Burt Blyleven

" Welcome back at us and Callahan joining us on the phone line -- not quite sure exactly which of the two lines I should use to introduce Bert Blyleven he has as we know the twins TV analyst is also in arguably the best eligible pitcher not currently in the Hall of Fame but should be. Bert Blyleven joins us on the -- the morning how -- Welcome learning John and Jerry are you guys don't let. Where -- one final that's still the Santana think first -- if we -- what are just got to lay of the land out there in the Twin Cities have baseball fans in that area up. Given up hope and -- resigned themselves the way Carl -- does business out there cultivate great talent and let them go somewhere else."

" Well it's kind of a history of the organization you know they've been fortunate to win two World Series won an -- ever 1991 -- an organization that can not compete with the bigger markets or do not want to compete with the bigger markets you know like New York or Boston -- and had the success is maybe keeping a lot of key players of course say. Recently lost story Carter. And now with a payroll over 170 million Johan Santana as a free agent at the end of the year -- you know -- the 20 million dollar range of course the twins. Are saying they cannot afford him and they'll probably move him to hopefully get some young challenge and rebuild for -- ballclub right now that's moving into the new stadium in 2000 channel they have a couple years to do that to bring hope Clearwater back to Minnesota when that new stadium opens up."

" Now -- is there uprising every year or every time -- Torii Hunter comes up in the contract offers made him that they know was well below market value now apparently sent out of the same thing among the baseball fans out there they just go crazy for 15 or 20 minutes and then say well that's just Karl being --"

" Well I think -- you know that the way that the pfiesteria is you know. Winning is important don't get me wrong but they also realize the economics of baseball has gotten out of hand the where you know or even Torii Hunter himself said you know -- Off five year 90 million dollar contract or your work -- no I'm not worth that but that's what the market is buried so. There are people out there that are being yet. And -- why wouldn't Johan Santana or -- hurt -- then another free agent after next season just go out there and test the open market. -- are more successful the twins got nothing in return. Other than compensation may be a draft pick and that is not a guaranteed you know major leaguer. The -- Johan Santana and Joe made them are true quality pitchers and everybody knows how good they are. There's some value in their talent. In the open market meant I think to 20 are looking at it saying you know we need to get something back to build whole organization back up because. They have too many holes to fill second base third base what feels -- president and the designated hitter. That's five holes I gotta -- coming in spring training."

" So you're we're all convinced they're going to trade Santana correct Burton."

" I think that's the way that you know I mean Yankees or Marty Camara -- and stated that you know they had talks with the twins. About that it's going to take a lot to get Johan Santana but. You know the twins already have offered them a four year 80 million dollar deal and they turned it down -- you on wants Iverson church."

" And so there's no turning back now he's on the market they're taken bids do you think this will happen imminently isn't going to be a matter of days. Before they pull the trigger on a deal."

" I think everybody's on the market -- Manny -- merits in Boston almost on the market it's just a matter who can afford him in what. Through the twins want in return again I -- so they've got some holes to fill -- I think they feel that. -- can get some young talented players to keep that payroll down in return for Johan Santana -- a good bet that happen stepped up abilities that the new general manager for the Minnesota Twins in the organization do. See exactly what direction they're garnished oh that's a good talent he had Joe Mauer Justin Morneau the MVP just give up -- ago Joe Mauer the batting title Michael could -- dropped -- driven over harder runs over the last couple years. So pushed also talented kids surgeries and Bartlett but that they need to rebuild -- minor league system and get some of these guys -- up to the big leagues and be successful."

" Is there anything you don't like about Johan Santana."

" Now now other than you know what is a class guy not only. You know on the field is a great pitcher course winning the cy young couple times the last four years. You know makes him that type pitcher that notoriety off the field class act he really is he's a good guy he's a change player. Is a guy that creates a lot of enthusiasm in the club also is a cheerleader --"

" You talked about all the needs of the Minnesota Twins have -- they report for spring training in most of the Yankees offer what it might be and try to project that aside because we obviously urged that in the -- Red Sox perspective as far as you can tell and all of asking you. For a guesstimate your Bert Blyleven but would a package of Coco Crisp but colts and Lester. Get it done in the Minnesota Twins management's mind or would it take more than that -- Jacoby els bury a guy who by almost everyone's account is going to be a superstar of the future need to be included for the twins to pull the trigger."

" What they get to throw Bobby Kielty and there are I guess you know how we can only speculate you just start throwing out names job but Dave Ortiz and Manny are America's first -- would that would be nice swing a lot of sort of torn you know what I industries that make too much money. So yeah I think that's what to 20 are looking for if they decide to pull the trigger in trading Johan Santana. Is young talented kids like and -- very maybe like a Matt Kemp from the Dodgers in getting some pitching help in return. They have an abundance of young pitchers in the minor league system. The twins need some offense that's what hurt Santana this year may be winning his third. Cy young. Lifting him water but another great year but he didn't hit a lot of run support in and get off. I mean it's nice to go out there like Josh Beckett -- have five or six runs put on that board. By the third or fourth sitting on the underside it it sure is a lot easier to approach."

" He obviously is different pitching in New York or Boston and pitching in Minnesota you have any doubt that he'll thrive. In the big market in the ball on the big stage in either place in New York Boston."

" No not at all you know again Johan Santana as a professional -- he takes a lot of pride in news work ethics. It takes a lot of pride in the way that he conducts himself again on the field and off the field. He -- a lot back not only to his local community but also to the people Venezuela where he's from insult. The guy is from a very solid family and use is going through the big leagues and doing at the right -- is working his tail end up and staying out of trouble."

