Oh, sad. This is my favorite Twins blog.

Thanks so much, BatGirl, for your devotion to the Twins and this blog. Glad to hear BabyDash is doing well. I'll be looking for him in the Twins starting rotation a couple decades from now.

Oh, BG...this is so sad.

Thank you. For entertaining me every day. You are an amazing writer and someday I will get to meet you in person.

Hope everything goes well with BabyDash and your whole family.

We'll really miss you!

And now, I'm going to go...before tears actually do start to form....

BG,
YOU ROCK! We are going to miss you!

Wow, bummer. Thanks for everything, BG. This was the best baseball blog, hands down, and I'll sure miss it!

Wishing all the best,
Dean

This sucks rocks. I want to thank you for all of your entertaining stories. I am going to miss checking to see if anything new was written. This is most definitely my favorite blog. But I am happy to hear that Dash is doing well.

Carmen

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

This is my favorite baseball blog and I'm only a Twins fan by marriage.

Best of luck to you and your family!

BG, the season won't be the same without your posts...I've had so much fun reading about the Twins and baseball here, and without you introducing me I wouldn't have a baseball boyfriend (The Chairman) or probably love El Presidente and the VP and the Pirhanas and the Doctor, and the whole team, as much as I do now.

But it's an important job, raising baseball fans. Have fun! Love to you and Jeb and Baby Dash.

ps - I bought The Shadow Thieves a couple days ago and would have it read by now if I wasn't in the middle of reading Dickens. But I'm starting it tomorrow. :)

This long-time-lurker is sure gonna miss ya. All the best to you and Dash.

Go Twins!

just wanted to say that i check your blog daily! i love the humor, the insight and, of course, the sass. good luck in your future adventures! the twins blogging community will GREATLY miss you!

I've never really posted in the comments before, but I've been an almost-daily reader of your site for two years.

All of the best luck to you and your family, and may Dash one day become the new lefthanded President of Nasty. I've enjoyed the goings on around here very much. Thank you.

I hope you know just how much you will be missed by Twins fans all over. And congrats to Dash...may his arm be swift and his sinker deadly. :)

Best of luck Batgirl!

010001110101010111010111101011101010001111100101110100101111010111101010110001110101010110101010111111101011101001111110101010101011110101010110101010101111........

That's what it looks like when the internet weeps!

I can't believe this is happening. We will miss you BG! Good luck on everything, and if things work out in the future, please come back! Love from Texas,

Way to go out on top, BG. Excellent choice. Still, it's so sad to see you retire while you surely have a lot left. We will surely miss you. I can definitely tell you that your blog has enriched my Twins experience many times over these past few years. My family and I will be using phrases and nicknames from Bat-girl.com for many, many years. Thank you for everything.

Oh, and don't forget, you can always unretire. Anytime.

Thank you.

You have been one of the bright spots of my daily routine for the past year and a half, one of the very few places on the internet that I absolutely have to visit daily, but now you are moving on to bigger and better things. That is a beautiful smile you are wearing, and a lovely picture of the two of you. Dash is well on his way to a wonderful and priviledged childhood.

And when, sometime down the road, as Dash is older and you have some extra time again for the first time in who knows when, take some time to dust of the legos and the typewriter and honor us with your wit and grace and love of baseball again.

May God bless you and your family as you journey together in this life.

Thank you,

Joe

Couldn't we have lost another relief pitcher instead?

Batgirl,

You know how much you'll be missed and how much you've meant, in so many different ways, to Twins fans, Bitch Sox detractors, Legovision devotees, and admirers of cute babies who will grow up to throw left-handed and be referred to by the sporting press as "the second coming of six-time Cy Young Award-winner and Hall of Famer Johan Santana."

Thanks for letting me use Batgirl's space to take my first tentative steps into the Blogosphere. RD would not have come to be without you, and neither would his real-life counterpart in Section 220 over at startribune.com.

Howard

Thanks for the sass. :)

Thanks bat-girl for making me even more a Twins fan than Will ever could. You offered a perspective that he just can't seem to get. I'll miss reading you every day.

Thank you so much!

The other night I heard a great quote on PBS. It was from a high school baseball coach in Japan to his team after they lost the big game. He told them they needed to take the experience with them as they go out into the world and have great lives. Most important, he said, was this:

"Have children and teach them baseball."

I think Dash is in great hands.

All good wishes, BG/AU.

Rick (& Vic & Noah)

BTW: Name click for TwinGeek's blog.

While this does suck for us batlings, it's best to go out in a blaze of glory, rather than fade away into the nothingness of tommorrow, or some other metaphor (simile?).

Thank you. Thanks for making me laugh when the team lost, and laugh harder when the team won. Thanks for providing the inspiration for Angryscott's Habberdashery and Twins Blog (cheap plug for the link below).

I hope you leave the archives up, so the next time my computer crashes, I can find my favorite Twins links in one favorite location.

I just hope the boys can find a way to play on without the ultimate hope of being the BoTD.

I will most certainly check out your books, and most certainly will continue cheering the F*** on for our Twins.

And remember - Lego re-inactments are a great tool for teaching little Dash proper wonky half-side/half-kinda-overhand pitching.

-Angryscott

Thank you for what you've done. Best wishes for what's upcoming. And don't think for a moment that we're not incredibly sad to see you go.

Also, as a former seven-weeks-early preemie who is now a solid 6'2", please tell BabyDash: power, brother.

Aw crap. Gonna miss you Batgirl. Gonna miss you a LOT.

I'm not even a Twins fan and this was my favorite baseball blog. Thanks for the laughs BG, and good luck to you and Dash!

Wow, I do understand the dilemma of "not enough time" to devote to all the loves in your life; and sometimes something you love has to go so you can be devoted to something you love more.

Thanks for the creativity and fun; you occupy a spot in my heart right next to Gary Larson. And remember, though many of us are at opposite ends of the political/ideological/whatever spectrum, baseball brings us together. We can stand side-by-side, hi-five each other, groan together, heckle together, and cheer for our boys together as loud as we can. It's only a game, but it has made us one big happy extended bat-family.

May God truly bless BG, Dash, Jeb, et. al.

In the words of Douglas Adams, "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

Jeff Hoyt (elderfelder)
Reno, NV

Tears ... major tears. You have been my very steady and daily "favorite". Thanks and best of luck in all.

Batgirl, you have the best and most entertaining Twins blog of all time. There's a huge community here in town and around the USA that is hopelessly devoted to our hometown heroes, for better or worse, and you've done an unbelievable job capturing our frustration and elation. Make sure to keep the lines of communication open if you end up picking this back up so we all can hear about it one way or another. God bless your family!

Batgirl and fellow contributors,

This site has filled a Twins void in my life over the years living out of Twins territory. The musings here reminded me to root for my team regardless of how many times my soul was crapped on during the playoffs. You reminded me to appreciate the joy and beauty and absurdity of baseball.

Best of wishes raising young Dash and thanks to you and all others that made this a wonderful place to visit.

- John

Good luck with everything! I've been reading your blog for two seasons now, and it's the first place I go after a game. Living in Phoenix, I don't get a lot of news. I watch the games on MLB.tv, but it's not the same.

Tomorrow (May 24th) is my birthday... and I consider having been able to read your blog for the past couple seasons to be a great gift. :-)

Thanks for all your time and effort in entertaining us these past few years. You're truly talented and will be sorely missed when we are in need of a laugh. I wish you the best of luck in the future. God Bless

- Ryan

Thanks Bat-girl, for helping reenergize me as a Twins fan and for celebrating the things that really make baseball great. I'll remember the surge of 2006 for all my life and your blogs will always be a part of that memory. I wish you and your family the best, and BabyDash will continue to be in my prayers.

Thank you

Thanks for teaching us all about sass, assbats, tiny super heroes, and best of all: the wonders of Legovision. You will be sorely missed. I can hear the Twins now in their despair dedicating the season to Batgirl and pledging to win it all for her.

