I just want to run something by everyone.  I’m not sure I agree with it myself, so I want to know what other people think.

As the Twins continue to lose, one of the things I’ve noticed is that there seems to be a lack of passion or intensity within the team.  We’re not reading articles about how frustrated the team is.  We’re not hearing about people being upset about the situation.  There seems to be no fire, no spark, no life. The basic reaction to a loss is, “Well, darn.  We’ll have to try again tomorrow.”

It’s easy to look lifeless when you’re losing, of course.  Still, I wonder if part of the reason for this is the way the Twins have gotten rid of every player who might cause problems for Ron Gardenhire.  People who are fiery, people who are passionate, are not always the easiest people to be around.  Intense people sometimes have that intensity come out in ways that are not the best.  Still, it seems to me that having a few people around who can stir things up is a good thing for any organization.  I wouldn’t want a whole team of them, but having a few can keep you from becoming complacent and accepting of situations you shouldn’t accept.

This is not to say that I think the Twins don’t care.  I assume anyone who wears a big league uniform cares.  I think, though, that this caring seems to be expressing itself in a very workmanlike way, rather than in an enthusiastic, passionate way.  Emotion plays a role in all sports, and I don’t see much emotion in the Twins right now.

Again, I’m not totally convinced of this argument; that’s why I’d like to hear other opinions.  It could be that the reason the Twins are losing is just a plain old lack of talent and ability, and that there’s no need to look any farther than that.  There’s a part of me, though, that says a well-applied bat to a door would not be the worst thing that could happen to this team.