February has always seemed a rather nondescript month to me. It does have Valentine’s day, but doesn’t seem to take itself very importantly. For example, it usually only has 28 days. Two or three less than any other month and the only one that allows the number of days to be changed. It doesn’t seem to have the impact of our other winter months. February lacks the joy and beauty of December, or the brutal savagery of January when it’s you against the Minnesota elements. It lacks the promise of March or the hope of April. It seems kind of a blah month.

The Minnesota sports scene seems a little blah also. The Minnesota Timberwolves are achieving respectability, but for them to be taken seriously, they need a first-rate point guard and a rebounding, defensive center. That may come under coach Kevin McHale’s rebuilding plan, but they aren’t there yet.

The Minnesota Wild is fighting for a playoff berth, which all mediocre teams can aspire to in the National Hockey League.

Our Minnesota Gophers, after promising so much early, are now in a struggle for a good NCAA Tournament seed. The future is bright, but it looks like Tubby Smith needs another year.

What, then may brighten our sports February outlook? Well, how about the Minnesota Twins? As you read, spring training for catchers and pitchers may be starting or already in process. Our baseball players will soon be together under blue skies with green grass underfoot, basking in the warm Florida sun. What a life, some making millions of dollars for working half a year playing a boy’s game. Sometimes I wonder if they really want to make the World Series and put themselves under all that pressure. Still, a person wants to win it all whether playing a card game or one with a round ball.

The Twins again are not supposed to win the Central Division. Vegas has them 25-1 World Series underdogs. I think that’s all right with Ron Gardenhire and his troops. They seem to do better when not too much is expected of them.

Spring training is the time for optimism, whether you are thinking about a garden or planning a fishing trip. You are really going to save on groceries with your garden and catch the big one fishing.

Why should spring training for the Twins be any different? Optimism is easy and much more fun than envisioning failure. Besides there are reasons for a positive outlook. They have perhaps the best ballplayer in the majors in Joe Mauer coming off a batting championship. Their first baseman finished second in the American League MVP balloting and won the home run contest at the all-star game.

Last year, they had lost the premier lefthander and center fielder in the league in Johan Santana and Torii Hunter and still finished only one game back in the Central Division race. This year they have the entire team back. They were the second youngest team in the league and therefore should improve this year. They have added a relief pitcher and are on the track for a slugging third baseman.

There is a strong possibility the three budding stars in their lineup, Alexi Casilla, Carlos Gomez and Denard Span will improve this year. Maybe not all three, but if only two can add to their numbers the team will be helped.

There is a wringing of hands over the team’s lack of power. However, the basic object of the game is to score runs and the Twins were third best in the league. Power is important, but games can be won without a couple of Jim Thomes in the lineup.

Do the Twins have the pitching to go all the way? Some say yes, others say no. Perhaps that should be discussed in a future column. So on this cold February day the answer is maybe. But, no matter what, we are heading into the Minnesota Twins last year in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.