Thursday (Bring Them Home) Edition: Wha’ Happened?
Posted on September 4th, 2008 – 7:48 AMBy Michael Rand
There was ugliness and bitterness on the television last night — several scenes that were almost more than the stomach could handle. For those worried we were going to delve back into politics, rest assured the topic at hand is the Twins’ game. There have been enough stomach-punching losses to last a half-season on what has been a torturous road trip for the local squad regardless of how they might try to spin it. Last night’s game — an exercise in tightness and futility, at least on defense, when it mattered most — only served to reinforce that the Twins need to get home fast. Just one more day, and the long local nightmare is over. Our question to you: what is your faith level right now? That is to say, through all that has happened in the past couple of weeks, the Twins are still just 1 game out of first place. They have a favorable stretch schedule compared to Chicago, including a final week that includes a home series against the White Sox and Royals. But do you believe, instinctively, they will do it this year? And how does that feeling compare to 2006?
And, finally, are you ready for some football? (Don’t forget to join the RandBallers group at U Pick Em).
Fasola-link! Nick Hornby interviews The Wire’s David Simon. Swearing (and much goodness) ensues, so watch out.
23 Responses to "Thursday (Bring Them Home) Edition: Wha’ Happened?"
Rand, you never cease to amaze me. You kick off this piece/post/subset/chapter (what the hell are these new “chapter ideas” called ?)..anyway you start this by something “there was something ugly on tv last night”. That’s cool but that butt ugliness had zippo to do with that intense lookin’ protesting AMERICAN pic you posted. Strange indeed. That’s like saying you will be discussing the hottest NFL teams the putting up a JPEG of the Vikes…weird man, you are
“weird man, you are”
P3’s true identity revealed, Yoda.
Never been so happy to have a fantasy draft make me miss another sporting event.
Jason Pridie, welcome to the majors, where you don’t field outfield grounders at the side of your body…
That alone should have lost him his roster spot.
jama, you finally speak the truth. I’ve been there. I have the experience. I just wasn’t a community organizer…
I remember when Twins teams, if they could do one thing, it was play defense. And if they could do two things, it was pitch well out of the bullpen.
At this point, I’m basically in “cringe and hold breath” mode any time the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand after the 5th inning (and yes, I unfortunately must include the 9th inning now too).
To answer the question: I don’t feel good about the Twins’ chances right now. For whatever reason, this team refuses to win a game when they are going into the day tied for first, or in sole possession of first place. I think that at some point becomes more than coincidence, and definitely does not bode well for the stretch run…
These guys need to somehow develop a finishing mentality (channeling Mortal Kombat) pretty quick.
/reverse jinx complete
I will be at all three Twins-White Sox games…I can’t wait…I’m actually giddy for how loud it’s going to be in there.
Not only is it the start of Pick ‘Em, but it’s also RBFFL kickoff. The excitement is palpable.
These guys need to somehow develop a finishing mentality (channeling Mortal Kombat) pretty quick.
Hopefully the video games and not the movies…
And you know, at least we’re not the Cubs right now, where fans are in full panic mode
I know nobody asked, but the Rage concert was better than good. The loss of hearing for a couple of days was well worth it.
I kinda wish I had forked out the money for that one…
Did Nine Inch Nails open?
We would have also accepted:
Thursday (The Division Nobody Wants) Edition: Wha’ Happened?
or
Thursday (AL Central: Back to Mediocrity(or worse)) Edition: Wha’ Happened?
I don’t have a lot of faith in the Twins right now, but obviously the White Sox are struggling too. So, it will be a coin flip for the division. Looking ahead to the playoffs, I really don’t trust the Twins there. They will be one and done. I think the Sox would step it up a notch for the playoffs though.
Dave
No NIN, although for $75 I sure wish someone other than Anti-Flag had been the opening act.
Onto the Twins, not looking good although I will give them this one home series against the Tigers before I make a final decision. Right now I would say they have a 40% chance of making the playoffs. If they don’t at least win the series against DET that will drop quickly.
Ah, the Twins…food for thought for the intellectually bulimic.
They will not win the division, nor the wild card, but since noone expected it during a rebuilding year, it will be seen as okay. Sigh!!
Look out next year though.
It’s hard to have a good instinctive feeling about the Twins right now. Plain and simple: They’ve been bad. If they continue playing like this, they won’t make the playoffs.
Only takes one good series to change that feeling though.
My short term faith is weak- I don’t think they’ll make the playoffs. I’m actually OK with that, though, as I don’t think they have what it takes to go deep into the playoffs.
My long term faith is strong, though. They’ve greatly exceeded my expectations for this year, and I think they have the makings of a very solid team in a year or two.
Faith level = zero. We’re screwed.
P3: The picture was intended to be a humorous tip of the cap to the title of today’s post (it even comes from a protest in Toronto, giving it double-impact. Or so I thought).
Can-a-da?
Two weeks ago I thought the Twins and White Sox could both make the playoffs. I still like the Twins chances, the White Sox have not been playing any better and there schedule is much tougher down the stretch. I expect it to be decided when the Sox come to town.
Our starters are better, our schedule is easier and we’re healthier, but I’m having trouble convincing myself those factors will put us over the top. Call it a crapshoot and hope for lucky breaks.
Last night was the most frustrating night of couch potatoing in recent memory.
The Neshek injury is definitely rearing its head now.
Funny, it looked like they’d be okay for awhile there…
Mr. Rand Sir, I was mainly concerned that the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison after all these years with me referring to bringing the troops home from ‘Nam would release those picts to these very RaandB postings I do contribute to. Yes, that was me except I never wore all those crosses/crucifixes (difference ?)..Weird that guy
