<
>

Minnesota Twins' rally sausage sparks franchise's longest win streak

The Minnesota Twins have the longest current win streak in Major League Baseball at 10 games. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Twins are one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning their 10th straight game Wednesday.

It is the franchise's longest win streak since 2008 and has come with a new member joining the Twins dugout -- a rally sausage.

The Cloverdale summer tangy sausage has served as a rally object since its introduction last Thursday.

Twins third baseman Kyle Farmer received the "substantial packaged" sausage from a sponsor. According to MLB.com, hitting coach David Popkins brought the sausage to the dugout. Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers now carries it around in his bag.

"It's bringing us a lot of hits and runs and stuff, so I'm all for it," said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.

Jeffers often throws the sausage at players after a home-run or when the team scores a run. Some players touch it for good luck before an at-bat.

The sausage is described as a "perfect single-serve appetizer for parties and tailgating, an easy snack on-the-go and lunch meat for hearty sandwiches." It is fully cooked and a mixture of pork, beef and spices. It should also be refrigerated after opening, though the Twins have failed to adhere to such a recommendation so far.

Baldelli is supportive but has a level of concern about the possibility of the package being opened.

"[I'm] slightly concerned as more of an adult than maybe some of the people in the other room that the package is going to open up and the thing hasn't been refrigerated in many days," Baldelli said. "And there's no doubt that when that thing opens up, whoever's touching it is in deep trouble."

However, it's led to wins and runs for Minnesota.

Since its debut April 25 against the Chicago White Sox, the Twins have scored 53 runs in seven wins. They've scored at least 10 runs in three times during that period, matching their entire season's previous total. Their 80 hits, 53 RBIs and 57 runs in the past seven days are the most in Major League Baseball.

Minnesota will keep a close eye on its good luck charm, which Baldelli is still iffy about.

"There's no doubt in my mind that we are carrying around something that is very, very unhealthy to the human body," he said.