Moving on from Game 1 loss
Last night I went to the rally that was held downtown. That was something pretty special, seeing 8,000 people out there for not even a gameday. I went home after the rally last night and just tried to take it easy. I got to bed early, which was nice since that doesn’t always happen before day games.
The day started for me by waking up at 7 o’clock, which wasn’t too fun. I guess that’s what happens when you don’t play prime-time. We were all excited about the day. I picked [Mike] Redmond and Nick [Punto] up and the three of us came to the park together. We all ate breakfast and then got into our usual game routine. We were excited and ready to go -- we had breakfast and were ready to get after it.
Even when we got behind early in the game, we were still upbeat. We were just trying to find ways to get to Barry Zito. We didn’t have much success early off him, obviously, as we didn’t get any hits for four innings. We were just trying to figure out ways to get a run across the board and get it done so we could get Johan that win. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get that.
Facing Zito, we didn’t want to chase pitches, which we ended up doing anyway. We started chasing high fastballs and we wanted to make him throw a lot of pitches, and we didn’t do that, either. I don’t think we really stuck to our game plan and really executed very well today. But he made big pitches when he had to and threw pitches for strikes when he had throw strikes, and he made us swing the bat.
The atmosphere from the crowd today was just amazing. To go out there and have 55,000-plus people in the crowd, it’s awesome. Words can’t even describe it. During the eighth and ninth innings when they got really rowdy, it was just deafening.
In the late innings, as we started to feel better on offense, we were confident that we were going to pull off the comeback. We felt like we were going to get it done, because we had done it so many times in the past that today was just going to be another one. Even though we weren’t able to, you realize that you can’t pull off a comeback win every day, so hopefully we’ll be able to come back tomorrow and get it done.
For everyone saying that this game was bigger for us, it’s not true, because Game 1 is huge for both teams. I don’t think you can put more importance on it for either team. No matter who you have on the mound, it’s a big game.
But we’re not worried too much about losing Game 1, either. The past three years we’ve been in the playoffs, we’ve won Game 1 but lost the series. So hopefully we change the course of history by losing this first game. You can’t really get caught up in things like winning or losing certain games. People were saying that this team has lost five straight home games in the playoffs, but this is a totally different team than the ones that lost at home before. With this team, we’re 0-1 at home. I don’t even pay attention to those other losses.
Even though Boof Bonser is a rookie, I think he’s going to take this start tomorrow as a challenge and go out there and battle and give it his all. That’s all you can really ask for from a guy -– to go out there and compete. Nobody competes more on this team than Boof, and he’s hopefully going to throw a good game for us.
After the game, it was quiet in the clubhouse and basically the message was that we just have to come back and get them tomorrow. There’s no reason to hang our heads and no reason to get down on ourselves or doubt ourselves -- especially at this point. We’ll come back tomorrow and put together a good game and hopefully win. -- Michael Cuddyer / MLB.com
Cuddy,
Huge heads up play on that 9th inning triple. Welcome to the Metrodome, Milton Bradley!
It was a pretty frustrating loss - I was surrounded by a bunch of knucklehead A's fans - but, whatever, no big deal. Crush 'em tomorrow.
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Michael, That triple was awesome and I really thought you guys would come back to win in the late innings like you have been. Nothing like keeping everybody on the edge of their seats.I have confidence that tomorrow things will come together!!!The Twins are a team any state would be proud of.
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Michael, I watched the game today and I thought at the end there you guys would have tied it up...but like you said sometimes it doesn't work out, even though it didn't I wanted to tell ya; you guys still have a ton of fans out here and we'll be cheering ya on every game!!! I am proud to say I am a Twin's Fan because no other baseball team treats us (the fans) as good as you guys do, and no other baseball team plays the way you guys do, with a lot of heart...I will never forget this season, you guys have really made it special for me, as a fan...my heartfelt thanks to every player on the team!
love, Kati
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Michael,
Hey just wanted to tell you that throw to firstbase to try to get Frank Thomas out was a huge heads up play. I thought you had him. Go Get'em tomorrow!
