Ask Dave St. Peter

Your questions, his answers.

We called Dave St. Peter “the nicest guy in baseball” in our April feature about him. In fact, the Minnesota Twins president is so nice, he agreed to take questions from our readers, who responded to an online invitation and sent them in. (Watch for more Q&A invites in our e-newsletter Briefcase—subscribe at tcbmag.com.)

You sold the need for a new stadium on the premise that it was needed to increase revenue to sign players. Yet we’ve seen Torii Hunter and Johan Santana leave. Now it’s possible Joe Nathan will leave. What gives?   - John Anderson, New Richmond, Wisconsin

DSP:  The Minnesota Twins have long said that a new ballpark was central to our ability to generate market revenue—much like the other teams in the American League’s Central Division that are playing in new ballparks (e.g., the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox). Clearly, we believe we are on track to increase Twins revenues with the new ballpark, and that puts us on track to increase our funding of player payroll, minor league operations, and scouting.

It’s important to remember that the new ballpark does not open until 2010. In short, we are still hampered by the Metrodome.

That being said, we made strong offers to retain Torii Hunter and Johan Santana. While those offers came up short, let’s not forget that the Pohlad family and Twins organization committed upwards of $150 million to sign Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, and Joe Nathan to new multiyear contracts. The Twins remain committed to making smart baseball decisions and winning games.

Many ballplayers flourish under the Minnesota Twins system. I call it the Twins’ ‘magic diamond dust’ that is sprinkled on them in camp and during the season. What makes up the ‘magic diamond dust?’   - Denny Wahlstrom, North Mankato

DSP:  If we shared those secrets, every other team would be using them. Seriously, I think the ‘Twins way’ is a combination of things. It starts with continuity and stability within our baseball operation and minor league system. We’ve had a grand total of three general managers since 1986. We have the longest-tenured farm director (Jim Rantz) in the game today. Many of our coaches and trainers have been in the Twins system for 10-plus years. Moreover, from the top down, the organization is quite cognizant of the fact that the Twins must focus on fundamentals at every level. It’s the ‘Twins way.’

I have read about many employees with the Twins who have been there for 10, 15, and 20-plus years. How do the Twins keep employees so long, and why don’t other teams recruit your top staff members like Patrick Klinger and the rest?  - Clint Hamilton

DSP:  The Twins are proud of the employee stability we have across our organization. Most of the credit for that goes to the Pohlad family, who, simply put, are tremendous people to work for. Twins staffers are given a tremendous amount of autonomy, flexibility, and adequate resources to do their jobs.

Moreover, the people who work for the Twins make significant commitments and sacrifices to champion the organization across Twins Territory. That effort is rewarding on all fronts.

Is the new Twins stadium being built in such a way that a roof can be added in the future? Or would the whole stadium have to be torn down to make way for one with a roof?   - Jeff Kelsey, Coon Rapids

DSP:  While the Twins fought a 10-plus-year battle to build a retractable-roof facility, the new ballpark is an open-air park. It’s the art of the possible, and it will not have the ability to accept a roof down the road. The Twins are excited about the prospect of playing open-air baseball and confident the facility will be quite successful with fans.

Can you talk about the status of the baseball history museum that will be part of the new stadium? What will it entail?   - Brent Brommer

DSP:  The team has not yet finalized plans for an “official” museum within the ballpark. Many concepts have been discussed—ranging from dedicated Hall of Fame space to locating Twins historical elements throughout the facility (much like they do at the Xcel Energy Center). Look for this decision to be made as the ballpark’s design is completed in the next month or two.

What’s the one thing about the new stadium that will delight fans (besides the open air)?   - Mark Jenson, Minneapolis

DSP:  I’d have to say the food and beverage. Face it, eating and drinking are such a huge part of the game-day experience. We look forward to bringing those aspects to a whole new level in 2010. Not only with quality offerings, but also with more signature items and variety.   

—D. L.