The absolute, true, no-bull story behind the shutout
Posted on August 12th, 2008 – 7:44 AMBy Howard
It was one of those rare nights at the Dome when people were on such seat’s edge, for the most part, that every single attempt at starting the wave failed. Score one for the fans. And there wasn’t a beach ball to be seen. Instead, the 30,000 in the house, a number certainly diminished by the frustration of the just-ended road trip, were in tune with the action on the field from start to finish.
You should have heard the roar when Adam (Crusher) Everett smacked his home run off Ol’ Pontoon.
What you don’t know, until now, is what happened before the game that led up to the excitement.
Adam Everett had something to say late Monday afternoon, and that worried some of his teammates.
They’d heard him take all the blame for Sunday’s loss when he told the reporters who’d watched four-plus hours of mushy baseball in Kansas City and seen his horrific throwing error that let the Royals tie the score: “It cost us the game You can slice it and dice it any way you want it, it cost us the game. … I’ll take that one for the team, for sure.”
Adam cleared his throat; Nick Punto tried to cut him off.
“C’mon Crusher,” Punto said. “You weren’t the only one who messed up Sunday. Look at Kubel and Gomez and Delmon. They went 0-for-11….”
Kubel shot Punto a look. “…and I didn’t do so good myself,” Punto finished softly.
Gardy walked by and looked a bit nervous too, wondering what more Everett might have to say. He wondered if he should be putting in a call to the team therapists, Dr. Gladden and Dr. Morris, for a little group session before sending the guys out to play the Yankees.
But Adam Everett put one finger to his lips, signaling for them to shush, and held two more to an ear, signaling for them to listen.
“Fellas,” Adam Everett said before going out to play the Yankees, “you guys should jump on my back tonight. I’m going to carry us.”
A roar went up in the clubhouse. Boof Bonser and Brian Bass looked up from their fantasy football draft preparation and slapped fives high and low, missing high. Dennys Reyes put down the Team USA Olympics swimsuit catalog he was preparing to order from. Joe Mauer thought back to his childhood and tried to remember where he’d heard those words.
Meanwhile, Adam Everett snt a txt 2 54729 (KIRBY) and nervously tapped: “did it. hope it workz.”
And then the boys took the field. Glen (New Pappy) Perkins made them skittish by giving up two singles in the first and then putting Yankees on first and third with none out in the second. But he escaped both times.
In the bottom of the second, with Crusher’s pre-game words buzzing in his head, Brian Buscher worked a two-out walk.
And then Adam Everett strode to the plate.
There were balls and strikes until the count went full and then, with a mighty whack, the Crusher struck. His fly ball sent the Yankees’ left fielder back to the wall. Not knowing of Everett’s proclamation, Justin Christian was playing Everett like he would a light-hitting shortstop.
Christian kept going back, the ball kept going. Christian reached the wall and reached up, the ball reached the first row of seats.
Twins 2, Yankees 0. There would be no givebacks on this night. Only ground balls, whiffs and the occasional fly ball to Gomez or Span. Perkins went eight scoreless. It would end Twins 4, Yankees 0. Joe Nathan, whom Everett helped to deprive of a save chance on Sunday, finished off the Yankees in the ninth by striking out Abreu, A-Rod and A New Guy Named NagyNady. The Twins would again end the night in first place.
The Crusher who channeled a legend bumped fists and did all the victory rituals that he couldn’t do during his lost months on the disabled list.
If you listened closely, you could hear the late Jack Buck talking to the people who had left 16,000 or so Metrodome seats empty:
“And we’ll see you tomorrow night.”
other people are here too
151 Responses to "The absolute, true, no-bull story behind the shutout"
Nice one, Howard. A good story is still a good story regardless if it is ‘no-bull’ or not.
I suppose with Everett’s newly found power it means that Harris should be a little nervous? Oh wait…
maybe little nicky will ride the bench when Casilla comes back???
As I was reading that I, too, was channeling a former Twin great…Batgirl. All you needed, Howard, was a Legovision illustration of the locker room scene and it would have completed the channel.
Can we talk Batgirl to fire up her blog for the stretch run? Visions of J-Zillas and protective cups would help push us to the division title.
Nice job, H.
I don’t care how many row 1 homers Adam Everett hits, there still has to be a bettter middle infield than this Everett-Punto combo.
Tonight has to be the night where Harris replaces Punto in this lineup.
Great story! I’m with Willie. I think Batgirl needs to come out of retirement, at least for the rest of the season.
only better middle infield combo off the top of my head is Trammel and “Sweet Lou” Whitaker
I’m glad they’re giving Cassila a brief rehab, I’d hate to see the same thing happen to Cassila that has happend to Punto.
No one should be brought back after an injury that’s not Major League ready. I wish they would have given Punto a short rehab assignment after his injury to get his timing back. He hasn’t been the same since the injury, and now he’s pressing. I hope he comes around to his first half form.
I really think Gardy makes Punto worse than he is. I dont think Punto mentally can handle a slump and Gardy just keeps playing him and playing him and he gets worse and worse. Gardy talks about confidence, I think he F’s Punto up by making him play everyday. What the hell would it hurt to play Harris at 2B for the next 2 games.
Rocky, get it through your head already, Harris is not good enough to play everyday in this critical playoff race…we need veterans like Nick Punto if we want to increase our lead in the Central.
That story is made all the better by me picturing Everett sounding like something between Frodo of LotR fame and…well…Gollum of LotR fame.
Glen Perkins is having the Best Week EVER!
we need veterans like Nick Punto if we want to increase our lead in the Central.
Nah. We need more veteran hitters like Dougie B. in our lineup. Because this team is definately a left-handed platoon player away from the playoffs.
Honestly I read that and I was waiting for the “Batgirl guest post.” Like it was said before me, we just needed Legovision to make it all the better. Regardless good story Howard.
Even more important. Great win last night. It was fun from the beginning to the end. Perk was about as impressive as he has ever been. And Bert, of course, complained about him not getting the complete game.
Since Everett returned to the team after Casilla’s injury, he is hitting .300 with a .417 OBP.
I agree, Batgirl, we need you.
