Childhood memories of Billy Martin
Posted on July 17th, 2009 – 10:13 AMBy Howard
(Howard’s note: Section 220 commenter Jeff in So Cal grew up in the Twin Cities and, after reading Patrick Reusse’s recent column about Billy Martin and the 1969 Twins, wrote this to share some unique memories about his family’s relationship with Martin. Nice to have baseball back today. I’ll be on MPR at noon talking baseball with Gary Eichten.)
There was a time when MLB coaching staffs had to work a second job in the offseason as their salaries were not that great. Billy Martin worked a second job in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas too during the mid to late ’60s. Grain Belt Beer was one of the biggest sponsors of the Twins back then. Billy Martin worked for Grain Belt during the offseason doing promotions, giving speeches, and generally a good will ambassador of Grain Belt and the Twins. His day to day job was actually visiting the beer distributors and go with them on their routes to meet customers to promote the beer.
My Father owned a Grain Belt Beer distributorship back then and that is how my family and I got to know him. In the offseason he would occasionally come into town and he would ride in the truck with my Dad and go to tavern owners talking baseball. He would even help my Dad unload his truck from time to time to help him out. My Dad would sometimes let me miss school when he was in town just so I could ride along with them.
I heard Billy tell his stories of those great Yankee teams and of course his stories of Whitey Ford and the great Mickey Mantle. Wherever he went there was always a crowd that was mesmerized by what he had to say. He always made it very clear that he was very proud of being a Yankee but he was also very proud to wear the uniform of the Minnesota Twins. He often compared our teams to those great Yankee teams.
It always saddened my Dad to always hear how much of a drunk Billy Martin was. I can tell you that I never saw him drunk. My Dad said that when he was with him on the route he always drank in moderation and was always very accommodating to everyone. My Mom and Dad would have him over for dinner after the days work was done and he was the very best guest a kid could ask for.The next morning he was at the warehouse bright and early ready for the next day. My Mom and Dad always liked him and appreciated his help with their business. I can tell you I was in 7th heaven talking to him and that just fueled my love for Twins baseball that still burns today and for the rest of my life.
I am not saying that he did not have a problem with alcohol but in those days all I can say is that my family and I never saw it. I think he knew he had a responsibility and he did not want to let anyone down.
That Twins team of 1969 in my opinion was the best Twins team ever with their blend of power and speed. The aggressiveness on the base paths came from one person .. Billy Martin! Look up the stats of that Twins lineup and you will be amazed. We could really use some of those guys in our lineup today. Unfortunately we ran into a Baltimore team that was one of their all time great teams too.
That 1969 team was Billy Ball before anyone had ever heard of Billy Ball!! In closing I just want to say that Billy Martin was very well respected by me and my entire family. He will always be held in high regard and I am the better for having known him.
136 Responses to "Childhood memories of Billy Martin"
Great story Jeff. It’s kind of sad how more often then not people like Billy are remembered for the bad things they did and not the good.
As a Twins fan I look at the 69 team and think what could have been if Billy would have been kept. Living in NY and Binghamton area in particular, there are alot of reminders of Billy from those 70s Yankees teams and also his death near here. The guy driving just passed away. The man could have been so great but is a legend anyway.
Mmmm… Premium… ‘Sota beckons.
Anyway, Rich Reese was my dad’s favorite ballplayer from back in the day, but he always referred to him as a PH/backup. I didn’t know he had such a year in ‘69.
They also had a relatively unknown 3rd baseman who went on to not only be a gold glove but also a real good offensive player..
Craig Nettles..
What a great story, Jeff! Those are some remarkable memories that you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life.
Martin seemed to almost become a parody of himself after a while and the media fed off of that. Unfortunately, the image that we’re all left with is one of a drunken, brawling buffoon.
Martin had his demons, without a doubt. But he knew baseball and clearly, from your memories, he had a lot of redeeming qualities off the field as well.
Thanks for sharing!
JC
thanks for the compliments.. I know everyone on here always enjoys your stories as well as SOME of your posts!!
ha ha
I will always remember that game in 67 against Detroit and Martin was the First Base coach and Bob Allison got a single and Billy Martin patted Bob on the rear and said good hit. That memory will always be precious for me.
Great story Jeff.
