This postseason reminds me of 2006
Posted on October 16th, 2008 – 12:18 PMBy La Velle
We are one win by the Rays away from having an unpredictable World Series matchup between Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. Wow.
Rays and Phils. The networks have gotta love that potential matchup. I must remind myself that the Red Sox could start downing shots of Jack at any moment and win the final two games of the ALCS. But I don’t think it’s going to happen. Big Papi isn’t hitting. The bloopers aren’t falling in for Jacoby Ellsbury. Mike Lowell needs hip surgery. Jason Varitek isn’t hitting.
So let’s just go ahead and pretend that the Rays have already won 9-5 tonight and are headed for the series.
It’s been a crazy postseason, hasn’t it?
But we have been here before. Let’s take a look back at the 2006 postseason.
ALDS: Twins vs Oakland and Yankees vs Detroit
The Twins were smoking hot entering the postseason, having won the AL Central division on the final day of the regular season. Many experts picked the Twins to win the World Series. That ended against Oakland. Frank Thomas hit two homers in Game One. Mark Kotsay got an inside-the-park homer in Game Two when Torii Hunter re-enacted the Ray Durham play from the 2002 postseason. Then the skeletal remains of Brad Radke couldn’t keep the Twins in contention in game three. A couple Twins players admitted to me that, once they won the division, they exhaled – and by the time they took their next breath the ALDS was over.
ALCS: Yankees vs Tigers
Detroit put together a nice team, but the Yankees were the Yankees. With A-Rod, the Big Unit and Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano in contention for a batting title eventually won by Joe Mauer. I, like many, had the Yankees favored to win. But who saw a total offensive collapse by the guys in pinstripes? Joe Torre basically threw up his hands and batted A-Rod eighth in Game Four! The Tigers won the series.
So it’s Oakland-Tigers in the ALCS – and the Tigers sweep in four, finishing the series with a walk-off homer by Magglio Ordonez. So the team few picked to get out of the AL bracket that year was in the World Series.
NLDS: Mets vs Dodgers and Padres vs St. Louis
Most, `experts’ had the Mets and the Padres meeting for the pennant. The Mets stepped up and swept the Dodgers. The Cardinals, with 83 wins during the regular season, beat the Padres in four games as San Diego suddenly became allergic to hitting.
NLCS: Mets vs St. Louis
This was set up for the Mets to reach the World Series. But they fell behind 3-2 in the series before outlasting Chris Carpenter and getting to the bullpen to win Game 6. It’s Jeff Suppan vs Oiver Perez in Game 7. I was already stunned that the series lasted that long. Perez pitched well for six innings and Chad Bradford tossed a scoreless inning. Suppan went seven strong. Something called Randy Flores gets through the eighth for the Cardinals. “Who are these Cardinals pitchers?’’ I kept asking myself.
Ninth inning. Aaron Heilman is on the mound (Billy Wagner was injured, big surprise). In the shot that rocked baseball fans everywhere, Yadier Molina hit a two run homer. Adam Wainwright got through the ninth, and the Cardinals are in the World Series. The Mets were crushed - a feeling they’ve had to get used to.
World Series: Cardinals vs Tigers
No one gave the Cardinals a chance.
“The National League Championship Series is a nice little event, but no matter what happens between the Mets and Cardinals, it’s not going to change this World Series prediction: Tigers in four. And when it happens, when Detroit celebrates its first title since 1984, it will confirm what many talent evaluators whispered before October began: Any of the four American League playoff teams - yes, including the Twins - could take down the NL’s best in this year’s Fall Classic.’’ —- Joe Christensen, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Oct. 17, 2006.
He wasn’t alone. The Tigers, with a great lineup and impressive pitching staff, were supposed to chew up and spit out the Cardinals, and I would then turn my attention to watching the Bears roll to the Super Bowl. But Al Reyes won Game One. Tigers pitchers forget how to throw to bases. Detroit actually committed eight errors in the series. And the Cardinals pitchers – household names like Randy Flores, Josh Kinney, Braeden Looper and Tyler Johnson – put up zeroes. St. Louis won 105 games in 2004 but couldn’t win the title – but won 83 in 2006 and won it all. What a game.
So let’s look at 2008.
The Cubs looked like a juggernaut heading into the postseason but lost to the Dodgers because of breakdowns in every facet of the game. The Dodgers, who got hot in September, look ready to return to the World Series for the first time since 1988 but that homer by Matt Stairs in Game Four was a killer.
