Bat-Girl!!! My dad is recording the locker celebrations for me when I come home for thanksgiving. I am thinking I will wear my Punto jersey around campus tomorrow, maybe run around Fenway for a while and mock the Green monster, terrorize the sad red sox fans...

BOOF!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mlb.com has been doing this clincher thing where they let fans download the clinching game for free. They've got the Mets and Tigers (in fact it said "Tigers clinch AL central" but they've since fixed it) up there. I'm sure the Twins will follow.

Though, I don't know whether it would show the celebration afterward, either.

It was just a lot of champagne being sprayed around and lots of giggling and we didn't hear a word because our son immediately called from DC.

Batgirl, keep hope alive, indeed. Thanks for bringing a tear to my eye (and, I mean that in a good, sentimental kinda way).

Amen, sister! This is a team in the best sense of the term. And you have painted a picture of Team as picturesque as any out there. May BabyBoof never tire of your stories of this Team of Teams.

I can't wait to see the banner hanging soon at St. Olaf's Church downtown: Vincite Gemini!

you have just expressed for me all the feelings i have been feeling but could not express myself.

and for that, batgirl, i thank you.

awwww, you made me cry again. :)

Beautifully put, BG.

The temptation might be to think about how all the stars had to align just right to allow this sort of magical season to come to be, but in fact this group worked their collective asses off and earned... no, TOOK... a spot in the playoffs.

So many guys stepped up to fill their respective roles when their numbers were called. No way to tell how this season will end, but anyone who says this team "can't" win it all or dares to bet against them, is a fool.

So where should I watch the road playoff games?

I love this team. :-)

This was so beautiful tonight. So beautiful. I still can't quite believe we're sitting here and looking at our lads dousing themselves in celebratory bubbly and beer, thinking back on the days of sucking back in April and May, and knowing that we could be seeing another similar party a week from now. Who woulda thunk, even amongst the most faithful of Twins fans, that we would be here now? That Reusse would be writing positive, reminiscent columns, that even Bitch Sox columnists were ready to bow out before it was a Sure Thing? I love it. Love love love it.
Congrats to Torii, to the Doc, to Boof, to everyone. Thanks for everything tonight (even though I don't know how much sleep I'll get now, heh).

BOOOOOOOOOOOF!!! And Chairman! And Good Doctor! And LNP! And Bart! And Radke, and, and, and....

Oh Lord. Oh, holy mother of God. I read this and felt my pulse start racing and my breath is shallow and all I want to do is yell "HELL YES!! THAT'S IT!!!" at the top of my lungs. If that's obscene, then it's obscene.

There's nothing more to add. BG, thank you.

(Oh, except that during his wide-eyed, big-shiny-grin interview on FSN, Matt Garza TOTALLY dropped the F-bomb, realized his mistake instantly and attempted to change it mid-word into 'freakin' awesome, but to no avail.)

And all I have to say is, who the fuck cares?

who has tix to the ALDS? oh. i do.

was at the game tonight, freakin' awesome.

Sitting here watching SportsCenter and thinking about the contrast between what must be going through the minds of all the kids on this team... and a guy like Nevin, 12 years in the Show and no playoffs. A month ago, he's wallowing in the muck with the Cubs. Now, he's popping champagne. Then there's Rondell White... what he must be thinking now after being a human punch-line through half a season before finding his groove the last couple months. So many sidebars to this story.

Yes can someone please put the postgame festivites on YouTube or something for us out of towners? THat would be wonderful. I can't wait to take the division. I see so many AL/NL east shirts around campus, I want to buy a 2006 AL central champs Tshirt to wear to school as well!

http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/story?page=mvptracker060912
Morneau took the lead last week. New Poll this week. VOTE MORNEAU! for the final week of the season!

I have to say that that final montage they put together of the Twins season - thus far - was HOT and THAT is what I would like to see on YouTube. Whenver I was feeling a bit down that would TOTALLY lift me out of the abyss.

What truly beautiful thing we have in this baseball team.

The only thing I can say is OMGWTFBBQ.

My gosh. This team is so freakin' amazing. Matt Garza said it best: "This is freakin' awesome!" Yep. I can't think of anything better.

This season has just been so, I'll say it again, MAGICAL. Just amazing and spectacular and magical and just yeah. There's really no other words for it.

The smiles on the faces of the team during the game....Radke pulling out the goggles in the 9th....Kedar's 30th.....Justin's 34th.....the laughing and champagne flying afterwards.....all of it. Just freakin' awesome.

Let's go get that division, boys! Like Kedar said, "It ain't over yet!"

I'll end this with what Lew was yelling as he poured champagne on Bartlett:

"WHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

wait i wanna see a montage!!!!

someone get that on youtube, stat.

well said batgirl. i cried too.
a cool thing about the post game celebration was that every time roy or ron asked a player about their season, they started talking about the other guys and how they all contributed. what a great bunch of guys!
i'm pretty darn excited about the playoff tickets my best buddy baseball betty scored for us! when they win the world series in game 6 it will be on my birthday!!

I called my dad shortly after Hunter's 30th and a little before Moreneau's 34th.

I had never heard him so excited. We've got our tickets for next week ready to go. And I can't believe it's going to happen.

...Honestly! I don't know how to say it.

I'm so wearing my Twins shirt around campus tomorrow.

Thanks for a great post, BG. You put into words what I've been feeling for the past couple of months. I'm so overwhelmed with happiness for our boys.

I watched FSN's take on the win. My only complaint is that one of the analysts gave us crap for only getting 18,000 people out to the Dome tonight to see the clincher. Psh. Whatever.

