FanHouse Carl Pohlad

Carl Pohlad purchased the Twins in 1984 for what is now a paltry $38 million, and he is often given credit for saving Minnesota baseball. Today, at 93, he passed away.

It would be quite the understatement to say he lived life to the fullest.

A working-poor son of the Great Depression, Pohlad rose from humble beginnings to become one of America's wealthiest people, heading a family-owned network of banking, bottling, real estate and other companies. Forbes magazine wrote in September that Pohlad was worth around $3.8 billion, making him the 102nd richest person in America.

That's not it, though. He also started several charties, and -- with his family -- has dedicated many hours and millions of dollars towards helping the community in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Under his ownership, the Twins won two World Series championships and made the playoffs six times. Not too shabby for a small market club.

A tip of the cap to thee, Mr. Pohlad. That was one hell of a life you just completed. We should all strive to accomplish even a fraction of as much.

Over at The Politico, reporters Ken Vogel and Matt Lindsey did plenty of scout work to determine that when it comes to owners of major league sports franchises, Republican Senator and presumptive GOP Presidential nominee John McCain is doing far better than his Democratic Party counterpart Barack Obama in the fundraising department:

Through the end of June, team owners in the four major sports and their families have given to or raised as much or more than $3.2 million for McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, compared with as much as $615,000 for his Democratic rival Obama, according to a Politico analysis of data from the Federal Election Commission, the campaigns and interviews.

Not only did McCain raise more than Obama from the owners in each of the four major professional sports leagues analyzed, but McCain even raised six times more from the owners of teams in Obama's hometown of Chicago.

As you might expect, there are a lot of familiar names thrown about here. But the most stunning revelation isn't revealed until far deeper into the piece -- apparently, most of the team owners who were big donors to the presidential campaign of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, have yet to make a contribution to the Obama campaign, perhaps an indication of some lingering resentment after a bruising primary season. Just one example is New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who donated $2,300 to Clinton's primary campaign, but has since made donations to McCain's join presidential campaign committee.

One notable exception to that seems to be Charlotte Bobcats owner Bob Johnson, who donated the $2,300 maximum to Clinton's campaign while "bundling" another $100,000 in contributions -- efforts that Johnson has since matched and then exceeded on behalf of the Obama campaign. And for those of you who might be wondering, Bobcats minority owner Michael Jordan donated $2,100 to Obama's primary campaign, but has yet to make a contribution to his general election bid.

My colleague PostmanE already touched upon Torii Hunter's parting shots at the Twins, but I wanted to focus on another choice quote. In addition to claiming that Minnesota just can't compete, he claims that players simply don't want to go there. From the Star-Tribune:

"People aren't even thinking about this," he said. "I wouldn't play in Minnesota unless my career was at an end and I had to go to Minnesota to play the game. ... People think that's not true -- that's 100 percent accurate. This is coming from a player, so I'm telling you."

It sounds pretty clear to me that he's talking about all players and not just himself. And you know what? He's right. Who was the last big name free agent the Twins managed to sign? Heck, who was semi-significant free agent? I'm sure there has to be a handful of guys, but in talking with fellow FanHouse cohort Larry Brown, the best we can come up with is Kenny Rogers in 2003, but I'm not sure the fact they gave a 38-year-old pitcher a one-year deal really destroys my theory.

Instead, they get talent through the minors or trades, and come free agency, they're stuck with everyone else's leftovers like Rondell White and Jeff Cirillo. I will admit, they do re-sign a few guys now and then, but they either can't convince free agents to sign or don't try. Considering Carl Pohlad is the wealthiest owner in all of the majors, either option is kind of sad. On a side note: don't go to Japan, yet, Mike Piazza! Give the Twins a call!

One might get the impression after waiting for Bud Selig to finally announce he'd follow Barry Bonds around, that the commissioner wasn't too big on travel. That person would be wrong because Bud will travel, but only when it involves something he truly cares about.

Be there as the most hallowed record in sports is broken? Maybe, unless he has other plans. Doing the groundbreaking for a new stadium? Bud will be right there, and he's bringing a shovel!

Selig has a private jet to zoom him to Minneapolis from Southern California. He plans to return to the West Coast, if necessary, on Friday.

"I wouldn't miss it; I'm not missing the Minnesota ballpark," Selig said. "I think of all the stadium situations I was involved in, and this one (Twins) went on, by my count, at least 12½ years. I really am so pleased that we got this done. This is a great moment for me, and I know how much it means to (Twins owner) Carl (Pohlad) and the entire family.

"I'm really looking forward to it. Whatever it takes to get there, I will be there. You bet."

Bud will do anything to get out of having to follow Barry Bonds.

We all know that there's nothing in the world Bud loves more than a new stadium. Just look at all the new places that have been built since he took over the job.

The only thing I'm wondering is if while Bud is giving his great speech about the history of the Twins, and the promise of their future in their new park, will he talk about how he nearly contracted the team? Something tells me he won't.

Johan Santana isn't going to be a free agent until after next season, but that hasn't stopped many general managers around the league from dreaming of signing him. Santana has gone on record before saying that he'd like to stay in Minnesota, but he also wants a contract that pays him what he's worth.

Upon hearing how much Johan thinks that is, Twins fans might want to start planning their goodbyes now.

Industry sources say that Santana's agent, Peter Greenberg, has floated a $25-million-a-year pricetag in informal discussions with the Twins, at which the club has balked. Indeed, for a club with a $75 million payroll, logic says the Twins won't be able to afford him.

Now since I'm a blogger, I'm a very rich man, but $25 million a year is nothing to sneeze at.

Really there are only a couple of teams in the Majors that could afford to pay that, and I think it's safe to say that Minnesota isn't one of them. Of course there is the wild card that is the new stadium the Twins plan on opening in 2010. Carl Pohlad may be willing to dole out that kind of cash to make sure Santana is the first pitcher to take the mound as a Minnesota Twin in the stadium, but I seriously doubt it.

The Twins are already on the verge of saying goodbye to Torii Hunter after the season is over, and if they pay Johan that kind of money, Justin Morneau will be gone after the 2010 season (Thank you, Jacob!) as well.

It'll be a pretty interesting debate up in Minnesota about what they should do, and I'm just happy I don't have to make the decision.

The Twins are getting a new field soon (good riddance, Baggie Dome), and there's been some early speculation on what the new digs will be called. From the St. Paul Pioneer-Press:

Twins owner Carl Pohlad and his family have virtually no interest in the club's new ballpark being named Pohlad Field. There has been speculation it could be called Wheaties Field, with General Mills as a corporate sponsor, and that makes sense, but the Twins don't anticipate any serious consideration for a ballpark name until late this year.

Big surprise, the richest owner in baseball (who is loathe to actually spend money on the team) will probably opt for corporate sponsorship. But Wheaties Field? Really? Why not also adopt the Wheaties slogan and just call it "Wheaties Field, Stadium of Champions?"

Mark my words, if this comes to pass, most of the local fans will eventually just call it the "Cereal Bowl," much like Minute Maid Field in Houston is known as the "Juice Box" and the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. is called the "Phone Booth."

(via Ben Maller)

Previously at FanHouse:
The Twins Unveil Their New Stadium