I think the telling moment of last night’s game came in the first or second inning already. Perkins made that bad throw to Morneau that put Cano on third with nobody out…and Sexson drew the walk.
Then Perk got the pop up followed by the DP and that was it. I didn’t follow the game that closely (I left just after Everett’s homer and caught the game in passing along with the Packers game as the night went on) so I dunno if the Yankees ever had another threat like that all night (the 4 hits would indicate that was not the case)
Did see Nathan blow away A-Rod. That was a thing of beauty.
Since the all-star break, Punto is hitting .162 with a .225 OBP. I think you could randomly select any position player from any of the Twins’ minor league teams and they could probably match or surpass those numbers.
Did anyone see Nathan mouth an F-bomb in the 9th inning as he was looking up at the crowd? What the heck was that for??
Rotoblinders, Ifgirl, et al, I was just going to post the exact same thing. This post was DEFINITELY in the spirit of Batgirl. Sigh…maybe we could collectively offer babysitting for Baby Dash? Just a thought!
Thanks Howard! Let’s hope we can keep 1st place for more than a day now! 
nice story but not sure i’ve ever heard punto stand up and take blame for bad play. of course it happens so rarely that i could have forgot.
as i said yesterday with all the punto bashing he would hit the ball last night. nice game nicky you hit the ball every time up!!
perfect #2 guy last 7 days .080 ave., last 14 days .176 ave. not really much of a drop off from casilla so no need to hurry back.
Great job, Howard. I was entertained, and what more can a guy ask for at the beginning of the work day?
Thanks,
Love the stats, ES16. Offhand, if he goes 0-4 tonight, what will those stats be?
The Adam Bomb certainly came at the right time. Everett is the All-Time Leader in Homers for Astro Shortstops. Maybe he wants the Twins record, don’t know who it is. Zoilo Versailles probably.
Plunkton, I saw Nathan’s F Bomb and rewound a few times trying to get the whole phrase - gotta love Nathan’s competitiveness although it would be tough not to be fired up in that environment.
That Puckett article is pretty good
I also have to put my foot in my mouth for complaining yesterday about not starting Harris instead of Everett…my bad Gardy
Another vote for Batgirl… and a new entry in Sidney Ponson’s Diary.
Other than Perkins blown pick off play - from which he recovered very nicely - I would say that last night’s game was one of the best played Twins games in recent memory factoring in the opponent, first place on the line, crowd, etc …
IMO, that is quality managing and the sign of a team with character. After a terrible game at KC, the bounce back was great to see and I think it shouldn’t be taken for granted that it always happens.
Punto needs to get out of the lineup. move up DYoung to #2. pleeeeez pleeeez!!!! Gomez#8 Harris#9.
Nice work Howard. Very nice.
So, tonight should be a CG (10 inning) Shutout by Blackburn (Black Jack Morris). The winning run coming from a hustling Nicky double who scores after Mauer bunts him to third and intentional walks to Mornie and Kubes. Red Dog pinch hits and drops a single over the drawn in outfield.
“Nah. We need more veteran hitters like Dougie B. in our lineup. Because this team is definately a left-handed platoon player away from the playoffs.”
A left-handed “platoon” player who’s hit .375, .327, and .341 in June, July, and August, respectively…you’re right–I’ll take him! Ah, who am I kidding, we don’t need him–we already have Mike Lamb and Adam Everett…not to mention Jason “Free Me By Walking Morneau” Kubel.
Great piece, Howard. Does bring back fond memories of our days at bat-girl.com. Almost enough to make me wanna go out and buy some Legos just to give Legovision a shot.
Give Everett credit for not waiting too long before redeeming himself for the error on Sunday. Tonight, maybe it’s Kubel’s turn to not suck so much.
I loved the game last night and it was especially sweet to see us beat “Ol Pontoon”; it seems like he’s had the Twins number ever since we got rid of him. Punto needs to sit on the bench and try to figure out what’s going on with his hitting and lately his defensive play too. I will be so happy to see Casilla come back and put Harris back at short for now - the Everett home run last night was a real wall scraper but they all count and it was sweet redemption for him after Sunday’s game. Keep it up boys and let’s sweep the Yankees and drop them into a real tailspin. Go Twins!!!
Very nice, Howard. The story reminds me of one Batgirl would potentially tell…
By the way, going back to yesterday, I don’t know if it was because we didn’t remain calm, but Punto certainly didn’t–if anyone recalls, during one of his at-bats last night he is seen ripping his batting gloves off in disgust.
Remove him from the lineup tonight, Gardy. Please.
How about Dick Bremer last night lamenting how nice it is to see Punto able to drop down a bunt this year–something he was unable to do last year when he struggled mightily? So that’s where we are on this thing, huh?
Oh, and Dick also patted himself on the back and wanted everyone to know how smart he is because he knows where Litchfield is. Getting old, folks…very old.
Loved the story. Good Twins insider storytelling; that 1991 series is etched upon my memory forever. One problem though: I don’t know if you did this on purpose or not, but the Yankees “New Guy” is named Nady, not Nagy.
“…[Boof and Bass] slapped fives high and low, missing high.”
Love it.
Listening on XM, Gordon sounded shocked when it left the yard.
Dear Batgirl, come back for the last two months!
“A left-handed “platoon” player who’s hit .375, .327, and .341 in June, July, and August, respectively”
And hit .220 in April and .191 in May. And .154 last April and .265 last May. And all in roughly the same amount of plate appearances.
Doug Mientkiewicz is having a good run. No doubt about it. But he is a career .272 hitter. Not a .375 hitter, or a .327 hitter, or a .154 hitter. If you were to wager what Doug Mientkiewicz was going to hit from here on out, what would you choose? .375 or .272? .154 or .272? What about .325 or .272? Or .225 or .272?
I expect that the answer to all of those would be .272. Or at least, it probably should be. And that is why the Twins do NOT need Doug Mientkiewicz - they already have a left handed hitting back up corner infielder who hits .270+ for his career.
