From the airport on the way to a sports mecca
Posted on May 23rd, 2008 – 8:20 AMBy Joe Christensen
I’m headed to Detroit this morning, and it feels like Groundhog Day. I have made so many trips to Detroit since coming aboard the S.S. Star Tribune, my wife and I jokingly refer to it as Joe-Town.
I have come to enjoy staying in downtown Detroit and staying close to the action at Comerica Park, but because of hotel prices, I usually end up staying in Dearborn, right near the Henry Ford Museum.
There should be a real buzz in Detroit this weekend. On Saturday night alone, the city will host Twins/Tigers, Pistons/Celtics (Eastern Conference Finals), and Red Wings/Penguins (Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals).
I’m not worried about my focus, but I can’t promise anything for Justin Morneau, who takes great pride in the fact he’s caught the Stanley Cup clincher each of the past two years.
Anyway, I’m paging through my notes from Thursday, looking for a few extra nuggets to throw you beyond the game story, notebook, preview box, game recap and Souhan’s column from today’s editions.
I zeroed in on Brendan Harris’ performance at shortstop because I felt that was the big-picture development of the day. Morneau thought it was a big deal, too, saying, “It looked just natural [for Harris]. The double play — he turned it easy. And ground balls to his left and his right, his footwork — it didn’t look he had to think about it.”
Looking back, the Twins scored seven runs, but it was the kind of game where a good offensive team probably would have had 10-12. The run producers are the ones catching the wrath in the comments section, namely Delmon Young.
That’s a fair criticism. And heading to Detroit, this lineup better have it’s A-Game, as the Tigers are capable of turning each game into a shootout. They just scored 30 runs in a three-game sweep over the Mariners.
The Twins hope to continue riding the energy of Carlos Gomez and Alexi Casilla, but they have to be ready for continued ups and downs with both players. Manager Ron Gardenhire was really pleased with both of them Thursday.
Gardy noted the fact that Gomez took a first swing “out of his butt” before realizing it’d be a good idea to bunt with the Twins down 7-5 in the eighth inning. But he paid the 22-year-old center fielder the ultimate compliment.
“We’re a better team when he’s in our lineup,” he said. “And that says a lot about a young player.”
100 Responses to "From the airport on the way to a sports mecca"
Because of what I had read about his play with the Rays last year, Harris’s actions at SS yesterday surprised and amazed me. Based ONLY on the plays he had to make yesterday (small sample size, blah-blah), he was very calm, very crisp with plus arm strength.
There are other positive adjectives that I am afraid to use, because he may disappoint us later, but yesterday was amazing.
7-2 Twins tonight and Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone.
Sane so now would you put Everett on the wire
Sane, never eat Minnesota fish taco’s. They get you sick, sick, sick.
Coming from the Rays, everyone said Harris wasn’t a “true shortstop” (whatever that is). Of course, given the problems the Twins have had at that position this season, it could be that he just looks so much better than anything we’ve put out there the first two months, that he looks great by comparison. I’m glad to see Casilla looking better out there than he did last year, too… and glad to see Gardenhire actually acknowledge it and give the guy some praise for a change.
“Sane so now would you put Everett on the wire”
Absolutely NOT!!!
The Twins would be paying him anyway to play for someone else.
Put him on the 60 day DL until he is 100% recovered. He takes up no roster space during his DL stay.
If (when?) he comes back, and he becomes again the 2006 version of Adam Everett, he can be the late inning defensive replacement for Harris/Casilla at SS.
I think his swing looks OK for a guy with a bad shoulder. If he hits when he returns, he could get another shot a starting SS if Harris/Casilla doesn’t do the job.
Jettisoning every player that struggles is insanity, but unfortunately thats the norm on the STRIB blogs where no one can hold their water.
Thank heaven that the Twins FO can hold theirs.
I really thought when the Twins went and got Everett and had Casilla working at SS they decided that was his job next year and they were going to give him another year to try to develop some offensive strategy….
I know Harris has been an adventure in the field but I really think the Twins are crazy moving him to SS…
I think he’s going to end up at 3rd. Punto will be SS and Casilla 2nd…
What an offensive offense.
Sane yes I guess that would be the way to go and just keep Everett. Any indication on when Punto is coming back. He was actually playing pretty good before the injury.
