Bullpen

Twins injury report, seriously

Twinkietown.com has a little fun with the latest Twins injury update.

Second-guessing 2010 Twins trade

Would it have been nice to have Wilson Ramos catching during Joe Mauer's extended absence, rather than Drew Butera? It could've been, says a Twinkietown.com blogger, if Twins GM Bill Smith had looked beyond "back of the baseball card" stats and made a different late-season move in 2010.

High school track meets brimming with sportsmanship

It was impossible Thursday as a sports reporter covering the Section 1A boys and girls track meet at Triton, to not be struck by what a good scene these meets are.

In fact, it’s the same thing whenever I cover a track meet. They’re filled with tough, dedicated athletes who show respect and camaraderie with their opponents. Hugs and handshakes are routinely exchanged between them once events are finished.

It’s sportsmanship at its very best, a genuine show of respect between athletes who know just how difficult and testing their sport is.

It also permeates into the stands. There is no arguing with referees from above (there’s nothing to argue, which is nice), and there is no gamesmanship by anybody — athletes, coaches or fans. Track and field is what it is, an honest sport that is black and white. You run fastest, you win. You throw furthest, you win. You jump highest, or longest, you win.

And for the vast majority of the athletes who didn’t win? Well, more often than not they drifted right over and congratulated the person who did win.

At the high school level at least, it’s that kind of sport.

— Pat Ruff

At the 500

Heather Rule of the Post-Bulletin writes about her experience attending this year's Indianapolis 500, on her personal blog.

Joe, Chuck, Trevor and more

MinnPost's Aaron Gleeman offers his take on Joe Nathan, Chuck James and Trevor Plouffe and several other Twins. There's a lot to chew on here as the Twins' outlook changes from a horrible start to a lost season.