The Minnesota Twins won yesterday, beating their arch rival Detroit Tigers 11-7 in spite of the fact that the Tigers knocked the Twins pitcher out of the game after only two innings. The Twins have earned their position as the worst team in baseball almost magnificently. Their starting pitching has been so pathetic as to deserve a monument—almost. Hitting hasn't been a whole lot better, last evening not withstanding.Last year was different, the memory of a first place finish in 2010 was still fresh. On paper, the team looked like it should be as good in 2011, and at times it seemed to be. Last year was a year of crushed expectations. This year? Things are hopeless enough so that we (Twins fans) can relax and savor each victory. And the team has improved slightly from losing almost three games in every four to now losing about only every two games in three. And they beat the Tigers, which must irritate Tigers fans, which is always nice to do.
In any event, every win seems almost magical. One day in three we get a little surprise - hey, the Twins won! How about that! The sun shines and all is right with the world. And there is no anxiety—no worry about whether or not they can hang on to their lead in the standings or whether they can make up for lost ground. There is just the occasional happy gift of an occasional victory, occasionally. And we can take consolation in the thought that eventually they have to get better—probably. Go Twins!
