In a world of carefully couched language, Bert Blyleven has always been a breath of fresh air. Until this week, the former Twins pitcher and current television announcer had been openly annoyed at his failure to qualify for the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. At one point he asked baseball writers to take his name off the ballot.
When the baseball writers voted him in he thanked them and told them they finally got it right. He felt strongly his quality numbers, over a a period of many years, justified inclusion with other baseball greats in the Hall of Fame and he wasn't shy about saying so.
Similarly, the 12-time All Star was unabashedly open about how much the honor meant to him and how much he owed to his father, who supported him and even built a mound for him as a young pitcher.
Breaking into the major leagues at the tender age of 19, the curveballer won 287 games, threw 60 shutouts and ranks fifth with 3,701 strikeouts.
While many of today's Twins fans are too young to remember his exploits on the mound, he has made the expression "Circle me Bert" a household phrase by obliging fans who want to appear on television by circling them on a teleprompter.
Baseball, often referred to as America's national pastime, has been the predominant component in Blyleven's life, even though he was born in the Netherlands. He will proudly join three other longtime Minnesota Twins - Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew and Kirby Puckett - in Cooperstown. We can't think of a better representative for Minnesota's baseball team.
Comments (18)
Add commentKirby Plunkett?
{He will proudly join three other longtime Minnesota Twins - Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew and Kirby Plunkett - in Cooperstown. We can't think of a better representative for Minnesota's baseball team.}
Wasn’t Kirby Plunkett quarterback for the Oakland Raiders?
He had a fabulous curveball too!
JVC
Vincent
Why still so bitter, Vincent? You lost, get over it.
But, hey, your buddy Saler still has a job he is not qualified for, so be happy about that.
tricia12, glad you mentioned it!
For the City to continue with Tony Sailer as Park Director was one of the most fiscally responsible moves Brainerd has made in a very long time.
You’re sadly mistaken though by saying he isn’t qualified.
I’ve already seen Sailer do things his predecessor refused to even talk to the Park Board about…and some of those things are revenue generators.
I understand the morale in the department has never been better and there are quite a few CC members impressed as well.
How often in the private sector does it happen where a Department Head can be replaced by a Supervisor and the Supervisor continues to do their previous job plus take on the responsibilities of the Department Head with only a small salary increase?
By the way, in case you didn’t know…
A rough calculation says the Brainerd Taxpayers will save nearly $80K by this move.
Pretty good isn’t it.
I am very happy you provided me with an opportunity to talk about this by offering your nonsensical comment.
Thank you very much Trish. I hope you’re able to knock that chip off your shoulder very soon,
Jeff Czeczok
Thanks Jeff,
I've corrected this article from Plunkett to Puckett.
What savings Vincent?
Subtract the 1% pay increase passed Monday and what is the actual savings to the taxpayers? What was Bobs calculation on this Vincent? I agree with Bevans... less workers but higher pay is what they asked for, then that is what they will get.
I like baked chips over deep fried, no grease stains. You should try it.
Trish, you struggle.
{I agree with Bevans...less workers but higher pay is what they asked for, then that is what they will get.}
Agree with Bevans all you want, too bad you’ll never see Bevans doing what he suggests he’ll do.
If you believe in that rhetoric, you should knock off the chips all together.
Neither baked nor fried are good for your health, neither is buying into something that’ll never happen.
The 1 percent increase was a joke, however there is still a savings by having Sailer as Park Director.
Do I really need to spell it out for you?
Jeff
Vincent, you failed to answer
Vincent, you failed to answer the question....what was Bob's estimate for the annual cost and for how long? Okay, I get it..we will save this much in this department this year and then turn around and spend it on salary increases to all and it ends up in a "wash" .... and therefore we save......Hmmm, must be the "new math."
I have "a chip?"...what's your deal with Bevans? Is this the reason Bob pushed for run-off elections?
Dear Trish, you’re still struggling.
Dear Trish,
If you desire to know of what Bob thinks, why don’t you ask him?
I’ve no doubt he’ll be happy to discuss whatever City business you want, however you should understand that Bob didn't push for 'run-off elections
I’ve no "deal" with Bevans…just talked to him the other day and told him the same thing I posted here and on Tuesday.
And, just so you understand, I didn’t vote for the pay increase…you should take it up with Brainerd’s elected officials if it upsets you so much.
Remember…I lost and I’m trying to get over it.
Say hello to myeye for me.
Jeff
Petty insults to each other - Vincent and Trisha
I am sure that I am not the only person that would greatly appreciate it if you would keep your 3rd grade petty insults to a private forum.
Also - Please refrain from the much anticipated "Vincent Started it"
You two obviously suffer from little man syndrome and need to bash each other in a public forum.
The readers of the B.D.D. greatly appreciate your cooperation
Nice contribution Moble!
Moble,
Aren’t you just contributing to the petty insults by saying trish and I suffer from little man syndrome?
Besides, I believe my insults are of the 5th or 6th grade level…so there.
Jeff
That's it!
I was wondering what was ailing me lately.....for sure it's little man syndrome! Nah, nah, nah, nah nah!
Entertainment
I think it adds to the entertainment level of this site.
Gary Puckett
I think he was talking about Gary Puckett. He was a line drive hitter, he used to love hitting hard frozen ropes into the "Union Gap". Hence the phrase, "Gary Puckett and the Union Gap". I don't know if he was related to Kirby or not.
Don't Take My Gun
Maybe Jeff was making a funny?
That's all folks.
and Mobil...
Stick to fixing cars.
Or answering the phone...whatever it is you do.
Jeff
Jeff
Glad to see it took you almost a whole day to think of that so called insult, my username has no reference to oil, mechanics or anything like that, it is actually an acronym, I realize you might not understand what an acronym is, so I will let you sit and ponder what it might be about. As for what "I do" I am sure you have set foot into one of my 23 stores at some point so for that I say, Thank You! And enjoy your Sunday
Mobil/moble, what is an acronym?
moble = my oily body leaks excrement.
Mobil, is that correct?
JVC