"Twins Bloggers: Get to Know 'Em!" presents Seth Stohs

In case you missed last week's installment of my weekly offseason series, I surveyed Katie over at KC's Baseball Blog. Her answers can be read here. This week, Seth Stohs is on the hotseat. Seth needs no introduction, but I'll try anyway: he runs one of the longest active Twins blogs on the internet, publishes a Twins Prospect Handbook, is a member of the elite Twins Centric group that is publishing its latest book, and is generally considered the person to speak to when seeking any information about the Twins' minor leagues.

So, without further ado, let's get to know a little bit more about Seth...

Personal -

NAME: Seth Stohs

WEBSITE: www.SethSpeaks.net, talkintwinsbb.wordpress.com, startribune.com/yourvoices, baseballdigest.com/twins, www.BlogTalkRadio.com/SethSpeaks

BIRTHDAY: June 25th

HOMETOWN: Born in Fargo, ND - raised in Perham, MN

WHAT KEEPS YOU EMPLOYED OTHER THAN BLOGGING: I am the Regulatory Product Planner for Marvin Windows & Doors

FAVORITE COLOR: Blue

FOOD: so many!

BOOK: Besides the Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook - 2009, I would have to say that Kirby Puckett: I Love This Game has been one of my favorites. Also enjoyed Bo Knows Bo, Jim Kaat's: Still Pitching, Moneyball, and Fantasyland.

TYPE OF MUSIC: Rap, and 80s songs, you know, like The Jets!

SPORT TO WATCH OTHER THAN BASEBALL: Probably Football.

SPORT TO PLAY: Ping pong

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE VIKINGS/TIMBERWOLVES/WILD:

Vikings - I'm excited about the upcoming season. I thought that with Sage Rosenfels as the QB, they could win 11-12 games. I think with Brett Favre as the QB they could win 12-13 games. I'm excited about that defense and think that having EJ Henderson back, and playing alongside Chad Greenway will be a lot of fun.

Timberwolves - I was a huge KG fan and watched most games when he was with the team. Have watched them very little since his trade. I am actually very excited about what David Kahn is doing. At least you can see some direction. I like watching the young guys get a chance, and for some reason, I really appreciate watching Ryan Gomes play the game the way he does.

Wild - nope.

General Baseball-

WHAT MAKES BASEBALL SO GREAT TO YOU: It's the good and the bad. I don't think there is a sport around where you can second-guess so much. GM decisions, manager lineup and in-game decisions, players, minor leagues. There is so much to this game that makes it so great. It leads itself to second-guessing which can be fun OR lead to frustration!

IF YOU HAD TO FOLLOW ANOTHER TEAM, WHICH AND WHY: I really like watching teams develop their own players, and build from within. I was a fan of the Rays before they became good last year because you could see the plan. The Brewers built a core from within as well a couple of years ago. I also appreciate a team like the Red Sox who not only have the financial means to be big players, but they also do things the right way in terms of player development.

BEST EXPERIENCE AT A BALLPARK OTHER THAN THE DOME: Sitting along the first base line on a 95 degree day at Coors Field was really pretty incredible. What an amazing facility and great atmosphere and the mountains in the background. Miller Park was very nice too, in my opinion. Again, on a Sunday afternoon on a warm day, sitting behind home plate.

OPINION ON INTERLEAGUE PLAY: I don't mind it, but I wish there was a way to truly balance the schedule. It's neat to see other teams, but this year, the Twins fans got to see Houston and Pittsburgh, so that doesn't generate a ton of excitement.

OPINION ON THE UNBALANCED SCHEDULE: I prefer the old way of playing everyone the same number of times. It makes the Wild Card more meaningful when teams from different divisions play the same schedule. That said, the Twins and White Sox have developed a nice rivalry.

FAVORITE NON-TWINS PLAYER IN BASEBALL HSITORY: Claudell Washington

MOST HATED NON-TWINS PLAYER IN BASEBALL HISTORY: Not really applicable. Maybe Mark Buehrle, if I have to pick.

