Twins appreciate Span’s calm amid the storm
Posted on August 1st, 2008 – 11:11 AMBy Joe Christensen
This was after Gardy punted his cap Thursday night, after fans pelted the field with baseballs, after Ozzie pulled the White Sox into the dugout, after a five-minute delay.
Chicago led 4-3. Seventh inning. The Metrodome was a madhouse. The count was 1-2.
John Danks hadn’t walked a batter in five innings. But rookie Denard Span calmly took the next three pitches for balls and trotted to first base.
So after the 10-6 Twins victory, when reporters quizzed Justin Morneau about the impact of Gardy’s tirade, the 2006 MVP steered his answer toward the team’s leadoff man.
“He didn’t get rattled,” Morneau said. “Takes three tough pitches, gets on base and the inning goes from there. That’s a lot of composure for a guy with not too many at-bats in the big leagues.”
In the other clubhouse, when reporters quizzed A.J. Pierzynski about Gardy’s antics, he said, “I knew Gardy was going to throw his hat eventually. It’s his go-to move. He usually doesn’t kick it though, that was pretty entertaining.
“The bottom line is we can’t walk that guy. We got him 1-2 — leadoff guy with a one run lead — John wasn’t trying to walk him, but he did.”
And Danks said, “It all started with me walking Span in the seventh. It’s one of those things. I don’t have a reason for it, I just couldn’t make the pitches. I wasn’t trying extra hard, and I wasn’t distracted by the break in the game.
“I just shouldn’t have walked him, and I have to deal with that.”
Span has batted leadoff 11 times for the Twins, batting .275/.370/.375., with four strikeouts in 48 plate appearances.
In 90 games as the Twins’ leadoff hitter, Carlos Gomez batted .246./.281/.345 with 97 strikeouts in 415 plate appearances.
Given the same situation, with that 1-2 count against Danks, think Gomez might have been a little amped?
Since moving to the No. 9 spot, Gomez is batting .438/.438/.500.
Small sample sizes, yes, but I think the Twins are pretty happy with the switch.
Note: Check back later for tonight’s starting lineups and pregame notes, as the Twins open a three-game series against Cleveland, with Nick Blackburn (7-6, 3.69 ERA) opposing Indians lefty Jeremy Sowers (1-5, 5.86).
102 Responses to "Twins appreciate Span’s calm amid the storm"
Span has been very good in the leadoff role. Practically as good as he’s been telling all of us for the past 2 years. Great win last night.
I have to admit, I was VERY impressed with Span’s composure following the break. He could’ve just as easily come out juiced. But he took the next three pitches and got on base anyway.
He didn’t go out there with anything to prove, he just did his job.
That is one of the things that tends to get lost admist a storm such as the one that kicked up last night.
And you’re right, in that situation I would not have expected the same out of Gomez.
Perhaps Gomez could take his new found approach to the #2 spot?
Joe, is Liriano being recalled today?
thanks for those numbers Joe!
I am especially love the .370 OBP for span, .438 for GoGo in 9-hole is surprising too.
Go Get ‘Em Boys!
Twins are a fun bunch to watch right now. When is the move from AAA coming with pitching help?
Does anyone actually know what was being thrown onto the field yesterday. Dome dogs???
The switch will be good for Span AND Gomez. Nick is doing a good job batting 2nd.
Any reports on Tolbert? The Twins need him.
Joe: Good point about Span’s walk - turning point of the game.
How much of Ozzie pulling his team off the field was gamesmanship vs. reality/safety issue?
We should trade Liriano and Kubel for Pig Poppi. The Red Sox have officially given up on the season.
jimmy,
I saw something thrown out there, that looked a lot like a dead squirrel. Then I saw LaPanta, walking around, skin head bald. I’m putting 2 and 2 together…….
Ozzie pulled his team off of the field to give his pitcher more time to warm up
The New and Improved Craig. LOL. I hope my co-workers didn’t hear me. I still don’t know how the hecken-himer that thing defied the laws of gravity at the dells.
“Any reports on Tolbert? The Twins need him.”
For what?
Pete D,
Re: Tolbert.
