Jersey Possibilities

by Chaddens on Mar 24, 2008 1:45 PM EDT Comment 7 comments

Turnover is inevitable on any sporting team and much more so for so called Mid-Level markets such as Minnesota. People buy jerseys and t-shirts with their favorite players, and more often the most popular on them - anywhere from Gaborik for the Wild to KG for the Wolves to Santana for the Twins. People move on for varying reasons such as growing tired of a bogged down offensive system, allegedly mailing it in for the finish of a non-playoff season or because their contract becomes just too expensive.

Where am I going with all of this? In 2002 before I was married and had a lot more expendable money, I saw a young Venezuelan pitcher by the name of Santana pitch. Soon after, I found myself in the Twins Pro Shop picking out the most expensive Twins official jersey and had a big, shiny #57 placed on it. I thought with a guy this good, there is no way the Twins ever let him go - Great investment! Soon after I also thought, you know what, I can't have just the one so I proceeded to get a white and gray jersey, too... On the white one, I placed a young and upcoming stud named Romero #33 and a can't miss 2nd base prospect Rivas #2 (one out of three ain't too shabby, right?).

Last year, I got very lucky and swapped out "ROMERO" for "MORNEAU" (so if you see me at the dome with a too white name plate on my slightly non-white jersey, you'll know who I am). I debated for the whole season on the gray one to go with a 28 BLYLEVN or a 32 GLADDEN but I couldn't decide.

So here's my dilemma: What name do I put on my way too expensive (now) jerseys to not wear? I'll want someone who will hopefully stick around for a long time meaning someone good that won't be leaving for a few years (Gomez, Young) but someone who isn't too popular (Mauer) and someone who isn't middle of the road (Harris). I'd also prefer a player over a pitcher for the everyday factor but would go for someone who is a complete stud (Liriano).

Give me a compelling reason why or why you personally wouldn't put someone on your own jersey and/or if you think someone else is deserving. I'm pretty open to options at this point and am thinking of '08, '09, '10, . . .

It's voting time: Jersey '08

Poll

Who Should go on my Jerseys?

21 Young

16 votes

22 Gomez

9 votes

28 Blyleven

6 votes

32 Gladden

2 votes

47 Liriano

4 votes

16 Kubel

5 votes

17 Neshek

11 votes

53 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 7 comments

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Comments

Gomez

He should be here for awhile and even if he is a bust you could change it to Radke and no one would think anything of it.

by WITwinsfan on Mar 24, 2008 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kubel

People's jersey choices are a great source of entertainment for me. I always note interesting jersey picks. And I make fun of people I think jumped on bandwagons. Like all of the people forced to wear their expensive Liriano jerseys to '07 games.

Jerseys (from your list) that make the best statement:

Blyleven
Gladden
Neshek
Kubel

I'd say go with Kubel. It's bold. And when he has his breakout year this season, you can be the guy who says "I told you so. Look, I have the expensive jersey to prove it."

by Katie on Mar 24, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not hard at all ....

You buy a Killebrew jersey from Mitchell & Ness; find a 1984 #34 if you can; get a 2008 Twins BP jersey with #7 on it.

The #3 and #34 jerseys are retired, so there's no fear of finding yourself wearing the jersey of a guy who left as a FA. As for #7 - there'll be a #7 around here for a while ... either Mauer will be here for his career (& then the number will be retired) or someone else will be assigned the #7.

Of the choices you've listed, #28 is the answer.

by BD57 on Mar 24, 2008 8:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with this sentiment

#34 will never go out of style.

Imagine how all those people feel who bought their #48 jerseys a couple years back, thinking, "Torii will be a Twin for life!"

Though of the choices you've listed, I have to pick Neshek. Even if he does go to a different team someday, I'd never get tired of going, "Hell yes I bought a Neshek jersey. And why WOULDN'T I."

by Neil on Mar 24, 2008 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're right about #34 ...

Though from my small survey - 2 games v. Oakland just after the all-star break last year - '65 reproduction #3's (no "Killebrew" on the back - how gauche!!!!) were even more rare.

Of course, it's easier to notice these things when you're one of perhaps 2 people in the ballpark wearing one ....

by BD57 on Mar 25, 2008 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

Of the ones you've listed, I'd probably go with Blyleven or Gladden, because a throwback is always cool (this is my philosophy regarding my Mitch Berger jersey, especially since the Vikings adopted the new hideous uniforms).

If you really want street (dome?) cred, though, you should find yourself a pre-'87 powder blue and put "BRUNANSKY" on the back. And grow a mustache.

by BeefMaster on Mar 25, 2008 11:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

With the 47th vote, I vote #47

Of course, there's the risk that he doesn't quite bounce back or eventually goes somewhere else.

But then, his 2006 big-league performance was so remarkable. That in itself would almost be enough for me to wear that jersey proudly. Even if he never comes close to that again.

Plus, he might return to form. He just excites me more than anyone else. Next on my list would be Young.

For the good-but-under-the-radar type player, Kubel or Neshek would be good choices.

by adam on Mar 25, 2008 8:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs