Twins: Livan Hernandez to the Rockies for….
Posted on August 6th, 2008 – 2:45 PMBy La Velle
…nothing. Colorado made a waiver claim earlier this week and the Twins have simply assigned Hernandez’s contract to the Rockies.
That suggests that the sides couldn’t agree on a player exchange, the Twins wanted to get out from under the contract and simply let the Rockies have him. It happens. Hernandez was 10-8 with a 5.48 ERA for the Twins.
The Twins are on the hook for a percentage of any incentive bonuses Hernandez earns. I’ll explain in the ink-on-paper version.
Joe Mauer and Delmon Young are not in the starting lineup. Four hits and two homers last night from Jason Kubel bought him another start. Randy Ruiz is in against a lefty.
Will it be enough to salvage a game against the Mariners in this three-game series? A win makes the plane ride to Kansas City more enjoyable. And the Twins know their fans are flocking to the City of Fountains this weekend, so it will be just like playing at home.
Lefthander Dennys Reyes looks a lot better today and said he’s available out of the bullpen.
Michael Cuddyer, on a minor league rehab, will play in a doubleheader today for Class AAA Rochester, but the Twins have told the coaching staff there to not let Cuddy get more than 5-6 at-bats. It’s his first game in over a month and they don’t want him to push it.
Lineups
Twins (62-51): 1. Denard Span, RF. 2. Nick Punto, 2B. 3. Mike Redmond, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Jason Kubel, LF. 6. Randy Ruiz, DH. 7. Brendan Harris. 3B. 8. Adam Everett, SS. 9. Carlos Gomez, CF. Pitching: Nick Blackburn.
Mariners (44-69): 1. Ichiro Suzuki, R. 2. Jeremy Reed, DH. 3. Raul Ibanez, LF. 4. Adrian Beltre, 3B. 5. Jose Lopez, 2B. 6. Jeff Clement, C. 7. Wladimir Balentien, CF. 8. Bryan LaHair, 1B. 9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS. Pitching: Jarrod Washburn.
446 Responses to "Twins: Livan Hernandez to the Rockies for…."
waiting for it……
interesting side line: the only current Twin to ever homer of Washburn is Mike Lamb
Why not try Morneau third and Kubel cleanup?
All I can ask for right now is for a .500 roadtrip, take today and try to take 2 of 3 in Kansas City…. is that asking too much?
Anyone know why Mauer has STUNK the past 2 games on road? There was a blogger (Twins fan) who was at the games who noticed Mauer’s lack of hustle and seemed way off in just about everything he did.
Swept by the Mariners… how embarassing would that be?
Mauer being way off:
he has gone 3 for 9 with a walk… not terrible….
waiting for?
I will oblige you:
Why is Redmond batting third? I have a great idea–bat your best hitters third and fourth…too rational for the Twins?
Okay…
Two passed balls for Mauer on Monday and yes, he looks lethargic at the plate.
Mauer has really looked “off” the last couple of nights. I’m OK with him getting a break today.
Mike Redmond’s splits this year:
batting 3rd: .311/.326/.356
6th: .222/.300/.222
7th: .273/.292/.364
8th: .000/.250/.000
9th: .000/.000/.000
Anyone watch the last two games and notice Dick Bremer has sounded like he’s going through severe depression or a mid-life crisis or something? I’ve never heard him so drone and monotonous before.
They better win today or, as Tom said, that’s just plain embarassing. Somebody go out there, make baseball pitches and get somebody out! I’ve had enough of this “ball flying all over the park stuff” vs. one of the worst teams in the league.
i was waiting for screaming about Mauer not being in, but since the group thinks he isn’t right, i guess there is no call to arms.
Young needs to DH when he plays.
Absolutely terrible in the field. Runs like he’s on a sheet of ice.
Glanzer…I had the same thoughts…it’s pretty funny.
Really funny when you consider the contrast between that and when he calls a routine fly-ball like it’s a walk-off homer.
Punto back in line-up again…and batting 2nd.
this is too agonizing
0-5
Young at DH yes! Does not look good for W today with the pitchers on tap.
I couldn’t do Bremers job i would have a manic depressive disorder after one season.
Or Bi-Polar disorder
JoMau sits, Span will go hitless again and Gomo will swin like a gate. Seattle, can’t thank you enough for the sweep.
It’s probably Telly Hughes. Anybody would be depressed having to work with him.
The Twins are apparently not as good as they think they are. They do very well at home, but are extremely meek on the road. The Metrodome gives them a big advantage, and advantage they don’t have in the rest of the ball parks. Also, the Twin get beat almost every time they play a really good team like the Yankees, Red Sox, or Angels. Their record, by the end of the season, will probably not be very good at all. They need to trade some of their over rated players like Bonser, Cuddyer, and Punto.
KENT - decent insight. Any guesses as to what the 2008 record will be? Mine is 80-82, sound familiar? Am hoping for 102-60.
Ruiz will hit his first major league homer today in his second at-bat. That’s a call.
As someone mentioned on ESPN today, there is only one team that is good on the road and that is the Angels.
Sure they need to win on the road, but it’s not like other teams are doing much better (Tampa Bay for example).
The Block,
Gomez is 3 for 6 with a walk in the series. Not exactly horrible.
Kent- the trading deadline is over, sorry buddy.
Ruiz will hit his first major league homer today in his second at-bat. That’s a call.
I hope so. I can see it to, the guy has a lot of power, and I think he’ll help us out a lot more than Monroe.
Yeah, Go-Go has gotten a lot better since moving to the nine hole. He’s taken a lot more pitches and has looked a lot more comfortable with a lot less pressure.
La Velle, do you know when we might hear more on Casilla? Tomorrow maybe?
I think Go-go has been alot better post all-star break at #1 and now at #9. He was taking counts deeper and hitting the ball hard his last days at #1.
Sweepless in Seattle? That’s what you went with? How cute. (barrrrrrf)
“Ruiz will hit his first major league homer today in his second at-bat. That’s a call.”
Here’s mine the bullpen will give up at least one HR to Ibanez.
It’ll be great to get Cuddyer back so we can kinda do a four-man roation with the outfield. It should help Delmon and Go-Go down the stretch and hopefully Cuddyer will add some right-handed producition.
I hope it’s not Ruiz that goes though…
Another from-the-book line-up from Gardy. God, how the hell does any pitcher working a day game expect to win? It’s always a suitcase full of back-ups.
Poor Nicky.
The only “back-up” in this lineup is Redmond for Mauer. Also so far this year, Redmond is performing about the same as Mauer from the 3-hole.
It is the typical LHP lineup except Kubel is substituted for Young, which some might consider an upgrade.
“RUIZ WILL HIT HIS FIRST HR”
That’s a good call.
My call….Twins will work from a defeict all game and pull out a win in the top of the 9th….Maybe Ruiz will hit a solo shot in the 9th to show up the M’s…. Go Twins, Go!! Just win….
How is it that the Twins always manage to find one team every year that is horrible but hammers the crap out of them. One year it was Tampa Bay, another year they could beat the Royals, I remember one year it seemed like they were always playing and losing to the Orioles, I guess this year its the Mariners and with the StinkSox getting every break, the good guys need to get the wins over the bad teams as often as possible. This lineup scares no one and if St. Paul Joe aint hittin’ the good guys are in trouble…
Im hopin for a getaway win and a sweep in KC…one can always dream
Brian Bass is an absolute train wreck he is unwatchable we need tougher relievers is there anybody in the minors?
