Minnesota Twins Daily Clips

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

 MLB announces batting title to be named for ex-Twin . Star Tribune (Neal) p. 1  Two Royals homers to give AL victory in All-Star Game. Star Tribune (Neal) p. 2  'Special' All-Star experience for Twins' Nunez. MLB.com (Park) p. 3  NL, AL batting titles named after Gwynn, Carew. MLB.com (Footer) p. 3  midseason betting report. ESPN (Peta) p. 5

MLB announces American League batting title to be named for ex-Twin Rod Carew

La Velle E. Neal lll | Star Tribune | July 13, 2016

SAN DIEGO – When Rod Carew got the call Sunday, he couldn’t believe it.

“I said, ‘Are you sure?’ ” the Hall of Famer said.

It was true. Carew was informed that the winner of the American League batting title will be called the Rod Carew AL Batting Champion in honor of the seven-time batting champion who had 3,053 career hits.

Jacqueline Secaira-Cotto, director of special events for Major League , called him with the news — and asked that he not tell anyone.

On top of that, Carew learned the winner of the NL batting title will be known as the NL Batting Champion, in honor of the eight- time winner who died in 2014 from cancer.

“It surprised the heck out of me,” said Carew, who was presented with his own award. “I’m glad that Tony was the other one. We were good friends and close friends. To honor us like this is unbelievable.”

A nattily attired Carew walked to the home plate area before the game with his wife, Rhonda, and saluted an applauding crowd as the league announced the name change. Twins great also was on hand.

Fans at Petco Park cheerly wildly when the announcement was made that Gwynn — Mr. Padre — would have his name on the NL award.

Carew, 70, who barely survived a heart attack last November, smiled as he waved to the crowd. The Hall of Famer and Twins great is awaiting a heart transplant, and he continues to wear a left ventricular assist device, which pumps blood from the left ventricle to the aorta.

“I’m tired,” Carew said. “I have good days and bad days, but I’ve been having more good days than bad days. It’s not all that bad.”

Tuesday was one of the good days, and he sounded truly honored to have the batting title award named after him.

“I’m going to take this home with me,” said Carew, who lives in the Mission Viejo area. “I’m not going to let them ship it to me.”

Two Royals hit homers to give AL victory in All-Star Game

La Velle E. Neal lll | Star Tribune | July 13, 2016

SAN DIEGO – Salvador Perez’s deep voice cut through the postgame cacophony as players dressed, conducted interviews, packed and left Petco Park.

“What’s up, MVP!” he yelled.

Eric Hosmer turned and smiled. The two Royals players left their mark on the 87th All-Star Game by accounting for all the American League’s runs in a 4-2 victory over the National League. Now, Perez, the MVP from last October, was full of praise of Hosmer, who was 2- for-4 with a home and two RBI to leave Petco Park with a new truck. He became the first Royal to be named MVP since Bo Jackson in 1989.

“Hosmer is the best,” Perez said. “We play together a lot. And I’m so happy for him.”

The defending world champions are not looking as dominant as they did a year ago, but two of them can enjoy helping the AL to its fourth consecutive victory in the series, and 16th in the past 20 meetings.

And if they can get on a roll, return to the playoffs and find some of that old Royals magic, Game One of the World Series will be at Kauffman Stadium.

“We’re glad that we could secure it for the American League,” Hosmer said, “and it’s something we all set out to accomplish before the game started.”

The Twins’ Eduardo Nunez entered the game in the ninth inning and helped turn a game-ending play in his first All-Star Game appearance.

“I understood,” Nunez said of how he was scheduled to play. “But, sure, I wish I could have hit.”

Cubs third baseman won the Windy City showdown against White Sox lefthander Chris Sale by slamming a first-pitch fastball into the seats in left in the first inning. Giants righthander Johnny Cueto and his hip turn pitched a scoreless first inning for the NL. But Hosmer blasted a one-out homer to left off him in the second that tied the score. followed with a , then Perez hit a two-run to left to give the AL a 3-1 lead.

“I was so proud of Hos when he hit that ball and so proud of Salvi when he hit it,” AL Ned Yost said. “I felt like a proud papa there in the second inning after those two guys gave us the lead.”

David Ortiz made the final of his All-Star Game career in the third inning, drawing a walk against Jose Fernandez of the Marlins. Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion replaced Ortiz as a pinch runner, and Ortiz walked off to a standing ovation as the AL dugout emptied to greet him.

And that was it for Ortiz, one of the best sluggers and biggest personalities of his generation. He will retire at the end of the season having played in 10 All-Star Games.

Hosmer hit an RBI single to left in the third inning to give the AL a 4-1 lead. Marcell Ozuna drove in Buster Posey with single in the fourth as the NL got within 4-2.

The AL turned to its bullpen during the second half of the game and the NL was in big trouble as it faced a run of high-powered arms. Houston’s Will Harris had to bail the Yankees’ Andrew Miller out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth by striking out St. Louis’ Aledmys Diaz.