The Angels wrapped up their division early and backstroked into the postseason, and many felt they could go all the way. That was before the Red Sox spanked them in four. Boston had a shot for a third World Series win in five years - and the lead in the team of the decade race - but are getting worked over by the Rays. Frankly, I think the Twins would have been a better matchup for the Rays than the White Sox, who are allergic to playing in Domes and on FieldTurf.
What an unpredictable sport. You really don’t know what’s going to happen when you get to the ballpark – which is why I love this game.
71 Responses to "This postseason reminds me of 2006"
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That was an exciting final week in 2006 but…
Who cares?!?!?
Next year is the year!!!
A couple Twins players admitted to me that, once they won the division, they exhaled – and by the time they took their next breath the ALDS was over……Sounds like what happened this year between their sweep of the White Sox and their flop against the Royals in the last week of the season.
Big D I think you hit the nail on the head. White Sox fans I work with said they were confused to why the Twins were celebrating the sweep over their Sox like it was a World Series win.
Plus I wouldn’t say the Twins were smoking hot entering the 2006 playoffs-they had lost the 1st two games to the White Sox at home the final weekend before winning the final game. Plus even after they had clinched a playoff berth that final week the hitting started to look icy cold.
No kidding Big D. Hopefully the boys take the lesson they learned in 2008 with them into any potential race in 2009.
I didn’t mind them celebrating on the field after the sweep, but it did seem like they got a bit of an ego about them and felt they could just roll over the Royals.
I think it’s LaVelle’s fault. He’s from Chicago.
When I said the Twins were hot I was referring to a longer period of time. For instance, they were 18-11 in September, and IIRC, Gardy tried to rest a few regulars who were beat up - which I diagreed with. But they played well enough for many people to pick them to make a long postseason run.
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Point taken LEN3-that certainly makes more sense!
Gardenhire cost the Twins the divsion championship in 2007 and 2008 by his poor decision in crucial situations. The Twins should not renew his contract, but should bring up the Manager and Coaches from Rochester. The team results would be significantly better.
Did the BoSox ingest a little Jack when they were down 3-1 in those other ALCS’s?
I think the Twins should trade Cuddyer and Punto before the 2009 season begins. Neither of them really helps the team win games. Both are highly over-rated as players and extremely inconsistent. Cuddyer is very clumsy and falls down frequently for no reason. He also strikes out regularly with runners in scoring position. Punto is simply Gardenhire’s little buddy who gets to play far too often than he is qualified to. If any team would take them for a minor league pitching prospect, the Twins should trade them without hesitation. I also believe it is true that Cuddyer is a Curse to the Twins.
Tolbert should be the Twins regular shortstop. Punto should be traded. Casilla should be the second baseman and the Twins need a good Third Baseman. The problem with the Twins is that Gardenhire cannot make up his mind about where to play Casilla and Tolbert. Gardenhire always has to be switching them around to satisfy his ego.
The Twins should try to bring up Daniel Valencia and Luke Hughes as soon as possible in 2009, once they gain a little experience at Rochester. Valencia is a third baseman and Hughes can play second or third. Both have considerable power, which is really what the Twins need. Both are top prospects and only 24 years old. Either of them could provide the right handed power at third base that the Twins seriously need.
isn’t it hard to trade somebody that’s a free agent?
isn’t it hard to trade somebody that’s a free agent?
Not if it’s Seattle.
Hey for once can we stick to the topic and drop the millionth reuqest to trade Cuddyer and Punto?!?!?
I thought the Cards had a chance in 2006.
I will take the ‘upset’ and pick Philadelphia. Come on you can’t go wrong with a team’s whose CF is nicknamed the Flyin’ Hawaiian - can you?!?
La Velle is Dick Allen The 1970’s version of Manny Ramirez or is Manny Ramirez the current version of Dick Allen.
Guys, don’t mind SVEE, joe, sam, or wally. All three are the same troll that comes in on a regular basis to post the same comment from about 10 different names.
LEN’s already called him on it before…I’m shocked he hasn’t been forcibly removed from the blogs yet.
When you have a whole day of discussion…and the suddenly four posters come in and are all dumb enough to suggest trading a free agent, you know it’s a troll and you know it’s the same person.
