Twins Draw 3 Million-Plus in Target Field's Second Season

from press release at www.minnesotatwins.com     09/28/2011 10:27 PM ET
Twins season ends with second-highest all-time attendance record

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, Minn. - As the 2011 Minnesota Twins season draws to a close, the club tonight announced that it has drawn 3,168,107 fans this year, the second most in club history.
Through the 81-game regular season in 2011, the Twins have an average paid attendance of 39,112, placing the team in the top four in Major League Baseball. Only the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants have higher average attendance rates for the 2011 season.

In comparison, the Twins placed 6th in overall paid attendance in MLB in 2010, drawing a franchise record 3,223,640 fans (average of 39,798 per game).

"The Twins are tremendously grateful to our loyal fans for making the Target Field experience one of the top experiences in professional sports," said Dave St. Peter, Twins President. "While our performance on the field was not what we strive for, our fans have helped make 2011 a memorable year."


The Twins top ten annual attendance records include:
• 2010 - 3,223,640 fans
• 2011 - 3,168,107 fans
• 1988 - 3,030,672 fans
• 1992 - 2,482,428 fans
• 2009 - 2,416,237 fans
• 2008 - 2,302,431 fans
• 2007 - 2,296,347 fans
• 1991 - 2,293,842 fans
• 2006 - 2,285,018 fans
• 1989 - 2,277,438 fans

The Twins have now drawn more than 3 million fans for just the third time in franchise history and more than 2 million fans for the 13th time in franchise history.

History in the Making?

The Minnesota Twins are 59-94 with nine games left in the season (two with Seattle, four in Cleveland and three with K.C.). If we win-out, the best we could do is finish in a TIE for LAST place with the Royals - if the Royals lose all their games. Twins have to win four of the nine to guarantee they won't lose 100 or more games.

Thee worst season in Twins' history was 1982 when they finished 60-102. It was the team's first year in the Metrodome. That team featured a very young core of players named Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti, Tom Brunansky, Frank Viola, Tim Laudner, Mickey Hatcher, John Castino and Randy Bush.

On January 12, 1982, The Twins drafted Kirby Puckett in the 1st round (3rd pick) of the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft. He was assigned to the rookie-league Elizabethon Twins in the Appalachian League.

Twins Fall To Last Place

Chris Parmelee collected two singles in his debut vs Chicago.

Twins are 58-84 (.408) and 22 games out of first place in the A.L. Central as of this Wednesday noon. Worst yet, we're trailing the 4th-placed Kansas City Royals by a game and a half. Only the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles have a worst record than us. The upside is - we'll get the third pick in next year's amateur draft.

Luke Hughes vs. Justin Morneau

The Twins took the finale of their 3-game series with Detroit on Sunday, 11-4, thanks in large part to two home runs hit by Australian infielder Luke Hughes. The dingers were number 5 & 6 this season which gives him more than Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer combined. (BTW: Trevor Plouffe also has six homers.)



Above is a chart from which we can compare the batting production of Hughes and Morneau. It's obvious we're getting more production from Hughes and if you tell me that Morneau has more doubles and RBIs than Hughes, I'd still tell you to have a look at the last for categories.

Also, I have to ask - Does Joe Mauer want to be a Hall of Famer? I don't think sitting on the bench complaining of sore neck is the way to get there. I think it's an insult to Harmon, Tony, Rod, Bert and the greats that came before him.

The Billy Smith Legacy- So Far.

Put A Fork In 'Em - They're Done

For the first time this century, Twins' fans have nothing to look forward to this September, nor October. With 124 games played, the Twins have a 54-70 record, 12 games behind Detroit in the A.L. Central. Which means, if the Tigers were to play .500 baseball the rest of the way, the Twins would have put together a 31-7 streak just tie them. To get to 90 wins, the team would have to go 36-2.

Now Starting In Right Field. . . #7 Joe Mauer

I was under the assumption that the Twins had plenty of outfielders? Isn't that why we traded away Delmon Young despite the fact that Denard Span is sitting on the bench with migraines and Cuddyer has a herniated neck?

Now comes news that Joe Mauer is starting in right field tonight against the Bronx Bombers because Jason Kubel is on leave with family issues. Now I'm not knocking Kubel, of course. Family comes first but that will leave us with an outfield of Rene Tosoni in left, Ben Revere in center and Mauer in right (Oh by the way, according to Gardenhire, it was either Mauer or Morneau).

Trevor Plouffe could play the outfield (he's done it before and more often than Mauer - which is NONE) but he's playing second base because Matt Tolbert has a sprained left wrist and Alexi Casilla is on the disabled list.

Why don't we put Span, Cuddyer and Tolbert on the disabled list too. Did we run out of spots on the DL? Luke Hughes is now that only person on the bench who can actually play! (see screen shot below).



Billy Smith, what have you done to our team? Hey, maybe tomorrow we could let Jim Thome play right field or is Drew Butera so Mauer can go back behind the plate?

Goodbye Delmon

Congrats to Delmon Young for finally being traded. Unlike most people, I've come to like Delmon. I had some misgivings about him coming from Tampa Bay and his reputation as a hothead (re: throwing a bat at an umpire in the minor leagues) but, I think, he was able grow past that. I also think, the basic trouble with Delmon is he's insecure and sometimes is in doubt of whether he belongs in the majors.

So I wish him the best. If the Twins sink further into the abyss I hope Delmon helps the Tigers to the playoffs and he does something great.

BTW: Somewhat ironically, he hit a homer off of former teammate Francisco Liriano in his first at-bat as a Tiger.

600-HR Club

Congratulations to "Gentleman Jim" Thome for connecting on home runs #599 & #600.

Full story at:

March to History: Jim Thome

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