Batgirl--

Not a Twins fan (although I've found myself sort of allured by their charms lately), but I've loved this blog since it was first linked to me a long time ago.

Thanks for all the great posts, and good luck with BabyDash.

You'll be missed.

:-(

The sunshine in my day is going away!

I wish you and your family the best!! You've touched quite a few people!!

I think this qualifies as the most severe ass-news of the season.

This blog was my (mostly) daily reminder not to take the game *too* seriously, to stop and appreciate the humor of a player with a funny name (even if he sucked and played for the Twins or didn't, and didn't).

Don't throw away the blogtron yet, though. I fully expect Dash to take on the name "GloveBoy" after his lucrative MLB career. I look forward to hearing about you as GloveMom on the Galaxy Wide Web.

:(

This sucks. Your terrific,always cracked me up and even though I have never been to Minnesota this blog was a must read. I hope somewhere down the line, you can get a baseball book written.I'd by two copies and read 'em both. Respectin' Dan

we will miss you. because of you, i had to learn how to use this dang thing. good luck.

>I can hear the Twins now in their despair dedicating the season to Batgirl and pledging to win it all for her.

Great idea, SoCal. They should have Herb on one arm patch and BG on the other.

This gives new meaning to the term "off day." But, BG, as much as it sucks, I understand completely. Thanks for the memories and the LegoVision and everything else. Best to Dash and all of the BatFamily. Hope you can unretire one day, like all of the legends. Until then, take care, and thanks again.

Man, I've read you since day 10...I will miss you. All the bes

Thanks for all the wonderful posts! Good look to you and your family.

Rune from Norway

wow, what a sizable hole this will leave in the soul of collective twins fandom. thanks for a very enjoyable couple of years, Batgirl, and best wishes to you and your family in your new adventures.

so the stats win. i shall give up my promising career as a poet and lose my complexion on the baseball futures market.

further emotional blackmail: i am as needy as any baby, have pretty hair and an adorable english accent and have yet to master the ass-bat concept.

(Weeping. Okay, not making a spectacle. But sniffling, certainly.)

Thanks for everything, Batgirl. The blog has been perfection. Your presence here will be missed.

All best wishes for you and yours.

hrunting

Thanks for the fun bat-girl. You're my homepage.

This Yankee fan (daily reader, only occasional commenter) will miss the sass, fo' shizzle.

Oh, and Brian Cashman wants to know if you'd think about blogging for the Bombers. He has $28 million he doesn't know what to do with. Make the check out to "Batgirl"?

Wow. Sometimes you get so used to things over in such a short span of time that you sometimes think they will never end. The joy/catharsis after games will just not be the same anymore. Your humor and your spirit will be missed throughout Twins Territory, BG. Thanks for the good times, and hopefully we'll see you (and Baby Dash) sometime again in the future!

All the best,
~Stacey

Batgirl,
Thank you for the wonderful blog you have had for the last few years. It has been a pure joy for me to read. Even thou I am a die hard hockey fan also I would look forward to getting a baseball update in the middle of January.
As a mother of 3 Spams (there was only 4 and half years between them) I can still remember the days of not knowing anything but being tired (also the last one was a preemie with lots of issues). I understand completly what you are going throu.
As it was said above we talk Batgirl at our home when watching the game, even Spamsdad who has never used a computer much less visited a blog referrs to Joe Nathan as Twitchy McXanax (we had to explain the McXanax part to him)!
Good luck and when you want to plan your come back tour let me know I am great at planning events.

Sincerly your fan
Mary Mangan

oh, how very sad. but at the same time, I sort of knew you'd make this decision at some point, so I've been bracing for it.

best wishes to you and your family. come visit us in the Batcave from time to time and let us know how you're doing. :-)

this website has been a great source of amusement and a wonderful pick-me-up during sucking times. thank you for everything.

"So the stats win." Very funny vortexanthony.
BATLINGS RULE!

It's completely understandable, but we'll miss you.

From the perspectives of your many loyal fans, this is bad news. So many have come to love your blogging, to get some laughs in both the sucking times and the good times.

But I knew that this was likely to happen. You now have much more important priorities. There's only so long that a blog like this could go on given your circumstances.

As kaf said, please stop by the Cave when you get a chance. And I look forward to the new book very soon! Best of luck to the Team Batgirl, Dash, and you!

I've got Balkan tears in my eyes. Lucky Dash to have the likes of you as Mom. Goodbye and thanks.

Best of luck in the future. You've given us some amazing posts, and Twins blogs won't be the same without you.

Bummer, I'm not a twins fan per se, but, reading your blog kept me in touch. If you ever get to KC remember us fondly.

Good luck in real life.

Thanks for the joyful commentary. It's been pure pleasure to read. Your writing is hall of fame.

Some unforgetable favorites: your note on you couldn't make it through Chinese dinner while there was a Twins game (first time you made my wife jealous); the ESPN 2 article on the stages of hating the Sox; the ESPN 2 article on Boone; the 2004 presidential campign; the Liriano/Clemens game review; the hauntingly beautiful opera.

Best wishes in your parenthood. It's such fun; I'm so happy for you. It really If you decide to start a motherhood blog, please let us know.

Win Twins.

Craig "nailbiter" H

Sigh. Selfishly, I say "and so the greatest of sucking times begins for Batlings."

Unselfishly I say congratulations and good luck. I will greatly miss the unique perspective on Twins baseball (and baseball in general) but wish you and your family all the best in health and happiness. This must have been a difficult decision for you...

Keep in touch,
YankeeFan

I can't even begin to say everything that this website has been a foundation to. The people I've met, including BG.

I'm a little teary.

Batgirl,

Thanks for the best baseball blog. You have continually amazed me with humor and good will and ability to lead us through the darkest times. My cat has been reading for about a year and he says he will especially miss the news of the Batkitties, the sass and the support for Twitchy, his boyfriend. Hope to hear lots from you in other blogs, your books and in any other medium you choose to pursue. Wishing all the best for you and your family.

June Bug

PS And thanks for making a blog that was great to read on a Blackberry!

*sigh*

Now where will I get my sass? Best wishes, BG. Hopefully I'll see you at a reading. Take care of yourself.

Batgirl, I will sorely miss your sass. Many a day your blog took the sting out of a Twins loss or just cheered me up as I dealt with heavy real life issues. I'm not sure there is another blog that can take your place. And I suspect there are huge numbers of employers out there who are happy with that. They're thanking the heavens that their workers won't be wasting time hanging out at bat-girl.com anymore.

All the best to you and yours. Now I'm going to find some Ambiorix and take two.

I wonder if you could have even dreamed what your Twins blog was going to bring about, back when it was just a dream in your mind. You've brought togehter people who might have never met, and together we've enjoyed the love of the game. I've made friends, shared a lot of laughter, and grown to appreciate the fun more than I could imagine. Thank you for that.

:standing ovation:

I'm so cold...so very, very cold...

Still, thank you, BatGirl, for the always entertaining writing. I'll keep buying your books - you know, for the kids.

Thank you so much for all of the commentary; you made me a stronger Twins fan and reminded me daily of how to be a true devoted fan. Good luck with mommy-dom and know that you will have a fan base if you want to start this up again.

Sarah

Now what will I do at work?
Now how will I come to terms with the ass bats?
Now how will I learn the truth about miniature third basement?

Alas, alack!

It was a great run, good luck to you, Dash and the rest of the crew.

Can we expect to see the Twins Legos on ebay soon?

Go gently into the spring day, Batgirl...but take out the second baseman if you need to.

Thanks for adding levity into a sport that sorely needs it. You'll always be sitting in the Catbird's Seat!

Good luck in Cleve-town. It's not a bad place at all.

All the best,
Mike

I'm about to watch "Oh Five!" again for old times' sake... "My life is ooooooover...." :-(

I found some of my best friends in this place. Thanks.