La Velle,
Nice reminder that anything can happen in the playoffs. The Twins could just have easily won a World Series in 2006 as they could have been swept by Detroit in the 1987 ALCS.
T,
You also know it is the same person when you click on one of the names and all three get highlighted.
Walter Johnson…
And who saw the Rockies making a run? That’s why you should trade for good bullpen help when you can because you don’t know when you’ll get the next chance - and you just might find a path to the World Series once you get there.
The Rays just do not stop hitting!
I hope the Twins FO takes notice on how a balanced offense (having more than 1 power threat) can win more games and get a team to the World Series.
“Torre inherited a fourth place team and got it in the NLCS.”
Yeah, in a lousy division. And getting Manny (and to a lesser extent) Blake really helped. And let’s not forget that the D’Backs looked nearly as flat as the Mets down the stretch.
Chicago had it’s tough times down the stretch, but the Twins didn’t acquire a Blake or (god forbid) a Manny to help us down the stretch. We got Everyday Eddie to help us out. Whoopie.
If the Dodgers were in ANY other division, they’d never made the playoffs.
(Repost from last page).
And that’s the reason the Twins choking up the title hurts so much. They really could have got on a roll in the playoffs and had a chance at the whole thing! One more lousy win could of done it. And there went a chance they’ll never be able to get back. Just a bummer.
Something the entire team and coaching staff has to think about all off season. A different move here, a handled ball there, a better throw here,…… Just one more win.
Wow, David Ortiz is alive!
Boy, those TBS annoucers sure sound excited to get one more game out of this series.
Man… how do you blow a 7 run lead with 3 innings to play before punching your WS ticket? Talk about a bullpen choking.
Wow. That’s a tough loss. I’ll be interested to see how the Rays respond in Tampa. If I’m Boston, I have to like my chances with Beckett throwing, although he hasn’t been himself recently.
Did the Rays trade for the Twins bullpen? Yuck.
I bet Souhan’s mind exploded when a former twin hit a pitch from a former twin.
Stms gatty790. Nice one.
(Smiling to myself)
lol, we must be at the nexus of the universe.
brookshire,
It works the other way too. If Adam Everett doesn’t get that “Butchie Boy” double against the Rays, the Twins probably end up three games out of first at the end of the season.
If Adam Everett doesn’t get that “Butchie Boy” double against the Rays, the Twins probably end up three games out of first at the end of the season.
Not to mention two games that Twins had “no business” winning against the White Sox (the 4th game of the July series at the Dome), and of course the third game to complete the sweep in September.
La Velle, do you think Carlos Quinten will make a comeback from his hand sugery? Also, what do you think will happen with the other AL Central sluggers? Hafner is having surgery, Thome and Konerko seem old… what moves do you see the rest of the Central making?
Here’s a good link to follow the Twins’ players in winter ball:
Great stuff! Thanks for covering some national baseball news La Velle.
Wow, Danny Graves is playing winter ball?
Danny Graves is playing in the Mexican Pacific league, a league filled with 30-somethings soaking up the sun and Coronas and tossing a ball here and there
kubel slowey blackburn = peavy?
delmon slowey blackburn = peavy?
cuddy perkins slowey= peavy?
delmon perkins boof = peavy?
anyone else picking up on this?
what would it take?
You’re not going to trade Perkins and Blackburn/Slowey in one trade…or probably at all. 1 of them might go, 3 willn’t, and even 2 is highly unlikely. Definitely not in one trade (unless the trade was incredibly lop-sided in favor of the Twins). Besides that, we need a power hitter. Pitching- especially of the starting variety- is our strength. Why would we not sign Santana, and then turn around and sign a big money pitcher like Peavy? It just doesn’t make much sense- any way you look at it. We need hitting. Power hitting. Yes, we might sign a pitcher, but (as usual) it’ll be an Ortiz, Ponson, Livan, Reed, Rodgers, etc. etc. etc.
If you consider what Rogers did before and after his year with the Twins…I can’t really fault them there.
Look what he did (or is at least credited with doing) in Detroit.
So anybody watching Rays/Sox right now? Home plate ump gets hurt, they’re now in the 10th minute (if not longer) trying to figure out the rotation.
Now, shouldn’t the MLB rulebooks have all this crap planned out ahead of time?
Reminds me of that long delay when they were reviewing the Home Run in Tampa against the Twins.