I heard Lou Holtz speak once. He told a story about how he had to sell appliances on commission to supplement his coaching salary. When asked about his skills as a salesaman, Holtz said he sold more than any other salesman at the company; he sold his car, he sold his furniture…
wasnt Craig Nettles a real rabble rouser too? I think he got in a big fight with a fellow Yankee in the late seventies. Didnt he have a brother named Jim too?
I remember a game that season, or in 70, when Dave McNally had been undefeated for the Orioles all year. They had that rotation of McNally, Cuellar, Palmer, and someone else. It was a Sunday game, and Rich Reese hit a grand slam for the Twins win, and breaking McNallys unbeaten streak. Am I right on that?
“They also had a relatively unknown 3rd baseman who went on to not only be a gold glove but also a real good offensive player..
Craig Nettles..”
That would be Graig Nettles. (It’s ok though, as I recall Topps got the name wrong on a baseball card, as well!)
Walter…
As usual with you.. That is way to funny!! I had the opprotunity to meet Holtz the first year he was the Coach at Notre Dame. I was staying in Elkhart on business and we met him at a restaurant. As soon as he found out I was from the Twin City area he really opened up and shared alot. He told me that he loved his time there very much..
Oh man … at 2nd base, Rod Carew, with a .332 BA. Any chance Rod can still play? He would be about 63 now, but might still be just the upgrade the Twins need.
Not exatly related to Billy, but still old twins lore, so I guess it kind of fits in this thread.
This day in History:
1962—Bob Allison and Harmon Killebrew of the Minnesota Twins each hit grand slams in the first inning of a 14-3 rout of the Cleveland Indians.
Jeff, thanks for sharing you insight about Billy Martin and your life experiences with him. If memory serves me correctly, I believe it was Martin that even punched out Dave Boswell. Martin was a spunky guy with lots of good in him. Thanks again, Jeff. Doc. 
Wasn’t there a player a few years ago that hit two grand slams in the same inning?
Great Billy Martin stories.
I think I’ll watch The Bronx Is Burning again this weekend.
Nice post, Jeff.
I hope Mauer bats second and Harris plays shortstop.
Question…How many times did Martin get hired, fired, rehired, refired, as manager of the Jankees?
Jeff: Great story. Thank you for sharing. I grew up listening to the Twins on the radio (usually what was called a transistor radio which had a single ear piece) and remember those heartbreaking games with Baltimore to determine who would go to the WS. Coincidentally, I took my fifteen year old son to a game at Camden Yards recently and it brought back those memories of Billy et al. Lot’s of great stories about that team.
Jason, please wait for one of the other blogs to talk that. This is for comments about Jeff’s story regarding Billy Martin. Question for you…As a student, did you have trouble staying on task?
Walter, that was Fernando Tatis who hit them 2 grand slams in an inning.
It was in ‘99 if I recall.
Fernando Tatis, hit the two GS in one inning. April 23, 1999 off Chan Ho Park.
Jeff,
I loved your post and thinking about Billy Martin really brings back memories of good hustling baseball and a dynamic manager. He may have had his demons but he was a fine manager and anyone who has read about him knows that he has many more attributes that modern day managers (Gardy) could emulate and be better for it. Also, it was good that he punched out Dave Boswell because I think he probably deserved it - wouldn’t it be something today if a manager would get po’d at a player has just ring his bell to get his point across - probably would get arrested. Loved your story!
Jason,
I also hope to see Mauer batting in the two-hole tonight.
Here’s that game Kev referenced. Rich Reese PH grand slam.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN196908030.shtml
Jim Nettles was an outfielder, drafted by the Twins and played three seasons for Minnesota 1970-72.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nettlji01.shtml?redir
Graig Nettles also played 3rd Base for the Twins 67-69.
Good article on Mr. Mauer over at ESPN.
Minnesota Cat
Thanks so much for the kind words. Billy Ball was a phrase for the type of baseball that was all about Billy Martin. In 1969 nobody had ever heard of Billy Ball but that team was the first. It is also interesting to note that the Twins were a little short up the middle.. (like now) they went out and got a proven shortstop for those teams that went on to have a couple good solid years for us. (Leo Cardenas)
Jeff,
I always thought they first used the term “Billy Ball” when he was managing Oakland. Was it used earlier?
Lookin’ for Punto love
I’ve spent a lifetime looking for you Punto
Single Punto bars and good time Punto lovers, never true
Playing a Punto fools game, hoping to win
Telling those sweet lies and Punto losing again.