“Harris has been an adventure in the field but I really think the Twins are crazy moving him to SS…”
I think almost all Harris’s problems have been second-baseman-specific problems.
I really want to see an extensive run at SS for him before he is moved again.
We have a pair of #1 overall draft picks in our every day line-up (Mauer and Young) who combined are hitting .303 with ZERO HR’s and 33 RBI’s.
Josh Hamilton of the Rangers (also a #1 overall pick) is hitting .335 with 12 HR and 53 RBI.
I wish our guys would step up and prove their worth. Cuddyer?? Nice big contract for a guy who had one OK - to good year. I love it!! We pay our mediocre - to slightly above average players the big money and let the better players walk or be traded.
so very true bill brasky, very true..well said
Gee, why don’t Delmon and Mauer hit .335, 12-53 like everyone else in baseball is hitting?
Why do we have to settle for a crummy .303?
Of course one of our #1 draft choices is 22-yrs-old, which is the age of Josh Hamilton when he BEGAN 3 years of no-baseball, all-substance abuse-rehab.
We could give up on Delmon now, because he will probably never be Josh Hamilton.
And Mauer is still two years younger than Hamilton with one batting title (only AL catcher blah blah) and among the AL leaders in BA this year plus a superb defensive catcher.
Why can’t we have what all the other kids….I mean teams have?
“We pay our mediocre - to slightly above average players the big money and let the better players walk or be traded.”
Cuddyer’s salary is chump change compared to Santana and Hunter money.
And Silva is earning his salary about as well as Cuddyer is earning his.
Sane in your opinion given the numbers what is your ranking of these 3 catchers
Napoli - angels (greatest power)
Martin- dodgers (maybe best all around)
Mauer- twins (highest avg)
The grass is always greener…
If this Twins team finishs at 81-81 it has been a productive season. Anything better than that is icing on the cake. Manage your expectations realisticly that this is NOT a CHAMPIONSHIP caliber Twins ballclub. They have the pieces in the coming years for a dynasty however…
Ah Jimmy, don’t forget Brian McCann in Hotlanta…
They have the pieces in the coming years for a dynasty however…
hahahahahahahahahahahahaaZ lolololololol
Max says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 am
Ah Jimmy, don’t forget Brian McCann in Hotlanta
Very impressive numbers Max.
Delmon Bat Thrower Young will go down as the biggest bust in Minnesota sports history.
F-ing loser that POS is.
“We pay our mediocre - to slightly above average players the big money and let the better players walk or be traded.”
Cuddyer $8 million/year - 3 years $24 million
Silva $12 million/year - 4 years $48 million
Hunter $18 million/year - 5 years $90 million
Santana $23 million/year - 6 years+ $137.5 million
Committment:
Cuddyer $24 million
Silva $48 million
Hunter $90 million
Santana $137.5 million
Not comparable.
“Delmon Bat Thrower Young will go down as the biggest bust in Minnesota sports history.”
Yeah, he is costing the Twins $700,000 this year as compared to Cuddyer $5.91 million.
Some bust.
Does anyone know what we pay Mauer a year or is it some big secret
jimmybee,
IMHO
1) Mauer
2) Martin
3) Napoli
Martin could become as good as Mauer, but Napoli will be 3rd on that list forever, IMVHO.
jimmy Mauer is making 6.2 mil this year
Sane-Brian McCann’ numbers were looking quite impressive as I viewed them. where would you rank him on that list. Personally I wouldn’t worry about them being as good as Piazza.
BC of ND says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 am
jimmy Mauer is making 6.2 mil this year
Thank’s BC. Does anyone know of a general site where they list amounts of $$$ players receive.
“Delmon Bat Thrower Young will go down as the biggest bust in Minnesota sports history.”
Two words:
Herschel Walker
I think a catchers worth is based on more then just there offensive numbers. Piazza was the best offensive catcher ever but his defense brings his overall greatness down quite a bit. I would still take pudge in his prime over Piazza.
mlbcontracts.blogspot.com
Marko jaric for sam cassell and a first rounder.