Oh, how will I start my morning now? Bat-girl has forever changed my baseball vocabulary. Thanks for all the hard work, it'll be sorely missed.

bummer

well, thanks for the fun anyways

see you later same bat time same bat ...

whoops - guess not

bon vent

Gopher in France

Thanks for always keeping everything in perspective. That’s why I visited here every day. Never did post, feel bad about it now. You have built quite a community, something to be very proud of. I always felt I was a part of a special circle of Twins fans here. JustBeth is right on - :Standing O:

BatGirl,

Good luck with your family and writing. I'm eagerly awaiting Siren Song, after passing Shadow Thieves on to whomever walked past our porch. I've enjoyed your blog immensely, turned my mom in North Dakota on to it and will miss your sass. I'll think of you when my daughter, wife and mom are wearing their "I'm here for the sass" t-shirts. Thanks for everything.

Tom

Oh, this stinks. This stinks worse than a mountain of ass-bats. This stinks worse than ... Kyle Lohse, Sidney Ponson, and Rick Reed all rolled into one.

This stinks just as much as when Bill Watterson hung it up.

You will be missed...

I recently moved to Minnesota and decided to root for the hometeam. Your blog was my introduction to the wonderful world of Twins nicknames, boyfriends, and sass. It is the only way to watch the game. Thank you!
Cheering for you and family, - LNP's girlfriend.

There are many things that make my heart feel very heavy and the news upon logging on to the Batgirl site today is one of them. Discovering this haven only a year ago has been one of the most delightfully serendipitous events of my life.

And considering how much morning coffee was sputtered in explosive laughter across Batling keyboards everywhere, I'm relatively certain the Geek Squad will register a drop in business due to your early retirement, Batgirl.

Thank you for the truly wonderful blog. My very best wishes to you and the Batfamily.

And all you Batlings out there, good wishes to you as well!

Ann
Milwaukee

Thank you so much for the entertainment and plain old fun you have provided us. Best wishes.

From this Indians fan who was a daily visitor to this site, I say:

Remember that the magic age is 18 months. The babies can do anything they want by that age and you get a chance to catch your breath (and sleep again!).

So pull a Jordan, watch baseball and be with the family for a season and a half and come back!

Please.

Thanks for a wonderful run BG -- we live in the age of sequels -- so maybe someday there will be Batgirl2, or Batgirl Part II, or Live Free or Die Batgirl.

All the best you, your family, and all the fellow Batlngs. See you all on the internet, somewhere.

Win Twins.

Good bye Batgirl, it was so much fun reading your blog every morning for the past few years. Good luck with the little one. You're sassiness has been much appreciated throughout all of Twins Territory--and beyond!

I wish you the best of luck, batgirl. No matter how the Twins played the day/night before I always looked forward to checking your blog the next morning. I hope, much like Roger Clemens, that you can not bear to retire for too long. Good luck and thank you for the laughs, BOD's, nicknames, legos, etc...

Gonna miss the site and the sass.

Dash has a very special mommy who has the ability to delight Twins fans and more importantly all those who love the game.

Best of wishes to your family, and if when the time arises, the batlings would love to have you back.

Thanks for everyting BG. Just thanks.

Anne, I think this is horribly selfish of you. Making a living, caring for a baby and husband? Instead of entertaining us? Horribly selfish.

Wow.
I wonder how many days I will still start by clicking on the Bat-girl link in my favorites?

This blog has been great. How else would I have been able to figure out that Rincon looked like Boo Berry? That Little Nicky (why do the announcers call him "Nick"?) has super powers, there is a singing "nut cup," "ass bats," need to be burned and someboyd actually wins in the Hormel Row of Fame? You have enriched these past 4 years of baseball in so many ways. I will be printing out and lamenating your image and pinning it onto the sleave of my beloved Cuddy Jersey.

Best wishes for you as you love and raise Dash, inspire Jeb, and write books which I will buy and turn face out at every book store I visit.

Yours in Twins,
Sandee

BG, I think you know the many ways that Batgirl has changed my life for the better (Hi Howard!)

Frankly, I'm having a hard time imagining a world without ass-bats and boyfriends of the day, Legovision, talking nut cups, Hot or Not, Name that Butt, and all those delicious literary and historical references.

Aside from the masterpiece that was "Oh Five!," I think the post that I remember most fondly was "Kris Benson: What Might Have Been." I still giggle every time I drive past Sex World.

It was an amazing run. We'll all miss your unique and enormously entertaining perspective.

Much love to you, Jeb and Dash.

Good luck. We will miss you, but it sounds like you have your priorities in order. Fare well, wherever you fare.

Thanks for watching baseball the way it's meant to be watched, and for making me laugh out loud more times than I can remember. Best of luck to you and your family.

--TRP in Seattle

Thanks for everything! I am a daily reader of this site and will miss it greatly. Hopefully a comeback will be in your future??

BatGirl,

Thank you for all the memories and more so for the countless times I have been tailgating in some other city watching the twins and talk to other random twins fan and inevitably we always end up talking about bat-girl.

Thanks again, this blog was truly amazing and will be missed by all of Twins Territory.

:Standing Ovation:

seriously, I'm crying. I hadn't finished my first cup of morning coffee and I'm hit with the most depressing news possible.
But...Batgirl, I am a mom of a one year old )with another in the cooker) and I totally understand and respect your decision. Just know that your blog has brought endless hours of entertainment to another mom who is trying to cling to the thin ropes of sanity! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Oh, bloody hell. Tragic, tragic news...

BG,

What a shame! Familial and work obligations take priority over all else, I suppose, as they should. I've been a reader of yours since 2004, and I hope you all the best of luck in your post-blogging adventures. I hope for my sake and the sake of your fellow readers that this is a Roger Clemens style retirement. You'd be surprised how much there is to do when the kids are at day care.

With appreciation,

--SB

Thanks for everything BG, it's been a great read.

Beeg, whatever are we going to do without you? But thank you for all the joy and consolation you've given us, and best of luck with your writing and your family!

I still have my "Santana/Nathan '04" button. I shall cherish it always.

It's amazing to think about how much of our Twins vocabulary was created right here. You've made the shared experience of being a fan so much richer.

My son's going to flip when he finds out the new book is coming out soon. My next task is to get him as excited about baseball as he is about fantasy and adventure ...

Thanks for everything, BG.

Aw, nuts.

We'll miss you!

My eyes welled up today when I read your last post, BatGirl. Thanks for all the laughs. I will miss your site dearly when making the morning rounds. The Twins beat writers checked it every day, not to mention Gardy and several players. Can't tell you how much your voice will be missed. You made following baseball even more fun. To you the rest of BatGirl Nation, be well.

-- Joe Christensen, Star Tribune

I can certainly understand your need to prioritize things appropriately, but I too will miss this blog very much. We really need one place to turn to for "sass" with regard to the Twins and baseball in general and you've provided that for so long. Thank you for all of your hard work and for LEGOvision! :)

Best wishes for you and your family!

JC

Oh the sadness! Who will name the new Twins players? How will the Twins performs without the carrot of botd?

But, seriously, I will truly miss the joy and laughter of reading BatGirl. You all could make me laugh after the most bitter loss and in the darkest of slumps. You helped make Twins baseball an amazing amount of fun. You'll be missed.

Batgirl,

I think this is my second post ever (talk about lurking...), but I just had to say that you'll be missed. A couple of years ago I had no idea how much of my life could be affected by a baseball blog and the people I'd meet through it, but now I can't imagine it any other way. Best wishes to you and yours. I greatly look forward to the rest of the trilogy and anything else you might write.

I figure I would hang this out there... but if you continued this blog for years to come you would surely be the first blogger voted into the Hall of Fame. I say that sincerely.

thanks again, I miss your writings already.

