Staff/About

Nate Gilmore: Senior Editor (4/3/2011-Present)

Nate is a Twins fan in exile. He grew up in the Twin Cities area, but has lived his entire adult life in Sacramento California. He’d love to move back, but is afraid he’d jinx the Twins, since the year he moved away (2002) is the first year the Twins finally made the playoffs after nearly a decade of futility.

Nate has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Sacramento State University, and he works in the public sector. He lives with his wife, a law student, and his dog, who has no formal education. When Nate’s not working or writing about baseball, he can probably be found at a local park managing the worst co-ed softball team west of the Mississippi or working toward his goal of collecting a miniature bat from all 30 MLB stadiums.

On September 12, 2011, Nate officially took over as The Pond’s primary voice and the position of Senior Editor.

You can follow him on Twitter @LegendofArctic

Eric Pleiss: Senior Staff Writer (4/2/2011-Present)

“When I tell people that I’m a twin they almost always say, “There’s two of you?!” Yup, there sure is.

I grew up in Central Minnesota in the era of Kirby Puckett. My earliest memories of Twins games involve the Metrodome and sitting way up top in front of the scoreboards. Thankfully for my Papa, that was before the Twins had the good sense (or not) to hang up that beautiful curtain in the Metrodome! Since those days I’ve moved around the Midwest and now find myself in southwest Wisconsin, following the Twins through the internet. Luckily for me, my other half, Paul, also loves the Twins and we have always enjoyed arguing about what the Twins did or didn’t do.

When I’m not keeping track of the Twins I spend my free time out of doors, exploring the wilderness around Platteville and always searching for the next great duck hunting spot.”

You can follow him on Twitter: @ERolfPleiss or Email him here

Paul Pleiss: Staff Writer (4/2/2011-Present)

“I spent the first nine years of my life growing up in South Central Minnesota before heading 400 miles to the East into the Land of Lincoln and away from the beloved baggie and the confines of the HHH Metrodome. Now living in South Florida and serving a tour of active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant, my love for the Twins, and my Twins shrine have continued to grow.

As a result of spending most of the last 5 years deployed on various ships I have developed a love for the sabermetric side of the game. Whether or not the numbers say anything important at all is still under debate, but when you’re forced to follow baseball through box scores alone, a strange and wonderful love of numbers comes to the surface.”

Christian Engels: Staff Writer (11/2011-Present)

Chris grew up in Iowa, but has been a Twins fan from the start. The youngest member of the writing staff, Chris was born just three months before the Twins won the 1991 World Series. While he loves Target Field and wouldn’t trade it for the world, he longs for the day of Dome Dogs, the baggy in right, and $13 tickets.

Chris is a Junior at the University of Iowa studying journalism. If he’s not studying or writing, he can be found trying to keep up during pick-up basketball games at the University of Iowa Field House. While his athleticism comes up short, his passion runs deep. Chris’ looks forward to being there for the highs and lows this season is bound to bring.

Dallin Burgener: Staff Writer (4/2012-Present)

Dallin was born in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, but only spent a few early years there before his family relocated to eastern Idaho. He’s been there ever since, minus a two-year sojourn overseas, living in Slovakia. No matter how many miles he’s been from the Metrodome or Target Field, he’s been an avid follower of Twins baseball through thick and thin. Whether through MLB.tv or daily perusal of Twins topics on sites such as Puckett’s Pond, he keeps as connected to his team as he can.

Dallin is currently a senior in the Construction Management program at Brigham Young University-Idaho, and one day hopes to become a licensed architect. In fact, at his desk drawing houses or designing ballparks is the place you most likely find him as he tunes into Twins games. He lives with his lovely wife in Rexburg, Idaho, 80 miles south of Yellowstone National Park, which he enjoys frequenting.
You can email Dallin at [email protected]

Shawn Berg: Staff Writer (4/2012-Present)

Shawn has been a Twins fan since the pennant run of 1984 and was there for the 87 and 91 World Champs and he stuck around for the party in 91. Hailing from Fosston, MN he has spent the last 12 years on the road. Shawn was in Virginia when AJ’s homer clinched the ALDS in 02. (Watching by himself in a bar). He was at Yankees Stadium when Jason Kubel, um, pinch hit against Mariano Riveria? He was there when Milton Bradley threw the ball in the stands with only 2 outs. He was there when Jim Thome broke the backs of his former (and future) Phillie fans. If it was on the road, he may have been there. Shawn has been blogging at ontheroadwithshawn since 2009 and also spent some time at TwinsTarget. By day, hem on the road selling food all over New England. By night, he’s looking for the nearest road game, be it the major leagues, AAA or AA. When not on the road, Shawn is at home in SW New Hampshire with his wife, the boy and his 3 pugs and 3 cats. When not watching baseball he’s on his bike, drinking beer, listening to metal or watching cartoons.

Gone but NOT Forgotten:

Erin Moore – Staff Writer (April 7th, 2010 to March 23rd, 2011)

Steve Fetch – Staff Writer (June 17th, 2009 to March 27th, 2011)

Adam Krueger – Staff Writer (March 29th, 2011 to September 11th, 2011)

Josh Hill – Staff Writer (Multiple stints, most recently left September 26th, 2011)

Introduction:

Welcome to Puckett’s Pond, the Minnesota Twins site of the FanSided.com Sports Network. We are dedicated to bringing you all the Twins news, views, original content and everything else a Twins fan could possibly want from a site.

A bit of brief history here: Puckett’s Pond was born from the ashes of Twinkie Talk and launched on January 28th, 2011. Twinkie Talk was our network’s Twins site from February 27th, 2009 to January 28th, 2011. The reasons for this change were many and too convoluted to mention here.

Anyway, if you love the Minnesota Twins, we are confident you’ll love this site. Feedback is always welcome and encouraged so don’t hesitate to comment on our individual articles or contact us directly: [email protected]

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

Sincerely,

The Puckett’s Pond Staff

Network Contact Info:

For all editorial and marketing/advertising inquiries, contact senior editor Adam Best at [email protected]

For all business and technical inquiries, please contact business director Zach Best at [email protected]