YES!!! THE MONTAGE!!! It was everything!! It was everything and more! My best baseball friend in all the world and I watched it and said, "Oh!! Remember that!? We were there! We saw that!! Oh and that! THAT!! AND THERE'S AJ STRIKING OUT!!! And Smell em!! And the Kubel grand slam!!"

Someone get the montage!!

Congrats to the Twins on their playoff-clinch tonight. I wrote on these same pages back in April or so that I thought my beloved Indians would win 90.

Most of us in the Wigwam are pulling for Minnie to overtake Detroit.

The plus side to this? The snarky Ozzie Guillen starts golfing earlier this year than last.

Again, congrats to the org. and their fans on a great season.

Wait... one more thing.

This is our state. This is our team. And this is TWINS TERRITORY!

"I'm so wearing my Twins shirt around campus tomorrow." ME TOO!!

I'M SO EXCITED!!

I think I am just going to camp here and read all the nice things my fellow fans are saying because it's the only way to wind down on a night this cool.

Senorita Batgirl,

May I suggest switching over to MLB.tv for the Twins'AL Central clinching post-game celebration. Usually the streaming cuts off as soon as the game ends, but today it kept broadcasting for a solid 20 minutes.

Sinceramente,
V. Rivas

Oh My God!

I was under the bubble for what was probably the 100th time of my life ( I live outstate so we country folks only make a few games a year) and this might just be the single most satisfying victory I have witnessed live...more so than the victory over they Evil Empire circa 1997 when the Home Nine chased Doc "Whats that under your nose?" Gooden after 1/3 of an inning by scoring 9 runs in the bottom of the first (including an inside the park homer by Roberto Kelly)...even more so than the Comeback Victory over the Evil Empire in April this year when the Good Doctor perfromed the most intricate of surgeries...coaxing a 2-run base hit off of Mariano Rivera, thereby castrating him and his magic power in the ninth...I truly consider myself lucky to have been in the presence of such unbridled joy and witness to such testicular fortitude. Robert Bly would be giddy with gesticulations viewing "Iron John" Bonser and his statement that we have a #2 starter and he goes by Boof.

I was there! I still can't believe what happened. We had a (sort of) Curtin call and every thing.

Torii shaking his head after crossing home plate was priceless.
When Morneau stepped to the plate you could hear scattered "M-V-P"s, and then they (we) got it together, and then. BOOM! And all of the sudden the "M-V-P"s where really loud and the dome was buzzing. Before I knew it Nathen snagged the grounder and threw out Brown for the last out. First the dugout emptied and then all the relievers came running throwing there gloved and it was beautiful. I love baseball.

The 2006 Twins are my favs of the recent run of playoff teams. When this team took the field in April with guys named Batista, Castro, and Lohse and got off to a bad start, it seemed like it was going to be a long season. The starting pitching was mostly bad, the hitting was off, and the Tigers got off to a hot start.

Then came that magical date of June 8th when the Doc started hitting and the team starting winning. And almost didn't stop winning. I can't say I have ever seen such a run, especially by a team picked by most "people in the know" to finish 3rd behind the White Sox and Indians.

Heroes you would have never thought stepped up: Punto, taking over for Batista, flashed a Gold Glove caliber defense at 3rd. Barlett FINALLY being freed and basically has been amazing since he came back. Tyner, basically a journeyman, getting key hits all over the place. Then of course Boof all of a sudden became #2 after Johan..and a guy named Garza came up to show us why the Twins pitching will be great for years to come.

There is still 2 things left to do-win the division and bring back the World Series title to Minnesota. And watch Brad Radke and Torii Hunter get those rings they very much deserve.

Keep kicking ass Twins!!

And now, topping on the cake, getting to watch Comcast SportsNite out of Chicago and see the interviews with the Bitches :) For some reason, I don't see champagne.

Wow, I love this game, and I LOVE THIS TEAM.. LETS GET IT DONE FOR KIRBY!!!

Batgirl and friends,

Bless the child in all of us who had reason to hope, even if we never believed it would turn out this way.

Or, put another way...

AJ is a schmuck,
He owns a rubber duck.
And every time I see his face,
I'll go "YUK! YUK!"

Happily, Mr. B

Well I was sitting in Lovely Skybox Seating at the dome and as were we getting ready to leave they were showing the celebration downstairs .. guys poping corks and they were soaking each other and just hollering like crazy.. But unfortunatly I wanted to tape tonights game to see if we got any of our signs seen. I know I should be punished but I left a my Boyfriend to run the VCR and it all got screwed up.. So I was wondering if anyone one taped the game tonight and if so if they could make a copy for me? if so I will pay for the tape and I will come pick the tape up if its not to far from here (Mpls) otherwise I would pay shipping and handling.

Oh, Ross, well done!!! Would that I could have been there.

And did everyone see that woman who caught Torii's home run?! She was weeping. I'm so glad that she got it, how awesome.

35.1% Jeter

32.8% Doctor

Don't let our lads down! Vote, vote, I say!

Oh, and if I may, ::Clears throat and grabs bullhorn.::

CHICAGO BITCH SOX, YOU ARE FREE TO *SIT DOWN*!

Batgirl: ESPN motion has a little glimpse of the celebration with the Veep!

http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/index?&lpos=globalnav&lid=gn_MLB_MLB

Theres a few minutes of video highlights and post game FSN interviews in the clubhouse on ESPN.com for anyone who is interested.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260925109

Ken... get outta my head! LOL

aw, now i'm crying too (not that i'm complaining, of course), and smiling.