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Michael-
The Minnesota Twins make baseball a lot more exciting then it was meant to be. You guys are constantly keeping fans at the edge of their seats, keeping us ecstatic until the last out..or for rare occasions, until the 12th inning during a Royal's game.
No matter what, Minnesota will always love the tWINs!! Especially this 2006 team. You guys will always have the hearts of million's of Minnesotan's..so do us proud!!!
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hey cuddy i didnt get to see them game today because of school but i know you guys will pull it out i moved from minnesota 9 years ago and now i live in atlanta i just wanna say im still i die hard fan and ive enjoyed this season like no other im hoping to get tickets to the world series i know u guys will get it done
Andersen
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I totally agree with your reasoning. Losing game 1 may have been a minor setback but winning it didn't do anything for the team in the past years. Not only are you an amazing player but you always give back to the people who support you and I thank you for that. Good Luck tomorrow and enjoy the game.
Jess
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Thanks for your blogging Michael! Good luck throughout the rest of the playoffs; I have no doubt that this team can and will be in the World Series! Thanks for giving this state something to cheer about, and players to feel good about! You guys are truly great role models for people everywhere! Keep your heads held high... World Series '06 here we come!!!
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Hey Michael,
I am an avid Twins fan, and I moved to Ohio several years ago. I still follow you guys as best as I can, and I'm rooting for you in the playoffs. My sister still lives in Minneapolis, and she's your biggest fan. I'm not even joking. I don't know if you'll get to read this or not, but it would mean the world to her if you could maybe send her an email or something. I'm not sure I can post her email here for her privacy, but mine is obviously here, and you could send it to me and I'll give it to her? Her name is Melissa. I know you're really busy and if you can't that's totally understandable. Thanks, and good luck this week!
-Katie
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Today was a tough one for sure! I am a teacher and there was no way I could watch the game on ESPN. I took lunch break to go home and watch the first inning - then made sure to check the online score after each of my classes. I am sticking to that plan tomorrow and I will be watching all I can until I have to teach. Play your hearts out...you always do. This first loss is no big deal. Let's get em' tomorrow. My mom is in Minneapolis and works for the Twins Organization - she will be at the game as she was today. She mailed me two homer-hankies yesterday since I am living in IL where my job is. Good Luck - I'll be watching tomorrow in between my classes!
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You know you guys are truley loved when the entire Armstrong High School student body is getting in trouble for watching, talking about, or listening to the game during class.
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Cuddyer,
I am so excited to see that you are the one that is writing a blog for all to read. Like always you are giving back to the people that support you. It was sad to watch you guys lose game 1 today, but hey it happens. By the way nice triple and good luck tomorrow.
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Actually, in the last few series including the one against Cleveland, the only loss was with Santana pitching. Although he is the best pitcher in the league and so you sort of expect to have that win, our own recent history shows that he isn't the only pitcher able to win. The Twins need to get some hits, though. There has been a bit of a lull the last few games of the season. Hard hits right to people sometimes. I think our 2nd and 3rd pitchers can match up just fine. Good luck.
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Cuddy,
I just wanted to tell you that I enjoy watching you guys play. You put your heart and soul into the game. I'll definitely be cheering you on. Good luck tomorrow.
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Michael,
Win or lose, you guys are the best in my book. In watching you all this season face the things you have been thru, it's amazing! Seeing how you pick each other up like Santana did today with Barlett shows us (the fans) the human side of the sport. Even the ESPN announcers thought that it was great and commented on it. I love to watch the fun you guys have in the dugout and on the field. That fun that you guys show makes it fun for us to watch and be a part. Here's to all the Twins!
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Keep the faith, Twins fans. Remember this is a TEAM OF DESTINY and we WILL win it all in 2006. Anybody following this team in 2006 can smell the '87 and '91 vibe all over this club. It's gonna happen.
One of the MLB bloggers covering the series noted what a class act Cuddy was in his post-game interviews. I can say from personal experience this is no shock. Cuddy and the rest of this team have no ego and treat everybody as somebody. I can't say enough (being a member of the sports media past 10 years) how rare that is.
GO TWINS and believe in the BOOF!
