Twins postgame: Not one of these already!
Posted on April 7th, 2009 – 10:40 PMBy La Velle
Tonight was a sportswriter’s nightmare. My story for the first edition was ready to go, but the Twins weren’t. Three walks and two hits later the outcome was exactly the opposite of the path my initial story went.
REWRITE!
Then a couple of the heroes from the game took a while to pop out for interviews. Didn’t get back to the computer until 10:45. I’m pretty sure I heard Ken, the Star Tribune copy editor, mutter not-so-nice things about me when I called after sending the final version came in. Sorry, Ken.
Who saw that game coming? Brendan Brandon Morrow had two outs in the ninth with Carlos, `Go-Go for the fences,’ Gomez at the plate. Gomez claimed all spring that he was more patient at the plate, and his quality at-bat on Tuesday set that inning up.
“I think he’s made a big effort to have good at-bats instead of giving away at-bats,” Denard Span said.
Suddenly, Morrow couldn’t throw a strike. Just read last week how he had decided that he would be a closer and not a starter. Happy baptism, kid.
Alexi Casilla really looks calm in big situations. That’s three times since mid-September in which he’s come through:
Sept. 18: Two-run homer in the ninth off of Tampa Bay’s Dan Wheeler that led to a 11-8 win.
Sept: 25: RBI single off Bobby Jenks in the tenth to be the White Sox in the game of the year.
Tuesday: Two-run single in the ninth to beat the Mariners.
Mike Redmond and his pulled groin muscle was going to hobble out to the field to catch the tenth if the game had been tied. And get this: Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had told R.A. Dickey to get ready to play in the field if an emergency situation.
“Gardy told me to get my spikes on.” Dickey said. “I was going to go out there and Babe Ruth it. Yesterday, I was the bullpen coach (in place of the ill Rick Stelmaszek). Today I was going to be the right fielder (if needed). This is a heck of an organization.”
One minor league note: Jeff Manship starts for New Britain on Wednesday in the season opener. The other teams open on Thursday. Will have more stuff tomorrow.
193 Responses to "Twins postgame: Not one of these already!"
Haha, that is a nice story with Dickey. What a great win! I am so pumped that Span is proving lots of us wrong early this year. He sure looks like he wants to put together another quality year.
Go-Go looks very good at the plate to me. I know he only has 1 hit and 2 k’s, but his AB’s are light years better.
Isn’t it amazing how Cuddy and the 3 spot in the order keeps getting ABs with men on? Every single time? Well, he came through today.
It always feels good to get one like this. Almost like stealing.
We all gotta feel good with Slowey on the hill tomorrow against Silva. Whatever OF gets a day off tomorrow has every right to complain. This is the guy you want ABs against! 
Never write a story before the game ends unless it is near impossible to come back. Just a suggestion.
ninth inning, down two runs, two out and nobody on base. nice way to start a new season.
reminds me of a triple-a game a few years back when the folks sitting next to me left with the home team down two or three after 8-1/2 innings.
two outs later the bases are loaded and the cleanup guy uncorks the towering grand slam. all the teammates, of course, are waiting at the plate to celebate when he leaps, lands on home plate and blows out his knee.
never leave a sporting event early if you don’t have to…
nora,
in general, a game story is completed after the seventh inning as if the game will end that way. update as needed.
for better or worse, game stories have increasingly become a speed contest in order to feed the hungry 24/7 media machine.
That was a great ending…
Gomez’ atbat was the highlight of the game because that’s the kind of thing that if he can do it consistantly is going to turn him into an Eric Davis kind of great.
The Dickey story is nice, but I’m pretty sure Cuddyer would have gone in to play the field (thus losing the DH) before Dickey would have played in the field.
Dickey playing in the outfield would have been amazing. just the fact that he had almost had to do it is amazing. i love baseball.
[…] La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, talked to Twins starter R.A. Dickey after last nights game and Dickey told him that if the Twins […]
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Thanks LEN. The early preparation and filing of stories has to do with print deadlines. The Strib needs to get is morning paper printed and distributed to its route carriers so that we have it on our doorstep when we get up in the morning. Late breaking stories mess that up.
Yeah, Span was just remarkable. A couple of choppers in front of the plate and a seeing-eye dribbler past first.
As happy as I am to have the Twins win in dramatic fashion, part of me thinks it would have been fun to see Dickey in the field. I’m always a fan of those odd situations where the team runs out of position players like last year when Korecky had to bat for himself at home, and Livan moving out to pinch-hit at one point. But obviously the win is much better!
It ain’t over til it’s over! Boy there sure was some excitement in the bottom of the 9th - am looking forward to seeing Slowey against the Chief tonight as I think we should be able to score lots of runs.
“This is a heck of an organization.”
is that a slam or compliment?