It's been fun, Batgirl. Thanks for the entertainment and I wish you and your baby all the best!

I came across your site last summer and it made being a Twins fan in Reds territory so much more bearable. The blog was on my every-morning checklist and brought many hours of enjoyment. Guess I'll have to introduce the Reds to the concept of "ass-bats." (After all, Cincinnati is where all the crappy Twins pitchers go to have a second life....so it's kind of Twins East.)

Continued good luck with authorhood and motherhood and life. And hopefully you will find your way back to the sass again in the future.

Pat G.
Lexington, KY

Batgirl's hanging up her fuzzy cleats???!!!???

There is no joy in Twinsville....

Oh, BG, I am so sad. You are not just the best Twins blogger, you are the best site on the net. But, I certainly understand. I have three young gals, and many days I barely have time to get dressed. When that great day finally comes and the Twins win another WS, I hope you will bring back Legovision, if only for a day. My best to you and the family, and thanks.

BG - I saw this coming, though I wanted to believe it might not. Let me just say that it's been a wonderful place to hang out over these last few years, and that it's been a pleasure participating with you and the fine folk that are the Batlings. I must say that it was always especially nice when something I'd say would elicit a comment from you or one of the rest of the gang, since I greatly respect the intellect and sense of humor most of us seem to share in abundance. (And yeah, I admit it - I am quite proud of having contributed "zesty Punto sauce" and "You can't handle the Boof" into the Batgirl lexicon.) Best wishes to you and your family, and may God bless you. (And the same goes for all the Batlings - I'll miss so many of you. Be good and always look on the bright side of life. Lastly, for those in despair about the '07 Twins, don't give up on our boys - this season ain't over yet.)

I feel like I just got hit in the nuts by a Sidney Ponson fast-ball (with-out a cup too).

Twins baseball won't be the same without Batgirl. You (almost) made losing streaks bearable with your legos and ass-bats. Thanks for the good times...

I'm sad like everyone else to hear that you're not doing the blog anymore but I'm so glad that Baby Dash is doing well and I wish you and your family the best in the future. The Twins have become my AL team to root for and that is solely b/c your blog has been so entertaining. Legovision is one of the funniest things I have seen and I think I'll miss that the most.

Bat-girl -

thank you! thank you thank you thank you!

you have re-instilled the joy of baseball in this heart; you have helped birth that joy in the hearts of my family (i apologize - i know i am saying this clumsily).

this has been, bar none, the best damn baseball blog ever, & it will be sorely missed. from Five-Oh, to the BODs, the nicknames, that hilarious post about Kris Benson, to the very first thing i saw of yours, the LEGOVISION re-enactment of the Red Sox-Yankees series, complete with Spiderman & Ben Affleck (that was my favorite role ever for Affleck) - THANK YOU!

and thank you for bringing together this community of correspondants. i have really enjoyed the wit, imagination, & civilized repartee of the group of people who have come together around this venture. thank you all! but mostly, thank you BG - you will very very much missed! best of luck!

Thanks for everything, BG. In addition to all the great posts mentioned above, I think my favorite was your wrap-up of the extraordinary 2006 season. Summed up my feelings exactly.

Good luck to you and your family. Don't let C.C. Sabathia get too close . . .

-sporto

Thanks for everything, BG...

Ahhh, bummer. But, you've got your priorities straight, baseball is just a game. I'll miss you and and my funny bone won't be the same. Thanks for the memories! Best of luck to you and the batgirl family in everything you do. It's been a pleasure. DJ

wow. this hurts as much as the thought of Torii wearing the new york variety of pinstripes next year.

well, as you can see from these posts, you have touched the lives of thousands of people who loved your blog.

thank you...

Sigh. Your sass and spirit will live on in Batlings for generations to come. I don't think I'll be able to think about this team without thinking of Batgirl at the same time. No longer do I think of this team in mere mortal terms, no, they will always be Batgirl superheroes to me. From LNP to The Good Doctor, the amazing team that we all know and love will forever be touched by Batgirl immortality. Adieu, fair Batgirl, and I will be religiously checking Gameday for what I'm sure will be much-needed and much-appreciated Sass.

Does this mean I have to retire the Golden Lasso and ground the invisible jet?
Ah hell now I have to go back to being just plain 'ol me.

Thank you batgirl for giving us a lot of sass - laughter - tears - messed up computer screens
lego vision - talking nut cups- tiny super heroes- the best presidential ticket in years - boyfriends - friendships and many good times. I'll miss this site and the entire bat family, I wish you all well.

Looking forward to your close personal friend's new book and seeing you..um her this summer.

Last one out - hit the lights.

Una vez última, con mucho amor siempre
Wonder Woman

Awww, suck... Where are your priorities? ;-)

Thank you so much for the kick@$$ blog. It will be terribly missed.

Go Twins!

As the owner of a 3.5 year old active boy. Let me just say, that the possibility of normal sleep and activity level returns right around that 3rd birthday party, or as we say in the business, "post-potty training".

I hope you return recharged and refreshed. ... Unless of course, you have another one. Then you are playing in a whole different league, and I cannot advise you on that.

Thank you for your words. They have been a joy.
Peace, Love, and Rock-and-Roll.

D33

This was truely the highlight of my mornings. Even with a Twins loss, I knew there was at least something here to look forward to reading. Thanks a bunch.

AWWWW, say it ain't so.

This is, was and will be the best baseball blog ever. For your lego-vision, nicknames, blogging skills and unwavering love of the TWINS,

YOU, BAT GIRL, are hereby selected as our G.O.D.
(girlfriend of the decade)

good luck and we will keep on praying that you can come out of retirement someday

What? NOOOOOOOOO!

First TwinsGeek did this, and now BatGirl? Sad... Hopefully you'll get something going likt TwinsGeek did and eventually return to us one day.

This has been bar none my favorite baseball-related corner of the net. You will be missed.

Thank you for all the smiles you have given me and the inspiration you have provided to Lego men everywhere to further their careers in showbiz.

Best of luck with your family and thank you for sharing your talents and Twins passion with the masses.

Dear Batgirl,

Thanks for everything. Thanks for teaching me that's it's OK to have a baseball boyfriend. Thanks for legovision, and nicknames, and properly defining "ass-bats" for me.

I am hopeful that this is not really "Good-bye" but mearly "See you later." Perhaps someday, when you find yourself with more free time, you'll give it another shot.

Best of luck to you and your family. Enjoy these years as they pass much too quickly.

See you later,
k-bro
(a.k.a. Kirsten)

By the way, who was BOD yesterday? For the 23rd?

Wow, this is really sad news. I looked forward to seeing how you were going to put a positive spin on some of the darker Twins days...now where will I go for that? You were a bright light of optimism in a field that is generally filled with negativity (writing about sports). I'll miss that. I think everyone who ever read this blog will miss that.

Good luck with Baby Dash and the fam! I'll have to take a closer look at those reading materials that you've written...maybe I can add some ka-ching to the coffers.

Go Twins!

Batgirl - We will miss you all so dearly. I have instilled in a whole family of Twins fans what we lovingly call "Batgirl speak" ("it's hip because it's portable!") and we often refer to your word as law ("well, BATGIRL says..."). We will miss you dearly. I do have a lego set and am excited to try to recreate Lego Vision in my small way.
Quick question about the Bat Store - are there no "boyfriend" t-shirts anymore?

Oh God! I mean, oh God! Batgirl, thank you for your sass and your dedication for these last few years. As a new father, I understand how important it is to spend time with your Dash and how little time for other pleasures that there are. My best to you and all your family.

sniff... hey I got something in my eye, that's the ticket.

Will miss you greatly!

Sad to hear it, but I loved the site while it lasted. Thanks for the fun!

I bet my office mates thought I was actually going to share that dozen donuts from Casey's with them. After reading your news, I think they are sadly mistaken! As everyone else has said, how can I start my morning with a smile anymore?