Zach Britton got the save in the ninth, with help from Nunez on the .

“Like I said in the beginning, it’s very exciting for me,” Nunez said. “It was a dream come true. I’m happy I was able to make the play.”

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'Special' All-Star experience for Twins' Nunez

Do-Hyoung Park | MLB.com | July 13, 2016

Part of the reason Eduardo Nunez never got a chance to be an everyday in New York was that he was stuck behind the likes of Robinson Cano in the Yankees' depth chart.

Three years later, in a funny twist of fate, Nunez -- now an everyday starter in Minnesota -- appeared as a late-inning substitute for Cano. But this time, it was in the 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard, a 4-2 victory for the American League on Tuesday night, and Nunez was thrilled to be able to share a clubhouse with Cano again and his fellow Dominicans in such a meaningful setting.

"This was a special game for young Dominican players like me, being here with ." Nunez said. "Cano is like my father. I made my first [All-Star appearance], and I hope to make a lot more in career and keep making my dreams come true."

Nunez, the Twins' lone representative in San Diego, was welcomed with open arms by his countrymen and former teammates alike, including Cano, Dellin Betances, Carlos Beltran and Edwin Encarnacion, with whom he maintains friendships.

Nunez, who is known more for his breakout season at the plate than for his defense, didn't have a chance to wield his hot bat against the NL's best arms despite hitting .321/.347/.489 with 12 home runs in a surprising first half. But he isn't complaining after the first All-Star appearance of his seven-year career.

"You work hard, starting as a young child, to get to a game like this," said Nunez, whose wife, sons, mother, aunts and uncles were in the stands. "This was very special."

The Twins' sat the first eight innings and replaced his former teammate at second base in the ninth inning. Nunez was the first Twins infielder to appear in the Midsummer Classic since in 2009.

He was involved in all three outs in the ninth, catching a forceout of Paul Goldschmidt at second before serving as the middle man in the game- ending double play off the bat of Nolan Arenado.

"It's good to see a guy coming up that has been a utility player his whole career and gets a chance to play every day," Cano said. "In his mind, he probably never thought he was going to be an All-Star, because he was a utility guy. But that just shows you've got to give players a chance sometimes."

NL, AL batting titles named after Gwynn, Carew

Alyson Footer | MLB.com | July 13, 2016

SAN DIEGO -- The American League and National League batting titles have been renamed after two of the greatest hitters in history.

In a goosebumps-inducing moment before the AL's 4-2 win over the NL in Tuesday night's All-Star Game presented by MasterCard at Petco Park, MLB announced that the NL batting title will be named after Tony Gwynn and that the AL crown will be named after Rod Carew. Commissioner Rob Manfred stood at a podium with the newly minted replica trophies, and he was joined on the field by Carew and his family and Gwynn's wife and children. This moment induced the loudest applause from the fans of all of the memorable moments during the pregame ceremony.

"The player with the highest batting average in the American League will now be known as the Rod Carew American League batting champion," Padres Hall of Fame announcer Dick Enberg said. "The player with the highest batting average in the National League will be forever known as the Tony Gwynn National League batting champion.

"Oh, my! Commissioner Manfred has given both families a beautiful replica of these new awards. Fans, let's hear it one more time for two of the greatest hitters in the history of baseball, Rod Carew and Tony Gwynn."

Carew, a seven-time AL batting champion, won the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 1967 and appeared in 18 consecutive All-Star Games. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in '91. 3

Gwynn, who passed away in 2014, played his entire 20-year career with the Padres, compiling 3,141 hits and a lifetime batting average of .338. The 15-time All-Star was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in '07.

"Rod is one of the most highly decorated players in American League history, who made 18 straight All-Star appearances in his Hall of Fame career," Manfred said. "Tony is considered one of the greatest hitters in the history of the National League, and there is no better place to honor him than in San Diego. Major League Baseball is pleased to recognize their extraordinary careers by naming our batting crowns in their honor." The announcement prompted the Petco Park crowd into frenzied chants of "Tony! Tony!"

Though most of the pregame festivities were joyous, there was some controversy during the Canadian anthem. "Oh, Canada" was performed by The Tenors, a group from Victoria, British Columbia, and a member of the quartet, Remigio Pereira, altered the lyrics to include the phrase "All Lives Matter." Additionally, Pereira held up a small sign containing the controversial three-word phrase.

The political statement caused a stir on social media and prompted the group to send out a tweet condemning the action:

"The Tenors are deeply sorry for the disrespectful and misguided lack of judgment by one member of the group acting as a 'lone wolf' today during the singing of the Canadian national anthem at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in San Diego.

"The other members of the group are shocked and embarrassed by the actions of Remigio Pereira, who changed the lyrics of our treasured anthem and used this coveted platform to serve his own political views.

"Our sincere apologies and regrets go out to everybody who witnessed this shameful act, to our fellow Canadians, to Major League Baseball, to our friends, families, fans and to all those affected.

"The actions of one member of this group were extremely selfish, and he will not be performing with the Tenors until further notice."