At the beginning of the season, one magazine predicted our beloved Twinkies would be the "best fourth place team in baseball." This has been a fantabulous season, great evening, and I concur with Mr. Garza...

This is our time!

Ahem.

Congratulations, now you know how I felt last year.

AJ, Ozzie and the boys have their rings and their memories to hold onto; may Torii & company be able to do the same after October.

Fox sports.com has some new video up.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb

Foxsports poll for MVP does't even have the good Dr. as an option but they put Dye and Ortiz on thre list and their team is out of the playoffs. Fox needs to get a clue.

Just in case you want to see Cleveland's uprising against the Bitch Sox. ;)

*NOT* FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

Eh, well, They're FOX. What do you expect? :/

More aptitude, fewer attitudes, 20th C. Ok, thanks.

BG's nicknames are better than Rup's. :p

Wow, Oakland *really* doesn't want to win the AL West, Do they?

Seattle, 10; Oakland, 9.

CA, 8; TX, 3.

After being the assist baseball ...

assiest, you mean?

oh so NOW reusse likes boof....after i listened to him all summer go on about how he "doesn't have big league stuff."

http://www.startribune.com/508/story/701496.html

i guess it's hard to hate everything when there is so much to love.

For the most awesome picture of all-time (at least, in my opinion) click the name...

This team does feel a lot like '87.

Who did we beat to go to the World Series? Detroit.

Who did we beat in the World Series? St. Louis.

May history repeat itself! Actually I could care less who we play - just win boys! And stay away from that cereal!

Batgirl - I sent you an email with details an alternative way to watch the Twins on TV from out of the TwinCites area called a Slingbox. Might be a something for you to look into.

Win Twins!!!

Does anyone one remember when Joe Morgan said the Twins were done because there were 3 teams in front of them? haha, Joe Morgan? he real real dumb baseball man

Joe Morgan is just a dumb man, period.

This is awesome. I noticed yankee and tigers hats amongst my students today, and pointed out to them that it was going to be a fun October for all of us. I got booed but it was well worth it.

For fifteen years I've had a happy place: Jack Morris, game seven.

I've gone to that happy place many times this year. We had a sucking time. The mighty Achilles was struck from the field. El Presidente had an out-of-body experience. The Cisco Kid had his Rookie of the Year stolen from him. The equipment manager even ran out of fish glue.

But our boys have heart. And the Baseball Gods love heart. More then once they have smiled down on us and The Padre has provided. We've been eating nothing but unicorn steak with sauteed seven-leaf clovers for the last four months. But here in Twins Territory we know that you better order the Humble Pie with that meal. If you don't, The Gods may just force feed you a bowl of Hubris!(tm) two outs into your Major League debut.

But friends, I've been lying to myself and to Tony Gywnn. I've tried to be humble. I said I would not be greedy. I said would be satisfied with a strong second half. I said I would be happy with a wild card. But friends, I confess to you tonight. I am not.

I want 33 for MVP. I want the Pitching Triple Crown. I want the Cy Young. I want three teammates with 100 RBI. I want the AL Central Title. My friends, I want The Ring.

And so my fellow Batlings I'm asking for just one more miracle in a season of impossibles: Brad Radke with a perfect game for a World Series sweep at home. Now *that* my friends is a happy place.

Click my name for the YouTube video of the highlight reel. Thanks to moeszyslak on the Twins mlb.com message board.

in the clinching game Justin hit # "34" . scary.

Baseball is my distraction from the sorrows and troubles of life. I needed a major distraction this summer and the Twins didn't let me down. What a magical season.

Eleven year old son Christopher: Dad, remember back in June when you said the Twins would have to play .600 baseball the rest of the way to make the playoffs? And that you said that that was highly unlikely if not impossible?
Dad: Yes, son, I remember.
Eleven year old son Christopher: They did! and They did!

That was a majestic tribute, absolutely beautiful, thanks. I will remember, and I will also make my Boofettes read this entry to keep today alive.

I got my playoff tickets, let's go!

I'm sure he reminded you in the nicest possible way, G.
Way to go, Chris!

Everyone should have an 11 year old baseball fan in their homes. It made each game, each at bat so important. And when they won last night, he was beyond happy. We let him stay up for quite a while to watch the post celebration and when we said he really had to go to bed, he insisted on taping the rest--so I know we have the montage part at least. Come on Team--do it for Christopher and Benjamin.

On the field, this Twins team was a marvel to watch, nearly every moment of the last few months. Gardy said in a postgame interview that this team was all about character, and while it helped to have the best pitcher, the best closer, the best bullpen, the best hitter, the best slugger, and the best veteran centerfielder surrounded by a bunch of B-sox-eating fish, this team is magic because of the group.

So... here's my vision of the postseason

OCT: Well, of course...
NOV: Awards sweep
DEC: BG's book ("The Days of Miracles and Wonder") is rushed out to universal acclaim and sales
JAN: Sweetcheeks re-signs for life, returning part of his salary as a contribution to the new ballpark, for which Twins promise a leaping statue in deep center
FEB: Pitchers and catchers report; Cisco es en fuego and Bradke is teaching his children to fish and to have a great deal of heart
MAR: Baby Boof is welcomed into the world

Win Twins...

Beautiful.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was bawling on my couch last night.

After looking back to where we were, and looking at where we are now... It's amazing. I love our guys.

(It's not often that we cheer for Casey Blake to hit a home run with the bases loaded, but that helped give us confidence that perhaps the Magic Number would be 1 for a brief period, and if we won, it would be 0. And so it was.)