Great win. I hope that LaVelle isn’t really expecting sympathy for having to rewrite a fantastic come-from-behind Twins win.
At what point does is become apparent that 5 bench players would be better than 4? One inning of pretty logical switches, and the bench is completely depleted.
Thrylos, we need some stats…what was Gomez OBP with 2 strikes last year? It seems to me that two strikes was pretty much the kiss of death for Gomez last year. Fouling off three and then taking a walk…what an at bat.
I’m also waiting to hear from the Cuddyer and Guerrier bashers this morning. These are two guys who have played well for the Twins in the past, and had bad years/injuries last year. Let’s hope they start this season back on track.
Span is an incredible athlete. If Gomez continues to have AB’s like he did in this game he’ll have a great season. Just think how surprised everyone will be when he bunts with 2 strikes the first time.
That is why I never leave a game early. Ever.
Lavelle I learned not to leave a game early back in 1976 at the old Met in Bloomington. Fran Tarkenton led the Vikings back from a huge deficit to beat the Bengals in the last few minutes. I was in that huge parking lot looking for my car because I left early. It sounded like the stadium’s roof was going to blow off. Oh that’s right, there was no roof!
I’ll never leave a game early again.
I think Gardy would have given up the DH but it would have been funny to see Dickey throw a knuckleball to home trying to nail a runner.
“This is a heck of an organization.”
“is that a slam or compliment?”
IMO, its a comical observation about the Twins necessary improvisation in an unforeseen situation.
“Well, Here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten me into, Stanley”
vavra is a much better hitting coach when they get 3 walks in a row.
still think gardy looks like w.c fields!
This just in all the rumors of Denard Spans demise have been greatly exaggerated.
no doubt, span’s been driving the ball all over the infield.
ggg,
’still think gardy looks like w.c fields!’
“Ah Yassss…..My illness is due to my doctor’s insistence that I drink milk, a whitish fluid they force down helpless babies”
“Ah yasss….Twas a woman who drove me to drink. I never had the courtesy to thank her.”
“Ah, yasss..”Some weasel took the cork out of my lunch…”
gardy to reuesse: move away boy, you bother me
“Ah, yass….I like to keep a bottle of stimulant handy in case I see a snake, which I also keep handy.”
The new Baby Jesus: Denny Span
Don’t make fun of Gardy’s.
Anybody who hates kids and dogs can’t be all bad.
MLB -TV stated after the game that the last time the Twins won a game when they were in the same situation as last night, i.e. down two or more runs in their last at bat, two outs and nobody on base, was about 40 years ago, and Cesar Tovar got the game winning hit.
That’s amazing.
I wonder how Seattle feels to get “Denarded”? It was so great to see GoGo get the walk and then to load the bases and have Span hit that chopper - priceless. Casilla should get a game ball or bat or something for really coming through in the clutch.
In the W.C. Fields vein, “Ah yes, my little chickadee” or “get away from me kid, you’re bothering me!”
I lost patience with Cuddyer and couldn’t understand why they kept trotting him out there. Then he had a good year in 2006.
I’ve been impatient with him again. He’s actually making me believe in him again.
Five strikeouts & hitting .375. So far, so odd.
Oh, and loving the way Span has saved his hits for the regular season.
Great game!
Span may not be a deity (yet) but he should be the starting centerfielder. Fast, best routes, can jump fences, have to have him in there every day as the leadoff hitter, etc. Gomez should play left (big expanse for him to run, if he develops power he projects more as a corner outfielder). Delmon’s defensive liabilities would be minimized somewhat in right field. Cuddy and Kubel platoon at DH with Cuddy replacing Delmon occasionally in right, Kubel spelling Go-Go in left as needed.
Span has had good at bats. He has been a LEADOFF hitter. He doens’t have to mash the ball all over the park. He has to get on base. Take pitches, have good at bats. He has done that to a T.
Anyone complaining about how he has been at the plate thus far is stretching a bit I think.
True, Gomez can’t jump up and rob HR’s….some guys just can’t. Span can. If Carlos lives up to any of his 5 tool billing, he would make a better corner outfielder than Denard. Move Span to CF and create some consistency out there ~
Plus Carlos throws right and Denard is a southpaw.
I’m glad Denard is getting on base and hope he’ll get some confidence, but I can’t go so far to say as he’s shown great hitting the first two games. So I’ll just reserve judgment until after a few more ABs.
Span is hitting .500 and has two walks. I agree that this is not how the whole season will go, but so far I think yapper is right: Span has shown that he might be a LEADOFF hitter in a capital letters way.
And does that guy look fluid in the field? Quite an athlete.
Span sucks. Just look at his spring training numbers.
(Note sarcasm)
One attraction to having the 5 for 4 spots situation is we can have a daily guess ahead of the posted lineups as to who will be where.
Today there is a righthander going for the M’s so I’ll guess Kubel is back in at DH. Span’s a lefty so he’s in…I’ll say in Center. Young in left, Cuddy in right and Gomez is on the pine.
I would also think Crede has another game in him tonight and sits the afternoon game tomorrow with Harris or Buscher at third depending on who is the M’s pitcher.
See? This situation provides us with a whole other aspect to “think along with Gardy.” I won’t mention the extra opportunity to blogplain, but that goes without saying.
“Gomez should play left (big expanse for him to run, if he develops power he projects more as a corner outfielder).”
I still don’t understand what offense has to do with what position somebody plays, unless you’re suggesting that improved power means less speed.
“And does that guy look fluid in the field? Quite an athlete.”
Span = “SPidermAN”
Seriously, I saw him hit choppers to the left side all spring. With George Toma’s grooming in Fort Myers, they ended up as slow rollers to short and third. In the Dome, those choppers are hits. It’s Luis Castillo all over again–a high percentage play on a sinker on the outside corner that’s an easy grounder to second if you try to drive it somewhere.
I wont say that Span is going to have an All Star caliber year this year but I also dont think he should be sent back to AAA as a lot of people suggested at the end of ST. This is the best team the Twins have had in a long time.
I’m just shocked Gardy pinch hit for Punto in the 9th. Atta boy Gardy. It’s nice to have that deep bench, as evident last night.
I buy giving Span credit for those doinks, but I also think WJ’s observation that he’s not exactly crushing the ball is fair too. One last year of visitors coming in to this evil hellhole, the foul lair that favors the devil’s spawns, creatures disguised as pirhannas.
Shaitan, I think the thought process is that you could move a guy like Gomez to left if you had another (maybe better) centerfield option to take his place. This frees up a spot to play both players. Therefore, it may also make more sense to move a potential 5 tool player to a corner spot, then to move someone like Span there…. you’re right, I think either player could potentially play center for a lot of teams, but I would give the slight overall edge to Span. Plus, I don’t know if Gomez will ever be a legitimate hitter at the major league level. He may not turn into a 5 tool player, or leadoff hitter, maybe instead a 4th outfielder/pinch runner. If that’s the case, I think you need someone else to be the mainstay in center since that is more of the leader of the outfield, makes the calls on fly balls, has priority to call off the others, etc. Not sure you want someone part time in that role…
“I still don’t understand what offense has to do with what position somebody plays”
The general feeling is that at some positions, offense may be sacrificed for defense, because defense is a priority at C,SS,2B,CF.
The general feeling is that defense may be sacrificed for better offense, because defense is NOT a priority at LF, RF, 1B, 3B.
Now, if you have Joe Mauer(C), Alex Rodriguez (SS), Roberto Alomar (2B) and Willie Mays (CF), NOTHING has to be sacrificed.
So sane you dont think that span is the second coming of the Say Hey kid?
You know, some of us could do without the “Baby Jesus” comments. Especially around Easter. Perhaps a bit of respect for those of us who believe that Jesus is the Son of God is in order, eh? I don’t mean to get weighty on a sports blog, but really…it’s just unnecessary. Thanks for at least considering my point of view.
Oh, and Denard Span is getting on base - why complain? Those count as hits, too. Man, some of you guys are never satisfied.
Now I’m confused. Do I like “Spiderman” Span or “Say Hey” Span better?
I kind of like the Denard “Wings” Span nickname from that radio spot.
Gomez has a better arm than Span (not that Gomez has perfected his yet, but it’s there). And I think Gomez covers more ground. I think left is actually where Span should be. Just because Gomez timed his jump wrong trying to take that homer away on Monday doesn’t mean he’s not the right guy in center.
We only have 2 games to go on which means lots of conclusion-jumping.
I’d go with Buscher at 3b against the righty Silva and Kubel as DH. Buscher’s bat could give this lineup a jolt, Crede isn’t doing much now although I prefer him long term at third if he hits.
Cuddyer needs to sit.
How about Span overrunning the ball last night allowing the runners to move up an extra base?
BC of ND,
“you dont think that span is the second coming of the Say Hey kid?”
There may NEVER be a “second coming” (apologies to addidasman) of Willie Mays.
Wow! The first time in 40 yrs that kind of a win has happened?? Wow, again! Sure am glad I let my 9 yr old keep watching the game on TV with me (even after his older sibs were sent to bed!)
I danced to “Say Hey” song back when I was 7, the same year I danced to “Centerfield” and got to dance at the Metrodome.
This is what makes Twins baseball great, Dickey has it figured out. Just like when they played in Little League, you never know what’s going to happen next. All you know is that you get to run around with a goofy grin on your face, playing the game you love.