John
http://thekingsgame.mlblogs.com
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Michael ~ You are my favorite player. I couldn't watch the game today because of school, but I will be there tomorrow to cheer you on. Get me a hit!!! Go Get Em!!
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Hey, at least I only worked about 15 actual minutes today. I was glued to a game cast and at a sports bar over lunch. I’m wearing my twins bracelet tomorrow for luck. Why is this important? Because I put it on June 7th and told everyone after the twins win 20 in a row I’ll take it off. Well you came pretty **** close. So, you’re welcome because I helped turn the season around and I’ll turn the playoffs around by wearing it tomorrow. There, I’m doing my part. Good luck, I’ll be watching and not working.
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Michael,
I lived in Minnesota for twenty-five years and three years ago moved to Albuquerque, but I still catch you guys over the internet. But watching the game on ESPN this morning I thought you guys could have won that game. Just let the team know to keep there heads high and not get down and just move on, and just get past big Frank and I know you can get past the A's to win the series, and go on to bigger and better things. Best of luck and I hope to see you in the World Series
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Thank you Michael Cuddyer for doing this blog.
This first game loss is not what the Team wanted, but I am confident all the lessons the team got this season about overcoming adversity will pay off now.
The Twins brand of baseball is the best!
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Cuddyer,
Yeah, today was a frustrating loss to take. They always are. But the Twins are known for coming back. For not getting down on a loss.
You're totally right...Just get out there tomorrow and give it your all. Never say die. There is always hope, especially when the Twins are involved.
Have fun tomorrow. :-)
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Its sweet how you guys lost fool
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Cuddy,
You guys are resilent, and Boof will pitch his heart out!
You have the home field advantage, keep up the good work, you guys are so much fun to watch, I know you will get it done!
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Michael: Good Luck to you all. We're with you no matter what. We couldn't be prouder of your accomplishments this season.
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I want to thank you for playing with such an incredible team spirit, you all act like you are more than a team - like a family, really. You are having fun and that makes it even more fun for us to watch you! Keep having fun and supporting each other, and you will do well! How could you not? We are all already so proud of you! By the way, my kids go to school in Northfield, and they had every TV in the middle and high schools tuned to the game! Nobody wanted to miss it! I think that's great! All the kids were watching, and loving it! Keep the Kirby spirit going, and HAVE FUN! I also have to say thank you for sharing yourself in this blog, that's really impressive!
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It didn't surprise me to see the game play out the way it did. Guys were chasing pitches that they ordinarily wouldn't chase. A few bobbled balls in the field. That's to be expected in the first post-season game, especially with the number of young players that have never been in the playoffs. No sweat. Tomorrow's a new day, and a chance to do what you guys have been doing all year. And that's playing unbelieveable baseball, and doing it with heart, but without the attitude that's so prevalent in professional sports.
Go get 'em Michael!
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First game jitters...don't let it get ya down!! You guys fought hard. Twins fans had faith in you guys throughout the tough months this season. You didn't let us down then and we're confidant you're not gonna roll over after one tough loss now either!! Best of luck tomorrow~~Keep making us proud to be Minnesota Twins fans!!
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Cuddy-
First of all I have to tell you how proud I am to be a Twins fan, you guys are just plain AMAZING! I had so much fun on Sunday cheering you guys, it was an awesome day, I had trouble falling asleep I was so excited thinking about what you have accomplished and the rest of the year.
Anyways you guys will get them tomorrow, no doubt. I think its only appropriate you lost the first game (well not really), but this year's theme has been the comeback kids! I have so much faith in you guys, I'm not anywhere near worried. The Twins are a part of my heart, and I agree this loss is gonna turn history on its head!
Love you Michael! Go get 'em, it's our year!
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Hi Michael! I don't know if you remember or not but after halftime at the Gopher football game a bunch of girls came over to get pictures and two of those girls were a set of twins, well I am one of the twins. At that moment you made my day because you took the time to get a picture with us and it meant a lot to my sister and I. We both love the Twins and you are one of our favorite players. I watched today's game and even though it didn't go as we all wanted, you had some amazing plays, along with your teammates. Good luck with the rest of the games against the A's, I know you can win it all. Thanks again for the picture!
