Twins-Royals: Pregame
Posted on August 11th, 2009 – 6:09 PMBy La Velle
Sorry this is late. Blame Seth.
Seth Stohs was on the field before the game today. “You ever meet Seth?” Joe C. asked. “Seth who?” I replied.
Then I looked towards the Twins’ dugout, and there was Seth. “Oh, that Seth.”
So we chatted with Seth for a few minutes. It was good to meet the man who does prolific minor league coverage for his website.
Now I’m back upstairs with updates.
Glen P’erkins’ MRI showed no structural damage, but he was going to consult with Dr. Dan Buss during the game. “I know something isn’t right,” Perkins said. He said he knows when his shoulder is strong, and what he’s feeling right now isn’t strong. “We have to do some more investigating.” he said.
Joe Crede went through an entire pre-game session and hopes to return to the lineup tomorrow. He’s hoping this is the last step back he has to take this year.
Carl Pavano will start Thursday opposite of Gil Meche. The Twins waited for Pavano to give them the all-is-good sign after leaving the team to pick up his family and bring it to the Twin Cities.
Righthanders are hitting .305 vs Kyle Davies, who has lost seven of his last eight starts. Justin Morneau is 1-for-15 against him.
Update: I don’t know what’s going on tonight, but the legendary Bat Girl was lurking outside the pressbox before the game. It was an emotional moment…..
Lineups
Royals (43-68)
1. David DeJesus, LF
2. Josh Anderson, RF
3. Billy Butler, 1B
4. Mike Jacobs, DH
5. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
6. Miguel Olivo, C
7. Alex Gordon, 3B
8. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
9. Mitch Maier, CF
Pitching: Kyle Davies
Twins (54-57)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. Brendan Harris, 3B
9. Alexi Casilla, 2B
Pitching: Nick Blackburn
381 Responses to "Twins-Royals: Pregame"
why the *$#& are Harris and Young doing in the lineup?
gomez still hurt?
Might Casey, you would really rather see Punto in the lineup over Harris. Are you kidding? We all knew that Crede was not going to play tonight as it was said well in advance that they were going to test him during BP tonight and if it all went well, he would start tomorrow.
No matter who’s in the lineup, let’s cheer for all of them. More important, let’s hope Blackburn is on track.
maybe DY is in the lineup because 2 of his 69 career BB’s were off of Davies…. or because he is 2-5 and Go-go is only 1-5?
Blackburn did get beat up a bit at the game in KC I went to, but we need a sweep here, and then another, to really set us on the right track.
neither harris nor punto have much to offer in the batter’s box. however, harris has a staggering .196 OBP since the all-star break. punto is at .282.
add to that: punto is a much superior baserunner and defensive player (not to mention he doesn’t have to be told to guard the line in a tie ballgame)… i’ll take my chances with punto
to be honest i’m not sure why harris is still on the team but whatever. god forbid i defend punto over the beloved (?) brendan harris. bring the heat bloggers!
It sure helps to get regular playing time and know that you will be consistently in the lineup.
Do you have a death wish, Mighty Casey? While you’re at it, if you really want to seal your fate, defend Cuddyer, praise Billy Smith, and applaud one of Gardy’s decisions on relief pitchers.
Ben -
Harris played almost every day from Mid May to the end of July. He posted offensive numbers no better than Punto. He had his chance, and didn’t deliver. With his below average defense, why would you play him over Punto?
ahhhh no Pete D. the only player with numbers close to punto is casilla
“What a pair to pick from” in both the Punto-Casilla-Harris jumble and Young-Gomez. Casilla has had a couple good games in a row, Harris is acknowledged as the better hitter between Punto and Harris. Young has hit in his last few games and hit a long homer. I guess I would prefer Gomez, but Gardy is going with the lukewarm hand of Young.
Mighty Casey
Punto has an OPS+ of around 50 for the year. Harris has one of 80.
Punto is the worst baserunner on the team. And his defense is overrated.
It’s not that Harris is beloved. It’s that he is a better hitter and a better option than Punto. With the playoffs on the line, we don’t need Gardy playing favorites. Play the players that will give us the best chance to win. If that means Punto over Casilla or Crede over Harris, I don’t care.
Harris played almost every day from Mid May to the end of July. He posted offensive numbers no better than Punto
Reality check:
2009:
Harris:.261/.301/.365 (.666 OPS)
Punto: .207/.310/.252 (.562 OPS)
Cuddyer can (and should be) easily defended. He has had a great season to date.
Billy Smith should justly be blamed for the horrible Tampa trade. Hindsight is 20/20. I, and others, approved of the trade at the time. Everything else he’s done has been hit and miss, like every other GM in baseball.
I think Gardy leaves the starters in too long sometimes, especially when they are pissing away a lead. For the most part when you are picking from Nathan, Guerrier, and a bunch of garbage men I don’t see how fans can be overly critical of how the bullpen is used.
The toughest thing to do in baseball is build a solid bullpen. You have to get lucky. Twins have failed miserably this season.
Mighty Casey and Pete D, as JP has stated, look at their OPS. It is not even close! Harris deserves to be starting at third tonight until Crede gets back tomorrow night.
Harris has struggled and he is hitting .261 and Punto was on fire there after the All - Star break and he is hitting a robust .207
Harris’ overall 2009 v Punto’s do not justify why he is playing TONIGHT. Punto had good numbers in 2006. Doesn’t matter. Punto is the better choice for tonight.
Punto is the worst baserunner on the team. And his defense is overrated
biased and false… especially in comparison to Harris.
OK, birdofprey, you are on. Michael Cuddyer is absolutely my favorite player in the major leagues. When I met him I thought he was a great guy and everything I have seen, heard, or read about him confirms my opinion. He has an OPS this year of .868 and is on course to set a personal high in homers.
Who made the best deals at the trade deadline in the Central? So far, it is Bill Smith. He gave up a PTBNL and a Class A shortstop and got the best hitter acquired at the deadline (Cabrera) who happens to play both a key defensive position and a real position of need for the Twins) and the only pitcher to get a win so far (Pavano). Both the Sox and Tigers gave up young starters who were in their rotations. So far, there return is very limited. All right, I confess it’s not a slam dunk that Smith made the best moves–in fact I doubt it, but so far the players the Twins acquired have done everything asked and expected of them.
Gardenhire stuck with Matt Guerrier through thick and thin. He was right. I thought it was a mistake. He has skillfully used his two most reliable setup guys to get the ball to super-closer Joe Nathan.