“Also so far this year, Redmond is performing about the same as Mauer from the 3-hole.”
Well, except for the 85 points of OBP and 94 points of slugging…
RE: Redmond splits.
Please give the # of ABs please. I’ve put them in for you. I’ve also fixed your mistakes, as I’ve taken from ESPN.
3rd, 45 AB: .311/.326/.356, OPS .682
6th, 18 AB: .222/.300/.222, OPS .522
7th, 21 AB: .286/.304/.381, OPS .685
8th, 3 AB: .000/.250/.000, OPS .250
9th, 4 AB: .000/.000/.000, OPS .000
So, his OPS is actually BETTER hitting 7th.
Plus, who would you rather have up in the first inning if Span, Punto, or both of them get on base? You want Redmond coming up? I’d rather have Morneau and then Kubel.
I agree KJ… The Twins seem to have bad luck on the West coast. I don’t think it is the M’s I think it’s a combination of being on the road and playing a west coast team, and or luck against teams we should beat hands down… I wouldn’t hold my breath on the Twins taking the series in Oakland, even though Oakland is riding a losing streak right now…. It’s a west coast thing I guess… But yes, let’s take a sweep in KC to get back on track…winning today will go along way towards KC…Let’s go!!!
Also, we should fire Brian Bass.
White Sox will have a big enough lead that the Sept. series at the Dome will mean nothing but a tune up for theChiSox.
Also, Washburn is going to BURY the Twins today. It won’t even be worth watching.
But I wouldn’t mind being proven wrong.
White Sox….lol, still giving that team a chance to win…. Ozzie will have a breakdown and be AWOL and the sox will finish in 3rd…behind the twins and tigerssssss…..
Punto is painful to watch at bat
Breslow looks like a delicate skinny chick
his OPS is actually BETTER hitting 7th.
not any more 
Not a fan of Punto hitting 2nd. Not a fan at all. My call: Punto slides head first into first base, again, and again, the Twins don’t do anything about it.
What a mistake to bat Redmond third.
Just a pathetic lineup by Gardy…
And it sure showed in the 1st inning.
Pretty good inning for Washburn.
I posted this yesterday or the day before, but is Span due to return to earth now? I hope not, I thought he’d surely turned some kind of corner….
Regular lineup: 0-3, 3K
B-Team: 1-1
I’m convinced that Ichiro manipulates the umps K-Zone by stepping out of the box while the pitch is coming.
It comes right over the plate, but he’s half way to first so it looks like ball.
I don’t know mike, but I’m ready for Cuddy to return to Earth, too, when he returns…cause Span’s return to Earth is still a lot better than where Cuddy’s been hanging out.
yeah, the twins only got a hit in the first inning, twins should consede and give the game to the M’s… Minnesota has hardcore fans, but than we have fare weather fans who will preach that Gardy should be Manager of the Year if we make the playoffs….. But these fareweather fans are the ones critizing every GOD DAM^ thing Gardy does, so when the Twins win the division, all you fare weather fans can suck an egg… cause your opinion means nothing…
T:
is Punto really part of the regular lineup? Really? For a team that wants to go someplace in the post season?
Wow, the ump is being extremely generous on “strikes”. None of Span’s called strikes were actually strikes, weren’t really close at all. Same with Punto’s pitch that he struck out on. Hope the ump is consistent, that’s all you can ask as a player.
Oops, forgot to mention that my strikes comments were based on Gameday.
Shaun, what is the definition you are using for fairweather fan? Because, to me, people that spend waaaaaaaaaaaay too much of their work day posting on a blog dedicated to the Twins are not fairweather. We are here no matter what happens. We may not agree with every decision, but we are fans of the Twins.
And, what obligation does ANYONE have to be a fan, for that matter?
“The Twins seem to have bad luck on the West coast. I don’t think it is the M’s I think it’s a combination of being on the road and playing a west coast team, and or luck against teams we should beat hands down”
Bill Smith should have traded for more luck at the deadline!
How could I have missed that!
is Punto really part of the regular lineup? Really?
Until Casilla comes back anyway.
Our luck must be changing, Ibanez flied out.
someone shut that freakin train horn off!
Everett batting .175? How the heck did he get into the lineup?
Fareweather Fan = a person who claims they were supporting the Twins throughout their UPS and are current DOWNS… but claiming during all the UPS that they knew the “Twins could do it”… In the last week the posts have gone from Twins are WS bound to Twins couldnt beat a minor league team.. with-in a 2 week period… we’re still playing the same season we played last week and have the same chances of making it to the post season… Nobody has any “obligation” to being a fan, but don’t become a fan in the post season either…
anyone else watching the game, noticed that Blackburn threw 2 screwballs to Beltre? The strike that made the count 2-2 and the next pitch (the hit). Didn’t know that Blackie had that pitch…
Everett is due… to be cut when Casilla returns.
Yes Punto is part of the regular lineup because the team didn’t make a trade for another RH bat at 2B, SS, or 3B.
why not? Why not have people become fans only when teams do well? If everyone was a fan, no matter how well a team played, what incentive would that team have to be better?
I’ve never understood these comments. There will always be:
hard core, passionate fans
semi-interested fans
fans that will only care when the team does well
people that don’t care at all
people that think sports are bad somehow
Why does it bother any one group that the other groups exist?
Pittsburgh’s Jeff Karsten has a no-no through 5 against the D-Backs opposing the Big Unit.
I guess that would be Karstens
“Everett is due… to be cut when Casilla returns.”
funny line.
nice hit, Ruiz!
Ruiz! Ruiz! Ruiz!
He ain’t no Craig Monroe!
that’s for sure. he didn’t strike out.
Sergio Romo was designated for assignment by the Giants today.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=8282
He should be a guy that the Twins look at adding to their pen.
Don’t be embarassed by these losers Twins!
…or pull the outside pitch to the shortstop
Why is Adam Everett not bunting?
what incentive would that team have to be better?
Success should be its own incentive. Though bigger contracts are usually a product of better performance.
Unless you’re a “Boras Guy”
how the hell is Everett not bunting?
The inncentive is…… You get rewarded by the successful seasons by being there for the home team during the rotten streaks…. Fareweather fans just jump on and off and it shows no loyality…if you want to be a fare weather fan that is fine, and there isnt anything wrong with it…. But what insight could a fareweather fan have on the twins anyways?… Im a wild Fareweather fan…but im not a fan of hockey and dont claim to know anything about hockey, so I wont post positive or negitive things about the wild…
I will begin eating some crow.
B-Team: 3-3, RBI.
whoa! I’ll shut up now . . .
“I don’t know mike, but I’m ready for Cuddy to return to Earth, too, when he returns…cause Span’s return to Earth is still a lot better than where Cuddy’s been hanging out.”
Span’s past 10 games - .214/.298/.405
Span since the All Star break - .284/.351/.478
Cuddyer’s month of June before he got injured (24 games) - .291/.385/.481
I’d say that Span’s “down to earth” isn’t a lot better than Cuddyer’s.
But what insight could a fareweather fan have on the twins anyways?
None. But that won’t stop them from sharing.
is this Romo character out of options?
Ruiz and Everett.
We’ve been playing the wrong guys!
Only 16 IP? What’s the catch with this guy? There isn’t even a picture of him…
Man, can Go-Go be this patient batting second? Please?
touche……..t, touche….
Diehard fans know who they are, and they know where i’m coming from, so that’s all that matters… GO Twins.
is this Romo character out of options?
I believe he is…it sounds like it at least according to Rotoworld.