I don’t know if it was because we didn’t remain calm, but Punto certainly didn’t–if anyone recalls…
Nobody recalls, because nobody appeared to care. We were too busy sharing baseball trivia, Chuck Norris jokes, and being impressed with Perkins pitching performance.
In other words, having fun watching baseball.
Just FYI, I posted this on the previous blog:
Kubel remains the #1 2008 HR-producing Twin, producing round-trippers at a faster rate than Morneau. And additionally, he’s second only to Morneau in the RBI production rate category.
Of course, there’s no comparison since Morneau plays every day while Kubel sits against formidible lefties.
But there’s really no comparison between Kubel and any other Twins player (beside Morneau) this year either. Kuebel’s the second most powerful bat on this 2008 club, and the perfect DH we all desparately lamented for last year.
That’s right, romer. So how can you explain opposing pitchers who consistently pitch around Morneau to get to Kubel?
you sound like the same guy who earlier this year said it remains to be seen if Kubel will hit as many HRs as David Ortiz.
What remains to be seen is who will have more extra base hits by season’s end, Kubel or Chicago White Sox second baseman Alexei Ramirez?
“That’s right, romer. So how can you explain opposing pitchers who consistently pitch around Morneau to get to Kubel?”
“Of course, there’s no comparison since Morneau plays every day while Kubel sits against formidible lefties.”
I think all Kubel detractors, vis a vis his DH’ing, exist at the height of ignorance.
Personally, I explain opposing pitchers pitching around Morneau by stating the obvious. Managers think, “My odds of giving up runs by pitching to the next guy are better than if I pitch to Morneau.”
I strongly suspect they would think the same thing regardless of whether it’s Kubel or anyone else hitting next.
Jason, it’s not that they are pitching around Morneau to get to Kubel, they are pitching around Morneau to pitch around Morneau.
“What remains to be seen is who will have more extra base hits by season’s end, Kubel or Chicago White Sox second baseman Alexei Ramirez?”
What difference does that make?
You made a comment similar to this yesterday - something about how there were guys “up and down” the White Sox roster who hit like Kubel.
How is that an argument against Kubel? The White Sox have many talented hitters. These include guys like Alexei Ramirez and Joe Crede. I wish the Twins had more players that could hit like Kubel, Ramirez, and Crede.
What remains to be seen is who will have more doubles this year, Lamb, Cuddyer or Kubel.
Hey Jason, I liked it better when you were whining about Mauer batting third.
At least then you tried to use statistics instead of blind bias.
Just FYI, I posted this on the previous blog (and it took some time to figure the stats out):
The Twins 4-Core (without Liriano): still holding a 3.86 ERA
The New-And-Improved Liriano: 2.31 ERA (Since his return)
The RH 3-Core (without Liriano and Perkins): 3.80 ERA
The 5-Core (including the New-And-Improved Franchise): 3.82
My proposed 4-Core (without Perkins after they trade him for Beltre, and with the New-And_improved Franchise): 3.75 ERA
But then, admittedly, there would be that pesky 5th starter problem. (I still say go with Bonser and/or Mulvey.)
But in any case, is the current Twins 5-Core’s ERA (3.82) any worse than any other AL team’s “5-Core”’s?
Back to real time now, besides my insurgent call to get Beltre, I only posted these stats to genuinely inquire as to the Twins starting staff compared to the rest of the AL.
But I suppose that determination would be somewhat useless —- because of the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately thing. In other words, what really would be good would be to somehow determine how the CURRENT rotations compare around the League. Probably an objective impossibility.
But both objectively and subjectively, doesn’t the Twins’ rotation rank about at the top? I suppose the Angels would be 1st.
“Hey Jason, I liked it better when you were whining about Mauer batting third.
At least then you tried to use statistics instead of blind bias.”
First, I was one of about a billion posters calling for Mauer to bat second.
Second, as Denny Green would say, the “proof is gonna be in the pudding”. Like I said yesterday, the time is now for Kubel to prove that he’s anything more than a platooner. This magical hitting explosion the masses have been asking us to “just wait” for hasn’t happened, and here we are in an important stretch of games where Kubel will not only play, but bat in that all-important fifth spot behind our most consistent run producer.
So I’ll be more than happy to accept “I told you sos” if things improve in the next few weeks, but to suggest that we’re their already is what’s blind, if you ask me.
“there” not “their”
Sheesh, who would’ve thought Alexei Ramirez would get extra-base hits in the Majors after he led the Cuban league with 20 HRs and a .574 slugging percentage last season?
Talk about coming out of nowhere!
The point is, Steve, Alexei Ramirez is about the sixth or seventh best hitter for Chicago; we have guys here arguing Kubel is our best hitter.
Jason
Name a player who pitchers WOULDNT pitch around Morneau? Beltre? Hardly.
I’m just going to call you Jason the Salmon. You’ll swim upstream ignoring any reasonable fact backed arguement. Classic.
WHO HAS EVER SAID KUBEL IS OUR BEST HITTER????
WHO HAS EVER SAID KUBEL IS OUR BEST HITTER????
Jason is. Part of his argument is too pretend there’s another side to it.
For example, his whole spiel about a month ago that Morneau was underappreciated by both the Twins and its fans.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again:
Kubel’s career ABs: 1035
Morneau’s numbers for the season at the time of his 1035 career AB in 2006:
.236/.300/.476… much like he hit .201 in his first full season against LHP before hitting .315 next year.
It’s a shame guys can never improve when they get off to a rocky start like that. Morneau could’ve made something out of himself.
*Yawn* The Kubel argument is already boring me again. Let’s just cut him. He’ll never pan out. I’d much rather see a 31-year-old career minor leaguer in there every day. Free Randy Ruiz, right? Yeaaaah…
We have guys arguing that Kubel is our best hitter?
OK, now I realize why people “resort” to name-calling on these blogs:
I have just used up a lot of time on this Kubel thing, and I HAVEN’T READ HOWARD’S BLOG YET (or the posts).
It’s much more expeditious and much less self-debillitating to merely just call an idiot an idiot.
ATTENTION ALL POSTERS:
Hereinafter either just ignore all Kubel trolls or call them names. It’s the American way.
“We have guys arguing that Kubel is our best hitter?”