DID YOU EVER PLAY BASEBALL/SOFTBALL, WHAT POSITION: Played all over the infield. I was a shortstop growing up. When I got to ninth grade, there was an opening on the varsity team at 3B, so I played there. I pitched a little too. I didn't want to catch, but after playing in college, I came home and played some amateur ball and because my brother got hurt, I said I'd catch a game. I loved it! Best position on the field. Played a little softball after that, but it's just not the same, not fun.

Twins Generic-

WHEN DID YOU BECOME A TWINS FAN AND WHY: I think on some level, I just always have. Being from Minnesota, it was my team. My earliest memories were through baseball cards of Bobby Mitchell and Lenny Faedo, and then a guy named Kirby Puckett was called up. Obviously, I was mainly intrigued by his name. I mean, I was 8!

BEST EXPERIENCE AT THE DOME: Lots of them. A few walkoffs, one a couple of years ago against the Brewers when Justin Morneau ended a game. Tom Brunansky hit a walkoff long before there was a term "Walk Off." Got a ball tossed to me by a Red Sox reliever John Henry Johnson. Dave Engle threatened to take it from me and put it in their batting practice ball bag. That was funny. Seeing Michael Cuddyer's cycle.

EVER BEEN TO TWINS FEST? HOW WAS IT?: Yeah, I have been there the last four years. I love it. I really enjoy it. Meeting people, the minor league area, the atmosphere, people watching, listening to radio interviews. It's all baseball in January. What's not to love!

EVER BEEN TO SPRING TRAINING? HOW WAS IT?: Went to a little spring training probably 8-9 years go. Again, great atmosphere, just fun watching what happens. Actually spent a little more time in Port St. Lucie at Mets camp a few years ago and that was fun.

EVER BEEN CIRCLED BY BERT: No.

EVER CAUGHT A FOUL BALL OR HOME RUN BALL AT THE DOME: Only in batting practice.

Twins Player Specific-

FAVORITE TWINS PLAYER IN HISTORY: Kirby Puckett

CURRENT TWINS PLAYER: easy answers are Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, but I am a big Michael Cuddyer fan. And, obviously communicating with Kevin Slowey and Jeff Manship, two terrific people, put them high on my list too.

OBSCURE TWINS PLAYER: Matt Lawton, I think, is one of the most underrated Twins players.

EXPERIENCE MEETING A PLAYER: Lew Ford, Jason Bartlett, Gardy and Rick Anderson came up to Warroad, and I had the opportunity to meet them at the radio station before their Twins Caravan appearance. Lew Ford was always fun to talk to. Had several conversations with him. Just a very good guy. But there have been numerous. Denard Span telling me that he "likes my site" was pretty cool.

CURRENT PLAYER YOU'D MOST LIKE TO WATCH A GAME WITH: Michael Cuddyer

GO TO A BAR WITH: Jeff Manship

BE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH: I don't really know how to answer this one... :)

LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Brendan Harris. He's very smart and intellectual. And he's been in several organizations already, so I'm sure he's got a lot of stories and teammates to ask about.

THINK SHOULD BE A MOVIE STAR: Carlos Gomez, the man is hilarious and so energetic. He would be great!

EXPECTATIONS OF TARGET FIELD: It's going to be great! Outdoor baseball is incredible. Yeah, there'll be some questionable days, but seats that face the infield are a good thing. It's an incredible facility and baseball will be played where it is supposed to be!

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE TEAM NEXT YEAR: I think that there are a few holes that came out this year. But I also think that injuries really hurt the team, especially in the pitching staff. I think that with minimal changes/upgrades, this team can be a very good team.

Thanks so much to Seth for taking the time to fill out the survey so we can get to know him a little better! Next Friday check back for Jack Steal of Fanatic Jack Talks Twins as he takes center stage to answer my questions!