You caption your column THE END.

We can only hope it is the end of Bill Smith.

If ownership does not cashier him it will demonstrate their lack of knowledge and/or caring about the Twins.

I’m not among the pessimists about the near-term future of the team. As long as the front office doesn’t get mired in existing contracts, as long as they are willing to embrace a new mix of players, then the Twins will have a chance to recover from this injury-ridden season.

As for Gardenhire, it could be that his intolerance for the imperfections of rookie players is becoming a drag on team morale. Guys like Plouffe and Valencia need a little encouragement to go along with the disdain. I find myself asking, how would a guy like Joe Maddon handle these guys?

The stadium was nearly packed, the weather was awesome, and most of the fans stayed until the end of the game. We were rewarded with a complete game shutout, a diving catch in center field, and a bottom of the ninth winning run to cross the plate to break a nothing to nothing score.

I wouldn’t ask for a better way for the Twins to finish the season. I’m glad we were there.

I hope the Twins view this season’s failure as an opportunity to change and improve. The Twins need to do a better job of evaluating talent. And, if that means paying greater attention to relevant statistics, then, do it.

The Twins’ management team needs some new members, some new voices. I am not advocating replacing anyone. Simply, adding new blood with fresh ideas would dilute some of the old, tired approach of Mr. Smith and Mr. Gardenhire. Lest I become too critical of Bill Smith, I am reminded that his predecessor, Terry Ryan, non-tendered David Ortiz, ran the clock down on Santana, traded Lohse for a minor league pitcher who never panned out, and allowed Koskie to leave via free agency.

There have been some good moves during Smith’s tenure. Trading for Pavano, Hardy, Rauch, Cabrerra, and Fuentes deserves applause. Likewise, signing Sano, Kepler, Polanco, Repko, Crede, and Thome deserves a thumbs-up. Yet, it has to break any Twins fan’s heart to think that Santana was traded for four minor-league prospects from a weak Mets system, Hardy fetched two minor-league pitchers with control problems, and Wilson Ramos brought us a good relief pitcher and not a great one. Bringing in an un-tested Nishioka to play either middle-infield position was a mistake. Kubel and Cuddyer, both dyed-in-the-wool Twins, should have been signed to reasonable extensions a year ago. Ditto for Jesse Crain, who was untouchable during the second half of the 2010 season and was very strong out of the White Sox’s bullpen this season.

Wouldn’t it be grand if the Twins’ front office learned a few things after this terrible season? Maybe employ a full-time stats person. If one had been on staff a year ago, maybe Hardy with his stellar defense and 30 homers would still be wearing a Twins uniform.

Keep up the good work.