If the Twins are into using their hair dos to make statements, I think they should all have "bg" carved into them for the remainder of the season, and really show them off to everyone around the world when they win the Series this year.

I am already plotting where I will be on June 5, so I can pick up a copy of the new book (I am sure our local bookstore will not have it). I think it will be B&N in St. Cloud on June 7. And I really hope to catch you at a reading in MN this summer.

Take care of yourself and that little cutie...oh, yeah, and the husband, too. Hope you all get all your writing done this summer. We are all really going to miss you.

Your fan in Fergus Falls, Nancy the librarian.

I just got a little teared up. I'm so sad to see you go and the rest of Twins Nation nay, the rest of the Baseball Nation is sad to see you go as well.

We love you and thanks for the memories!

I just started reading your blog this season and already you are leaving!! Waaaaahhhhhh!!!
You have made me laugh til I cried and I have marveled at you and your collaborators talented and hilarious writing skills.
Take care, and if you can ever return, please do!
Best to you and yours...

Krissy

As a Canadian, I'm not even a big baseball guy. I don't have a strong interest in any team, including Canada's own Jays. However, your blog actually drew me into the Twins world. It made me pay attention in a way I hadn't since McGwire and Sosa brought baseball back from the brink of sports irrelevance with their bats and syringes. Thank you for entertaining me and letting me tag along.
P.S. I too was a Preemie (4lb 4 oz), and am a happy, healthy, and successful family man. May health and good fortune follow you and Baby Dash always.

Thanks you so much, bat-girl. You made each of us a little happier each day... especially during the greatest of sucks. Your voice will be missed. Good luck with all you do!

You went out on top and never "jumped the snark". Best wishes to you and yours. Stay sassy, BG.

p.s. I'll never look at Legos the same way.

Thanks, Batgirl, for adding to the joy of being a Twins fan over the past few years. We will miss your unique perspective.

All the best to you and yours!

BG, Jeb, all the rest...

I found you about a month after I started reading TwinsGeek, back in about February of 2005. You've been inspiriational to me in what I do, and you've been stop numero uno on my route through my morning Twins fix. Things truly will not be the same in the blogosphere without you, and without seeing that little sassy logo in the upper left-hand corner of my screen.

Good luck with the writing, Baby Dash and all things life brings your way. All the best.

There is no joy in Mudville.

I'm an A's fan who's never posted before; you guys will still let me say thanks to your girl, right?

I thought so. BatGirl readers are the best because they learned from the best.

Thank you.

I think I am really going to cry! It is like you are a friend that I turn to everyday to learn some of the best things about my favorite team. I am going to miss you, but am glad that everything has worked out for you and your family. I will cheer hard in your spirit! :)

Wow...

Thanks for all the great stories the past couple years. I have enjoyed them immensely. Best of luck in your future endeavors!!

As an avid Twins fan and someone who sometimes takes his own thoughts on the game to seriously, you provided to the perfect oasis to really enjoy the game.When Dash starts playing Little league he will be in good hands,with parents who understand that baseball is a passion worth lived,but also just a funny game.

Best wishes, BG and thanks for many laughs and general enjoyment. Any chance of you putting up a Best of BG to help us through the days of suckage? I'll nominate the column that Dr. Morneau wrote while he was on the DL as well as the one at the end of the 06 season with "what a friend we have in DeJesus"

take care
D

Why does loving Twins blogs always end in heartache. First TwinsGeek and now BatGirl.

BG, thank you very much, I will miss your wit very much.

Warmest Regards,
Cal

No, thank YOU, Batgirl. Because of you I have expanded my horizons beyond my home team, I've added more ways to describe suckitude to my vocabulary than I thought possible, and I can't watch a Twins game without calling every player by their nickname and secretly hoping they do well, even when they're playing the Mariners. I've thoroughly enjoyed this blog and will miss coming here every morning to see who the BOD is. Take care of yourself and your family and I wish you all the best.

~Jennefer

BG, I can only add to the din of despair at the news that you're hanging it up. I've got a 4yo myself so I completely understand. Not sure where I'm going to get my sass fix now. It's quite evident that this was more than just a baseball blog. You and the BG community will be sorely missed. Go Twins!

bayareatwinsfan

Dear Batgirl,

I've had so much fun here and I will miss it terribly. Thank you for all the wonderfully entertaining writing, and for the chance to step to the plate and take a few swings myself from time to time. And to all the Batlings, thank you for your kind comments about the posts I contributed here, and for pretending that they were a satisfactory substitute for the real thing.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Twinsville - mighty Batgirl has checked out.

"If we do meet again, we'll smile indeed; If not, 'tis true this parting was well made."
- Wm. Shakespeare

Admiringly,
Twayn

Because of you, my kids always say 'McNasty when Joe Nathan comes out to pitch. I don't think they know he has any other name.
Because of you, my husband doesn't mind that I'm having a sordid affair with Justin Morneau because it's OK to have a Twins Boyfriend.
Because of you, we learned to write baseball haikus.
Because of you, the world has become a better place where folks of all stripes have shared their hopes and fears and love for a team that we are so proud of.
Thank you so much BG and, like everyone else, I hope that there is a 'someday' when you will return to us and share your unconditional love for this team once again.
I wish you & the Bat Family only the best. :sniff:
Love, Jaguar

Heartbreaking. How will I explain to people in the Nation's capital now why I only refer to Johan Santana as "El Presidente?"

You will be sorely missed. Please don't wander too far from all of us.

Thanks for the memories Batgirl, it's been a great ride!!

All the best to you and yours.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you!

Wishing you well in your writing and parenting. I will always feel a kinship with you because we share these two vocations.

Someday, I'll tune into The Writer's Almanac and hear Garrison Keillor say, "It's the birthday of Anne Ursu, who received acclaim for a Minnesota Twins blog Bat-Girl.com and later won the Pulizer Prize for fiction for her series The Chronus Chronicles, the culmination of her life's work as a noted author for young readers. Anne Ursu, who said, 'What is up with the ass-bats?' and other sassy things on her blog...."

BG, you raised the bar rather high around here, which is one reason the Twins have the best blogging community in the country. You will be missed, but your legacy will live on in Aaron and Seth, and Howard, and Will, and SBG, and Taylor and Jesse and a dozen others.

dear batgirl,

i was saddened but also delighted to read a star tribune article this morning announcing your retirement. sad: because i'll miss your blog dearly. but delighted: because i learned that by some remarkable coincidence (1) we went to the same high school and (2) your husband is a professor at the college i attend (in fact, i sat at the same table as him this past winter at a newspaper dinner!).

at any rate, best of luck to you both!

There are times when you just don't know what to say. This is one of them.

Farewell, BG.

You've meant so much to so many. Never forget that.

"We find it's always better to fire people on a Friday. Studies have statistically shown that there's less chance of an incident if you do it at the end of the week." --Bob Slydell, Office Space

The least you could have done is let us go tomorrow! But seriously, for someone that takes the Twins way too personally, I loved visiting this site every day and enjoying the lighter side of the ups and downs of each long season. You and the rest of the brilliant contributors will be sorely missed. Don't be afraid to come back when BabyDash gets a little older--I'll keep you bookmarked just in case.

After several years living away from my lovely state, I had been swayed by those adorable losers of Chicago's northside. Thank you for bringing me back to the Twins. From LNP in kitten form to Johan's firetruck, my day was always a little brighter from your posts. Good luck Bat-Girl.

Oh this is so sad. I have thoroughly enjoyed having this as a study break and I will miss you. Best of luck to you!! :)

Best of luck from a reader in Hamburg, Germany. Not many Twins fans here, but blogs like yours make it seem closer to home.

OH NO!!!!!!!! I honestly didn't know if this was an April Fools joke or what, but since we are late May I guess not. I can hardly believe this is true.

