The Lindstrom Sluggers…Where’s the boss?

What a reward for Minnesota baseball fans. After 50 seasons the Twins will finally have a home of their own. No more shared stadium. The only advantage the Met (home of the 2008 Sluggers) had over the Dome was air. The cornfield-come-ballfield (one of only two in the nation—the other was home to the Keokuk Westerns in 1875—which also had two lakes in center field) was the site of an unfortunate incident on August 25, 1970. A bomb scare emptied the stands at Metropolitan Stadium. Unfortunately, no bomb was ever found.

What could work: The recently crowned King of Spring, Johnny Mize, calls the Sluggers his homeboys. While he won’t maintain his .750 pace, he should hit over .300, have over 30 homers, and drive in over a hundred runs. As great as that is to have on the team, he will be in the shadows of The Splendid Splinter. Theodore Samuel Williams, The (Cryogenic) Kid, will lead this team. Willie Wilson patrolling center could steal 50 bases. No one envisioned the day when Ripken and Hrbek would be playing together, but they are here. Tony-O will keep the peace. Joe Torre will feel the love of Lindstrom.

What could fail: Jackie Robinson. The poor guy has yet to catch on in the Municipal League. He truly is the wild card here. He will make this prognostication look prophetic or pathetic. Did we mention the pitchers…didn’t think so. While they are a worthy threesome (Hubbell, Feller and Spahn), they will be stretched and tire over the long haul. This team has only four starters (Bobo Newsome), three middle relievers and one adequate closer (Fingers). A four man rotation worked for the start of the season last year, but this team faded. The GM seemed absent during the spell and the team crashed and burned.

Result: 78-84. Keep active and find another starter. Eight pitchers does not a team make.