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Betsy Helfand Profile
Betsy Helfand

@betsyhelfand

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Minnesota Twins writer for the St. Paul @PioneerPress . National parks enthusiast. Big fan of dogs.

Minnesota
Joined March 2014
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
6 years
Nelson Cruz (38) is older than his boss, Rocco Baldelli (37), who is older than his boss, Derek Falvey (35) 🤯
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
Lin-Manuel Miranda on his cousin, Jose: “To actually have someone from the family make it up to the majors is like an enormous source of pride.”
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
6 years
The 51s accidentally just shot off a bunch of fireworks during the middle of an at-bat:
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
Have you ever seen a more perfect video?
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
4 months
Marney Gellner will call the Twins’ upcoming series in Chicago. She will be the first woman to serve as the Twins’ play-by-play announcer during the regular season. She previously called spring training games in March 2019.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
I may not be from here, but I just waited in a line for half an hour while it was 45 degrees and raining for these and I’ve never felt more Minnesotan in my life.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
Spotted: Carlos Correa Giants and Mets shirseys. Incredible.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
5 years
Twins fans, your team is 23-12. They are owners of the best record and largest division lead in baseball. They just dominated the Blue Jays in every facet of the game in a three-game sweep. Happy Wednesday.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
Carlos Correa received his Gold Glove and Platinum Glove today.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
4 years
Byron Buxton cracked a tooth eating steak and had to undergo a root canal this week. The Twins expect him back shortly.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
What was your favorite moment of the Isiah Kiner-Falefa Twins era?
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 months
the sky right now in minneapolis is something else
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
Byron Buxton began learning Spanish in the offseason and now has a Duolingo streak of 200+ days. "To be able to communicate with my teammates was the goal, but the more I do it, it’s kind of more to be fluent. ... To know a second language, it’d be cool.”
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
Carlos Correa is here and he’s already making some new fans.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
6 months
Kyle Farmer left a summer sausage he received from Cloverdale on a table in the clubhouse. Hitting coach David Popkins grabbed it and brought it into the dugout during a game against Chicago. It's brought them luck, so now Twins hitters tap the sausage before they go to hit.
@beastModeRocco
Rocco Hairdelli (lost without ⚾️ )
6 months
Hard Salami In the house #MNTwins
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
1 year
That was Carlos Correa's first career home run.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
7 months
The Twins’ television booth has officially been renamed after Dick Bremer.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 months
Joe Mauer has noticed the large number of Twins fans who have come to Cooperstown to support him. Mauer: “For them to make the trip and actually be here means a lot to me. To see the Twins fan and to see the Twins logo everywhere and No. 7s, it really does warm my heart.”
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
1 year
Ryan Jeffers, after being told by @MillerStrib that the Twins have won every game he's homered in this season: "October 3rd and 4th, I’ll put one in the seats, and we’ll be moving on."
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
Luis Arraez just received his Silver Slugger Award and his AL batting champion award, which was presented to him by Rocco Baldelli.
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Betsy Helfand
4 years
Members of the Twins kneeled during tonight’s national anthem, including manager Rocco Baldelli.
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Betsy Helfand
5 years
Sergio Romo went to sleep at 2 a.m. and was on a flight by 6 a.m. from Miami to Chicago. "There’s no waiting," he said. "...I noticed that they lost yesterday and the lead went down to one. Yeah, we can’t keep letting that happen so we’ve got to try to win so all hands on deck."
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Betsy Helfand
1 month
Max Kepler is unlikely to return during the regular season. He's an impending free agent and it's possible he's played his last game for the Twins. Kepler: "Half my life as a Twin, I don’t think I could have done much more as a kid from Berlin."
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Betsy Helfand
6 years
Eddie Rosario’s got a Super Rosario shirt on 😎
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Betsy Helfand
5 months
The topographical map of Lake Minnetonka under the brim of the hat is the Twins' nod to Prince. Byron Buxton: "I like that part a lot. Just little bitty things like that that kind of make it cool."
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Betsy Helfand
4 years
Can confirm that designated hitter Nelson Cruz and the Twins have agreed to a one-year deal for $13 million.
