Baseball’s winter brain rot (and what to do about it)
Posted on December 18th, 2008 – 9:42 AMBy Howard
The irrepressible Jason (and I use that term fondly) ended the last thread with a plea that we no longer talk about free-agent acquisitions. However, I am an advocate of free speech (short of falsely yelling “fire” in a crowded theater and “Mike Lowell” for a team that plays on turf) and am loathe to dictate behavior.
For the most part, we are a reasonable crowd here in Section 220 and I understand the combination of frustration and fatigue that sets in. I believe in the notion that most of the serious stuff takes place in a way that becomes public quickly and suddenly, at least when management has some control over the situation. As fans, we are still in the backwash of the public serial drama that surrounded last winter’s Santana trade and Hunter departure. The Delmon deal hasn’t worked out so far and we have not chosen to make a big deal out of the fact that Craig Breslow has taken over as the reigning Sandy Koufax of the major leagues. (That’s the distinction of being the best Jewish lefty in baseball, of course. Sorry, Scott Schoeneweis) Signing Sean Henn (not a tyPo) as a minor-league agent doesn’t do much (2-6, 7.56 in part of four MLB seasons),
The hot stove is cooling a bit. I mean, there’s something reassuring about driving home through the snow listening to XM’s Home Plate even if it means overdosing on the Sabathia signing, WWMD (What will Manny do?), contract ho’ Rafael Fercal Furcal and the greatness of the Boston Red Sox’ front office. Bringing up XM also allows me to point out that “Baseball This Morning” is no longer a must listen now that the Mark Patrick-Buck Martinez team has been ousted. They knew the game and conveyed more fun than the current guys — and provided listeners with the added benefit of an occasional reading from Section 220.
Here are a few good hot-stove fixes:
*Get ahold of Seth Stohs’ 2009 “Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook.” It’s 80 pages of minor-league analysis from Section 220’s favorite non-Strib blog. Lots of detail about minor-leaguers and an entertaining foreword by Pat Neshek. Seth pretty much tabbed Neshek as a prospect before Neshek knew he was a prospect, so the foreword is a nice way for the reliever to return the love. You can order it here.
*Make sure you have cable enough to get the MLB Network, which debuts January 1. All baseball all the time. And the network will give you a chance to record the Ken Burns baseball series, which will be running on Tuesday night. Here’s more about the network from mlb.com. One suggestion:The aforementioned Mark Patrick is on the free-agent market. MLB Network should sign him.
*Circle Jan. 24 on your calendar for the “2nd Annual Last Hot Stove League Banquet.” Last year’s was supposed to be the last one, but they lied. If you went, you heard Bill Lee ramble and Clark Griffith offer context and Mike Veeck retell the story of Disco Demolition Night. Umpire Tim Tschida is confirmed for this year and there are Corey Koskie rumors going around. It’s going to be at the Harriet Island Pavilion and you can find out more, become a sponsor or donate an auction item by calling Julian Loscalzo at 651-227-3437. (I’ll be donating a chance to watch a game with me in the Section 220 seats.)
And if the Twins haven’t done anything by then, we can organize a march on the Metrodome.
If we don’t talk before then, enjoy the Holidays.
63 Responses to "Baseball’s winter brain rot (and what to do about it)"
Howard
It’s Furcal with a U not an E. I think he prefers to be called a prostitute not a ho!
Like I said, brain rot sets in. Thanks!
I have Seth’s book, I agree with Howard… go buy it!
I also agree with Howard on the Baseball this Morning. The new guys are unfocused and almost dissinterested in anything other than BSing with each other.
As long as the MLB network doesn’t try to strongarm me into getting it by pulling games in during the week…I’ll consider it.
[…] A Fan’s View – […]
Are the Twins the only team not to add a new player to their major league roster this winter, excluding the Rule V draft?
Why even bring up that he is Jewish? Seems totally irrevelant, Howard. I thought you were above that. What does being Jewish have to do with him being a baseball player?
XM would have been better served to oust Dribble… er… Dibble.
I would get XM if i could take it to work with me but no reception in the building. I’m looking forward to the MLB network and what they have to offer.
Plunkton,
No offense intended. My favorite book growing up, for a time, was Greatest American Jewish Sports heroes. (And, yes, it was pretty thick.) Now, I keep waiting for the accompanying Greatest Quaker Sports Heroes. My feeling is that it’s nothing for me to be above or beneath.
Lol “Greatest Quaker Sports Heroes” Not sure about sports but they’re good at making oatmeal.
I think that Breslow still has ways to go, esp. in the sitting out because of his beliefs department, to be compared to Mr Sanford Braun. Yum Kippur falls during the regular season next year 9/27-28, it would be interesting if he follows Sandy’s example.
Howard, I wasn’t offended by it..just curious why someone’s religious affiliation has anything to do with what sports he plays or what position he plays. Seems irrevelant and mutually exclusive to me.
Might as well start organizing the march now Howard.
