Wednesday: The morning of the evening game.
Posted on February 25th, 2009 – 8:59 AMBy La Velle
I’m already at Hammond Stadium prepping for my fill-in stint on KFAN. I know this is the beginning of 35 fake games before the real ones start, but I still get fired up on this day.
The Twins lineup hasn’t been finalized yet. I did hear that we will not see Carlos Gomez today so others can play.
I was just handed the Red Sox lineup. Keep in mind that they play a split-squad with Boston College today.
1. Ellsbury, CF. 2. MVP, 2B. 3. Youkilis, 3B. 4. Jason Bay, LF. 5. Wilkerson, RF. 6. Lowrie, SS. 7. Bailey, DH. . 8. Bard, C. 9. Gil Velazquez, 5. Pitching: Wakefield. It’s a good test for Glen Perkins.
Read Jim Souhan’s well-written story on Nick Punto today…..but Punto needs to stop diving into first base.
Here’s the lineup of guests today on The Fan:
9:20: Rob Antony, Twins assistant GM.
10:20 Gophers coach John Anderson
11:05 Twins president Dave St. Peter
11:40 Paul Hoynes, Indians beat writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
As you can see, it will be baseball intensive - except for when I talk about my Illini getting ready to dine on fresh Gopher on Thursday at Assembly Hall! We’ll take calls when we can.
100 Responses to "Wednesday: The morning of the evening game."
La Velle,
it’s still Wednesday, right? You confused me when I saw the title 
Isn’t it Wednesday today?
I assume the error will be fixed….to all who are wondering what we’re referring to after it is fixed, here’s the mis-headline of today’s insider as it currently exists ….by the way, we love the FL posts LEN3!
Thursday. The morning of the evening game.
Posted on February 25th, 2009 – 8:59 AM
By La Velle
Ouch! The knuckleballer right out of the gate!
Are these games going to be on the radio at all? I wouldn’t mind getting into the mood a bit with some Twins ST baseball.
From what I remember reading…I wouldn’t be surprised to see the following lineup.
Span
Casilla
Cuddyer/Young
Morneau
Young/Cuddyer
Kubel
Buscher
(Catcher)
Punto
As I do recall Crede won’t be starting in games until Friday.
La Velle.
The Illini’s run is over. Be prepared to lose to the Gophers for the next twenty games or so.
Great lineup. Since there are few question marks as to the 13 or 14 position players, Gardy should give the starters as many ST games as possible to get fully prepared for opening day.
I meant “Great lineup, T.”
It’s hard to believe it’s almost time for me to renew my MLB TV subscription.
As a Twins fan who resides in CA, I appreciate being able to watch my favorite team in action.
Perhaps this year will see the rebirth of Mount Crushmore, part Deux. (yeah, I’ve been around that long….)
the other think I expect is that the WBC players (Morneau, Nathan, Hughes, Punto, Ayala et al) will get as many appearances as possible before they go to the WBC
if you have the MLB Network the game will be on tonight
Blake,
By “Mount Crushmore” you mean Hrbek, Gaetti, Bruno and Puckett?
Funny, but I had to look that up on the internet. I had never heard it before.
Is Gopher one of those road kill delicacies folks from Illinois are famous for? Got any recipes?
How many games do teams play in the WBC? Obviously you play more if you win and Canada and Mexico should be in it for a while. Punto’s Italy team probably won’t be around for long.
How disturbing is it that I had a dream last night where Jim Souhan came over to my grandmother’s house for dinner and I kept confusing his writing with Joe Christensen? Every time I tried to start a conversation about something I read of his, he said “No, that was Joe.” He left well-fed but offended.
I live a few hours from Mt. Rushmore and a fifty year twin’s fan. (2009-1961=around there somewhere). I hadn’t heard of “Crushmore” before either!
looks to me like we should be able to watch the game on mlb.tv with a subscription…i know i am paying 14.95/mo and will drop it when regular season starts as its worthless for twins games because of blackout….also shows that the trn is working tonite…twins radio network i imagine–unless i am totally mistaken we should be able to see or listen….someone please correct me if i am wrong….i myself want to know for sure….as i dont have direct tv to get the mlb.network
mlb.tv has a special spring training package that costs about $15 or so. They actually decreased their annual premium package cost to about $100 (includes ST games) which from the ones of us who live outside the Twins’ TV marker is the only way to watch the games…
I’ll use the money I didn’t spend on Cubs-Twins tickets to buy the mlb.tv package.
The game is on MLB Network at 6PM CST.
Maybe that’s what you meant by mlb.tv.
I thought mlb.tv was the internet broadcast.
thrylos98, do you have the $15 package and have you looked at the schedule today, as im wondering if i am reading that right, that it should be on both mlb.tv and trn audio…..?
My bad!