I wish I were eloquent enough to add something profound to this collection of wonderful entries. Sadly, I'm not. But I can contribute this - anomalies like this team are why we all care about sports more than we probably should. Men like Brad Radke help us to feel our loyalties are well-placed, and incredible stories like Michael Cuddyer and Nick Punto and Jason Bartlett fill us with "when did this guy turn into such a great player?" incredulity. It's hard to blame guys like Morgan and Kruk for writing this team off; after all, didn't we all get close to that point a few months ago? But now we can see what the Twins are made of. The dedication of every member of the organization can never be questioned again (if it ever was), and any team that takes this group lightly does so at its own peril. Thanks, Twins, for everything you've done so far - but let's write a few more chapters in this particular book, shall we?

I was there, horrible cold and headache but somehow, it didn't matter. I cried while the celebration started on the field. Just magic.

Nora, I'm extremely fond of you at this moment. I have been passing out the YouTube link you posted all morning.

And I think I'm going to be singing "Crazy" all damn day... sheesh

Christopher was as happy and polite as can be- even though his first love is the Bosox he was happy for both himself and the old man. Unfortunately he was in the land o' nod at the final out

Tears of Joy! Thanks BG.

I'll be wearing my Best Twins Fan Collection for my own "Project Runway" at the office this week and the whole dang month of October with rave reviews I'm sure.

The weekend series and playoffs next week has my calendar saying I'm out for Twins Baseball. Dorkyhouse and Baseball Betty are comin to the Dome!!

Adding my thanks to Nora for that YouTube link. Loved it!

Babs, I've got "The Night Chicago Died" running through my head thanks to Mark's link to the Tribe site from last night.

I admit I'm not being terribly productive today.

I was there.

One of the most memorable nights of my life.

"Sideshow Pat and the Bullpen of Doom, Punxsutawney Phil" I woke my roomate up When I read this two lines as Ron Burgandy would say A tip of teh cap to mylady.

You summed it all up perfectly, Batgirl. I felt the same way all season. After watching the highlight montage I'm ready to cry, knowing how doomed I thought this season was back in June.

Way to make Minnesota proud, boys. Now go show the world who the best team in baseball's toughest division is.

I want to make the highlight reel a continuous loop that runs nonstop on my computer. Nora, you are the BEST.

And there is going to be some sort of Twins garb on my body at all times from here on out.

Here:
http://video.msn.com/v/us/foxsports.htm?f=33&g=5ceaa609-215f-49cf-b7fb-273e78eb404b&p=&t=m1482&rf=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb&fg=/mlb/home

They interviewed Justin, Joe and my hometown boy Joe Nathan.

I have nothing to add except my own mile-wide grin and a great big W000000000000000000T!!!!

I [heart] this team.

yeah, I was watching all those interviews last night and laughing my butt off at every time one of the poor guys got something extremely cold poured down his back..

they even stuck a bottle down the back of Nathan's jersey!!!! heh..

Anyone who has heard the chicago anouncers, you'll understand. YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOOOOOOAARD, YES! and THEY GONE!

Congratulations to all Twins fans everywhere. I'm glad that the Bitch Sox won't be joining us next week.

And now the second act begins. The Tigers also want the division, and have worked just as hard to get there. We'll see how things lie Sunday night.

And then the curtain goes up on Act Three, one week from today.

Oh boy, is this great!

The rational person would look at this team and its most improbable season and ask, "How could this possibly happen?"
The poet would look at this team and its most improbable season and answer, "How could it possibly not?"
I'm going with the poet on this one.

"I'm new to this," Bonser said. "I didn't want to do the wrong thing. I waved my cap to the fans later."

Boof - I hope soon enough that you have many more times to practice the tip of the cap =)
but you did fine last night - it was a pleasure to watch you pitch - but Wonder Mom thinks you need your hair trimmed=)

You don't need an 11 year old baseball fan in the house as long as you stay 11 years old in your heart =)

This has been a tough year for me and just those few hours at the park - or listening to game on the radio or Sundays watching from my couch - has been great therapy - I almost lost it last night after Justin hit his home run but I don't think it was time - not just yet -
I hope- I can save that BIG cry for late October =)

Whatever our fate holds - wherever the cups fall -the nutty variety or otherwise - it has been one tremendous ride - and I thank you.
Or if I had a cap - it would've been tipped last night.

Go get them boys

A world of love
Wonder Woman

Oh man. That highlights reel is just...amazing. *sniffles* Now I have to clean up and go to work.
I love my Twins.

Hey BatGirl, and all who are interested, Kare11.com has about 4 videos of the celebration. They interview LNP, the Doctor, the Chairman and Nathan...its pretty awesome.

"This one is a lot sweeter to me," Hunter said amidst the sprays of champagne in the Twins clubhouse. "The deficit we came back from, as far down as we were, nobody even expected us to even be here. But here we are."

AND...
"In May, it was kind of like, 'Do we have a chance?'" Brad Radke said. "It sure didn't seem like we did, with the way we were playing. We almost had to have that streak, to be where we are. It's a miracle, pretty much."

Only in MN will you hear "It's a miracle, pretty much."

FSN North showed the celebration and was interviewing Little Nicky Punto who, when asked about getting doused with beer or champagne, made the comment: I'm pretty little, I can just hide. (paraphrasing a bit).

Priceless!

WW, you need to have a talk with Wonder Mom... maybe sentence her to watching Bull Durham 5 times in one sitting. As Crash taught all of us, "a player on a streak has to respect the streak." No haircut for Boof!

