The playoffs are finally here, and if the last day of the regular season is any indication, they'll be exciting. But while all the attention has been on the stunning collapse of the Red Sox and Braves, to this Twins fan, the collapse of the 2011 Twins was just as epic. Worse, it took much longer sit through.
Last season, the Twins were 94-68, the third best record in the AL, and won the Central Division. This year they were 63-99, worst in the AL, with only an epic pitching performance by Carl Pavano saving them from a 100-loss season. Injuries and the loss of bullpen stalwarts did them in. As did poor fielding and lack of desire in the final months. But unlike the Red Sox and Braves, it may be many seasons before they recover. To me, that's just sad.
As for the playoffs, in the NL I'll be pulling for the Brewers. In the AL, it's ABY (anybody but Yankees).
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Bears to Play in Yakima in 2012
As reported in the Vancouver Columbian, the Single-A Bears will continue to play in Yakima during the 2012 season. They are still trying to work out a deal with Vancouver for a stadium there, and have exclusive negotiating rights with Vancouver and Portland until September 23. But even if a stadium deal is approved, there's not enough time to ready a new stadium for the 2012 season.
On the Milwaukie front, officials there have been meeting with all the Northwest League teams about possible relocation. Although some have speculated that there might be territorial rights issues between a team in Vancouver and one in Milwaukie, the real issue for Milwaukie is the Salem-Kaiser team. The territorial rights prevent a team from locating in a county adjacent to the county where another team already resides. Clackamas County, where Milwaukie's stadium would be built, is adjacent to Marion County, where the Salem-Kaiser stadium is.
On the Milwaukie front, officials there have been meeting with all the Northwest League teams about possible relocation. Although some have speculated that there might be territorial rights issues between a team in Vancouver and one in Milwaukie, the real issue for Milwaukie is the Salem-Kaiser team. The territorial rights prevent a team from locating in a county adjacent to the county where another team already resides. Clackamas County, where Milwaukie's stadium would be built, is adjacent to Marion County, where the Salem-Kaiser stadium is.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Vancouver Stadium Admission Tax Gets Hearing
The folks in Clark County are pushing forward with their baseball proposal, holding a public hearing on the admissions tax that will be used to fund the new stadium, according to this article in the Columbian Newspaper. The hearing will be held at the regular county commissioners' meeting on Tuesday, September 20. According to the article, the Yakima Bears have exclusive negotiating rights to the entire Portland/Vancouver area, but those rights expire in three weeks unless progress is made. If the commissioners approve an admissions tax, that would be enough to retain the rights.
It sounds like even with the admissions tax, there could be a 30 percent funding shortfall. So more work would be needed.
Although some people have speculated that a team in Vancouver would have territorial rights that would prevent Milwaukie from obtaining a team too, this is the first time I've seen that in print. It will be interesting to see what, if any, response Milwaukie makes to up the ante.
It sounds like even with the admissions tax, there could be a 30 percent funding shortfall. So more work would be needed.
Although some people have speculated that a team in Vancouver would have territorial rights that would prevent Milwaukie from obtaining a team too, this is the first time I've seen that in print. It will be interesting to see what, if any, response Milwaukie makes to up the ante.
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