This delay is absurd. They should have this plan in place already. It’s the umpire rotation…it’s nothing new.
thanks la velle, great attempt but, bet you knew beforehand b.s. responses. watching the rays has been great inspiration for twins fans about 09 season. do you think maybe gardy has seen enough of post season to try fixing the the hot corner from within. i think we really need focus on bpen, but don’t want to dangle more than 1 pitch prospect/outfield combo to fix our ails. hope winter ball provides some insight to future.
I totally get that hindsight is 20-20. However, watching Garza pitch tonight in game 7 makes me feel that Salad Bar Billy got reamed in that deal.
Delmon is going opposite field and MG is going for the jugular. You can spin it any way you want, but this was a very bad trade for Billy Boy. He’s not very good.
Yep, we wuz robbed. The best player in the Garza deal was Garza himself. When you factor in the other players, this will be the anti-Nathan trade for the Twins.
The Rays have slayed the dragon and it was pretty cool to watch.
Willie and Garzilla, bandwagon much?
But seriously congrats to the Rays, and congrats to fans of this franchise who have stuck through thick and thin.
Wear those “Devil Rays” jerseys with pride. There a sign of your true dedication vs. all of those people who’ve yet to clip the tag on those fresh new “Rays” jerserys.
At the time, I liked the idea of trading a young arm for a young bat. DY had better be an all-star because we traded away a staff ace. Loved the way he isn’t afraid to pitch hard inside. Twins need more guys with the “F-U” attitude.
I’m still confident that Young will be important part of the Twins. However, I never want to use the term “All-Star” since that’s more a subjective thing and can be easily influenced by the media.
Matt Garza named ALCS MVP. However, reports from Tampa indicate the press has revoked that reward and given it instead to Jason Bartlett.
Twins traded two pitchers away at the beginning of the season.
Show of hands, who thought that it would be GARZA sitting here tonight being interviewed about his trip to the World Series?
Garza could use some help with his musical taste and interviews 
Just so used to Twins winning trades. This one doesn’t look so good. And T - DY has to be lots better than this year. I don’t think he will be. Just gut feeling. Scares me that there are trade rumors and I don’t think all can dismissed because it seems there many different sources. Blow up with Maddon, ripped by Carl Crawford, whispers he wouldn’t take coaching here. Worrisome. Don’t have a good feeling but will fully own up if I’m wrong.
“Twins traded two pitchers away at the beginning of the season.
Show of hands, who thought that it would be GARZA sitting here tonight being interviewed about his trip to the World Series?”
You’re right - I had Eduardo Morlan
Garza was the MVP of the series
Methinks that will NOT go over well…
T,
I read something that Garza and Bartlett were co-mvps…
Gotta love it. The same three talking heads who were saying it was absurd that no team took a chance on Barry Bonds are now commending the Rays for not picking up Bonds because he’s one of “those guys”.
This is why I give absolutely no heed to what they say. Because it doesn’t matter who wins, they’ll make it sound like they did everything right.
Bonds would be a nice 2 hitter in the dome. But we all know that it is tough to hit a slider while sitting in jail.
*Praise for Bonds*
*Yay for Bonds*
I never hated him, and never will. He was made an example of. In MLB’s mind, someone had to take the fall. Sure he was ‘guilty’, but was he the only one? NOT. EVEN. CLOSE.
He was supposed to be the one to take all the blame- it’s just that nobody counted on Rodger Clemens speaking up. The way Bonds was treated draws comparisons to ‘Breaker Morant’.
“Why? Why are they doing this?!?”
“They’ve got to apoligize for their bloody (steroid era)!!!”
Props to anyone who get’s knows what I’m talking about.
Anyway, I hope Bonds plays again, if he wants, and I hope he plays for the Twins. The chances are low and extremely low (in other words .0001 (or less) above none), respectively.
*gets/know what I’m talking about.
*gets/knows what I’m talking about.
Bonds didn’t do aynthing to help himself in this situation. The whole perjury thing was also a BIG piece of overhang for a team to get past.
It’s hard to justify signing a guy to a contract when there’s a chance he could wind up in jail.
I still think, and hope, that Young will work out, but right now, BS does not look very good.
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[…] PETERSBURG, FLA. – As La Velle kindly reminded readers in a recent blog post, I’m no expert with these World Series predictions. But I think I’ve diagnosed the […]
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