MC that makes great since…
um, the best player acquired at the trading deadline would still have to be Matt Holliday, you know that OTHER A’s player traded…. just IMO
Interesting note in the Detroit-Boston game. Detroit scored three in the top of the first and currently lead 3-0 in the top of the 2nd. However Miguel Cabrera got hit in the hand with a pitch in the top of the first. During his second at-bat in the top of the 2nd, Leyland and the Detroit trainer came out and removed Cabrera from the game. I am sure it is for precautionary reasons and to go and get some x-rays taken, but if there is a broken bone, that could potentially be a huge loss for the Tigers.
Mighty Casey, glad we are now bringing Punto’s stats in 2006 against Harris’ stats this season into the argument. You’re kidding right?
Wow Porcello drilled Kevin Youkilis and Youkilis charged the mound at Fenway!
Mighty Casey, glad we are now bringing Punto’s stats in 2006 against Harris’ stats this season into the argument. You’re kidding right?
my point is that simply because Harris has better overall stats for the 2009 season doesn’t take away from the fact that Harris has been absolutely god-awful since june.
flatblade, everything you said is rational and positive, and that’s just not gonna fly here. As mom always advised you, if you can’t say something negative, then don’t say anything at all.
Youkilis got hit yesterday too… lol
OMG Punto not in lineup. Who yall gonna kick around tonight now.
Both Porcello and Youkilis have been ejected.
Mighty Casey, Harris might be awful since June, but Punto has been awful all year long.
Flat hang in there Cuddy is having a great year and very valuable to our stretch run. He is one of my faves as well. However when he gets fooled with two strikes nobody does it better except maybe Gomez.
Ben-
we’re just going in circles. my post at 6:33 still remains solid in my eyes.
Both Porcello and Youkilis have been ejected.
Leyland still in the game? He should have been ejected too if there were a warning
oh just another thing i came across… since June:
Harris 3 bb 20 k
Punto 17 bb 17 k
i’ll take the guy who can’t hit but knows how to take a walk rather than the guy who can’t hit or get on base.
thry, I believe Leyland is still in the game which is interesting. I could be wrong though as I have been switching back and forth between games.
Jason Bay a three run shot to tie it up at Fenway 3-3 in the bottom of the second.
Anderson stole that off the pitcher.
Not the start Blackburn or the Twins were looking for. Wouldn’t have killed him to pitch around the AL Player of the Week.
how nice would it be to have a base-stealer like anderson….
not sure throwing every pitch on the outside corner is a very good idea.
Mighty Casey = Ron Gardenhire?
Dick,
For a ball to be “driven deep to center” the CF should at least have to take 1 step back. Not just jog 5 feet to his left to make the routine catch 30 feet short of the track.
Blackburn is struggling big time.
I am at a loss of words that people are still defending Punto at this point in the season. It’s embarrassing.
Geeze, thanks Blackburn!
Casey,
Wasn’t Punto the one who got picked on the fake to third - throw to pick-off. Bad base runner? Every high-school player knows that one.
The way the Twins play their outfielders, 1 step back is the middle of the warning track.
Nice job Blackburn.
Not a good start.
Unbelievable a must have game and Blackburn comes out and makes the Royals look like the Yankees offense. What a joke.
Time for Duensing already. Good grief!
This pitching staff is cursed, jinxed or just plain panzies. Drill somebody just to make it look like you care Blackie.
Jimmy
Yes that was Punto. He’s been picked off multiple other times this year. He is not a good baserunner especially considering his speed.
But Punto vs Harris doesn’t matter much when your SP is getting rocked.
The offense is going to have to put up a lot of runs to give us a chance again tonight.
MC Punto has been awful since March
He would drill someone then the next person would come up and drill it over the left field fence
I guess even Rick Anderson can’t fix this sinking ship.
say the twins score 9 runs this half-inning… how many of us would bet that 9 runs is even close to enough?
Well, I guess if we’re out of it by the end of August I can spend September doing something productive.
Swung at ball four on the previous pitch only to go down swinging.
Just keep watchin em boys…keep watchin em…
What the over/under on how long until we should all just watch the Tigers/Red Sox game to at least be able to enjoy a pennant race game?
I have a feeling this is going to be a pitching duel…a duel between who sucks less
Morneau you are due against Davies.
If they lose to this hack they should all be sent to AAA. This looks like a game between the 13th and 14th teams in the league. Cripes, you’d expect to be crisper against zombies.
With pitching like the Twins have had lately, you need runs - not defense. The other team doesn’t hit it close enough to field. But - the Twins are not done yet.
nice play by Butler
That was pathetic…
Cuddyer should be the leadoff hitter. He hits great when nobody is on and can’t hit for anything with RISP.
One hit away from a big inning.
Typical.
So we have a pitcher facing us that can’t find the plate with a guide dog. And we’re up there hacking away like we’re facing Roger Clemens. Typical.
This is not going to end well.
Somebody get Blackburn a batting practice L-screen. The man is going to get hurt out there tonight pitching like this.
Crazy idea. Maybe we should take a couple pitches after he walks a guy and throws a wild pitch. I don’t know, I’m just a guy sitting at home on my couch.
Roy Smalley says his fastball has pretty good movement first time through the order. Great analysis Roy, as he has given up 5 hits the first time through the order.
I’d probably go ahead and warm up the whole bullpen right now. You’re going to need them all.
Did Roy Smalley just dare suggest that a Twins pitcher pitch inside to lefties?? Can he relay that over to Rick Anderson by chance??
Well, Bert just said Blackburn is a “contact pitcher”. Understatement of the year right now.
Blackburn, find the strikezone you bum!
Get him out of the game….NOW.
Good god just get him out of there!
And the bullpen is already up..Good grief, this is a nightmare.
Rick Anderson, if this keeps up, I hope you don’t have a job next season.
has bert ever considered becoming a pitching coach?
We are playing KC, right?
Well time to go see who is available for free agents next year. Not that I expect anyone to be signed but I can dream!
I think it’s time for LaVelle or Joe C. to start doing some articles about the job security of Rick Anderson. The dropoff for this entire staff is unreal.
Open the floodgates…
Harris sucks in the field.
Blackburn settle down on that throw. Get him out of the game.
Unbelievable!
Bad News Twins. This team plays baseball like it was invented yesterday.
Behold “The Twins Way.”
What hath Gardenhire wrought?
Wow, tough error on Harris. Blackburn had plenty of time to make a nice throw but it was way off.
I literally can’t believe what I am watching right now.
I’m gonna say it. I think. No, I can’t. Ah, hell with it…
Punto would have caught that ball.
Blackie, you had him by a mile and a half. You don’t throw to the plate that hard. Good God!
I don’t know which is worse:
That the Twins are melting down against the lowly Royals, or
That John Gordon and Dan Gladden are ignoring the game to talk to some boring golfer.
Nick34 = Nick Punto?
