Twins happy to be done with Manny, Fenway, all of this
Posted on July 9th, 2008 – 7:50 PMBy Joe Christensen
BOSTON — I laughed out loud twice early in Wednesday’s game, watching Manny being Manny in left field. I honestly love watching him play. It seems like everything he does is funny or spectacular, and sometimes both.
Ramirez was supposed to be struggling. He had gone 5-for-31 on Boston’s 3-7 road trip. He had a scrap with the team’s traveling secretary. On Monday, this city was abuzz with Manny Madness after he stared at three pitches right down the middle from Mariano Rivera in Sunday’s loss.
Sure enough, Ramirez got the big eighth-inning hit in Monday’s 1-0 victory over the Twins. On Tuesday, his two-run, eighth-inning homer off Matt Guerrier tied the game and made Fenway shake. On Wednesday, Ramirez went 3-for-5 with two doubles.
He finished the series with six RBI.
“You have scouting reports saying this guy’s cold, this guy’s not swinging good, but when they get here in this ballpark, you throw all that out the window,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said after Wednesday’s 18-5 loss. “This is a tough place to play. You make mistakes and their hitters come alive here. We’ve seen that over the years and this was a great example.”
Besides the offense, Ramirez made a momentum-turning defensive play in the sixth inning. With one out, Nick Punto tried going from first to third on a single to left field by Brendan Harris. Ramirez lumbered after the ball, spun and made a perfect throw to third base for the out.
“Manny looked like he was doing his thing, non-chalanting it, and Manny’s very deceptive out there,” Gardenhire said. “And honestly, he’s very accurate with his throws, and he threw it right there on the bag. If he doesn’t … Punto’s safe.”
The Twins finished 3-4 against Boston for the season. Once again, Ramirez had the last laugh.
Note: La Velle is set up and ready to go in Detroit. Check back here Sunday with an update from the All-Star festivities in New York.
Thursday update: You’ve gotta see this Manny photo from Wednesday’s game in the Boston Globe. They’ve got a caption writing contest going. My favorite so far, “Hey Punto, think you could run on me from here?”
60 Responses to "Twins happy to be done with Manny, Fenway, all of this"
We can’t win them all, we should have won the first 2 games. Hopefully we will rebound well in Detroit….. Joe has there been any hint of a possible move of Cuddy to 3rd? Span looks like at least Cuddy’s equal defensively & could be an improvement as lead off hitter. Span’s defense & speed should be an upgrade over Buscher in lineup. Any thoughts? Thanks.
This series was oddly reminiscent of the Detroit series last season about this time.
Team riding a high, then BAM get swept (the only difference was this wasn’t at home)
Hopefully the Front Office takes the hint here where they missed it last year and make the correct moves.
I think they can still take the division (considering they’ve still got a ton of games against the Sox at home)
“I laughed out loud twice early in Wednesday’s game, watching Manny being Manny in left field.”
And we’re STILL laughing here at your little team being your little team and leaving town whimpering like whooped pups. HAH!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Ventura
We pity you.
“The Nation”
Judging by your not-do-distant past, Boston fans should really keep their traps shut. What goes around comes around, my friends.
Beacon bill better go back to bed and get his wittle sweepie poo.
Chappaquiddick
And yet, the “nation” (ha) continues to elect a murderer. You got nothin on Minnesota, punk. Go back to your crib.
The young players getting picked off in this series got me to thinking.Most reasonable people will admit that Go-Go,Cassila and Span will probably learn to read a pitcher’s move.Yet i have been ripped for suggesting that Go-Go will learn to lay that slider low and away and Delmon will learn to pull the ball with power after the age of 22.
ignore beacon hill barker…he’s not representative of Sawx fans who really do love baseball and know a good opponent when they see one. As a red sox fan, i gotta say, this was a tough series. The RS were lucky to escape with wins in the first two games and I’m very concerned for the RS for the rest of the season (I have NOT forgotten their recent woeful performances on the road). The Twins have a great young line up. I sympathize with those of you who are frustrated with front office moves and lack of moves (eg, lack of spending)…but you have a lot to celebrate too.
Lets not forget Twins took 3 of 4 earlier this year at the dome so…There really is no reason for smack talk.
That is one pathetic fake comment above (no member of da Nation would say “RS”).
And what do you mean “lack of moves” and “lack of spending?”
Otis Nixon
Orlando Merced
Chris Gomez
Brent Abernathy
Rueben Sierra
Tony Batista
Juan Castro
Sid Ponson
Brett Boone
Henry Blanco
Pat Borders
Terry Mulholland
Phil Nevin
Mike Lamb
Adam Everett
Livan Hernandez
They look like they got money to waste!