Fashionably late, but no less emotional.
Great stuff. And thanks for all the links, folks.

JC, when I think I can't heart you more, you drop this: "wallowing in the muck with the Cubs"

...and then, you know...more Crash-isms.

I know I should consider the source, but it burns me up that ESPN hasn't updated the Twins with the little "z" next to their name for clinched playoff spot.

All will be forgiven if they are timely with the "*" for clinched best league record...

Be honest know, how many people thought the Twins would be in the playoffs after the Tigers outscored them 4,691 - 1 in that series back in April?

Or after the 11 - 0 disaster against the Tribe on Memorial Day?

Or after going 22 - 2 and having gained only 2 games on the Tigers?

Unbelievable.

Hey, I was watching the game last night, and they announced the attendance at about 18,000. On the night they clinch a reservation for October? Only 18,000? Was there something else going on in town last night that kept people away, or what? What could be bigger than pennant race baseball?

Re: attendance. I was wondering the same thing. Wasn't the Dome filled to the last row during the 87 and 91 races?

I, too, was at the game last night. Cheered loudly for Torii’s 30th, gloried in the Doctor’s dinger, screamed my head off when the guys ran out to the mound. But . . . it was when Brad walked slowly and calmly onto the field that the tears started to flow.

- sporto

In '87 it was a lot closer and there was a lot more suspense.

Now, win the Central!

On the attendance, I do think it's unfortunate that so few showed up but I'm guessing that was influenced by three things. First, I doubt the Twins usually get many advanced ticket sales for a Royals series. Second, since the "magic number" was only reduced to 2 on Sunday, it didn't exactly give a lot of people much notice to decide to walk up and buy tickets... and since the celebration was contingent on BOTH the Sox losing and the Twins winning, it was certainly no certainty that Monday would be the clincher. I honestly think it kind of snuck up on many Twins fans who probably didn't even realize the possibilities.

Finally, I think for weeks everyone has pretty much been assuming the race would come down to the WhiteSox series this weekend and that's the series that all the advanced ticket sales went to. Here's to hoping there's a Division Championship to celebrate with a full house on the weekend.

"Be honest know, how many people thought the Twins would be in the playoffs after the Tigers outscored them 4,691 - 1 in that series back in April?"

I can honestly say that at no time during the season did I ever count the Twins out of the race. I've lived too long and seen too many worms turn.

So Babs, you were watching last night, were you? So glad I was at a great meeting. Hee hee.

Sitting here at work...trying to work. Instead I'm pondering what might be going on in Bitchsoxia today....(not that I've checked or anything *g*)

I'm struck by two things...

Savor the good times when they come along then hold them in your heart. You just never know how long they'll last.

and...

Chemistry can take you places that ego cannot.

---

Mucho thanks for the links. I :heart: this team!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So many have commented so well. I just have to add Kudos to Jason Kubel--you didnt have the season that we hoped for--but you provided the spark when we needed it--the grandslam against the BoSox that started us all thinking of the impossible.

Thnx to all for the links--and to whomever said regarding the Bitch Sox: THEY GONE!!!

What a team!! What a fun bunch to root for. They sure seem like a team of destiny to me and it would be fitting if Torii got #34 this week.

DAM

"All these strange ill-fitting pieces—..."

This paragraph is why so many Twins fans are crying and applauding and cheering. This team is so unbelievably fun to cheer for. Gardy summed up their success with a description of their "character." While we do have the characters (NBP for example), character is what has made this team full of ill-fitting pieces into a winner. Someone posted yesterday, I think, that you can't hate this team unless you are the White Sox, and I have found this to be true. Even die-hard fans of other teams all seem to like the Twins--and I think there's a reason for this. They overcome the odds, they play the game the right way, and jerks never make the cut with our team. I take great pride in not having to cheer for someone like "Manny being Manny" or Bonds or, yes, even The Big Hurt. You say chemistry is overrated? Please provide a logical explanation for this team having as good a record as the Yankees!!

hrbekfan, THANK YOU.

This is a sterling example of the immeasureable things that are possible only when a team embraces one another and their own potential, relying on each other and not the meaningless opinions of those who do not believe and probably never will. It comes from knowing that the whole is always greater than the sum of the parts, and gladly accepting that they are a part of a team first, and individuals second. The respect this team shows for one another and for the game makes me burst with pride.

This is my team. How lucky I am that this is MY team!

Chemistry IS overrated- but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist, or can't be valuable. Tucked in with the chemistry are some terrific performances- the usuals, but especially the young starting pitchers that have stepped up. I think the chemistry on this club has been a contributing factor, but don't lose sight of the fact that it is a pretty good ballclub. Besides- the Yankees can hit, but their pitching is weak, and they play in a weaker division (whew- I never thought I'd write that!)

June 8, 2006. My friend Bella and I were at Safeco field, standing next to the visitors’ bullpen, watching Johan Santana warm up. We’d come to Seattle ostensibly to visit Bella’s nephew, but the dates had been picked based on two convergent events: my birthday, June 7, and the Twins playing the Mariners, June 6 – 8. So far, the trip had not turned out as planned. The Twins had lost both of the first two games, including a heartbreaking extra-innings loss on my birthday after rallying from a 9-4 deficit earlier in the game. (Have you ever been in an opposing ballpark to witness a walk-off homerun? Let me tell you, it’s NO FUN.) An overenthusiastic fan a row behind had nearly broken my shoulder trying for a foul ball that was hurtling towards us. (I’m very happy to report that the kid sitting next to me ended up with the ball.) Plus, I had forgotten to pack the “Only 365 days to my birthday – Circle Me Bert” sign.