BC I would take Bench
jimmy you can go to MLB4U tot get all the info on any player. Here’s Mauers
signed 4-year deal worth $33M thru 2010 season on 2/11/07- + he receives salaries of $3.75M in 2007, $6.25M in 2008, $10.5M in 2009 and $12.5M in 2010- + he can earn award bonuses: $100K for MVP award and so on down- + he receives a limited NO-TRADE clause that allows him to annually choose three teams to which he cannot be traded to without his written consent- + 2006 salary: $400K, 2005: $325K
Agent: Ron Shapiro
Troy Williamson
Harris is the new starting SS…for now.With all of the injuries its hard to figure what the infield will look like once everyone returns healthy.I think the infield will look very different i August than it does nowHarris getting a chance at SS is basically a last resort for garenhire since Gardy was growing wary of Harris’ play at 2B.Harris could wind up at thirdbase once Tolbert and Punto recover.
I agree with JimCrikket that it is nice to see the Manager give some props to Casilla.he needs to show the same patience with Casilla that he has shown Gomez.Its highly unlikely that this team will remain in the thick of the divisional race, so let the young guys play and learn without the fear of being banished to the bench or back to the minors.
sane says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:11 am
“Delmon Bat Thrower Young will go down as the biggest bust in Minnesota sports history.”
Two words:
Herschel Walker
sane that trade ranks up there with the Babe Ruth trade as one of the worst of all times.
Isaiah Rider
Roy for Foye
Sane how bout the Joe Smith trade which cost us like 4 years of #1’s
Two words:
Herschel Walker
“sane that trade ranks up there with the Babe Ruth trade as one of the worst of all times.”
BC,
At least Boston got “No! No! Nanette!” for Babe Ruth.
Even a crappy musical is better than Herschel Walker.
Which of 12 different Herschel’s did we get in the trade? Sane the Joe Smith debacle was veeeeeery bad as well.
jimmybee,
Nothing the T-Wolves does qualifies as the biggest anything in Minnesota sports history because no one cares about the T-Wolves.
The biggest bust?
Has to be Herschel Walker because Minnesota loves (and hates) the Vikings.
yeah, your right Sane. Now had it been the lakers doing that. The T-Wolves in Minny are viewed about the same as Hockey in California.
Tolbert sucks, a rookie getting hurt with just a minor injury on the DL like this is not the player i thought he was.
and look at his numbers this first two months, dropping like a butter on bread, fast, send him back to triple a and let our alex and matt marci stay up
2010 the Los Angeles Angels got the All Star game. This means that MLB doesn’t want the game at the Twins new stadium.
jimmy bee says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
2010 the Los Angeles Angels got the All Star game. This means that MLB doesn’t want the game at the Twins new stadium.
No jimmy it’s only because they don’t want the ASG and the WS to be played in the same stadium.
I really need to quit drinking at work.
BC,
Whatever you are drinking needs to be passed around the blog.
And the haters should wash down their anti-depressants with the same stuff.
Anybody else think its time to put Carlos further down in the linup??? I know its only 7 weeks in, but he is taking some better at bats???
So, if MLB doesn’t want WS and ASG at the same stadium, that means we won’t get an ASG from 2010 until 2020? Dang! Oh well… guess we’ll have to be content with those WS games.
No jimmy it’s only because they don’t want the ASG and the WS to be played in the same stadium.
I really need to quit drinking at work.
I love the possitive attitude BC. It is very becoming.
Sane I will be there for sure at the AS Game. Be there or be square. jimmy bee is off to anaheim (ah huh) I mean LA.
Lets take the ASG instead of the WS.
There is less snow in July.
scbballguy,
If Carlos was 25 and mature, I would say maybe move him. But, let’s give him time to settle into his role. He has enough to learn right now. Don’t mess with his mind that we now want him to hit HR’s as well. Plus, where ever he gets placed, we want guys in front of him that have the ability to move from 1st to 3rd on base hits, so that 2nd base is available for theft. I like Gomez in the leadoff spot this year.
sane says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Lets take the ASG instead of the WS.
There is less snow in July.
The later in the year is worse for weather in Minny. I agree that the ASG would be so much fun. I think it may start snowing again next week here from what I have heard
If they bat Gomez third, picture this:
Gomez on first base, Lamb on second base.
Gomez can’t steal - Lamb is blocking him.
