A few links while you're enjoying your cupcakes:

New blogs are sprouting up all over the place! There's Twins without Spin in which the elusive Mr. Baseball No. 1 gives his thoughts with a healthy combination of stats and sass, not to mention a strange affection for T-Fat. And Gutter Ball, where SDave, with the help of Neutrino Boi and Dr. Jane, give previews of most games (including projected B.O.D.s) and general commentary. The best Twins trade of the new millennium has yielded a a Boof Bonser fan site as well as the brand spankin' new Thank You Brian Sabean, the San Fran GM who made it all possible. And then Twins Cards is an e-collection of baseball cards sorted by year and it's just darned cool...can't quite remember the roster in 2000? Look at the cards. And finally hot hot Red Wings closer Pat Neschek has a blog, which is pretty much the coolest thing ever. (Thanks to Infield for the heads up.) In other blogger news, BG is crazy about Will Young's Win Probability charts after the games, and find herself quite engrossed with Aaron Gleeman's Top 40 Minnesota Twins. (Bruno was robbed, AG, robbed!)

Meanwhile, for your off-line reading pleasure, Batgirl's been heartily enjoying Mark Lamster's which tells the story of Albert Spalding's mission to introduce baseball to the world in the late 1800's. The book got a pretty kick ass review in the Times on Sunday. Also getting a kickass review in the Times is Torii Hunter, the Man with the Golden Mitt.

And finally BG's somewhat giddy about the prospect of only because it's going to be a long season and she needs something else to amuse herself. Plus when Gardy told him to put on the catcher's gear..."and a cup" she totally heard a few strains of the Nutty song in the background.

Oh, and if you haven't yet....Vote Mauer! Click on the poster to the left.

EDIT Every Day Super Goddess sends BG the best Bday present ever.