Haven’t we seen Torii Hunter make that catch?
Posted on August 22nd, 2008 – 1:10 AMBy Howard
Of course we have.
But there’s not going to be any trashing and bashing and tee-heeing here. We don’t do that in Section 220. (wink) No, siree. Sure, he’s made that catch dozens of times — but never on a drifting drive off the bat of Nick Punto, right?
The Twins opened the road swing by doing what they needed to do in a fun game to watch. I’m not going to buy the “playoff intensity” theme because there’s no way that Sean Rodriguez, the minor-league slugger, comes in as a pinch-hitter and gets asked to put down that (failed) sacrifice in the 10th — and no way that he hits with two outs in the 12th instead of bench options Gary Matthews and Robb Quinlan.
Mike Scioscia, the Angels’ manager, was putting Triple-A-Rod up there in an important situation because he’s probably a candidate to get that kind of at-bat in the 12th inning of a post-season game when all other options have been used up. That’s one of the beauties of having a 15-game lead with six weeks left in the regular season. Thanks, Skip.
The other thing I would have been interested in hearing about is if Justin Morneau had ripped a hit in one of those at-bats when Joe Mauer was intentionally walked. After all, Scioscia is the greatest manager who has graced a dugout in the third millennium and few have been willing to come at Morneau in the last month or so. Seriously, I’ll be trolling the Los Angeles media later in hopes that someone asked him about that.
I really do think Scioscia is a very, very good manager. I also think Gardy ain’t so bad at the job, either.
And Punto? And Matt Guerrier? I’ll turn it over to you all to offer up the praise.
100 Responses to "Haven’t we seen Torii Hunter make that catch?"
what an amazing game. i have to be up in about 3 1/2 hours to catch a flight and i can’t sleep. still excited!
Maybe somewhere deep in his subconscious Torii is still playing for the Twins.
Little harsh on Rodriguez. He was slugging pretty good in AAA this season and will become a very fine hitter, i’m sure Scioscia just felt more confident in him then the banged up Mathews and Quinlan.
They do have a huge lead in the West, but don’t go forgetting they’re in a battle for home field advantage in the playoffs. I know they’re a great road team…but you don’t want the Rays, Twins or Red Sox having home field with how dominant they are there.
AAA and majopr leagues are completely different. Looking at what he has done in the majors–not much. Angels seemed to be taking their foot off the break. Could hurt them come playoffs if they are still playing that way. It would not be the first time a team let off the breaks with a big lead and could not get it going come playoffs.
[…] Originally published by A Fan’s View […]
Torii is mired in his past, present, and future — at least for now.
:)>
P.S. I actually gave him the finger (to the TV screen) in the bar I was at when he dropped that ball.
:)>
:)>
Sorry to be nasty, but not as sorry as it is to be Torii.
Good guy. Traitor.
Rip van Guerrier awakens with unexpected stamina
My mouth drops
Of Anaheim drops (the game)
Howard- I agree…It was a fun game to watch. I’ll always take a 2-1 or 3-2 game over one those 4-hour 10-9 games the Rangers seem to play a lot.
Guerrier and Crain stepped up and pitched great after some very bad outings this month. It says a lot about how dominant Nathan has been when you see his season ERA under 1 in late August.
Baker must wonder what is going on…he loses 3 1-0 games this year and holds the Angels to 1 run through 8 innings and can’t get a win. In his last start, he is given a big early lead at the dome against an awful Mariners team and can’t hold it. Go figure…
Howard,
Are you saying the Angels aren’t playing to win? They are right in the middle of fighting for the best record with Tampa Bay(Did I just write that?). I don’t think Scioscia would have coached that much different in a Playoff game. Matthews is garbage and hittin .225 this year. Quinlan isn’t exactly known for his hitting either batting .266. Granted those are both better than Rodriguez’s .175.
Just to repeat the Angels may be destroying the AL West but they are still playing for Home Field throughout the AL playoffs.
Goltz… err Baker continues to impress- coming off some not so great outings he spun a gem last night. And Punto, who I believe God put on this earth to bug me was the star of the game! And Torii? Overrated…..Overrated…..
Baker did a fine job, and shouldn’t be bummed about the ND. That was a solid lineup he faced, and aside from one mistake to Tex he showed he’s not going to hand off the “Ace” title any time soon.
