Coming back to baseball
Posted on October 6th, 2008 – 9:02 AMBy Howard
It’s taken a few days to be able to watch more than a couple of innings at a time, but I think I’m back. The Cubs-Dodgers on Saturday and the Angels-Red Sox game last night/this morning kind of did the trick. I don’t know about you, but I’m not really rooting as much as I’m hoping to see good and interesting stuff. Good: The Dodgers totally shutting down the Cubs. Interesting: Torii dropping the fly ball in Game 2 and twisting his knee jumping at first base when he was called out.
Those of you who spent too much time here know that I grew up a Cubs fans, but I don’t feel too bad for the Cubs getting swept. As long as we don’t get swept away by it, we’re all allowed a few of those “the way things used to be” things, and Cubs baseball now isn’t the same as it once was. Of course it isn’t and I have no reason to expect it to be, but I simply don’t embrace the current group as much as the teams of years gone by. (I’m different about the Bears, for some reason. You can have Gus Frerotte, I’ll take Kyle Orton.) I think the 100 years of futility deal is kind of funny — especially when it’s continued under the tone-deaf managing of Lou Piniella — and I pretty much promised myself not to get invested in them unless they got to the World Series. No sense getting hurt by grown men more than once during a baseball season, right?
I am hoping the White Sox are done after today so we don’t have to read about the “black out” any more and we can be done with a fundementally flawed baseball team. The Rays are a nice story. I keep waiting for them to revert, but I think (even if they get eliminated) that it’s not going to be because they fall apart. Whatever happens, it will be nice to see credit directed to Joe Maddon, their manager, who has pulled together a team that believes in itself more than it would in other hands, I suspect. Many of the Rays were judged flawed with their previous teams and he’s brought along young players who have improved on the job. The Rays battled through injuries to top players and the Rays are a poster child for the argument against the value of a studly closer, although I’d still rather have Joe Nathan than rely on the Tampa Bay Relief Committee.
I’d kind of like to see a Dodgers-Red Sox series so that Manny has to play at Fenway. And my problem with Tampa Bay is the idea of a World Series that makes the Metrodome look like an architectural marvel. Watching the Phillies does make me realize that, without the Twins in the postseason, it would have fun to watch Johan in October — especially after another one of his incredible second halves of the season.
More than anything, though, I want the baseball to be good and interesting.
*I want 3-2 instead of 12-10 games.
*I want the weather not to be ridiculous.
*I will figure out a way to listen to Buck and McCarver as little as possible when FOX gets its mitts on the playoffs. I have really enjoyed watching TBS — even Harold Reynolds — and listening to ESPN on the radio (and Bob Uecker on the Milwaukee broadcasts). Buck Martinez should be required to work in the booth of every postseason game.
*I will root for any team playing an elimination game. Unless it’s the White Sox, of course.
43 Responses to "Coming back to baseball"
I find it amazing how bad Torii Hunter plays. When he was on our team I couldn’t get pass the Jersery. But now that it’s been a year since he was wearing a Twins jersey, I can see him a little bit more objectively. And the thing is… he’s slow! Especially after watching Gomez and Span run all season. He let a easy fly ball drop yesterday that Gomez would have had for sure. He may have won all those gold gloves, but the Twins upgraded defensively at centerfield this season. Thank goodness the Twins were smart enough to let him go.
I’m an XM guy too, and yes, I’ve found myself listening to the radio broadcasts as often as the tv, even with the annoying 30 second delay or so.
And yes again, Buck Martinez is great. I’m impressed he still gets up to do the morning show after these late games.
I listen to Buck on XM every morning on the way to work, he’s great!
As far as world series scenarios go, my dream one would Dodgers vs. RedSox with Manny winning it all in game 7 at Fenway with a blast over the green monster at the top of the 12th and winning the series MVP.
Divine justice.
As far as rooting for other teams, I simply cannot root for any Wisconsin/Chicago/Detroit team in Pro Baseball or Football or any teams certain players (e.g. Brett Favre) play.
What are the possibilities that Piniella will be with the Cubs next year? That must have been one of the most lopsided postseason eliminations, similar to that of the Twins in 2006…
Thanks Howard. Now that we are all settling into a Twin-less postseason, your column is apropos.
Food for thought: Manny in Boston. Sweet. Question though: Is Manny the premier big game offensive player in baseball? Lots of evidence suggests it is so. Remember last year, when he was quoted as saying it would be no big deal if the Sox lost the ALCS….this year, he’s quoted as saying something about “playing relaxed” allows for better performance. Seems to me that everyone can learn something from this otherwise head-case guy: big time players have the mental discipline to play relaxed when it counts the most. Who on the Twins fits this definition?
