The Free Press, Mankato, MN--Ed Thoma http://www.mankatofreepress.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:53:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_176005002.html You can’t always bang open the door home http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_176005002.html Friday night’s crash at home plate — which sent Justin Morneau to the hospital coughing up blood — was a painful reminder that not all such collisions work out in the Twins’ favor. Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:45:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_279224453.html Dealing Delmon? He’s still Young http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_279224453.html The Twins should think first before jumping into a trade with Delmon Young. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 01:30:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_273012939.html MVP? Think Mauer, not Morneau http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_273012939.html The Minnesota Twins have two very good candidates to be the American League MVP, but only one really deserves it. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:30:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_266013217.html A bullpen blueprint: Think more fast balls http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_266013217.html Regardless of whether the Twins can overcome all those losses imposed by their imploding bullpen and make the 2008 playoffs, their 2009 relief staff ought to look a good deal different.
 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:12:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_259011604.html For love of the glove http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_259011604.html Sum up the Twins’ core philosophy in a sentence, and that sentence will look something like this: Our pitchers throw strikes, our players catch the ball, and we’ll find a way to grind out enough runs.
 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:08:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_252010828.html A ’pen that blows leads gets blown up — eventually http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_252010828.html The Twins bullpen struggles recently will have to be addressed. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:14:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_245001422.html The Twins’ road problem: It’s a grass path http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_245001422.html There are a few reasons for the Twins road woes this season. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:10:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_238011011.html Unlikely players fuel an unlikely contender http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_238011011.html One striking aspect of the remarkable 2008 Twins season has been the production from players the organization clearly found wanting last year.
 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:03:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_231010520.html The road to a title isn’t all that steep http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_231010520.html Starting Thursday for the Twins: THE road trip, the journey for the convenience of the Republican Party that has loomed over the Twins all season.
 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:11:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_217012458.html Livan behind veterans for the stretch drive http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_217012458.html The Twins took care of a few players who likely weren't great additions to begin with. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:17:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_210011631.html Span’s the man (or should be) http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_210011631.html The Twins may have made a mistake by starting the season with Carlos Gomez in center field rather than Denard Span. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:05:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_203010435.html Are we ready for the Liriano Rules? http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_203010435.html The Minnesota Twins will have to evaluate Francisco Liriano's status eventually, and they'll have some things to consider. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:16:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_196001400.html Dealing aces: Twins get the better hand http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_196001400.html Johan Santana. CC Sabathia. Two left-handed power pitchers with Cy Young Awards on their resumes. Each up for free agency after the 2008 season, each traded by an AL Central team to a team in the National League. Each trade netted a package of four minor leaguers.
 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:47:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_189004504.html Flop, flop, fizz, fizz: What a relief it isn’t http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_189004504.html As the Twins wind down the first half of the season and prepare for a run at the AL Central crown, the team must count on a patchwork relief corps. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:57:00 +0000 http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_182005648.html What the Twins' streak signals http://www.mankatofreepress.com/columnistETOMA/local_story_182005648.html Double-digit winning streak are actually pretty impressive when you go inside the numbers.