No.
“Of course, there’s no comparison since Morneau plays every day while Kubel sits against formidible lefties.”
Are you blind Steve?
LaVelle’s got a new blog up, I’ll be heading over there shortly, but I’ll say this in the meantime:
On the point of Alexei Ramirez… If I were a White Sox fan, the only guys in last night’s lineup that I would want up at the plate more than Alexei Ramirez would be Jermaine Dye, Carlos Quentin, and Jim Thome.
I realize, it sounds crazy to say I’d rather have Ramirez there than Griffey, but at this point in his career, Griffey is a shell of what he once was, and he can’t get around on a good fastball most of the time.
My point, Jason, is that Alexei Ramirez is the most underrated guy on that White Sox team, and probably the most underrated guy in the AL Central.
I’d KILL to have him playing second base for the Twins, and anyone who calls him the “seventh best hitter on the White Sox” is just as out-of-this-world crazy as anyone who ranks Kubel ahead of Morneau and Mauer.
No one says Kubel’s our best hitter, and no one says Alexei is Chicago’s seventh-best. If anyone does, they’re just flat-out wrong.
I’m done arguing the Kubel front with you for now, however, because it’s become pretty apparent that Kubel could homer in his next 12 games, including 6 walk-offs, and if he went 0-4 with 3 Ks in his 13th, we’d be right back where we are right now.
Think of it this way, ladies and gentlemen,
On the one hand, you have the Twins wondering what they are going to do with their lineup when Cuddy returns?
Reason: Denard Span has outperformed Cuddy in RF
On the other hand, you have many people wishing (including Bill Smith on Sunday morning) Cuddy would return to occupy the five spot in our lineup?
Reason: What we have there isn’t getting it done.
So you could say that Kubel’s numbers this year wouldn’t look nearly as bad if, say, Cuddy and / or D Young would’ve been the power hitters / run producers we thought they would be, and that’s fine…but even putting that aside…Kubel still hasn’t improved from what he has been his entire MLB career.
So if all you’re looking for is a guy who hits .260 / 18 HR / 70 RBI, then I agree…let’s quit complaining. But remember, we let Jacques Jones go because he was making too much money producing numbers at or about that level…but at least with Jacques we got a season of .300 / 27 HR / 85 RBI…so my question is, is this too much to ask for of Kubes or are we supposed to remain quiet and accept what we have?
I, for one, am going to hold him to a slightly higher standard…particularly considering the below average defense and the lack of speed, combined with what he was “projected” to be. I don’t see that as being blind; I see that as being realistic.
“we have guys here arguing Kubel is our best hitter”
Stop lying, Jason…..or go away.
Yeah, just leave the United States.
sorry romer, I’m staying put. I’m also trying to debate this issue without getting personal, which seems difficult for some of you to do.
But for the record, this was the remark that inspired me to quip that “we have guys arguing Kubel is our best hitter”:
romer says:
August 12th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Just FYI, I posted this on the previous blog:
Kubel remains the #1 2008 HR-producing Twin, producing round-trippers at a faster rate than Morneau.
My post was a response to that same comment from Jason, romer… probably could’ve made that more clear.
Otherwise, I’m not sure where the “are you blind?” comment is coming from, since we seem to be making similar points.
I say if the Twins were willing to give Morneau a full season to flounder against LHP because of his power potential, then Kubel should be offered the same opportunity.
Gardenhire clearly doesn’t agree, as we got Craig Monroe and his .115 average against LHP on a routine basis…
“I, for one, am going to hold him to a slightly higher standard…”
Sure, your personally crafted standard of ignorance.
Kubel produced RBIs last year at the fastest rate on the Twins, and his sample size of stats was sufficient to make this true fact authentic. What’s there to improve. You want Mickey Mantle? Go buy a baseball card.
Just go away, Jason.
Jason,
That’s not saying he’s the best hitter, that’s just a fact. Kubel’s HR:AB ratio is better.
Adam Dunn hits HRs at a quicker rate than Morneau too, but you won’t see many people calling him a better hitter.
Guys,
I think it’s time to end this Kubel/Morneau/whatever discussion. The combo platter of name calling and repetition has reached that point. Some might suggest that you just enjoy the season. (A few would suggest that I turn off the comments.) Pick another topic and almost all of us will be happy.
Thanks, Howard
Yeah, I know, but the statement was offered to make it look like once again Gardy is the one to blame for the lack of numbers on Kubel–a retread argument that is complete and utter hogwash.
OK Steve. I appreciate your comments.
But Jason’s “debating” is based on ignorance and gross generalities (another term for “lies”).
Example — he just said that when a guy makes the claim that so-and-so is the #1 HR hitter that that means the guy is saying so-and-so is the best hitter.
Jason is either being ignorant, stupid, or just spouting propaganda.
Too bad Jason didn’t take his sports interest with him and attend the Olympics in China. He could make lots of propagandist type friends there.
For the record, M&M are the best hitters on the Twins.
“I think it’s time to end this Kubel/Morneau/whatever discussion. ”
Agreed.
Thank you, Howard. Go to your room, boys.
Yeah, I know, but….
hahaha classic.
How does everyone think Blackburn will do today?
Any chance Punto AND Everett will not be in the starting lineup?
Why doesn’t Gardy put Young in RF and Span in LF while Cuddy is out for the rest of the season?
I don’t want to see Delmon learning right field at this point of the season.
Good call Howard. This argument gets retread at least twice a week. It’s getting very very old.
In case anyone hasn’t noticed, the Twins are in 1st place and their young pitching staff is blossoming earlier than expected. Complaining about the 5 hole hitter and lack of protection behind Dr. Morneau is just nitpicking.
Just read the blog.
Quite the Everett tale, young Mr. Sinker.
When Reusse retires, he can do so in peace.
jake
delmon played RF all of last year. pls span has better range and young has the better arm. so span would be better suited for left and young right.
2nd day in a row somebody has cherrypicked Morneau’s 2005 numbers to make it look like he figuerd out southpaws or was given time to develop against them or whatever in order to defend Kubel’s potential as an everyday player.
2004, 74 games, 312 PAs, this was Morneau’s line against LH:
.240/.289/.427.
He had a BABIP vs. LH of .229 in 2005. That number means he was UNLUCKY and he regressed the next year, period. He didn’t “start off” with extreme splits, he started off with normal ones, had an aberrant year, then returned to form. For crying out loud he “only” slugged .485 against RIGHT-handed pitching in ‘05. He had a bad year.
Now then, I am not trying to win some sort of “down with Kubel” argument and have stated before I don’t think Kubel is terrible, so I am going to help the Kubel-backing brigade. HERE is the argument you need to be making (because it’s actually justified by the numbers): “He’s not actually so bad against LHers that he automatically needs to be pinchhit everytime. After all, last year his OPS v. LH was .667, which isn’t horribly horrible. And he’s been REALLY unlucky this year! Why, his BABIP vs. LH is .180, which is extremely unlucky, and we can expect significant regression.”
But that’s really the best you can do. Do I HOPE he suddenly learns to hit southpaws? Yes. Do I expect him to hit them slightly better from now on than he has thus far this year? Yes. Do I want him getting Randy Ruiz’s starts at DH against LH pitching? Hells no. At least until Ruiz demonstrates he’s in over his head or so believes he is that he goes into a Punto-fail-whirlpool.
Also nice cherry picking on the morneau 1035 AB thing: he had a BABIP of .220 in March/April of ‘06 and .269 in May [the months involved]. Then he (!!) regressed.
A serious topic here though, Howard, what would it take to get Batgirl to do a guest post?
-maybe an update of nicknames
-new crushes
-a legovision post
-suggestions?
I’m almost positive 90% of the usual posters would be happy to see a Batgirl post.
“Complaining about the 5 hole hitter and lack of protection behind Dr. Morneau is just nitpicking.”
No, it is just about doing something successful in post-season.
At this point, Morneau could just about probably draw as many walks as he wants. A Beltre batting 5th would be super — my “baseball card” dream.
I should have added the all-important “at the Dome” to my comment.
great piece howard…and I NEVER compliment the writing done by any of the startribune writers.
Oh how I long for the days when you knew that a bonafide superstar played for the twins…well I guess Morneau is close but until he’s had a great post season I’m not going to even put him in Kirby’s league.
JP i’d say it’s a toss up on Blackburn for tonight. Hopefully the twins will be patient against the soft tossing moose…if the swing at garbage like the young team that they are then it won’t matter how good Blackburn pitches because we’ll get shut out…but if we take pitches like we did against the royals we’ll stomp moose and the wankee’s
“On the other hand, you have many people wishing (including Bill Smith on Sunday morning) Cuddy would return to occupy the five spot in our lineup?
Reason: What we have there isn’t getting it done.”
I’ve shown you before that this is wrong. And I guess I’ll show you again. While hitting 5th, Kubel .267/.354/.403. The ‘average’ 5 hitter in the American League hits .266/.335/.443. So Kubel gets on base more, but has a lower slugging percentage. Of course, we also have a small sample size - only 99 PA for Kubel - so that could change.
But Kubel is doing just fine in the 5 hole. I assume the reason that Smith wants Cuddyer to come back is because it would be nice to split up the three left-handed hitters for the Twins so they are not easy fodder for a late inning left hander. And since Mauer and Morneau aren’t going to be split up, then it obviously is going to come between Morneau and Kubel.
“but at least with Jacques we got a season of .300 / 27 HR / 85 RBI…so my question is, is this too much to ask for of Kubes or are we supposed to remain quiet and accept what we have?”
And Jones did that in his age 27 season. He had two and a half full time years before that - 1416 career plate appearances - in which he had an OPS+ of 97, 92, and 96. Kubel is in his age 26 season, and has 270 fewer plate appearances than Jones. Not to mention that he put up an OPS+ of 109 last year and 113 this year.
tommy
no doubt patience is going to be huge against the moose. blackburn’s location is going to have to be pretty good. if he can go 7 innings following perkins gem last night, i think would be a huge lift for the overworked (except Nathan) bullpen.
Howard -
My apologies. I stepped away for a while while working on my post, and hit ’submit’ before refreshing.
good stuff pete
Thanks, Pete D. So Kubel ain’t great, but he ain’t dreadful. And it isn’t his fault this year’s Twins are dreadful on the HR front.
I remember the last couple years entertaining myself by projecting RBIs and HRs for the Big Three (Hunter, Cud, M), as they were approaching the sums of 90 HRs and 300 RBIs.
Ahhh, those were the days.
What worries me now is the whole Casilla thing looks like it could be done. I mean, if he’s only going to bat from the right side….
Watching FSN replay. Wow, Punto turning that DP and getting A-Rod out at 1st. Punto’s BA is still where we, by concensus before the season started, were hoping it would be.
In all honesty, for as “bad” as Punto and Everett have been at the plate, I really do like their D up the middle. (not counting Sunday, of course). That could easily be the best defensive DP combo in the majors.
However, when they are in, the rest of the lineup must produce, as Everett-Punto don’t usually come through with OBP and RBI’s. Games like last night are a plus, and that much more enjoyable.
“blackburn’s location is going to have to be pretty good.”
It better be superb………Guerrier needs a week off.
Romer
For Punto, his BA is still at a place where, at the begining of the season, I would be estatic. However since he came off the DL most recently, it is awful, awful, awful. I’m too lazy to look it up but somewhere in the neighborhood of .150! Not good even by Punto-induced lower standards.
I guess I won’t rebut…I’ll go with toby’s theory that Kubes has been unlucky and leave it at that.
Let’s get back to a topic that isn’t redundant…any thoughts on Punto?
“I’m too lazy to look it up but somewhere in the neighborhood of .150! Not good even by Punto-induced lower standards.”
Since Punto came back on the 22nd of July, his batting line is .162/.225/.243. That’s Corey Patterson bad…
Mussina’s been amazing this year. 3.5% BB rate, 16.7% K rate and 49% GBs = big trouble. That’s control like Slowey/Blackburn (fractionally better, actually), respectable strikeout numbers (better by far than Blackburn/Perkins) and less flyballs/potential homeruns than any of the Twins starters (FAR less than all but Blackburn). Google the nice article on “The Mussina Renaissance” at the hardball times a few days ago.