Thanks so much for your wonderful contributions to the Twins community. We will miss you!!

oh shitty..... thanks for all B.G. you will be missed! although this is post #150-something. that's alot of love pouring out to you. Any change of heart on the horizon? we can all hope. love to you and the bat-fam

I'm not going to say "Good Bye" because I don't think it ends here.

"Less stats, more sass" has indeed been your calling card. It's brought smiles, giggles, full guffaws into my life on many occasions. There won't be as much joy while you're gone.

But I do believe that once Dash gets a bit older and more "settled", etc. you'll return to us.

So, until then, take care, friend.

I guess now we know why Justin has been Go Booming so much the last couple days. He already knew.

Here's hoping that Batgirl's retirement is more like Cher's -- frequent and short-lived (but without the hideous, flesh-flaunting costumes) -- rather than like Greta Garbo's.

I guess all good things do come to an end. At least it's for a good reason - very glad to hear that Dash is doing so well. You have really enriched my life over the past couple of years and really helped me reconnect to a team I love dearly. Thank you for that. And now, despite my wife's great wishes, the Santana/Nathan '04 sticker is definitley NOT coming off the car. Best of luck and hopefully you, Jeb and Dash will again get to experience the joy of outdoor baseball in our Twin Cities. At least we have Batgirl's good friend to still enjoy.

BG,

Thank you so much for the smiles, laughs, and liquids snorted throuh the nose over the years. When entertaining us and yourself becomes more of a chore than a pleasure, due to your other priorities, it is defnitely time to go out on top. I and all fans will miss you sorely, but are excited for you, John and Dash. Best of luck in all your endeavours.

PS: One request: if you could find it in you next year to reopen the batstore for the sorely-needed Santana '08 campaign, batlings everywhere would be deeply grateful.

Batgirl,

Thanks for some of the funniest stories I've ever read. You're often imitated, but will never be duplicated. Twins fans are in mourning today. You and your site will be missed.

ah me.

well, as I couldn't imagine juggling both the raising of a baby AND a terribly successful literary career, I suppose that juggling the raising of a baby AND a terribly successful literary career AND running a witty, insightful and vastly creative blog (not to mention all those legos) might be more difficult.

thank you for everything and I hope to see you back blogging soon ...

meanwhile, I am eagerly awaiting Siren Song, I still find myself humming 'but what about Louuuuuuuuuu' at odd moments ... and just remember to keep those legos out of Dash's reach for another 3 or 4 years.

*sniffle*

As I was reading through the comments and JustBeth's sunk in, I realized that something she said hit right on target and it's how I feel and probably just about everyone else...

Batgirl, you are our Starting Pitcher who just went 8 innings on an arm held together by fish glue. You who have so valiantly attempted to continue despite the limitations has finally been convinced to the let the bullpen have a go.

Watching you leave the mound and tip your hat to the adoring fans while we cheer you mightily and stand - Batgirl, you are the Bradke of baseball blogging. We love you for it.

*standing ovation*

Dear Batgirl,

While I am sad to see you go, I cannot think of a better reason than to take care of Baby Dash.

Thank you for the sass, the boyfriends, Legovision, making the sucking less sucky...I will miss it all (well not the sucking and I will never miss the ass bats). If it were not for you, I would not be able to proudly proclaim that "Naked Batting Practice is my Boyfriend" (which, by the way, has gotten me more than one strange look from fellow Twins fans).

Take care Batgirl...we'll miss you!

Melissa

Thanks for everything, BG. Best of luck in your endeavors.

Batgirl,

You're really going to be missed, at this point it's hard to imagine not visiting this site regularly. I do hope you'll write about the Twins somewhere from time to time even if doing the whole blog thing is too much at this time in your life. We'll all look forward to reading whatever you write (fiction or non-fiction).

I sure hope the archives will stay up for a long time as I know I dip into them from time to time and will probably do so even more now.

Your influence is gonna live on for a long time. I can't watch the Twins without using a nickname or some term that I got from this site. I hear people at games using BatGirl terms all the time.

Since starting our own little Twins blog, I have an even deeper appreciation for what you've done here-- posting with such regularity and the community that developed in the comments threads. I've been blogging and reading weblogs since 1998 and have seen it all-- this was a very special and unique blog.

Thanks so very very much and good luck in all that you do,

Laurel Krahn
www.tvpicks.net
www.wintwins.net

Batgirl/Anne -

It's been a pleasure knowing you, both online and offline. Do keep in touch, either online or offline.

Win Twins!

Long time reader and first time poster, I just thought I should say I'm sorry to see you go, but it's understood that kid/family takes precidence.

Thank you for all you've done these past years, and hopefully we'll get to see you back doing the blog when life settles down a bit ^_^;

One less Twins blog in the world? Say it isn't so!
You'll be missed BG, but you're doing it for all the right reasons. Family should aways come first. Good luck to you and yours. ;)

I'm not a Twins fan but I love your blog. You will be missed!

-anne

BG, this doesn't have to be good-bye -- it's just, in the words of the great Nelson Muntz, "Smell you later." When Baby Dash is older you'll have more time to blog about the exploits of three-time Cy Young Award winner Francisco Liriano, four-time all-star Alexi Casilla, and Twins manager Sweetcheeks Hunter.

Until that day ... smell you later.

Best wishes.

Touch 'em all, BatGirl!!

Well done. Looking forward to the encore.

Wow, this is suddenly like the last episode of Cheers and is just as sad.

I loved your writing and especially the legovision. I almost wanted to go out and buy some.

Thank you for everything!

Thanks for the laughs! Good luck!

WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE CO-OPT THIS WOMAN! Do whatever it takes so this can continue, because after all the assbats, minor league starting pitchers and broke-down arms (in dire need of fish glue), the Twins are gonna have another banner year. So get her MLB.TV and a sitter, fly her to games, SOMEBODY PLEASE PONY UP AND PAY. We need you, Batgirl. The fans, the organization and the Twins themselves, WE ALL NEED YOU! You are my BoTD.

oh yea. And sad though this is, it did get me off my assbat to go order a memento from the Batstore.

Here's a plea that you find a way to keep the Batstore going, perhaps as a charity device? I'm sure TwinsGeek or someone would be more than happy to link and advertise such a worthy endeavor.

'cuz everyone needs a little sass in their lives.

this was my favorite baseball blog, and i don't even *like* the twins.

very sad to see it leaving. once dash is grown up and out of the house i'll start issuing calls for its truimphant return!

As an academic and a parent of 2, I understand your decision. I would be content with just the B.O.D. announcement....:)

I'm ordering one of your books today; I want to keep listening to your witty, intelligent voice in some way.

Thanks

Batgirl,
I can't tell you how sad this makes me. Even though I'm a lifelong fan of the Tigers, I looked forward to reading you every day--especially when the Tigers or Legos were involved. (BTW, I am Determined to bring Legovision the the Comerica Park scoreboard.) Your humor and love of the game will be missed.

Dear BG,

I am sure that, without BG (and of course one other Batling), my conversion from Cubs to Twins fan would never have been complete. You gave these teams a spirit and an identity that it is hard to imagine otherwise, and phrases like LNP and Sit Down Bitch are now permanently etched in my baseball-watching vocabulary. Thank you for truly giving birth to these teams for all of us fans...

and in addition, thank you for doing a blog right, from beginning to final bow, with a real community, no ads, and genuine literacy (that was still loads of fun!!). The best tribute I can give to your writing is that if more of my students read blogs like yours, I wouldn't have to rail against the Internet every time I grade papers!!

All the best to the whole BatFamily,
TP

P.S. If you (or someone out there) knows how to make the entire '06 season of BG get released in book form, then get to work immediately!!

Batgirl - We will miss you lots and hope that you'll still contribute to the Handsome Man Team this year. You've got the best blog around. Other than ours, of course.

All the best to you and yours!