Think Tommy Herr in his prime. Get the picture?
“I still don’t know how the hecken-himer that thing defied the laws of gravity”
Ever watch a squirrel climb straight up a tree? How the hecken-heimer do they do that?
Some say tomato, I say tomato. Some say Tommy Herr I say Wally Backman. LOL.
Ever watch a squirrel climb across an electricity wire? How the hecken-heimer do they do that?
Did anyone know that Wally Backman used to play for the Twins. Oh those were the days.
Craig…that Lapanta take is halarious!
Ever watch a squirrel bury his nuts? How the heckenheimer do they do that?
Jeff Reboulet did too!!
“Jeff Reboulet did too!!”
Bury his nuts?
The other day I saw a guy that looked just like Wally Joyner. Wally Joyner for gosh sake. Now he could play
Twins shortstop Matt Tolbert, who had surgery in May to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb, has resumed swinging a bat in Fort Myers, Fla., after a recent setback. Tolbert has been on the DL since mid-May.
Denny Hocking came on board after the Reboulet era he was the original PUNTO!!
Ok, does anyone know if Liriano is still scheduled to pitch tonight for Rochester? If he is then he certainly won’t take Livan’s spot on Monday in Seattle.
Ever want a shirt that says,”Got Rug”. How the heckenheimer do they do that
I think I saw a guy selling unliscensed Got Rug shirts with LaPanta’s face outside the dome. On the back they had a squirrel tail hanging below the neck line
should have followed souhans advice…its much easier to find a #3-4-5 starter than it is a power hitting, gold glove 3b, but what the hell, it is what it is….the shits
and now the pressure is on liriano to really produce or what then….???
After TK bounced the whining Steve Lombardozzi, the Twins had a long procession of inept and/or washed up second basemen. Herr and Backmann were the most well known. Lombo stuck around during the 1988 season. He left in 1988 or 1989. It wasn’t until 1991 that the Twins had a solid regular 2B again: Chuck Knoblauch.
jimmy b
how do you like the moves your LA teams made?
for Twins to make the playoffs it’s the bullpen and the offense that has to step up.. if between Crain/Guerrier they can bridge to Nathan and the offense can keep producing enough to win then Twins will be in it until the end
As they say in LA “I’m luvin it”. When I am not rooting for the Twins I am rooting for the Dodger’. I can do that it is an NL team.
I have to admit I don’t know how much that darn manny has left in the tank. His age is increasing daily.
That Darn Manny The only team I think that can beat the Angels is the Twins. If the Twins don’t win the division there will be no stopping them
They haven’t had a guy with that kind of power since He Sop Choi
I like our chances against the Angels too, JimmyBee.
Maybe Manny will go into Andruw Jones mode and start his retirement while he’s still playing.
The Twins have had two really good infields:
Hrbek, Lombardozzi, Gaetti, Gagne
Mientkiewicz, Rivas, Koskie, Guzman
Tough call as to which one was the best. I’d have to pick the latter, by an eyelash.
Craig is hearkening back to yesteryear. Does anyone want to know about Zoilo?
How about Jose Valdivielso?
If you don’t know who Jose Valdivielso is, you aren’t a true Twins fan.
Random thoughts: I was thinking Denny Hocking was Punto before Punto was Punto. Then I thought: didn’t Punto just have twins? Hocking had twins. Has anybody actually seen Hocking and Punto in the same room at the same time? I’m not saying, I’m just saying. Also, the Twins should have traded for Manny and just kept him in a box until it was time for him to DH. This way he could hit homeruns but not infect the locker room chemistry. “We need a big home run, Bring out the gimp!” I’ve applied for the Twins GM job, but no word yet…
Craig some of us weren’t born when Jose V. played in the 50’s and 60’s
anyone remember Sandy Valdaspino?
He was famous for robbing homeruns in left field at the old Met
Okay, I am off to have a nooner with my secretary, and then get out on the boat.
You guys can talk about Manny Ramirez, if you truly think that is more important than talking about Jose Valdivielso.
I would like to hope that Craig is weighing the infield compraison strickly on fielding basis…
What is the over under for combined homeruns hit by Punto and Everett?