Plunkton,
it is just a form of celebration of someone’s heritage. In the 50s and 60s (even in the 70s) there were a lot of books targeted to children, which had as a subject lists of the most successful people from a particular ethnic group in a particular endeavor. Even today, on the African-American heritage month, for example, you see lists of African-Americans who succeeded in various aspects of life. It is a celebration and also an example for the younger generations that their heritage will not inhibit them from achieving something they want to achieve, because people like them did it. That’s all… These days there is much less identification of baby boomer’s kids with their heritage, so you see less and less of this.
The hot stove cooling??? You didn’t hear they re-signed Punto? I would say this hot stove has been hot, hot, hot. Awwwww yeah.
“Seems irrevelant and mutually exclusive to me.”
if THAT becomes a limiting factor to these blogs, might as well shut em down today if not sooner…
thrylos98
I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and I don’t remember any books about the Greatest Norwegian or German sports heroes is that because no one cared or is it because none of my ancestors were discriminated upon.
Wow. I laughed a bit at the Breslow quip, however I never expected a backlash. I guess I should in this state. I swear people just look for reasons to be offended in our PC state.
Onto baseball. I’m really not too worried about making an acquisition. I think we need a reliever (Brandon Lyon?) before we need a position player. Like LEN III noted. We did get 91 RBI’s out of 3B last year. Punto did bat .280 and played solid defense. In fact, his numbers were better than “MVP” Jason Bartlett last year. Hmmm…
On the outfield. No need to trade anyone. Rotate and go with the hot hand. Outfield depth is a plus that the Angels got the benefit of last year.
We did get 91 RBI’s out of 3B last year
RBIs do not really reflect performance… it heavily depends on other factors (like people in front of you get on base and are fast enough to score and what part of the batting order one is batting) That said, what has not been mentioned on the 91 number is that Mike Lamb had 32 of these RBI and, since, has dearly departed. Then the number drops to 59.
The other things that are more important than RBI, which seem to be forgotten are:
Twins 3rd basemen hit 7 HRs collectively
Twins 3rd basemen had a collective OPS+ of 90
Twins 3rd basemen had a collective .952 FP (and Mike Lamb’s FP was .970, thus raising the collective)
Who do you suggest the Twins sign for 3B? Wiggington? (nope, product of Minute Maid), Atkins (nope, product of Coors), Beltre (too high of asking price).
I’m just saying that it’s not the worst thing in the world to take the Buscher/Harris platoon into next year. Harris will only improve with another year in Twins baseball. (he quietly put up decent second half numbers) Buscher could regress, but my big beef with him was throwing errors.
I totally agree with your comments regarding XM Home plate - the new line-up has gone downhill fast!
Wiggington? (nope, product of Minute Maid)
I beg to differ. His career numbers:
in domes (923 PA)
.299/.354/.548
on artificial turf (680 PA)
.294/.349/.500
Minute Maid is a sometimes dome and does not have artificial turf.
for comparison’s sake, Morneau’s career line is .281/.348/.498
How about fields with a short porch in left like Minute Maid has? I don’t care about what kind of turf it is. I’m talking about the fence a right handed pull hitter (line drive hitter at that) would hit homers to.
And please, don’t compare Wiggington to Morneau. That’s insulting.
Wiggington at $7 million per or thereabouts is not the answer for the Twins. At that price I’d rather sign Crede.
Third base? Ron Santo!
jama,
we’ll be here (hopefully) next year. I am willing to bet a LaTroy Hawkins signed ball that Wigginton will have a better 2009 than: Crede, Buscher, Harris, and Blake…
any takers?
Nope, I’m on board with Wigginton having a better year. I will also bet that he has 86 less throwing errors than Buescher.
Wiggy’s stats will be deceiving though since he will hit about 5 of his bombs off of the Twins after the Indians sign him. Book it.
why i we even considering any talks of trade our starting pitching is solid even in the minor league and furthermore our relief cor is strong with help in the minor league do we even need a power hitter when we are deep in the minor leauge keep everything set for one more year and let everyone develope
Wow, that’s one helluva long sentence. Whelp, let’s see:
Yes, the starting pitching is solid
Yes, there is some depth in the minors
Relief cor?? Did you watch many games in July, August, and September last year? Yeah, that bullpen needs some help.
Do we need a power hitter? One would be nice. Especially someone batting behind Morneau.
Everything is cool for one more year? So, just cancel ‘09 and wait til’ the new ballpark opens up to try and improve this team? Do you work for the front office or something??
I just didn’t want the Twins to sign Wigginton so I didn’t have to put up with reading “Wiggy” on the blogs all season; or read stupid headlines like, “Wig-Win for the Twins.” Similar to the “Silence of the Lamb” headlines after Lamb got that (one) game winning hit last year.
Capcom,
I promise not to call him “Wiggy.” You have my blogger’s word of honor.
the wig man.
HOWARD:
Second Base? Rod Carew!
