"Don’t give up, don’t ever give up," is a phrase Jimmy Valvano used in a speech before the Espy Foundation to cure cancer. Valvano was in the last stages of terminal cancer. In fact, he had to be helped up the stairs to the podium to give his speech from which "Don’t give up, don’t ever give up," was taken. Valvano died two months later and since his death the Jimmy V Foundation has raised millions of dollars for the fight against cancer.
He knew of what he spoke when he talked of never giving up. A few years before, his North Carlina State Wolfpack was going against the heavily favored University of Houston in the finals of the NCAA basketball tournament. Houston was led by future pro hall of famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. Nobody gave NC State a chance. The Wolfpack won in the last seconds with a put back by little known Lorenzo Charles. I was reminded of Jim Valvano’s North Carolina State win by the recent death of Charles in a highway accident.
"Never give up" comes to mind concerning our Minnesota Twins, who are far back in their division, nine games below five hundred, eight games behind the leader. The word fan is shortened from fanatic. The belief that anything is possible and as Yogi Berra said, "It’s not over ‘til it’s over." However a lot of people are feeling with good reason that there is no chance for the Twins and the Dean of the Tribune’s sportswriters, Sid Hartman, is among them.
I refuse to do so and urge the fans out there to do likewise. I don’t know if our Twins are a "team of destiny," but they have the makings. A lot of things have to go right for the Twins to succeed, but it’s possible.
The team’s pitching staff is coming around and while it’s still inconsistent, it’s becoming less so. Three starters have done well almost every outing this past month. I feel pretty confident there will be a well pitched game when Francisco Liriano, Carl Pavano and Scott Baker take the mound. In fact, Baker is showing signs of becoming the pitcher the Twins thought they had when he was signed to a long-term contract. I wouldn’t call him an ace yet, but he is edging in that direction.
Joe Nathan shows signs of the Nathan of old by dominating his last three outings. Glen Perkins has put in some shut down innings and has pitched well all season. Capps will be O.K. and hopefully Gardy will move Duensing to relief when Slowey comes back. Or better yet, trade Slowey for a good middle reliever. If Duensing is moved or Slowey is traded they would have the nucleus of a good relief corps.
Finally, finally, the injured position players are starting to drift back. Thome is playing and looking for 600 home runs. Joe Mauer is coming out of his swoon. All-star Michael Cuddyer is leading the offense helped by a resurgent Danny Valencia. I believe Alexi Casilla will hang in there all year and continue to be the best half of the middle infield.
To end on a positive note: the Twins have made up half of the distance they were down without Nathan, Slowey, Mauer, Morneau, Kubel, Span and Thome. Now if they did that well without them, they should be even stronger and a better team when they come back. The potential is there for a very strong finish. I just hope they don’t run out of games.