3?
I want to know what kind of 2B Billy Martin was
from Red Wings site:
“LHP Francisco Liriano remained the Wings’ scheduled Friday starter as of late Thursday night, despite swirling speculation that he would be recalled by the Twins….INF Luke Hughes was promoted to the Wings from Double-A New Britain on Thursday, and went 1-for-5 in his Triple-A debut. Hughes started at third base”
T,
No. The comparison is on the total package. Hrbek and and Gaetti were superior hitters to Mientkiewicz and Koskie, but the latter were not bad hitters. Rivas was a superior hitter to Lombardozzi, and Guzmann was a far superior hitter to Gagne. Lombo and Rivas were both excellent on the DP. Gagne was the best athlete of the bunch, but was awful at the plate. All of them could field, but Gaetti had an erratic arm.
It’s a close call.
How much of Ozzie pulling his team off the field was gamesmanship vs. reality/safety issue?
100%. In hockey, the ice is often littered with hats. It’s considered a compliment. In baseball, it’s too dangerous! George Carlin is turning over in his grave with a new bit on Baseball vs. Hockey.
Sorry <> JimmyBee warming up the pitcher had nothing to do w/ it. A high percentage of the baseball is gamemanship…
“I want to know what kind of 2B Billy Martin was”
He was a second baseman with a hangover.
I am very proud of Span. He has proven me wrong, and while I may never become his number one fan. I am retired as his number one critic.
We need Tolbert back, and I for one am glad that they kept Buscher in at 3rd base. He is going to be just fine.
Granted Punto has hit much better than he did last year. But a guy like him should be one of the best bunters on the team. Last night was another example of how bad he bunts. Dick and Bert mention him as one of the best bunters on the team. I strongly disagree. Thankfully we have Mauer and Morneau to cover Punto’s shortcomings.
T: “Perhaps Gomez could take his new found approach to the #2 spot?”
Yes, please! And put Punto back at 9th where he belongs. The guy still can’t lay down a bunt.
“Think Tommy Herr in his prime. Get the picture?”
I have seen pictures of Tommy Herr in his prime, yes. But what in the world makes you think that Matt Tolbert is as good as Tommy Herr in his prime?
And in future news; Punto has hit safely in 199 out of 200 at bats but we still hate him because in the 200th at bat he failed to move a runner over.
“We need Tolbert back”
Again, I’ll ask. For what? In his 90 career big league plate appearances, he is hitting a robust .265 / .307 / .337. I’ll take Harris, Punto, Buscher, and Everett all over Tolbert.
I think “we need Tolbert back” because he is not Adam Everett.
Brad,
The ability to reevaluate when new information arrives, and draw new conclusions, is an indication of superior intellect.
I am glad you have decided Span is a better player than you previously thought. Though I was an early advocate of Span, he is also a better player than I thought he was. Span and Casilla must be very pleasant surprises for the field staff and the front office.
I am off to my nooner. I hate to keep a lady waiting. If I do that, I may have to waste money on flowers.
Nooner for craig. Off to the races.
“I think “we need Tolbert back” because he is not Adam Everett.”
Adam Everett isn’t here for his bat. He is here for his glove, which is MUCH better than Tolbert. I don’t like it a whole lot, but that’s why he is here. I assume he will only play versus lefties, due to Buscher sitting, opening up a spot. Perhaps a late inning defensive replacement.
If I were to guess, I would assume that Everett and Tolbert will put up similar numbers from here on out. Even if Tolbert put up slightly better offensive numbers, Everett would make up for that with his glove.
Now, if Everett is still injured, then that changes the balance. If he can’t throw to first, he isn’t worth a whole lot. But as it is, he has more worth to this team than Matt Tolbert.
I kind of expected Craig to be back from his “nooner” already.
Pete D, good points but unless Everett can generate some half-decent at bats, even with his glove I think he is too much of a liability. I don’t think Everett is going to be the full-time SS anyway, he has no chance of being around next season, so if Tolbert was healthy, I’d rather see him in there.
When Adam Everett is at the bar and he tells people he plays MLB, do you think anyone believes him?