And on a double, he’ll pass Lamb before Lamb gets to third.
CG, I agree, but I guess I just planned getting more from LF,& 3b production. It’s been fairly frustrating to watch.
I still say Casilla first then Gomez.
So in order to keep the base runners from mowing each other over lets rank them by speed.
Gomez
Casilla
Punto
Tolbert
Harris
Everett
Mauer
Cuddy
Lamb
Morneau
Kubel
no wait
Livan
Reyes
Morneau
Kubel
CharlieMurphy says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I still say Casilla first then Gomez
I LIKE THIS MORE AND MORE. If Gomez passes Morneau for HR’s will we still want him 1st or second in the lineup.
Charlie,
Agreed.
Casilla first, Gomez second solves the problem.
Unless Gardy has Casilla first …at Rochester.
Anybody else see how the Marlins had to move Hanley back to leadoff. His production fell off significantly hitting 3rd.
Also, would anybody be interested in swapping Delmon for Nick Swisher, he hits HR’s.
Swisher
.204 4 HR 14 RBI’s
The Hawk says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Also, would anybody be interested in swapping Delmon for Nick Swisher, he hits HR’s.
Swisher
.204 4 HR 14 RBI’s
Swisher was on the juice
Swisher played in Oakland in Balco country
Hawk,
I pointed out what a great trade White Sox made to get Swisher when we played them in early April. My bad.
Still plays good defense, but not hitting anymore.
Hawk,
Swisher won’t be batting .204 in late September, but I still wouldn’t trade Delmon for him.
BC OF ND:
This didn’t slip by me!
no wait
Livan
Reyes
Morneau
Kubel
No Boof?
Did Boof really lose all that weight and is still listed at 245. My God, what did he weigh before?
Korecky looked pretty fast and he has been on base every plate appearance. I am guessing between Everett and Mauer.
Morneau has surprising speed. His problem is he has no brakes.
Mudcat
Livan
Boof lite
Reyes
Morneau
Kubel
Boof extra
No brakes and no clue.
Morneau has surprising speed. His problem is he has no brakes
He has maybe Adam Dunn type speed
It doesn’t sound too good for Everett. When guys start having stabbing pain in the back of their shoulder–the area of their rotator cuff–it suggests a tear.
It must be some kind of curse. First Guzman wrecks his shoulder in his first all-star game and isn’t the same afterward. Then Castro hurts his shoulder in the WBC and hides the injury until it’s clear that he just can’t get guys out from the hole. And now Everett.
Maybe the Twins will have better luck with their home-grown shortstops. But if I’m Harris, I’m going down to the local church to get my shoulder blessed.
Morneau is much faster on skates!!
The Hawk or on Skii’s
I wish they had a skills challenge at the ASG i would love to see Gomez vs Reyes in a base running challenge.
Seen something interesting in SI today. 3 Youngest teams in MLB, Twins, Rays, and D-Backs, have a 78-63 record with a 167 Mil payroll. Meanwhile, the 3 oldest teams, Det, Tor, and NYY, are 66-77 with a 400+millin payroll. It may not be this way at the end, but I like to see it.
BC of ND says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I wish they had a skills challenge at the ASG i would love to see Gomez vs Reyes in a base running challenge.
That would be such a great idea BC. I wish they did this too. I can’t wait for the HR Derby but I think it will be a little less of a freak show as in the past without the juice.
BC I would like to see Gomez against Ichiro. Ichiro leads the AL in SB’s
It would be great if Casilla would work out at one of the middle infield positions. All that speed… hope it doesn’t go to waste.
This probably is the year that Twins need to find out about some players in the system. This might be Casilla’s year to get enough time to show he can or can’t do it for the Twins. I hope to be able to eat my words on him. I love speed.
Saw Bill Smith was talking about how they drafted for middle infield this year in preparation for 2010 and beyond. That would sound like guys like Harris, Tolbert, and Casilla have the early opportunity (this year). And then the other young guys get their chances late this year or 2009 (IMO)…
I am guessing the FO expects outfield, C, and 1b to be set. Cuddy is messing with those plans right now… but focus has to be on fixing the infield. Revere is coming someday. TK says “he is just a hitting machine; but 3 balls were hit over his head in one game; you just can’t have that; he doesn’t think anyone can hit like he can, I guess.”
