A reason to celebrate
MINNEAPOLIS – The fluids were flying and the emotions bounced all over the Metrodome on Monday night as the Twins proved they could escape from the abyss, beating Kansas City 8-1 to clinch a spot in the A.L. playoffs for the ninth time.
But manager Ron Gardenhire was nowhere to be found after the game.
“Where’s Gardy!” center fielder Torii Hunter asked. “I’m getting him!”
Hunter led a bunch of players into Gardenhire’s office, pulled him into the clubhouse and drenched him in beer and champagne. His eyes reddening with every word, Gardenhire summed up 2006:
“From where we started out to where we are now, it doesn’t get much better, boys. It’s all because you got behind each other, you pulled for each other, you cared for each other. Congratulations!
“It’s a wonderful feeling watching you guys play the way you have,” he added. “Continued success. We’re not done, boys. We’re not even close to done, boys. Let’s go!!”
The room exploded.
They’ve used the greatest stretch of high-level play in club history to storm back from a 25-33 record and 11 1/2 games out of first place on June 7 to earn a playoff berth in what’s considered baseball’s toughest division.
They won 11 straight once, eight in a row twice.
The team White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen called the “little piranhas” will swim with the big fish in October.
“This whole thing is just so surreal,” third baseman Nick Punto said.
The crowd wasn’t big Monday, just 18,108. But the ones who showed up proved their lungs were ready for October.
Twins owner Carl Pohlad was wheeled into Gardenhire’s office, where the manager greeted him with a hug and said, “this is something else, isn’t it?”