TV and Baseball: I dont have cable. This is a good thing. Baseball on radio is unsurpassed in sports media. However, I will once again give into temptation and watch the LCS’s and Series. The melodramatic presentation is bad enough, but only magnified by the vapid pronouncements of McCarver and Buck. Joe, we knew your dad, and you are not your dad! Finally, this year, I am capping the # of times I will watch close-ups of Terry Francona, et al, spit chew and god knows what else. How tight can these shots get…seeing the spray pattern as the chew is expelled is a bit much. What next? Slow motion? Of spitting, nutcup adjusting, batting glove and helmet arrangements….between every pitch……How about commercial endorsements for each pitch? “This fastball brought to you by Miller Lite”. Something tells me I will find my way back to radio delight, where at least my imagination is allowed some leeway to enter the fray. Sorry for the rant. Just my take on things. Have a great day everyone.
See, I feel quite the opposite. I want neither the Sox nor the Dodgers in the series.
1) I would get sick of the Manny vs. Old Team talk.
2) Regardless of who wins, it’s either the Sox (yuck) or Manny (yuck). Which would ruin the fun of seeing Torre go all the way in his first year away from the Yanks.
3) After the Rockies in 2007, MLB needs a Cinderella Story to finally pay off. Rays winning it all would be perfect for Selig and Co. to point at and shout “See see….parity!”
4) Of course, if the Phillies win, we won’t have to sit through an offseason of people here claiming that it was all Smith’s fault for trading Bartlett and Garza.
5 )I still don’t get how the national media can look at a team with Crawford, Upton, Garza, and LONGORIA…but then say that it’s all because of Bartlett. Bartlett is to the Rays what Nick Punto is to the Twins what David Eckstien has been for years.
That must have been one of the most lopsided postseason eliminations, similar to that of the Twins in 2006…
I suggested firing Pinella as a joke, since the Cubs this season are essentially proof that s*it happens in the postseason.
Look at LAA, which had the best Record in baseball. They’re on the verge of being done for as well.
Heck, look at the Rockies in 2007. Where did THAT come from?
Cubs was worse since look at all the $$$ they spent.
I also had to wait a couple of days to get back to baseball…
I am amazed at how bad Torii has played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim–getting thrown out at 2B in the 8th was inexcusable–grounding into fielders choice with bases loaded was at least better than striking out like he did with the Twins–but the defense in center surprised me–that bloop single gift–he would have caught a couple of years ago. I didnt see the play in the first game–but Torii is having a woeful series.
I am tired of the BoSox and Manny. I am rooting for Tampa Bay just to avoid both Sox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DAM
Setting the way back machine and rooting for one of my favorite childhood teams - The Dodgers, plus Greg Maddux is my pitching hero.
and it’s nice to see I’m not the only person in the world w/o cable - baseball and radio do mix!
Though I hate them, part of me would like to see the White Sox win, now that the Twins are out, because:
*I would expect it to drive up their payroll and hasten their dismantling
*It would be hilarious to see them win their second World Series in four years and STILL not be the most-popular team in their own city.
Torii is so overrated and overpaid it’s a joke. He is not a very smart baseball player. I compared his offensive numbers to Kubel’s this year in a previous post. Almost identical numbers expect for 18 more stolen bases and Kubel had 88 less at bats. I hope the Rays can finish off the White Sox today. Looking at Chad Bradford’s numbers, I don’t understand why the Twins didn’t get this guy? They wouldn’t have had to give up much and I’m sure he would have held on to one 8th inning lead down the stretch and that would have put us in the post season. His hasn’t given up a run in
17 innings in the playoffs. I just hope the Twins start building a team that not only can compete in the division but actually have a chance to win the whole damn thing!
I haven’t been able to watch much of the baseball, but I did catch the O Cabrera/Grant Balfour dustup.
Cabrera has to be insane to want to stir up Balfour…he looks like he has pumped up a lot of iron and his fastball is rocking again. It was fun to see GB telling that B@#ch Sox punk to take a seat after striking him out with his laserball.
Balfour would look damned good back in a Twins uni.
Maybe it’s just me, but seeing the “black out” Tuesday night, I was reminded of the “Nuns’ Day at the Met” photos from my 1960s Twins yearbooks.
