Back in '06...

Hello again. Long time, no blog.

In the six weeks or so since last I posted, Casa TBL has relocated and downsized by a number of square feet and one person. And that, frankly, is all I have to say about that. At least for now.

I still have no broadband connection (TBL is currently holed up in the local coffee shop, riding their free wireless and nursing a gingerbread latte), but if the nice folks at my ISP are to be believed, that will change on Wednesday. Of course, they previously told me December 15th, 21st, and 27th. So...yeah.

I've missed a number of events in Twinsland, and I'll touch on them now. No point in going into the depth I might have at the time, however. This is just playing catch-up, putting the old year to bed in order to better greet the new.

And by the way, happy new year to you all. May it be better than the last.

Morneau the MVP (November)
Well, color TBL stunned. TBL was quite sure the MVP would go to a certain east coast shortstop whose only extraordinary talents are smirking and making routine plays look wildly difficult. Apparently the baseball writers were actually paying attention this year. Who knew?

Willie Eyre Released (December)
Hrm. TBL's gut tells her this wasn't the greatest move in the world. He wasn't arbitration-eligible, and despite a lackluster rookie year, the kid's got some nice stuff and definite potential. Surely enough to merit the (relatively) cheap major league minimum salary. Eyre has since signed with the Rangers.

Jeff Cirillo Joins the Twins (December)
The former Brewers infielder passed a physical and signed a one-year deal for $1.5 million. It sounds like he's expected to be the next Juan Castro, only with hitting. A good move, sez TBL, for the price.

Rondell White Re-Signed (December)
Surely this raised many a groan of despair, but considering how well he did once he finally got that shoulder loosened up, TBL is cautiously optimistic. However, there are hints that he's expected to be the starting left fielder rather than the DH, and that does make TBL scratch the ol' noggin. He's not, ah, particularly fleet of foot, is he?

Brad Radke Retires (December)
We all knew this was coming. The man pitched on a shoulder that was a fiery cauldron of agony for what, a season and a half? He's a freakin' hero in TBL's book, and not just for that. He stayed with the Twins when he could have made more money elsewhere, and when he could have left a pathetic Minnesota club to pitch for a contender. When the Twins became contenders, they did so partly because of his mentoring of young pitchers and his willingness to pitch through rain, sleet and torn ligaments. Now he wants to fish and finally let that shoulder heal. TBL has hopes that he will someday reappear within the Twins organization as a coach.

And that's it for 2006. Next up...who knows? Maybe Terry Ryan will go out and get TBL that pitcher she's been begging for.