You know winter is on rubber-leg street when TwinsFest rolls into town. The annual event to benefit the Twins Community Fund once again drew tons of people (30,000 over three days), all willing to forget about the 63-99 season that was 2011. So what’s up for 2012? Here are 10 things we learned this weekend (click on the highlighted text for more on the story):
1) Joe Mauer says he feels fantastic. Say it’s so, Joe. The Twins need you out there, at least 140 times this year.
2) Justin Morneau says he’s “hopeful” he’ll be fully healthy this season. Again, we hope so — but “hopeful” sounds pretty iffy.
3) Alexi Casilla had a hot bat in winter ball in the Dominican, hitting .336. He says his hamstring has fully healed.
4) A healthy Denard Span says the Twins are being overlooked in the Central Division. And that’s fine with him.
5) In case you’re wondering, the starting outfield will beBen Revere in left, Span in center, Josh Willingham in right.
6) Willingham says Target Field is a pitcher’s park. Scott Baker, who gave up a monster homer to Willingham last year, disagrees.
7) The Twins’ payroll is trimmed down from last year, but Jim Pohlad says that’s just an “aberration.”
8) High traffic area? Bert Blyleven’s 2011 Hall Of Fame plaque — on display.
9) Twins outfielder Joe Benson, who came up for a cup-o-Joe in the big leagues last year, has an awesome mullet.
10) Winning is still everything, and the 1991 World Series trophy hasn’t lost any of its shine.
Did you go to TwinsFest? What did you learn? Let us know…