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Betsy Helfand
6 months
A selection from Ryan Jeffers: "Eventually, we'll have to switch the sausage out in order to avoid the health department knocking our door down." "It's a cooked sausage. It's not like we're tossing around raw meat. God, these are great quotes."
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
5 years
Josh Donaldson with his new friend, Mulligan
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
6 months
Byron Buxton and Miguel Sanó reunite
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
1 year
The moment it ended.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
5 years
That...is not Jorge Polanco.
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Betsy Helfand
4 months
Brooks Lee shares a long hug with his mom. His parents and sister weren’t able to make it in time yesterday but saw him play for the first time as a major leaguer today.
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Betsy Helfand
6 months
Kyle Farmer: “I guess we’re going to keep touching the sausage. Baseball players are messed up.”
@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
6 months
Kyle Farmer left a summer sausage he received from Cloverdale on a table in the clubhouse. Hitting coach David Popkins grabbed it and brought it into the dugout during a game against Chicago. It's brought them luck, so now Twins hitters tap the sausage before they go to hit.
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Betsy Helfand
1 year
Pablo López bought the Twins’ fishing vest for his teammates to wear. Byron Buxton brought it out and slipped it on him after a masterful effort.
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Betsy Helfand
2 years
Good news on Kenta Maeda: He was just feeling a bit fatigued but is otherwise feeling fine. He said he expects to make his next start and Rocco Baldelli said the same.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
Carlos Correa chats with Royce Lewis
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Betsy Helfand
1 year
Carlos Correa said they took X-rays on the hand after he was hit by the pitch. "No fracture. We're good to go."
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
5 years
An update: Rich Hill (40) is older than his teammate, Nelson Cruz (39), who is older than their boss, Rocco Baldelli (38), who is older than his boss, Derek Falvey (36) 🤯
@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
6 years
Nelson Cruz (38) is older than his boss, Rocco Baldelli (37), who is older than his boss, Derek Falvey (35) 🤯
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Betsy Helfand
2 years
Luis Arraez leaves for a pinch runner. He gets an applause and tips his hat. Carlos Correa is first out of the dugout to greet him.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
1 year
Playoff baseball here tomorrow.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
Byron Buxton went 3 for 3 today with two home runs and four RBIs. "I'm ready," he said. "I can't wait to get up north."
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
4 months
Jack Ryan, Joe’s dog, seems to be having a lot of fun playing fetch at Target Field.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
6 years
In the last at-bat at Cashman Field, Peter Alonso just hit an absolutely mammoth walk-off two-run shot as the 51s beat Sacramento 4-3 to cap the season.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
1 year
When Pablo López went out to deliver the baseball for the ceremonial first pitch, Johan Santana, his childhood hero, was wearing his jersey. Awesome moment.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
4 months
The new Prince celebration was Pablo López's idea. He had the vest custom made but it showed up when "the sausage was in full force," so he waited for tonight to bring it out. Carlos Correa saw it pregame and "I was like I want to hit a home run so bad."
@Twins
Minnesota Twins
4 months
Dearly beloved... we are gathered here today to introduce our new home run celebration 💜
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Betsy Helfand
2 years
. @dbremer_pxp asked Ichiro who his favorite current left-handed batter is. Ichiro said Luis Arraez. The two just met.
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Betsy Helfand
1 year
Pablo López showed up today wearing the jersey of his boyhood idol, Johan Santana, who was the last pitcher to lead the Twins to a playoff victory.
@Twins
Minnesota Twins
1 year
🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪
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Betsy Helfand
6 months
The Twins received new shirts today that they were rocking pregame.
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Betsy Helfand
4 years
Some good news for the Twins: The latest round of COVID-19 testing has all come back negative.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa just went back-to-back. Music to Twins' fans ears.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
Carlos Correa has passed his physical. The signing is official. He’s a Minnesota Twin.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
apparently the twins don’t celebrate the holiday
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
Joey Gallo has been reinstated from the injured list and Kyle Garlick has been optioned back to Triple-A.