- Taft
(the Cubs guy on Snobs vs. Slobs)

Thanks for all the great blogging over the years, Batgirl. We'll all miss everything you've done.

All the best to the Batfamily!

Thanks, Beeg!

If you ever need a babysitter, let me know. I'll gladly turn Dash into my Guitar Hero roadie.

I hope the BatFamily continues to be well.

Thank you, Batgirl.

Thank you for brightening my mornings after Twins losses with tales of ass bats, Captain Cheeseburger, and Little Nicky Punto knitting. Thanks for bringing intelligence and wit to baseball analysis/fandom. Thank you for your dedication to a free service that so many of us enjoyed for so long (since 2004, in my case).

Best of luck with Baby Dash and writing for money (or the sake of art).

You have left a wonderful legacy.

-John Polga

You were one of the inspirations for me jumping into writing about baseball on the Internet in the spring of 2004. Three years later, I've abandoned writing about baseball and have moved on to other subjects, but I haven't abandoned trying to write with a quarter of the style and humor you brought to this website.

You will be missed, obvs. Best of luck to you all.

When I first found this extraordinary site in 2005 to ask a question about how the jerseys are selected for each game, I was amazed at the quick response from you Batgirl and the others.

Since that time I have enjoyed reading all the various items on here, laughed at the Lego recreations, and basically seen this site as a huge family of mostly Twins fans.

Best wishes to you and your family. Feel free to drop by a game thread in the Batcave to say hi and join our colorful discussions :)

Thank you for everything on this site!

Thank you so very much for all the joy and fun you've brought to being a Twins fan. Even when things were bad, this blog would always bring me a smile and I'll miss it very much.

All the best to you and your family, BG.

Thank you, Batgirl.

I just had to come out of lurkerdom to say "thank you" for all the time you've put into this site. I'm a Red Sox/Mets fan who eventually put the Twins on her Favorite Teams list, solely because of your writings. (ok, the Legovision helped too!)

Best of luck with Baby Dash and the future!

:-(

I'm sitting here in denial, hoping to read more sass someday soon...I'm selfishly praying that maybe when when we start climbing back up to the top this summer the excitement will be too much to bear for you *not* to post. I think I'll still be checking in here every day until it sinks in...just in case!

Thanks for making the good times better the last few seasons, and for making me smile even on the worst of the assbat nights. You will be missed.

Just when I think it's safe to come back here and read a few more comments, I get all choked up again. What can you say about a person who has clearly touched so many peoples' lives in such a positive way?

I just want to add that I think twinsprof is absolutely right... the Archives MUST be preserved and I think converting them in to book form (much the way so many columnists create "books" out of their archived columns) would be a terrific idea.... and would save me the effort of having to quickly go back and cut and paste 3+ years worth of entries!

There would be no better way to chronicle the "BG era" of Twins baseball (and possibly get a start on a college fund for Dash!) for posterity than to publish the BG archives.

JC

BatGirl,

May the wind be at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Take care, BG.
-Phil

Batgirl,
As a lone Twins fan stranded in Red Sox Nation, your blog has been a link to home and my favorite team, and a reminder that following a sports team should (above all else) be fun. With a first child of my own due any minute, I am only beginning to appreciate the challenges of fitting a labor of love like your web site into an ever busier schedule, but I hope we will still hear from you occasionally, somewhere else if not here. Until then, thanks for making it a bit (OK, a lot) more fun to be a Twins fan.

All I can say is that I'll never read a blog that brings as much creativity to the Twins as yours did.

Others may emulate your brilliance, but you will never be equaled.

So sorry to see you go, Batgirl. The baseball blogosphere won't be the same without you, and neither will the Lego blogsphere (if such a thing exists).

Thanks for the laughs and best of luck to you in all of your other endeavors!

I have not posted all summer, but have read every day! This calls for one last post! Here's to bat-girl and the lighter side of baseball! I will miss you much, but fully understand! Best of luck, may Dash grow big and strong and have a boom boom stick!

Batgirl says goodbye
Well done, we’ll miss you, good luck
Best blogger ever

TR

I am certain that I'll never come across another blog that is as well-written and hilarious as yours, Batgirl. I am so sad to see you go. All the best to the BatFamily.

Thank you Batgirl; your creative writing brilliance and passion for our boys is something to be admired. I loved when I would read a post that gave me chills and made me think once again, "Man, I love this game!"

Please publish a BG archives book!!

Thanks Batgirl for all your entertaining insights the past few years. I've always enjoyed your writing and will miss it. Best of luck.

Good luck, Batgirl.
Here I thought the Ponson diaries were all that I had to miss reading this summer, but it looks like there will be much more after all.
Thanks for all the laughs!

Say it ain't so!

The summer just got a little colder. I'll miss your wit and humor.

Regina

I'm suddenly remembering my Nelson Algren ...

"For Bat-Girl is gone, long gone,
A long yellow grass-blade between her teeth
And the bleacher shadows behind her."

Oh Batgirl. I don't know what else I can say, other than I agree with what everyone else has said. You will be missed. Good luck with everything in the future.

i am not kidding, my husband called me in tears. life and the Twins will never be the same. thank you for everything...you will be missed.

BatGirl,

I won't really be able to add much to the 100+ heartfelt thoughts and well-wishes above from your faithful readers, but at the risk of plagiarism (or at least a bad echo), I have to put my own two cents in...
My only regret is that I found your blog as late as I did. It's been a real, true joy reading your intelligent, creative, insightful, hilarious Twins writings over the past year and a half, and I only hope someday I'll be there for BatGirl Returns. And even if that never occurs, I know this will live on--there are plenty of Twins-related names, phrases, and terms that have become permanently lodged in my vocabulary!
This may have been a baseball blog, but it was more than that--you've created a real community here, and brought a lot of laughter into the lives of all of us.
Thank you, thank you. We'll miss you. BabyDash is a lucky guy to have such a talented and loving mama!

(And my kids, whenever they come along, are going to be introduced to the Cronus Chronicles right alongside Lloyd Alexander, C.S. Lewis, Diane Duane, J.K. Rowling, and all my other favorite writers of fantastic adventure for young people. For real! Eagerly awaiting Siren Song...)

Thanks again, BG. Best of luck to the whole BatFamily.
Love always,
Kristen (I've posted under a few names, but this is me.)

Well, the weather here in Minneapolis certainly fits my mood upon hearing this news! Oh BG, the only fitting words that come to mind are from the early '90s hair-ballad by Extreme:

"There's a hole in my heart that can only be filled by you..."

Yes, sad I know. Sorry. Anyway, I've been a Twins fan practically since birth, but reading your site just made it oh so much more enjoyable, from our exploits with Sir Sidney, BOD, Nutty, to Legovision, and EVERYTHING else. During every game, I would find myself saying, "I wonder what BG would say about this??!!!!!" And I still will. After a bad game, I could always turn to you and know that it would be okay in the end.

Dash is SO lucky to have you! I will hold out a faint hope that you will come back to us someday. Until then, we will remain your faithful Batgirl nation. Good luck to you and your family!!!

Oh and P.S., I agree, everything totally needs to be archived. It would be a travesty to lose such magnificent pieces of ART! Now excuse me while I go raid the Batgirl store...

Dobs (Carrie)

Thanks, BG, for the laughs. I second the idea for an archives book!

I hadn't heard about your blog until today (via deadspin), but after only seeing your Steroid Hearings in legos post, I know I'm going to miss you. Good luck with the rest of your life!

I'll miss your writing, Batgirl. Best of luck with the family gig.

i second (3rd, 4th?) Twinsprof's idea of an Archive Book - there is so much sterling material here - it should never be lost.

PS - my youngest, who was also a preemie (barely 2lbs), is going to miss playing the Little Nicky Punto & the man-eating baseball game...