The Twins, based on where they stand, must explore this possibility.
.298/.405 is much better than i would have thought. Clearly getting a few walks and extra base hits is good for the OPS. For that matter, .214 is worse than I thought…I’m afraid for my man Denard.
I’m not a diehard, I’m not even watching this game on TV
Harris takes off and Everett stays. Odd.
But better than Everett taking off and Harris staying.
gomez walks….. sweet, i best get home and watch this
Everett, right on cue. He was due to read our posts.
Nope, I’m a pretty diehard fan, and I’ve never understood the disdain diehard fans have for others who are not diehard.
But, that’s ok, we won’t agree on this one, I’d imagine…
this better not be another lead we build only to have it coughed up.
Span rips it!
span is the man.
That was some serious speed on the bases. That hit was trouble the moment it got past 1B.
probably not mike, but let’s say the Twins put up a big fat crooked number here just for all fans to admire…we can agree to agree that it would be nice to see a bases clearing type hit this inning
go span go
There goes Nickie
B-Team: 3-4, RBI, 3R
now the punto-redmond duo!
Karstens no-no through 6…might have to change my mlb audio to that game.
Span back off Earth, apparently.
All the patience the other batters show and Punto and Redmond are out on 2 pitches total.
yes, yes it would. I’d agree with that.
There’s Span, with a nice extra base hit when it matters. The Twins have been astounding this year with RISP, it seemed unsustainable, but they are 2/3 of the way through the season and keeping it up.
let’s hope Blackburn proves everyone but BA wrong again today…
“Span back off Earth, apparently.”
great line
perfect through 6 1/3.
Mike, to clarify my position one step furthur… I dont have distain for fare weather fans…. not in general… these are the folks that support the twins from a far when the team is doing bad and supports hard core when they make the playoffs…. The fans I have no respect for are the fare weather fans that nit and pick every damn move made by our skipper when things are going wrong and than eat their words when the twins are doing good… Gardy has gone from the best manager to he should be impeached with-in the 2 week period… I don’t like anybody talking crap about the team I have spent $1,000’s of on and countless hours watching from the stands and the countless years i have been following them in my 30 year exsistance…
k just switched over…someone has to do the play-by-play on the Twins game…dougie baseball 1-for-3 off the Unit, I know you guys are interested in that, too.
That was an ugly throw there Nicky boy.
I know you guys are interested in that, too.
Twins were already able to beat Randy Johnson (pretty soundly). I’m not impressed.
7 perfect innings for Jeff Karstens
“Twins were already able to beat Randy Johnson (pretty soundly). I’m not impressed.”
That was back before he won 5 straight decisions, I do believe.
Dicknbert are going to get into a booth clearing brawl here during the break.
go bert go! lol why are they going to brawl?
ok, what is going on in the booth? i am using mosaic and that means the Mariners announcers.
Isn’t Karstens one of the allegedly garbage pile players that the Pirates picked from the Yankees in the Marte and Nady trade? Pretty nice for a throw in.
stupid M’s broadcast…calling that Ibanez grand slam 2 nights ago….”a grand slam would sure make things intresting”…stupid M’s annoucers, they should like the Twins too.j/k
Seattle announcer’s just called Morneau “Jesse”. Better than “Jason”?
That was back before he won 5 straight decisions, I do believe.
Oh right. I forgot. The “He sucked then” excuse.
Just like Sheets, Peavy, Maddux, and Webb that whole week…
RBI double for Dougie…2-for-4 now off Unit. Dougie now hitting .290…you’re right though, T, we don’t need him.
Shane: I don’t recall the exact exchange, but Dick set Bert off about pitchers not going 8 innings anymore.
RJ out for one too many innings, I think.
I’ll say this for jason, he’s consistent. I like that in a person that posts opinions on blogs.
Jason- Was Dougie ever even rumored to be available via trade?
Sometimes I feel sorry for Dick.
haha, T. The M’s announcers actually showed the two of them just a moment go (ANOTHER opposing team with an Aflac trivia question involving Bert). But there was no blood that I could see.
Gotta give Dougie credit…read the quotes in this article…pretty ballsy to get in a jawing match with the Unit like that and back it up with 2-for-4 off the guy, including an RBI double that chased him from the game.
sadly, no. But I can’t imagine the Pirates have him in their plans for 2009.
bert has a point baseball teams these days treat there pitchers like there 2 year old girls. the yankees for example and the “joba rule” there not gonna get any better unless you let them play! good point bert good point.
2-for-4 now off Unit.
Karstens is also 2 for 3. Maybe the Twins should sign him to come off the bench.
Then why do you keep bringing him up. He wasn’t rumored to be available, and I have no idea where he would fit on the team. I am glad to see him do well though.
lol T you are funny. Yeah, Karstens is also hitting .500 on the year…so maybe we should sign him up as our DH.
Heck, he’s also throwing a perfect game through 7. Wouldn’t hurt.
Not good.
Ibanez had a hit that didn’t result in an RBI? That’s a start.
The only ex-Twin I can think of who I would want to return would have been Casey Blake.
You don’t see where someone who can play four different positions (corner infield and corner outfield) and is batting .290 would fit on this team?
What are you a Punto fan?
Those pitches were strikes in the 1st inning for Washburn.
By the way, at this point people are going to go ahead and wager Jason and I are the same person.
I flip a coin to decide which one posts first.
i am curious to hear la velle’ opinion on the argument by bert. c’mon la velle put in your 2 cents! 
The inability of this staff to throw strikes has been the story of this series.
I always like Dougie. But, I thought the consensus opinion on these blogs was that we needed a RH bat with power (nice if he played 3b really well and had initials of AB) and bullpen help.
Never really understood which of those roles we wanted Dougie to play and if not one of those. How is it we would improve by weakening some other part of the team (assuming Pirates don’t send him over for Monroe or Livan)?
But, nevertheless, carry on. I do like Dougie. He always played like he cared. I also would have kept the baseball, like Dougie. At least until they asked for it back.
Karstens perfect through 7 2/3
Does Blackburn ever get a 1-2-3 inning?
what’s this dick v. bert thing, anyway? You’re telling me dick isn’t kissing up throughout the telecast?
Perfect game over.
perfect game is gone 7 2/3.
Geez, giving back a run already!
how do you figure that, T? We are far from the same person…although we both usually are good on spelling.
“You don’t see where someone who can play four different positions (corner infield and corner outfield) and is batting .290 would fit on this team?”
Mientkiewicz has played a career 12 games in the outfield and 31 at 3B. In those 31 games at 3B, he has 5 errors, for a tidy .935 fielding percentage.
Judging by Mike Lamb’s career numbers, I’d rather have him.
i really like to see Harris continue to hit well.
followed by a great bunt by Everett.
This AB will be a telling scenario as to what kind of hitter Gomez is becoming.
what happened in AZ? Gamecast sux, as usual.
Good point, Pete. Let’s stick with Punto.
I love the TWINS!
thank god harris is batting 7th, and Punto 2nd….
Double by Chris Young broke up perfect game with 2 outs in the 8th.
And he still has no freakin’ clue.
It’s been fun all…have to bolt…I’ll brag more about Dougie tomorrow. Go Twins!
thanks jason. Too bad.
Last season I said I’d like to merge Nick Punto’s glove with Buscher’s bat.
I changed my mind. I’d rather have Punto’s glove with Harris’ bat.
Brecky Puntis.
Good point, Pete. Let’s stick with Punto.
