Monday Morning Minnesota: Hope spring trainings eternal edition

Welcome to a special “I guess I have to take a lot of painkillers because there isn’t any way to sit at my desk without being extremely uncomfortable” edition of Monday Morning Minnesota. I miss my cool adjustable hospitable bed, but at least I now have real actual baseball to watch!

Anyway forgive any drug-addled dumb jokes I may make.

Previously on Twinkie Town:

• Sandwiches broke the news of Kenta Maeda being Kenta Made-a the opening day starter. Personally, I am very Contenta Maeda with this decision and Canta Mae-waita for opening day. Anyway, if you want to get into epistemology, I suggest reading some Immanuel Kant-a Maeda.
• The Twins made their first cuts, sending down some big pitching prospects, as well as whatever an Ian Gibaut is.
• Zach talked about how being able to say baseball in person again brings hope in a time where we all really freakin’ need some hope.
• Brandon rounded up some rivals and wondered if the Royals are on their way back up. Have the Royals ever sponsored a WWE Royal Rumble? The branding would be perfect. I haven’t paid attention to wrestling, or the Royals, in a long time, but I would have loved to watch John Cena beat up Whit Merrifield.

Elsewhere in Twins Territory:

• We all loved Brian Dozier because of his propensity for great hair and giant dongs, but he also seems like a really good dude, especially as he learned Spanish simply to be a better team-mate. (Thanks to montanatwinsfan for this link, yo)
• Spring training is a time for hope. A time for wonder. Anyway, the Athletic tries to make sense of the Twins obscene and prolific post-season losing streak.
• Do-Hyoung Park’s Mailbox is always worth a read, this week he tackles the idea of Keon Broxton making the opening day roster.
• Park also looked back at the 5 best homegrown prospects the Twins have ever had.
• CBS Sports talked about some x-factors in the AL Central, including if Nelson Cruz can continue to stave off father time. What no one seems to consider is that Nelson Cruz himself IS father time, and much like the Grim Reaper never seems to reap himself, Nelson Cruz is eternal.
• Grand Forks Herald looks back with some Twins players and front office members at the day last year when Spring Training came to an abrupt end.

Around the World in Bases and Balls:

• FiveThirtyEight has an extremely rad interactive chart comparing the careers of Negro League and MLB stars to put things into better context.
• MLBTR has an extremely early 2021-22 free agent power rankings, which for some reason are always really fun to read in my opinion. I like to get prepared as early as possible and learn who I’ll be complaining about the Twins not signing next winter.

Today’s soundtrack is Castlevania, because I’ve waited long enough between Castlevania-posts which takes great restraint because I could honestly post a new Castlevania song I love every week for years.