StarTribune.com

The sounds of baseball….

Posted on February 17th, 2008 – 10:04 AM
By La Velle

A bunch of players are working out on their own this morning. Phillip Humber played catch with Zach Day. Kevin Mulvey looked for someone to catch him in the bullpen. I now know what Jay Rainville and Jeff Manship look like.

Several position players were gathered at the batting cages but Jose Morales was the only recognizable face. I could have been standing next to Matt Macri and not known it.

The Twins are still waiting to hear from Francisco Liriano, who’s trying to expedite his visa process so he can fly to Florida. Twins GM Bill Smith hopes he learns more on Monday.

That’s all for now. I may have an afternoon update but that depends on who’s around. Keep an ear out for my first podcast of the year later this week….

 

29 Responses to "The sounds of baseball…."

coco says:

February 17th, 2008 at 10:27 am

Sounds like fun La Velle. Thanks for the post. The start of Spring Training is my favorite time of the year as it signals the winter ending & baseball starting. I look forward to all your posts & articles in the newspaper. Be reading you!

Average Joe says:

February 17th, 2008 at 10:29 am

So La Velle, you need to say “are you somebody?” when you can’t ID them!

digger says:

February 17th, 2008 at 10:31 am

Hello from Sioux Falls,

Reading your reports from Florida make me want to call Allegiant and book my flight. Trouble is my wife hid the credit card.

Yang says:

February 17th, 2008 at 10:32 am

Thanks for the updates! I’m looking forward to this year and seeing players develop and also improve upon last year. Keep us posted La Velle!

BC Beneke strictly baseball says:

February 17th, 2008 at 10:41 am

With this group of guys, I feel like hopping a plane, and just putting on some Twins gear and getting to go play catch.

It’s not like we know many of these faces.

SC BBall Guy says:

February 17th, 2008 at 11:55 am

Let the pitching auditions begin!!!!

BC Beneke strictly baseball says:

February 17th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

I want live streaming video of spring training.

mj1 says:

February 17th, 2008 at 2:15 pm

id have to say that after 3-4 days out in the sun and so much going on down there, this post is a rather weak effort to let us know whats happening down south….i dont think i expect too much but there has to be more than kevin mulvey looking to find someone to play catch with as the big story of the day..i will hope things will improve…maybe get a roster lavelle with #s on it…..they probably have them at the concession stands….damn i hate being negative…but…….??

jama says:

February 17th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

LEN III

I know you are a fantasy player. Any suggestions on a top 10 Fantasy Baseball list?

La Velle says:

February 17th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

The days before the first official workout are rather dull, this year is no different. If there was news, I’d post it.

The post was reflective of how dull things are. I really could have gone deeper, gotten into who showed up in what car or where did so-and-so go play golf at. Ooooh, really hard-hitting stuff.

And, BTW, no one is in uniform yet. Everyone is in t-shirts. So the kids on the back end of the 40-man roster and the non-roster guys look foreign to me. Sorry.

North Nickel says:

February 17th, 2008 at 2:57 pm

Thats ok Lavelle. It is blowing snowing from the NW in Northern MN this Sunday afternoon. I am excited about the Twins this year, but I need to see 40 degrees before my blood can start pumping a little more for baseball. March madness is soon here; NCAA’s and baseball in full spring action. Take Care

Paul says:

February 17th, 2008 at 3:34 pm

Lavelle,
I feel really bad that you have to put up with the tedium of your time in Florida before the 1st official workout. I feel so bad that I volunteer to allow the Strib to send me in your place for the tedius part next year. Just my way of saying thanks for putting yourself on the front line for all us fans back home.

Sid says:

February 17th, 2008 at 3:35 pm

LaVelle,
You must realize, that if nothing is happening, you are expected (by the functionally challenged bloggers)to make things up.
A little fiction writing will help prepare you for the great American Novel you are planning to write later in life.
It is difficult for a complete rookie to win a Pullitzer. Get some reps!

romer says:

February 17th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

Itinerant blizzard conditions possible here in SW MN tonight.

So we definitely all need our ST fix, LENIII.

RJTWIN says:

February 17th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

Any news on the Nathan front?

snepp says:

February 17th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

Any news on the Nathan front?

He’s a Twin?

ben says:

February 17th, 2008 at 5:04 pm

There’s an old journalism trick when you don’t recognize your subject. Ask them thier name.

Greg says:

February 17th, 2008 at 5:51 pm

LaVelle,

good stuff. I am sure jerseys on tomorrow and your handy media guide will come in handy.

2 questions, while you are down there besides relaying the play and reports to us…In California here.

Of the players picked in Minor leaue phase, would the Twins reclaim any of them?

Also, what do scouts do in the winter? Difference between an area scout, proffesioanal, advance..

Thanks!

David Kingman says:

February 17th, 2008 at 5:53 pm

Why don’t the twins go after Crede?!?!?!? Either trade for him now or pick up as a FA next winter. Perfect fit!!!

jjswol says:

February 17th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

David, There ain’t a snow ball chance in you know where of the Mighty Whities trading Crede within the division to a team like the Twins. With Williams anything is possible but I don’t think so. It would be great to see Crede at 3B here instead of the 30+ errors Lamb will have if he can hold the job all summer.

un says:

February 17th, 2008 at 6:40 pm

Questions for anyone who has been to spring training…

Are there hotels near the ballpark? Is it easy to get around without a car? I’m thinking about going down there for a few days and wondering if I’ll need to rent a car or anything or if i can walk everywhere.

Adam J. says:

February 17th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

Hey La Velle…what do you think of this prediction…We will see Nick Punto taking flyballs this Spring as a potential CF candidate or fill in?

brookshirebabewatcher says:

February 17th, 2008 at 10:30 pm

LEN3, you saw about as much action as I did. Cuddy and Redmond in the cages at the stadium and that was it. So I went down to the other fields. Baker and Crain tossed to each other. And, some other guys, lol, with no numbers. Maurer played some catch, signed for about 4 kids and did an interview for WINK. Perry hit grounders to 3 guys at shortstop, Machado being the only one I recognized. And I have no idea who was taking the throws at second. A groundskeeper was fielding first. I shoulda brought a glove and ran out to third.

The rosters are now on sale at the ticket office for a buck. So, I’m loaded with info for tommorrow. If, that is, they don’t wear windbreakers and cover up those numbers.

brookshirebabewatcher says:

February 17th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

Oh, I saw Boof and he looked great! Lost alot of weight.

dano says:

February 17th, 2008 at 10:52 pm

La Velle or anybody do you know why there is 41 players on the Twins 40 man roster do you know if there has been a player cut on the 40 man roster and they just haven’t updated the page yet

Sane says:

February 17th, 2008 at 11:10 pm

dano,
My guess is that Jose Mijares is on 60-Day DL after auto crash.

CeSar ToVar says:

February 18th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

ADAM J:
That’s a great idea! I also like the idea of Nick off the bench, late in games, for speed and defense. Remindful of a little man years ago with a catchy latino name who played all nine positions. Can anyone remember his name????

TK(2) says:

February 19th, 2008 at 12:01 am

“Remindful of a little man years ago with a catchy latino name who played all nine positions. Can anyone remember his name????”

…no.