Written by Ok, talk about unexpected popularity – that post I did about the new Twins Talkin’ Baseball commercial continues to get hits every day. I guess I’m not the only one who really likes it.
But in the time since then, I have kept up the search to get more information on versions and recordings. Much to my surprise and pleasure, I got an official answer from the team that the 2010 version is not a complete recording. They haven’t redone the whole song – just the one piece so that is why it’s a bit harder to locate. Here are the exact lyrics for the new piece:
(Talkin’ Baseball) The Fans They All Agree (Outdoor Baseball) Target Field’s The Place To Be Mauer And Morneau Are Comin’ Thru Cuddy, Span And Liriano Too Just Like Tony, “The Killer” And Carew.
I think something very similar happened in 2007 because for all that I was told there was a version out there, I can’t find any solid record of it at all. Given my success in finding the other information I wanted, I’m not too upset about that but it might be that I’m not entirely done rooting through the internet.
I found one other thing when I was looking around that isn’t really related to the new versions of the song at all but to the “original” remake that birthed the Twins version. During all the contraction discussion, Terry Cashman gave an interview in which he was asked about how it would affect his songs:
Q: You’ve recorded versions of “Talkin’ Baseball” for both Minnesota and Montreal. If MLB contracts, are you going to “contract” the compilation CDs those songs are on?
Cashman: Oh, no. I’m going to keep the ones that are there. If the poor Twins disappear, that song would be valuable.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about his answer but at least it didn’t happen, the song AND THE TEAM are still valuable and all I can say is it’s a good song.
Talkin’ Twins Baseball
by Terry Cashman
© Copyright 1981, 1983, 1988, 1992, 1996 PKM Music
c/o Publishers’ Licensing Corporation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
When the Senators stopped playin’ ball
The Twin Cities got the call
Minnesota joined the American League
With Mele at the reins
The Twins made instant gains
In ’65 they had the flag and an MVP
I’m talkin’ baseball…
Allison and Perry
Twins Baseball…
Kitty Kaat and Jerry
Don Mincher and Mudcat comin’ through
Jimmy Hall and Davey Boswell too
Just like Tony….the Killer and Carew
Rod was rookie of the year
There was a Chance, no hitter here
Under Rig and Billy the Kid they won the West
But though Harmon kept on cloutin’
Tony’s knees were givin’ out
And he was never the same but he always came and gave his best
I’m talkin’ baseball…
Roseboro & Ulander
Twins baseball…
Tovar, Reese & Campbell
Perranoski and Darwin in the crew
Lyman Bostock, and Bert Blyleven too
Just like Tony….the Killer and Carew
Talkin’ baseball in Minnesota
Bernie Allen, Red Worthington
Kralick had a no hit game
Danny Thompson what a shame
Hisle, Landreaux, Goltz what can we say?
We love to watch ‘em play
Well ‘96 is another year and if the Twins can get their game in gear
T.K. will answer to the call
New names join the old
Another team unfolds
They’re right at home in the Metrodome so let’s play ball
I’m talkin’ baseball…
Aguilera is a starter
Twins baseball…
Kirby Puckett’s not the part
Cordova, Meares & Knoblauch comin’ through
There’s Molitor and David Hollins too
Just like Tony…the Killer & Carew
There was Tony…the Killer & Carew
There was Tony…the Killer & Carew
(Kirby, Kirby, Kirby)
Talkin’ baseball, the Killer & Carew
(Kirby, Kirby, Kirby)
Talkin’ baseball, baseball…the Minnesota Twins…
(Kirby, Kirby, Kirby)
They had Tony… the Killer & Carew…
One of our readers, ShawntheRoad, shared a YouTube video put together that you might enjoy!
I still get a little misty (ok I cry) when I think about Kirby. What Batgirl said in her blog, I, too, mourned Kirby Puckett three times. It is still hard to believe he is no longer here.
Here’s a youtube video with the 1996 version of the song. My kid found this a couple weeks ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPfw-ES778Y
thanks Shawn – I’ll throw it up into the post! Someone did some nice work on it.
I’m a HUGE fan of the commercial. The song is great but I mostly like it because I’M IN IT! I’m the one in the red shirt cheering on my MN Twins. I had no idea what kind of commercial it was going to be at the time but I just love it and I have enjoyed watching it this Summer. Go Twins!