Finding a gem like 108 Stitches via Nick Punto Day just reinforces why I'm doing this series, because blogs like Jeffrey's need to be frequented and supported! So check it out and make sure to return to it and add it to your daily reading lists!
Personal-
NAME: Jeffrey Schwenn
WEBSITE: http://twinszealot.blogspot.com
BIRTHDAY: 11/2/1973
HOMETOWN: Bloomington, not far from Metropolitan Stadium
WHAT KEEPS YOU EMPLOYED OTHER THAN BLOGGING: Teaching 5th graders from September until June
FAVORITE COLOR: Purple
FAVORITE FOOD: Mexican Food... tacos, nachos, give me something that is spicy.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Shawshank Redemption
FAVORITE BOOK: I have a few. Stephan King's The Stand and underrated is his "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon." Baseball related books: "The Babe, the Legend Comes to Life" by Robert Creamer is the finest biography I've read, "Moneyball" I keep going back to read, "The Year Babe Ruth Hit 105 Home Runs" I found very interesting and the classic "The Glory of Their Times" really tells what old time baseball was like. My favorite baseball author is easily Roger Angell. Anything he writes on baseball I find outstanding to read.
FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC: I prefer many of the 70s-80s favorites
FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH OTHER THAN BASEBALL: I guess football, but hockey is a close second.
FAVORITE SPORT TO PLAY: Baseball, but playing floor hockey against the 5th graders as a staff is a lot of fun!
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE VIKINGS/TIMBERWOLVES/WILD: After 1998 I lost my luster for the Vikings, however, I was sucked back in this year. The Wolves I pay little attention to and I enjoy going to Wild games, but don't live or die with them.
General Baseball-
WHAT MAKES BASEBALL SO GREAT TO YOU: It's a game where the worst team will win at least 25% of the time. As I've grown older I've come to appreciate the statistical nature of the game and the chess match each game can become. At the same time I still love how bench players can decide important games at the least predictable moments. Matt Tolbert's bouncer up the middle in game 163 that avoided Polanco's glove by an inch in extra innings are moments that make the game so great. Too many of the other sports have become me, me, me leagues. Baseball has far too much failure built into it for that to take place on a grand scale.
IF YOU HAD TO FOLLOW ANOTHER TEAM, WHICH AND WHY: Probably the Rockies, love their park, love how they hit and have always liked their uniforms.
BEST EXPERIENCE AT A BALLPARK OTHER THAN THE DOME: Going to Wrigley Field was amazing. It was such a historic place, unbelievable atmosphere.
OPINION ON INTERLEAGUE PLAY: I'm used to it, but wish the Twins didn't play the Brewers each year. That is a rivalry that means little right now.
OPINION ON THE UNBALANCED SCHEDULE: I hate the current schedule. I'd much prefer to go back to the schedule teams played in the 80s.
FAVORITE NON-TWINS PLAYER IN BASEBALL HISTORY: I love reading about Babe Ruth. He is the finest player that ever lived. His off the field behavior combined with his on field play make for endless story telling. Roger Maris is a close second.
MOST HATED NON-TWINS PLAYER IN BASEBALL HISTORY: Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds. They have torn down the Maris and Aaron legends in a way that should have never taken place. Baseball must restore Maris and Aaron to their rightful place in baseball history.
DID YOU EVER PLAY BASEBALL/SOFTBALL, WHAT POSITION: I started at first base, but moved to shortstop and third base. Good glove/no hit. Very Punto-like.
Twins Generic-
WHEN DID YOU BECOME A TWINS FAN AND WHY: I became a Twins fan in 1984 because my dad got me hooked on the Twins. He's been a fan since 1961.
BEST EXPERIENCE AT THE DOME: Simple answer. Game 163 last season. To be there for those up and downs in that game with my dad was an unforgettable experience.
EVER BEEN TO TWINS FEST? HOW WAS IT: I've been to most since 1989. I remember that first one being super packed in with people. It is always a fun time especially since I'm a baseball card collector.
EVER BEEN TO SPRING TRAINING? HOW WAS IT: No, but I did go to Tinker Field with my family when I was 13 on a trip to Florida. We learned of the Jeff Reardon trade during that trip and were shocked.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CIRCLED BY BERT: No
HAVE YOU EVER CAUGHT A FOUL BALL OR HOME RUN BALL AT THE DOME: No, does a batting practice home run count?
Twins Player Specific-
FAVORITE TWINS PLAYER IN HISTORY: Kirby Puckett, he changed the mentality of the team when he joined them in 1984, which resulted in two World Championships.
FAVORITE CURRENT TWINS PLAYER: Don't laugh, Michael Cuddyer. He's been around a long time, team leader, seems like a great teammate.
FAVORITE OBSCURE TWINS PLAYER: Houston Jimenez, shortstop on the 1984 team. The worst player I've seen put on a Twins uniform. Couldn't hit his weight, which looked like about 140 pounds. He's now in the Mexican League Hall of Fame amazingly.
ARE THERE (WERE THERE) ANY TWINS PLAYERS YOU DISLIKE: Delmon Young, but Ron Davis from the mid 1980s was as bad a closer as the team has had. He created ways to lose, such as loading up the bases in the 9th and then hitting a batter to bring in the winning run. My 11 year old brain saw that happen. The mind never forgets things like that.
FAVORITE EXPERIENCE MEETING A PLAYER, PLEASE DESCRIBE: I went to Shinders in 1984 with my dad and we had a young Kirby Puckett sign a baseball. He seemed shy when my dad congratulated him on hitting triple the night before.
CURRENT PLAYER YOU'D MOST LIKE TO WATCH A GAME WITH: Delmon Young, because that would mean he's not playing.
YOU'D MOST LIKE TO BE STRANDED ON AN ISLAND WITH: Kevin Slowey, he speaks 4 languages and seems intelligent.
YOU'D MOST LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH: Jose Mijares, I'd love to see those eating habits up close.
YOU THINK SHOULD BE A MOVIE STAR: JJ Hardy
YOU'D ASK FOR HELP ON A SCIENCE LAB: Slowey again
YOU'D LIKE TO START A BUSINESS WITH: Joe Mauer
EXPECTATIONS OF TARGET FIELD: It will be an outstanding place to watch a game. I'm tired of hearing people complain about it not having a roof. I think it will favor the hitter slightly.
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE TEAM NEXT YEAR: I've predicated 93-95 wins, 190-210 home runs and a trip to the World Series. Go big if you're going to make a predication!
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A huge thanks again to Jeffrey over at 108 Stitches for taking the time to help out with my offseason series! Be sure to check out his site and become a frequent visitor there!
Also, be sure to stop by again tomorrow, Friday, when none other than Pat Neshek takes the hotseat to answer my Get to Know 'Em questions!
Another great profile on a Twins Blogger. Thanks for the insights and the background info.
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