When Tolbert is healthy he will play 2B and Punto will go to short.
ES16 says:
August 1st, 2008 at 1:25 pm
When Adam Everett is at the bar and he tells people he plays MLB, do you think anyone believes him?
There are others I wouldn’t believe. Tyner and Reyes I couldn’t even imagine. Can you imagine meeting J-Roll and he tells u he was an MVP
Walter -
I fully expect Everett to put together some half decent at bats. He had a slow start to the season, but he has a ‘track record’ at the big leagues. Not a great one, but I expect him to go back up towards those numbers.
And while I agree that Everett won’t be here next year, we are trying to win this year. Tolbert probably isn’t going to be in line for a starting position next year, so getting him time this year isn’t that important.
Ben D -
Then where do you play Harris? I assume Tolbert would take over for Harris, and that is a mistake. Harris is the better player.
“after fans pelted the field with baseballs”
C’mon Joe, don’t be exaggerating things! 2 baseballs were thrown, and the people in the front row were lucky they didn’t get hit in the back of the head the throws were so weak. Lots of hats, that was funny. And a foam football, after Ozzie had already pulled his team from the field. And to that, I could tell from the outfielders body movements, especially Quentin, that they were not in agreement with the decision to leave the field. Ozzie was game MVP for messing with his pitchers’ rythmn and for firing up the crowd and subsequently the Twins.
Was at the game and I’m getting a kick out of these articles making the Dome crowd out to be a crazy mob. I think I saw 10 hats thrown, and 3 baseballs slowly dribble onto the 3rd base foul territory. It was very funny to watch the Sox run into the dugout - watch out for the killer hats!!!!
fans pelted the field with baseballs
Drama, drama, drama…
what else can one expect from a White Sox fan? 
there were about 8-10 hats and a single baseball that made it to the playing field. Nobody could potentially get injured by a flying hat. A single baseball also made it to the playing field after fans threw Thome’s homer in. Didn’t see the clown pulling his team off the field then. If the game was stopped when hats were flying from the stands, there would be lots of stopped games in the 20s and 30s where traditionally fans used to throw their hats up on the air (and many made it on the field) as a celebratory move.
What this kind of reporting does, is to remove blame from the instigator of the mess, the umpire who made a horrid call and place it to the fans and Gardy, because of the overreaction by the clown.
Can we pull the Twins off the field if a beachball falls onto the playing surface from the stands
JB - They should have tried that when they were at Yankee Stadium.
Bat Gomez #2 and Punto #9….Punto can’t do ANYTHING with the bat better than Gomez….takes pressure off Gomez and still gets him an extra at bat every game.
You list 3 numbers (.xxx/.xxx/.xxx) when you reference how someone is batting. Please explain. (BA/Slugging%/OBA)?
When is MLB going to figure out that incompetent umpires are an enormous problem, and a major deterrent to the game? The home plate ump and 3rd base ump made a horrific call on saying Span bunted at that pitch. I’m quite certain that the guy at 3rd wasn’t even paying attention.
The fans don’t get to see replays on close plays, because these guys, protected by a bogus union, couldn’t stand the heat created by the fans who would see that the umps are only right on close plays about half the time. And with most of these guys, the strike zone varies from batter to batter, and pitch to pitch.
The refs in the NFL look pretty darn good compared to these buffoons.
Maybe this is common knowledge, but was it “Hat” night at the dome last night?
Mudcat, cap night is Saturday. These were folks departing with caps they may have paid good money for!
Harris and Buscher platoon at 3b. Lamb needs to go. I like Harris but Tolbert has a better glove and turns DP much better than him.
“When Adam Everett is at the bar and he tells people he plays MLB, do you think anyone believes him?”
When Adam Everett is AT BAT and he tells people he plays MLB, do you think anyone believes him?
I thought Ozzie pulling his team off the field was rather melodramatic, to say the least. I think he’s goofy as hell, and I’m glad he’s not the Twins’ manager. Nonetheless, I think he adds color and is good for the game.
I’m thinking these Twins are REALLY fun to watch, probably the most entertainment since 1991. And what a bunch of really good guys.