The U.S. national anthem was performed by international pop star Rachel Platten, most known for her smash hit, "Fight Song."

Tuesday's pregame events in San Diego also paid homage to Padres history and to the city's strong military presence. The ceremony began with 275 Marines from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing marching on the field holding the American flag. Two-hundred members of the U.S. Navy from the USS Theodore Roosevelt circled the field in recognition of the Navy tradition of "manning the rails" as a ship comes back to port.

The Joint Services Color Guard completed the trifecta, lining the near the other military arms.

Following introductions of the AL and NL reserves, the starters assembled along the baselines, accompanied by young fans from local San Diego community groups. The kids were paired with one player each and wore T-shirts bearing the names and uniform numbers of their respective All- Stars.

Following the Carew and Gwynn trophy announcement, the familiar first notes of AC/DC's "Hells Bells" played over the loudspeaker, while the Petco Park scoreboard lit up with "Trevor Time." This was a familiar scene during 's tenure with the Padres, during which he established himself as the greatest closer in club history and one of the best in baseball history.

Hoffman emerged from the bullpen and took the long walk to the mound to deliver the game ball, pointing and waving to all parts of the ballpark along the way. He also joined the crowd in clapping to the beat of "Hells Bells," his signature song the Padres played each time he emerged from the bullpen to close out a game.

Six U.S. Air Force Thunderbird Flight Team aircrafts completed the flyover in a winged formation, and the ceremony ended with 2015-16 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Youth of the Year Whitney Stewart yelling "Play Ball!"

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Minnesota Twins midseason betting report

Joe Peta | ESPN | July 13, 2016

Vegas projection: 79.5 wins My projection: 75 wins Current record/pace: 32-56 (59-win pace) Season-to-date pricing: 74.2 wins

What's gone right: For anyone who bet the under on the Twins' total wins market, everything.

For Twins fans, the list of positives is a lot less robust and is confined to the run-scoring side of the team. The team's top four producers on offense this year are all under the age of 30 and they all show an impressive ability to get on base. You might know, or not be surprised to know, that power-hitting Miguel Sano walks a lot, but Robbie Grossman, getting his first extended playing time since 2014, is walking in nearly one out of five plate appearances and has a .416 on-base percentage. In fact, there are seven different players with significant at-bats who have on-base percentages of at least .325, and on many nights it drives a sneaky high-scoring offense.

What's gone wrong: There might be a handful of guys who get on base at a healthy clip, but they are joined in the lineup by other regulars who aren't even close to running the bases three out of 10 plate appearances. There might be better-than-expected improvement coming next year if those names are replaced, but for now there are seven different players with 100 plate appearances or more who have OBPs under .290.

Consistent with the near-constant failures of the past five years, the Twins' front office simply can't or won't recognize the team's glaring flaw: They have a pitching staff that cannot strike out batters, and these pitch-to-contact hurlers are backed by the worst defense in baseball. That is a lethal combination of weaknesses, and it's why last year's fortunate first half was an obvious mirage.

Annually harping on the front office's inability to address this problem is getting tiresome. Let's instead look below at how at least one savvy bettor I know capitalized on it in a more capital efficient way than laying -150 or more on Minnesota's opponent each night.

Second-half outlook: Last year at the All-Star break, the Twins were on an 89-win pace and it certainly raised the hopes of their fans that a transition had been made from their four-year run as the perennial doormat of the AL Central to contender led a new generation of players. Since that time, they've lost nearly 100 games, and the sad truth for management and fans alike is that a 100-loss pace is much more indicative of the team's talent level than a 90-win pace was.

The Twins still get a decent amount of respect from oddsmakers, who have had them pegged as a 74-win team over the first half, although just a 72-win team in the second quarter. What they didn't seem to grasp until just recently is the type of run environment Minnesota plays in, thanks to the worst defense in baseball and a pitching staff with limited skills, but an offense which has some pop -- at least compared to the other cellar dwellers in each division.

Through 81 contests, Twins games averaged 9.65 runs a game with a median of 10! (It's unusual for a team's median runs to be above its average, due to the zero-bound nature of low-scoring games.) Despite those figures, there were only two games in the entire first half of the season where the posted total was 10, and only five other games with a total of 9.5. The Twins were getting the type of game totals the Braves get despite demonstrably playing in an environment that created about one more run a game.

So what's the payoff? After starting the season with nine straight unders, Twins games went over in 48 of the next 72 games with six pushes. That's 48-18, and the lines for the totals never drifted higher. A co-worker pointed this out to me in early June, and I was slower to embrace the reality of a 10-run-a-game run environment than he was -- but I haven't seen a "close your eyes and bet it" baseball system pay off like that since betting against Tyler Chatwood commenced in 2011.

(I've told this story once before, but it bears repeating. In 2012, when I was embedded in Vegas for the season writing my book, I was part of a group of bettors who referred to the current Rockies as Tyler "Chat-eaubriand" because a start from him meant reservations at Prime Steakhouse in the Bellagio the next evening.)

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