I was looking for Punto love in all the Punto wrong places
Looking for Punto love in too many Punto faces
Searching your Punto eyes, looking for Punto traces
Of what.. I’m dreaming of…
Hopin’ to find a Punto friend and a Punto lover
God bless the day I discover
Another Punto heart, lookin’ for Punto love
When I was alone then, no Punto love in sight
And I did everything Punto I could to get me through the Punto night
Don’t know where it Punto started or where it Punto might end
I turn to a Punto stranger, just like a Punto friend
I was looking for Punto love in all the Punto wrong places
Looking for love in too many faces
Searching your Punto eyes, looking for Punto traces
Of what.. I’m Punto dreaming of…
Hopin’ to find a Punto friend and a Punto lover
God bless the day I discover
Another Punto heart, lookin’ for Punto love
You came a’knocking at my Punto heart’s door..
You’re everything I’ve been looking for..
No more looking for Punto love in all the Punto wrong places
Looking for Punto love in too many Punto faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I’m dreaming of…
Now that I found a Punto friend and a Punto lover
God bless the day I discover
You, oh you Punto, lookin’ for Punto love
In all the Punto wrong places
Looking for Punto love in too many Punto faces
Searching your eyes, looking for traces
Of what.. I’m Punto dreaming of…
Now that I found a Punto friend and a Punto lover
God bless the day I discover
You, oh you Punto, lookin’ for Punto love
Walter
Not that I know of.. What I was trying to say was 1969 was Billy Ball before anyone ever heard of Billy Ball..
Rod Carew stealing home 7 times!! Perfecting Carew bunting to 3rd base when Tovar was on first and having Tovar continue running full speed to the unoccupied 3rd base bag.. That was all Billy Ball!!
Jeff,
Would you say “Billy Ball” was as much a result of the unique available talents of the Twins players as it was of Martin’s creativity?
Ha! Howard is excited/nervous. On MPR right now, he said “Luis Casilla”. So Bert’s job isn’t in jeopardy……
Haven’t heard Howard’s MPR gig for quite a while. Really really good to hear him again.
It speaks well of a manager if he utilizes the unique talents available, no?
OB: “”talents available”". Those are the key words.
I think “Billy ball” was showing everyone that he was in charge and not some primadonna player like Reggie Jackson.
BC, Martin also let Dave Boswell know who was in charge when he decked Boswell.
What I would really like to see is for Grain Belt Beer to have some presence at Target Field no matter how small. I know it is all about money and that is why Budweiser is there. It would be great to have at least one small booth honoring Minnesota brewery history and in fact history of Met stadium and the sponsership that Grain Belt provided the Twins for years!!
My favorite Billy story was told by Mickey Mantle on the old Johnny Carson show. I’ve told it on here before so stop me if you’ve heard it. OK? … No one? OK here goes.
Mickey and Whitey went hunting every year in Texas. On the farm of an old farmer that allowed them to hunt his land every year for many years. Before their trip they decided to ask Billy to come along. They got down to the farm, pulled up to the house and told Billy they’d be just a couple of minutes. They just wanted to check in and say hi to an old friend before they headed to their camp. In the pursuing conversation they asked the farmer how he was. He said he was pretty broken up because an old mare he had was very ill and needed to be put down. He’d had her for many years and was experiencing trouble doing the deed. Mickey, being the good friend he was, said he’d take care of it for the guy. As Mickey and Whitey were walking back to the car, they got the idea to play a joke on Billy. When they arrived they acted very pissed. They told Billy that the g*d d*mn farmer had a bug up his butt and out of the blue, all of a sudden, said they couldn’t hunt his land anymore. But they said “We’re gonna fix the son of a b*tch though. We’re gonna shoot his horse.”
They shot the horse and before they could stop him Billy killed 2 cows.
I’d like that too Jeff. That booth sure would get inundated though.
Paul that’s hilarious.
Yeah, good stuff Paul.
Jeff,
I like your Grain Belt idea. I also hope the Twins pay homage to their Washington Senators past. The Twins were not an expansion team in 1961. They were a franchise that was a charter member of the American League. Twins should show some respect to Walter Johnson and Goose Goslin amd Sam Rice.
DrDon,
I got my “Billy Martin” fix from Reusse a couple days ago. Given that he played / managed before my time, I don’t have much to add.
As a student, I was good at multi-tasking. My guess is some in 220 are interested in tonight’s lineup as well as Billy Martin’s stunts from the 60s and 70s. I assume you received permission from T to direct the focus of the conversation, right?