The Nation
Honestly, what is with this newspaper?? You click on the homepage and you get a picture of a egotistical lawn gnome arguing with an ump and a bunch of pictures of writers and columnists that no way went to an accredited school of journalism. Look at the old guy there…he’s got to be like 108 years old! Then you click on an article and the print is so miniscule you can’t even read it (there’s no way the Sid guy can read it, no way). You would think there would be someone employed at a “major” newspaper that would suggest that people should actually be able to read the articles.
You sure don’t have much of a life if you spend so much time digging up Twins stats and players. Get help with that.
Just watched today’s game replay. In the fifth, a fan reaches out and grabs a drive high up the green monster and it drops like a rock to the field. No carom from the wall. But no fan interference called. Later, they changed their minds because it was so obvious. But they didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings so they don’t call it a ground rule double, but a TRIPLE! WTF ! ! !
Kinda fishy, but move to the seventh. Ump crew tries to make it right by calling a catch good by Span. But the Twins touch all the bases and tag everybody and want a triple play. Can’t have that, were in Boston. So they change their minds ! ! ! That one smells fishy too! ! !
Gardy was ejected before he got to the top step.
Geno,
I agree. I like the upside of the young guys. As young players they give us heart burn and joy. Often in the same game. Love that speed. Love their excitement and smiles.
DY is an enigma. But, I do also believe the guy is 30 HR with .300 BA easy in a couple of years. The ball jumps off his bat when he gets it in front of the plate. But, so far, that isn’t a frequent sight. 2010 for him. Pitchers all in their prime in 2010. 4 young OFs in their early prime. Fix a couple spots…
No one expected to be in a division race going into the season. It’s a nice bonus in what everyone knew was a rebuilding year. 2010 World Series baby.
Nora, I would like to get help but I keep dreaming of the day when the Nation might be presented with a glimmer of hope that they could be so lucky to sign such outstanding young talent as the Twinkies billionaire owner has over the years…
Mudcat, yeah, that’s what decided a game with a run differential of 42, a little kid that wanted a souvenir. What denial!
Carlos G., “DY” is not an enigma…he’s an idiot. I hate your GM (whoever he is) for taking the idiot out of our division. Last year every time the Raymonds were threatening that idiot would come up and all the Nation’s relievers would have to do is throw three straight pitches three feet outside and in the dirt and that idiot would swing each time. God those were the days. Send him back to Tampa, would you?
If it weren’t for New York, Boston (and it’s buffoonish fans) would be the most annoying team in baseball.
Best way to deal with idiots, ignore them
Christopher, is that even an insult? I can see how making a loser out of opponents might be annoying from the perspective of the loser. Next time we here at Da’ Nation promise not to insult your manager by beating up his team of bunters so badly, OK? Now, blow your nose in the hanky… good boy.
Again, condolences…
-The Nation.
Good advice ds. Guess you won’t be watching the Twinkies anymore, huh?
ds, that is what I am going to do from now on. I have better things to do obviously his life is so sad he has nothing btter to do then troll 24/7.
Al?
What I can’t ignore is all the missed calls I have seen on the replay of today’s game. In the eighth, a pop up to Boston’s second baseman was allowed to drop. He threw to third and forced out the runner. Everyone is scratching their heads. Infield fly? ? ? No, we’re in Boston.
Umps had a terrible time today.
Trade deadline….do we go with a power arm like LEN3 suggests, or a hitter.
Personally, I’d dig a hitter. As well as we have been scoring runs, it feels like a mirage.
DS:
I can’t quit watching the dam replay. But from what I’m seeing, just a guess, might be wrong, I THINK we might be a LLITTLE shaky in the ppower ppitcher ddepartment.
I think we could call someone up who throws hard…I don’t think we could do with same with a power hitter.
See the Whities won again. Salt in the wounds. If you need a real team to go beat those bullies up for you just say the word, OK?
Manny Ramirez highlights on TV. He flips the bat after his homer, high fives around the bases, non-chalants his plays in the field, holsters his “gun” after he throws out a runner, and he has a bad haircut and wears a panty on his head.
There’s not enough mustard for that hot dog.
We’ll give you Manny for Mauer straight up…
Take it or leave it.
Leave it. Mudcat I don’t think you classify that Milli Vanilli mop as a haircut.
That Ukelele guy is the Sox best player.
Yeah, the Red Sox were fabulous on their last road trip weren’t they. Go away.
Nora, why did you tell me to go away, you said you were ignoring “somebody” else.
Sorry, couldn’t help it.
What’s with all this “last road trip” business, Thelma? Do you have any idea how many road trips there are in a season? Good freakin’ grief, Ulga, any day your little engine that could wants to come and play the Sunfish and the Doodlers NINETEEN TIMES a year instead of eff’ing around with the Sabathia-less Indians and the Royals, we’ll see what your record is after a few road trips. Damn Flat Fish aren’t to be messed around with… one of those man-eaters took down the Crocodile Hunter, you know?
