Minnesota Twins Daily Dip: Two pitching gurus
Minnesota Twins Daily Dip, January 15th, 2018
Welcome to the January 15th edition of the Daily Dip, your daily piece of news and notes here on Puckett’s Pond, offseason edition. You’ll find the most recent news of the Minnesota Twins organization, stories from around the game, and links to any information you may want to know about the Minnesota Twins or baseball as we work our way through the hot stove season!
Minnesota Twins Organizational Scores
Australian Baseball League Update
Aaron Whitefield helped continue the offensive firepower of the Brisbane offense, as they defeated Melbourne 15-8 on Sunday. Whitefield played left field, going 1-5 with a walk and strikeout along with 2 runs scored.
Todd Van Steensel had a rough outing for Sydney in their slugfest against Perth. He threw 1 2/3 innings, allowing 5 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, striking out 2.
Dominican Winter League Update
None of the Twins reps in the Dominican played on Sunday.
Puerto Rican Winter League Update
Indios de Mayaguez was swept in a double header on Sunday. In game 1, Kennys Vargas started at first base, providing Indios’ only run of the double header with a solo home run as he went 1-2 with a walk.
In the second game, Vargas played DH and went 1-2 with a walk and a strikeout.
Venezuelan Winter League Update
In the playoff game on Sunday, Gregorio Petit started at shortstop for Leones del Caracas. He went 1-4 at the plate with a strikeout.
However, his team lost to Caribes de Anzoategui 3-2, largely due to the efforts of Willians Astudillo, who played left field in the game. He went 2-2 with a 2-run home run and a walk.
Minnesota Twins news and notes
Sano will not appear at TwinsFest
While the team awaits info on the sexual assault investigation on Miguel Sano, he will not be appearing at TwinsFest.
Twins FO bringing in brain trust
The Minnesota Twins front office has done an excellent job since being hired in bringing in the best and brightest, and that includes this offseason when the team has been aggressive in pursuing some of the brightest young minds in the game.
More from Puckett's Pond
- Minnesota Twins: 2 Possible Free Agent Reunions for 2023
- Minnesota Twins: Holiday Wish List for the rest of the Offseason
- Minnesota Twins: After signing with the Mets, Correa spurns Twins again
- Minnesota Twins: You Spin Me Right Round, Right Round
- Minnesota Twins: What happens next at Shortstop?
Notes from around baseball
- Making right fits for free agents
- MLK’s spirit big part of Dream Series
- MLK Jr at bat
- Pham targets 30/30 season in 2018
- Grissom views King as guide in his life
- Projections calling for WS rematch
- Hicks showing his effort in gym
- Top rotations for 2018
- Musgrove thanks Astros organization and fans
- Former umpire Harvey passes away
- Top HS prospect soaks in Dream Series
- Vikings walk off reminiscent of another Minnesota walk off
- Former “Million Dollar Arm” pitcher joins WWE
Next: Molitor's 2018 Resolutions
One Last Thing
Today is the birthday of two former Twins that have gone on to be known as pitching gurus within the game, Mike Marshall and Don Cooper.
Marshall turns 75 today. He was known for being the rare reliever that could seemingly throw daily and for tons of innings, once throwing 106 games in a single season and 208 1/3 innings, all in relief with the Dodgers.
Marshall threw for three years with the Twins near the end of a 14-year major league career, yet he was able to average 54 appearances, 91 innings, a 2.99 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 32/50 BB/K over those three seasons. He operated a training facility for pitchers after his retirement and got a Ph. D. in physiology to better understand pitching motions.
Don Cooper has been the bane of Twins fans for many years since his pair of seasons as a pitcher in the organization in the early 80s. He turns 62 today, and he has been the highly-regarded pitching coach for the White Sox since 2002, having coached in their organization since 1988.