A sac fly is the best we can hope for here.
How the hell can you give the error to Harris on that? Blackburn put it a foot over his outstretched hands.
Cmon Wong get your head out of your behind.
Macleod, Punto is shorter than Harris, now way he catches that ball.
Macleod
The DP was better
Would it be too obvious if Gardy gets tossed after the first questionable call?
no* not now
That could’ve been caught, but that error has to go to Blackburn.
Pathetic.
DickBert, yeah it sure looks like Blackburn is getting settled in. Why would you even compare him to Verlander?
Well Blackburn threw it hi, wide, and very fast to 3rd. LNP probably would have caught it. OK, I said it.
Get him out of the game. He is done!
Hey Blackburn gets to start another game this homestand! I can’t wait!
Blackburn’s rough start - Blame Seth!!
He was done at the All star break, methinks
DP was better, I’m just very pessimistic right now.
And Nicky “The Acrobat” Punto would have caught that ball.
Way to rise to the occassion when your team needs you the most Blackburn, you frickin bum!
it’s all royals now, Blackburn can’t throw the ball in the strike zone
The FA crop doesn’t look promising! I did see that Luis Tiant had a special last night on ESPN. Is he available?
Absolutely pathetic performance by Blackburn when the team needed him almost as bad as it has all season.
Just another sobering reminder that you are a fool if you think this Twins team is playoff quality.
I can’t believe how bad twins SP is. This is pathetic. Rick A. has lost his zen with the pitchers.
Macleod, if Punto caught the ball, by the time he came back down and found the base, the runner would have been safe, just like Harris. That play is completely on Blackburn.
Not one boo as Blackie gets yanked, really? I’m not a bid advocate of this but even Mean Gene got boo’d during the ‘91 season after a bad game in right.
Maybe we should convert Joe Nathan back to a starter. We can’t get to him anyway!
Time to take a break and eat dinner. I hope it stays down while I’m watching this abysmal performance.
Watching this makes me wonder what the “balance point” is to scrap the season and start bringing up new guys. Of course the vaunted minor league system doesn’t have new guys that are much good.
I’m very glad they built their program to 2010…we look sharp and ready to contend next year.
Bring in Cuellar to replace Rick Anderson
Wow, what’s happened to our starters. This has almost become comical.
Just out of curiosity, who are the big name Starting pitchers on teh FA market for 2010?
Ben, the error was on Blackburn. I just want to get some Punto talk going. It’s a lot of fun.
Bad sign Baker and Blackburn seem to do their worst when we need them at their best.
Iconoclaust, does it really matter? Not like the Twins will go after any of them anyways.
“This has almost become comical.”
It was comical last week when the Indians were sticking it to us. When the Royals do it, that’s tragic.
I was expecting more more boos from the crowd. Demand some effort from this team!
Starting Pitchers
Brandon Backe HOU
Miguel Batista SEA
Josh Beckett * BOS
Erik Bedard SEA
Daniel Cabrera WAS
Bartolo Colon CWS
Jose Contreras CWS
Doug Davis ARZ
Justin Duchscherer OAK
Adam Eaton BAL
Kelvim Escobar LAA
Jon Garland * ARZ
Tom Glavine ATL
Mike Hampton HOU
Rich Harden CHC
Tim Hudson * ATL
Randy Johnson SF
John Lackey LAA
Cliff Lee * CLE
Braden Looper * MIL
Jason Marquis CHC
Kevin Millwood * TEX
Brett Myers PHI
Vicente Padilla * TEX
Carl Pavano CLE
Brad Penny BOS
Odalis Perez WAS
Andy Pettitte NYY
Joel Pineiro STL
Sidney Ponson KC
Jason Schmidt LAD
John Smoltz BOS
Jarrod Washburn SEA
Brandon Webb * ARZ
Todd Wellemeyer STL
Point taken, Ben. But I can dream, can’t I?
The question is……where is the accountability??
I believe the asterisk means they have a player or team option.
Thanks, what.
They need damn near an entire new rotation next year.
beetlejuice exactly, it either has to fall on Gardenhire or Anderson. I wish it was both.
How about some good news guys. Joe Crede got out of bed this morning without hurting himself!
Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2009 Minnesota Twins!!
STOP SWINGING! MAKE HIM THROW TWO STRIKES!
Backe is available now, but injured….
This team has no sense of urgency!
This is going to be hard to sit thru in order to watch Dick try and catch a fly ball after the game:)!
Did Bremer actually just say that DAvies has “buckled down?” Look at who he’s gotten out.
looks like Kyle Davies will get a W this game.
Casilla’s line drive is a hit against the Twins. Other teams don’t play their OF with their arse against the fence on every hitter.
Someone mentioned about the team building for 2010. THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE!!!!!!!!!!!
I am guilty as anyone, but good god. All the words posted in here about Punto, Casilla, Harris, Young, etc are a complete waste of time. This team has no chance with this pitching.
whatto… I agree. We will have 3 open infield spots. And 3 open rotation spots.
Punto should be the SP
this is all the fault of Bill Smith and the Pohlads for failing to field a competitive team. They hope they can get by on the cheap and maybe get lucky now and then.
This game goes from bad to worse. Gardenhire, congrats buddy! What a worthless manager.
Perhaps we should just let the Royals throw the ball up and hit it. This is nauseating.
Somebody needs to be held accountable for this team’s recent pitiful play and if it isn’t Gardenhire (which I really hope it is),it needs to be Rick Anderson.
I’ll just go ahead and guess that Cabrera is wondering what mess he got himself into with this team.
At least the weather is nice in Oakland.
Turn out the lights the party’s over
They say that all good things must end
Let’s call it a night the party’s over
And tomorrow starts the same old thing again.
I predicted a 4th place finish in the central for the twins - looks like I was too optimistic.
And this is what is wrong with Minnesota sports. That place should just be echoing with boos throughout this game. But, alas, just depressing business as usual.
Again, BS has only been in charge for 18 months. Most of these weaknesses are the result of decisions made before he took over.
That said, ouch. Really ouch. Really, really ouch. They should be embarrassed. Really embarrassed.
They walked Betancourt! That’s almost impossible. Unreal.
If you are getting murdered by the laughing stock the American League, what makes anybody in their right mind think this team has a shot at the playoffs, even in the terrible AL Central?
This is what happens when you have “control” pitchers w/o strikeout pitches….they either have to pitch to contact, or walk terrible baseball players.
Wow. Just wow.
You come off the road from a lousy trip and have a day off where you actually gain a half game. You should be excited, you should have the eye of the tiger and you cough up this hairball?
Amazing. This team you’re playing is about the worst in the league, maybe baseball. I am agog at the stink of this season.