Paul if I had heard that before I have long forgotten.. Thank you for bringing up that great story! That is the biggest laugh I have had in months!! My Dad told me Billy had a bunch of hilarious stories of Whitey, Mickey, and him.. What a great story that was and thank you for sharing!!
Jeff,
I enjoyed your article so much, as I
have everyone that has been filling in for Howard. The ‘69 Twins were a great team in a wonderful more simpler time.
If I remember correctly Pat Dobson was the fourth Baltimore starter and in
‘71 all four won at least twenty games.
I wonder how starting pitchers today
would hold up in a four-man rotation?
Walter,
Excellent point. I agree 100%. Times infinity. Plus one.
I think that’s from a movie, not sure though.
Jeff,
And thank you for your rememberances.
Paul,
Maybe I’ll start a “Put A Walter Johnson Monument At Target Field” petition and website. Hmmm……
Walter,
IMHO your namesake was one of the top 2 or 3 of all time.
Paul,
Of righthander, yes.
How about a WS banner for this team?
I never realized Dave McNally died a long time ago
That’s a great story Paul and one that I had heard before but I wonder if that one doesn’t have a little embellishment to it - still great, though, as I can see Billy unloading his shotgun on a couple of Holsteins. PETA would have a field day with that one. Jeff, I think there are a couple of shortstops and/or second basemen that could fill the bill like Cardenas did in 69, but BS has to pull the trigger to get them. I see the BOSOX are releasing Lugo - do not, I repeat, do not go for him.
Tell me again how Lugo would be a worse 2B than Punto and, likely, Casilla.
I agree, great story by Paul,,,, I also wonder if it is necessarily true, but it is funny whether it is true or not
Just to clarify, I dont doubt Paul is telling the truth that Mickey Mantle told the story on Johnny Carson, but just wonder whether Mickey didnt embellish it. Either way, good story.
OB I like that idea and i love some of those names from that team mule, showboat, pinky, goose.. awesome baseball names.
Jeff,
this is a great story. Thanks for sharing!
“”"Jason says:
July 17th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
DrDon,
I got my “Billy Martin” fix from Reusse a couple days ago. Given that he played / managed before my time, I don’t have much to add.”"”
In all politeness to you, may I suggest that you therefore just read and enjoy instead of changing the subject. You add a lot of good comments to the various blogs, as do all posters here, but sometimes it is just best to read, enjoy, laugh, and appreciate. Thanks for all of your additions to the blogs, Jason. Doc
Yeah, BC, and Walter Johnson hit .283.
I guess Walter Johnson was a pretty good hitter (career .235 BA and 24 HR [note the deadball era was his prime]). That being said, this shocked me:
In 1925, at the age of 35, Johnson put up a .433/.455/.577 slash in 107 PAs. That’s an OPS of 1.033. Incredible.
BC,
I’m gonna ask the guys I run with to call me Mule. No, maybe not. Not sure they could contain their laughter long enough to play the game. I also used to play with a guy who could be Pinky.
Per the comments about Grain Belt, I hope they pay homage to both Grain Belt and Hamm’s at Target Field. In my mind, both sponsors played a big role in early Twins baseball.
anyone remember when the Star Tribune used to have a couple of goofy looking Twin cartoons on the front page and if the Twins won the day before theyse goofy little Twins would be celebrating and if they lost they would be crying or something? I wish the Strib brought this back
Kevin….great memory. If the Twins won, the little Twins would be dancing and happy, and that led us to go to the sports’ section immediately to read about it. If they were crying, we read the article later. Thanks for that one, Kevin.
When I was younger I remember going into some establishments that had those Hamm’s beer signs that showed the Hamm’s Bear riding in a canoe across the sign - they were great and I always enjoyed any commercials that had the Hamm’s bear in it. I would like to see some kind of tribute to Hamm’s as well as Grain Belt but I suppose every local brewery would want to get on the band wagon; however, Hamm’s and Grain Belt go back to my earliest memories of Twins baseball.
I hadn’t really thought about the Twins doing something by way of honoring their Senators’ heritage, but I think it’s a terrific idea.
Someone get Dave St. Peter on the phone. I seem to have lost his number.
They sold a lot of “Schmidt beer! Schmidt beer here!” at the Met, too, as I recall.