I stopped reading, and started writing, when I should have continued reading.
mj1, I bought the premium package yesterday; just looked at the mlb.tv and it looks like it will be on the tv part and trn radio
not much talk about what the twins plan to do about the loss of bonser…i would think there would be a more of desire to land a juan cruz, rather than depend on unknown quantities…but one never knows what bill smith is up to…..hope he surprises me again as he did with crede
thanks thrylos….my thoughts also…..
Walter,
I am looking forward to spending money on Cubs/Twins tickets
I’m fairly certain that I got these dates from somewhere on this site but: The recently-launched MLB Network has informed the Twins that it will broadcast four spring training games that won’t be available on Fox Sports North or WFTC. The games are Feb. 25 vs. Boston, Feb. 28 at the Yankees, March 1 vs. Boston, and March 17 at Boston.
and here’s a link to the Spring Training games that will be on the radio: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/38517787.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUqCP:iUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU
so easy to confuse mlb.tv on the internet with mlb.network which is only available on direct tv as far as i know…….
You can watch watch the MLB channel on channelsurfing.net, too.
um, watch
At the risk of beating a dead horse for the umpteenth time, does anyone believe that if Gardy had ever said “Either/or” to Punto he would have continued diving headfirst into first? It’s just more of that bogus “hustle” that Gardy finds so strangely charming.
[…] He can get away with it because the Twins’ exhibition opener is scheduled for tonight. Click here for a lineup of his guests and Boston’s lineup for the exhibition […]
mj1 - MLB network is available to almost everyone who has digital cable - and they don’t have to have the sports package.
Shawn,
I never got through the Cubs’ “Virtual Waiting Room” before all three games sold out.
How do teams decide what surgeons to use? I often read of the Twins using the team soctors from Cincinnati and Tampa? Why?
(From yesterday)
medschoolmatt,
I didn’t say that I don’t trust him, I said that I didn’t trust him. As far as this year goes, I’m not to worried, but if he slips up early, I’ll lose a lot of confidence in him. I’m not going into the season dreading him, but not 100% sold on him either. My confidence in him will ramp up quick if he does well out of the gate.
Lastly, it’s TK(2).
*Sign Juan Cruz; Play DY*
Shaitan,
Probably used the Rays’ doctor for Boof because they are down in Florida now for Spring Training. Easier than flying him back to Minneapolis.
Walter J. Yep, I meant Hrbek, Gaetti, Brunanski and Puckett.
Like I said, I’ve been around for a while…
The 1987 season was the first year I followed the Twins, and, oddly enough, I wasn’t one of those who jumped on the bandwagon. I started during spring training.
Obviously, my timing was impeccable.
Bit of a computer dinosaur here. Is there any way to get the games on the internet and watch them on the computer. If not, can you get them on the radio through the internet?
Des,
MLB.com does both season and monthly package. I recommend it if your computer is up to date and you’ve got high speed internet access.
This feels like opening day ! ! ! It’s a tremendous Spring Training Schedule, with BoSox, Yankees, Rays, and a couple of WBC teams. I’ll be at the game tonight, and I couldn’t be happier.
“Probably used the Rays’ doctor for Boof because they are down in Florida now for Spring Training. Easier than flying him back to Minneapolis.”
Or maybe the patient decided that his surgery should not be performed by the team doctor from an (allegedly) CHEAP organization.
Des,
you get get the mlb.tv package at mlb.com and watch all your games on your computer. The $100 premium package offers high definition so you can have TV like full screen quality on a 19 inch monitor
From the “Welcome to 4 months ago Dept.”, somebody suggests that maybe nobody wants Manny because of the stunts he pulled in Boston in 2008.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/02/manny-ramire-14.html
No really? You think?
Just to chime in Des, I’ve used mlb.tv for a couple years now and I’m a big fan.
You DO need a dependable, high-speed internet connection though, or you might be wasting your money.
Also recommend getting the premium package instead of the basic package.
From the “Welcome to 4 months ago Dept.”, somebody suggests that maybe nobody wants Manny because of the stunts he pulled in Boston in 2008.
In other news, many are predicting Obama will beat McCain, there is growing evidence smoking might be bad for your health, and the Tampa Bay Rays might be an improved team in 2008.
Maybe Boof chose the Rays team doctor, when they told him that the Twins team doctor was under budgetary restraints when purchasing (and re-sharpening)surgical instruments.
sane are you implying that the twins shop for their doctors at target?
“Twins team doctor was under budgetary restraints”
I think I meant CONSTRAINTS.
The RESTRAINTS would be for Boof, when they tell him that anesthesia is not covered by his HMO.
good idea gook. prescriptions are only 4 bucks at target also.
Des, before you shell out money for the mlb internet video package, keep in mind they black out games for teams in the “local market” based on your ISP connection. So if you live in the Twins TV market, you won’t be able to watch Twins games on the web.
