Miracle in the Majors

During spring training, J.D. Durbin said he though New Britain should have J.D. Durbin night. He suggested they could pass out t-shirts with "The Real Deal" on the back as well as distributing J.D. Durbin bobbleheads.

Durbin, with his big pearly white smile, would make a great bobble head. But picture this...

As part of the Twins tradition that when heading off for the last road trip of the season, rookies have to wear women's clothing -- from the clubhouse all the way to the destination city -- Durbin was presented with an Elton John-inspired outfit of tight pink pants, a bodice and star-shaped sunglasses.

Now THAT would be a J.D. Durbin bobblehead worth having!

Some of the other outfits presented to the rookies?

Grant Balfour wore a lovely black tube top and a grass skirt. Jason Kubel, in billowy red, looked like a strumpet from an old-west saloon. Matt Guerrier sported a gray miniskirt and Xena-like breastplate.

Joe Mauer, to commemorating his injury-plagued season, wore a hospital gown and toted an IV.

Michael Restovich was given a tastefully long skirt and matching sleeveless blouse. By all reports, he looked very classy. He's participated in the Twins' dress outing twice before.

"I don't even think Restovich had to do it this time," Twin manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I think he must be getting to like it."

Supposedly none of the outfits came close to Justin Morneau's Hooters get up from last season.

Durbin, Kubel and Jason Bartlett will remain with the Twins through the end of September, at which point they will join Rob Bowen and Scott Baker in Scottsdale for the start of the Arizona Fall League.

"The Real Deal" had a less than stellar outting Saturday night, throwing 53 pitches in 1.2 innings worth of work. He allowed one run on three hits and one walk, and struck out 3.

Kubel and Michael Cuddyer both a hit and run in the Twins 12-3 loss to the Oriels.

Cuddyer was 1-for-4 in Sunday's 5-1 win with a run. Restovich banged out a two run homer in the seventh, his first of the season.

Travis Bowyer was featured in Baseball America's report as one of 12 breakout players this season.

"Two years ago, Bowyer went from throwing an average fastball to a blazer that reached 96. He needed time to harness the pitch, but he found the range in 2004, dominating the Florida State League before a promotion to Double-A New Britain, where he shackled Eastern League hitters," John Manuel wrote in his September 15th report. "He touched 99 mph this season and maintains his velocity over two- and three-inning outings, helping him hold opponents to a .182 average during a 9-3, 1.29 season."

"He was more consistent with his fastball velocity," said Rob Antony, the Twins' director of baseball operations. "He needs to be more consistent with his command, but he has heavy sink to his fastball and a decent breaking ball. He really had a breakout year for us."