s Steak Sandwiches, no one will go home hungry although wallets will be lighter.  Even a tuna sandwich is $9, while draft beer costs $7 and bottled water $4.

The seats are wide enough to fit most of us even those who have supersized a few too many meals.  The seats are comfortable, too, and combined with fresh air, a visitor on Saturday rediscovered the relaxation and charm of watching baseball outside.

When not eating, drinking or watching baseball, fans can stop in the team’s merchandise shops.  There they may buy items like custom fit Twins caps for $35 or Twins shirts for $26.

The concourses are wide and aesthetically designed and decorated it almost feels like you’re in a department store instead of a ballpark.  Among the decor touches are images and text of Twins heroes like Harmon Killebrew.  Imaginative stadium features are everywhere including the fire pit to warm fans (located on the Budweiser Roof Deck) and the wood floor (Town Ball Tavern) that the Minneapolis Lakers once played on at the Minneapolis Armory.  The press box is named after legendary broadcaster Herb Carneal.