I love the article about Dougie, almost makes me want to root for the Royals.

and poor Say Rah! she's going to be crushed about Rivas.

It's hard to not miss ol' Dougie, isn't it? Especially when he's being rational, which he didn't seem to be much of the time in his last days with the Twins (or with the Red Sox, for that matter). And AJ deserves his success, even with the evil Pale Hose, so good for him. But, as for the rest - well, best of luck to you, thanks for all the fun times, but I think we'll be just dandy without you. Rivas looks kinda sad in that Rays uni, doesn't he? But then, of course, who wouldn't? And as for Guzie - man, the Nats have got to be beating their heads against the wall about that signing. (The JJ interview is enlightening - interesting how Mient speaks so highly of TR, and Jacque has nothing good to say...)

I love you, Doug. I love you, AJ. I love you, JJ. *sigh* I miss them. Always will. Good luck to all of them this season. (To Doug and AJ, just not against us! :D)

I miss Dougie and JJ beyond words. I love how Dougie never stops talking. He's so amusing. It's so weird to see all of these guys with different teams. :(

You NEVER get over your first love - baseball or otherwise - and Dougie, you still warm my heart. I don't care what team you play for as long as you play and talk like my Dougie Defense.

*SIGH* I miss ya.. Thanks for sharing all the info BG!

AJ - WhiteSox
Dougie - Royals via RedSox & Mets
Luis - Devil Rays
Guzzie - Nationals (D)
Koskie - Brewers via Jays
Jones - Cubs
Dusty Kielmore - Athletics/RedSox via Rockies
Ortiz - RedSox
Guardado - Mariners?

Wow, there's not much left from that 2001 ALCS team... it makes me kind of sentimental.

At least Torii is still out in center, instead of wearing Yankee stripes.

Dougie- Dougie - Love ya! I'm hoping to see you in KC in July =)
I'm excited to hear good news about Joe Mays- that will make my sister very happy
JJ - little disappointed in some of his comments but oh well -
AJ well - my mom still loves you -
Guzy and Louis -yeah I don't know

Happy St.Patick's Day to all the Irish and those who are Irish for a day =p

Much Love
Wonder Woman

all my best wishes to Jacque & Doug.

Wow. All those players Kurtis listed now gone. They are the reason I started following baseball.

That's my Dougie...

God, I miss that man.

There will be multiple road trips to KC for me this year, that's for sure.

Doug's a class act. I wish him the best in KC.

It's sad of Kirby's passing I saw on the news yesterday a cool painting of Kirby is being made, not sure it might be for the Twins.
It was sure great to watch him play always so excited and giving 100%, thanks Kirby for the memories.
http://www.excerptsofinri.com/mark_sanislo_01.html

..

Ah, all my old buddy's floating around out there in different spots. Such is the life of a baseball player. Ya just have to wish them well.

But, there's always another to step into their place. These guys down here now are super too! And some younger guys I'm just getting familiar with.

Saw a couple of players do really nice things for fans today, it's just unreal. So much fun to take all this in. Everyone should try to get to spring training at least once, and more importantly, get here not for the games, but the practices. You can watch a game anytime.

My man crush for Dougie Baseball has not diminished with time. Still root for him and wish him well.

I still wish he was a Twin but what can you do.

Bubble and Babs, I'm with you.

After all that's transpired, Doug still makes me feel all tingly.

I fully intend to bring an I (heart) 16 sign to the Dome when the Royals come to visit.

TwinsGoddess,
Then you can root for a Kubel too. He stole Dougie baseball's number in the offseason.

Ahhhh...but of course Doug is happy and the love is bountiful. The season has yet to begin, and hope springs eternal in KC. But when the Royals are 20 games under .500 and the pitching staff has a combined ERA of 7.23, and Doug is hitting .217, you can bet the good will won't flow quite as freely from Mr. Baseball's tongue. He was all smiles and happiness at the beginning of last season with the Mets, as I recall...

It's nice to hear him say so much positive stuff about the Twins, though. Pity he didn't seem to appreciate it all that much two years ago.

But I miss him, too. I miss what he was once, the same way I missed what Knobby had been in the beginning when he went sour at the end.

Does anyone out there know all who have worn #16 for the Twins?

Memory seems to go Frank Viola, Dougie Baseball, and after this season I'm hoping Jason Kubel will be just as memorable.

Everyone in between I think has been erased from memory.

I don't blame JJ for being a little hurt by the Twins. We are a small market team who can't afford a lot of big contracts but he did put a lot into his time in MN. Don't forget last year when he was nominated by his teammates for all of his work in the community. I respect him a lot and hope he knows that MN loves and misses him.....
I miss the other guys too, and wish them all well this year. Especially Koskie...hope he can stay healthy!!!

I don't *know* who has worn 16 for the Twins, but I can look it up.