But have you seen the home record, Mona? The Nation but has to finish 500 on the road and we’ll still finish the year with the greatest single-season record in the history of the game.
For Pete and His beloved sake… the Nation goes out of its way to drop in and cheer all you moping Twinkie fans up after a New England Patriot vs. Minnesota Sex Boaters in 2006-like ass-whoopin’ here on the East Coast, and this is the thanks we get!??! Whatever happened to all that “Minnesota Kindness” or “charm” or whatever the hell that BS is you eskimoes propogate up there in Dimension X?
Good Night and Good Luck Twinkie fans, from…
-The Nation.
Somebody tell Gardy that Punto was out by 5 feet. There was absolutely no reason for Punto to even think about going from first to third on a single to left field. Punto has played better since coming off the DL but that was a mistake he shouldn’t be making.
I am a Red Sox fan and I agree with one of the other posters, just ignore Beacon Hill Barker. He indeed is not representative of Red Sox fans.
I have always admired how Minnesota year after year puts together a good and sometimes great baseball team. But I have to ask the Twins fans; Do you think your GM outsmarted himself this offseason? I would love to hear honest feedback how Twins fans now think about Santana being traded to the Mets instead of Boston.
While I realize there is no way of telling what players the final deal would have consisted of, do you feel it was a mistake now to have passed on a deal that would have included Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie and one of either Jon Lester or Clay Bucholtz?
I really am interested in what your feelings were before the trade was made and if you now feel the trade brought enough talent back to the Twins organization.
Beacon Hill Barker must be related to Beantown.Ignore him,he will not come out of his cave until we play next year.
STEVE C:
My feelings before the trade were the Twins were trading the top pitcher in the league, we should get a top player in return. That would be Manny from Boston or A-Rod from New York. That wasn’t going to happen, so get Johan out of the American League and improve Twins chances of a pennant. That DID happen. But then the almighty dollar came into play and you pretty much have to take the best players you can get surrounding the huge amounts of money involved. Twins gave up a goldmine and got pocket change.
But Johan’s been struggling (four game losing streak) and the Twins got good young fun to watch players so that makes Twins fans just forget about the whole deal. Besides, a pitcher only plays every four or five days and sometimes stinks up the place, so it’s no big deal.
Steve C. The reports from our beat writer’s were that Ellsbury and Lester were SEPARATE deals.. it was Ellsbury and a couple of bags of chips or Lester and a couple of bags of chips.. honestly I believe Red Sox just made a offer good enough to up the ante more then Hanky was willing to pay so thank Yanks couldn’t get Johan Red Sox didn’t really want to give up what was fair price for Johan.. The Mets deal gives the Twins 3 prospects with upside and hopefully 1 pans out.. Gomez will be a great player he is not as polished as Ellsbury but IMO will hit for more power eventually and turn out to be better
Steve C-It’s been disputed be most on this board,but my point of view has always been that nobody knows for sure if those different trade packages were for real or only speculation.If Gomez and Guerra are great in 5 years,it will blow any speculated package out of the water.
Punto was out by five feet. Shannon Stewart could have thrown him out on that play. There’s no excuse for making an out when you’re behind. Period. But Gardy loves guys who run into outs, ’cause their busting their tails in the process.
Barker, shut up. Real Sox fans do not refer to themselves as “the Nation”, and we don’t gloat like that either.
Anyway, Boston has the potential to go deep again, but we’ve had some bad luck (Ortiz, Schilling injuries for example), and have done a decent job keeping it together, so far. However, our bullpen needs help, the bottom of our lineup has been weak… so we’ll see.
I think the Twins were right to trade Santana, and I’m glad neither we nor the Yanks got him. However, it’s gotta be frustrating for Minny fans to have ownership that won’t reward the excellent scouting, development, and managing you’ve got by spending a bit more. I have way more respect for the Twins, baseball-wise, then the White Sox, for example.
Good luck the rest of the way.
C-MATH:
The replay of the game was on last night. I stayed up till midnight watching it. Punto’s hands were on third, the tag was on his shoulder. That’s safe, but the umps blew call after call after call. A fly was touched by a fan above the green monster. It fell like a rock, no carom.
They missed it, changed their minds AND gave him a TRIPLE! A trap was made in the outfield, they called it a catch and a triple play, THEN CHANGED THEIR MINDS. In the eighth, Boston second baseman lets a pop up drop, and tossed the ball to third to get the out. Infield fly we figured, but NOOOOOOOOOOO! ! ! We were behind by two touchdowns by then so we took the ten run mercy rule and just let the sox have fun so we can win the Detroit series.