Are you a farmer? Because you make the best straw men.
wow, what a play on a great bunt.
i need to be sent to the minors im sucking it up real bad latly. i want to apologize to the fans my team and my family for sucking so bad
sincerely yours,
carlos “strike 3″ gomez
Gomez isn’t going anywhere. He probably should, but he isn’t. He is still a good/great defensive sub. If baseball players were more fungible, I’d say Pridie should be up right now, but baseball players are humans, so it won’t happen.
I was hoping Jason would give us more updates on how Lew Ford is tearing up the league in Japan.
I haven’t seen anyone post that they don’t want Dougie. I have seen people
a) wonder if he was even available,
b) wonder what you were willing to give up (assuming that the Pirates have enough intelligence to not take a Lamb, Punto, Livan, Monroe, etc.)
c) wonder why we think we would be working this deal instead of filling the holes that are more obvious, and
d) wonder why we are talking about it.
WORST. PUN. EVER.
“Good point, Pete. Let’s stick with Punto.”
Are those my two options? Doug Mientkiewicz or Nick Punto? Because on this squad, I choose Punto. What good is another left handed bat who can’t play the middle infield?
It’s clear what happens when Blackburn gets in trouble.
He begins to nit pick, misses, and then is forced to lay a freakin’ cookie right down the middle of the plate.
Gee, not sac bunting Everett: 4 runs.
Sac bunting Everett: 0 runs.
Sane?
methinks that Punto, Morneau and Kubel sucked more than Gomez so far tonight…
Pridie would strike out more than Gomez!
Carlos Gomez batting 9th: .387 .406 .419 .826
I think he had his “being sent down” with the move to batting 9th.
And, he is 22.
And, he is still chasing down balls in the OF like no other player in MLB. I think he will work out just fine here, thank you very much.
Here comes a big inning for Blackburn facing batters 9, 1, 2.
And that’s not how you start it off.
Yeah, CG’s range is the best in all of baseball.
Why is there even a debate about if a hitter who doesn’t have 3000 hits should be considered for the 3000 hits club?
Chief,
I don’t think sane gets the internet in his bomb shelter. If he did, he would point out that the sac bunt was not intended to be a sac bunt, it was intended to be a base hit, unless of course, the fielder got there in time, in which case it would be a sac bunt… blah, blah, blah.
Anyhow, I agree with you, sac bunts are for late innings, for pitchers, and for teams trying to keep from having big innings.
Guerrier - burned out.
Nathan - way to early.
Reyes - Still vomiting?
Bass/Bonser/Breslow - Fool me twice….
Can we get a starter to go 7 on this trip? Please?
Looks like Blackburn’s going into pout mode. And we can’t walk the bases full…
I knew it.
Looks like Blackburn wants to get the ‘pen warmed up!
Goodness, Mariners are finding EVERY single hole!!!!!! Annoying.
OMG. Ibanez makes an out with RISP?
Hmm, no chance on the GIDP there?
All of the pitchers are having the same exact problems. Going to have to walk the next batter and hope for a DP.
Stop nibbling at the corners. Did you learn NOTHING from the previous games?
Alright, I’ve concluded that this ump is not at all consistent with his strike calling. Ugghhh…
Runners were going Shaun, plus it was a slow dribbler so Punto had to wait for the guy on first to go by unfortunatly.
Why they don’t just walk him is beyond me.
I suppose it could’ve gone worse.
But not by much.
Wow we have a lead coming out of an inning. We need to score some runs, alot of runs with the ‘pitching’ (I use the term loosely) that has been going on.
89 pitches for Blackburn… he probably needs to be tucked in for the night
Hmmmm….Twins bullpen will have to come into the game early again. Can the Twins hold their lead?
Twins pitching seems to fall completely apart at about this time, not surprised. *sigh*
Story of the series thus far has been the pitching and its disinterest in leads.
Geesh really making Washburn work.
did we get any thing for Livan?
Nice to see the Mariners having problems throwing strikes.
Livan to Rockies.
First Hawkins, then Ortiz, and now Hernandez.
Remember kids, table scraps aren’t rewards.
Please Go-Go, please have a clutch AB…
Livan claimed off waivers by the Rockies. Nothing in return….
Blackburn should be good for one more innng and then I will take 2 tums and hope we can hang on.
Gomez is so easy to get out in that situation. *sigh* Has he ever gotten a hit with 2 outs w/RISP?
I am officially on the “send Gomez down to AAA” bandwagon.
The dude stinks.
La Velle, sounds like an equal value trade.
Gomez with RISP is batting .318/.383/.435 for the year
GoGo will never be a lead-off hitter with such a propensity to strike out so much. AAA may do him some good.
Really need to get Blackburn out of there.
Send Gomez down? What are you going to say in a week when Cuddyer hurts his RICH hand again?
“Blackburn should be good for one more inning.”
You sure?
Dear Blackburn,
Stop sucking. We’re tired.
Sincerely,
Your Bullpen
You would think that since Blackburn is a sinkerball pitcher and apparently the more tired he is the more effective the pitch, so he should be able to throw 115 - 125 pitches effectively, right?
Thrylos, it doesn’t seem like he is that good w/RISP. Seems he usually strikes out. Wierd.
Thanks T.
Nora, Blackburn has to get through the 6th at least. After that I am scared until the 9th.
Would be nice to see the bats do something again.
Those two opportunities where the Twins had a runner on 3rd and 1 out and did not score sure loom big, don’t they?
Nora, in 85 AB with RISP he struck out 22 times. So yes he does strike out. But at the other times he gets a hit.
Nice to see, Blackburn!
I wouldn’t mind seeing a large number of runs this inning. For the Twins, of course.
At least Dennys is ok to pitch today. Gardy will probably want him for a full inning instead of one or two left handed batters.
For this team, runner at 3rd less than 1 out should be automatic:
Sacrifice bunt
Sacrifice bunt
I don’t understand why it is not
Blackie got 101 pitches. I think that the Boofer will start the 7th
doesn’t it seem like the incidences of food poisoning are higher amongst athletes than the general population?!
Does anyone actually think the bullpen will hold this measly lead? I hope they do, but I am not holding my breath.
How close are Gomez and Span defensively?
Nice hit and run to set the table for morne
one thing Span, Gomez, and Casilla will need to improve upon next year is stealing bases. there is no excuse for Span not stealing 2nd there.
Hit a HR Jason Morneau!
need one here.
Heatonator, I think the stat geeks had Gomez as having the best CF range in baseball and Span the best RF range in baseball. And there isn’t that much difference in CF between them. Having both in the outfield seems necessary to me.
How long until calling him Jason is no longer funny?
“doesn’t it seem like the incidences of food poisoning are higher amongst athletes than the general population?!”
I think you are about 1000 times more likely to get food poisoning if you are a professional athlete, than if you are in any other profession.
Ladies and gents, your MVP.
End of the year, nice double play by Morne!
What the HELL!!!!!
Maybe food poison is and industry term for hungover as hell.
“I think you are about 1000 times more likely to get food poisoning if you are a professional athlete, than if you are in any other profession.”
Are pro athletes dumpster-diving at McDonalds and Chinese buffets or something?
Why did Gardy not have Punto bunting Span over?
People hit into doubleplays. It happens. It’s probably not the end of the world. I think we are even still allowed to play this game out and not have to forfeit.
Shane-
I’m sure the higher incidence of food poisoning amongst athletes has to do with how much they eat out.
I’m wondering if this blog is now going to start calling for Morneau’s head. Oh wait, he hits home runs. Forget it.
