This part of Opening Day was exciting!
Minnesota winter is officially OVER – and we can thank Mother Nature and the Minnesota Twins. BBRT was in the stands yesterday (April 7) – third deck behind home plate – as the Minnesota Twins opened their home season with an 8-3 loss to the visiting A’s. Despite the disappointing outcome, it was baseball that counted, the field was in great shape (just three days ago about a half-foot of snow fell on the Twin Cities), the beer was cold, the hot dogs hot, the peanuts salted, the cotton candy “shudder sweet” and approximately 36,000 fans were ready to welcome baseball and the Twins “home.”
The temperature at game time was in the mid-50s (about 20 degrees warmer than the 2013 home opener that BBRT shivered through, read about it here) and the sun was shining. In Minnesota, in April, we break out the shorts and sun screen and call this kind of day “a real scorcher.”
We arrived at Target Field early, for a trio of reasons (baseball tends to do things in threes):
1) The Twins continued a tradition of having franchise “celebrities” open the gates. This year’s cast of honorary gatekeepers included such notables as Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven, three-time AL batting champ Tony Oliva, former Twins’ manager Tom Kelly and former Twins’ first baseman Kent Hrbek.
2) We didn’t want to miss any of the Opening Day festivities, especially the ceremonial first pitch from Somali-American and Minnesota resident Barkhad Abdi (nominated for an Oscar for his role the 2013 film “Captain Phillips.) Abdi, by the way, made a strong throw to the plate. As a bonus, there was also a solid performance by local a cappella (never thought I’d use “a cappella” in a baseball post) group Home Free, who won season four of “The Sing Off.”
3) It is a tradition in the BBRT family that all significant food (any that requires leaving your seat to acquire) must be purchased before game time. This rule was enacted to protect the integrity and accuracy of the obligatory scorecard.
Once inside the Target Field, the feasting began. We started with the new Porchetta Egg Rolls ($8). We liked the combination of the creamy filling (pork and cream cheese) and crunchy outside (fried egg roll). The portion, two large egg rolls was perfect for sharing. It could have used a bit more cream cheese and BBRT would suggest some hot Chinese mustard for dipping. Next, we went for the traditional Walleye and Fries ($11.50) – a reliable, tasty treat – a large, flaky walleye fillet, with a crisp breading and generous portion of fries.
The Smoked Meat sandwich from Andre Zimmern’s Canteen.
Next, we spotted local celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern’s AZ Canteen. Zimmern is perhaps best known for his Travel Channel show Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern and the offerings here were, as expected, a bit more exotic. We had our choice of Crispy Belly Bacon with Jalapeno Jelly and Vinegar Slaw or a Smoked Meat Sandwich with Vinegar Slaw and Maple Syrup Hot Sauce (both $12.50). We opted for the Smoked Meat Sandwich, which was moist and flavorful (a more interesting blend of flavors than in most ball park foods). For those who might be a bit wary of unidentified smoked “meat” – given Zimmern’s passion for bizarre foods – rest easy, it’s pastrami. BBRT would also recommend Zimmerns’ Cucumber-Mint Lemonade, with or without vodka. All in all, there’s lot of new food items to try at Target Field, so get there hungry – and get there early.
Once full (close to uncomfortably so), we purchased official Twins’ “2014 Opening Day” pins and attached them to our hats, picked up a scorecard and headed for our seats for the aforementioned festivities. (Oh yes, and while there wasn’t the jet-propelled flyover you see at so many ball parks, an American Bald Eagle did soar majestically high over the field in the middle innings. Much more Minnesotan.)
The game itself left a little to be desired, even beyond the score. There were a combined ten walks, one hit batsman and one run-scoring balk. There were also nine Twins’ strikeouts and ten left on base on offense, as well as shaky starting pitching (starter Kevin Correia gave up six runs on nine hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings). All of this seemed reminiscent of 2013, when the Twins had MLB’s second-most hitter whiffs, third-highest rate of men left on base and worst starting-rotation ERA.
Still, it’s just one game, and there is hope. The Twins just came off a 3-3 road trip, the hitting has looked better and there is more potential in the starting pitching staff. And, most important, we have 155 more games to watch the story develop.
There were bright spots: a rousing ovation for three-time batting champ and new/now first baseman Joe Mauer; a nice welcome home for former Twin Jason Kubel, who had a double and an RBI and is hitting .381 in the early season; and a warm reception for former Twin/now Athletic Nick Punto, who came on as a pinch-runner in the seventh.
The play of day goes to the Twins’ Chris Colabello, who started in right field and ended the top of the second inning with a diving catch on Eric Sogard’s sinking liner and then threw to second to double off Alberto Callaspo. Colabello, who had a single and a walk in five at bats, was selected AL Player of the Week (shared with Angels’ outfielder Josh Hamilton) for the first week of the 2014 season. In six games last week, Colabello hit .391 (9-for-23) with four doubles, one home run, four runs scored and a then AL-best 11 RBIs.