JC…for sure. the vendors would be yelling. “Cold Schmidt, Cold Smidt here, Get your Cold Schmidt here!!!” They sold a lot, and I think Wally the Beerman was part of it.
I envy all you guys who got to experience the Met. I was old enough, just lived on the wrong end of the state. I blame my parents.
Thrylos and everyone
Thank you for the kind compliments on the article.. I just thought that instead of remembering a guy for the negative only is wrong. I wanted to bring to light his history here in the Twin City area with the Twins and Grain Belt Beer and to share the good that he did to help people..
In fact, JC, I remember being at a Twins game, when Wally came around. We ordered 4, he only had 3, so we bought the 3 and told him to come back to us with 4 more. He came back, we got the 1st 4 of good cold Schmidts. BTW, the 3 were gone by the time he came back.
“”"Walter Johnson says:
July 17th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I envy all you guys who got to experience the Met. I was old enough, just lived on the wrong end of the state. I blame my parents.”"”
Walter, you will not regret getting back to outdoor baseball with the Twins. It isn’t just a new stadium, it is back outdoors, where it belongs.
I had a lot of great memories at the Met (hey Howard, might be another idea for a topic on a future off-day), but let’s not kid ourselves here… the Met was one screwy ballpark. You know the old definition of a camel being a “horse designed by a committee”? Well that’s sort of what Met Stadium was.
It was like they started with an American Legion ballpark and had just sort of added a new section of seating… not at all similar to existing sections of seating… every year or two until it “grew up” to be a major league ballpark.
But that just makes the memories all the more interesting for those of us who spent a little time there.
JC, the old Met was originally called Bloomington Stadium and was the home of the Minneapolis Millers. I remember corn fields outside of the outfield fences. It was easy to get to at that time, because the metropolitan area had not yet expanded that far. I am talking late ’50’s before the Senators relocated to Minnesota.
Jeff,
I got in late but wanted to share my thanks for an excellent story! The 1969 team was my favorite Twins team also,and I agree,I think it might have been the best team the Twins have ever fielded (with due respect to ‘65,’87,’91). If I’m not mistaken Harmon Killebrew even agrees with that assessment.I think I’ve heard him say it many times.
My foundness for the ‘69 team probably stems from the fact that 1969 was my first visit to the Met,I was ten years old.My uncle took me to a night game against the (then) lowly Chicago White Sox.My favorite Twins player was Rod Carew,and midway through the game he stole home for the seventh time that year!
Thanks again for sharing your great memories of Billy Martin!
Remember the old right field wall?? It was a chain link fence!! The big Longines Clock in right center field and of course the big Grain Belt sign.. I do remember when I first went there as a kid and could not believe how beautiful the grass was. I didn’t know that a grass field could look as beautiful as that!
Jeff, thanks again for another memory of the big Longines Clock…. As the clock ticked towards game time, the crowd go louder and more excited. Don’t ever forget the Money Tree either.
Camera Day (where fans went down on the field to take pictures of the players before the game)… Bat Day (not with those little souvinir bats, but regulation Little Leage size bats)… and scheduled double headers.
With apologies to Julie Andrews, THESE are a few of MY favorite things.
JimCrickett you are right,the Met was kind of a goofy ballpark when you think about it,but it was heaven for me.I think baseball fans always feel that way about the first ball park they visited or remember.
My other great memory of the Met was a couple of years after my first game in 1969.My Dad took me to a Saturday afternoon game that just happened to be camera day.You used to be able to go down on the field,or actually the warning track areas, and the Twins players posed for pictures with the fans for about an hour before the game.my Dad gave me his Super 8 movie camera and I got great movie pictures of almost the entire Twins team.
My Dad passed away last November and I found the old reels of film from that day among many other reels,while cleaning out his belongings.I also found an old loop editing machine that allowed me to look at the film.Great memories.
Pro… see my comment above. I loved Camera Day.
Get that super 8 converted to DVD! I’d love a copy!
Pro from Dover
Thank you also for the compliments! You can second me on wanting a copy of that old home movie of yours! I can imagine you really enjoyed that and probably will for the rest of your life!!
DrDon,
Is it cool to talk about tonight’s game yet? I’m kind of excited about the return of meaningful baseball…and the other bloggers haven’t checked-in yet today…
Guys I will do that,and get back to you.I’m thinking it was 1973 because Killer,Tony,and Carew were still on the team,along with Bert.The guy that I took the most film of was Larry Hisle,who had his youg son Larry Jr. with him on the field.Larry Jr. later played college basketball for Marquette I believe,but he was just a little guy then,cute as could be.
