Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Dakota Midday: Minnesota Twins Are Baseball's Big Surprise

Wikimedia photo by Randy Stern

With little more than half the 2015 major league baseball season done, the Minnesota Twins have reached the All-Star break with the second best record in the American league. It’s one of the biggest surprises of the season. The New York Times rank the Twins as the most overachieving team in baseball.

Although they’re 4 1/2 games behind the Kansas City Royals, the team with the best record in the league, the Twins weren't expected to be anywhere above .500. At the start of the season, Sioux Falls Argus Leader sports columnist Matt Zimmer wrote, “All the number-crunching computer formulas predict another fifth-place finish. Twins fans old enough to remember the 1991 season know that miracles happen, but that's just about what it would be for the Twins to compete in 2015 — a miracle.”

Zimmer joined Dakota Midday and discussed what has been a miraculous season for the Twins so far.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
Related Content