JChristian, shut up. (just kidding). You say “I’m glad neither we nor the Yanks got him.”
I don’t think I believe you’re glad the sox didn’t get him. He’s better than Schilling, but you know that.
Thank you, Mudcat, Fire and Geno for your posts. As I previously stated, I have always admired how the Twins organization has been able to regularly put such exciting teams on the field, including World Series winners, while at the same time being fiscally responsible. That in itself is talent!
I am glad to hear that you are now watching some exciting young players develop within your organization. In Boston we are equally excited with the young players we are developing.
I am pulling for the Twins to win the Central and who knows what could happen after that!
Good luck and just maybe the Twins and Red Sox will meet again this year.
No doubt an exciting post season for fans if there’s a Twins/Red Sox playoff series. Twins fans know from their World Championship years that anything less than a repeat is an utter disgrace and brings shame to all Boston fans all over the world. You’ll just have to hope the Ray-O-Vacs don’t keep running and running and running…………..
Manager Gardenhire should be fired by the Twins organization for all the terrible decisions he has made concerning the team lineup during the past two years. It seems he has to be constantly shuffling the players around for no reason. He has cost the Twins many games in the standings due to his indecisiveness. He lead the major leagues in getting thrown out of ball games. I heard he gets thrown out in order to be able to go to the clubhouse and drink beer and order pizza for himself.
Mr. Gardenhire may have a drinking problem which manifests itself in his refusal to keep a regular lineup on the field and in getting thrown out of many games. Apparently, he lacks the ability to control his anger. Such behavior only sets a bad example for all the children who watch the games. Mr. Gardenhire should probably be given special needs help from the Twins organization to help him manage his alcohol and anger problems. He does such a poor job as manager of the team that one wonders why the organization keeps him on the payroll.
Mr. Gardenhire has taken an overachieving team into the playoffs 4 of the past 6 years. Thank you.
If Gardy’s got a problem, just think of all the fans that have the same problem magnified. We could hold group meetings in the hump, and fill the place.
I’ve seen Gardy in Night Clubs on out of town hunting trips. I think he was having a pizza and beer. Carol doesn’t need to worry about him. Gardy’s a dam good singer too. He sang “Okie From Muskogee” when Karaoke started. He’s just a regular guy, no boozer, no angry drunk. He just likes the home team to WIN ! ! !
Nothin’ wrong with that! ! !
For Red Sox fans it’s not even about baseball. I have a theory that Boston and New York baseball “fans” don’t even like baseball or know anything about it–they just like feeling superior to everyone else.
P.S. I’ve heard the cheapest face value tickets at Fenway cost upwards of $100. Do you ever notice how you don’t see any kids at these games? A middle class kid and his dad can’t go see a baseball game in Boston because a bunch of morons need to cheer on their $150 million payroll team. That’s sad.
here we go again…. at least its not the bullpen this time.
Great, now Breslow can’t throw a strike.
My neighbor is from Boston and just paid 1100 bucks for a couple of good seats at Fenway. I live near Wrigley and have paid a couple hundred to get 2 good seats there from scalpers, but just like Fenway, seeing a game there is arguably worth the money. 1100 dollars though…. that is DEFINITELY out of control. You gotta actually BE a major league baseball player to catch a game now in Boston or what?
tie game baby…. this game is all of the sudden way better than work.
Sure is a lot of Red Sox fans on here for it being a Twins blog. I think the only true Sox fan is the guy with the big mouth. He just sounds like he’d be a Red Sox fan.
Yeah the Red Sox are SOOO great. I believe they have won as many World Series (2) as the Twins have since the Tiwns came to MInnesota over 40+ years ago. But the Saauuuwwx had anohter 40+ to do something and couldn’t. But you know The Nation (since they started winning) are such loyal fans (check attendence before they started winning) and they do things the ‘right’ way (160 million dollar payroll) that well the Saauuuux are so awesome. Or maybe they make the losers Yanks fans look professional and well informed. What a joke town Boston is. Enjoy all the players we gave you.
All-Star Break Trade Check.
Name BA HR-RBI RBI+Runs
Bartlett .256 0-20 44
Harris .262 5-31 71
Young .286 3-36 83
W-L ERA
Baker 6-2 3.47
Blackburn 7-4 3.72
GARZA 7-5 3.96
Perkins 6-2 4.14
Slowey 6-6 4.26
Young plus Harris have produced 154 runs.
Bartlett has produced 44 runs.
(runs +rbi)
Garza’s ERA would put him as a middle of the rotation guy - not much different from Baker, Blackburn, Perkins and Slowey. - Definitely not irreplaceable. And probably replaceable by Liriano in about a month.