Jason
are you trying to mess with my day?? I feel bad for JC when he wrote that great article and then all the buzz was about Tosoni going to the D-Backs in some invented trade.
JimCrikket that was a great article and I know everyone enjoyed it!
Jason I was just messin with you.. As far as I am concerned you can talk Twins baseball anytime..
Pro from Dover,
Please count me in as a customer too.
Of course not Jeff I’m just being antsy because I’m too young for this discussion and can’t wait for tonight’s game!
Truthfully, I enjoyed the post (Just as I enjoyed Reusse’s column about Martin).
“”"”"Jason says:
July 17th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
DrDon,
Is it cool to talk about tonight’s game yet? I’m kind of excited about the return of meaningful baseball…and the other bloggers haven’t checked-in yet today…”"”"”
Go for it Jason, you have permission from the Old Fart here.
Remember the noise level from Bat Day? All us kids banging our real wooden bats against the metal floor of the Met? I think My Dad took me to bat day in 1972 and swore all the way back home to Rochester that it was the first AND last Bat Day I would ever be attending!
Lugo’s officially been DFAed.
Here is what I expect, not want, tonight?
1. SpanMan
2. Joe
3. Justin
4. Kubes
5. Cuddy
6. Credes
7. Harris
8. Go Go
9. The Puntz
Pro…Bat Day drove Halsey Hall crazy!!!
I will share one more story and it was told to me by a Twins Hall of Famer who was his teammate. There was one Twin back then who was the king of partying and I was told put everyone to shame when it came to that including Martin. I won’t go into details of his exploits as he has passed away. I will just say that he was extremely talented to have played all nine positions in one game. I wonder how good he would have been if he would have taken better care of himself..
AND YOU CAN KISS THAT ONE GOODBYE!!!
Was that Hall?? My sole source is a senile grandfather.
Doc, if you “expect” Mauer to 2nd, prepare for some disappointment.
Like I said yesterday, it should go like this:
Span LF
Mauer C
Morneau 1B
Kubel DH
Cuddyer RF
Crede 3B
Harris SS
Gomez CF
Casilla 2B
…
Undoubtedly, it will go like this:
Span CF
Casilla 2B
Mauer C
Morneau 1B
Kubel DH
Cuddyer RF
Crede 3B
Young LF
Punto SS
LaVelle, Joe, and Howard are having so much fun reading this blog of Jeff’s that they don’t want it to end. Me too.
Still potent nonetheless.
I contemplated that, Jason, putting Alexi in the 2 spot. But…I like Harris to start at SS in place of the Puntz who can come in for either Harris or Lexi later in the game.
LOL yeah Doc, I’m sure La Velle, who’s only been in Minnesota since 1996, is enjoying hearing about a stories from the 60s and 70s…
but hey, a win must be a foregone conclusion tonight…everyone seems so ho-hum.
LEN III is a baseball fan. If he does not enjoy learning about our past and the history of the Twins and various events, his problem.
I like the Twins’ chances in that bandbox in Arlington.
OB, so far the score is 0-0, so we have good chances.
“I wonder how good he would have been if he would have taken better care of himself..”
Jeff more then a few people said that about Mantle as well.
Now here is a news break about weird people:
Babe Ruth also, BC.
Check out these splits for Padilla. He ain’t no good in Texas.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=padilvi01&year=2009&t=p
Here’s a memory for you regulars.
Remember “Fan in the stands” with WCCO radio’s Randy Merriman?
If he interviewed you behind the 1st base(Twins) dugout,he would let you reach into the “batters box” & draw out a players name.If that player hit a homerun,You would win an AM transister radio….I drew George Mitterwald & got bupkiss….
BC
Mantle’s family history was a lot of immmediate family dieing at a very young age including his Father. Mantle was convinced he was going to die young too. Later in life one of his famous quotes was “If I had known I was going to live this damn long I would have taken better care of myself”
I would also like to add:Bring the giant Grain Belt Neon over fron Nicollet Island to the new ballpark…Instant nostelgia!
DrDon,
I’ve always thought you can learn alot about the future by studying the past - at least it works with history. Maybe the Twins organization should take a look at that 69 team and some of the other years where we seemed to have the chemistry, potent bats, great pitching and see what brought it all together. It might take only adding one or two people to have “history repeat itself” - it happens all the time and why not for the Twins?