Only one stat matters: wins
Cuddyer reached on an error on his first at bat for Rochester tonight
Redux:
Only one stat matters: wins. Just ask Hillary Clinton.
One more note:
Based on the comments here: 2 game losing streak = end of the season
interesting, because during their win streak a month ago, lots here were talking about world series. Why don’t we just take the long view and leave the punditry and handwringing for the inevitable post-mortems in October. you guys put political pundits to shame.
I can’t get the article but as its on ESPN nSider, but apparently the Sox might be interested in Joe Borowski?
…?
yeah Reyes looks like he suffered for a food poisoning. He looks like he lost a lot of weight the last couple of days. Hope that it doesn’t hurt his fastball [/sarcasm]
“Why did Gardy not have Punto bunting Span over?”
A better question is when did this team forget how to steal a base now and then?
To anybody watching. How’s Everett’s arm looking in comparison to earlier this year? Does it look stronger?
T,
ESPN did say that the Red Sox are interested in Borowski based on Boston Globe reports. I wouldn’t really put much credence to that
I hope you were being sarcastic Tony
Reyes comes from Mexico to the US and gets food poisoning. Go figure.
Span’s Play of the Year.
DENARD!!!!!!!!!!
Denard Span, superstar.
Is there a gamecast for Rochester games?
Span.
Wow.
Crain needs to buy Span dinner tonight
That guy times jumps and reaching out his glove while running so well.
Damn. I wish I shelled out the bucks for TV instead of MLB radio. Gotta wait a few to check out that play.
That was a great play by Denard, top play on sports center and BBTN
Heatonator,
yes. There is a gamecast for all AAA games. Go to http://www.milb.com and click on the stadium icon at the scoreboard on the left hand side of the screen.
That makes up for the one he put over the fence in Detroit a while ago.
WHTK livestreams the Rochester games.
Nice hit by the Rookie
Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
there goes Randy
Boy. Span had all day to time that one.
Ya gotta be happy with a band-aid like Ruiz.
Big Randy!
“That makes up for the one he put over the fence in Detroit a while ago.”
I think the bullpen really imploded the next inning.
Bunt here, then PH for Everett.
Beltre to pitcher: “This is the part where you throw the ball home.”
Thanks thrylos and Josh!
Missing at the bunt usually means a K or DP the next pitch.
“That makes up for the one he put over the fence in Detroit a while ago.”
Yeah, yeah T, you are so full of sh!t.
or a double to the gap
Great clutch double!
And sometimes its a 2-run double.
Harris!!!
Yeah baby way to go Harris!
Nice catch.
WAY TO GO BRENDAN!
Or, double in two runs.
T, he had all day to time it because he got to the wall so quickly. Good grief . . .
Nice defense by denard and the offense responds.
I think that Harris should be batting 2nd instead of LNP.
I was originally saying that the Harris/Bartlett MIF swap would at least be a wash.
I’m happy to admit that I was wrong there.
Note, BH is headed back north on his BA. Approaching .270.
I don’t know…I like the bunt there better…it’s a good thing to intentionally make outs… /sarcasm/
I’m suprised Gardy did not bunt them over there, just to make up for not doing it last inning.
Dumb play by the pitcher, Jessie Crain-eske
T, he had all day to time it because he got to the wall so quickly. Good grief . . .
I was complimenting him for the leap. The fact he got there with that much time was incredible.
Cuddy likely would have been just getting there and likely watching it go over.
…
Where was the ump at 3B?
Harris batted 2nd earlier this year, as I recall. Pretty successful at times, before slumping in mid-May…
Might be a good move in the near future. BH definitely needs to continue playing everyday, no matter what position he’s at.
Having a better leadoff man may help Harris a bit as well. Also having the protection of Mauer behind him.
Haha, sorry T.
T, I mis-read the comment you wrote earlier as well. I thought you were criticizing Span too.
Not difficult to believe we’d be hyper-sensitive to criticism. Alot of bile has been tossed at this team the last couple days.
That suggests that the sides couldn’t agree on a player exchange,
Why would the Rockies agree to give up a player? The Twins could revoke waivers, but they would have to send Livan through irrevocable waivers in order to release him.
Denard is a superstar in the making, who would have thought?
Squeeze bunt and run? Wowza.
And Span right now is a 5-run swing. The three he knocked in (that are the winning runs) and the 2 he brought back (which would’ve been the go-ahead for Seattle)
Could this possibly be the best game of his career thus far?
T, definitely concur. Span is a bit more reliable, at least of late, compared to Go-Go. Whether Span maintains this run….
Nice job, M’s. This is more of what I was expecting for this series.
Bunt LNP please…
LNP hatefest in 3..2..1..
Joba on the DL, that’s what happens when you rush a BP guy into the rotation
Harris’ double makes up a little for all his strikeouts. (I’m doing a T)
I don’t like the idea of Punto bunting. Has he ever been successful at it in the last two years? My stomach churns when I see him square up.
Squeeze bunt and run?
Every squeeze bunt the runners are running
LNP hatefest scratched until Friday.
Punto still might make an out…
Ruiz sure is a big puppy, ain’t he. Some big eaters on this club, no?
Punto will make the third out at home to end the inning 9-3 instead of 10-3.
At least Red didn’t hit into a DP…
The Redmond Hatefest however is now seating.
Redmond must be another of those “off limits” players to criticism. Can’t say I don’t agree, of course. Love the guy.
Even if he struck out.
Morneau needs to put one over to remind Kubel who the alpha male is.
Hit a Grand Slam Morne!
I don’t get why Punto did not bat with a man on 3rd with 1 out and why Redmond did not bunt with bases loaded and 1 out…
Morneau pops out.
Those three runs the Twins just scored will probably evaporate quickly.
I can live with Morneau 0-5 considering the bottom of the lineup is pretty much carrying the team today.
Gordo: “Twins score just three runs…”
Love this season. You never would’ve heard a line like that last year, especially if Johan were pitching, no?
Another Morneau pop up.
Gamecast says Ibanez caught it at the warning track, how close was it?
I could have lived with Morneau going 1-5 will 4 RBIs as well…
Can we hold em to 3 runs in six outs?
Hypothetical:
Should the M’s score a quick run in the 8th, will the “Pitch Nathan two Innings” drumbeat begin?
You guys are right. Morneau sucks. We should trade him to the Red Sox.
Morneau can’t leave 6 men on base with 0 RBI though, that stuff comes back to bite you. Red-Dog left 4 on as well.
Thank goodness for the rookies and newbies, particularly Span & Harris. Gomez looks at sea and Morneau must hate to play before the relatives. Let’s bring it home, boys.
Chief-
One Word Answer Man says:
Yes.
I could have lived with Morneau going 1-5 will 4 RBIs as well…
It would’ve been icing on an otherwise scrumptious cake.
Cuddy 0 for 2 for Rochester with 1 K against the Ironpigs
*already scrumptious*
My bad. And yes. I DID just say scrumptious.
Nice throw by Everett.
Too many easy pop fly outs from Morneau every year. Hit some line drives.
what a play by Everett
That’s what I like to see Bullpen.
1-2-3 inning, I wonder how many times I could have said that this series…
Let’s score 20 runs this inning and put this game almost out of reach Twins!
I like it gatty. Punto with two grand slams in the inning.
Craig-
yeah, if wasn’t for all those pop ups, Morneau would be hitting .500.
Let’s be realistic, people.
Also- 20 runs? Why waste ‘em? We all know how much the Twins suck the day after hitting like that.
