Thursday (0, 4, 6, 3) edition: Wha’ Happened?
Posted on April 3rd, 2008 – 7:44 AMBy Michael Rand
In the very fortunate absence of some sort of spring tragedy that has befallen the club in recent years, the Twins might be looking for a commemorative patch as a symbol of their season. Might we suggest, then, the item to your right, honoring — and this is great — the USS Pivot, aptly named and numbered 463 (or, if you prefer, the patch could perhaps be altered to read 4-6-3 for the Twins). The Twins hit into four such double plays last night, including the 4-6-3 master himself, Joe Mauer, coming off the bench to finish off the game with another ill-timed grounder to second. Your final score: 1-0 Angels. Look: the offense should be OK over the long haul, but right now it is wasting a lot of good pitching (three-for-three in quality starts, even if Boof’s was more of a technicality than a thing of beauty). The bigger long-term question: who is the on-field leader of this team? Maybe Cuddyer. Maybe Mauer. Maybe Morneau. The fact that there is no quick answer means there really is no answer, period. That’s a problem.
What else?
*If you missed Larry Bowa’s tantrum the other day, please don’t hesitate to rectify that situation. Also, UM2010 also adds some context with this article, in which the Giants’ 3B coach says he was told the rule about coaches staying in their boxes would not be enforced.
*OK, this Chris Henry news is worthy of a front-page hit. If he was asking himself a hypothetical question, “What do I have to do to get kicked out of this league?” me might soon find an answer. He’s sure been trying.
*If you fancy yourself a Timberwolves fan, consider that Derrick Rose and Kevin Love — two top-10 players who fill glaring needs at PG and C — are playing in the Final Four. Put your scout hat on this weekend. The Wolves can use all the help they can get. Oh, and if you don’t think the 6-10 Love can play center in the NBA, you’re crazy.
*A win tonight over Calgary clinches the division for the Wild and also sets up a potentially interesting scenario for Sunday’s finale at Colorado. Do they take their foot off the gas to both rest players and potentially help Colorado get the No. 6 seed (thus avoiding a first-round matchup with nemesis Calgary) or do they go full-throttle and avoid messing with karma? But first: win tonight.
*Some solid April Fools work, including Steve Bartman and the Fasola-link! about a fake baseball card.
13 Responses to "Thursday (0, 4, 6, 3) edition: Wha’ Happened?"
Was last night the 3rd game of the year or the 103rd? Why does Mauer need a day off after only 2 games? It seems like there is no chance that Mauer is the on the field leader because he is only on the field 70% of the games. Are they saving him for the playoff push already?
Ridiculous!
Honestly, I’m happier about Blackburn’s start than I’m upset by the loss. That’s the beauty of having no expectations.
By the way, you could do worse than to read Reusse’s article about Lyman Bostock this AM.
I prefer Kevin Love to Tyler Hansbrough…anyone else?
I wish my wife was as insistant as Ed Montague.
Ive been touting Love all year after I saw him last year at the Target Center….I wish he was about 2 inches taller, but think hed be the best option if they cant get Beasley.
I saw Love at the TGT Center last year too.
Love is the best passer in NCAA basketball at any position, and I think that makes him even more valuable in the NBA. He can play the 5 at times, but he has great skills for a 4 to really make an impact. And he’s one year out of high school and played against top competition this season.
I think Hasbrough is a slightly more talented Mark Madsen. If he flops like that in the NCAA, Shaq is going to break his head open like a cantaloupe. Laettner was ineffective in the NBA and he was worlds better than Hansbrough in college.
I agree quipster…Hansbrough reminds of someone like Noah or Brewer..someone that helps the team win, but not a main piece of the puzzle until you have talent surrounding them.
Also counting against Hansbrough is that clip of him high-stepping down the court while he punches the air. It’s horrifying.
So baseball enacts new rules, only to have league officials tell the coaches that they will not enforce them? Nice.
Did you catch the shots of Love making full- and half-court shots in practice? He could do that for the whole game in a Wolves uni and they’d have a better shot at winning.
P.S. Does anyone really read a reply posted 5 hours after the fact? Bueller?
Well, not many people…
AZGG: I always make time for you. You’ve been to Biscay, it’s the least I can do.
“P.S. Does anyone really read a reply posted 5 hours after the fact? Bueller?”
Not me.