The versatile (1B/OF/DH) Colabello is one of those “feel good” baseball stories. Colabello went undrafted by organized ball out of college and – before signing with the Twins’ organization in 2012 (at age 28) – played seven seasons in the independent Can-Am League, where he averaged 83 games, .317, 18 home runs, 100 runs and 85 RBI per season. In 2011, he hit .348, with 20 home runs and 79 RBI in 92 games. In his first season in the Twins’ system, Colabello hit .284 with 19 home runs and 98 RBI for the Twins’ New Britain (AA-level) club. In 2013, he moved up to (AAA) Rochester, where he earned 2013 International League MVP and Rookie of the Year honors by hitting .352 with 24 home runs and 76 RBI in 89 games between call-ups (55 games) to the Twins. At the major league level, things did not go as well (.194-7-17 in 2013). That performance and Joe Mauer’s move from behind the plate to first base (Colabello’s primary position) led some to suggest he consider playing overseas. Colabello, however, did not give up on his “American (League) Dream,” stuck with the Twins and a strong showing in Spring Training (.349-1-8 in 43 at bats) earned him a spot on the roster – and the clean-up slot in the home opener batting order.
Another story that grabbed BBRT’s attention was the travel of catcher Chris Hermann, who lined up for the Rochester Red Wings (AAA) home opener on Sunday and then found himself being introduced as a Twin during yesterday’s opening ceremonies. Hermann was called up following an ankle injury that sent Jason Bartlett to the Disabled List. Hermann’s resume is not as flashy as Colabello’s (.258, with 29 home runs in 485 minor league games and .189-4-19 in 64 games for the Twins in 2012/13). He did, however, hit .412 in 17 at bats this spring, and had the thrill of lining up along the first base line for the Twins home opener player introductions. Two openers, at two levels, in two days – that’s a busy schedule.
This Opening Day activity was NOT exciting.
If there was one low-light to the game, it came in the third inning when a long fly ball down the right field line by A’s shortstop Jed Lawrie led to a lengthy (more than four minutes) replay review. The initial foul call was upheld, but the whole process was unsatisfying for the fans. Note: This was the second four-minute-plus replay delay for the Twins this season. BBRT remains old school in opposition to replays. My feelings: 1) Over a 162-game season, the calls will even out. 2) Long replay delays disrupt the flow of the game, particularly for the pitcher; 3) At least, before the new challenge system, fans had something to watch when a manager disagreed with a call (arm waving, hat throwing, dust kicking and, of course, the ultimate: ejection).
All in all, despite the loss and the replay delay, it was (as always) a good day at the ball park. The sky was bright blue, the ball was stark white, the grass deep green and the fans adorned in lots of red and blue Twins’ garb. The crack of the bat on a well hit ball was as sharp as ever, 95-mph fastballs literally “popped” into the catchers’ mitts, the vendors’ voices were in good form and the “We’re gonna win Twins” theme song sung with gusto. The players fans love to watch ended up with the dirtiest uniforms, mustard fingerprints somehow found their way to the edge of scorecards around the stands and rally hats appeared in the late innings. The hot dogs had that special ball park flavor, the scorecard was cheap and informative, the day’s slate of MLB games could be followed on the scoreboard – and Target Field remained one of MLB most inviting ball parks. Oh yeah, and there was NO wave! Perhaps, most important, baseball is back and winter is OVER.
With that review of opening day complete, let’s look at just a few interesting (at least for BBRT) early season developments.
Yu Darvish picked up right where he left off in 2013 throwing seven shutout innings (7 hits, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts) in his first start – beating the Rays 6-0 on April 6. In the process, Darvish reached 500 career whiffs faster than any MLB pitcher ever (401 2/3 innings). Darvish topped the record (404 2/3 innings of the Cubs Kerry Wood).
Braves outfielder B.J. Upton also picked up where he left off. After hitting .184 in 126 games in 2013, he finished the first week of the 2014 season 3-for-25 (.120 avg.), with 11 strikeouts in six games.
The World Champion Boston Red Sox threw their fans a curve. After not being swept in a single home series in 2013, they were swept (3 games) by the Brewers in their first Fenway Park series of 2014.
Rockies’ center fielder Charlie Blackmon surprised the a large home crowd with a six-for-six day at the plate as Colorado topped Arizona 12-2 on April 4. Blackmon, who also made a “Web Gem” sliding catch in the top of the fourth, finished the day with three doubles, a home run, two singles, six runs and five RBI. The 27-year-old Blackmon looks like he’s here to stay. He averaged .309 in six minor league seasons – and .309 in 82 games for the Rockies in 2013.
Yasiel Puig surprised just a few fans, when he was benched for the Dodgers’ home opener after arriving late for pregame workouts.
Yankee captain Derek Jeter began his Mariano Rivera-like farewell tour with a pair of Yankees pinstriped Lucchese cowboy boots and a Stetson hat – presented by the Houston Astros. More mementos are sure to come. In the meantime, on Sunday (April 6), Jeter collected a pair of hits, to reach 3,320 for his career – placing him at eighth all time.
Here are the targets ahead:
Pete Rose – 4,256 hits
Ty Cobb – 4,189
Hank Aaron – 3,771
Stan Musial – 3,630
Tris Speaker – 3,514
Honus Wagner – 3,420
Carl Yastrzemski – 3,419
Finally, a special nod to Carle Place High School (Long Island, NY) junior Mike Delio, who not only tossed a 7-inning perfect game in his first outing as a varsity starter (Delio played for the junior varsity as freshman and sophomore), but also struck out all 21 hitters (on just 84 pitches – a low to mid-80s fastball and knucklecurve) in the 15-0 victory over Hempstead.
