Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had the money in his pocket after Thursday's 3-2 victory over Seattle. The fresh moolah came after Trevor Plouffe missed a hit-and-run sign in the ninth inning.
Gardenhire has had to fine players for such offenses because they continue to happen. It's September. Actually, it's late September. Signs should not be missed by now.
The Twins used the disabled list 24 times in 2011, so plenty of minor leaguers got an opportunity in the majors. One thing Gardenhire learned this year is that the club kept calling up players who weren't ready and didn't deserve it -- but there was no one else to turn to.
"And some of those guys have been on a scholarship program, as we call it," Gardenhire said. "There's nobody to push them. You have to have people pushing them all the way up the organization. Some of these players, you had to call them back up. You can't stick it to them by passing them up with somebody because there was no one to pass them up."
The coaching staff has tried to work with who was available. Gardenhire, before Thursday's game, expressed frustration over trying to get younger players to understand they must be better. He has not been pleased with how some of them have reacted when coaches have tried to address mistakes made in games.
"I think a lot of young players go through it," he said. "They learn to be accountable. All you have to do it talk to [Carl] Pavano and [Michael] Cuddyer. Those guys are pretty much accountable for everything that happens."
Although the Twins won Thursday to end an 11-game losing streak, there were several mistakes made during the game -- especially late.
Wednesday, Gardenhire talked about how Ben Revere needs to improve his bunting. With the score tied Thursday, Matt Tolbert led off the eighth inning with a walk. Revere failed to get a sacrifice down. Any bunt by the speedy Revere is a potential hit, but it's a skill coaches want him to work on.
