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Posted September 22, 2006
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Twins: Praise Dome,
Count Wins
Compliments are often few and far between for the Metrodome but even the
critics can’t deny the facility has provided an extraordinary home field
advantage for the Minnesota Twins. The Twins have the best home record
in baseball with 50 wins, 24 losses. That home record has helped
Minnesota to the best overall record in baseball since June 8-- 65 and
29. During that period the home record is 34 and 15.
The
Twins have won two World Series, in 1987 and 1991. In each series the
Twins never won a game on the road and never lost at home. During the
regular season of 1987 the Twins won almost 70 percent of their home
games.
The
dome’s lighting, ceiling, speakers, artificial turf and crowd noise can
be real or imagined demons to opposing teams. And don’t forget the
visual distraction of all those beloved Homer Hankies waived by fans
from every part of the dome.
The
Twins plan to make Homer Hankies available for the 2006 playoffs. Those
little “devils” and the other distractions opposing players will face
probably provide the best home field advantage in major league
baseball.
“The
game (of baseball) is so much mental,” Twins pitching coach
Rick Anderson said. “I think the other team
comes in here and thinks, ‘Oh, boy, the dome.’ Once you get a few people
in here it gets so loud, and that’s a big edge for us.”
Twins
outfielder Michael Cuddyer said he understands if some players
are intimidated by the dome. “You take all the elements with artificial
turf, the roof, the fans, the loudness (and) it’s a pretty intimidating
place for a visiting team to come in and play,” Cuddyer said. “It’s
exciting to play here. The fans get into it. With the style of baseball
we have played over the last couple months it’s hard not to get into
it.”
Anderson remembers walking on the field a couple of years ago with
Johan Santana prior to the start of a playoff game and the huge
crowd gave the Twins’ star pitcher a standing ovation. “That sent a
chill down my spine,” he said. |
“You take all the elements with artificial
turf, the roof, the fans, the loudness (and) it’s a pretty intimidating
place for a visiting team to come in and play.”
Michael Cuddyer
Photo
courtesy of the Minnesota Twins
Rick Anderson |
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Matty B’s Born Out of Love
Affection for his home town of St. Paul provided incentive to Vikings
center Matt Birk to open Matty B’s Supper Club
earlier this year. “I love St. Paul and I want to see St. Paul thrive,”
Birk said.
Matty
B’s is located at 353 Wabasha Street in downtown St. Paul. The
restaurant was a popular hangout for years when it was Gallivan’s. The
place has been given cosmetic changes, plus “elbow grease,” Birk said.
Birk
has three partners who prefer to remain anonymous. “They have made me
the face of the restaurant, even though I am not very good looking,” he
joked.
Birk
has no previous restaurant experience but was drawn to the business by
the challenge. He talked about wanting something to challenge him
during the months he isn’t playing football. He sees similarities to
the restaurant business and football including preparation, hard work
and producing a product people enjoy. “In the end it’s all about your
customers,” he said. “It’s flattering when people walk through the
doors to your establishment and want to spend their hard earned money.
That’s an obligation on us that we have to make them leave happy.”
During the off-season Birk is at the restaurant “all the time.” This
fall you will probably see him there on Monday, Tuesday and Friday
nights.
What
does Birk enjoy eating at his place? “I am a big fan of the meat loaf,”
he answered. “I also like the pot roast and if I am really hungry I
order the pork chops. They have a pork chop plate with two man sized
pork chops (that) seems to fit well in my belly.”
Does
he pay for his meals? “I don’t pay,” he said. “I just tip.” |
“They have made me the face of the
restaurant, even though I am not very good looking.”
Matt Birk
Matt Birk |
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Nevin Twins’ Next Hero?
On a
team where almost everyone seems to have a turn as the hero of the
moment, 35-year-old Phil Nevin may be
next in line. Acquired by the Twins from the Chicago Cubs on September
1 to provide power and run production, Nevin’s playing time has been
limited on a roster filled with younger and currently more productive
players. The right handed hitting first baseman has had just 30 at
bats, with six hits, no home runs and one RBI. Known as a home run
hitter, Nevin homered 41 times for San Diego in 2001 and as recently as
2004 hit 26 for the Padres.
His
role as more of a spectator than participant is one he accepts. Nevin
talks about being ready for designated hitting against left handers and
occasionally giving Justin Morneau “a rest” while he plays
first base and Morneau DH’s. “I know there’s going to come a time
during the season where I am going to be in a position to help this team
out and win a game or two, and hopefully then again in the playoffs,”
Nevin said.
Nevin
has been impressed with the quality of people in the Twins’ locker
room. Teammates have made his late season transition to a new team much
easier than it could have been and he talks about joining a “great group
of guys.”
At
his age and being a free agent after this season, Nevin’s run with the
Twins may be only for 2006. Plus, in the future he’s interested in
playing more. “I would like a chance to play everyday next year but I
am not worried about that right now,” he said.
Nevin
started the season with Texas where he hit 9 home runs in 176 at bats
before being traded to the Cubs on May 31. With the Cubs he homered 12
times in 179 at bats. |
“I know there’s going to come a time
during the season where I am going to be in a position to help this team
out and win a game or two, and hopefully then again in the playoffs.”
Phil Nevin
Photo
courtesy of the Minnesota Twins
Justin Morneau
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Extra Innings
Kicker Ryan Longwell said on KFAN earlier this
week that only five people knew about the fake field goal play leading
to a Vikings touchdown against Carolina last Sunday. The five,
including Longwell, were holder Chris Kluwe, receiver Rich
Owens, special teams coach Paul Ferraro and head coach
Brad Childress.
Injured rookie quarterback Tarvaris Jackson showed
his athleticism and scrambling ability during pre-season. Still, he
knows if has an opportunity to play during the regular season he must run out of necessity, not by command, and stay aware to
“just be safe and get down.”
Purdue coach Joe Tiller talking about Gopher senior quarterback
Bryan Cupito’s improvement since his sophomore season:
“What’s changed in a three year period is he makes them (the Gophers)
much more potent offensively because of his abilities. He is really the
forgotten guy (among quarterbacks) in the league (Big Ten Conference).
He is the biggest improvement that has occurred at Minnesota.”
Gopher coach Glen Mason said on WCCO radio earlier this week that
Joel Monroe, who has consistently kicked the ball into the end
zone on kickoffs, is the “most improved” player on the team.
Former Vikings radio play-by-play announcer Joe McConnell is on
an indefinite leave of absence for health reasons as Purdue’s football
radio voice, according to the Boilermakers’ Web site. McConnell has
been experiencing double vision.
Local
business executive and former Gopher tennis coach Jerry Noyce,
appointed earlier this year to the President’s Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports, is serving on a subcommittee to encourage corporate
America’s workers to exercise more.
Ellis
Park Race Track in Henderson, Kentucky will host Claiming Crown in 2007
but the well-known national horse racing event returns to Canterbury
Park in 2008.
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Tarvaris Jackson
Kicker Joel Monroe is Minnesota's most
improved player.
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