Tough call on who to root for. Right now I’m hoping for Philly and the Rays, I think.
I really don’t want more of the Red Sox, even if it would bolster my argument that the big spending teams have a huge advantage that needs to be really addressed. The Dodgers would be interesting, as I’d love for Torre to rub it in the Yankees’ faces…but there’s something about Philly that just entertains me, and baseball should be about entertainment. I could care less about the White Sox and the Angels.
Howard- I noticed the Twins aren’t mentioned in this post, which is fine. It is still painful to think about them.
however, I keep hearing Delmon Young’s name being thrown around in trade rumors. I don’t like the idea, I think he has a great upside.
What is your opinion on this. And if he does get traded, what should we land for him?
TS,
I’ll be back with that one and some other Twins stuff sometime in the next couple of days.
Glad to have you back, Howard.
My priority number one, the Cubs’ elimination, has been dealt with quickly.
Priority 1A, the BitchSox elimination will hopefully come shortly behind.
Beyond that, I’m a Rays fan for the duration. I have no appetite for seeing the RedSox and their obnoxious “nation” in the WS again and I can’t believe the Angels rolled over (one might even say “bent over”) the way they have. Maybe there’s something to this “don’t clinch too soon” theory after all.
It doesn’t really matter to me at this point who the NL representative is in the WS because if the Rays or Angels are there, I’ll pull for them… if it’s one or the other Sox, I’ll be pulling for whoever comes out of the NL.
As for Torii… it looks like if the Angels advance it will be despite his suckage. Missing the fly ball, twisting the knee in mid-tantrum, not taking charge and letting a fly ball drop between himself and the infielders (resulting in 3 Sox runs) and getting thrown out stretching a single in to a no-chance-in-hell attempt at a double all reminded me of his “effort” against the A’s a couple of years back. He’s old, slow, fading defensively and a poor judge of the strike zone. Thank God he’s someone else’s overpaid problem child for the next several years.
if you go to mlbtrade rumor they have a few things on the young possible trades. several teams and other players, interesting most of these guys (check comments) having a higher opinion of young then around here. one guy from florida said young for uggla.
done in a heartbeat!
Pretty typical I think. Once the home fans take a dislike to someone, logic flies right out the window. Why anyone would be pressing to get rid of a 23 year old RH-hitting OF who hit .290 is beyond me.
I have been pushing for an Uggla trade for weeks now. Move Casilla over to short and wait a year for Danny Valencia to take over 3rd. I would NOT give up Delmon Young as part of the trade if at all possible though. If you are that worried about having too many outfielders I would rather look at Cuddyer at third base PART TIME. FLA should be looking for young starting pitchers and the Twins have several options there to move if needed.
I for one would like to see what it would take to get JJ Hardy from Milwaukee-and see how well he could play 3B.
I don’t understand why the Brewer’s would move Hardy at this point? He is young and does not make a pile of cash yet so why trade him now?
Once we get around to being able to talk about the Twins’ roster for 2009, I’d like to see a discussion about moving Cuddyer back to third base (again). I know, I know, it didn’t work before, but with Young, Gomez and Span being so solid in the outfield, I believe it might be worth another try. I can’t imagine benching or trading any of our young studs in the OF, but we’ll need to find a spot for Cuddy’s inflated salary in the lineup. I also don’t think giving a King’s ransom for Beltre or the like would be wise either. Let’s give Cuddyer plenty of advance warning and let him earn his keep wearing a 3B glove next year.
I really enjoy the TBS broadcasts as well and the part i like most is how they go back to the studio to break the game down after the third inning instead of going to commercial. I would love to see that during Twins game but can we get Eck and Ripken instead of Coomer and Smalley? I’m pulling for the Rays but i wouldn’t mind seeing the Dodger vs the Red Sox.
Charlie,
From what I understand since Milwaukee is going to lose Sheets and most likly Sabathia they want to get some young pitching.
Prince Fielder has been mentioned, since apparently he has put on some weight and might be getting closer to being a DH already.
JJ has been mentioned since Milwaukee has a SS prospect to replace him.
I have seen JJ being mentioned but I don’t understand WHY. Move him to 3rd and let the prospect play short but he is young and they would be better off trading Fielder before he eats himself out of the league. Sheets is hurt and that will make him worth less money so they may be able to afford to keep him.
I have seen the idea of moving JJ to 3rd in Milwaukee, but the problem is Bill Hall is still around and no one will touch that contract.
Jimmeny Crikket is right as usual, especially about Young and Torii.