If Punto hit one, let along two GS in an inning, the Earth would explode.
20 runs in this inning would not be put to waste, they would all but guarantee a win.
If Punto hit two Grand Slams in an inning I’d trade him immediately. I bet the Rockies would be interested…
Drunken Seattle fans near the bullpen. Remember last year when Hunter planted that Salami in there last time they were here?
The Padres would also be interested!
Vet,
He wouldn’t be hitting .500, but he would be a better hitter. Not that he’s bad now. He’s very acceptable.
This is a funny app for the iphone:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,398903,00.html
In case you forgot, vet, TNAIC spent the winter and spring campaigning for the Twins to trade Morneau for pitching.
Craig-
I’m just pointing out some unrealistic expectations out there. This blog is usually rife with those.
Besides, I’m bored. That’s why I am posting.
Nate in the ninth tonight is a no-brainer.
Let’s get out of this inning Joe!
Yay, double play!
Vet,
I don’t mind. I am also bored. That’s also why I am posting.
How bad did the Twins need this game?
Chief-
Nah, wasn’t watching this blog then. Still hoping Batgirl would come back.
Ooooh! Trade Morneau? A guy that would never voluntarily leave Minnesota for more money? That doesn’t make any sense.
M&Ms are hear, barring catastrophe, for their careers, and like Kirby of old, would take a salary cut to stay here. Mark my words. We should be utterly, and constantly, thankfully those two play for us, because they make us competitive, consistently. Count on it.
We won!
Alright… GO TIGGERS!!!
Good win. Rest those arms, BP, and let’s sweep KC.
Ouch. I’d give my left nut for an editing function.
“M&Ms are hear, barring catastrophe, for their careers, and like Kirby of old, would take a salary cut to stay here. Mark my words. We should be utterly, and constantly, thankfully those two play for us, because they make us competitive, consistently. Count on it.”
Hear, hear. I concur.
I find it humorous how certain players are immune to negative comments and others are like lightning rods.
Last 14 days
BA OBP SLG OPS
Gomez .414 .433 .414 .847
Span .240 .309 .420 .729
Yet, the quick reaction to an ugly day for Gomez is to send him down. Yet, Span has been flailing away for more than 2 weeks and no comment to him going down. Hmmm?
Frankly, I want them both here. Once again, Twins fans can be glad that decisions aren’t made by visitors to this blog.
jack Morris just compared Span to Kirby: “able to pick a team up on his back.”
Hubris?
Chief,
I wanted the Twins to trade Morneau for pitching before they signed him to an extension. Now I know they are committed to him, so it doesn’t help anymore to advocate trading him. Besides, everyone likes him, including me.
twins are worthless they cant even agree on a trade through waivers.
This game was very much a must win. You can’t get swept by the worst team in the league.
Good to see the bullpen get its s**t in gear today. No get some rest so this doesn’t happen over the weekend.
“Span has been flailing away for more than 2 weeks”
Yeah Carlos,
I am sorry you have to watch such an awful player. Close your eyes when he bats, or a ball is hit to him.
Carlos G-
I agree. I think anyone talking about quick moves are foolish. Certain individuals are just trying to claim credit for a move a month in advance.
Undeniable, though, that we seriously miss Neshek. His loss in May has cost us more than a few games. Otherwise??? Well, Beltre would’ve been nice, but I also like some quality starting pitching.
Speaking of which, QS for Blackburn. And the W.
Harris is doing good, Span is rapidly becoming a fixture. If/when Alexi gets back, the only real hole is at Short, which can be covered by Everett/Punto/Harris (with Buscher at 3rd). I can’t complain, really.
More power would be nice, but, well, like an old boss of mine used to say “You go to war with the army you have.”
I always hated that boss.
Who was the Twins’ AAA team before Roch?
Quality starting pitching = the kind that we currently have. I am satisfied with the starting staff on this team.
I kind of know how a politician feels with the need to issue pre-emptive clarifications around here.
Heatonator-
Portland Beavers, right?
Or, maybe Salt Lake City Buzz?
Salt Lake Bees from 94-00. Who before that?
Vet,
Yeah, that’s my complaint about some of the posters. Send ‘x’ down; trade ‘y’ now; blah, blah.
Everett has made a couple of nice plays. Still not sure about his arm strength. Haven’t seen anything from the 5-6 hole yet. Can’t tell if he is looping the throws because he has time or saving his arm. Hopefully, he is healthy. He made a play on a ball today that none of our other current SS would have made.
I like it. The studio guy on the radio just referred to the Pale Hose by their proper name.
H-
Portland. I grew up reading their stats in the Sunday Strib in the ’80’s.
CG- Jack Morris seems to like him. Good ‘nuf for me, though I think we are better off with more hitting in the lineup. Ideal: 2B: Casilla, 3B: Harris, SS: Punto, until further notice. Of course, once Punto inevitably bats under .250, I’ll revise that statement.
Craig,
Yea, I didn’t say that, but you can spin it there if you want. I said I want both of them on the team and I said it is humorous that some guys draw criticism easier than others. The example is two weeks of lights out hitting for gomez followed by a rough day means he should be sent down, whereas a slump for Span followed by a really great game today anoints him as Kirby. Interesting wouldn’t you agree?
I like them both and I wouldn’t send either down, even if gomez should have another bad game this week.
Cuddy leads off bottom 6.
Black Jack says Span is a much better bunter than Gomez. He emphasized MUCH BETTER, several times.
Cuddy got his first hit. Infield single.
Vet,
I really like Harris as I said yesterday. He always looks calm and with a plan at the plate. I wish he could get another step laterally. Your IF works for me.
Cuddy singles in his third AB.
And Gomez is STILL a better bunter than Punto. STILL BETTER (emphasized several times).
Carlos,
I was just quoting you out of context, and spinning your message to my satisfaction. Have a problem with that?
Craig,
I agree that span is a multiple, much better bunter than gomez. Gomez will be a middle of the order hitter when he is 26, IMO.
Craig-
You sound like a Republican.
Peace, guys. I’m probably out for the season, because I’ll be back home on Friday, enjoying teevee baseball again.
Craig,
I wanted the Twins to trade Morneau for pitching
No problem Craig. Quotes are fine.
Edmonton before Salt Lake
LEN3,
Are you going to check in on if the Twins have any interest in Sergio Romo?
Thanks.
Vet,
Take care buddy.
“You sound like a Republican.”
No. Baseball and sex are the only things I care about. Not necessarily in that order. I have no opinions about politics.
WTF, no Web Gems on BBTN! That is crap.
Tigers are crap. Leave a pitch for Thome to hit for a 3 run dinger. Here is a mantra Twins need to also use when facing him–walk him!
Looks like a Texas player just bruised his lung ala Justin Morneau
Pudge now out of the game for the Yankees.
ESPN breaks into the Yankees/Rangers game to annouce that Joba’s on the DL now.
…Next they’ll break in to update us with a score from the Yankees/Rangers game.
Nora,
Do you believe in walking around every dangerous hitter on every team all season?
I guess “courage is for losers” is YOUR mantra.
I guess ‘courage is 3 run dingers’ is your mantra
Message to the young Twins pitchers:
“We can’t risk letting you pitch to THAT GUY!
HE is better than YOU!”
Message to the young Twins pitchers:
“Don’t compete if you think you might lose”.
Just tell that hitter that “discretion is the better part of valor” and he’ll respect you.
Whatever, giving up 3 run dingers is not my idea of a good thing.
