twins/mlb
La Velle E. Neal III has covered baseball for the Star Tribune since 1998 (the post-Knoblauch era). Born and raised in Chicago, he grew up following the White Sox and hating the Cubs. He attended both the University of Illinois and Illinois-Chicago and began his baseball writing career at the Kansas City Star. He can be heard occasionally on KFAN radio, lending his great baseball mind to Paul Allen and other hosts. Mark Rosen borrows him occasionally for WCCO-TV.
Morneau arrives; Nishioka vows improvement ... or else
Posted by: La Velle E. Neal III Updated: February 23, 2012 - 8:44 AM
Justin Morneau reported to Hammond Field this morning but said he wouldn't talk until Friday.
Here are two things that should move this "story" along:
1. Morneau has told Twins officials that he feels really good.
2. Morneau has to be cleared by Major League Baseball before he can play. This is expected to be only a formality, as the Twins this week have submitted the necessary paperwork with MLB.
NISHI'S FUTURE
Tsuyoshi Nishioka spoke with reporters this morning, repeating much of what he told me a few days ago about feeling better and being more comfortable here in his second season.
But he did throw out one interesting comment when asked about his confidence going into this year.
``That's why I came back to challenge this year again,'' he said, ``and if I don't put up numbers this year it might be better to throw it all out.''
When pressed for clarification, he added: ``There's no really deep meaning to it.''
There might be something lost in the translation here. But Nishioka clearly indicated that there's sense of urgency this season.
THE "U"
As I left the ballpark last night, luxury cruiser entered the complex with a police escort. It was the University of Miami baseball team, which played Florida Gulf Coast University last night at Hammond Stadium.
Hurricanes Alum Danny Valencia, of course. was at the game.
Police escort?
``That's how we roll at Miami,'' Valencia boasted.
Ugh.
The Twins will have a short workout today before heading out for their annual charity golf event.
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| Minnesota - LP: V. Worley | 3 | FINAL |
| Atlanta - WP: P. Maholm | 8 |
| Cincinnati - WP: A. Simon | 7 | FINAL |
| NY Mets - LP: B. Parnell | 4 |
| Los Angeles - WP: H. Ryu | 9 | FINAL |
| Milwaukee - LP: W. Peralta | 2 |
| Oakland - LP: J. Parker | 1 | FINAL |
| Texas - WP: R. Wolf | 3 |
| Arizona - LP: T. Cahill | 1 | FINAL |
| Colorado - WP: J. De La Rosa | 4 |
| Washington - WP: T. Clippard | 2 | FINAL |
| San Francisco - LP: J. Affeldt | 1 |
| Tampa Bay - LP: C. Ramos | 3 | FINAL |
| Toronto - WP: A. Loup | 4 |
| Chicago Cubs - LP: J. Samardzija | 0 | FINAL |
| Pittsburgh - WP: F. Liriano | 1 |
| Detroit - WP: J. Verlander | 11 | FINAL |
| Cleveland - LP: U. Jimenez | 7 |
| NY Yankees - LP: H. Kuroda | 3 | FINAL |
| Baltimore - WP: J. Hammel | 6 |
| Seattle - LP: B. Maurer | 1 | FINAL |
| LA Angels - WP: C. Wilson | 7 |
| Philadelphia - WP: C. Lee | 3 | FINAL |
| Miami - LP: K. Slowey | 0 |
| Boston - WP: C. Buchholz | 6 | FINAL |
| Chicago WSox - LP: H. Santiago | 2 |
| Kansas City - LP: J. Shields | 1 | FINAL |
| Houston - WP: J. Lyles | 3 |
| St. Louis - WP: T. Lyons | 5 | FINAL |
| San Diego - LP: B. Smith | 3 |
| Indiana | 102 | FINAL |
| Miami | 103 |
| Pittsburgh | 7 | FINAL |
| Ottawa | 3 |
- Twins insider: If results don't change the roster will
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- Postgame: Colabello asked for OK to swing
- Colabello takes a long, strange trip to majors
- Worley optioned to Rochester after 8-run disaster
- Twins notes: Deduno to make start vs. Tigers
- TwinsCentric: Twins take a good, hard turn with Deduno
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