Starting pitching looks to have enough parts, if not a solid #1. So, in summary, get those season tickets for 2010 because the WS tickets go to those guys first.
Carlos G,
“3 balls were hit over his head in one game”
I hope the pitcher wasn’t one our top prospects.
sane says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Hawk,
Swisher won’t be batting .204 in late September, but I still wouldn’t trade Delmon for him.
And Delmon won’t be stuck on 0 homers.
Good point jimmy there’s no one faster from home to first then Ichiro. I don’t enjoy the HR derby as much as i used to because they don’t always have the big mashers in there. I know almost every guy in baseball (except half the twins roster)can hit a homerun. I would rather see the monster shots from guys like howard and Fielder then the multiple shots from Abreu and Tejada.
Does DY’ lack of HR production to previous years suggest he was on the juice prior to this year.
BC Imagine how explosive and quick our lineup would have been if we had traded Hunter for Ellsbury and also did the Santana trade for Gomez. Wheeeew I can only dream
Yes,
EVERYONE who’s production goes down is on the juice.
Delmon was never a true HR threat. He hit 13 last year in over 600 AB’s. 14 Homers in 570 AAA at bats. He could be a 20/20 player and maybe flash the 30 HR power a couple years ala Torii Hunter.
sy says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Yes,
EVERYONE who’s production goes down is on the juice
yes. But only if it is a major drop off from years of past
Does that mean that Cuddyer, Mauer, Lamb, Harris, Young and Redmond were all on the juice?
No wonder the Twins don’t hit HR’s.
Someone closed the Juice Bar.
sy says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Does that mean that Cuddyer, Mauer, Lamb, Harris, Young and Redmond were all on the juice?
No wonder the Twins don’t hit HR’s.
Someone closed the Juice Bar
Cuddy had 1 good year. Mauer never had any power. Young threw a bat which could have been a case of roid rage. Redmond has barely had any at bats. Lamb was playing in a band box and heat actually makes the ball travel further. Harris another player who had one 12 hr season and other then the 1 season he avg around 1 hr a year.
SY now it is your turn to prove to me jimmy bee that they were not on roids and why you think you can prove that major dropoffs doesn’t prove roid use
Here’s an idea. HR derbys are often blamed for screwing up someone’s natural HR swing. What if we send Cuddy and DY to the HR derby to see if screwing up their HR swing actually produces a HR swing?
1n 1921 Babe Ruth batted .378/.512/.846 59 HR 171 RBI’s
in 1922 he batted .314/.434/.672 35 HR 99 RBI’s.
Did he get off the juice??
There was juice in 1921? OMG. Babe must have been a juicer. I’ll never look at baseball the same again. I think I’ll jump off a bridge.
The Hawk says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
1n 1921 Babe Ruth batted .378/.512/.846 59 HR 171 RBI’s
in 1922 he batted .314/.434/.672 35 HR 99 RBI’s.
Did he get off the juice??
yes
When was prohibition
I thought you were on to something jimmy bee, but prohibition started in 1920
The Hawk after prohibition started the death toll and being hospitalized went up. Don’t ask me why. The Babe never held back but maybe the cheaper spirits hindered his playing.
“Cuddy had 1 good year. Mauer never had any power. Young threw a bat which could have been a case of roid rage. Redmond has barely had any at bats. Lamb was playing in a band box and heat actually makes the ball travel further. Harris another player who had one 12 hr season and other then the 1 season he avg around 1 hr a year.”
“SY now it is your turn to prove to me jimmy bee that they were not on roids and why you think you can prove that major dropoffs doesn’t prove roid use”
Your evidence is nonsense and you make even less sense today than yesterday. That is proof that you drank more at work today than you did yesterday. I hope someone sober is driving you home.
Would rather see gomez vs michael Bourne.. that guy can fly!
Slowey can win 150-200 games in the majors if healthy. He is still 24. His career ERA in the minors is 1.94 and career WHIP 0.85. This year he leads the Twins starters with a 1.16 WHIP. Lately his slurve has been better as well as his change up. As far as a need for an “out” pitch to be a good pitcher, what is Greg Maddux’ ‘out’ pitch, again?
