The Desert Islands of Second and Third Base (Braves Series Recap, 6/26-28)

The 2024 Grapefruit league season is well underway and the Minnesota Twins roster is ramping up for the regular season. David and Dan talk over the news that Denard Span will be joining the broadcast booth in 2024, as well as some ex-Twins news as Eddie Rosario is signed by the Washington Nationals. The guys discuss some jersey number drama for Carlos Santana and Dan gets tossed after going off on the Athletic's Aaron Gleeman for not asking a particular question in his recent article discussing Rocco's platooning young left-handed hitters against left-handed pitchers. The boys discuss some highlights from recent Grapefruit league play including Byron Buxton's two-triple one home run day, and Royce Lewis, shockingly, hitting another grand slam. Dan mocks David's spelling ability and the guys wonder how important a role Kyle Farmer will play on this team in 2024. Thanks for listening, and as always, go Twins!   

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter: @MNfortheWin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website: https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

The Minnesota Twins are still about a month away from playing baseball games that count, but now the spring training games are in full swing. David and Dan discuss the latest roster moves -- including a trade for a righthanded-hitting outfielder -- and all the off-field updates, including the Pohlad's latest attempts to explain why they aren't spending money and the changes in the radio booth. They also look around the MLB to talk about the controversial pants as well as the new rule changes. Finally, they wrap up with the convergence of two great passions: baseball and board games, which, according to reports, have found their way into the Twins' locker room this spring. Thanks for listening, and go Twins!

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter:
@MNfortheWin
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website:
https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

The boys are back in studio for the 2024 Minnesota Twins season and discuss all the storylines as spring training begins for the team in Fort Meyers, Florida. Dan is still coming down from his Joe Mauer HoF election and the boys are excited about the Twins getting a city connect jersey this season. David is upset that the Twins front office failed to allow better streaming options for the fanbase, and further the team has no plans to increase their payroll even with a new TV contract in place. The guys discuss the Bobby Witt Jr. signing by the Kansas City Royals and Dan's hopes that the Twins bring back free agent Eddie Rosario. David and Dan talk through the Polanco and Gordon trades, along with the Santana and Jackson signings. Thanks for listening, and as always, go Twins! 

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter: @MNfortheWin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website: https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

It's finally here, the moment so many Minnesota Twins fans hoped would come: Joe Mauer is headed to the Baseball Hall of Fame. David, Dan and Hoges discuss the announcement that the Minnesota native is among the three players inducted in the Class of 2024 with a special offseason episode of MN for the Win. They discuss Mauer's candidacy while also looking at the Hall more generally: Should there be a 10-vote limit? How much should character play into it? Will players of the steroids era ever get in? And perhaps most important: When will Royce Lewis get the call from the Hall?
Look for more episodes in one more month as the boys ramp up to watch what should be another entertaining Minnesota Twins season in 2024. Thanks for listening, and go Twins.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter:
@MNfortheWin
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website:
https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

Given some time to let the end of the season settle in, David, Dan and Hoges get together for one last episode to recap the 2023 Minnesota Twins baseball season. They start with a discussion of the retirement of longtime broadcaster Dick Bremer and share their thoughts on what to make the of payroll reduction and the lack of a TV deal for next season. Then, they look back at their season predictions ventured back in March, followed by a a season-long version of their usual segments, with discussions about Rocco Baldelli, their favorite moments of the season and the MLB rule changes. Finally, they wrap up with a shorter look toward 2024 and what changes might still be coming.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter:
@MNfortheWin
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website:
https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

With that, the Minnesota Twins season is over. An exciting ALDS Game 4 does not go the Twins' way, as they lose 3-2 at Target Field to the Houston Astros. David, Hoges and Dan recap the game's highs, lows and lulls, many of which feature the letdown moments of the Twins' offense. They discuss the two home runs from Eddie Julien and Royce Lewis, and they also dissect the choices Rocco Baldelli made as he handled the pitching staff and one key pinch-hitting scenario. They zero in on the bottom of the sixth as the key moment of the game, and they try to muster some hope for next season amid the sadness of losing in the ALDS. After the World Series, they will be back with their season recap. Thanks for listening throughout the season, and go Twins.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter:
@MNfortheWin
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website:
https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

The Minnesota Twins returned to Target Field tied 1-1 with the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series, but the Twins couldn't get it done at home failing in spectacular fashion losing 9-1. The guys are joined in studio once again by Andrew "Hoges" Hoganson and they work to try and keep their hopes alive in the Twins postseason chances. The boys have trouble finding a silver lining from game 3 and focus their gaze ahead to game 4 and Joe Ryan making his first postseason start of 2023 against a homerun happy Houston lineup. Hoges doesn't want the Twins to pitch to Alvarez, and Dan thinks it's time for Kirilloff to take a seat on the bench in favor of Solano. The guys lament the missed opportunities in game 3, specifically the at-bats with the bases loaded for Max Kepler and Royce Lewis. The boys finish up making their Puckett's Picks for game 4. Thanks for listening, and as always, go Twins!  

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter:
@MNfortheWin
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website:
https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

Fall is in the Minnesota air, and the Twins are headed back home with a split in Houston, which gives them a chance to clinch the ALDS this week at home. David, Dan and Hoges recap Minnesota's 6-2 win over the Houston Astros in Game 2 on Sunday, a resounding response led by starting pitcher Pablo Lopez and former Astros shortstop Carlos Correa. The boys recap the game inning by inning and highlight the work Minnesota's righties did against Houston pitcher Framber Valdez, including Kyle Farmer's first-ever postseason hit. They also praise Rocco Baldelli's feel for the game as he handled pinch hitting and the bullpen. Looking forward, they wonder whether Christian Vazquez will get a chance behind the plate, and they make their Puckett's Picks selections for Game 3. Thanks for listening, and go Twins.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter:
@MNfortheWin
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website:
https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

For the first time this postseason the Minnesota Twins lose a game, falling 6-4 to the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series. David and Dan recap the game, which featured a too-little-too-late comeback from the Twins, who squandered some early chances to get to Justin Verlander. They pick apart the way Rocco Baldelli managed the bullpen (though with a mostly favorable review), and they highlight two fielding plays: one by Alex Kirilloff and another by Ryan Jeffers and Carlos Correa. While neither is in panic mode, both David and Dan wonder what the lineup will look like against lefthanded starter Framber Valdez in Game 2, and they make their Puckett's Picks selections with an eye toward the question: Will anyone actually play the whole game? Thanks for listening, and go Twins.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter:
@MNfortheWin
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website:
https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

For the first time since 2002, the Minnesota Twins clinched a playoff series victory, taking the second game of a best-of-three against the Toronto Blue Jays. They advance now to face the Houston Astros on Saturday in the ALDS. David, Hoges and Dan discuss the game against the Blue Jays and look forward to the series against the Astros. They discuss the good start from Sonny Gray and the brilliant performance by the Twins' bullpen, including another great 8th inning from Griffin Jax and a shut-down 9th from Jhoan Duran. They also question the decision by Toronto's manager to pull former Twins starter Jose Berrios in the fourth inning, and they praise the work of Gray and Carlos Correa in getting a key pick-off at second to end one of the Blue Jays' many scoring chances. They also look toward the next series and wonder whether Bailey Ober has a spot on this roster and whether there might be any other changes to the roster. They also reflect on the many comments from Twins players about the significance of the moment, and they dare to hope that this is still early in a Minnesota playoff run. Thanks for listening, and go Twins.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter:
@MNfortheWin
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website:
https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series