A recent post from Duluth sports blogger Tim Bouvine (right):

Singer and songwriter Billy Joel released an album in 1976 that included a recording entitled New York state of mind. Joel fondly recalls details from New York City as he returns out East from Los Angeles. The 2011 Minnesota Twins need to do just the opposite this season and somehow just forget about the New York Yankees, who have demolished the Twins in recent post-season efforts.

One might think that the Twins would not worry about possibly playing the Yankees in the post-season again in 2011 until September, but the devastation that has been leveled against this franchise by the Bronx Bombers, time and again, hangs over the Twins like a dark funnel cloud. It seemingly could be quite a deterrent to continued American League Central success in 2011 as the club struggles with the inevitable daunting task of facing the Yanks in the fall.

The marathon, 162-game regular season almost always contains numerous ups and downs as baseball has a unique way of humbling star players and juggernaut teams for short periods of time. Wily veterans know that these are only temporary and usually maintain their confidence even during the darkest times. The concern for the Twins in 2011 centers around the inevitable slump that will come their way at times this season. The goal of possibly playing in the World Series keeps baseball players motivated during the worst of times.

Will the Twins really believe that they honestly have a shot to finally beat the Yankees and advance to the ALCS or the World Series? It doesn't appear, based on past performance, that the Twins really believe they can prevail against the Yankees. This may diminish any real motivation that the club will have this year.

2010 was a magical season until the post-season arrived. The new ballpark seemed to elevate the club's confidence as a first-rate organization with a substantial payroll that had previously been lacking. The 2010 Twins were excellent in their new ballpark and it appeared that 2010 was going to be the Twins year. The club even had the home-field advantage against the Yanks in the first round of the playoffs. All the confidence seemed to deflate like a punctured balloon after the first game as the Twins could not hold a lead against the Yankees, just like everyone had seen so often before. The club disappeared meekly into the sunset the next two games as they were swept one more time.

On paper, the team looks just as strong as the 94-win regular season Central Division Champions of 2010. Only Delmon Young had what appeared to be a career year that might not be easily repeated. Joe Mauer should have a better year statistically than 2010. Likewise, Denard Span should be better and the pitching staff appears to be deep, if not overly dominant. The bullpen will be significantly different as Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier, Jon Rauch and late-season addition Brian Fuentes have departed. However, these subtractions should not be extremely difficult to replace.

Yogi Berra reportedly once said baseball is "ninety percent half-mental." Well for the Minnesota Twins in 2011 it just might be 100% mental as the club will have to block out the past and focus on the present. Easier said than done however. The playoff disasters have left that much of an impact on the fans and perhaps the players as well.