Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen, #34

There's been a good bit of talk this season about how the number 34 keeps popping up for the Twins since the death of THE #34, Hall of Famer and legendary centerfielder, Kirby Puckett.

To refresh your memories:
  • The Twins have worn the number 34 on their right uniform sleeves all season, as a tribute to Kirby.
  • The ballpark bill, after years of wrangling, cleared the state Senate on a vote of 34 in favor, 32 against.
  • The Twins won their 34th game of the year (May 10th at Rangers) 4-3.
  • The Twins' 34th road game was a win (June 8th at Mariners, 7-3). The start of a 9-for-10 streak that put the Twins at .500, this game is marked by most analysts as the game in which the Twins season turned around.
  • Their 34th home game was also a win (June 25th vs the Cubs, 8-1). The Twins had 34 at-bats in this game.
  • After starting off the season with two months of consistent sucking, the Twins put together a stunning seven-game winning streak (in the midst of a 21-for-23 rampage starting June 8th) to pull to the .500 mark on June 18th, putting their season record at 34-34.
Chalk up one more. Last night, in the bottom of the eighth inning of the win that officially admitted the Twins to the 2006 postseason, the Twins' greatest slugger in 19 years stepped to the plate. He had inexplicably gone over a month without a home run, but on a 3-2 count Justin Morneau swung his mighty bat with two runners on.

And hit home run #34. To center field.

How about that?
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6 comments:

  1. Joe9/27/2006 5:40 AM

    Since you brought up the numerology, I'd like to present one more possibility.

    If the Twins go 4-1 in the final 5 games, they will be 98-64, 34 games over .500.

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  2. Anonymous9/27/2006 1:56 PM

    And the Twins clinched a playoff berth on 9/25. 9 + 25 = (you guessed it) 34.

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  3. Anonymous9/27/2006 1:58 PM

    And they clinched a playoff berth on 9/25. 9+25=34

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  4. frightwig9/27/2006 4:18 PM

    Winning the AL pennant requires 3 wins in the division series and 4 wins in the championship series.... Of course, in the World Series, the Twins will just have to flip it and win in 7: 4 games to 3.

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  5. Joe9/28/2006 6:37 AM

    Another one I thought of yesterday.

    It's been 19 years since they won in 1987.
    It's been 15 years since they won in 1991.

    19+15 = 34

    Spooky!

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  6. musicfan872/11/2007 11:43 AM

    Not to mention Mauer's final batting average. .347, 34, and Mauer's jersey number

    ReplyDelete