Thanks for all the laughs Batgirl. I haven't posted much on this site but I checked it out almost daily for the last couple of years. The nicknames, the stories and of course lego vision will all be missed. Good luck and God bless, Mike

*Wipes tears from eyes*

Good luck with everything! BabyDash is such a miracle and such a beautiful child.

This blog has been amazing. You are a brilliant writer. I'm going to miss you!!

BG- wow.. I don't know what to say.. I think it's pretty much been said for me. I jumped on the BG train last August, and already I've become hooked. Hope to see you around the 'Cave some!

Lynnie

This isn't just a great Twins blog, it's a great baseball blog. It was an inspiration for me to start mine, and has remained an inspiration. Hell, I liked you before I even cared about baseball, due to the lego reenactments.

Best of luck and much love to you and your family. And everyone, come visit metsgrrl.com when the Twins are in town. We're very excited.

I was half-expecting and dreading this announcement. This blog is the first place I check in the morning (and sometimes evening) to catch up on our beloved Twins. Best of luck and I hope to see a BG Returns someday!

Some players will never shake the nicknames you've given them as they are so apt. I'll have to buy my own Legos now so that I can re-create plays at cocktail parties. Thanks for the fun!!!

Sorry one more. This was just on the StarTrib:

Here's a little tribute from LNP:

http://www.startribune.com/video/rich_media/1204704.html

Aww :/ One of the few blogs on the internet actually worth reading. Bye bye, batgirl.

Man, I haven't done this in a while, lets see if I can remember how to do this, work be damned.

Clearly you've learned by now if it wasn't evident before just how much you've impacted the baseball lives of everyone that came in contact with you, your wonderful writing, and your wit.

Before you came along I felt we were all just faceless Twins fans, and I hadn't really felt any connection to the others I would see at games or on the streets in those pre-Batgirl days.

Then one day early in the 2004 season I found a link to your site somewhere, clicked it, and almost instantly felt like I was part of a community, like I was among peers for once. I found others that were as passionate about this game as I was and my favorite team, and could be smartly funny at the same time. Batgirl, Jeb, Goober, the other posters... I wanted to meet you all and buy you drinks which is considerable taking into account how shy I am.

I could rattle off a list of 15-20 people I'm glad to have met but wouldn't have were it not for Bat-girl.com. Although I've been quiet around these parts for the last year or so, I've always considered this place to be a favorite hangout where I could always show up and be accepted. That's no small feat.

Yes, Bat-girl.com is going away; Batgirl lives.

Brian

Best of luck to you, Baby Dash, and the entire Bat Family. Like so many others, I'm not a Twins fan, but I still read you every day. Thanks for everything.

Batgirl,

You will be sorely missed. The nicknames and other terms from this site are so engrained into my baseball vocabulary I often forget that not everyone knows the players by those names or knows what an assbat or BOD is.
This site has been more than just a blog for me the last few years, it has truly been a great community of Twins fans from all around the nation. So, as Herb would say, "So long everybody!"

Batgirl,

Thank you for everything you've created. Your sass and wit have been a blessing to baseball fans around the world (with some extra blessings to us Twins fans). I will miss this blog.

Best of luck to you and your family in all future projects. My 10 year old daughter enjoyably poured through Shadow Thieves in two days. She eagerly awaits the release of The Siren Song.

Thank you for brightening so many of my days,
Jaer

Thanks for some of the best writing one could ever wish to read. Didn't always read your site, but many were memorable.

Beeg:

I have trouble adding to whats already been said. This is the best DAM blog on the web--not just best baseball blog but best DAM blog.

I have enjoyed the 2 or 3 years of daily reading and sometimes posting. I hope you continue to post to Howard's blog.

The best to you and your family--and if your close personal friend ever makes it to the DC area on a book tour--I will try to meet her.

*standing ovation*

DAM

Batgirl:

Sometime during the 2004 season I discovered this site, and it has been really the only Twins blog site I regularly read.

Although it is obvious that many of us will miss visiting here daily during the season, I think we are all a little better fans because of it.

Take care of yourself and your family.

--PerryM

BG: When my kidney failed me in the summer of 2004, I was not able to make it to several home games for almost a month. As someone who normally makes it to >80 games a year and who was needing his fix bad, you and your blogging pals helped me to feel like I still made it out the park each and every game. I will never forget that summer and fall because of what you gave me and all of us fans with your gift of writing. Thanks! - Sammy, from the Midway

Long time lurker; posting for the first time to say, damn, you're one of my favourite baseball writers.

Best wishes, batgirl.

I can't say anything any better than what's been said. i've enjoyed it all, laughed to the point of swallowing snot, and credit the resurgence of the twins to batling power.

long live bat-girl!

How about a collected bat-girl anthology for those who missed out on some or all of the fun?

:: sniff ::

Even The Mets Fan is saddened, and we haven't even begun to figure out how to tell the Stat Freak.

Best in all endeavors. And if the right-hand-tied-behind-the-back thing doesn't work, jam a stick between Dash's knees to ensure bowl-leggedness. It almost preordains a career as a catcher.

Fondly,

-tgd

When I read what cmathewson wrote about Garrison Keillor mentioning Batgirl in a future "Writers' Almanac", I teared up mightily.

The standing ovation for Batgirl--should ever we be privileged to laud her in public--would go on for a very long time.

Still can't believe the news...

You must be doin something right when there are two Perry's out there that love and will woefully miss your musings (ugh, don't really like that word). End this knowing that you were a much better batgirl than Alicia Silverstone!

Batgirl~

We will all miss you so much...The stories and blogs everyday. I wish you and BabyDash the bestof luck! We will miss you!

p.s. does this mean that there will be no more Bat-girl.com? Or will the site still be here?

I totally thought the second commenter said that she hoped you'd meet in PRISON. must read more carefully. although prison would certainly make for some entertaining T-shirt slogans...

at any rate, thanks for the ass-bat-busting posts. here's hoping for much love for the rest of the season from our collective boyfriends, coming in the form of many, many RBIs.

PS--I second dfb's request of a "best of" compilation :D

I wasn't a Twins fan before I came across this site. Thanks for the great blog!

Thanks for providing such an entertaining service over the last few years. Priorities and adulthood are bittersweet at times. Best of luck...maybe a baseball book? Please, please, please.

*sigh* And the internet becomes a slightly darker, sadder place...

Thanks for everything from here in Cardinal Nation.

A sad day, you will be missed. Try and sneak a cameo in will ya!

This is my first comment here, and probably my last.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Thank you BG for all the stories and writings. I have now added "non-sexual man crush" to my lexicon. You got me into reading twins blogging, my employer does not thank you. Best of Luck

BC Twins Fan

You are irreplaceable. Thanks.

Thanks for making those horrible games bearable. You have an amazing talent and I wish you best of luck with everything life gives you.

Amy Po.

so, has there been a little surge in Cafepress orders?

I got mine in, too :)

Bat Girl

I remember coming across your site through ESPN.COM's page 2. Being a White Sox fan, I was extremely jealous that we didn't (at least to my knowledge) have a blog or a site similar to yours.

But I stuck around. I laughed, I cried, I got mad, I shook my fists in the air in anger, I swore never to visit your blog ever again - only to come back for more.

And now that you say you're going, I sincerely, deeply, feel like I missed out on so much.

But this is all about you, and at least I feel privileged to have been a member of your fringe audience.

Best of luck!

So here's my first comment on the last ever BatGirl. Sorry for being lazy and not registering my love of this site before today.

From my first reading, when I found out that the Twins couldn't hit because they were too busy debating who would be Pope, I've found a world of humor and more reasons than I would ever need to keep loving this team.

So thanks again, from a ridiculously expensive cafe in San Francisco. I think it cost me like three dollars to type this.

i think i speak for everyone when i say:

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :(

Batgirl,
Even though you're a fan of our White Sox's hated rival, the us fellas at Sweet Home Sports loved your site.
You will be missed.
From the crew at SHS

Your writing is pure joy.

best -

Timo