GO TWINS!!
Can we use our DH to hit for Everett instead of our pitcher?
Jimbo is right. I heard the Dodgers stole Manny for a .200 hitter and a 2-4 pitcher. They can have him.
Sane -
He probably was stopped by the guards and escorted from the dome when he tried to enter the building on Wednesday, after receiveing the call to return to the team. It probably went like this:
Evertt: “No, really, I’m the Twins’ shortstop.”
Guard: “Yeah, suuuuure you are. And I’m Harmon Killebrew. Let’s go buddy. Beat it. I don’t want to see your face around here again.”
Considering what Calvin paid him,The guard probally was “The Killer’.
Pete,
Have you ever seen Tolbert play? I’m not saying he is great, but he is the third fastest guy on the team , a switch hitter, good glove and works high pitch counts almost every time he bats.
I heard the Dodgers stole Manny for a .200 hitter and a 2-4 pitcher.
There were like four or five guys that went to the Pirates in the deal.
The Pirates made off…well like pirates.
*ps*
Boston got Bay. That’s IT. For Manny.
Original Kevin says:
August 1st, 2008 at 12:42 pm
“anyone remember Sandy Valdaspino?
He was famous for robbing homeruns in left field at the old Met”
Sandy must have had a hell of a vertical, the left field fence at the old Met was 12-feet tall for most of its MLB life!
He was either 8-feet tall or had a 72-inch vertical!
“Mudcat says:
August 1st, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Maybe this is common knowledge, but was it “Hat” night at the dome last night?”
Can’t wait for dome dog night
Gardy Punting his hat made me laugh! I now have that picture as my desktop on my confuser.
Say what you want about Punto, but he’s having a real good year so far
More confirmation that Seattle was nuts with their trade offers from ESPN’s Stark and further explanation as to why we couldn’t make a deal for Beltre:
Mariners
If ever there was a team that should have used this deadline to clear out as much money, dead weight and extraneous parts as it could export, wasn’t Seattle it?
So how could this deadline have come and gone with only Rhodes driving into the sunset? How could Ibanez still be there? How could Jarrod Washburn still be there? How could one-third of that roster not have been traded in the past couple of weeks?
“I’m cutting them a little slack,” one rival GM said. “They’re leader-less right now.”
True, they have an interim GM (the well-liked Lee Pelekoudas) and a confusing ownership arrangement and an uncertain chain of command. But they angered teams they spoke to with what were widely viewed as outrageous demands. And the bottom line is that this deadline represented a lost renovation opportunity in the middle of an already-lost season. And how many lost opportunities can clubs like this afford?
“I really don’t know how to describe that club right now,” one AL executive said. “It just seems to be a train wreck out there.”
T,
“*ps*
Boston got Bay. That’s IT. For Manny”
For Manny AND TWO PROSPECTS (Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen)
If you watched Tolbert play in person in Spring Training or watched him closely in the early games this year, you see the same hustle as Gomez. He has ability on both sides of the ball and will be hard to keep off the roster for the next several years. I hope he makes it back soon. Then, the dominoes start to fall. Cuddyer replaces Monroe as the DH; Tolbert replaces Everett, Liriano replaces Livan. Twins have a chance to go far in the playoffs.
Sane
Plus they had to eat considerable amount of salary.
Sane
Plus they had to eat considerable amount of salary.
Tyler says:
August 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Sane
Plus they had to eat considerable amount of salary.
Nope. Boston owes Manny 7 mill
jimmy,
Thats what they meant.
Boston had to eat much of Manny’s salary, plus give up Manny and 2 prospects to get Jason Bay.
But the Sox will save on their Excedrin bill with Manny a coast away.
Manny has probably 2 years left till he goes through a major dropoff. Tex whom the Angels got would have been a better fit hitting it out of chevez
Bloggers had been screaming for them to bat Span in lead-off for a month. If only the Twins would listen to us more often they’d be in first place by ten games. WE ARE THE EXPERTS…period.
>>“Jeff Reboulet did too!!”
>>
>>Bury his nuts?
Brilliant.