And we as fans get to grin along with our beloved boys of summer, believing once again that hope springs eternal each new season. WOW, what a win! Let’s do it again tonight!
a couple infield hits and a couple walks and you turn into willy mays?
when things go bad some overreact, when things go good others overreact. the greatness of these baseball blogs very little moderation either a bum or a hero.
ggg,
I don’t think it would work any other way.
I’d go with Buscher at 3b
if Buscher were at third last night, the Twins would have lost. Crede made 3 run saving plays that Buscher could not dream about making.
And this is why they love to grow up here and the real players stay here (no offense to Hunter, Santana).
Span is definitely proving (many of) us wrong. Young looked rather horrific at the plate though, I think it might be him over Gomez (whose AB got the whole thing started) over him.
“Span is definitely proving (many of) us wrong.”
Why do you think that? do you think Span has mastered the chop single and we’re going to see that all year from him? Because that’s all he’s shown so far in these two games.
One thing about Delmon I liked last night - he’s growing a beard. The Twins need more guys with beards so that they can harness the primal power of their facial hair.
Punto needs one too.
Don’t get me wrong, when a guy delivers in the clutch, I’ll take it any way it comes. Glad Span got those singles last night. But can’t say that all the criticism of him was wrong.
I think the 9th inning yesterday, plus Carlos Silva today equals a big offensive showing tonight.
In fact, I think when we look back at the 2009 season, last night’s game will clearly turn out to be the turning point of the season.
I would use this lineup today
Span CF
Casilla 2B
Kubel DH
Morneau 1B
Cuddyer RF
Buscher 3B
Young LF
Morales C
Punto SS
Gomez can pinch run and come in late for defense. Seattle doesnt have a lefty in the pen so not worried about all our lefties in the lineup. Give Crede a day off and let him play tomorrow during the day
Walter,
It is not the choppers, bleeders, or whatever that makes Span good or bad. It is his ability to work pitchers, take walks, provide good at bats., not strikeout much. He has never hit with any pop and probably never will.
As far as his misplay in RF last night, I don’t know if he got an error or not, but he should have. I think he might have been able to throw the guy out at home had he come up with it clean.
yapper,
We’ll see, that’s all I’m saying.
In 2008, Span struck out 60 times and walked only 50. He had 29 extra-base hits out of 102. So almost a third of his hits were extra bases.
Span is DA BOMB!!
And all you guys who criticized him in Spring training are …………………..not da bomb.
Perhaps Go-Go needs to invite Delmon to join him in attendance at the “Batting Improvement Philosophy” seminars he’s been going to.
While you cannot predict when a baseball game is “over”, Bill James has come up with a prediction method for deciding when a college basketball game is officially “over,” based on the lead and the time remaining. Might be good for writing up those basketball stories…..
“if Buscher were at third last night, the Twins would have lost. Crede made 3 run saving plays that Buscher could not dream about making.”
Talk about exaggerating, jeez…Crede looks great at 3B, and he’s certainly a far superior defender. But the only play that Crede made that was out of the ordinary was when he cut off that grounder to start a double play. The others were pretty basic - settle down.
my 2 game re-cap:
game one we gave away with some very poor at bats (granted against a very good pitcher) with runners in scoring position. Maybe not a very wise use of the bullpen which could have made a difference with a few timely hits.
game two again not real great hitting in general, the starting pitching in both games was nothing special, but in game 2 the bullpen did it’s job. in the 9th the mariners gave one back to us, 3 walks in a row with 2 outs is a gift. we’ll take it however.
in general after 2 games the pitching has been so-so, and nobody has hit the ball hard still a small sample size not nearly enough to say this is a good team or not so good. stay turned!
“Span is definitely proving (many of) us wrong.”
Not the same as:“Span HAS DEFINITELY PROVED (many of) us wrong.”
World Series in the BAG!
sid:
or…”HAS DEFINATELY PROVEN…”
WJ,
I don’t speak very well English.
“I don’t speak very well English.”
I MEANT:
I don’t speak English very good.
Never @#$% mind.
I’d go with Buscher at 3b
if Buscher were at third last night, the Twins would have lost. Crede made 3 run saving plays that Buscher could not dream about making.
~I’m not sure, the Twins were just getting warmed up =) (And I was running low on SodaPops)
sid:
We are both right. Either way is correct, however, “proven” is slowly overtaking “proved” in usage.
WJ,
“We are both right. Either way is correct, however, “proven” is slowly overtaking “proved” in usage.”
Thanks, but I refuse to retract my statement that “I don’t speak English very good”..uh…well.
WJ,
and “definately” is slowly overtaking “definitely”, unfortunately
Walter, you’re right. He is far from a proven commodity. I just like the way he has played when he has been with the big club so far. He does do a good job of working counts, there is no arguing that.
50 walks and 60K’s. A .833 BB/K ratio is pretty darn strong.
sid:
That’s ok. Some people have a way with words and other people, oh…not have way.
In fact, I think when we look back at the 2009 season, last night’s game will clearly turn out to be the turning point of the season.
I’m not disputing that last night could give us some needed momentum but can there really be a “turning point” at the 0.006 point?
I see Morneau is batting a sizzling .000
so far. He needs to get it together because this is a continuation of him slumping the last month of the 2008 season. It cost us a division title.
this is a continuation of him slumping the last month of the 2008 season.
not quite a “continuation”. It got interrupted by a 1.150 spring OPS
LaVelle,
“My story for the first edition was ready to go, but the Twins weren’t. Three walks and two hits later the outcome was exactly the opposite of the path my initial story went.”
Out of curiosity, what were the “path” and conclusions drawn in the “initial story”?
If it doesn’t reflect well, feel free to ignore that question.
I think from now on every sarcastic post should end with (Sc) or something like that so people dont get confused. (Sc).
BC of ND,
May I use (NSC) for the occasional times that I am NOT being sarcastic? (Sc)
Phil,
Morneau went 0-13 last year before getting a hit. I’m not too worried about Morneau and I expect him to get at least one hit against Silva tonight.
Oh oh, Morneau now extrapolates to .000 0 0.
Brandon Morrow….. kid gets really wild and gives the twins a win and can’t even get the name correct.
Did anyone else catch the new reporter for FSN last night? Robby Incmikoski. He was way better than (now Brewers reporter) Telly Hughes. Telly always seemed confused, uninterested, and often mispronounced athletes names. So far I like the new guy, he seems to know what he’s talking about. I hope he lasts longer than the 1 year Telly did.
Brandon Morrow
Rhymes with sorrow
WJ
you are harping too much on symantics - he gets on base, thats what the team needs. I think he was trying to do that too much in ST (he had quite a few AB’s where he hit line drives right at people). he doesn’t need line drive singles to the OF to get on base. whatever he can do to get on base is good enough for me.
WJ and Sid
and I used ‘definitely proving’ because he is in the process of proving us wrong. its only game 2 though.
adidasman says:
April 8th, 2009 at 9:16 am
“You know, some of us could do without the “Baby Jesus” comments. Especially around Easter. Perhaps a bit of respect for those of us who believe that Jesus is the Son of God is in order, eh? I don’t mean to get weighty on a sports blog, but really…it’s just unnecessary. Thanks for at least considering my point of view.”
Baby Jesus, Baby Jesus, Baby Jesus, Baby Jesus.
To hit on 2 notes in the above thread…addidasman and BC ND ~
The Baby Jesus comment was a (sc) sarcastic comment to all those that have referred to to Joe M as the second coming…and the overly quick annointing of Denard Wing Span, Spiderman, etc. No disrespect intended. Happy Easter all -
Wow; they start off with King Felix then Bedard, then follow it up with Silva?
I’ll take Slowey with the win.
Would the following be appropriate to describe last night’s events?
“And we’ll see you, too, Morrow. ‘Night!”
Last year I was at a Twins game with a group of coworkers, and one of them got up late in the game during a rally while Mauer was at the plate.
He shouted: “LET’S GO SWEET BABY JESUS!” over an almost silent Dome crowd. The response was fairly positive.
Moral of the story, it’s a nickname, it’s fun. Nobody is attempting to imply anything about God or Jesus. Have fun.
Also, how weird is it that the guy who had one of the worst Springs (Span) and the least popular outfielder (Cuddyer) would be the two leading hitters?
Heck, Cuddyer has 3 RBI already.
BC of ND I think you may be implying that my “last night was clearly the turning point of season” post was misunderstood sarcasm.
You would be wrong. That game was clearly a fork in the road of the Twins season. One path led down the 0-2, hand-wringing, move-questioning, griping hair-pulling road, and the other, less traveled road, was the “score 3 runs with two outs in the 9th and the bases empty to even your season at 1-1 and make your faithful reporter/blogger rewrite his entire story” road.
Good point T
Also, if we are having fun extrapolating, Cuddy will have 240+ RBI this year.
Cuddyer so far: when he was good, he was very, very good; and when he was bad, he was awful.
Cuddyer at the plate is mirroring Punto in the field.
Hey Mr. Thrylos (and others),
Does a reliever’s W-L record mean much to you? Seems like to get a win they need the good fortune of his team’s offense, but are directly involved in securing an “L”. Is this stat important much? (besides winning is the name of the game)
I recall having a lucky “W” maker in our bullpen a couple years ago, can’t remember who…
If a reliever comes in with the bases loaded and gives up a grand slam, he’s only charged with one run, correct?
Does a reliever’s W-L record mean much to you?
No
It means less than the starter W-L record. And for some relievers (closers) W’s are bad, because they usually indicate blown saves
If a reliever comes in with the bases loaded and gives up a grand slam, he’s only charged with one run, correct?
yeap.
that’s why ERA is somewhat of a garbage metric, as well.
T98 - if you can also clear up some of the debate at the water cooler (correct, we don’t have much to do these days in the recruiting business!)…
Does the “backward K” indicate the pitcher struck someone out looking, or that he struck out a lefthanded batter?
($10 bucks is on the line here…more importantly pride amongst co-workers 
two questions:
1. was the gomez steal (defensive indifference in the 9th a call play or a gomez improv?
2. was the Kubel walk semi-intentional or was Morrow just that out of control?
My seats were too far away to judge balls and strikes.
Some people seem to object to Denard Span’s infield hitting, as if that’s some sort of weakness in his game. Not so. Twins hitters train to drive the ball into the Dome’s artificial surface to get those high hoppers that allow runners to advance. He’s doing exactly what he’s been trained to do, and doing it well. Next year in the new park, the high bounding balls won’t work so well anymore. Thus, you will see more bunts and chop singles. Alexi Casilla is the model for future Twins hitters.
Yeah, cool. So what’s the leading metric to value or interpret the reliever’s performance? There’s so many variables: Inherited runners, game situation, etc.
“If a reliever comes in with the bases loaded and gives up a grand slam, he’s only charged with one run, correct?”
Unless he puts three (two, or one) of his own batters on base prior to the grand slam.
nnbel,
“struck someone out lookin” is correct.
Actually a better example would be a reliever coming in with the bases loaded and giving up a bases-clearing go-ahead double. He could possibly get out of the inning with a 0.00 ERA and withoug getting tagged for the L.
“My seats were too far away to judge balls and strikes.”
~So was the umpire’s last night =) On TV he was AWFUL, but at least it was unbiased incompetance.
Thanks Sane, I put the $10 I won in the stock market and am saving the remaining $3 for a fish sandwich at McDonald’s Friday …
Unbelievable!
The fish sandwich is the better investment decision.
I’ve got to agree on the umpire (Chuck Merriweather)the past 2 nights… He blew the call at first with Morneau the first game and last night his balls/strikes made no sense. Cuddy should have struck out before his RBI last night … but calls were bad both ways. Merriweather is REALLY awful -
Unbelievable:
Wasn’t it a $10 bet? How did you end up with $13?
should be the blog motto!
“If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull.”
W. C. Fields
WJ, actually I ended up with only $3 after investing in all my client’s stocks! (I’m requesting TARP money)
What’s unbelievable is you had someone believing the backwards K was saved for lefties. Nice work.
I just saw the replay of the Span hit. Man, that was not impressive. But, it worked. I can see why opponents get irritated at Twins’ hits in the metrodome.
Actually a better example would be a reliever coming in with the bases loaded and giving up a bases-clearing go-ahead double. He could possibly get out of the inning with a 0.00 ERA and withoug getting tagged for the L.
You got a better way to account for the runs? The guy who gave up the double didn’t put those runners on base.
Also, if we are having fun extrapolating, Cuddy will have 240+ RBI this year.
MVP MVP MVP!
sane,
Question for ya. Earlier in these posts there were a couple references to Span being less fit for LF than a RHer would. I’ve never been aware of this “rule”. Have you?
AM please see GGG’s 11:58 post i subscribe to the same philosophy. I also prefer the road less traveled so maybe that’s why i’m lost most of the time.
Chief,
I think there is some stat for that IRATS or something.
Chief,
“The guy who gave up the double didn’t put those runners on base.”
Yeah, but he got them off!
“Yeah, but he got them off!”
sane
taken in the wrong context, that is definitely not appropriate for a baseball blog.
Casually watching the replay.
Bedard is in love with his curve. I am too, actually. Who wouldn’t be?
But it taxes his arm.
He dropped his arm on a FB delivery, the pitch was high, and the result was Cuddy’s 2-run single.
This happened in the 5th. So, a great pitcher who tires in the 5th.
Paul:
I think a left-handed left fielder would have the advantage of not having to backhand a ball hit down the line. He could reach out with his right glove hand. But then he’d be in a poor position to throw the ball. Everything is reversed if the ball is hit to left-center. Unless Go-go catches everything hit to left-center and right-center, I don’t think it really makes a difference whether a fielder is a righty or lefty, speed/range and arm strength being more important factors.
Paul,
“Earlier in these posts there were a couple references to Span being less fit for LF than a RHer would. I’ve never been aware of this “rule”.”
Its not a rule, BUT the throw to 2B is much tougher for a LH left-fielder because he has to align his right hip (which is facing away from 2B) with the target.