Hopefully the lineup can put together a solid showing tonight for the Twins. Give the starters a bit of breathing room vs. having to pitch on eggshells with a tight game.
And I agree with Howard on the Rodriquez tihng. That guy being asked to PH-Bunt and then being left in as the final out….imagine if that were Punto.
Yeah, you’d want Gardy’s head. I didn’t get at all why he was left out there for the 3rd out (if I disregard the “planning for the postseason” thing)
Howard, you stole my thunder, my friend…it’s all about praise here, baby!
Just like Go-go had a lot of people declaring victory for the Twins in the Santana deal back in May, Denard Span allows us to declare victory in the let-Torii-go movement as well. Span gets GW hit; Torii gets an “I should have…”
Praise Praise Praise on the all positive all the time network:
Punto…is more than getting after it now; Punto’s a run-scoring machine. I can’t believe Gardy moved him down in the lineup…I doubt that will last long.
Joe Mauer is so good they’d rather pitch to Justin Morneau…and I know what you’re thinking, what about Justin…well, I thought he battled his tail off when he just got nipped at first base on that double play and I fully expect the Canadian God to come up huge tonight!
Kubel has been strong lately…he absolutely crushed Seattle last weekend…
Matty Guerrier…are you back? For real…??? This could be the boost Reusse and Steve From Fridley were talking about!!!!
Scott Baker probably won that game more than anyone though by breezing through the seventh and eighth innings….wow that was clutch!
I called the Go-go RBI single before it happened (ask my wife).
We are on an awesome roll right now…11-3 on this road trip, baby!!!! (La Velle doubted us by predicting 7-7)
And yes Howard, nothing but huge props for our boys Punto and Guerrier!!!! Proving us wrong one play at a time!!!!
Go Twins!
Jason, for the 2nd day in a row your positivity is ooozing…
I would like to take full credit for last nights win i turned the TV off after the 11th inning. I told my wife if i keep watching they will lose. I agree with you Howard i was a little shocked when the walked Mauer to load the bases for Justin and then let Lackey pitch to him. They got damn lucky there. I think everyone needs to give LNP some big love today as well.
Jason, for the 2nd day in a row your positivity is ooozing…
I read it as a healthy mix of sincerity and sarcasm.
That or Jason’s username has been hijacked (lord knows its happened a LOT lately)
I have to admit I was getting a might bit frustrated watching LAA actually being REWARDED for walking Mauer to face Morneau twice in a row.
I nearly put the remote through the TV on Gomez’s strike out in the 12th, and was about to fly to Anaheim to smack Span around when he did that bunt/strike thing…
Then he drove in Punto, and I relaxed. Because at that point it’s Nathan’s game.
And if Nathan can’t close it out, there’s nothing the Twins can do.
“Jason, for the 2nd day in a row your positivity is ooozing…”
I’m more than a little scared… Wasn’t sure he could praise anyone other that Justin. 
Why are you guys so shocked? How could you be anything but positive right now?
And by the way, Ron Gardenhire…I’m serious on this…this guy absolutely deserves to be the AL Manager of the Year. He continues to get the most out of his players…
Honestly, I don’t think we can be stopped right now. The Angels aren’t ready for what we’re about to throw at them, and if Liriano’s hot start keeps up, my goodness, can you imagine the ammunition we could have in this starting rotation for September? It’s going to be a fun month for sure.
I already have my Twins-White Sox tickets…but does anyone know if they’re taking deposits for playoff tickets? When do they usually do that?
Theory 1: Torii dropped LNP’s fly ball to make up for mistakenly hitting him while trying to hit Justin.
Theory 2: Torri dropped the ball because he was so shocked that LNP was able to hit it that deep. All Torri could think was “Man, LNP’s just like Mighty Mouse! Wait a minute! I think he IS Mighty Mouse!” And just like that the ball is dropped…
WE’RE COMMMINNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Theory 3: Torri once again showed he is overrated and chokes in clutch situations?
Why are you guys so shocked? How could you be anything but positive right now?
It’s not that there’s positivity, it’s that it’s coming from somebody who’s normally postive with a healthy dose of caution.
That said, usually it’s a sign that somebody’s name got jacked by some random troll.
