Twins Playoff Diaries: Minnesota Magic in October 0
The Twins celebrate following their dramatic 12-inning win over the Tigers.
Baseball is simple and timeless – there is a man, a ball, a bat and unending athleticism. American baseball strategy has not changed that much in the past 100 years. Pinpoint execution and smart play are the keys. Always has been – always will be.
So at the end of a long season in 2009 the Minnesota Twins faced the Detroit Tigers for all the marbles in a one game tiebreaker to determine the American League Central Division champion for the privilege of playing the Yankees in the ALDS. You had to expect one helluva game.
No disappointment there. It was a classic. Like alternating hotrods driving to the edge of a cliff, stopping on a dime as one wheel hung over the edge – playing chicken in the dome with the playoffs waiting just out of reach over the chasm.
At the end of each Detroit at-bat the Twins pulled themselves back from the precipice to begin another run at the win. Exhilarating stuff in the claustrophobic dome with the hankies flying and fans swooning in anxiety.
The coaches dueled on the sidelines with bunts and bullets, pinch hitters and runners and bullpen substitutions without reservation because unless they won this one, there would be no tomorrow.
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