Hope? We have a GM who is a bean counter who says in the press that he isn’t an evaluator but an administrator. We have a good old boy manager whose only familiarity with numbers is his parlay card on NFL weekends. We have a pitching coach who seem incapable of teaching his charges to pitch inside and make batters uncomfortable…more happy to “pitch to contact” and let them hit it.
This team has so many holes the only way to fix it will be for Pohlad, on the heels of his selling the Pepsi distributor, to buy the Yankees or Red Sox.
I predict that, as miserable as the Wolves are, they will be in the playoffs before the Twins.
Looks like the country club has a branch on Kirby Puckett Way.
Time to clean the whole thing out.
Finally the boo birds are out. It is about time.
There are your boos
WOW! Detroit and Boston getting into a brawl. Twins don’t have heart to pitch inside and fight like that.
Anyone have the Royals in a 13 pool tonight?
All this against a team that has not won a game by at least 7 runs since June 10th this season. That is not a misprint, it has been only 2 months since this team has won a game by at least 7 runs.
WTF HARRIS
Punto would have made that play too.
harris is an idiot
Harris does not deserve to be playing anymore. He hasn’t hit since the all star break and his fielding is worse than LNP.
If the runner had been trying to go back to 2nd Harry would have had’em. Nice play.
Oh don’t worry Ben…the royals will only win by six.
Regardless if LNP or Harris start tonight, does it really matter? The pitching staff has allowed 8 runs in 2 and 2 and 2/3 innings.
The actual sad part of this is if the score was reversed, the game would not be even close to over…but being the score as it is, we know the game is over
the Pohlads shoudl be ashamed of themselves for bilking the public for 300+ million for a stadium they could easily pay for themselves, instead, putting it on the backs of working men and women,,, and THEN, fielding a disgraceful team
the Pohlads shoudl be ashamed of themselves for bilking the public for 300+ million for a stadium they could easily pay for themselves, instead, putting it on the backs of working men and women,,, and THEN, fielding a disgraceful team
time clean house - gardy, anderson, smith and vavra should be gone come october
I’m calling it, Twins go 5-1 this homestand and everyone forgets tonight’s debacle!
I think Gardy has lost this team. They just don’t seem to really care to try too hard any more. It’s like they know the season is over.
kirby91, what would make you think that? Cleveland has been the hottest team in the division. The Twins can’t even handle the worst team in the AL.
I don’t think anyone could have predicted the SP would be this bad. SS and 2B and RP, yes, but not SP being this bad. I don’t blame BS for this falling apart. I will blame him if they don’t do anything to fix it in the off season.
Don’t worry guys, Bert just said the games not over and the Twins should focus on getting quality at bats.
That’s the problem Mike. We had zero veterans in the starting rotation and NOBODY predicted that would be a problem near the end of the season.
Mac, good point.
The Royals still have 6 more ups. Good god.
I don’t think this has anything to do with veterans at all, but I can see where others might.
here comes another worthless morneau at bat - he seems to have started his end of year swoon early this season.
When is it alright to jump off the wagon?
Mauer, the only thing left to watch this season.
bill smith has lost this team…in addition to gardy
I miss Johan!
Ben,
I was kidding my friend 
Morneau sucks in August.
Every one of our starters, who happen to be young, seem to have hit a wall. I believe veterans would not only be used to pitching many innings, but they would also do well to calm down this pitching staff. Right now you have a bunch of young pups peeing down their legs every single start.
better enjoy mauer while we can, another season like this and he will be heading for the east coast.
This team has no heart. None.
And they have the balls to demand action at the trade deadline.
Pavano and Cabrera are the only two guys on this team with a pulse, but we might has well have kept our prospects.
Great, now all Dick and Bert are talking about are Royals hitting for the cycle against the Twins. This is what it has come to. Not a single topic that could possibly make us believe the Twins have a shot here.
RyanW
Pavano and Cabrera are the only two guys on this team with a pulse, but we might has well have kept our prospects.
Really? Would you not put the guy who is 2-2 tonight and leads the league in hitting on that list?
wtf
Harris must have a hole in his glove.
Well, at least we have the schedule in our favor…
Bring up the kids. Now.
Punto has earned his way into the lineup while sitting on the bench.
Do you think Gardenhire is still at the stadium?
Here’s a pick me up, I believe tomorrow afternoon on MLB Network 1991 WS Game 6 is on again and then Thursday it’s Game 7.
Good times!
yep september call up time in august, should get a good feel for the needs of next season
On second thought, leave the kids down in Rochester where at least they can work with good coaches and manager for a few more weeks.
This team needs new direction. It worked for the Rockies in getting rid of Hurdle.
Make Moliter your new manager and Cuellar your next pitching coach.
Look on the bright side. This team isn’t far off for 2010.
By my reckoning, all they need this offseason:
A third baseman.
A shortstop.
A second baseman.
Three starting pitchers better than Baker and Slowey, making them the 4 and 5 starters and giving the team some depth in the rotation.
One of those starters should be someone of ‘ace’ quality.
OH, and four relievers.
That’s all.
JP,
Yes!
Keep me posted boys, I’m changing the channel.
yea I have always been a big supporter of Gardy, but I think its time for some change we can believe in
september call ups? swarzak, keppel, duensing and mulvey - we are already relying on september call ups. who else is left in rochester?
How does anyone expect that Harris could have caught that throw from Blackburn. It hit him in the glove.
lose BIG at home, I hope all the fans at dome to Booooooooo them.
Why is Mauer still in this game???
Gardenhire, get Mauer out of this mess. Put in Redmond so that we don’t have to see him on Thursday afternoon.
How does anyone expect that Harris could have caught that throw from Blackburn. It hit him in the glove.
cause if Harris should’ve caught it, that makes Punto look good.
top of the 4th with one out and the royals have gone through their batting order 3 times already.
beetlejuice, exactly but how else could Ronnie get his redmond in to start a game?
“A third baseman.
A shortstop.
A second baseman.”
Punto, Cabrera and Casilla work for me. Punto and Casilla need to hit better, which they are capable of.
Great throw Delmon. Now hit an 8-run homer.
At least DY proved he can play sometimes. Nice play.
how can any team tank so pathetically when they are in the middle of a pennant race and are starting the most important series of the year in their home stadium with a huge energetic crowd,,,,unbelievable, beyond imagination…i dont think they are capable of coming back and winning this thing regardless of anything…what the hell are they going to do about pitching…pavano cant go everyday for gods sake….ive never seen such a total staff collapse as this twins staff has had….
Maybe the start of a rally?????
Gardenhire, get Mauer out of this mess. Put in Redmond so that we don’t have to see him on Thursday afternoon.
