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Twins new shortstop riding high
Spring training is baseball's annual fountain of youth. Optimism is everywhere. Smiles, never stop. And the kid inside is not only out, but running wild. For the Twins' new shortstop, Adam Everett, it's definitely time for renewal. After seven years with the Houston Astros, where at times he struggled mightily at the plate, Everett is soaking in Minnesota's work-hard, have-fun style of play. "I feel like a rookie again. I'm going into camp early, I'm excited," said the 31-year-old veteran. Everett should be excited because his 2007 season ended with a crack. The sound was Everett's leg breaking when he collided with teammate Carlos Lee in June. He played just 66 games, battling .232. His fate was sealed with the Astros when the team traded for All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejeda during the offseason. But when one door closes, another opens and the Twins found a veteran shortstop willing and able to start over. Everett says he's impressed by the clubhouse full of unassuming young stars, like Joe Mauer. "A great example is a guy like Mauer. A great guy," Everett said. "I met him at Twins Fest. I said, you're not supposed to know my name. I know your name. It's pretty neat to see the guys and learn what they're all about. They're genuine and you don't have that everywhere." Everett isn't alone in his new adventure. His young family has joined him in Fort Meyers for spring training. On the day we visited, daughter Peyton was helping dad put together a baby chair for the youngest Everett - Paisley. Baseball can be a nomadic life and sometimes tough on a family. But the Everett's choose to make this move to the Twins a positive one for all of them. That means they're with dad every step of the way. "You don't need a lot," Everett said when showing KARE 11 around the family's no-frills, rented condo. "No, you don't need a lot and I'll prove to you that you don't need a lot. Walk in here. This is the baby's room plus the closet. This is all the stuff we brought. We don't have much," said Everett. It's a simple existence for now, but things will become a little more complex once the family heads to Minnesota. As fate would have it, Everett is joined on the leftside of the infield by former Astros teammate Mike Lamb. Like Everett, Houston released Lamb and he is getting a fresh start with the Twins. Lamb has known Everett since 1999, and says when it comes to playing defense, no one is better than Everett. "Like, I'm in awe. I'm a better hitter than I am defensively," said Lamb. "So when I see somebody excel on defense, it's beautiful to me. It's poetry in motion." The Twins pride themselves on having great defensive players and Everett will not disappoint in that department. He is regarded as one of the game's best fielding shortstops. But more importantly, the Twins landed a veteran leader who has rediscovered the excitement only baseball, and a new team, can bring. "That's what baseball is all about. You think you have it figured out and it comes up to get you really quick and you say, 'I don't have it figured out' and you say, 'what's going on?'" Everett said. "That's what I'm looking forward to. Going to new parks, playing against guys I don't normally see and I'm looking forward to having a fun year and a great year." (Next week in the Twins Monday Extra, Randy catches up with odd-throwing Twins pitcher and Minnesota native Pat Neshek, March 10th on KARE 11 News at 10 p.m.)
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