Area fan ashamed of how relieved she is that Ryan Vogelsong was released

Angela Baer admitted that, when she heard the news, she was legitimately excited. And almost immediately, she felt shame.

“They did what any self-respecting franchise would do. And I was elated! Then I was mad at myself for being elated. God, this team.”

The news in question was the Twins granting Ryan Vogelsong his release. The veteran pitcher wanted to start. Minnesota’s front office wanted him in the bullpen. Unable to bridge this gap, they parted ways.

“I know, I just know, in my heart of hearts, that he’d be the fifth starter if the old guard was still in place,” said the St. Louis Park anesthetist.

The Twins, long known for deferring to “veteran leadership” under the Terry Ryan/Ron Gardenhire regime, appear to be turning a new corner in the wake of hiring Derek Falvey and Thad Levine.

“I mean, I know they basically were just taking a flyer on a veteran to see if he had anything left,” said Baer. “But there was this voice in the back of my head that said, ‘He’s gonna make the team. He’s gonna start. Probably until Mother’s Day. It’s gonna be a disaster.’ And now he’s gone.

“I am grateful for the barest minimum of good decision-making, like a goddamn sucker,” she added.

Baer said she still has a ticket stub from Bret Boone’s first home game as a Twin, to remind her of how bad things can get.

“Holy shitballs. Bret Boone. Jesus.”