So there we were, separated from El Presidente by just a few feet and a chain-link fence, thinking to ourselves, we didn’t pay hundreds of dollars and travel 1600 miles to watch our team get swept. Could Johan sense our despair? Did he appreciate the effort we had made to come and see our beloved Twins, despite their abiding suckitude? Did he, perhaps, return to the dugout, look the other players in the eye, and say, Boys, there are two Twins fans out there who have paid hundreds of dollars and traveled 1600 miles and they did not come here to watch their team get swept?

The rest, as they say, is history. It is universally accepted that June 8, 2006, was The Day The Season Turned Around. Of course, we didn’t know it at the time. And it was only yesterday that Bella realized the full significance of the date. 6-8. 68. 2 x 34 = 68.

Miracle and wonder, indeed.

More good news: No surgery for Franchise [click]

BAT-bandwagoner: stop it now, you're making me blush! ;)

ganderson, I generally agree that "chemistry" is over-rated. You can have the greatest clubhouse in the world and a bunch of guys who get along terrific, but if you play ball like the Bad News Bears, it won't matter. Until Rondell worked out his shoulder issues, he was a great clubhouse guy hitting a buck-eighty and killing the club. Now he's a critical success factor, not because he's still a great guy but because he's dangerous with a boom boom stick.

What's the difference between Torii taking a swing at Doc (& hitting LNP) and Torii pouring champagne on Doc's head? Winning about a dozen more games over the course of the season, that's what.

Enjoy this. Revel in it. But don't think for a moment that it all just magically happened. There's some talent out there and a group of guys who've busted their tails to make the most of that talent... each one stepping up when called on and working very, very hard.

Ganderson, agreed about the Yankees having somewhat weak pitching. As for the weaker division part, that just means they should have won more games, right? That makes what the Twins did in the Central that much more amazing. I do not think chemistry is overrated. Just take a look at all of the "Dream Teams" that the US has been spitting out lately in basketball. Yes, sometimes a team can win with a lack of chemistry but, more often you will find "lesser" teams (see 2003 Marlins and 2001 Diamondbacks) take the upper hand. While I do not believe that a bunch of nobodies can win with only chemistry, I believe that chemistry plays an equal part to the talent. Otherwise the teams with the most superstars would always win--plain and simple!

Dear Twins,
I love you, have always loved you and will always love you. Thank you for the most incredible ride of my 50 year life. I remember 65 faintly (I was only 9 at the time). 87 & 91 were so sweet as I got to share them with the people I love the most (hubby and the little spams). Now it looks like once again you are going to let me have a joy I never thought I would see again with all my loved ones around me. Thank you from one of your most appreciative fans.

Spamsmom

"You can have the greatest clubhouse in the world and a bunch of guys who get along terrific, but if you play ball like the Bad News Bears, it won't matter." Agreed, JC. No argument from me at all.

BTW, those wondering about the small crowd at the Dome: it kinda surprised me, too, but I can tell you exactly why I wasn't there:

1) for some reason, in April, I did not have the foresight to include the last series against Kansas City as one of my 5-for-4 games;
2) since Chicago had to lose, there was no guarantee that a Twins win would mean a clinch, meaning I might have to go back again on Tuesday;
3) I already have tickets for this weekend and tickets to the first round of playoffs, and much as I might like to right now, I can't spend my whole life at the Dome.

I'm betting I'm not at all alone in this.

And anyhow, it's OK, I'm hoping there will be about 40,000 people (including me) watching when they clinch the division title.

Wow, I hardly know what to say. I'm sitting here at my desk reading the above, all teary-eyed--though just the mention of Brad's name gets me that way the past few days, I have to admit. Thank you, Batgirl, for saying so eloquently (as always!) what we're all thinking--and to everyone who's commented for echoing my thoughts, too!

SO! EXCITED! As Cuddy and others said last night, there's still work to be done in the regular season, but we can revel in this moment. I was so proud, listening to all the guys interviewed last night giving props to their teammates (instead of taking all the credit for themselves while chewing big mouthfuls of Hubris)! What a team.

I was channel-flipping around network tv last night to watch all the clubhouse celebration footage (for once not minding that we don't have cable!) and at the same time listening to the wrap-up on the radio, and these were my two favorite moments:

1. Torii, as an unseen someone's hand poured a bottle of champagne down the Channel 5 reporter's back, shouting, "WHY'D YOU COME IN HERE WEARING A SUIT?!!" and kindly wiping the champagne out of the reporter's eyes
and
2. Gardy, on 'CCO, talking about how he'd had second thoughts about sending Nathan in for the 9th, knowing he'd get mauled after the last out. He said that if any of the guys jumped on Nathan and hurt him, "I'd WHACK 'em!"

Love our boys! Let's keep that momentum rolling right past those Tigers!

To continue this fascinating discussion of the fabled "chemistry" subject - do any of you think that you can chalk up better performance to chemistry? In other words, that the right situation can bring out the best in a player, while a less advantageous circumstance can produce the opposite? Perhaps it's coaching to some degree, or just happenstance, but doesn't it seem strange that, with the dubious exception of A.J. Pierzynski and the obvious exception of David Ortiz, none of the core 2002-04 Twins who are now elsewhere have done anything even close to what they did in Minnesota? Mientkiewicz, Koskie, Hawkins, Romero, Guardado, Lohse, Mays - not one of them has gone on to do as well as he did in a Twins uniform. So why is that the case? I think one could argue that chemistry has a lot to do with the success of those teams, or at least that the "whole is greater than the sum of the parts" theory (which isn't much different, really) applies. Thoughts?

