Minnesota Twins

It's safe to say that there is a lot of pressure on Alex Rodriguez going into the ALCS.

Following the infamous Game Three baserunning error, Nick Punto may be one of the most hated men in Minnesota. He ignored the (possibly late) stop signal from third-base coach Scott Ullger in favor of the roaring crowd. Punto probably ended up costing the Twins a run in that fateful Game Three, which ended up being the last of 2009, and the last in Metrodome history.

But that one mistake cannot replace a surprisingly solid season from the veteran utility infielder.

Anyone who spent more than 15 minutes on a college campus pretty quickly came to the realization that there are many things that seem like a good idea until you try them.

For some, it’s a case race or other manner of spontaneous intoxication. For others it was spending an entire day in the library to get a ton of work done (this seldom worked for me, as I still spent large swaths of time reading old political cartoons or the collected works of Bill Simmons).

I like Joe Nathan. I really do.

In fact, next to Michael Cuddyer, he's probably my favorite member of the Minnesota Twins.

However, he's part of the problem when it comes to having any sort of success in big games, particularly in the playoffs.

Now I know, 10th inning aside in the one-game playoff, which saw Nathan get out of a no-outs first and third situation, he's essentially a member of the "I'm Scared of the Big Bad Yankees" club, a small clique that infests the Minnesota Twins whenever they play New York.

With a slow grounder to to short, it was all over. The joy of game 163, the September magic, the 2009 season, baseball in the H.H.H. Metrodome, all of it.

It was a good run for the Minnesota Twins and in any evaluation of the season, that needs to be the foundation. The Twins beat their expected wins by six games and won a division in which they were projected to finish no better than third.

But, to borrow a line from the Bard, we come to bury the Twins, not to praise them.

The Minnesota Twins magical run is over.

After falling to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series, the players can now head home for the winter and the front-office—lead by General Manager Bill Smith—can begin the work of ensuring the Twins are a contender again in 2010.

The pieces are already in place for a very good ballclub next season.

Perennial All-Stars Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan should all be healthy and ready to contribute.

To some, this photo shows you all you need to know about the Yankees-Twins playoff series.

You've got Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees' superstar third baseman and his $33,000,000 salary standing over Nick Punto, the Twins' utility infielder and his $4,000,000 salary.

Punto had just been tagged out after over-running third base in the eighth inning of the Yankees' series-clinching 4-1 victory in Game 3 last night. The combined 2009 salaries of of the three Yankees who combined to throw out Punto is $68,700,000.

I wanted to thank the Metrodome for its many great memories for the past few decades.  One can only hope those made at Target Field will be more memorable. 'Tis time to deflate the Dome and have the spirits of great Twins teams of the past move across the street, and yes, those for Metropolitan Stadium are also welcome.

As the Twins prepare their final stand in defense of their 2009 season tonight against the New York Yankees at the Metrodome, it's important Twins fans realize one thing: There are no expectations. There can be none.

There cannot be any regrets, lamentations or disappointments.

Win or lose, this team deserves celebrating.

Can someone round up Tom Hanks?

He needs to have a sit down with Ron Gardenhire, the Minnesota Twins and their fans.

We need good 'ol Tom to remind everyone, "There's no crying in baseball." 

Enough already with the blown call by Phil Cuzzi on Joe Mauer's ground-rule double in the top of the 11th.