By Daniel Kerwin

1. The Twins aren’t as bad as the critics say they are.

   Some critics are even going so far as to say the Twins will finish last in the division, behind even the Royals? Sure we have a new look Twins team this year, but there’s a reason teams play 162 games rather than handing out trophies based on what critics say in April. The Twins have a team of young stars and the potential to be a very formidable lineup. So did the Rockies last spring, and you saw what happened to them. It may be a bit much to predict a World Series berth for the Twins, but they have a chance to place top three in a solid division.2. No Johan, no problem.

   The Twins lost a Cy Young winner from their rotation, but he’s only taking 15 wins from last year out of town with him. Enter Francisco Liriano. Not only does Liriano have talent to match Santana, he comes at a much more affordable price. What the Twins are left with however is an extremely young starting rotation, with the exception of veteran Livan Hernandez. Watching the young guys develop may take patience, but it will be a lot of fun.

   3. Speed-demon in the outfield.

   Torii Hunter’s taken his highlight reel plays to Anaheim, but that doesn’t mean the Dome is going to lack spectacular plays in center field. New center fielder Carlos Gomez is hands down the fastest player in baseball, and he’ll get to fly balls other players only dream about, Hunter included. When he’s batting, be ready for Gomez to steal every time he gets on base, and to steal every base.

   4. There’s no place like Dome.

   The Twins days in the Metrodome are numbered, which is a pity. Did Monday’s seven inches of snow not prove that you need a dome if you’re playing baseball in Minnesota? It snowed, the game went on, the Twins won, a simple formula. The atmosphere is great: the way the sound echoes inside, the faces of past Twins greats staring down from the curtain covering the upperdeck seats in rightfield, the Hormel Row of Fame. long live the Metrodome!

   5. The Metrodome is the heart of Twins Territory.

   Sure you can try to watch the Twins games on TV, and if you don’t have the time to travel to the Dome it works as a last resort. But there’s not enough love for the Twins on this campus because there are too many East Coasters flaunting their East Coast biases. If you want to watch the game with people who share a love for the Twins, going to the Dome is your best bet.

   6. The Twins love you back.
   It’s easy to feel like you have no time to spare, that you’re constantly being bombarded with readings and papers that endlessly stack up. In the end they’re just assignments, they don’t care if they make you miserable or ruin your social life. The Twins care back. They go out there every night and play their best for the fans, rewarding you for your support with a win or sharing in your consolation with a loss. Which option do you choose?

   7. Student night.

   The Twins care so much that they so far as to offer you discounted student prices on Wednesdays. The seats may be a bit far from the action, and you tend to end up sitting with a bunch of students from the U of M, but you can’t beat a $4 ticket, and if you’re early enough you can get hot dogs for a dollar.

   8. Mauer’s still single.

   The allure of this side-burned hometown hero brings girls from all around the state to the Metrodome, why not girls from this campus too? Seriously though, Mauer’s allure goes far past his boyish charm. Already a batting champion and still only 24, Mauer looks like he’ll stick around and join the ranks of career-long Twins players.

   9. The Saint Paul Saints aren’t in season.

   The Saints are closer to home, and it’s hard not to love a team whose slogan is “Fun is Good,” but they don’t start playing until May, and their season ends before our fall semester begins. Going to the Dome may not be as fun, but it’s baseball in April and it’s too long to wait until May (when May rolls around however, definitely check out the Saints).

   10. When out-of-towners roam the Dome.
   Check the Twins schedule and see if your favorite teams or favorite players are coming to town to play the Twins. Torii Hunter already rolled through town this week, but Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, The White Sox, Detroit and Boston will all be in town before the end of the semester.