Gardy red flags top ump

BY GORDON WITTENMYER
Pioneer Press

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, in a lengthy meeting before practice Tuesday morning with umpire supervisor Rich Garcia, went over points of emphasis for the coming season.

Gardenhire again made his case about the automatic-ejection rule involving brush-back pitches that penalizes the victim who retaliates.

"I told him I wanted a red flag that I can throw from the dugout, so I could stay in the game," said Gardenhire, who has been ejected 15 times in three seasons — three times more than Tom Kelly's 15-year total. "I like the way Mike Tice gets a red flag. (Garcia's) statement was: 'Be careful. That thing might be coming back at you.' "

Two for the Hall

The Twins added two more to their Hall of Fame — announcing former Cy Young Award winner Frank Viola and owner Carl Pohlad as this year's additions.

An induction ceremony will be at the Metrodome before a June 4 game against the New York Yankees.

Viola won 112 games in eight seasons for the Twins, 24 of those coming in 1988, when he won the Cy Young Award. He was chosen most valuable player for the 1987 World Series after winning two games and contributing to Minnesota's first title.

Pohlad, who purchased the team from Calvin Griffith in 1984, was elected by the Twins' Hall of Fame veterans committee — which considers non-uniformed personnel in odd-numbered years.

Briefly

Nick Punto took grounders in practice for the first time since straining his lower back taking batting practice before camp opened.

Reliever Jesse Crain, the hard-throwing rookie, is expected to start light fielding practice today for the first time since suffering a slight hamstring pull last week. He has been able to maintain a full throwing program.

Non-roster infielder Glenn Williams suffered a groin pull during fielding practice, and it was unclear how serious it was.

Left-hander Terry Mulholland began experiencing slight swelling in his elbow, possibly the result of scar tissue breaking up following minor offseason surgery to remove bone chips. It's not considered serious and has not stopped him from full participation in bullpen and fielding work.

First baseman Justin Morneau, who has battled the last effects of pneumonia since arriving at camp, continued to increase his activity and has an exam today that could clear the way for him to start full workouts.

Twins coach Al Newman was back to work after missing two days because of a flu bug working its way through camp.