This team has no heart. None
the fact that mauer and morneau are still in there grinding is a testament to how much heart this team has. can you imagine how deflating you would feel to come back for a huge home-stand and get absolutely demolished before you even have a chance? these guys are gamers. say what you want.
You guys will look pretty stupid when the Twins win this game in extra innings. Didn’t you see that game in Oakland? Oh, wait…
Gladden says the reports he has heard on Valencia aren’t that great. He doesn’t do much for me.
I wish they would try Dinkelman at third. He looks like a superior player to Valencia.
no offense today, only Mauer…..
Dick has dug into the Scotch early I see.
Punto, Cabrera and Casilla work for me. Punto and Casilla need to hit better, which they are capable of.
Get some Saints tickets. Hopefully Soon you’ll be able to watch both of them to your heart’s content.
Don’t hold your breath on the ‘hit better’ thing though.
Gladden thinks WHIP and OBP and OPS are stupid stats. Gladden isn’t the brightest bulb on the planet.
I’m shocked that the TWin$ would tell their announcers to say a minor league player isn’t ready just yet, shocked.
Gladden says the reports he has heard on Valencia aren’t that great. He doesn’t do much for me.
i agree.. i think everyone would just be disappointed and ride the kid hard all winter.
“the fact that mauer and morneau are still in there grinding is a testament to how much heart this team has.”
What are their options? Refuse to play and sit in the dugout eating sunflower seeds?
They are getting paid. They should be grinding their arses off.
bunting, i think youre right, this valencia talk has been alot of hype, but then you see little reports like he cant hit curve, etc and the story seems to fill out a bit…i would think if he was ready or had anything to offer this club he would be up already, especially with crede as worthless as hes been lately-we might as well face it, this org is in total disarray….we have so many holes now its rediculous 2b ss 3b and a whole pitching staff….thats a load to rebuild…
Mike, Gladden doesn’t even know what WHIP or OPS are.
i bet harris strikes out looking
mike, things like WHIP and OPS are stupid stats. They’re not even real stats, just stuff that fantasy nerds made up and somehow they’ve made it into the real life baseball lexicon.
Here’s another fun nugget, Randy Ruiz wasn’t good enough here (not enough power) but hit a HR vs. the Yanks tonight in his 1st game after being called up and tearing up Las Vegas. With the Twins luck he’ll turn out to be the next Ortiz.
How completely pathetic does this team need to get for some kind of a shakeup? If this was any sort of a baseball town, the entire management staff would have ALL been run out of town on a rail 2 months ago.
Actually, someone asked him about WHIP on the air once. It reminded me just how uninformed and backward he is about baseball and measures of success when he and Gordo tried to talk about it.
Gotta love it….Davies was in AAA a little while ago. Got TORE UP in his last start.
Then proceeds to mow down the Twins in a huge game at the Metrodome.
That pretty much sums up the season thus far.
What are their options? Refuse to play and sit in the dugout eating sunflower seeds?
hang their heads. say **** it and go through the motions.
“Gladden isn’t the brightest bulb on the planet.”
No question. He is so dim, he probably even thinks HE was a good baseball player.
With the Twins luck he’ll turn out to be the next Ortiz.
did he take steroids with him to the blue jays?
Wait, wait, wait. Wait just a gosh darn minute here.
The reports on Valencia aren’t that good?
Then which guy was it again who they refused to deal for Sanchez? Was that David Valencia? Darren Valencia? Dougie Valencia? Dustin Valencia?
I’m confused.
the reports on valencia is that he’s not quite ready for MLB. not that he isn’t a top prospect. tough concept?
twins hitters have a habit of letting no name AAA pitchers - think and throw like they are nolan ryan, sandy koufax, etc-its unreal, and dont know why it happens to regularly…..
Gladden really got after it when he was a player. He played Twins baseball.
Boys, Boys. Its just one game. The Twins are right on there avg. of giving up 9 runs a game. Go Twins….
They will bounce back if and when Punto is in the game….
sad thing is only the twins are capable of melting down like the twins did in oakland - there will be no comeback here.
gladden brought home two world series too. not sure what the uproar is all about.
Gladden was barely mediocre as a player.
And, USAChief has a great point. If Valencia is so bad, why not trade him? What made him so untouchable.
The TWin$ and their mouthpieces are better at this stuff than anyone Orwell could have fabricated.
no offense, boooooooooooo, boooooooooo,booooooooo,booooooooooo, no pitching, booooooooo, boooooooo, booooooooo
I can see the scene right now…
After the game, a couple vets clumsily call a team meeting to fire up the team.
Cuddy: We called a team meeting because if you guys didn’t notice we lost to the Royals tonight.
Young: The Royals?
Harris: The Kansas City Royals? I thought we were just taking fielding practice.
Mauer: Yes. The Royals. Gosh darn it, I wish you guys were paying attention.
Morneau: bersh, mursh, gersh, bersh
Kubel: bersh, mursh, mursh, gersh
Punto: Yeah! Come on guys! We are professional baseball players! You know, Pros! People pay us to play baseball! Can you believe it?! 4 million a year for me! This is my dream. And people are paying me! Pinch me!
Kubel: mush, mush
Mauer: Golly gee, dang it we are a good team
Morneau: We can be like the 87 Flames, if we just trade for more players.
Cuddy: listen, it might take a magic trick for us to pull this out- but we can do it.
Kubel: mush
Redmond: yeah it is so hard though, Kyle Davies had such good stuff. I cant touch that.
Mauer: Perk, you have something to say?
Perkins: Yeah… um.. I… dang it, I screwed up my chance to speak… uhh… its because my shoulder hurts.
Cuddy: This has been a great meeting. I think we are ready for tomorrow.
Punto: Hey guys, you going out tonight? Don’t leave without me!! Cuddy, you hear me? Hey Justin! Hey! I will meet you guys there! Jason, want to ride with me? No?
Pretty hard to put up with this suck fest when you know a winning streak isn’t coming. Unless you count two games, but even that seems unattainable right now.
nice take mike. real nice.
Reasons the Twins Suck.
1. Ron Gardenhire
2. Bill Smith
3. Inconsistent Lineups
4. Nicky Punto
5. Too much emphasis on left-lefty; righty-righty
6. Mike Redmond
7. Getting NOTHING for Santana and Hunter (see #2)
8. Terrible pitching (see #2)
9. Cheap Ownership
10. What happened to fundamentals
11. Holding players back (Morales)
12. Not playing Kubel everyday, let him try hitting lefties
13. Can we PLEASE steal a base when fast guys get on?
14. Ever heard of a suicide squeeze?
15. Ever heard of a hit and run?
16. Ever heard of a safety squeeze?
“With the Twins luck he’ll turn out to be the next Ortiz”
They are about the same age.
larsoeri, you forgot, they just don’t draft and develop well. And, most of this mess is Ryan’s creation, not Smith’s. He’s only been on the job 18 months. Unless you have unlimited funds, you can’t change a whole baseball team in 18 months.
