After an injury-plagued 2002, Twins rotation is ready to go
Ah, the hell with war and politics. Let's talk about something that REALLY matters- baseball. More specifically let's talk about my team- the Minnesota Twins. You remember them from last year, right?? Yep, the team with the $19.95 payroll?? That's the one. Well, they're back with a healthy pitching staff (OK, except for Eric Milton) and a taste for success.
The Twins were three wins away from going to the World Series last fall, but the general perception is that a duplicate run that deep into October this season is about as likely as Kelly Clarkson inking a second record deal. But before you count them out, consider that the team posted 94 victories with just one 15-game winner (Reed) and with significant drops in production from the starting infield of Doug Mientkiewicz, Corey Koskie, Cristian Guzman and Luis Rivas. ...
The team is healthier than it was at any point last season, a scary thought for its division foes. Minnesota will likely see the greatest improvement in its starting pitching: In 2002, the Twins lost ace Radke for 2 1/2 months because of a recurring groin injury. Mays, a 17-game winner in 2001, was out for 3 1/2 months with a sore right elbow. No. 2 starter Milton missed a month with a troublesome left knee. He underwent surgery last August and pitched in the playoffs, but his health appears to be the most worrisome. He says he's fine, but swelling has slowed him down this spring. ...
Mientkiewicz has lost 24 pounds since October thanks to a furious 3 1/2 month offseason workout regimen with professional trainers in Arizona. "I got my ass kicked," says the first baseman, who hit .261 last year after batting .306 in his breakout 2001 season. "But I feel great."...
If the Twins can improve their baserunning (the team had only a 56% success rate when stealing bases), and find some power in their lineup (David Ortiz is now playing for Boston), they should once again be able to rule the AL Central. Of course, when you're up against the likes of the Indians and the White Sox, you don't necessarily have to aim very high.