We’re just concerned that something may have happened ot the real Jason. 
Heck of a game last night. I had just the right mix of pain medication and tiredness to not fully comprehend the intentional walk to Mauer to get to Morneau. Amazingly it worked. Scocia once again came off looking like a genius. And as I’ve said on this blog many times, he continues to be the best manager in baseball.
However, Gardy. Heck of a job last night. Used the bullpen correctly. I was giddy when Baker came back out in the 8th. That’s the kind of starts they need to keep in this pennant race and this road trip.
Mark my words, 10-4 on this road trip…What a game though, great to see Punto battling…I am hoping for an intentional walk to Mauer tonight and then Morneau rips one to make up for last night
Yeah, not enough people are talking about Baker, what a performance by that guy. Good to see the young guys are coming through…
Jason, you are starting to scare me. Playoff tickets have not come out yet, but it is usually late August/early Sept.
Punto is a bench player and this is how he should be used but won’t with Skipper in charge. That being said, I tip my cap to Punto’s triple and it is even better that Torii misplayed it. The almighty Torii Hunter misplays a fly ball by LNP that leads to a big Twins’ win. C’mon Howard, you gotta admit that is worth a little “tee-hee!”
Justin, my man, not getting it done in more than one opportunity last night. Bad Justin, bad. Get going Captain Canadian, we need you on this road stretch.
Nice, nice game by Baker. We desperately need our starting rotation to start going 7-8 innings. I was afraid Gardy would send the pen out in the 8th - nice to see him let Baker pitch another.
Twin’s out pitched Angels last night if that continues they can win the series!! THEY ARE COMMMINNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There was a rainbow in the sky this morning. Coincidence? I don’t think so. I’m with fire we’re comin!!!!!!!!!
Memo to White Sox.. “Objects in your rear-view mirror are closer than they appear”. AAH YEAHHHH!!!
COME ON EVERYONE!!
“NOTHING GONNA STOP US NOW!!!”
WE…ARE…COMMMINNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!
Hunter says - “everyone said I wouldn’t look good in an Angel’s uniform.. look at me now.. look at me now!”
RE:Jason and other Blog posters:
I have sent a request to Agents J&K at MiB to find which “aliens” have taken over the bodies/minds of Jason and other posters.
I am surely not complaining about the effects of this infiltration, it’s just that inquiring minds want to know…the truth
Regards,
Beware - Joe Saunders
EXCUSE COMPUTERS says “Angels lost because of jet lag and arriving much later to Left coast, they played a tougher series that took alot out of them”
Note to Gardy & Twins:
When Baker pitches, limit the runs scored. Might want to save any runs scored for late innings.
Baker pitches MUCH better with poor run support, then he does with great run support.
Regards,
Joe Saunders? (who?) Twins wil beat him like he was Al Saunders!
Punto is a bench player?
I don’t know…he’s been getting after it lately…I think he should be back in that No. 2 spot, actually.
Folks, it’s still me. It’s the guy who started watching the Twins full time in 1988 after my parents stuck me in front of the TV for the 1987 playoffs.
It’s the guy who idolizes Kirby Puckett, Dan Gladden, Al Newman, Bob Casey, and Lew Ford….
And I’m telling you…there’s no room for negativity right now…
look at the box score last night…a 12-inning game….Mauer / Morneau combine for 1 hit and we still win!!!!!! No Torii, no Cuddy, no Houston Express, no Monroe, no Red Dog….no problem!
This rocks.
FIRE,
“Joe Saunders? (who?) Twins wil beat him like he was Al Saunders!”
I hope you are right but I am almost certain that you are wrong.
Saunders is an excellent pitcher who doesn’t impress the radar guns.
IMO, tonights game will mirror last night, IF….Perkins can pitch as well as Baker, Lackey and Saunders.
Jason,
“Punto is a bench player?
I don’t know…he’s been getting after it lately…I think he should be back in that No. 2 spot, actually.”
I agree.
Alexi may not be physically ready for the 2-hole, yet.
Perkins has to pitch more than 5 strong innings.
Perkins has to battle his tail off tonight.
Baker was great last night.It looked like he was about to do his sixth inning fold,but he sucked it up.The seventh and eigth innings might have been his best of the night.Good to see Gardy letting him stay in the game,I was half way hoping he would send him out for the ninth,until I saw the heart of the Angels order was due up.Props to Matty G for (hopefully) getting out of his funk.His command was much better last night.
No one who watched Hunter with an objective eye over his last two years with the Twins should be surprised at his play on LNP’s drive ( or the fact that he didn’t get a good read on Spans double).Torii hasn’t been the same centerfielder since he broke his ankle in Boston.Good thing he just missed the bomb he hit to leftcenter with two on.Having him beat the Twins with a three run shot would have been a tough pill to swallow.
Gardenhire has done a great job this year,but as usual Dick was a little over the top last night in saying that without question Scioscia and Gardenhire were the TWO BEST managers in the AL.The job Madden has done in Tampa makes him a shoe in for manager of the year,and the guy in Boston has won two WS in four years.Gardy is top five though.
“Gardenhire has done a great job this year,but as usual Dick was a little over the top last night in saying that without question Scioscia and Gardenhire were the TWO BEST managers in the AL.The job Madden has done in Tampa makes him a shoe in for manager of the year,and the guy in Boston has won two WS in four years.Gardy is top five though.”
In terms of longevity and doing it with different styles, I would say Gary and Scoscia are top 2, probably top 3 if you want Francona up there. Gardy and Scoscia have been putting together playoff teams for most of this decade, and both teams have had quite a bit of turnover. I think that shows that their managerial style and abilities are solid.
This year, I would probably say Joe Madden deserves manager of the year. But he’s not quite in that top 5 overall. I want to see some consistency first.
When are we gonna get another bat in the lineup to protect Mauer?!
Torii has contributed to another Twins playoff push and this year it’s not costing Carl a dime.
Walter,
LOL!! I was thinking the same thing last night.I think Morneau was too shocked to get anything done.
Is Francona a Top 5 manager?
Yes, he’s won 2 WS with the “BIG BUCK’s” Red Sox. When he had a more pedestrian Philadelphia Phillies, best he could do is 3rd (twice) and 5th (twice).
Regards,
Note to self:
Time to throw some grit into the enthusiasm of these blogs. Just in case the “Baseball God’s” get back from vacation early, and misinterpret hope for enthusiasm/expectation.
I know ESPN generally goes over the top in the “greatest”/”worst” discussions…but they praised Gardy a bit during the Angels/Rays game.
They flashed up a stat of 1-run victories. Scoscia was leading, and Gardy was like one fewer.
They talked about how the manager really has to be at his best in a tight game situation as opposed to in blowouts when his lineup is lighting it up or a pitcher is on top of their game.
Just in case the “Baseball God’s” get back from vacation early, and misinterpret hope for enthusiasm/expectation.
Yeah, I’m looking at Torii’s play and thinking…”Are those guys messing with us again?”
Of course, it could also be that they set that play up to remind the Angels that the regular season isn’t over quite yet.
Morneau’s DP in the ninth was likely a reminder that he is in fact mortal.
So they sent messages to both benches last night. Will be interesting to see who figures out what they were being told first.
I think it was the grass, Howard. Definitely too soft. It slowed Hunter down, kept him from getting a good jump. I think he should ask to be traded to a team the plays on turf.
Francona has had BIG BUCK”s players with BIG BUCKS”s EGO’s to deal with as well.Not to mention dealing with the Boston media.IMO managing at the ML level is all about managing the players personalities and the behind the scenes stuff we don’t always hear about.I remember TK saying once that a really good Big league manager might make a difference in maybe five games a year tops,and I considered TK to be a top five manager.
Gardenhire has gotten alot of props for his record,and he’s earned it.But three of his four divsion titles came in a very weak division.and his playoff record speaks for itself.My point was that for Dick to say without question that Scioscia/Gardy were the best is very open for debate.
Regards,
I get to watch and listen to Francona regularly- he’s good at his job- there are a bunch of good ones out there- I’m not sure any of them is the ‘best’.
Pro: I look at the 06 playoffs and see a few things that hurt the team that couldn’t really be traced back to Gardy.
The biggest one was that you had Hunter make one of the dumbest plays of his career to cost them game 2. And it didn’t help that the same lineup that kicked butt through most of the season went about as cold as it can get once the series started.
