Well SBG fans, it's that time of the week again, time for Pepper! If you are new to this site, every Friday, SBG invites someone (usually a Twins blogger) to answer ten questions. The catch? You are supposed to limit your answer to 50 words. Easier said than done sometimes.

This week we have the "Twins Junkie" as our guest. The Twins Junkie has been turning some heads with his recent interviews. He's been doing a very good job talking to people in the know about Twins Baseball. Hats off to you Twins Junkie for your efforts! Go on over to his site and check him out! Say hi for me.

I don't know the Twins Junkie, so I've asked him to give us a little background information. Here's what he has to say.

I run http://www.twinsjunkie.com/, which launched in January. The site has yet to take on a true identity, but I figure if I keep working at it, I can find my niche. As a member of the Twins internet community, I have two claims to fame (at least to me they are): I do a lot of interviews (i.e. Terry Ryan, Jim Souhan, Lavelle E Neal, Steve Rushin, Mark Sheldon) and as far as I can tell, I am the youngest member, at a very green 15 years old.

I've known the Twins as long as I can remember, like when we had nose bleed season tickets in 98 and sat directly on the bullpen, with nearly an entire section to ourselves. Many of good conversations with the MR version of Eddie Guardado. He would often give me packs of bazooka bubblegum. I've been over every inch of that place, including through the hallways leading to the locker rooms and dugouts. When the old dump is torn down, many memories will go down with it.

Frankly, Twins Junkie, your site is very impressive for anyone, much less for a 15 year old. Keep up the good work. I like the new look, as well. And now, let's play Pepper!

Topic #1: Shannon Stewart
TJ: Want to say he's an ideal lead off guy, but needs to steal more bases. Time will tell about his hamstrings and if he will be able to play left field throughout the season. Memorable moment: leaping catch at Yankee stadium and resulting photograph by Strib displayed proudly on my school binder.

SBG: He�s a good player making just a little too much money. Poor throwing arm, but very consistent at the plate. Twins are clearly better when he�s in the lineup. One of few guys on the team who gets on base a lot.

Topic #2: Torii Hunter
TJ: Get vibe that he has depreciated in value in eyes of many. Will have a very similar season to last year, and similar in 06. All sportswriters I've interviewed say he's their favorite clubhouse Twin. Moment: 02' All star game (not the derby though hehe).

SBG: Seems like a good guy. Fabulous defender. Has punch at the plate. Gets himself out too much. He�s a good player, but it�s hard not to be a little disappointed. He looked in 2002 like he was going to be GREAT. He�s not great. But, he�s pretty good.

Topic #3: Jacque Jones
TJ: Many wanted him traded so Koskie could be kept. Not true, I say. People under estimate value in having 4 starter-caliber OF, Lew will get his AB. Moment: HR in ALDS Game 2 after the death of his father.

SBG: Has some positives. He�s got great range in the outfield and he usually crushes right-handed pitching. But, he can�t throw accurately and he�s helpless against lefties. At $5 million, he shouldn�t be on this team. Considering holes in infield, Twins should have spent that money elsewhere.

Topic #4: Michael Cuddyer
TJ: Me = On the Cuddyer bandwagon. Very good #7 hitter. Nothing I've seen/heard indicates he has any trouble defensively. I've seen him rip a few this spring. Moment: Talk to me after this season, surely I'll have many (key hit in WS?)

SBG: It�s Mike�s time. He can hit and hit for power. He just needs a chance. I expect that he�ll be fine this year, even in the field. Personally, I�d appreciate his bat at second base. But, the Twins signed Jones instead of a third baseman.

Topic #5: Luis Rivas
TJ: Again, I go against the grain. Believe he is still valuable, will improve still, if not much. Although it is thrown around a lot, because of tenure people think he's past peak, at 25 (three years younger than Lew Ford). Moment: Rookie record 31 SB in 01

SBG: Hope he ends up on the bench or in the minors. Wasted money on him. How many chances for this guy? Makes no sense at all. No improvement, no desire, nothing. Clearly, his job is in danger. That�s good news.

Topic #6: Justin Morneau
TJ: If I hear a list of his offseason ailments one more time I will puke. Incredibly excited (who isn't) for sophmore season. Seems to be expressionless at all times, pressure wont get to him. 30+ HR. Moment: 2 HR Game in Seattle.

SBG: He looks fabulous in Twins uniform. A little susceptible to high fastballs, let�s see how he adjusts. Tons of power. Big frame. Not bad at first either. Don�t care if his glove is made of stone. I want to see him hitting fourth for years. Li�l Harmon!

Topic #7: Joe Mauer
TJ: Won't talk about knee, won't jinx it. Remember back to the decision: football vs. baseball. Remember draft. Remember Mark Prior's early years, now it can all payoff. Morneau future + Mauer future = me salivating. Moment: First hit in opener

SBG: Read someone describe his knee as bone on bone. Yikes. Can�t believe he�ll play catcher for very long. Has all the tools, though. Big, good feet, good arm, good bat. With the bad knee, he could be another Tony O. Great hitter, but cut short by injury. Let�s hope not.

Topic #8: LewFord
TJ: Like him, but people seem to get overhyped on his "potential." Ford is 28, and will stay consistently as a solid. Very possible he'll be the starting LF if Stewart can't last. Moment: Stretching a single up the middle to a double in Detroit (you'd have to see it).

SBG: Lew is a wildcard. Gets on base, can run, can play defense. I wonder a little if he can duplicate 2004. Too bad he�ll sit on the bench a lot. If he�s for real, he�s being wasted in the DH role. With a big 2005, the Twins will be in great shape.

Topic #9: Shortstop
TJ: I conform on this one: Bartlett all the way. Asked hundreds of Reds fans about Castro, it could be summed up in this quote: "Sorry man, he sucks." I'd also like to see Punto get some time there. Moment: Punto's 7th inning Grand Slam vs. Tampa.

SBG: Come on Bartlett. You can do it. Was unconvinced last year. But, the Twins need this guy. If he can field, a huge upgrade at short. Much better bat. That�s what Twins need. More offense. Castro a waste. Punto at second? That would be cool.

Topic #10: Wild Card
TJ: Did anyone see the 4A HS boys state championship? You've undoubtebly seen the shot, but the game was one of the most amazing ever. Eastview got into a deep hole, but made a charge in the fourth quarter. Hopkins hit a three to tie with less than 20 seconds left, sending it to OT, where Eastview pulled away, leading to one of the great comebacks of all time. Then Hopkins charged back and tied on a crazy putback with 2.5 seconds left. Then the fateful play. A baseball pass from the other side of the court, a mob of players jumping to catch it like a football hail mary. Someone was knocked over, and rolled to the corner. The loose ball fatefully found it's way to him, and after the announcers had exclaimed, "It's over!" a shot went through the hoop. The announcers then boldly stated, "Thats a three, Hopkins wins!" The shot ended up as the #1 play of the week on Sports Center, and was yelled over on PTI.

Now a few paragraphs about baseball.....just kidding!

SBG: I think that this is the best team of this latest resurgence of Twins baseball. But, they need to prove it on the field. They are going to be better offensively, especially if Rivas sits down. I am very excited about the Twins in 2005.

There you have it! Another successful game of Pepper! Thanks to the Twins Junkie, who makes this blogger feel quite old all of a sudden. Keep up the good work and have fun with your site this summer.

Have a great weekend everyone!