Bert Cueto - RHP - 1961
Johnny Goryl - 2B/3B - 1962
Joe Nossek - OF - 1964
Jerry Kindall - 2B - 1964-65
Ted Uhlaneder - OF - 1966
Frank Kostro - OF - 1967
Ron Perranoski - LHP - 1968-71
Bob Gebhard - RHP - 1971-72
Danny Fife - RHP - 1973-74
Eddie Bane - LHP - 1975
Tom Kelly (yeah, *that* Tom Kelly) - 1B - 1975
Butch Wynegar - C - 1976-82
Frank Viola - LHP - 1982-89
Bob Kipper - LHP - 1992
Derek Parks - C - 1992-94
Dan Masteller - 1B - 1995
Dan Serafini - LHP - 1996-98
Midre Cummings - OF - 1999-2000
Doug Mientkiewicz - 1B - 2001-2004
Glenn Williams - 3B - 2005

Don't know if that's a complete list, but it's what baseball-almanac.com had to offer.

-ex

AJ is positively yummy with that long hair. As much as I love Mr. Mauer, AJ can come back to home plate anytime and I'll renew those Season Tickets just to sit behind him.
And a family guy too - who'd a thunk it?

WOW
Thanks Ex

Oh no, my baby Luis is hurt. He'll be better and come back to shock us all. I love you Louie and always will. Hugs and kisses

Awww....I can't get over AJ. Even though he's a BItch Sock.

Did all of you catch Ball Wonk's Batgirl allusion in his most recent post?

"In fact, it's even possible that Malek himself is planting the stories about how he eats puppies and hates Jews and steals money in order to make baseball's owners think he's one of them and to discredit the other bidders."

You know, kind of like slipping in a little Shakespeare reference... to show how literate you are!

The list is complete.

I'll always have a soft spot for AJ, Dougie Baseball, Koskie, Papi, and Eddie. Though I attended Game 5 of that ALDS in Oakland, and Eddie damn near made my heart stop. I forgave him as soon as the beer on my shirt dried (from rowdy and probably dangerous A's fans)

One point about Luis. He was fighting for a UTILITY INFIELDER spot with the freaking DEVIL RAYS and he was even money at best to even make the roster.

Needless to say, I am really really excited about Luis Castillo.

*blinks*

Wow, I must've been way out of it one week. When did Rivas go to Tampa Bay?

He was with the Rays for a while now.

i hate aj more than ever. when i see him on the sox now, i still have a hard time understanding that he was one of my favorites. old koskie though, he'll always be my fav, miss that old canuck.

I miss every one of them but A.J. That guy was/is/and will always be a jerk. Sorry guys. Plus he looks like a young Bill Murry.

No need to apologize, S.J. I agree with you and Karl Re: A.J.

I have a soft spot for AJ - it's a peat bog in Ireland...

I can *kinda* see the "young Bill Murray" comparison, except that 20-25 years ago, Bill Murray's already-fading hair was brown and his skin looked moderately less weathered. I think AJ looks more like an older version of Ben Seaver from Growing Pains.

Batgirl you hit the nail on the head with Dougie.
"All of that came out in one breath. Effortlessly. With Mientkiewicz, words wash past like a steady breeze. And keep coming."
I miss him. I guess I miss all of them. Best of luck to all.

Oh one more thing. I think I liked AJ because it always seemed like he was a bit shall we say Psycho. If you look at my family and dog you would understand my love for this type.

Reading the A.J. piece last week, it dawned on me that Terry Ryan might well have pulled off the best trade in modern baseball history: Pierzynski for Nathan AND Liriano AND Bonser.

Think about this. A catcher who's good but not great, replaced by a younger, cheaper and better player, who brings back one of the best five closers in the game, a potential ace starter and another guy who could be a mid-rotation starter, both of whom make near the minimum. I guess it depends on what Liriano and Boof grow up to me, but... wow.

And considering how bad A.J. was for the Giants, I think SF might have "lost" that deal more abjectly than in any other trade of the last 30-40 years. Yet Brian Sabean still has a pretty good rep, while Ryan has a lot of critics.

As long as we're all waxing nostalgic for Dougie, here's my favorite moment; does anyone else recall it? I believe it was at the Dome and the hated Visitors had a rally going. Anyway, somebody had just gotten on first, and Dougie was watching the tail end of the play somewhere else in the infield. DM was attempting to show his frustration by spiking the ball into his mitt ...and MISSED. Off toward the camera well it rolled as Mr. Baseball scampered after it.
I don't recall if it cost the Twins a run. Anyone? Anyone?

Holy Castros, Batgirl ...

Cuba beat the DR to make it to the WBC Final. Wow what a powerful message they have sent to the world of baseball.

How about Kirby's alma mater Bradley making the Sweet Sixteen?

Insider or any other spring training regulars,
I have two relatives heading to spring training next week.
Any advice on other things to do in the Ft. Myers area besides the spring training games?
Also, what time do the Twins usually practice? Any advice will be helpful for these 1st time spring training partakers.
Thanks!