Mr.Crikket -
I belive Boof's had that shaggy type hair cut all year - it didn't do much for him at the start of the year - so I don't think it would really matter - now.

Dear Word Smith -
I have no life to really speak of - LOL - so I will be spending a good chunk of it at the Dome =)

I was a little bummed at the small crowd - but as Infield said to me last night - maybe everyone assumed that - the Sox would walk all over Cleveland?!?
I hope they pack them in the rest of the week - come on if it's Tuesday it must be TWINGO =)
And the President is pitching =)
I hope Brad is doing well this morning - I really hope he takes the mound against the White Sox =)

Hmm - I wonder if Boo - Shaggy and Jesse made it to their CUB foods appearance today??

And after watching all the video clips- I cannot make up my mind - on who is more crazy - Shaggy or NBP =)

To all the other fans that have wished us well - and congrats - thanks =)

Much Love
Wonder Woman

Dear Mr. Man,

You raise interesting points. Batgirl's only real comment, though, is she loves the phrase, "the dubious exception of AJ." It seems to describe him very well.

Sincerely,
Batgirl

WW, I would definitely vote Matt Guerrier as Biggest Party Animal. What a genius: he forgot his beer bong (he, too, thought they would clinch today, so he didn't bring it to the ballpark), and improvised by pouring the beer straight into his mouth and gargling it.

I think it was cool to see the September callups right in the midst of it. Casilla was going crazy.

If Garza drops the F-Bomb like Bert, maybe he'll get 3000 strikeouts like Bert... except as a lifelong Twin. Dare to dream?

I just got my alds/alcs/ws tickets in the mail. I cant' wait to use the big ones.

Adidasman, synergy is the amazing phenomena where 2+2=5. This is what you allude to, and I agree with the concept. Maybe all of the people who think chemistry is overrated are right. All of this time I thought it was chemistry--really it's new math! My brain is more geared towards language--it wouldn't surprise me at all if I got science and math mixed up! ;0)

BG, I smiled when I read that phrase as well... sooooo appropo for AJ.

adidasman, I do think that chemistry, or perhaps you can think of it as "work environment", does affect individual performances.

No matter that we'd all like to think wealthy ballplayers who get to play a kids' game for boatloads of money should give 100% for all 162 games, the fact is that it really has to be a major grind to get through the season with travel and minor (hopefully) injuries. It's hard work.

But, just like we all (well most of us) work hard at our jobs/lives, we also all tend to perform better if we're able to find some enjoyment in what we're doing AND among the people we work with. It's no different for ballplayers, certainly, and probably even more of a factor given that they have to spend so much more time together than most of us do with co-workers.

My point about chemistry is simply that the main ingredient in success is a combination of talent and hard work. Face it, a team full of guys rubbing their noses at one another while they win two-thirds of their games is "chemistry"... a team doing the same thing while losing more than they win is just...well... kinda weird.

Twins clinch playoff berth on 9/25.
9 + 25 = ?

OK, I'll stop now!

Thanks for your explanation of the lack of attendance, Word Smith. I must agree that I did not have enough faith in the boys, and had planned on attending the game tonight to see Johan get the win and clinch the Wild Card. I'm sure I'm not alone in that thought, either. But with the series against the White Sox this weekend, the playoffs next week, and they fact that the Twins are averaging over 2,000 more fans a game than they were last year, I'm not afraid about Twins fans coming out to represent. (And plus, I'd rather be at home watching the boys douse each other with champagne than stuck in traffic post-game.) See you all next week!

I like all the California math goin' on here.

I would have loved to have been there last night but kinda hard to make the drive up from Chicago on a whim. The Sox fans in the office today were quiet but I did get a congrats from one. Hell, my former boss who is a huge Yankees fan emailed me too.

I can't wait to see Johan have a strong start tonight to get ready for game 1 of the ALDS!!

I know it's been mentioned but how great was it that the Doctor hit his 34th HR when the Twins clinched a playoff spot.

Maybe Sweetcheeks will hit #34 when the Twins win the division.

This team has so much heart and "twinsiness" that I think this is the team I will point to when people out here in CA ask "why are you a Twins fan"

I'm thrilled and left with a feeling of such satisfaction, I'm so proud of the team I root for.

I guess you can put the Bitch Sox being eliminated from the playoffs "on the board! YES"

WIN TWINS!

On the attendance thing, like some people earlier stated, we probably all got tickets for the B-sox series so no one is there for the Royals series this week which is too bad.

I celebrated heavily when we won last night (I'm in college, its what we do) and noticed for the first time this season, on a shelf, the only non-Twins piece of memorabilia I have on there... A ball signed by Tony Gwynn... I just about **it myself, it was just.. CRAZY!

Lets catch the Tigers and win the 4th in 5 years... Either way, I'm ready for the playoffs, bring on the Skankees, be it the ALDS or the ALCS!!!

Go Twins!

Why not go to the game because you want to see your team that has gone 67-33 since 6/8 play the game as it "should be played"? There were only 2500 fewer fans in Cleveland; why did they not stay home? Living in Ma. cuts down on my attendance at Twin's home games.

I have only been able to go to three games this year because I live in ND. I can say assuredly that I would attend regularly if I was able. A couple years ago I was stoked--I had work commutes to the Cities for a week at a time. I went to, I think, 7 games that year. I won't get into a pity party, though, cause ND is WAYYYYY closer than CA or MA. I think it's great that this site provides a "bonding place" for Twins fans all over the country! (I'm actually thinking world, too.)

SO EXCITED!
Now I get to go to the games this weekend and actually enjoy them, knowing that my playoff tickets won't have to be refunded!
Keep on rollin'...

I'm finally at a place where I can get online to catch up on all the Batgirl/Batlings posts. First off--I am supremely disappointed that I wasn't able to be in front of a computer or TV that would have allowed me to see last night's glorious game. It just won't be the same once I get home and call up the archive...

What a moment for all of us to revel in--I'm just so glad I've got Batgirl and all the Bat-folk to share it with. I have learned SO much from all of you!

Cheers to our Twins!

Click on my name to see a White Sox version of Schadenfreude.

Good news. MLB.com does indeed have last night's clinching game available as a free download:

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/video/clincher.jsp (beware: it's 800MB!)

Which is especially cool for us don't-have-cable-TV out-of-towners, as it finally gives us the chance to giggle at Sideshow Pat's delivery. (Not to mention the follow-through!)

And by the way, I was inspired by Freealonzo to create my own poster for the Bitch Sox:

http://diy.despair.com/show.php?file=poster36502852.jpg

(or click on my name; the link is valid for 7 days, but you can save the image from their site if you love it and want to keep it)

All I can do is sit back and smile as I think of the way this has come to be. I love this team but would not have predicted this back in May. This has truly been the season for believers.

On the Kare II site they have a bunch of the celebration and the best part is you know who Morneau is even with his back to the camera and you can't see how tall he is...he's the guy wearing the Bertuzzi shirt.

Oh Canucks.

Also...I've never heard Nick Punto talk.

I always thought for some reason he'd have an accent of some sort or another.

I wore my Mauer shirt all around campus today, and people kept asking me why i was so happy and just smiling to myself all day... to me the answer was quite obvious! any day the twins win is a good day, but any day they clinch a playoff spot is fabulous!

Word Smith--

Now you're freaking me out...

I'm just glad the Twins will be in the post season but I'd love it if they won the division.

First round against Oakland, I'll be there reminding everyone about 02'

in the words of PA and Dubay:

And you can put them in the ground.... YES!

Gbye, White Sox, it was good to flatten you.

*SOB* I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO EXPRESS MY FEELINGS IN WORDS! Typing in all uppercase doesn't help, either. I'm so happy for the Chairman, DJ Cuddles, LNP, NBP, Nev, Scootie, BOOOOF!, Lewwwwwww, Sweetcheeks, Bartleby, Castillo, Assassin, El Presidente and all the rest!! Batgirl, thank you SO MUCH for posting this entry. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever read. Almost as beautiful as Torii Hunter's 30th homer and a guaranteed playoff spot. I'm going to go try to calm down. I'm simply ecstatic.

What a great and celebratory site this is, especially last night and today. I could not stop smiling after the Twins clinched. It was hard to drift off to sleep and I woke up early and content (not usual for a nite person). I agree with several others who posted before me: enjoy any happy plateau you are on--for as long as it lasts. Baseball, especially this year, is the best frosting on life's cake. The game is a place to be present and let troubles (personal and the cruel world's) fade out for a while. For those who have not embraced the Twins and baseball--well some of them just don't get it. It is love, joy, disappointment, sorrow, happiness, hope all rolled together when you take in the entire season. I tell newbies to watch each pitch and see where it goes. There is a reaction and a feeling to each pitch. At least that is how I eventually fell in love with this game.

All the best, Bat-girl. Cheers to our team, the Minnesota Twins. I have great hope for October!
Let's go get the Central and, of course, the whole pie, or cake or whereever I was going metaphorically speaking.

Cheers!

kal

One more for the numerology-inclined. 34 days after the pair of beatdowns that clinched a playoff spot for the Twins is October 29, aka World Series game 7 if necessary.

-ex

Since WordSmith brought it up... Who thinks The Doctor is just superstitious enough to have a self-imposed home run drought after he hit 33?

A week ago it clicked with me he stopped hitting any more after he hit his jersy number. It struck me at the time that it might be some kind of superstition thing on his part. I mean guy was on a tear then just stops hitting homers when he reaches his jersey number even though he doesn't seem tired out.

But then, last night when he was smirking his way around the bases trying not to smile I was thinking "Oh, no he did'ent." I think he was so excited he decided that Kirby's number might just be luckier than his. Who says stoic Canadians don't know how to be dramatic.

I'd almost go bank he doesn't hit another one during the regular season to guarantee himself post-season success.

I just looked at the lineup for tonight. Mauer getting a rest, but the rest of the regulars are in the lineup. I'm glad to see that. I was a bit concerned that Gardy would sit everyone a bit too much and send the wrong signal.

LOL, I saw that myself (of the lineup). Out of all the guys, Mauer is the one who needs a day off after a night of celebration?

I like these discussions-no beer with them, though :(. -one more chemistry comment- - I would respectfully observe that "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts" is not exactly chemistry: sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. I think the various dream teams may like each other and whatever, but have trouble playng as a team- can you say Ryder Cup? Anyway who cares- October baseball in the Dome! Buy tix and cheer loudly to make up for those of us on the far eastern perimeter of Twinsville who can't make it. I'll be cheering from my Bay State couch.

Did you guys see these? I've already bought two to wear around proudly in Seattle. Listen for me, you'll hear me cheering all the way from here for our boys!

http://minnesotapiranhas.com/