They finished it off, a collapse for the ages. A feat that once seemed so laughably implausible came to fruition because these plucky Minnesota Twins would not be denied infamy. Congrats fellas.
For weeks, your body language has suggested you already were emotionally on vacation. Now it’s reality . From playoff shoo-in to playoff phooey in a matter of six weeks is a special kind of meltdown, and now the blame game kicks into overdrive.
Me? I start at the top. Message to the Pohlads: Get serious or sell the team. Those are the options.
Either or. Because the approach this season was shameful. Executive chair Joe Pohlad committed an epic public relations blunder back in spring training when he told WCCO’s Jason DeRusha that the team had no interest in pursuing high-priced free agents on the heels of a thrilling season that re-energized the fan base.
Pohlad mentioned the low-spending Tampa Bay Rays while noting “we’re also just trying to right-size our business.” Right-size the business? That quote will stick to Joe in the same way that “total system failure” became Uncle Jim’s rain cloud. The complete lack of understanding of the moment was remarkable.
The Twins had just won a playoff game for the first time in forever. Then they won a playoff series. Target Field was electric.
Fans re-invested their emotions (and money). They started to believe in the present and future. Baseball felt like a big deal here again.
Ownership popped that balloon filled with goodwil.