And, if you happen to live in Iowa (like me), you can’t watch Twins, Brewers, Cubs, WhiteSox, Cardinals or Royals games… making it pretty much a waste of money. There’s a link where you can plug in your zip code and find out which market(s) will be subject to blackout.
I hate those blackout rules.
I would probably be a consumer of the product if they didn’t have the blackout rules. It’s honestly the only reason I am not interested.
It seems like good business for MLB to have a package that allows you to watch whatever game you want.
I’m in Chicago and the only Twins games the blackout rules apply to are the games against the White Sox (but then I get to watch on tv) and any game on Saturday. If you can list your address as somewhere in Alaska or Hawaii, you shouldn’t face any blackout restrictions.
The good thing about Punto sliding into first base is that he will probably injure himself within the first month and we don’t have to worry about him being in the lineup any more. Anybody read that article? What a frickin’ moron. I say fine his dumb a$$ whenever he does it. He’s got plenty of money to spare with that inflated contract.
And yes, mlb.tv seems to upgrade their system every year so if you have an older computer and a non-high speed connection you will have trouble.
I think Punto should dive headfirst into the dugout every time he comes off the field, dive headfirst into the batters box before he hits, dive headfirst into the shower after the game, dive headfirst off the plane when they land on a road trip.
Walter,
they are sold out already? guess my buddy best go to Stubhub…. its my bachelor party, i gotta do it
WJ,
“dive headfirst off the plane when they land on a road trip.”
Many on the blog want him to dive headfirst off the plane several minutes after takeoff.
Shawn, Yep. Sold out within 4 or 5 hours. The June 12th Saturday game went first, then Sunday, then Friday sold out about 2:00 pm.
WJ, listing your address as being in Alaska doesn’t avoid the blackout restrictions. Their system can “read” the ISP address you’ve logged in under. In other words, if you’re logging in from your home in MSP, you’re out of luck, no matter where you’ve indicated you live. If you go on vacation to Alaska in July, though, and log in from your hotel room in Anchorage, you can get the Twins’ game on the web.
Just for people’s info, last year I lived in Minneapolis and had internet through Comcast. I had MLB.tv for about half the season and the vast majority of Twins games were not blocked out for me. It seemed the only ones I couldn’t watch were the ones on national television. If you want it but think everything will be blocked out, it may be worth buying a monthly subscription and seeing how it works out. I’ve heard this happens in other markets too, but some markets, like New York, always have their Home team games blacked out.
JimCrikket,
Thanks. I thought it went by your account information. Sucks to live in Iowa. I guess you have to watch Rockies games?
wow, you guys don’t miss a thing on here do you? Just jumping all over old LVE, huh? I imagine the days just blend right into one another when its not -4 outside.
WJ
Personally I like the idea of LNP diving headfirst off the plane shortly after takeoff. If your boss told you not to do something - made it very clear that if you did that something you would be fined, or worse, fired - don’t you think you would stop it if you valued your job at all? This whole idea that he can’t help it is just a bunch of bulls**t and I think he figures by doing that he’s really hustling and “getting after it” or “battling his tail off”. I’m not impressed but good luck to the Twins tonight against the hated Red Sox Nation (Evil Empire II).
LaVelle… listened to most of your KFAN gig today and I have a question for you that maybe you could clarify.
Tell us, how do you REALLY feel about the Dome? LOL
To all the people complaining about blackouts with mlb.tv, use a proxy server. If you don’t know what that is, google is your friend
Just finished listening to La Velle on AM 1130. The new intro to “common man” is hilarious. It’s a series of mocked up Twins radio broadcast snippets where Crede does all these game winning things. Ending with him singlehandedly winning the WS from the Cubs with 4 walk offs. It’s fantastic. It’s satire on us homers but it’ll make you laugh out loud.
made it very clear that if you did that something you would be fined, or worse, fired
Due to the natured of guaranteed contracts…one cannot be “fired” from a team.
Who will be the first Twin to land on the DL this season (excluding Boof)?
My money is on Punto.
T,
I haven’t read all the posts so I haven’t seen the post you cite. But, I’ve never seen or heard of a situation, contractually explicit or implicit, where a player can’t be penalized for just cause. Such as rule breaking or insubordination.
Clubs will pay for players’ transportation expenses if they seek a second medical opinion anywhere in the country. Formerly the country was divided into three regions; players paid for their own transportation if they went outside their region to seek the second opinion
[…] Twins Insider – […]
if gardy really wanted nicky to stop sliding into first i would think a stern reminder of who the boss is would do. if not gardy doesn’t have much control over his team.
not to many jobs where the boss says don’t do something and you say no, i can’t help myself, that the job lasts very long.
Thanks to all that responded to my inquiry about mbl.com.
gobbledygookguy,
Maybe they should put a shock collar on him.
