There can be little doubt that the 2011 Twins are cursed. Bad baseball cannot fully explain all that has transpired this season -- one in which the Twins now have the worst record in the AL and are 26-67 in months not named June or July. It's time to pinpoint this curse so that it might be eradicated or at least understood. Here are the leading contenders:
Curse of the Spruce Trees: We all remember the spruce trees that were in center field last year, then were removed because some Twins hitters didn't like the background they provided. The Twins this season, without the dreaded trees, have scored 253 runs in 72 home games (3.51 per game). Last year, with the trees, the Twins scored 399 runs in 81 home games (4.93 per game). Does the spirit of those trees haunt Target Field and the wood of the Twins' bats?
How easily it can be reversed: Well, the Twins could re-plant spruce trees. It would be a nice tip of the cap to wiping the slate clean from 2011.
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Curse of Wally the Beer Man: The popular vendor was nabbed for allegedly selling beer to a minor late last September. The Twins were subsequently swept in the playoffs by the Yankees, and even though Wally was acquitted this year, he has not been back to work at Target Field.
How easily it can be reversed: Quite easily. If the Twins would have him and Wally would accept, he could be a symbol of a return to glory. Plus he has beer.
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Curse of Nick Punto: LNP, the scrappiest of the scrappy Twins players, was here from 2004 to 2010. Sometimes he made far too much money. Often he did not hit very well. But he played very strong defense at a lot of different positions. And he battled his tail off. Those latter qualities have been in short supply with the 2011 Twins, and maybe it was Punto's departure to St. Louis that set those wheels in motion.
