Comments on: Postgame update: Punto’s MRI shows no structural damage

By: coyotetom

coyotetom — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:40:07 +0000

Shaun is correct about the head first thing.

By: coyotetom

coyotetom — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:16:54 +0000

I know I am way late on this but I think it is worth mentioning.

In last Friday’s game against the Cards, Joe Nathan showed true professionalism and class. In the 9th inning, with a runner on, he struck out the best (arguably) hitter in baseball (Albert P.). After he fanned him, he got the ball back from Joe and got ready for the next batter - no arm pumping or “smoking pistol.” After he fot the final out by strikeout, he pointed to Joe and got in line to shake hands with his teammates. Again, no theatrics after a great performance.

He knows how to be a professional baseball player.

By: stu

stu — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:25:46 +0000

Gardenhire simply doesn’t have his team ready to play. After a good showing in St. Louis, the team lacked motivation and determination against the Royals yesturday. Not to mention the fact that Gardenhire is inadequate as a manager when it comes to preparing his team to complete, he put the jinx Punto in the starting lineup. Punto’s number stink and he has a long record of not coming through in the clutch and costing the team in the standings. The hot hitting Gomez was benched and one has to wonder why Gardenhire makes the lineup choices he does unless it is to keep the players salaries down. Gardenhire got thrown out of the game against Kansas City primarily because he is a poor manager who does not prepare his team to win games and tries to blame the umpires for his team’s meek performance. Furthermore, Gardenhire sets a poor example for all the kids out there watching the ball games when he throws his stupid temper tantrums and get kicked out of the games. I heard he does it primarily so he can go to the clubhouse and order pizza and drink beer during the games. Gardenhire should be fired and replaced by the manager at Rochester. The clumsy Cuddyer made a throw to the infield typical of a little leager. He also is a clutz and should be traded if possible. The two glaring problems are Punto and Cuddyer, who are net negatives to the team. Gardenhire has never seemed to grasp that concept, much to the misfortune of the Twins team.

By: fibrillatord

fibrillatord — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:29:32 +0000

you know what, say what you will about punto, there is no denying he is an excellent bunter. when he lays a push bunt at the second baseman and races the pitcher for 1st base -hell yeah he should slide head first. that is his advantage as a runner; the pitcher CANT lunge since he has to catch the ball!

By: Shaun

Shaun — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:07:03 +0000

Right might-T-Mouse. You don’t see Hussain Bolt DIVING into the finish line at the Olympics, it’s slower. Nick has signed for the big bucks now he can slack off. He already slacked off on the batting average, gotta 86 the headfirst-ing.

By: T-Mouse

T-Mouse — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:35:05 +0000

Thank you! Very helpful answers on why we signed Punto. I think you all hit the nail solidly. I find myself wishing we would put more faith in our minor league prospects than to throw $4M/year for two years. But your explanation of the circumstances…make perfect sense. Thank you. Oh, and, I hope we get every dollar of value from Nick. I do think it begins with no more headfirst sliding showmanship (which I don’t think is an unfair categorization). Nick says he will do whatever it takes to serve the team; I believe him; so let’s be very clear on headfirst sliding. It’s rarely of any value and often puts the player in harm’s way. (Incidentally, I believe it has been statistically proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that headfirst sliding into first base is the slower option. So let’s let Nick know that this is one way he can really help out the team.)

Go Twins.