Hardly Identical Twins

Sometimes it's fun to step into the WayBack machine and look at how things have changed (or stayed the same). Just over a year ago, I wrote a little article about the Minnesota Twins and why you should cheer for them in the playoffs.
The Twins will again face the Yankees in the first round. There are a few other similarities to last year, but so much has changed it's worth taking a look at.

Let's take a moment and review what I wrote...it'll be like a Page 3 time capsule!

I'll give you a line from last year's article and then comment in [brackets].
Here we go:

"...they're the hottest team in baseball" [Not this year, we limped into the playoffs like a one legged puppy named Lil Brudder]

"...they've got guys named Pierzynski and Mientkiewicz" [Apparently having a cool name doesn't protect you from losing your job to a younger, cheaper, and seemingly more talented player. (I'm not referring to Henry Blanco by the way). Oh and a long name also won't undo an abrasive attitude, according to what I have read and heard]

"... they also have Denny Hocking" [Honestly, it's too bad we don't have Denny Hocking; talk about versatility]

"Cheer for them because Johan Santana could be the 2004 AL Cy Young Award winner, and you can be the one to tell your friends about him." [Ok, here's where I get to pretend like I'm some sort of ace prognosticator. Seriously, did anyone take me up on this and tell your friends? This was written over a year ago. Is there any reason that Page 3 shouldn't be a premium content website? Big props to Peter Gammons, I heard him say years ago that Johan had some of the best stuff around.]

"...because Eddie Guardado has a knack for getting people out and I'm not sure anyone knows why." [Probably still true today, but Eddie is not on our team anymore. Plus, he's injured.]

"...LaTroy Hawkins has been solid all year." [Is there anyone still ON this team anymore? It's amazing that the Twins could win the division again this year. Even cooler though, we actually got compensatory picks for losing Guardado and Hawkins. Are Terry Ryan and his staff the best in baseball? It's hard to argue against.]

"...Cheer for the Twins because Brad Radke was practically born on Page 3 grounds." [Radke was born very near the physical location of Page 3's longtime "home" computer. Page 3 has since moved, yet Radke is having one of his best seasons to date. There's probably no connection]

"...Astroturf is tough to play on for 81 games" [The Metrodome is equipped with new "field turf" this season, but in a strange twist, the Astros made the playoffs this year]

"...because they're Rivawesome." [To be quite honest, I'm not sure I could have ever proved this. Free Michael Cuddyer.]


I'd just like to close with some shout outs (non exhaustive)

Johan Santana didn't lose in the second half. Think about that.

Lew Ford gets at least a share of Most Valuable Everyday Player for the Twins. Not on opening day roster by the way. He led the team in BA and Runs.

Joe Nathan, very nice work.

Radke had good numbers all around except for W-L.

Morneau's numbers this year were incredible. The Twins haven't had a player like him in a while.

Jon recycles old articles for environmental reasons.