A little over 14 months ago, the 94-victory Twins carried a pretty potent lineup into the ALDS against the Yankees. It looked like this:
1) Span
2) Hudson
3) Mauer
4) Young
5) Thome
6) Cuddyer
7) Kubel
Good times.
A little over 14 months ago, the 94-victory Twins carried a pretty potent lineup into the ALDS against the Yankees. It looked like this:
1) Span
2) Hudson
3) Mauer
4) Young
5) Thome
6) Cuddyer
7) Kubel
8) Valencia
9) Hardy
It's not surprising, but it's still striking -- particularly in light of the recent Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel signings elsewhere -- to consider how much has changed since then.
Six of the nine players from that lineup -- including the Nos. 4-7 hitters -- are no longer with the Twins. Call it what you want -- rebuilding, retooling, reconfiguring -- but there is no doubt the Twins are in it when it comes to their lineup.
The knockout round begins in women’s hockey Friday at the Winter Olympics with the U.S. taking on Italy in the quarterfinals.