Blog!

Get well soon, Graig!
(© AP)

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
It's only a couple days until the Twins open the season and I'm excited. I think we're going to score a lot of runs with Carlos Gomez, Delmon Young, Justin Morneau, Craig Monroe, and the rest of the boys.

I watch about 100 Twins' games a year, and listen to most of the other 62 on the radio. I can't tell you how many times in the past few years I've been watching a game, it's the late innings, we're down by a couple, and the best we can do for pinch hitters is Jason Kubel or Mike Redmond! I've attended games where in late innings, down by a run, we actually batted Punto, Tyner and Bartlett. Meanwhile, the Tigers this year can bring Edgar Renteria, Brandon Inge, or who knows off the bench!

I'm feeling a little old today. My second favorite baseball player growing up, Graig Nettles, has prostate cancer. His prognosis is good, but it's just weird when your childhood heroes suffer from diseases associated with old age. Nettles was the best-fielding third baseman I ever saw, was a great power hitter, and in my mind is about 32 years old with curly hair, is diving for balls, fighting with George Brett or Reggie Jackson. In reality, he's 63, with no hair, and loves to spend time being a grandpa.

In case you're wondering, my favorite player growing up was Rod Carew, the most magical player I ever saw. Kirby Puckett came close, but there's nothing like your first kiss, your first true love, and your first baseball hero!

I'm knew to blogging, so I'll sign off for now. In my next post I'll recount my run-in with Bob Feller (he wasn't nice).

PBB (pitchblackbaseball.com) Out
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