I can think of a few choices he made in either 03 or 04 that may have cost them (PHing then rookie Kubel for the hot hitting Ford against the Yankees, putting Nathan out there for a second inning in the same game)
Ganderson,
“I’m not sure any of the is the best”.
Exactly my point.
Those at-bats in the 8th inning by Casilla and Morneau made me want to puke. Casilla put himself in an immediate hole with that ridiculous bunt attempt. Morneau looked terrible and lately hits as many HRs as Punto. Those at-bats probably should have lost the Twins the game. I slammed off the tv and went to bed. The fact that I woke up happily surprised to see they won still doesn’t give me complete comfort…even when they win, the Twins make it harder than it should be, and sometimes (like in Seattle) they can’t escape.
Guys.I’m not knocking Gardy (although I’m not his biggest fan). I was simply stating that to say he is without question one of the two best Managers in the AL was over the top.
Nicky for President!
Nick Punto is having an amazing year… The guy makes unbelievably good defensive plays almost routinely. and he just fights to win… more urgency, ferocity and hustle to his game than anyone in the league… he’s also hitting the ball consistently, and in the clutch, with batting average around .285 … nicky is one of best players…
Thank goodness the baseball gods didn’t allow the game to end (as it could have a couple times) on a Torii walk off with a trademark bat flip. I’m pretty sure I’d have thrown up in my mouth!
I agree there are a handful of very good managers out there.
My point on Francona is that, while it brings up a whole different set of issues when you have the big bucks talented teams, Did either of his WS teams play above their talent?
Regards,
Dragon,
The same could be said for Gardys Central Division Champion teams.
Just because Dick said Mike Scocia and Ron Gardenhire are without question the two best managers in the AL, doesn’t mean it’s not true.
I think Gardy is number one, personally.
I think it was an objective take by Dick, based on a rational weighing of the various pros and cons of the relevant factors involved in all 14 managers of AL clubs…he concluded Gardy was among the best. I think that was a correct assessment by a neutral observer.
I, as a Twins fan (not neutral observer), happen to agree 100 percent.
I would say that Gardy’s teams have played below their talent.. 6 - 18 playoff record speaks for itself
I woke up at 6am in Dublin (ireland) to find the game still on MLB.tv….what a great start to a Friday; love the Mighty Mouse comment on LNP, someone better coin a no.8 jersey with that asap. Good to see positive vibes here today and not the negativity when we were scraping by with wins last week. It was also nice to see Boof get on the WE COMIN bandwagon. Not sure if someone answered this, but season ticket holders got invoices for tix sent out yesterday, it should be only a couple weeks until the public can get tickets. How bout them kids!?!?!?!
FIRE, as abysmal as the playoff record is, you cannot put that as the complete critique of the manager. Although they played fairly crappy in recent playoff games. Gardy has gotten the team to play above their potential in some of the division championships. In 2006, the team could’ve rolled over and died. They didn’t and they won the division. I think that is a huge credit to the Manager.
Boy I don’t know FIRE…to me, you need the manager to get you through the 162 game grind and earn yourself (or in the case of the Yanks and Red Sox, “buy yourself”) a ticket to the dance…
In the case of Gardy, the dude flat out earned that ticket four different years….
What happens in the playoffs is more or less up to the players and, as we’ve seen, anything can happen…
I would consider the season a huge success if Gardy and the Boys made it to the playoffs and bowed out in Round One again…
Remember, 30 MLB teams…162 regular season games…8 playoff teams.
Here’s the ridiculous thing about the playoffs. 5 game series! I think that is ludacris, and the reason some of the better teams falter. I would be perfectly fine with 7 game series all the way.
Bobby Cox will end up in the HOF for taking a very talented team to what 15 straight division titles? I don’t believe Gardy has ever had the same kind of talent as Cox did but he still manages to win dispite that.
“Bobby Cox will end up in the HOF”
But he will get ejected in the 2nd year.
Actually I would say the ‘02 team,Gardy’s first,over achieved in reaching the ALCS.But then I would have to say that the ‘06 team actually under achieved.Any team with a Cy winner,an MVP,a Batting Champ,an Elite closer,an All-Star Cfer,and a RFer who had a career year should not have been swept by that A’s team.