Didn’t the TV guys say Torii prefers playing for the Angels because you have a better chance of advancing in the playoffs, not always three (or four) and out like in Minnesota? Right now he looks like he may be one of the more overpaid players in baseball.
Watching Old Man Hunter in the Angels outfield might be a surprise to the rest of the nation given his reputation,but to us Twins fans its nothing new.Hunter hasn’t been the same since he broke his ankle in Boston several years ago.
Count me among the many who are happy to see the Cubs swept.I hate all the national media hype surrounding the Cubs and their “beloved” fans.The White Sox fans are much better fans IMO.Still want the Rays to finish off the Whities today though!
As a life long SF Giants fan(my favorite team next to the Twins)I find this hard to say, but I’m cheering for the Dodgers to go all the way.Manny warts and all.The thought of Joe Torre holding the WS trophy high and silently thinking “screw you Yankees” is enough to make me forget fourty plus years of Giants/Dodgers war.
I hope there is no truth the trade Delmon rumors.The Twins saw only 1/2 of a year from Span,GoGo has plenty of growing pains ahead,and Cuddy is now injury prone x 2 years.My hope is the Twins will and can use the depth the four of them can provide.
Cheer for the Phillies. Seriously, what is the matter with White Sox advancing–what is there to cheer for the D-Rays? And I am so sick of the pathetic Cubs–they looked so weak against the Dodgers. It’s time for the White Sox to once again win when their “backs are to the wall.” A great AL series would be the White Sox v. Red Sox.
If there’s one thing that would make me vomit quicker than “RedSox Nation” celebrating another WS, it’s AJ doing the same thing. An ALCS between Red and White BitchSox only assures that I’ll be cheering for the NL representative in the Series.
I’m with you Crikket.I could live with either the Phightin’ Phils or the Dodgers before the “Nation” or the Whities.And I usually do cheer for the AL Champ.Not this year,unless the Rays were to make it.Don’t think thats going to happen though.
Just an interesting piece of info, on the Twins website, twins.mlb.com, they now have Cuddy listed as a third baseman, not an outfielder.
Howard,
I just realized that you sponsor Delmon’s page at baseball reference. Cool!!!
Hey, Howard’s back. Amazingly, I think I’ve been more productive at work in the last week without this blog. Haven’t decided if that’s good or bad.
I do agree on the Manny/Sox series. I was rooting for the Cubs, for no apparent reason, but now I think a WS in which the Dodgers clinch at Fenway (possibly on a Manny homer), would be incredible. The Dodgers have the best 1-2 rotation punch left in the playoffs, and their lineup is producing incredibly right now. It’ll be interesting to see if they make it, especially being that they won something like 84 games.
Cuddyer was better defensively than Buscher is at 3B but, gold glover he is not (as a matter of fact other than assists, he is not that great at the OF either, his range is minuscule); but I could potentially live with that if he reverts to ‘06 form and stops taking base running lessons from LNP
Yeah I’m not sure Buscher is the guy I want to measure Cuddyer’s performance at 3B in 2005 against, but I see the point. What I’d be more concerned about is that he hit for crap when he played 3B. Moving to the OF seemed to take some pressure off and let him relax at the plate in 2006.
To me, making that move is an option of last resort. Free Agent market is where the focus should be. If nothing’s there, look for a trade. If that doesn’t work out, check in with Hughes and see how he’s handling the position in Fall/Winter leagues. If all else fails, look at moving Cuddyer back to 3B. But I can’t see why “all else” should fail.
Young: besides the fact he was something like the 27th best LFer on O, I have no idea why anyone would want to get rid of him (or the fact he hit worse this year than last year, or that he supposedly won’t take coaching).
Harold Reynolds is a horrible commentator. He berated Garza for shaking off so many pitches in a fastball situation. I don’t think he understands that Garza was trying to trick the batter.
The Twins appear to want to improve their fielding. Lack of good fielding killed the Twins. If all Delmon’s botched plays were called errors, the guy would have had 50+ errors. Good riddance, if the Twins can work a trade.
Orlando Cabrera would be an excellent addition at SS. Cesar Izturis is another fine SS. Hopefully Nicky returns as well. I’ll take all three of those guys.
You would just complain about Cabrera if the Twins got him. Nobody is happy no matter what happens on this team it seems anyway.
Nora,
“Nobody is happy no matter what happens on this team it seems anyway.”
Only the unhappy posters bother to complain.
Happy posters are usually satisfied and silent.