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Hey Michael! I am the other twin that you met on Saturday! Seriously, when we found out that a bunch of Twins players were at the game after we got done with pre-game we totally freaked out. I saw you guys during halftime and I was like, I have to get a picture with them! So thank you so so much for the pictures. It means a lot that you guys will stop and let some girls from marching band get pictures with you when you probably had to go somewhere. I wasn't able to see today's game but I went to 2 of the games last week against the Royals and you did a great job! I hope all goes well tomorrow, I'll be watching! Thanks again for the pics! =)
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hey cuddyer,
i've been out of MN for 6 years and i am still a huge fan thanks to my sister. you guys make baseball so much FUN! really, i've never seen another team who supports their players as much as you all do, or who treats their fans as well as the twins.
just go out there today and have FUN, because the twins have already proven that they are an incredible baseball team!!!
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Hey Michael...I had the pleasure of sitting next to alot of the mom's and dad's of the Oakland players in Sec 133 yesterday and they all said that today just wasn't our day but not to give up...We gonna take them when it's our time and BTW---DAMM NICE BASE RUNNING...
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Hey Michael,
Great encouragement. I went to High School with Mauer and am a die hard fan. In fact I am in Madrid Spain right now and watched the game at a bar over here. We met some other Minnesotans and as we were cheering so much other Spaniards tried to figure out what was going on, then they started cheering for the Twins too. So keep doing what you guys have been doing all year, You got supporters around the Globe!!! GO TWINS!
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cuddy , all you guy have to do is dig in like you all do late in games and start cranking hits. i believe that you can do it ! twins in 4 games
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Just wanted to let you know that I heard about an elderly gentlemen that is in a nursing home with loss of vision and near loss of hearing, but he can hear the twins games and loves the ball games. We all want to win but as you can see our Twins serve another purpose too. Thanks to a wonderfull bunch of ball players and staff. We appreciate your wonderfull attitude.
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Michael! I've been a Twins fan since I was 4 years old (23 now) and I have faith you guys can get it done! You guys are great and I can't wait to see you guys win game 2!! :)
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Cuddy!
I have to tell you the positive attitude the Twins have makes me proud to be a fan! A friend and I flew out to NYC to see you guys play at Yankee stadium and even though you guys lost we were as loud and rambunctious as ever. Some of the yankee fans even bought us beers they were so impressed by our (and the Twins) dedication. Can't wait to smell those runs at the dome later today and pull out a big W! Good luck, I'll be screaming for you!
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hey cuddy,
You are right about this is a different team. I have been to many games this year with my son and i think this is one season he will never forget. No matter what happens in the playoffs Minnesota will still be proud of what you guys accomplished this year. Thank you Twins!!!!!!
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Michael – You guys are a great team and you will come back! I have been a Twins fan since I can remember. This team is like no other. You can tell the way you interact with each other that you are out there as a team, and not as individuals. Keep up the great plays! You guys can get through this and win it all!! Thank you and the rest of the guys for making this a memorable year – with more to come, I hope!!
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I am an Oakland A's fan, but lived in Minnesota when I was in junior high. My best friend and her family are huge Twin fans. Being an A's fan, I "hoped," but knew the odds were against us winning Game 1. Needless to say, we all were jumping for joy.
Saying that, I want you to know that I agree with you on the mentally of winning the first game. Oakland, in the past, has won the first two, only to lose the series. :) So, I just like to think of it as one game at a time!
You're a great team. Santan, oh, my goodness, is an incredible pitcher. It is fun watching games that are so close like that.
If you all beat us, please, please, beat the Yankees. I will be disappointed if the A's cannot make it all the way, but even more so if the Yankee's do! LOL!
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It was a tight game and the best of all of the games in the Divisionals to watch. It lived up to the hype and as a life long Twins fan I am proud of you ALL. Go Get them A's!
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Opps, I meant "Santana," not Santan. Sorry about that!