You are so right, Rotoblinders…they have to extend Round One to a seven game series!
There’s no doubt in my mind, for instance, that the Twins would’ve beat the Yankees in 2004 if it would have been a seven game series…we would’ve had the one-two combo of Radke and Silva back for games 6 and 7…
As for 2006, I’m not as convinced that we would have beat the A’s in a 7-gamer, but you have to admit, I doubt we would have been dropping infield pop-ups which cost us Game 3….probably would have turned it on and made it a seven-game series at the very least.
Last night I saw two excellent ball clubs play a tight, fierce contest. Nobody slacked, even for an instant. Both starting pitchers gave it all they had, as did all the relievers. Both managers made good moves at the right times. Nobody had anything to be ashamed of. A great game, and bravo to both sides.
I can think of a few choices he made in either 03 or 04 that may have cost them (PHing then rookie Kubel for the hot hitting Ford against the Yankees, putting Nathan out there for a second inning in the same game)
I don’t think those were bad choices, Gardy’s players didn’t perform and they let him down.
I’ve read the book by Stephen King and his pal that documented the Red Sox end of the curse season. It’s written in diary style from perspective of two fans (one of whom just happens to be Stephen King) and through much of that season, they both often refer to the manager as FranComa. I don’t think Francona really changed much during the course of that season, but the performance of his players certainly did.
You are so right, Rotoblinders…they have to extend Round One to a seven game series!
I cast a no vote. I love the five-game series in the first round. Better bring your ‘A’ game, or your fabulous 100+-win season may be rendered all but meaningless in a matter of days. Going to seven would be reminiscent of the old 3-to-make-2 free throw rule the NBA had back in the day. That’s for slackers and the only reason to extend it to seven would be for the extra money. Five games, high pressure, drama on every pitch, win or go home.
Jason, I don’t know why, but I sense a lot of sarcasm in your posts. I enjoy it, but correct me if I’m wrong. If you are the real Jason, at least give us the Dougie Baseball update of the week.
The shorter the series, the better chance that the inferior team will win.
So until the Twins get better, a 5-game series is better for them.
This was a big win, but like many big wins it was decided by about 3 inches, Torii missed it by 3 inches. I am still not convinced that this year’s team has enough to win in the playoffs. And we should be in the playoffs, either as division champ or WC. We have enough pitching, but it’s so young. I think next year is our year.
The “FranComa” line goes back to my point made by TK.Very few BL games are decided by managerial moves.They all know the same baseball strategy.Francona not over managing and letting his players play makes him a good Manager IMO.
Again,Gardenhire is also a good manager.But trying to label him the best between the likes of Scioscia,Leyland,Ozzie,or Francona is just homerism.
I peronally think the Angels are the best team in the AL this year.If you put anyone of the five managers mentioned above in the Angels dugout,the results would be about the same.Just my opinion.
Have a great day everyone,Go Twins!
“I can think of a few choices he made in either 03 or 04 that may have cost them (PHing then rookie Kubel for the hot hitting Ford against the Yankees, putting Nathan out there for a second inning in the same game).”
I think you mean “third inning”–I know, it was so retarded it is kind of hard to remember correctly.
I’m a little behind, but wanted to let you all know I was at the Wed. aft. game (playing hooky)& can’t believe the scribs missed the actual highlights of the game - the long relief pitching by Boof & Jess. I mean, those guys just dominated after shaky 5 innings from Liriano. Unreal. They outshone Nathan by far. Didn’t anybody else see this?
The shorter the series, the better chance that the inferior team will win.
I think a team that can’t find a way to win more than two games in five during the playoffs put the assumption that it is superior in serious jeopardy.
“I think a team that can’t find a way to win more than two games in five during the playoffs put the assumption that it is superior in serious jeopardy.”
So winning more games out of 162 doesn’t mean as much as winning more out of 5?
Pete D winning more in that five games series is all that really matters. Some teams are just built more for the long haul then they are the playoffs. Any team with two Aces in there rotation (see Brewers) has a great chance to win a 5 game series even if they don’t finish with a better regular season record.
Fran,
Baseball (more than other major sports) has many games determined by factors OTHER THAN TALENT.
The best teams win 60% of their games.
