Minnesota Twins

The injuries just keep on coming for the Minnesota Twins.

In March, the club lost All-Star closer Joe Nathan for the year after he underwent Tommy John surgery.

Last week, reigning American League MVP Joe Mauer sat out with a heel injury that threatened to land him on the disabled list.

The old baseball adage is that pitching and defense wins championships. That being the case, the Minnesota Twins appear to be going in the right direction in 2010.

The starting pitching, led by Francisco Liriano, appears to be the strongest and deepest staff the Twins have had in ten seasons. Four of the starters have spent their entire major-league careers with the Twins. Liriano, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey have all been a part of the rotation since 2008.

Friday, May 7 marked the first weather delay in Target Field history, as well as the first time in 30 years a Twins home game was delayed due to the elements.

This gives everyone who was in the retractable roof camp a reason to crow again for the first time since the stadium opened.

There was much hand-wringing when the final plans for the park were announced, and a roof was not part of the equation.

Winning six of seven series to start the season, the signing of the hometown hero to a long-term contract, and the opening of a new ballpark has many fans thinking World Series.

The first Twins' first World Championship occurred in 1987. For many fans, this team will always have a special place in our hearts.

This was the first professional team to win a title for the state of Minnesota.

As then-second baseman Steve Lombardozzi proclaimed after the Twins defeated the St.

It was a picture-perfect fall day in Minneapolis.

I was back in town to resume my collegiate studies, the sun was shining on my face, and the Twins had charged back into the playoff race, coming up on the slumping Detroit Tigers.

Life was good.

Then "The Text" came.

The Twins were playing an afternoon game that particular day, and rookie phenom Francisco Liriano was pitching against Oakland. He had been battling forearm pain and was making his first start back after a rehab stint in the minors.

• Francisco Liriano faces off against Justin Verlander tonight in what should be a very interesting battle. This is the first meeting between the Twins and Tigers since game 163 last October. Liriano is off to a great start while Verlander continues his April woes for the third consecutive year. Being as both players are playing out of their "norm," there's really no use in posting their career numbers against the opposition. But I'm excited to see how Liriano fairs against the hot-hitting Tigers.

To most he is known as Ron Gardenhire. To his players he is simply, Gardy. He is what is commonly known as “a player’s manager”. However, this is not always a good thing.Most “player’s managers,” or “players coaches” in other sports, are not usually all that successful.

But there are exceptions.

The artist who created the iconic characters of "Minnie" and "Paul" has passed away at the age of 80 after battling cancer.

Ray Barton was paid $15 in 1961 to create two baseball players shaking hands over a river as part of the Twins logo.

He was under the impression that the logo would simply be used on Dixie cups in Metropolitan Stadium, but it now majestically hovers over Target Field in right-center field, and has become one of the most cherished parts of Twins lore.

Since starting this blog, a door has been opened for several great opportunities. One such opportunity has been to review several books.

As a college student, I can't tell you how much I hate reading boring material. We've all been there.

Going into Sunday's game against Kansas City, the Twins have an awful lot to boast about:

• The very successful opening of Target Field. 

• The long-term signing of the reigning American League MVP, batting champion, and hometown hero Joe Mauer.

• The most wins and highest winning percentage in Major League Baseball.

• Four straight season-opening series wins, with the first two on the road.

• Third in the American League in home runs, with six players having hit at least two homers.