A RH left-fielder already has the proper (glove-side) left hip aligned with 2B when he is facing the infield.
Advantage - RH left-fielder.
What i meant was: for running down balls, a left-handed left fielder would be better. To catch and throw, a rightie would have an advantage.
Anybody else think that Betancourt was out at second on that play in the fourth inning? It almost looks like his lead foot never touches second and Casilla tags him well before anything else touches the base…
M’s score two on the following play with a two-out hit. Oh well, the “What If” game is nullified in times such as victory.
Walter,
Thank you for weighing in.
sane,
Thanx, that makes sense. Wierd, been payin attention for 52 years and the only place that issue has ever come up is here. Learn sumpin every day I guess.
Paul:
I was only thinking of the left fielder throwing home. If a left-handed fielder has to run far to the line to catch a ball and then throws to 2B, with the pivot, it might actually be an easier throw than coming home with it. If he has time to set up under the ball before catching it, it shouldn’t matter.
I ended up a left fielder (hence the E7 moniker) in junior college because the other guy I was in competition for centerfield with was left handed. Coach said when he played in AA ball they timed the pivot of several left handed-left fielders to throw to a SS cutoff was a split second longer on average. Probably splitting hairs here, but its a subtle difference in many cases…that being said, some lefties can do it, just like there are some right handed-right fielders who lead the league in OF assists (Cuddaver).
E7:
Thanks. All I learned from my experience as an outfielder is that the slowest guy on the team (me) always got stuck in RF.
msm,
“taken in the wrong context, that is definitely not appropriate for a baseball blog.”
Either I am naive, or I have not attended the same Gynecology labs that you have.
I have no clue what you mean.
Or you don’t listen to prince, Sane.
“Or you don’t listen to prince, Sane”
Roger that!
sane
if you say so; you are definitely not naive.
WJ, but I’m sure you had the cannon arm in right to make up for the lack of foot speed! I think I recall you also had a torn rotator cuff from years of heaving it.
E7,
Makes perfect sense. My perspective as a former SS does apply, I had just not ever heard it expressed before.
Paul,
As a SS, picture charging a roller and throwing to 3B.
Similar to a LH LF throwing to 2B.
E7;
You have a good memory. Actually, I tore my rotator cuff during basketball season. Go figure.
Walter Johnson,
For a cutoff man to be chasing throws made from rightfield (with Walter Johnson’s arm angle) must have been very entertaining.
That would be a hard-working cutoff man.
So sane, do you agree with Young in LF and Span in RF when both play? For the reason you explained? Is this Gardy’s reason do you know (or think)?
sane
about as good as Span playing in LF making that web gem in RF running past Gomez and over Cuddy.
bird, if I can chime in here I think the answer from Gardy’s perspective is “no.”
My 2 cents is that Young fits more of the typical RF (slower, lumbering, strong arm) Span fits centerfielder (fast, agile, can rob HR’s, average arm) and Gomez fits more the left field (or center) but again has the strong right arm.
BOP,
I would play Span in LF and Delmon in RF DESPITE the reason (the throw to 2B) that I cited.
Range in LF and throwing arm in RF over-ride the importance of the LF-2B throw.
Gardy’s reasons?
Good question.
Someone (with some heuevos) should ask.
sane,
Paul,
As a SS, picture charging a roller and throwing to 3B.
Similar to a LH LF throwing to 2B.
I’ve done that many times and takin the same throw made there and applying it from LF to 2B would require flippin the ball, goin and gettin it, flippin the ball, goin and gettin it, about 40 times.
this must be how sane feels everyday trying to explain baseball to all us idiots on here:
“There comes a time in the affairs of man (sane) when he must take the bull by the tail and face the situation.”
W. C. Fields
Gardy’s mind is not what one would call…easy to figure out.
Sticking with Span even with the horrid ST is sure looking like a good move. His horrific management of the BP on opening night was not so much. But it (again) worked out for him when Guerrier and Humber (of all people) pitched shutout innings for him last night.
sane:
I had no use for cut-off men.
ggg,
“this must be how sane feels everyday trying to explain baseball to all us idiots on here”
There are no idiots (or not many) on here.
I should introduce you to my normal audience and you will realize that you are the smartest baseball group (other than fellow coaches) that I deal with all day.
WJ,
“I had no use for cut-off men.”
That’s a good thing.
By the time they had chased your fading fastballs across the infield, they probably sucked all the oxygen out of the ballpark and everyone was starting to blackout.
Its not a rule, BUT the throw to 2B is much tougher for a LH left-fielder because he has to align his right hip (which is facing away from 2B) with the target.
A RH left-fielder already has the proper (glove-side) left hip aligned with 2B when he is facing the infield.
Advantage - RH left-fielder.
“Much tougher?”
Gotta disagree, Sane. Catching a flyball while stationary, tiny advantage to the RH thrower, at best.