Bad news for the Twins: he’s killed left-handed batters over his career and that goes double this year, with lefties clocking a .570 OPS v. .866 for RH hitters in 2008. Some of that is naturally down to the fact that better hitters get left in to hit despite lacking the platoon advantage, but with a near .80 point career gap in OPS in favor of RH hitters after 1050 games pitched it’s obvious that left-handers just don’t handle him very well. Given the huge, consistent track record, one might think this would be a time to forget about conventional platoon wisdom and give Ruiz a chance at DH? That said, I fully expect the red-faced buffoon to trot out Kubel and Buscher, maybe even Lamb.
Rotoblinders
I’m still not sold on Everett’s arm strength. And that really puts a damper on my view of him. Good up the middle? Sure but at what price? With gomez still learning to hit at the major league level, three black holes in the batting order is just too much to overcome. IMO. Play Punto OR Everett. Not both.
Right, JP. I think it’s closer to .100 than .150.
So what’s your solution? Mine is Machado — for a couple weeks.
I have few major complaints about any Twins players. They’re all trying.
But GM Smith’s non-proactive ways are now becoming obstructive.
And he just left us at the altar on the 1st Annual Castillo Bewitching Day.
I’m no Twins historian……But I’m getting the same feeling I got in 1987 when wunderkind MacPhail got Herr instead of a pitcher for Bruno, and the same kind of feeling as in 2006 when just after the greatest 2nd-half season in MLB history, Twins GM Ryan piddled with aging FA’s.
In all three cases (’87, ‘06, and now) the Twins had (have) a chance at some dynasty.
And Howard just blogged that attendance was less than expected last night due to the sour road trip.
IMO, Smith is working to deter the Twins from financial excellence.
I don’t know what made me happier, reading Howard’s post and thinking “Batgirl!” or reading the comments and seeing that everyone else thought the same thing.
In the dog days of summer, when posters suggest that those who disagree with their thoughts on the #5 hitter should leave the country, it becomes evident that we need Batgirl. Someone should start a petition.
This is my list of the top 5 events of the season that I wanted to hear Batgirls take on:
5: Delmon Young getting thrown at in KC.
4. Nick Punto’s reaction after CC got traded to the N.L.
3. Gardy kicking his hat.
2. The Carlos Gomez cycle. (Just think of the fun Batgirl would have had with GoGo all season)
1. The Home Run Derby.
Anyone have a better list?
JP, I think you are absolutely right. Which is why when Casilla gets back (hopefully), Everett can still man SS with Harris, and Punto will be relegated to bench duty. Everett’s arm has become a question, but his glove is solid. Based on track record, I would guess his arm will come back.
But absolutely, 3 black holes in the batting order is scary bad. I would say play Harris more, but I like him better at SS/3B, not so much at 2ND, which means Punto plays way too much. That’s even scarier than giving full time DH duty to Fatty McLeroy.
…”I fully expect the red-faced buffoon to trot out Kubel and Buscher,…”
I never got excited about the release of Monroe, especially since Cuddy was on the DL at the time.
Would have been great to see a veteran-laded lineup tonight — Red, Lamb, Monroe, Cuddy.
Good call Steve B. Maybe if we talk about Batgirl enough, she will reappear. An “If you hype it, she will come” type of scenario.
My list looks kinda like this:
1. New Nicknames (I tried to come up with some, just wasn’t the same)
2. Home Run Derby - many Island of Dr. Morneau references
3. Legovision of these games/situations:
- Gomez’ cycle
- Livan Hernandez (anything)
- Hand injuries
- Cuddy getting hit in the foot (DJ Cuddles)
- Telly Hughes (because he is #1 in unintentional comedy right now)
- Oh and the making of the bullpen song commercial
“when posters suggest that those who disagree with their thoughts on the #5 hitter should leave the country…”
This did not happen, Steve B. I don’t believe the topic was the 5-hole, but rather Kubel’s purported ineptitude. And it wasn’t about disagreeing with thoughts, it was about restating, revising, and/or lying about a fellow poster’s posts.
Steve B: Most memorable? I don’t have any specific ranking…
1. Gomez Cycle.
2. The Punt (and subsequent 7th inning)
3. Lamb’s walk-off blooper to beat Papelbon.
4. Bobby Korecky’s late inning PH appearance.
5. Monroe’s PH 3-run shot against Kansas City.
Romer
My solution? ANYONE ELSE!!!!
Machado, start there. He should bridge the gap there. Or even Macri. Since Lamb and Buscher are pretty close to the same player, Macri can play 2nd. Then spot start at 3rd against lefties. Giving Punto the feel good starts Gardy wants him to have.
I was devastated when Bruno was traded. DEVASTATED!!!! As a 10 year old kid, I didn’t understand how the WORLD CHAMPS could trade a guy, my fav player, who had been so important for us the year before.
As far as Smith goes. I’m still giving him a little latitude. He showed he was willing to step outside the Ryan ways in trading Garza. I think I’m glad he didn’t trade for Beltre, everything I’ve read said that the Mariners were overasking for all their players. I am very dissapointed on him not helping the bullpen out. The rest of the roster I truly believe is shaped as much by Gardy as by BS. And Gardy is one of the most stubborn managers in the league!!!!
Lamb better start in 3B tonight… He is hitting .364/.364/.591 in 22 AB (the most by any Twin) against Mussina. & About time that Harris slots in for LNP in 2B.
and Freddy Garcia just got signed by the Tiggers…
Seriously, does anyone really think Machado or Macri are going to replace Punto at this point in the season? The best we can hope for his Harris to reclaim 2B until Casilla returns and for Punto to reclaim his utility infielder / late-inning defensive replacement role, which managed to drive his average up above .300.
I don’t think Freddy Garcia is the same guy he was when he and Santana locked horns in 2005…
“In all three cases (’87, ‘06, and now) the Twins had (have) a chance at some dynasty.”