Try out that W-L percentage in the NFL or NBA.
The best team wins SLIGHTLY more often than a weaker team in MLB.
Superior baseball teams which don’t win a series are still superior.
Superior baseball teams which don’t win a PLAYOFF series are still superior, but they are history!
“Any team with two Aces in there rotation (see Brewers) has a great chance to win a 5 game series even if they don’t finish with a better regular season record.”
That’s exactly the point I’m making. The Brewers could beat the Cubs in a 5 game series, despite not being a superior team. If you made it a 7 game series, the chances of the upset are less, and if you make it 162 games, the chances are very remote. The more games you play, the easier it is to determine which team is superior.
so Pete you are saying no reason to have the playoffs just crown the team with the best record season record Champ?
Taken to the limits, ANY team can win one game. (a one-game-series)
What are the Mariners (or Pirates) chances to win a 162-game-series?
Pro,
The 2006 team had some VERY GOOD components. Yet last time I checked, a Cy Young along with 3/4average+ starters(excluding Liriano’s 3 months) does not necessarily make make even a .500 team.
Also batting champ & MVP nice, yet there need to be more quality in the line-up.
I won’t argue that was the BEST Twins team this decade, yet they encountered real problems for the playoff’s. I think losing Liriano, they might have dealt with, playing Radke was a bridge too far. When your 2nd game starter was Bonser (2 months starting in Big’s) and had to trot a game but injured/limited Radke not great option, there was NO room for error.
Other thing with that team, and part I will put on Gardy, they had battled so long, from so far back, that I think at least subconsciously, most of the team considered that a successful season.
Add to that, in game 1 Santana gives up one of his patented HR’s, no big deal in the regular season where 2.5-3.0 ERA is great, in the play-offs an elite pitcher has to consider any run a defeat. Add Hunter’s highlight play, and a tired team couldn’t get back.
Excuses for sure, yet at crunch time, alot of talent that had gotten them there was on the shelf or severly compromised.
Regards,
The point is:
AN INFERIOR TEAM WINNING:
1) A game (happens often)
2) a short series (happens less often)
3) a long series (happens EVEN less often)
4) a 162 game season (happens almost never)
The Brewers could beat the Cubs in a 5 game series
there is no way that 2 teams in the same division will play a 5 game series in the post season…
thrylos,
keyword - “could”
Ok i could say having two aces gives you a better chance in a 7 game series as well (see Shilling/johnson with Arizona) We all know the best team on paper doesn’t always win no matter how superior they are thanks NY Giants.
sure there is thrylos, if one team wins the LDS 4-1
The Dragon says
Also batting champ & MVP nice, yet there need to be more quality in the line-up.
The Dragon is very right. I think that Kirby Puckett Won some batting titles, while hitting for power, and chuck knoblauch had some very good, mauer-esque seasons, for some very, very bad Twins teams.
Any truth to the rumor that Hunter missed that catch because his fat wallet was weighing him down? Or was it his fat head?
So when are you going to change your name Fire?
I believe Fires magic number is 90 wins.
“When are we gonna get another bat in the lineup to protect Mauer?!” Thank you Walter.
Twice Scioscia made Mourneau look like a fool. A two-pitch gidp and then Justin cannot even get the bat off his shoulder the next time. Hopefully it will piss off Mourneau enough to wake him out of his post-all-star game coma.
Jason, you are funny! I never realized before how funny you are. In fact, I used to think you were kind of a jerk. But lately, you’re so different that I’m really starting to like you. See how great it is to think positive? People you don’t even, in places scattered all over the country, chuckle at the silly things you write and feel all good and happy inside! You should change your name to The New and Improved Jason. Or better yet, The Shiny Happy Jason.
You should change your name to The New and Improved Jason. Or better yet, The Shiny Happy Jason.
I was going to suggest Jason Morneau, but then it seems Jason is the guy that has been batting behind Mauer all this time.
Slide Young into the 4 hole for awhile, see if that does it.
Still, I blame a lot of their horrid post-season record on Gardy. Stubbornly throwing Phil Nevin up there as DH every game. The whole “it’s an honor to even be here in the 1st round” mentality. Lacking the burning desire to “WIN” is what dooms MN teams to eternal mediocrity.