Its a good way to lose, I guess. ‘Hey I gave up 3 run dingers but at least I didn’t walk anyone.’
Nothing wrong with a well placed intentional walk imo. Most teams agree since they do it on occasion.
Nora,
“Nothing wrong with a well placed intentional walk imo. Most teams agree since they do it on occasion.”
You are absolutely correct with that statement.
The concept of intentionally walking A-Rod, Thome, Magglio or ANYBODY - EVERY SINGLE AT BAT is what I dispute.
Its not feasible and its just a second guess to say “we should have walked him” every time a good/great hitter hurts you with a blast.
IBB’s definitely have their place in the game, but its not the cure for the HR’s.
Sorry to break from that discussion (sue me) but Cuddy is hitless in the second leg of the double header in Rochester (if you care)
Span looks much better at the plate than Gomez does these days…if Gomez doesn’t start hitting soon, should Gomez take a ride on the Rochester shuttle and let Span play CF?
Chernobyl,
Gomez was awful today, but lately, he has had good days mixed in also.
IMO, Cuddyer should stay in AAA, until he is ready to outplay his MLB competition.
Then he should take Ruiz’s 25-man MLB roster spot and compete for the RF and right-handed DH positions.
chernobyl,
I posted this earlier. Gomez has a lot of work to do, but he has been hitting well in the 9 spot and over the last two weeks.
Last 14 days
BA OBP SLG OPS
Gomez .414 .433 .414 .847
Span .240 .309 .420 .729
Gomez batting 9th:
.365 .421 .442 .863
RG: “Right-left-right-left-right-left…”
TK: “Gardy, what the hell are ya doing?”
RG: “Right-left-right-left…Oh, uh, just memorizing that managerial philosophy you told me about when you recommended me for the job seven years ago.”
TK: “Uh, ok. But don’t forget that bit about resting all your good players on afternoon games–like the time I did it in Milwaukee during a pennant race in 2001 and we got our asses handed to us.”
RG: “Got it, sir.”
Guess we can’t count on the Tigers. All that money they spent bought them 3rd place at best.
I give it two weeks, and if Alexi isn’t healed, Machado will be the starting 2B for the Twins. Punto will move to SS.
Hey Lala…don’t look now but this lineup kinda won today and stuff.
Yeah, and it’s lost several times over the past few weeks. T, you’re kind of a bandwagon guy, aren’t you? Whatever happened a moment ago is what you told the world would happen right?
Today, Blackburn out-pitched Washburn and the bullpen didn’t implode. I mean, if it weren’t for Span (a regular) this team would’ve gotten spanked again today.
At least the Twins have the highest elimination number in the majors!
Twins b lineup won in the last series as well I belive
Span can’t drive in runs by himself, there has to be players on base to get 4 rbis.
Gotta love how the so-called ‘experts’ on ESPN think it is a foregone conclusion that the wild card is coming out of the East. Boston hasn’t looked unbeatable lately. We’ll see. I’d love for them to be wrong as they usually tend to be because they can’t see that there are any teams outside of the East coast.
favre to the jets….shit
Did you think Vikings would get him? All I have to say is fine he was traded, lets move on. ESPN is milking this for everything it is worth. I am so sick of hearing Favre, Favre 24/7 on ESPN!
Yeah, I had hope he would be traded here, but that all hinged on Farve. He caved in. He folded. He collapsed. Whatever you want to call it. If he would have said, I’m only going to the Vikings, what choice would the Packers have had? Big Distraction that willn’t go away or trade him to the Vikings. Jets Suck anyway, we’ll see how Farve fairs with that team…
I am looking forward to football season, so I threw that in. Anyway on to baseball. Big win to say the least for the Twins. It really shouldn’t have been a big win, but avoiding a sweep (God that’s tough to say against the Mariners) was important. Now for more bad news. Boston beat KC twice and they’ll be looking to bounce back at home. 2 out of 3 at best for the Twins. They willn’t sweep them unless they score at least 8 runs in every game.
Maybe the Twins should’ve traded Perkins. He seems to be the most inconsistant…no? I know Slowey has a losing record, but he seems to me like he’ll “figure it out” by next year. Perkins just…doesn’t intill much confidence in me- or at least not as much as the other starters.
Second most dangerous hitter for the Twins? Span. Not a lot of power, but a Very good hitter. He does a good job in the clutch, and is very good in the field. Where do Cuddyer go when he gets back… A Baseball Tonight member commented that everytime they see Span, he’s doing someting good. Another case of: where would the Twins be without him?
That’s all I can think of for now. Night.
**The Twins should have made a trade of some kind**
*Where does Cuddyer go when he gets back…
T, you’re kind of a bandwagon guy, aren’t you?
Yeah. You’re right. I’m a bandwagon guy. That’s why I was around all the way through 2007, through the offseason when they lost Torii and Santana…and even at the beginning of the season when it looked like all hope was lost.
Bandwagon…riiiiight.
We need to drop Bass and bring up Bobby Korecky!
Where does Cuddyer go when he gets back…
Start out DHing (or RF if Span is still in the lineup elsewhere)
If his bat picks up, he could be the RH DH this team needed in Monroe. If he struggles, they still have the current four taking care of things.
A big fat nothing for big fate Livan. Like there was no need for us to get a MR. Dork, dork, dork… The word hot dish should be banned also jolly peeno and eyetallian
“Where does Cuddyer go when he gets back”
RF send Gomez down to the minors and move Span to CF. Keep DY in LF
Question:
Is there need to watch the rest of the season, since this blog declared it over in the wee hours of Tuesday morning?
Regards,
Gomez is the weakest link in the chain so send him down for some more seasoning
Is there need to watch the rest of the season, since this blog declared it over in the wee hours of Tuesday morning?
I’m kinda in the same boat here. By my count, the season has now been declared over at least five times (6 if you include the one that was BEFORE the season started).
Not to mention half the roster, staff, and FO has been fired or traded, reaquired, or demoted.
FYI. Good work Bert telling Dick that major league pitching should try and pitch 8 innings instead of six. Next point, Nick Punto will be a F/A after the 2009 season. I hope he will ask for a hugh pay increase and our Twins will gladly turn him down. And finally, I have seen alot of comments both pro and con about Ron Gardenhire as a manager.some think he should receive an award for best manager! Well I can tell all of you that will never happen, not in my lifetime and for sure not in yours….
viper275,
Your comment on Gardenhire is in a strong majority on this and other Twins Blogs.
Since I live in the DC area, I have had similar conversations to one below on Monday (3/4 times per month).
Talking to an Orioles fan, College kid. His boss (a friend & client) is a life-long Yankees fan. I mentioned I was a Twins fan…Literally the 1st words out of his mouth were “God, you are so lucky, you have the BEST manager in baseball”. I told him he should go to Twins blogs, where he would find many/most think he (the college kid) is an idiot.
I get this comment so often, that I have concluded that maybe Twins fans are generally nuts. OR more likely it’s perspective. Those looking from afar can evaluate results, rather than micro-managing every move, and ignoring the results.
Regards,
Dragon, when Ronald Gardenhire wins his first World Series ring while on his own watch, then it will be time for all us Twins fans, who are less gushy than some college kid in the DC area who roots for the Birds, to eat our hats.
Until then, that kid doesn’t have to witness day after day a guy who waits until there is no other choice to do something new and different, who IMHO continues to be questionable when the heat is really turned up (as in the postseason - yeah, all those Division banners are nice but one and done is not), and continues to utilize small ball tactics such as sac bunts that immediately takes care of one out, even against the big bopper teams and even when the Twins batter is capable of more than just a sac bunt.