The ‘88 Twins won 91 games - and still finished 13 games out of the playoffs. It makes no difference who they got for Brunansky - they wouldn’t have made up 13 games.
Agreed, for some crazy reason Lamb is hitting well lately and we know it can’t last too incredibly long, so let’s get him in the lineup while we can.
Jason aka “Salmon”
As Buscher and Lamb are redundant IMO. Send down Buscher, who has options, and bring up Macri. Macri can play 2nd and 3rd. Much better for our needs right now.
Will it happen? No. Me thinks Gardy has a lot of influence on roster decisions with the rookie GM and as I stated is way too stubborn to make a change like that.
“The ‘88 Twins won 91 games - and still finished 13 games out of the playoffs. It makes no difference who they got for Brunansky - they wouldn’t have made up 13 games.”
So why crush my sports innocence by trading Bruno for some bum?
Jack Morris Bronze Statue:
I don’t think it’s some crazy reason. I just think Lamb is built to come off the bench a few times a week instead of starting. Joe Posnanski’s Joe Blog (which everyone should read by the way) refers to this phenomenon as “The Gloaden Rule.” He says something along the lines of: ‘Use the player sparingly, you win. Playing him every day is how managers get fired.’
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2008/07/31/the-gloaden-rule/
Either way I’m glad Lamb can embrace it. Craig Monroe, along with many benchwarmers, said that he can’t hit a stride playing only once a week and can’t get into a rythm. I would assume it is difficult, so hopefully Lamb keeps up and fills his role in nicely. Sometimes the must underrated part of any sports team is the ability for bench guys to calmly deliver when called upon.
“So why crush my sports innocence by trading Bruno for some bum?”
Isn’t it obvious? The Minnesota Twins organization wants you to suffer.
“…everything I’ve read said that the Mariners were overasking…”
Sure. But they wanted one Twins MLB player (and additionally some more) in exchange for their MLB player (Beltre).
And I don’t care about concensus analysis and the talk around trade time, I care about the facts.
So until I get some facts of what they were actually asking of the Twins, I consider the “too much” thing a myth.
Thrylos, really? 22 ABs???? So he’s got 8 hits and 2 doubles. He’s probably a few feet on down-the-liners or gappers from having a terrible line. That’s just a tiny sample size (and unfortunatley just the sort of unsound BS Gardy loves to abuse when making his lineups). I mean, it’s at least as (in)significant that he was 0-4 against Mussina in May, if you wanna go Marcel about it. Thanks, I’ll go with Mussina’s lifetime and 2008 track record of killing LH hitters before I give a 22 at bat sample any weight at all.
Also Jack Morris Bronze Statue: Lamb isn’t hitting aberrantly well lately, he was hitting aberrantly poorly all season, as shown by the BABIP numbers I’ve posted here and elsewhere to a giant wind-through-the-tumbleweeds response. He’s not a world-beater, but he should be okay the rest of the way if they choose to keep him around.
I, too, was devasted by the Bruno trade. I freaking LOVED that guy. I was 12, though, so maybe that was weird.
Toby, I’m also not saying Mike Lamb has been outstanding lately, but he’s been able to produce in a few key situations in the last few weeks.
If he keeps it up, we may all be in a mad rush to be the first 10,000 fans to receive a Mike Lamb Bronze Statue.
“The ‘88 Twins won 91 games - and still finished 13 games out of the playoffs.”
Right, Pete D. And those 13 games could have been made up with a good starting pitcher instead of Herr. It was a no-brainer at the time. (Lombo had a gread WS and they dumped him, got rid of Bruno and got Herr instead of a SP.)
““…everything I’ve read said that the Mariners were overasking…”
Sure. But they wanted one Twins MLB player (and additionally some more) in exchange for their MLB player (Beltre).
And I don’t care about concensus analysis and the talk around trade time, I care about the facts.
So until I get some facts of what they were actually asking of the Twins, I consider the “too much” thing a myth.”
Lol. I got this from sources far away from the Twins. But you’ll believe one thing without facts, but call something else, in the same line of discussion, without facts a myth.
Great arguement. Logic 101.
toby
yeah it was probably good they traded him. who know what would have happened to me had they kept him. not that theres anything wrong with that.
but i was 24 in baseball, football, basketball. everything. i think i wanted to play RF in little league.
jack morris bronze: ok, same page then. my point was that the lamb haters ignore his very unlucky BABIP numbers (esp. on groundballs) the first few months. You seemed to be suggesting by saying “we know it can’t last” that he was due to regress to early season form, when the opposite is more likely the case.
I didn’t mean to come across as it can’t last. If you look at the quality of at-bats and also look at productive outs, I think Lamb looks much better than Craig Monroe, who used to get more playing time than Lamb. Ever Since Monroe hit 2 HR’s in a game against the Red Sox he’s done nothing but swing away at the plate.
Gosh. Catching up on the messages, it makes me glad I was actually working all afternoon.
Mussina must be about due to pull a hammy or something, right? I say we come out bunting and make the old man run, stop, bend, plant, throw… about 10 times in the first couple innings. That should put him on the DL by about 8:00 tonight.
JimCrikket:
I was thinking about the injury angle too. Wasn’t it Mussina who pulled the groin at the Dome last year? I think it’s a good strategy.
If he doesn’t pull a groin or get a nasty blister early, I believe we’re in trouble. I know we have our stud (at least in my opinion) in Blackburn throwing but Mussina is just ridiculous. Along with a few other Yankees, he seems to have something in him that does not allow him to be overmatched by any Twin.
JT, I’m not sure what it says about me (and it certainly can’t be good) but I have to admit I’m not one of those people who say, “I’d never wish harm on anyone or want to see them get hurt.”
When I heard about Contreras’ torn achilles, my instant reaction was, “YES!”. I know. I’m just not a nice person.
By the way… Paul Byrd to the Red Sox. They didn’t see a reason for Santana in their rotation but Byrd is getting a spot? I know… circumstances change and there’s this little issue of pricetag, but still. Paul Byrd… really?
Sheffield on wavers…. Any takers?
I really don’t want to see guys get hurt.
