The Minnesota Twins woke up Monday morning with a 52-63 record, 16 1/2 games back in the AL Central and 13 1/2 games back in the wild card. They’ll likely play out the string, maybe get some work for some of their can’t-miss prospects and finish the season near the bottom of the division.
In short, it’s going to be a tough few weeks to get through, so they’re going to have to find ways to keep on battling. Apparently they’re going to try and keep it loose while doing so.
The Twins showed that Friday in Chicago taking on the White Sox when they pulled off one of the better pranks we’ve seen in a long time. Jared Burton appeared to smash Brian Duensing with a big right hand as a Twins home run fell over the team’s bullpen in right field. The fake punch was sold on both ends, and it was likely pretty jarring to see live.
“As soon as it was hit, he goes, ‘Come on. Punch me. Punch me,'” Burton said, according to TwinCities.com. “I gave him the right hook and knocked him down.
“It’s all in fun,” Burton said. “I knew the ball was coming down and that camera was going to be zoomed in on us. I waited it out, afraid I was going to get hit with the ball. That’s about as good of execution as you could ask for.”
It’s not the first time the Twins have tried the prank — they actually had a fairly decent showing in Boston in May — but it’s by far their best execution. So at least they’re doing something right out there.
Check out a GIF below via Deadspin.