Yes, Gardy does a great job with young players but you do wonder if his high billing isn’t because the rest of baseball and the media which is the source for the college kid’s info usually expects virtually nothing from the Twins.
Beisbol,
“because the rest of baseball and the media which is the source for the college kid’s info usually expects virtually nothing from the Twins.”
Why do you think that is?
Maybe the Twins are under-talented in comparison to the other teams when they are evaluated by objective media and the “rest of baseball”.
Maybe the Twins talent is unrealistically over-valued by the “hometown” Twins fans whose view of the “rest of baseball” is non-objective to the point of being myopic.
So maybe Gardy is making chicken salad out of chicken shit, but Twins fans think its all chicken tenderloins!
Thats how it smells to them!
Just a theory.
Sane
I think the truth might be in the middle. We have a few legitimate superstars, or at least they would be treated as superstars if they played for a big market team. We have a few overachievers who can be really hot when they’re hot and can really stink it up when they’re not. And then we also have a few of the OK and/or older players who fill up a roster on any team even the hottest ones or the biggest ones.
The question which is really unanswerable - otherwise what WOULD we all rant about - unless there IS a parallel universe where you could run out a new and improved Gardy to manage exactly the same team, is whether Gardy is getting everything that he can out of players in categories 2 and 3? That of course runs into the bigger question: what do managers do anyway that actually impacts the outcome?
The bloggers are mostly seeing the chicken shit when it comes to Gardy. Oh, he does have some defenders who see either salad or tenderloins.
As to your actual question, the media has the usual: deadlines, only so much space in the program, paper, website or magazine, knowing where the revenue comes from (their own town or in the case of national media, the big markets) so it’s not surprising that they go with the safe picks and spend most of their time analyzing those teams. (For the last few years I’ve kept the edition of my local paper, a large metro area out west, that has all the MLB predictions…they are so far off it makes for a good laugh at the end of every season). The media perks up when those pesky Twins never seem to go away.
As for the rest of baseball, I have to correct myself, I really meant the media. Certain individuals like Leyland and Ozzie show lots of man love for Gardy. Players, it’s hard to say what they think of the Twins.
Weather report from KC: should be real nice the next 3 days. Thank God, the boys don’t have to cope with that heat index that did in the Sox.
Beisbol,
If it was one college kid, who happened to then give a very solid analysis/review of the Twins, particularly IMHO for a non-Twins fan, I would agree with you.
I happen to run into this type of comment 3/4 times per month, when I am talking baseball with other baseball fans. I NEVER mention Gardenhire, yet almost every time, his name is brought into the conversation, and very favorably. Obviously I don’t meet many Twins fans, they would know Gardy pays 1/2 his salary for a PR firm (sarcasm intended).
Maybe you, and many/most posters have gotten tired of a team that wins year after year, and challenges for the play-offs almost every year. You(the bloggers) seem to see that as BAD.
The WORST thing in my 50 years of Senators/Twins fandom is finding the Twins blogosphere almost 2 years ago. I HAVE NEVER found such a negative, nit-picky group in my life, AND I surf European Soccer chat sites and blogs (yes there is criticism, yet I HAVE NEVER seen a winning manager take the crap Gardy does; and the most fervent American sports fan does not hold a candle to the most casual European soccer fan, IMHO).
Let me give you a little history lesson. Tom Kelly, Kirby Puckett, and Kent Hrbek would not have earned WS rings but for a non-baseball related thing like Home Field advantage. The Twins are 0-9 away, and 11-1 at home in WS games.
The Gardy HATE bothers me more than anything else. The Devil in me wishes he left the Twins. Since he will not be unemployed for long, but after having NEVER rooted against(or ill for) the Senators/Twins in 8150+ games, I would root against the Twins will all my heart for Gardy’s team to demolish the Twins. That revenge would be sweet.
Is Gardy the BEST manager in Baseball? What are the criteria? I don’t know, but his teams usually play well above their talent level and there are very few managers for whom that can be said.
End of rant.
Regards,
Well put Dragon. It’s too bad that most people will just come back with some Kool-Aid or Bathroom Caulk joke and that’ll be that until the next day.
I bet you anything this crap goes on at other fan boards as well. It seems that the more “devoted” the fan the more they hate their team.
But I’ve never seen such a bunch of ungrateful rubes in my life. No matter what this team does its never enough, and it seems that anything they accomplish seems to be despite themselves.
There’s such paranoia and hatred…and I’ve NEVER seen a fan before that has actually gotten more and more mad the better any given player or team does.
Its absolutely absurd.
Dragon,
“Is Gardy the BEST manager in Baseball? What are the criteria? I don’t know, but his teams usually play well above their talent level”
That is PRECISELY the criteria.
Gardy IS a good manager and he makes mostly good game decisions. I am Twins fan in SoCal who hears Mike Sciosia critics all the time and either he or Gardy are regarded as the best as judged by their peers. But amateurs can convince themselves they know more than their local manager based on the success rate of their “after-the-fact” decisions compared to the managers real-time decisions. But comparing Angels critics to Twins critics, there is little difference, except Twins fans often seem happy to be bitter.
T,
Nothing I said is meant to imply that my opinions are correct and others are not.
I mentioned European Soccer. I guess most of American sports are childs play in comparison to Worldwide Soccer, and it has nothing to do with the game itself, and everything to do with promotion and relegation.
In American professional sports Winning a Championship is great, AND the poor/bad teams lose to get the Top Draft pick. There is no/little consequence for failure.
I happened to share an experience on May 14 2000, that most American fans will NEVER experience. My team in the England Premier League, Wimbledon FC was relegated to Division 1. After 14 years, as the Brits say, as a minnow, we dropped a league with NO guarantee we would ever play in the Top Flight again. That was like a death in the family. That was followed 2 years plus a couple of weeks when the FA (Football Association) 3 man arbitration panel allowed the team to move 70 miles north of London to Milton Keynes, the first such move in history, which was not the result of 2 teams merging. 2 days later the Wimbledon supporters said “Up Yours” to the FA and started our own team, NOT in the loft heights of the Premiership or Division 1, but at Level 8 Combined Counties League. 6 season’s later we have been promoted 3 times winning our League twice and start in Level 6 on Saturday. If you are wondering at my math, in our second year they restructured non-league football (Level 5 and below) so we got promoted from Level 8 to Level 8
I have learned to take a long view. Will AFC Wimbledon ever play in the Premiership? I sincerely doubt it, yet within 15 years it is possible. There have been only 2 teams to rise from non-League football to play in the Top Division. The 1st was Wimbledon FC, and a couple of years ago Wigan Athletic became the 2nd. So it can be done.
Alot of what I read here IS NOT missing the forest for the trees, I don’t think there is even knowledge there are trees, due to focus on a leaf or needle.
I don’t understand it and marvel every day.
Regards,
sane,
I guess I am near a group of idiot fans.
Nationals fans have only had a team for a few years and are not sure what to make of it. Orioles fans are quite bizarre. They had success for so long, they are expecting it to return at any moment. If you throw them into a pile of crap, they dig in looking for the pony. Twins fans in the blogosphere seem more like being dumped on a pile of gold, complain because there are no diamonds.
Regards,
What ever happened to Craig Monroe after his release? I would assume I would have heard if he was picked up.
I’m surprised he hasn’t been claimed either. Though a righty hitting around .100 against lefties is probably not too attractive to a contender.