My initial reaction to Contreras’s injury was happiness along with many Twins fans, but it’s only from a sports perspective. These athletes are people too, and they have to go hobble around their homes with their kids and suffer through it like everyone else.
So I hope Jose’s injury goes as smoothly and painless as possible, but since he’s hurt and it will hopefully hurt the White Sox, I’ll take it.
Make that waiver
By the way, before people jump on me… yes, I’m aware Byrd has been pitching very well since the All Star break. And I guess Boston really could use some rotation help (you know you’re luck is going south when your knuckleballer goes on the DL with a stiff shoulder), so I guess it makes some sense. I should just be glad he went to someone other than the BitchSox.
JC:
Wow… you and I had the same “YES!” moment on Contreras. I’m sure we’re not alone in Twinsland.
There is nothing wrong with thanking Jobu for season ending injuries. Probably not good to ask Jobu to deliver them while you’re squeezing the blood from a dead chicken.
“Lol. I got this from sources far away from the Twins.”
I trust you already, JP. Once again, of course EVERYONE was saying the M’s GM was ridiculous all around the League. But I say:
A) It’s even more ridiculous not to get Beltre. And I can say that because….
B) I’ve not seen any facts other than they wanted 1 MLB player from the Twins.
Is there any investigative reporting going on? Did I miss something in Sid’s column!?
JMBS, I don’t want to see guys get killed, maimed or even permanently incapacitated. I’m not a ghoul.
But pull up lame with something medical science is perfectly capable of dealing with over a few months’ time? Yeah… I’m fine with the competition getting bit by a few of those bugs. Every team is going to have them… Twins sure do. No reason not to be pleased if the competition gets their share (and maybe a little more), too.
JT, I figure if it was Jobu who sent that Jones line drive off of Cuddyer’s foot, then Contreras was just his way of evening things out a bit.
Minny Fan, I agree with Dierkes over at MLBTR that anyone who might consider Sheffield should look at a guy like Huff instead. Sheffield’s just Craig Monroe with more baggage and more attitude.
So Jobu’s into the ying and the yang of it? I just figured he was a merciless, indiscriminate bugger.
Need lots of foul balls to wear Mussina down tonight. Don’t even go for hits the first four innings.
Jim C, any urge on your part for opposition injuries is not lowdown and dirty. It’s about basic justice!
Wasn’t there like 13 Twins players DL’ed or restricted because of injuries at one time last September?
“Right, Pete D. And those 13 games could have been made up with a good starting pitcher instead of Herr. It was a no-brainer at the time. (Lombo had a gread WS and they dumped him, got rid of Bruno and got Herr instead of a SP.)”
I know this is a late response, but I just got back to this thread.
What starting pitcher could the Twins have picked up that would have made up 13 games in the standings?
Even if we make the assumption that whatever pitcher we get replaces the worst pitcher in the rotation - Bert Blyleven - he would have to win 23 games. So we are talking about the elite pitchers of the time - Dave Stewart, Roger Clemens, Mark Gubicza, etc. And I don’t think the Twins were going to get someone of that level for Tom Brunansky.
More realistically, the pitcher they got would have not replaced Blyleven, but instead someone like Lea or Toliver, and would have been pretty close to league average. Or in other words - no where near enough to make up 13 games in the standings.
Maybe LNP can take one in the foot in the bottom of the first, charge the mound and get Mussina out of there. Sure, he gets suspended for a while… but we keep hearing he’s the kind of guy who will “do whatever it takes”, etc. Here’s a chance to help out the club, Nick. Man up!
romer, I’m not sure if there really were that many last September… or if we just wish there were because they were so bad.
Anyway, thanks to you, JMBS and JT for making me believe I’m really not such a bad person after all (or at least no worse than the rest of you are).
Howard, great article! One of the best I’ve seen anywhere in a long time.
Now could you do a feature on Gardy Jr.’s .162 batting average since the All-Star break? Gardy plays everything by the book and thus Punto hits lefthanded against righties and righthanded against lefties yet he is hitting 75 points higher from one side of the place. Why the heck doesn’t he either platoon him or have him bat from his “power” side ALL the time? Better yet, bench him and play Harris. Nicky must have some picture of Gardy to keep him on the field.
Speaking of Paul Byrd, does anyone else have a problem, like I do, with Bert showing him his curveball “secrets?” I like Bert but I’m not real happy with that move, not to a direct competitor that we have to see more than once a year, say on an NL team.
LNP must think he “sees” the ball better batting rh against a knuckleballer even when it’s a RHP like Dickey in Seattle. Either that or he lost his lh batting helmet! I kept wondering why he was in the rh batter’s box that day??
Howard, great story. Were you behind the Gardy poll today?
“I’m not sure if there really were that many last September.”
Jim C, there were an awful lot of ‘em (Liriano, Mauer, White, Baker for a few days) and I remember counting and I put it on a Strib blog.
No time for research right now.
John Kruk on ESPN says he doesn’t see why the Twins wouldn’t go after Gary Sheffield. I say the only way something like that takes place is if you put a clause in his contract that he doesn’t collect a penny of his salary if he bitches even once.
Further proof that Kruk is an idiot. He was starting to make some sense in the last few weeks but apparently he has had a relapse.
Now what in the name of *&$$%*&( would the Twins do with that whining expensive washed-up so and so? He won’t shutup if he has to DH. He can’t throw out anyone even if he was standing in the infield. He’s been terrible with the bat. Amazing how that ol’ “I can’t do well if I have to DH” excuse makes the rounds in the person of all these washed up, PED using players, Sheffield, RWhite, etc.
It’s so depressing to see Nady in a Yankees uniform..
I’ve loved him since a friend who watches a lot of minor league ball played by the Portland Beavers told me I should check him out. What a great guy… I guess I will just have to wait until the Yankees inevitably move him out to cheer him on again.
and Everett was so funny after that hit in his postgame interview. He just would NOT take credit for hitting it. Just kept saying how it was all luck and good wood and all those cliches. He’s a really modest guy.
Oh yeah, Howard, GREAT blog
and JC, I really don’t think not being any worse than the rest of the commenters here is a terribly high threshold to cross.