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Michael-You guys are an awesome team. It has been so wonderful to see you guys play this season - it reminds me of the World Series win in the 80's! I have always loved baseball, and I don't have a favorite player, because you guys all are out there, playing your best and getting the job done. Everyone contributes!
And I have confidence that Boof can pull it off - he has done really well. The pitching is going well, and your offense is supporting the pitching - you guys have the stuff that you need to win. We're pulling for all of you - good luck! (And thanks for blogging!)
Josie
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Cuddy- Tell everyone to keep their heads up and kick some A's butt today!! I have been with you guys since as far back as I can remember and I know you guys can do it! Especially this group of guys! Go get em'!
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Michael-
You guys played well yesterday. You just weren't the best team for the day. I know you guys can come back and pull off the series. Keep you heads up, focus on one game at a time, and don't listen to all the talk. Play ball the way you know how and I know we'll find a way to win. I'm proud of the way you guys have played this year. And I'm proud to wear my Twins gear in front of all the White Sox fans that I work with. Good luck today and GO TWINS!
Lisa
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hey cuddy. i was at school yesterday during the game...i had study hall when the game started at everyone was trying to listen/watch the game. before each class after that we were turning on the radio to find the score. even some of my friends that dont really understand baseball were interested! haha i hope win today but it will still be a good game!! BYE!!
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i jsut posted a comment and i said everyone was trying to watch the game yesterday...as they are doing right now!! im hopin for the best....
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Michael!
This blog just proves why I'm such a huge Twins fan and why you're my favorite player. I live in California for school but I still show off my Twins pride and keep up with the games online. And don't worry, you guys will have plenty of fans to cheer you on when you get to Oakland!
-Kristin
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whatever happens to you guys this series, now going into California 2 games behind, we still love you guys and have huge hopes. And I'd like to thank you for keeping this blog and staying in touch with your fans like this. It means a lot. BTW, Nice homer today! It felt good to watch.
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Michael, We here in Tampa are rooting for you and the Twins. Our rally caps are being put on even now. Keep upbeat because as they say in Philly "It ain't over till the fat lady sings". U Bobby
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Michael-
Kudos to you and Justin for your homers. Keep your heads up. It just makes these last 3 games even more exciting!
Lisa
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Two games down... it ain't over 'til it's over! The next three games are ours. BELIEVE IT!
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Cuddy,
Tough lost today, but don't hang your heads, come back and get them on Friday! I'll try my best to get of class early to go watch! I would also like to say thanks for keeping this blog! It's fun to see how players react and see their comments! Thank you and I love watching you guys play! GO TWINS!! :)
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Michael-
Nice homers for you and Justin! A little more of that all round and we can get the next three! Keep your heads high, know we all believe in you, this is when the Twins get tough!
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Micheal
Ditto on the messages from awall and msgolden! We have followed the Twins forever--in good times and bad--you guys are still our heros--win or lose--chin up--good luck in Oakland on Friday!
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2 game losing streak...okay it's what it is.I know the Twins definitely are set for a 3 game winning streak!!!!!
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Michael,
You guy's played great today, unfortunatly I dont get to watch any of the playoff games due to work, but we have a radio on and word spreads like wildfire because everyone at the Mankato Menards is a Twins fan...Good luck in Oakland! Hit a few more home runs, and get Torii going, we know you guy's can do it!
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Michael,
Sorry about the losses. Remember though that 2 years ago the Red Sox were down 3 games and came back to beat the Yankees. The Twins can do it too winning the next 3 games. The Twins came a long way this season, and I believe the Twins will win the ALDS
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Hey Cuddy!
You played some great games this week so far!! With your home run, and the triple, it was so great! I'm writing to tell you that I'm a huge fan of yours and you came to my school 4 years ago at Rum River Elementary School. Well, Good Luck, Best Wishes, You guys can win it all!
p.s. I really wish to meet you soon!
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Thank you so much for telling all of us ladies about Justin being single! I was very excited... I totally agree with my sister and admire you for your optimism in the team on a good or bad day. You always have something good to say. That's how I am for our football team, just got to stay positive, no matter the outcome. My sister and I will be cheering for all of you guys tomorrow! Good luck! =)
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