I'm off to the Dome right now and will be going tomorrow too... if this year is anyone's first time, it's a blast :)

Cool -- will Armando Rios be there?

Probably tomorrow morning with The Chatty Chatty Princess and The Boy. It'll give The Voice of Reason a much needed respite.

I got my tix to the home opener! I got my tix to the home opener! I got my tix to the home opener!

And the Giants won the pennant! (In 1951 or something like that).

I hope you will have new, timely merchandise (like Santana-Nathan 2008 t-shirts) available so I can order now what I'll wear on April 8.

Now to get tix to a Red Sox game...

Mission accomplished! My Santana/Nathan '04 now has a beautiful Johan Santana autograph on the front, and the signatures of Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Silva, Joe Mays and Matthew Lecroy on the back.

DemiGoddess #1 had her picture taken with her freshly-autographed Venezuelan Flag (Johan asked her in Spanish, "Where did you get the flag?" DG #1 said, also in Spanish, "For Christmas."), and gave her name to the very nice STrib photographer who was there. We'll see if she's in the paper tomorrow.

All five guys were at the same table, with Santana on the far end. As I awaited my turn with Johan, Messrs. Silva, Cuddyer, Mays and LeCroy were complaining that they were getting passed over for autographos in favor of a certain Cy Young winner. Then LeCroy said, "I know..." and he flipped over his paper name sign and wrote "Joe Mauer" on the back. I said, "I don't think they're gonna buy it." He looked genuinely disappointed.

I said to the guys on the non-Cy Young end of the table, "BatGirl sends her love to you ALL." They sayd, "Tell BatGirl that we love her RIGHT BACK!"

Then, when I finally reached Johan--who is even MORE Santana-licious in person, I must say--I said, "BatGirl sends you LOTS and LOTS of love!" And he smiled (oh, my goodness) and said, "Oh, BatGirl! La amo tambien!"

And LeCroy and Cuddyer and Mays and Silva said, "Oh, sure, lots and LOTs of love for HIM!"
Sorry fellas. Get used to it.

I'll be poppin' the old Twinsfest cherry tomorrow, and I'm very much excited by this.

The game, and all those things that contribute to it's excellence, like b.p. and pepper and infield and hot box and popcorn and peanuts and situations, and that segment on Baseball Tonight last year when Harold Reynolds went through the signs and the keys and the rubs and did you get the sign? hey! that was the best piece ever on that show, from all I've ever seen of it. Th'event itself has been the only piece that has ever interested me.

Catching a ball at a game, sure, that's fun, and the one I caught that I didn't give away (Winfield, a check swing bloop, a cherry) I toss it up and catch it, leaning back in my chair at work when I'm in a modern meeting, like McQueen in his cell, or Ginger in hers. But standing in line to have some player sign it? I don't get that... When I was a kid my mom worked at a store where Twins and other local heroes would buy their suits, back when men wore such things regularly. One day she came home with a few autographs for me, I was 10 or 11 and my addiction to baseball must have been obvious to her at that point. She was so proud, she handed me these tags that were signed, I remember one was Bert B, and another was Tommy Hall, I think. "They come in all the time!" she said, but whatever I might have said or done, I can't recall, but it must have given away that this thing she just handed to me meant nothing to me.

If there is someone who is moved by meeting players in settings other than their field of expertise, and can explain it to me, I would be happy to hear about it. For myself, it's 3 & 20 days until the Twins open up spring training, and that's worth a ripple of excitement. That's the beginning.

Bat-Girl.com? Absolutely -- good writing is always a treat, and when you're a Twins fan, this is the best place to get that with a sassy twist. TwinsFest? Ecch. For those who enjoy such things, go for it. You'll see me on Opening Day, or maybe at a Spring Training game, but not at this contrived event.

Best to all,
Hart

Dearest Batgirl,

If you get in Mauer's line, you should tell him that you are Batgirl and that pin was the campaign idea from your site. Oh, and also that one of your batlings that he met on Thursday night is who he should marry ;)

-Stacy

Dear Hart,

Sometimes, it's just fun to be up close and exchange a few words with a person whose work you've admired from afar. I felt that way the first time I met the novelist Anne Ursu, for example. I felt that way when I met Tony Oliva, and the fact that we have a passing acquaintance and he knows me by name is kind of nice. I shook Muhammad Ali's hand at the airport once. (Of course, he was The Greatest and there was noplace that was outside of his "field of expertise," to use your words.)

I trust that all of us have lives that are in varying degree interesting, complex, fun, maddening and -- for the most part -- pretty darn good. I was at TwinsFest for a bit tonight and it's simply cool to see so many people -- so many baseball fans and some baseball players -- in a happy, relaxed state of mind.

Your take on TwinsFest and the fan/player thing is different than mine. I trust, owing to your kind words about Batgirl, that you wouldn't be a bad guy with whom to share a beer. However, I wouldn't begin to try to explain fan/player to you. We all have our blind spots. The only thing I'd ask you is not to judge.

Best, RD

My wife and I went to our first Twins Fest and are very glad we did. We tried and were unable to get autographs, but my wife was tickled pink that she got to shake Jacque Jones' hand as he walked up to the autograph table and we got some nice pictures of the players as they signed.