In almost 1700 minor league plate appearances Valencia has hit .301/.358/.484 and played solid defense. Where did this idea come from that the “reports” on Valencia are negative or that he isn’t that good?
I don’t blame Casilla there for looking at strike three.
Those 87 MPH fastballs that split the plate are tough.
Casilla was looking for something different. Like to go back to the dugout.
larsoeri-
“Ever heard of a safety squeeze?”
Really? You really want to list that as a reason the Twins suck? Why didn’t you just stop at 15?
He’s only been on the job 18 months. Unless you have unlimited funds, you can’t change a whole baseball team in 18 months.
Really?
Check out what’s been done in Seattle in half the time.
Smith has had 2 full offseasons to make his mark. He’s f’d up pretty much every time he’s had to made a decision.
Off with this head. I can’t see how he can be trusted to do better.
mauer is going to finish the season hitting over 365 and the twins are going to finish under 500 so nice
I just don’t know what to say about this. Mauer should run, don’t walk, away from this mess. How frustrating it must be to sit behind that plate as pitcher after pitcher just sucks up the joint! Seriously, heads must roll! Ridiculous! And another thing, Morneau needs to pick up his hitting a bit or shut his mouth about the FO bringing in help. The only one allowed to speak should be Joe Mauer.
a HR here, please…
vikes football… fri nite…lol
totally agree about mourny randi
Kubel, a HR here, please…
Let me think. The guy in front of me just walked. Yep, I’ll go up there hacking away at a change up.
I will rip BS with the best of them, but this myth that he has screwed up everything that he has touched is a little off. His last three decently important moves (Crede, Cabrera and Pavano) have actually been pretty decent. And our last two drafts seem to be good.
The Young deal was bad. Santana had BS by the balls but he should have gotten Martinez or Pelfry out of the Mets.
5 hits off a total bum and 3 of them are mauer’s. that is pathetic
Question, How do you get Twins hitter (not named Mauer) out?
Answer, you put guys on base in front of him.
where is the hitting when RISP, just an Inconsistent Lineup.
My list should be:
1. Gardy
1a. Gardy
1b. Gardy
1c. Gardy
2. Bill Smith
Billy has had plenty of time to improve this team…. He is sending it into the crapper! Punto contract, Santana trade and the list of over-the-hill attempts at fill-in players, too many to list… HE IS TERRIBLE!
score the only run on a wild pitch, still need 8 wild pitches when runner at third to tie the game.
Maybe Dick and Bert could stop sounding like they want this guy to hit for the cycle against us.
As you all know, I’m as high on Valencia as anyone, but no matter what league you move up to, there is adjustment time. I agree with the comments that said that just because he has some things to work on, doesn’t mean he’s less of a prospect. He’ll be fine.
larsoeri-
BS can redeem himself with a 6 year extension for Mauer this fall.
Put Redmond in on the hill, save our arms.
RyanW,
1st, respectfully take issue with the credit you give BS with regards to Crede. Joe was the 2nd best option (and the cheaper one) he had this off season. He took it. So instead of Casey Blake playing everyday with much better numbers and having the 3rd base spot locked going into 2010, the Twins are left with an injury plaugued sub .240 hitting, here for only a cheap year, nice guy, good glove with some pop 3rd sacker.
2nd issue, worst case he could have kept Santana, not made the trade with the Rays, won the division on 2008 & gotten a top draft pick when Johan left and still left the Twins with an All Star shortstop hitting over .340 and with a young flame throwing starter they badly need. So Johan didn’t really have him by the balls as you say.
Some big forks in the road the Billy took the least desirable road in each instance. Both have hurt the team short and long term.
mauer would be a fool to sign a six year extension this fall even if it is for $150 million. the yankees will pay that and he will have a chance to win.
This is just too much! I don’t know why I keep watching this. It would be great if the fans all stood up at the same time and walked out. I have never understood the unspoken no booing thing in Minnesota. This team deserves to be booed frequently.
The reason the boo birds are not out is because most of them are on this board.True fans are the ones that actually attend the games.
Here’s the Out On A Limb Prediction of the Night -
1.) because of how tonight has gone
2.) because of lack of bullpen ready for tomorrow
3.) because of Glen Perkins not being able to be used.
4.) because who knows what to expect from Liriano tomorrow night.
5.) because the Twins top decision makers are in New Britain…
Prediction - after the game, the Twins will announce that Perkins is going on the DL and Anthony Slama is coming up.
(Disclaimer - just a prediction. I know nothing)
RyanW redmond on the hill to same our arms would mean we have arms to save
Or Delaney or Morillo could be promoted too.
Taking donations for Keppel’s plane ticket to Rochester. Anyone in?
That is why I am still making the trek up the Arlington for 3 games next week…. and more than likely seeing Punto everyday…. (yay!)
someone cut the power at the dome…make this a forfeit, i cant remmember ever wanting any twins game over more than this one…this is a total stinker, and i mean stinker…dont you guys agree this is a real stink job…
His last three decently important moves (Crede, Cabrera and Pavano) have actually been pretty decent. And our last two drafts seem to be good.
Crede, instead of Blake, was a mistake that should never have been necessary. Blake fills third base this year, possibly next year, and becomes a nice affordable bench piece, or a trade piece, if/when Valencia is ready to take over third.
Trading the 60th pick from a previous draft for 2 months of Cabrera rather than trading this year’s 22nd pick for a full year of Cabrera can hardly be called a good decision. He invested 8Mil in Punto instead, and handed him the SS position.
I do like the Pavano deal. I would call that a very nice pickup, depending on who the PTBN turns out to be. I’ll give him that one, and I said so before he pitched well in Detroit.
Had Smith made better decisions last winter, he wouldn’t need to be trying to recover now, and maybe they wouldn’t be under .500.
Maybe they should just rent a plane to ship em all back to R-town
I would love to be at the game booing my brains out, but I live in Florida. True fans have every right to boo.
Perkins to DL, Keppel on a plane to Rochester.
Delaney and Slama on the way up.
We can only hope…
keppel’s ticket to rochester? how about blackburn’s? Keppel did better tonight.
Delmon with an XBH!!! He knows how to pick his spots.
see what happens when we dont have punto in the lineup…..all you punto haters take note…
timely hitting for those twins. empty the bases and they hit it out of the park
I’ll take Blackie’s body of work 10 out of 10 times versus Keppel.