Due to the natured of guaranteed contracts…one cannot be “fired” from a team.
unless he does something detrimental to the team or has a non-baseball injury, goes to jail etc. In that case he does not get paid.
Personally, I think people make too much noise about the sliding in to first thing. Is it annoying? Yeah. But if the guy hits .280ish and plays a decent SS, I don’t care if he somersaults in to first base if he thinks it gets him there faster. Let’s face it, regardless of who’s right and who’s wrong about which way gets you there faster, the difference is so small it’s going to have virtually no effect. The injury risk is greater, yes, and that’s why I wish he wouldn’t do it. But with the immense dislike so many of you have for him, I’d think you might want him to subject himself to greater injury risk.
After a while, it just comes across to me as being one more thing to complain about with regard to Punto and it gets old. But then I tend to lack patience with repetitive whining anyway, so that could just be my own character flaw showing.
I think the original post referred to Gardy fiNing Punto, not fiRing him… but whatever.
Can you please give real player names instead of these cute little nicknames like “MVP” or just putting their last names? Some of us want to see the lineup without having a puzzle to solve.
crikket: with a 4 mill contract a needless injury can be costly. if nicky goes on the dl from sliding into first and getting hurt for 20 games that’s $500,000 down the drain. we did fine last yr when he was on the dl multiple times but it still costs the team $$ to have any player sit with a “needless” injury.
To WALTER JOHNSON, BEN W, TK(2) and anybody else who chipped in on my trivia question about who has played 3B since Koskie, a big thank you!! Sorry I didn’t respond sooner…got busy with other things.
As soon as I saw some of the names, I had a V8 moment slapping my forehead. I really struggled to think of anybody beyond my opening list. How quickly we forget!! A few others were a testament to either your knowledge or your willingness to dig.
It is questionable whether the number of 19 is accurate or not. Whatever the case, that was a pretty sad list of how long the team has endured without a top tier 3B. It is remarkable how well they’ve done with so little power and no high level 3B. Here’s hoping Crede stays healthy most of the season.
La Velle only calls him MVP because he’s the world’s biggest Pedroia fan. Just ask Morneau.
lavelle, please run the blog any way you want.
thank you
Crikket, I’m one of the ones who wouldn’t shed a tear if LNP ends up on the DL because of his sliding addiction. My only concern is that the rest of the team has learned from last season about the hazards of sliding headfirst. Sometimes it has to be so at 2B or 3B but at 1B??
Punto’s physics is pretty dubious. Maybe if has perfected leaping so he lands on the bag, his theory might have some merit. But if he lands anywhere short, where was he when they talked about friction in school?
Now it’s even more apparent why Gardy likes Punto so much: they’re both as stubborn as mules and can’t break out of habitual behavior.
Two reasons that Gardy doesn’t enforce a “no-head-first-sliding” rule on Punto:
1) It excites a normally comatose group of teammates to “battle THEIR individual asses off”
and
2) For the most part, head-first-sliding nearly conforms to the Hippocratic Oath - IT DOES VERY LITTLE HARM!
Unlike the First Degree Felony that the STRIB bloggers assign to that heinous act.
Actually I really don’t care if he slides headfirst. What gets me is the 20 pop-ups for every headfirst slide. At least put the ball in play in a way that has a chance to move up the runners.
My dream is that Punto’s headfirst slide somehow meets Gardy’s hat kick.
I agree sane. Seems pretty minor in the overall scheme of things.
BTW That wasn’t me who couldn’t figure out the MVP.
Hey, I’m sure someone on here knows the answer to this. I’ve got Direct TV. It’s got what I think is called the MLB network. Is this the where the Twins are on tonight?
ah — nice to see everyone is readying for yet another punto season.
WJ,
I agree, that when the Little Guy hits a ninety-foot-doink with one out and runners at 2nd & 3rd, I want to run out there and bitch at him myself.
But the wait in that line is just too damn long!
Paul yes that is the channel the Twins will be on tonight. If you want to watch something funny on the MLB network watch their 30 teams in 30 days about the Twins. They picked them to finish 2nd with 79 wins and the Indians to win the Central with 83 wins. Of course the entire East is going to win close to 100 games.
Hey, Punto is the starting SS. He has the contract and he has been annointed. Time for all of us, me included, to get behind the little guy and stop complaining. Enough with the negative waves. Think positive. Our SS needs our support and we need our SS to have a strong season.
LOVE the Little Guy!!!
CharlieMurphy,
Thank you sir.
Yes. Love the Little Guy indeed!
If we can get 145 games out of LNP we should be just fine.
Oh yea, I’m with you guys on that love train too. Even when he drives that 90 footer, that looks like a shanked punt, opposite field. Wait. Punt…Punto. Coincidence? I think not!
I sure hope Harris learns 2B so he doesn’t back up LNP. They GOTTA keep Tolbert.
