Some random Twins thoughts and my Minnesota Twins TTM
Autograph Update:
Much has been made about Joe Mauer’s hitting slump, but no
one brings up the obvious – he is still suffering from the lingering affects of
his concussion from last year. This could be a serious problem as Twins fans
remember all to well the lack of production from Justin Morneau even three
years after he had “recovered” from his concussion. I worry Mauer could suffer
a similar fate.
Another question with Mauer is what the Twins are going to
do with him once top prospects Miguel Sano and Kennys Vargas get here sometime
in 2015. Sano plays third base while Vargas plays first base. One would think
the Twins will want both to play and develop, so Mauer could find himself
switching positions again and playing left field.
I like many was caught be surprise when the Twins signed
Kendrys Morales, but wonder how much he will really help and whether he would
even consider staying here long term. He will probably produce okay numbers
then leave as a free agent. The Twins have no one who is any better at DH, so Morales
will have job for the rest of the season.
So far this year, my TTM autograph collection has not been I
would have hoped. I was able to finally get successes from Dan Serafini and Bobby
Keppel. I also finally got Bill Campbell to sign a Twins card for me. I miss
the boat when I saw Ricky Nolasco and Jason Kubel signed during spring training
and when Kevin Correia signed earlier this year. None of the three has ever
been reliable signers, so it is hit and miss with them.
The Twins have had only one free autograph signing event
this year, so picking there has been slim. 2014 All-Star Fan Fest will be in Minneapolis this year
with a lot big name former Twins players appearing. However, I have heard
autograph lines are long and it cost $35 to get in the door and that is not
counting the parking and food expenses that will be probably another $40. Will
I go? I think I will wait and see.
If you are looking to get an autographed baseball card from
either Torii Hunter or Justin Morneau you can do so for only $30 for Hunter and
$25 for Morneau. Hunter signs for the Detroit Tigers Foundation’s Autograph for a Cause program. Morneau signs for the Colorado Rockies Foundation. I sent to
Hunter last year and it worked great. I also received a signed card from Miguel
Cabrera through Autographs for a Cause in 2010. I used the Colorado Foundation
program to get Troy Tulowitzki in 2011 so I know both programs are legitimate.
You do sometimes have to wait a while for your card to come back signed, but
you get a letter stating the foundation people watched the player signed the
cards. Also private signing with these players would cost you more than double
what the foundations are charging.
I sent to Hunter again this year, and we will see if I can
scrap together enough money to send to Morneau. Hopefully my TTM successes will
pick later this season, and hopefully the Twins will pick up some more wins
this season.