DY homers two straight games, wow! new savior
Seth, I could see a call up for a long reliever/starter type too.. Kevin Mulvey, maybe?
right LA. if everyone can hit a solo shot we’ll win.
If we stirng another 14 base hits, we’re right back in it.
DY’s a slow starter.
The way our starters have been throwing, long relief is the most important spot in our pen.
those hits on RSIP would be much better!
Flurry of activity and we score one pathetic run.
see, easiest way to kill a twins rally - put a few runners on base.
I think you mean RISP, Tai, but that’s ok. Or did you mean R.I.P. ?
that is the first lead off batter retired all night
haha, R.I.P for the runners left on base.
thank goodness for crain - with nothing on the line I imagine he will pitch lights out and end this mess more quickly.
Can anyone explain why the Twins are so slow to move Delaney and Slama … Delaney had a slow start at AAA, but has been pretty dominant since the all-star break and Slama has been pretty dominant all-season at AA (averaging almost 1.5 K’s an inning!).
Why has Delaney not moved up to the majors when that is the team’s most pressing need, then you could move Slama to AAA to take his spot and possibly move him quickly up too if he is successful.
Or would that make too much sense?
So, let me guess what will happen postgame. A little Bob Marley maybe? Maybe some jokes by Gardenhire?
Man, oh man, this team needs a makeover.
Randy Ruiz wasn’t good enough here (not enough power) but hit a HR vs. the Yanks tonight in his 1st game after being called up and tearing up Las Vegas. With the Twins luck he’ll turn out to be the next Ortiz
The Twins’ “luck” is called Jim Rantz…
Way to get the hits/runs going tonight boys…even with Davies only giving up 1er, his era is STILL 6.11!!
Despicable.
I find it odd that the two posters who continually scold the board for all the negativity–T and DrDon–are nowhere to be found.
Frontrunners.
One more thing about Randy Ruiz…he was a catcher/1b/dh. We already have those positions and as we all know from watching this season, Gardy/Buffet Bill arent going to release/demote Naked guy off the team. (When is it time to start the “FREE MORALES” chant?)
Thrylos-
I saw that you were saying on Twitter that you think a claim went down? Is that right? Just curious.
i have always said ortiz would not have become the hitter he became as a twin - now we know why. cannot imagine anyone on the twins ever using steroids. except the pitchers that is - juan rincon.
That veteran in the rotation is really having a positive impact on the other starters. Innings pitched by the starting staff since Pavano got here:
1 IP, 7 IP (Pavano), 4.1 IP, and 1.2 IP.
I thought that having a vet in the rotation would be helpful, not harmful.
Just wait Chief…I am sure they will be on here to police things later.
Quotes will be flying left and right!
Where is rock bottom? When can recovery begin?
On a positive note…I do enjoy watching Cabrera play. He is pretty nifty.
thrylos -
I know this is a very late reply, but I’m going to post it anyway.
Harris, given ‘regular’ playing time from May 18th to July 23rd when he started 52 of the 57 games played by the Twins -
.259/.300/.368
Punto from the time he came off the DL on June 12th to July 23rd -
.234/.365/.299
So, Harris put up an OPS of .668 during his run of starts, while Punto had a .664 after he got off the DL. Given that Harris was playing worse defense than Punto, are we really surprised that Gardy and the Twins gave the position to Punto?
The comment suggested that all Harris needed was some regular playing time, and he would out play Punto. I’m just showing that he didn’t do it.
One final comparison -
Since Punto came off the DL on June 12th -
Harris - .587 OPS in 164 PA
Punto - .625 OPS in 145 PA
Matt - if you go to http://www.SethSpeaks.net, I have a Q&A today with Anthony Slama and asked him for his thoughts on how slowly he has been promoted, and if he feels held back.
Another thing people need to remember is, yes, Slama is 25 in AA and doing pretty well, but that’s where Neshek was too, putting up similar numbers. Slama’s dominated RH batters, but not as much against lefties. I think he could be promoted, but again, there are probably things he can still need to work on.
I saw that you were saying on Twitter that you think a claim went down? Is that right? Just curious.
The Twins did claim someone last Friday. (my source is good, outside of the Twins’ organization, same one who said that the Twins were after Heath Bell, which I twitted about before anyone who covers the Twins even got a smell of it). He is an AL reliever. They had to complete a deal by today. Not sure whether they did
To the royals, really?
The argument over Harris/Punto seems rather moot to me. Pitching sucks. That is the biggest problem.
Dick/Bert - the Tigers scores are pretty much irrelevant at this point…
thanks, thry. Be interesting to hear what happens.
Well Justin Speier is available….. he can’t be worst than what we are seeing now…..
Heath Bell is an AL reliever?
Perhaps your source isn’t as good as you think.
LOL, Justing Speier? Is that sarcasm Miss Sarcasm?
Chief I don’t think that is what he was saying. Also Speier was released today by the Angels.
Unreal, the Royals have 14 g-damn runs and Billy Butler (my latest fantasy bb add) is freakin 1 for 6. Gah, cant get anything to go my way tonight!
have you seen what happened today? He has been good in the past? maybe he just needs to leave LA….
Just reread your post, thrylos. My bad.
Im with you LMS, but at this point Im really getting tired of veteran retreads. Free SLAMA/DELANEY!!!
Seth … I did read the Q&A on your site earlier today (very good interview!) and it seems like Slama is a good character guy from the answers he gave. I guess have not watched him pitch in person, but from looking at the numbers, it makes me wonder what he needs to do (or any pitcher for that matter) to move through the system faster.
Bat Girl is at the Game??? Please tell me this is the first step in a comeback?
She is my boyfriend tonight!
Now I know why I keep watching. A couple of hits and a passed ball, and I convince myself that we might be able to come back. I am one sick individual.
Btw, I saw Scott Baker up at the Potbelly in Maple Grove yesterday at lunch.
Almost went up to him and asked him if the Twins were accepting resumes for starting pitchers?
Just reread your post, thrylos. My bad.
no problem (other than that sh#tty Twins’ appearance tonight)
Seth,
Do you know who the PTBNL is for Pavano?
Span the Man! Almost a Slam!
Three and a half hours later, the Twins can’t get off the field to take the 14-2 loss.
You know it’s bad when you wish there was a 10-run rule.
Goodbye Gardy, Vavra, Anderson, and Bill Smith. Actually, most of those guys were good for a while. It’s just over now. Goodbye.
**pure speculation**
Well if the Twins were looking to complete a deal by today for an AL pitcher…. and didn’t announce one, and Speier gets released today there might be a good chance he ends up coming here for the pro-rated pay, unless a team that is actually a contender can use him.
Speier did get released today
If Weachter can stay in the game for another 9 or 10 batters, we would have a chance.