No need to “feel bad” for me about the nature of the comments yesterday, Jeff. I’m sure we both feel the same way… appreciative of Howard allowing us to pinch hit for him and for all of the men and women who follow up with comments.
The “topic” sets the tone, but it all revolves around Twins baseball so it’s all good.
The game time forecast in Arlington is “only” 95 degrees tonight. But the heat index is “only” 97… so obviously it’s a dry heat, right?
“‘I wonder how good he would have been if he would have taken better care of himself..’
Jeff more then a few people said that about Mantle as well.”
At least a few people have said that about me, as well.
Cat, for sure. I, like you, am hoping that the Twins Powers that be will recognize how close we are to being a dominant team. And if they have to spend some to get some, my feelings are do not spend some to get equal of what we have. Spend to improve, do not spend just to spend. I feel the Twins overpaid The Puntz, but did not Seattle overpay for Silva? Spend, but spend wisely.
JC, no it is not a dry heat, just like up here when it is -25 degrees in January and February, we don’t say it is a dry cold. Hot it Hot, Cold is Cold.
JC….”"”At least a few people have said that about me, as well. “”"
Me too. I am a drunk, not an alcoholic. I attend fewer meetings…
Hey, was anyone else a little bothered by Souhan’s column today, which basically said it was reasonable for the Twins not to make a move, so long as Casilla improves and Crain comes back and is halfway decent?
I mean, talk about a mouthpiece for the Twins front office…he calls out Casilla, a $400k player, saying he and Crain are the reasons the Twins are in third place, but doesn’t mention anything about our supposed $4 million shortstop and his .201 average?
I just found that disheartening on a couple of levels. First, the Twins should be encouraged by the media to make a move to improve (status quo isn’t cutting it, as Doogie points out). Second, if you’re going to call out individuals for our third place showing, you might want to focus on the multi-millionaire veterans before jumping on Casilla.
Yeah I’ve spent too many summer days in the Dallas area and in none of those visits did I do anything as strenuous as playing baseball.
When the Senators moved to Texas, it meant MLB had truly “gone to hell”.
Jason, the whole point is….what do we need to spend to improve? I do not have a clue, but if the Pohlad group would decide to go get all of the exquisite free agents and spend $201 Million like the Jankees, do not be surprised when game tickets become unaffordable for the masses. Money In Minus Money Out Equals Profit. You know that, my friend.
Three out of Bill Smith’s last four biggest signings:
there is a game in less that 3 hours…
lineup:
Span LF, Casilla 2B, Mauer C, Morneau 1B, Kubel DH, Cuddyer RF, Crede 3B, Harris SS, Gomez CF
thry??? how and where did you see that.
DrD,
I got my sources 
OK, man….. I like it tho.
Great story Jeff, had no idea your Twins roots went so deep or that Billy Martin spent so much time in and around Amery!
thanks thrylos….Joe, why Twitter before bringing us masses the news. We wanna bitch and moan here.
I remember Fan in the Stands with Randy Merriman and that cool jingle, its a beautiful day for a ball game, for a ball game, today
Also, wasnt there a time when Halsey Hall had a 15 minute pregram TV show and Harmon also had one where he, in full uniform, interviewed one of the opponents player? Halsey Hall would have a guest and if you fooled him with a baseball trivia question you would win something
Any chance Gardy “doesn’t want to put added pressure” on Casilla, realizes Harris isn’t a #2 hitter & bats Mauer in the 2 spot? Then the stars align perfectly, Mauer has a big night, the lineup scores a bunch of runs & Gardy has another “aha” moment & decides to leave Mauer in the 2 hole indefinitely?
(I know the stars aligning isn’t necessary for Mauer to have the big night, but I’m concerned it is for the rest to happen).
Joe C has new update blog with lineups, see ya there. Thanks Joe.
Thank you all for the kind comments. Thank you Howard for the opprotunity to fill in for you for the day. I just thought it was something that needed to be said instead of just hearing about all the negative things about a public figures life.. Besides it is a little history with Billy Martin with the Twins and his history with Grain Belt Beer!!
Nice story Jeff! Maybe you should move here and write for the star trib! Anyone agree? The weather is better here…:)
Jeff,
I enjoyed reading this. Where can I get a Grain Belt Beer? Hope we make it to the Angels/Twins game. I will miss you in Southern California and the weather is awesome here! Come back and visit.