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Betsy Helfand
3 months
The 2024 Hall of Fame class
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Betsy Helfand
2 years
Byron Buxton says the Twins have set high goals within the clubhouse. "Win a ring. That's the only goal you hear around here now. It isn't, 'Oh, we want to make the playoffs. We want to win. Whatever.' Bottom line is to win a ring."
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Betsy Helfand
2 years
Scott Boras said the Mets called the same doctor for an opinion as the Giants. "Guess who the Mets called for an opinion about Carlos’ ankle? The very doctor that the Giants had called. So consequently, two teams, same doctor." He said he talked to Twins' Dr. Chris Camp 5x.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
4 months
incredible
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
6 years
Hear David Wright talk about his rehab progress:
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Betsy Helfand
7 months
Sausage No. 1 was *thisclose* to taking out Byron Buxton.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
5 months
Steven Okert said he first started using the bullpen cart as a Marlin but this was the first time he tipped. "I was carrying it the whole series waiting to get in," he said of the $5 bill he gave the driver.
@Cut4
Cut4
5 months
don’t forget to tip your driver!!
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
The last time Aroldis Chapman gave up two home runs in a game was June 18, 2016 ... against the Twins.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
Carlos Correa already has plenty of fans within the Twins clubhouse. It's safe to say Miguel Sanó is one of them. Sanó: "I can say something I'm 100 percent sure of: I love him."
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
6 months
T.C. now has a rally sausage, too.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
Scott Boras, Carlos Correa's agent, on the Twins' pursuit of the shortstop: "The Twins normally are fishing in one of their 10,000 lakes. Well now I think they’re in the deep ocean."
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Betsy Helfand
5 years
I can’t stop looking at these sketches my grandfather drew as a teenager☺️⚾️
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Betsy Helfand
4 years
Nobody here in the stands, so Nelson Cruz just let out a big cheer when his name was announced on the scoreboard.
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Betsy Helfand
3 years
i just woke up for a second in the middle of the night and i suppose the lesson here is that i simply should never go to sleep again
@JeffPassan
Jeff Passan
3 years
Shortstop Carlos Correa and the Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a three-year, $105.3 million contract that includes opt-outs after the first two seasons, sources confirm to ESPN. First with the deal was @MarkBermanFox26 . Wow.
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Betsy Helfand
4 years
The Twins only had one four-game losing streak last year. The dates? Aug. 6- Aug. 9, exactly a year ago.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
Willians Astudillo (!!!) is an option for American League Relief Pitcher of the Month on the ballots we were given 😂
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
1 year
Max Kepler called this his favorite catch of the season. Kepler: "You kind of have to let your instincts take over." Rocco Baldelli: "Truly one of the fucking better, cooler plays you'll ever see."
@MLB
MLB
1 year
Max Kepler saves the game for the @Twins ! (MLB x @MissionFilm )
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Betsy Helfand
1 year
Max Kepler, who has been with this organization for nearly half his life, on the series win: "I’m grateful. I’m grateful. I’m grateful. We’re all blessed in this clubhouse to be part of this but we’ve got to stay grounded. We have 11 more games to win and that’s the goal."
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 months
Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Glen Perkins and Nick Punto played a round of golf this morning, which Punto won. Mauer: "I even got heckled by Gardy on the golf course today, so all is great."
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Betsy Helfand
2 years
Jose Miranda and a big fan.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
Caleb Thielbar, who was on the mound for the Twins in the 10th inning: "It's some nameless, faceless person in New York who made the call and they will never be held accountable for it."
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
5 years
Here are photos of baseball players with dogs to brighten up your day
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 years
Eddie Rosario was non-tendered by the Twins last offseason and traded for basically nothing by Cleveland at the deadline. Now, he's the NLCS MVP and will be playing for a World Series ring.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
4 years
A socially distant walk-off celebration after Nelson Cruz brings home Jorge Polanco to send the Twins to a 5-4 win over Pittsburgh.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
8 months
Hi from Fort Myers
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Betsy Helfand
3 years
Josh Donaldson after seeing four of his teammates traded ahead of the deadline: "I’m excited to be here for the fact that I still think we have a window to win here. I wouldn’t have signed here if I wanted to go somewhere else. This is where I want to be. I want to win here."