" What if they decide any chance in your mind of Minnesota says will go. Five years and 20 million or six years and when he -- because we got this new park here and we can't afford to let this guy go any chance of that happening."

" Well under question I don't know you know that that struck again after the twins organization who's to say how far. They will go worth but I got like Johan Santana but he also needs some help they need some foot soldiers around on an it to keep losing guys like Torii daughter Joan Nathan may decide to become a free agent after what court barrels signed -- it -- Cincinnati Reds. You know Joe's -- six million dollars and also receives it in orders are carry 11 or 12 million are. Four year contract out there. Possibility for him why would the players not go out and try to better themselves and their families you know if it that's what the market calls or so you know again. You know -- you can keep Johan Santana but you better be prepared to also. Offered Justin Morneau long term contract Michael could dye there and Joe Mauer was already has a long term contract but there's only three or four years left so. You know it's just a game of baseball the economics of baseball up -- you know a lot of times virtual smaller market."

" A we're talking with Minnesota Twins TV analyst Bert Blyleven number you know there there -- web sites. And bloggers devoted to dealing with in comparing the numbers of people who are in the Hall of Fame and you who are not -- I'm wondering is just -- the portion off. Are you tired of people ask you about the Hall of Fame -- and trying to figure out why you aren't in there."

" And not relish I think it's nice I think it's nice sweater -- and the people they are run of their particular broadcast for the Minnesota Twins of course I'll let you know every ballpark -- the American league and we. We visit some of the national league park tonight I joy it brought -- writers that vote -- voter I'd be honest with me because they come up to me and they say you know -- vote -- every year think you should be an offense actual post that I must not be meeting the other 50% Mark. I don't know where you're at but you know every writer that I have -- talked to or have come up to me and said that you know. Your numbers are there you should be in the Hall of Fame but hopefully one day it'll happen I think this is my 11 year I was over 50% to a couple years ago I dropped down last year I'll be curious to see what are they will be this year but. You know. Again now baseball is a numbers game where you are you talk about you know back it's great year you talked about Ortiz or Manny were Veres of course they need a lot of help around them -- They -- and each other's whole well. End you know sometimes people -- you'll want 287 games like certain -- I got find myself more on the deep sense I think on the offense was some people that are are are looking always for the negative than to me you know. Today's a gift I was watching a jolt balls all -- falls being you know preach yesterday much like I was sitting here watching listening to -- talk about. People on the positive side every -- a positive and try to find a positive out of a negative and special way I -- of the Hall of Fame it's an honor to be on the ballot and hopefully one day. But positive alternative to a real positive when what I got a phone call this was it like that."

" Wilbert you know forbidden foods that you only won 287 games you can counter that with what that was a 122 more than sandy Kovacs won I suppose right. And by the way when their comparable stats put out their guys who are in the Hall of Fame and yours compares favorably with the likes of Don Sutton Gaylord Perry Ferguson Jenkins Tommy John Robin Roberts Tom Seaver Jim cut -- Monaco Steve Carlton the numbers are there but -- numbers -- and that's what jumps out at me and out of would you confirm or deny this I assume you know your numbers pretty well. Of the 685 games you've started it's that's in front of me here that you had 242 complete games."

" Yeah going nine in. Ngo status -- that was something that -- good."

" I mean maybe it's this day and age who were conditioned to you know set up reliever in a way you -- But 242 complete games in 685 starts it's it's ridiculous."

" Well I'm wrong but I came up under an error I'm really glad I -- what they did -- nine innings felt. I -- that would that would your job you know I mean you -- start the ball game you want to get -- the -- they take -- take a shower with the boys -- you -- to be out -- shaken hands you know when that would that would replica winning baseball I have all 287 baseball's that I one night I kept the ball from the game and I look at those every day along or like two World Series shall we sure Fort Myers, Florida and and -- look at those baseball's policy on very proud of that because. A lot of those 287 games I completed idea what all nine innings and that the you take a lot of pride in and I was a pitcher that that pitched well a lot of pride a lot of enthusiasm a lot of desire and actually kind of want to live life you know one day at a time and do the best you can and victory if you are rewarded at the end you know whatever that end this -- all of them will be and there -- you can look. The sale -- This place here here on -- as a pretty fun."

" My favorite is 197325 complete games which you know -- that ranked in the league. Third hit it 25 complete game nowadays a guy goes point -- starts in the -- work courts when he."

" Yeah this -- it's it's changed a lot you know 200 innings is is right now -- get a true guard -- inning pitcher you know the twins lost Karros over they may lose Johan Santana the only pitchers. For the twins that pitched over 200 innings so a lot of pressure on another on the on the bullpen and that's why. I think a lot of laws are looking to strengthen -- pinch throughout the real winner and before the trading deadline every year."

" Same mere 325 innings John."

" Fourth aren't going to catch about what you good luck of the oh the votes increase hopefully as we go forward here and also thanks for the information on Johan Santana it's Easter that that we're certainly going to be watching here in Boston has the hot stove season plays itself while Bert Blyleven."

" Thanks guys regular much has never great at."

" You two Blyleven with them and they'll -- take a quick timeout when we come back we are going to give away this trip -- two. To the ACC championship game and Boston College. Saturday this includes airfare for two round trip -- descended on -- leave -- there. You leave Friday you'd stay over -- Friday night Saturday night he can back on Sunday to great tickets to the game. But you have to stop me to Perot with ABs seat trivia question and then. Answer one -- has compiled -- upper row"