“Do you know who the PTBNL is for Pavano?”
No… they have a general idea of the type of player (tier, positions maybe), but the final list will be worked on in the coming weeks, and they’ll probably decide after the season.
HAHAHA, atta boy Punto. Pick up right where you left off your entire career. Seriously, 4M a yr for that garbage?
How did Vavra-Almost went up to Baker did you.Why not rip a guy to his face instead of ripping everyone on this blog.Coward!
Trying to be a half-glass-full guy with the Twins tonight, after watching this pathetic performance…Management should have no excuse to revamp this pitching staff in the coming off-season. The days of next year the starting rotation will blossom into one of the best staffs in the majors are over. The so called untouchable prospects have hit the wall of failure head first, in a constant concussion state of mind “Next year will be the year this rotation will shine”, should not be the theme, once again, of the front office. Sign a free agent pitcher for God sake, package two of anybody in your rotation for another competent starter, please and don’t use the excuse Slowey was injured during the stretch run, his run support was the reason for his 10 game winning record, not because he was dominant, he’s only average.
This team has no fire, they have become way to laid back.
The saddest part might be…we’ll need Mijares to retire a LH batter in a tight spot tomorrow night, and he won’t be available.
I’m not sure why I should care anymore at this point. But sadly, I do. Sort of.
Or maybe not.
It’s hard to tell.
Chief,
You are way right on Blake over Crede. So what if he wanted three years? As you said, in the third year you trade him. I don’t see how Valencia will be ready to take over next year.
Geno…
Apparently you arent familiar with ’sarcasm.’ Besides, based on the last few months, Baker has been our best pitcher. Take your meds dude.
Speier did get released today
Chris Speier is still playing ball?
I have heard that Valencia is hated by most of his team mates. Not just a couple almost all of them. Every year these comments keep comming up. Gardy wont put up with it. Twins should have traded him when they had a chance. I watch the wings play every home game. Valencia is a solid player but no where near the anwser for the twins. He may be the worst off speed hitter I have seen in a long time. He does nothing but cheat to fast balls. That will not work in the show.
I guess we’ll try again tomorrow. It can’t get much worse than tonight…can it?
WingsFan,
Um, maybe you should submit your resume to take over Jim Rantz’s job?
Pretty indicting and indepth scouting of Valencia there. Nice recon work.
It is time to cut ties with Redman and demote Casilla. Stop holding back Moralas and Tolleson. They would both be in the top 5 hitter in the twins line up.
Chris Speier is still playing ball?
No…he just got released! 
What is the scoop with Tolleson? What is the outlook for him in the future?
I wasn’t following tonight’s game, and checked the official twins site for the gameday pitch by pitch app to catch up. On the Twins site, their headline for the game in progress is “Young gives fans something to cheer about in the sixth.” Seems a little misleading. I had to laugh at that one.
That’s like looking for the silver lining around a hurricane.
Time to blow this team up. Morneau and Mauer should be traded this off season for pitching and a decent infield. This season has proven it does not matter if you have superstars like Morneau and Mauer if you cannot pitch and field the ball.
Here is a question for the great baseball minds. At what age does a player become too old to be considered a prospect?
No way will this embarassing failure of a season cause any sort of mass overhaul of coaches and/or players. You know Pohlad and Smith will try to excuse it with a “they just had an off year.”
Gardy should not be fired no matter how bad the rest of this season goes(and its gonna be ugly, I still think we could finish dead last), but this is his one gimme. If they show the same appalling lack of effort and repeated mistakes next year, then get him outta here. He can take Little Nicky and Naked Guy with him.
I’m off to Wrigley to see a couple real contenders the next 2 days. Last relevant ballgames I’ll see this year.
He plays the game extreamly Hard. Good Speed. Great Hitter. Make more solid contact than anyone I have seen in along time. Has good pop, hits alot of double and scores alot of runs. His Defence has been GREAT. He make all the routine plays and has a nack for making the great ones. He always seems to be in the right spot. I have talked to him a good bit before games and he is just as good of a person as he is a player. Great fit for the Twins RIGHT NOW!
The post above is about Tolleson
DisgruntledTwinkieFan
Uh three years in a row not making the playoffs. Preceeded by an awful playoff series in 2006.
Compare that to Clint Hurdle who was canned 1.5 years after making it to the WORLD SERIES.
Time to fire Gardy. Clean house and start over in the new stadium.
Thanks Wings! I’m all for it!
Hurdle was canned though because it was known he lost the respect of his players, especially his hot headed eventual superstar SS…. That SS had no problem controlling the clubhouse, he had problems taking it onto the field but when the other players were respecting Tulo more than Hurdle that is when his days became numbered, there is no player like Tulo on the Twins, from what I’ve heard it seems like the Twins are actually scared to stand up and say anything to Gardy.
*eventual to be superstar
Gardy is not the problem. He has a proven track record of doing much with little. It’s the pitching staff and the organizational philosophy regarding pitching. The Twins like control pitchers who pitch to contact. When every single one of your starters tops out at 91 and is around the plate with every pitch, they are going to get hit. Twins need some power pitchers with attitude; pitchers who aren’t afraid to throw inside.
Yeah, Gardenhire sucks. This could possibly end up being his second losing season in 8 years (there was that catastrophic 79-83 team in ‘07).
Gardy is not the problem. He has a proven track record of doing much with little
I totally agree with that… He has enough World series rings to fill all of his fingers and some of his toes…
Has Tolleson ever taken a ML at bat? Prolly not!
Decisions like batting Punto in the 9th with 1 out, 2 runners on, and down by 3. Who do you blame? Whoever you insert should be fired.
Let’s spark some life in this team!!
1. Rest of games on TV without announcers or circles
2. Sign Punto and Redmond to contract extensions now
3. Let’s have two guys walk in a row and then swing at the first pitch
4. Blame Harris for something
5. Put Punto back batting 2nd
Go twolves
All I can say is this team looked totally pathetic tonight, I left the game after the fourth inning! I have never left a game that early, I just knew it wasn’t going to get any better. The starting pitching stinks, the relievers stink and now they are all shot for tomorrow night! Hope Liriano lasts at least five innings, but don’t count on it. The team seems very lethargic right now, tough for them to play when there is no confidence in the pitching.
I think Blackburn thre harder to Harris on that bunt play (too hard and not on target) than he did to any batter all night.
bjwillia
They had one of those. Garza. Gardy couldn’t stand him so he was shipped out of Minnesota.
Don’t give me this under-talented b.s. Gardy also plays in the weakest division in the A.L. That more than enough compensation.
Face it. Three years in a row without making the playoffs.
Gardy needs to go.