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
1 year
This game ends, fittingly, with a ridiculous defensive play by Carlos Correa, who drove in three runs in a 6-2 win. Pablo López threw seven shutout frames in the win.
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Betsy Helfand
2 years
Bally Sports North will broadcast 153 Twins games this year. The other nine will be broadcast nationally. Dick Bremer will be joined this year by Justin Morneau, Roy Smalley, LaTroy Hawkins and Glen Perkins.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
9 months
It's official: Twins legend Joe Mauer has been elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. Mauer, fittingly, will be the seventh player inducted as a Minnesota Twin and the fourth from St. Paul to enter the Hall of Fame.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
3 months
One delayed flight, one canceled flight and one four-hour drive later, hello from Cooperstown 👋🏻
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
4 months
Pablo López has been behind many of the things that bring the team together, from the celebration vests to Bingo Night to the new Wheel of Fortune. "He's a special human being," Carlos Correa said. "The fact he goes out of his way to bring the team together means so much."
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
4 years
The last time Brent Rooker faced Zach Plesac, Plesac hit him with a pitch that broke his arm. This time? A home run to center.
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Betsy Helfand
1 month
Pretty cool day for the Jax family. Griffin’s brother and sister-in-law, Capt. Parker Jax and Capt. Chandler Jax, were part of tonight’s flyover. Griffin then caught a ceremonial first pitch from his other brother, Capt. Carson Jax.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
9 months
Cretin-Derham Hall will become just the ninth high school with two Hall of Famers (Paul Molitor, Joe Mauer). Molitor: "I think it's pretty special for both of us to say that we both came out of the same high school program."
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
Spring training game thoughts: The Twins could wind up with a Joe, Joey, Jovani, Jose, Jhoan and three Jorges on the Opening Day roster.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
6 years
Peter Alonso on his walk-off blast: "That was probably the highest note I could end the season on besides winning the World Series. ...This is the last game here, I mean there’s been a lot of baseball played here and to hit the last home run here, it’s super special."
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Betsy Helfand
1 year
Royce Lewis yesterday, after being told he doesn't have to run on his sore hamstring if he just hits a home run: "That would be great. I've thought of Kirk Gibson a few times."
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Betsy Helfand
6 months
The perfect game notes do not exi—
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Betsy Helfand
8 months
Pablo López and Jhoan Duran chat after throwing live batting practice.
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Betsy Helfand
1 year
Hello from Houston. (The man kicking the soccer ball around in the outfield is Rocco Baldelli.)
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
5 years
The Twins have promoted top prospect Royce Lewis to Double-A Pensacola.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
1 year
lol
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
Max Kepler on being unable to join the team in Toronto: "In my opinion, it's sad that I can't join the team, especially now where we've lost a couple of games. Everyone needs to be together. It's sad."
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Betsy Helfand
2 years
Byron Buxton hits a leadoff triple and follows with the first Buck Truck signal of the season.
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Betsy Helfand
1 year
Can confirm that the Twins are picking up the option on Jorge Polanco ($10.5 mil) and Max Kepler ($10 mil). They were both part of the 2009 international signing class, signed contract extensions at the same time in 2019 and now, they'll have another year together in Minnesota.
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@betsyhelfand
Betsy Helfand
2 years
When Chris Archer found out he would be pitching today, he booked a flight and a hotel for his father, Ron, to come watch him in Arizona on Father’s Day. Archer: “I want to put on a show for Pops.”
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Betsy Helfand
4 years
Nelson Cruz's year: Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award Roberto Clemente Award nominee Most Valuable Twin Award Bob Allison Award (leadership) Silver Slugger Award
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Betsy Helfand
3 years
One of the hardest parts of the trade for Sonny Gray was breaking the news to his seven-year-old son Gunnar, a big Reds fan. On the flight down, the Grays downloaded the movie "Little Big League," to show to their two sons. "It was Twins, it was kids, it was baseball."
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