Throwing after a catch while moving towards the LF line…advantage RH thrower.
Throwing after a catch while moving towards the gap…advantage LH thrower.
Add it up, it’s not really worth considering, IMO.
Throwing after a catch while moving towards the LF line…advantage RH thrower.
Throwing after a catch while moving towards the gap…advantage LH thrower.
Depends on the thrower’s arms a bit more than their handedness…
I will NEVER leave a game if we’re down by less than 5. I left the Kubel grand slam game winner a couple years ago, and will never live that down.
Chief,
Throwing after CHARGING-then-fielding grounders/flyballs/bloops,etc. is what you omitted.
An OF who catches flyballs while stationary, when a throw is imminent, is making a fundamental mistake.
Fielding (while charging) then throwing to 2B is a large advantage for a RH-throwing LF.
case in point the catch by span on monday that the runner tagged and scored, young may have been able to throw the runner out being rh and having a better arm. he also may not have gotten to the ball which may or may not been a good thing.
imo young should stay in lf and span play in rf like last night. reasoning it’s hard to move young during the season learning a new field in the dome. span being a better outfielder and more athletic has adapted well to the changing. next spring if they are both with the team re-think based on how the new field looks. the dome is a difficult place to play outfield and we’ve seen good of’r struggle when moved around.
I left the Kubel grand slam game winner a couple years ago, and will never live that down.
I was there but had gone to the Rally Room for a G&T.
Chief,
The reason you never ever EVER see a LHer at 3B, SS or 2B is you would give away 1/2 step to the runner going to first every time. That same factor would apply in the OF. Just a reduced relevance.
Plus, Gotta stick them southpaws somewhere.
…says,
“but had gone to the Rally Room for a G&T.”
I had the worst @#$% of my life on G&T’s.
To this day, I literally shudder when I think of that combination.
I remember praying for my own death during that hangover and being bitterly diasppointed that I was still alive.
Throwing after CHARGING-then-fielding grounders/flyballs/bloops,etc. is what you omitted.
“Stationary” was a bad choice of word. I meant catching a ball while facing the infield…either in place, moving forward or moving back.
In any case, I don’t think it’s worth considering. There is no compeling reason why a left fielder (or any outfielder) should be right handed or left handed, unlike the infield (minus first base.)
I feel for you sane. You’re missing out on the British empire’s greatest gift to humanity (well, along with IPA).
… says:
April 8th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I feel for you sane. You’re missing out on the British empire’s greatest gift to humanity (well, along with IPA).
You’re forgetting Emma Watson and Kate Winslett.
Chief,
“There is no compeling reason”
Compelling - no.
I disagree, only in that I think its a valid reason if all else is equal.
But arm strength and range are more important.
If the G&T is the British Empire’s greatest gift, then we should get a do-over on WWII.
You’re forgetting Emma Watson and Kate Winslett.
Great gifts indeed…but not exactly direct results of British imperialism…as far as I know.
Sane, good point. We tend to overemphasize our role and underemphasize GB’s role. Among a laundry list of strategies that the world owes GB (code cracking, etc.), Normandy would have gone much differently if we hadn’t let them do it their way with their specialized tanks.
“We tend to overemphasize our role and underemphasize GB’s role.”
And the role of the USSR. (20 million+ deaths)
Perhaps I should have said “British imperialism’s” greatest gift as I wasn’t intending to imply the G&T was the greatest thing Britain ever did. Simply the greatest thing to directly come out of their colonial conquests.
On the other hand, Montgomery probably single-handedly prolonged the war.
When are the line-ups coming out?
Over-under is 3:15.
blog time or local time?
…says:
I am quite thankful for Marmite, actually.
The G&T does not make up for the catastrophe we refer to as mince meat pie.
“Good question.
Someone (with some heuevos) should ask.”
You mean, if someone wants to ask Gardy a question they have to bring him Mexican Take-out?
“Fielding (while charging) then throwing to 2B is a large advantage for a RH-throwing LF.”
Not if you’re charging towards the left-centerfield gap. In this scenario, the right hip is already aligned with 2nd base, correct?
I would assume that a left fielder ‘charges’ towards the left field line roughly an equal amount of times as he ‘charges’ towards the gap.
“I would assume that a left fielder ‘charges’ towards the left field line roughly an equal amount of times as he ‘charges’ towards the gap”
But not as often as he charges forward.
[…] What’s a manager to do? Mike Redmond and his pulled groin muscle was going to hobble out to the field to catch the tenth if the game had been tied. And get this: Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had told R.A. Dickey to get ready to play in the field if an emergency situation. […]
I don’t quite understand why you would put Young in the field at all when you have three other outfiledres who can actually play the out field. -yes I’m probably being too hard on Young…