Despite striking out on the autographs, we were able to get pictures taken with Kent Hrbek, Rod Carew and Jacque Jones. All were quite friendly, especially Rod Carew who can only be described as a gentleman. I asked him if Tony Olivia was finally going to get into the HOF. Mr. Carew said that he hoped so and that he and Harmon Killebrew were making phone calls to lobby for it.

Other observations:
- JC Romero looks like he wears makeup
- Joe Mauer is freakin' huge
- Michael Cuddyer is even bigger
- Brad Radke looks like he needs to eat more
- Rick Anderson is darn friendly
- Joe Nathan smiles constantly
- Matthew LeCroy laughs constantly

If you haven't yet, get out to this event. It's definitely worth the trip.

I did see a Batling with a Santana/Nathan shirt on, which at that moment, I hope no one was wondering what was wrong with me. It was awesome!

If anyone gets the chance to sit and listen to the 'CCO Q&A, do it! TR was being interviewed tonight, and I never quite knew how much of a genuius that guy is.

How are the lines at TwinsFest?

I'm sure I would be thrilled to spend a minute with Johan Santana, but the thought of waiting in a long line to get that minute sort of kills the appeal for me. Besides, I'd feel shy and probably get all flustered and later beat myself up for being a doof. But it makes me feel happy to read that Johan and the rest of them are apparently very familiar with Batgirl and her site. That just totally rocks my world.

The Twins need to give Batgirl clubhouse access or a press pass, so she can regularly talk with these guys. Maybe even invite them to Batling functions. I see Batgirl mugs and posters in the Twins clubhouse, Batgirl clothes on LeCroy's new baby. It has to happen. Somebody make it so!

To add to Andy's list-

-Lyle is a total meterosexual
-I could not tell the three Mauer brothers apart (though I only saw Jake and Billy). I think Jake's sideburns are growing in faster than Joe's.

Frightwig - The lines for the autographs are insane, at least for the premier players. I think you've got to get in them at least an hour before the group's posted time to have a real shot at getting something signed.

The lines for getting a picture taken with a player/former player were much more reasonable - at least they were on Friday night.

And don't be flustered or worry about what you'll say; they all seemed pretty nice.

off topic, but I have to make a confession.

I've seen the Nike athletic wear ad with Ben Roethlisberger, Brian Urlacher, and Carlos Beltran about 20 times since it debuted, and only on the 20th run did I notice that Torii Hunter is in it too. He's the one with the black Bono glasses on.

*shame*

Miraclegal suggests that Bat-girl pick up a copy of the latest issue of Cosmo. There is an article on how the shape of your guy's bumm reveals his personality. With Bat-girl having looked at the Twins rears up close and personal at Twinsfest, Miraclegal this this will make for some interesting comments in a future Bat-girl post.

Went Sat. morning to the fest at 8;30 their was lines to get into the Dome. If you want autographs plan ahead. Otherwise a good time. I had a few comments about my "Sit Down Bitch" hooded sweatshirt from a few but NO batlings were seen? Hmmmm....Off topic...Anyone know how to get the Twins Song for a ringtone for my cell phone? Thanks Iwazzabadboy

Went to the 'Fest this morning. I got up close and personal with Torii. First I was one of the very last autographs he signed and then a little later I was sitting by one of the food stands and he came out a nearby door and walked past me. I yelled out, "hello, Torii." He smiled and said hello back. Now that I'm writing it, it doesn't seem like it was that big of a deal, but for me it sure was.

I had fun there, but it did take a long time. I might recommend bringing along bottled water and a snack. It costs too much to buy the dome food after spending the money on autographs. Oh, and wear good shoes. Concrete is not pleasant on the toes.

TwinsGoddess:

Could this be the Demigoddess you speak of?-

http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news43/1twin0129.l.jpg

I shall have more later - I'm off to eat my birthday dinner - I had a blast -
reason for the missing good Doctor Morneau

First baseman Justin Morneau was unable to attend this weekend's TwinsFest because he is suffering from the chicken pox. It's been a rough offseason for Morneau, who had appendicitis earlier this winter.

Much love -
Wonder Woman

Hopefully the Doc can do something about this case of the pox. Poor guy. :(

SoftballSuperstar, I think your experience was awesome! That is def. something I would be bragging about for months, so keep it up! lol:)

BG! We are awaiting a full report from today!

Dearest TwinsGoddess,

Batgirl does love it when her Batlings are in the local media. Please keep up the good work.

Love,
Batgirl

My poor Morneau. I will take good care of him. I had the chicken pox when I was 4...so I should be ok. Poor guy.

Did anyone else hear this wonderful campaign news?:

"On Sunday, Santana will head to New York to receive the hardware for last season's efforts. Twins closer Joe Nathan will formally present him with the Cy Young Award trophy."

That seems completely appropriate, that the VP would present the award to our own president. Good news!!

Thanks everyone for your Twinsfest stories. I can't make it this year and look forward to hearing more of them.

I was at Twinsfest on Sat. and got my pic taken with Brad Radke (good lookin' and tan) Matty LeCroy (great grin and charming) Gardy (so friendly) Bert Blyleven (endlessly entertaining) and the famous Tony O. (WOW!) The players were so friendly and appeared genuinely happy to meet with their fans. Ahhh, 20 more days until pitchers and catchers report......I can hardly wait!

Leeewww was very friendly, especially to my mom, which made her day. I noticed that practically every female that got in line for his picture said "Oooh, he's soooo cute!" Which he is.