Adam Sandler was on Leno last night, he wrote a song mentioning the fact.
If you’ve never heard it, well, you should. Adam’s other songs………not so much.
If harris is the answer, as some of you claim, why did Gardy give him only 37 ABs in September? Why did his ABs drop throughout the year? Why do you believe that as he played less, and his numbers went up, that Gardy would want to play him more again?
We need a right-handed relief pitcher to complement Breslow-preferably a Mormon, don’t you agree, Plunkton?
Ichiro Suziki was brought up Buddhist. Ichiro’s father bought him his first baseball glove not to teach him a game, but rather: “It’s a tool to teach him the value of things” in the Buddhist sense of the “value of things.”
Howard— wasn’t Otis Nixon a Quaker?—-no wait that was Richard Nixon.
This is funny from an article entitled,
“OMG These people are arabs, may be Muslim! OMG will they turn us into muslims?”
Pirate’s Sammy Khalafi and Joe Lahoud (Red Sox) were Arab pro baseball players. Doug Flutie and former Viking Jeff George were Arab Americans also.
Thanks for not ripping me too badly there, Howard.
Yes, the sad truth is in our market and with our squad, winter musings are relegated to which hot minor leaguers are expected to step it up in the coming year, the who, where, and when of the popular Twins Winter Caravan, and other opportunities to get autographs (like Twinsfest).
While more fortunate markets are getting to hear from C.C. and Manny, we’re hearing from Tim Tschida. I like Tim, but I guess I’d prefer to have the inside track on who might help us hit some balls over the fence, not call balls and strikes. I think we need to use the term ‘heating pad’ instead of ‘hot stove’ here in Minnesota.
Yes, after a two year break, it does appear that homerun power returns as number one on Twins fans’ wish list for 2009. To review, the Twins only had three players in double-digit homeruns last year, and that included D Young with just 10. Kubel’s power numbers spiked slightly, but Mighty Morneau saw a 10-HR drop (that’s cool, though, as it was coupled with a nice spike in batting average).
The plan, apparently, is to hope that Michael Cuddyer can do a Doc Brown time travel for us in 2009 and hit a few bombs (I can’t imagine Bill Smith expected his biggest offseason signing to date, Nick Punto, to boslter the team’s HR total).
Here’s my plead Twins fans (and I’m the only one signing this chorus, but I’m going to sing it loud and sing it proud): Doug Mient-kiewicz. Doug Mient-kiewicz.
The Pirates are expected to sign this guy…he’ll come cheap. He can play the corner infield positions (giving Morneau the breaks he apparently needs from time to time in the field), he can be a valuable member of the clubhouse (assuming he and Gardy have patched things up–big assumption there). He hit .277 last year with 19 doubles, 2 triples, and an OBP of .374 in just 285 at-bats. That means he would’ve been an absolute star on our bench in 2008.
Okay, I’m off that for now. We can return to our regularly scheduled breakdown of minor leaguers, Gardy hockey appearances, and saluting local umpires.
Merry Christmas Howard and all 220ers!
Howard,
Third base? I Don’t Know…
Good one, Twayn. But what I wonder is if the Oriole’s Jim Gentile was Jewish?
(get it? gentile or jew? aw forget it)
why did Gardy give him only 37 ABs in September? Why did his ABs drop throughout the year? Why do you believe that as he played less, and his numbers went up, that Gardy would want to play him more again?
Does this say something about Harris or about Gardy?
I apologize for being so retentive, but please correct “and am loathe to dictate behavior” in line 4 to “and am loath to dictate behavior”.
Paul,
Done.
MudCat,
Ha! But speaking of ex-Orioles, there was an assumption by some that outfielder John Lowenstein was Jewish. He wasn’t, but it didn’t stop him from doing an interview in which he gave a detailed description of his Bar Mitzvah.
And, finally, if you’re looking for fabulous gift. Look here!
Thanks for the idea, Howard! It was interesting reading the two pages in the link; made me want to read more. I must say I was shocked to see that all the Jewish players combined “violated the Eighth Commandment by stealing
995 bases.”
I suppose if one is Jewish, those Jewish baseball player cards would make a fabulous gift, but for the rest of us, no more so than MLB Players from Pakistan cards.
Halsey, That’s an incredibly astute observations-kind of like something I would say.
To be a Twins sports writer during the winter…it must be hard trying to come up with a bunch of nothing to write about.
There’s a set of collectible cards featuring MLB players from Pakistan?
*goes to Amazon.com to add the product to his wish list*
Howard -
Great post. I knew nothing of the banquet, so there’s a choice bit of info right there.
Please don’t apologize for yourself in regards to Plunktown. I think most of us are tired of pseudo-sensitive poseurs trying to pretend as if life and the world at large do not include any sects or factions or anything of the nature. After all, if Plunktown really is such a model egalitarian, then he must adore the Yankees, Angles, and White Sox as much as he loves the Twins, right???
Thanks for the info. You’re golden.
I am working on my new book “Greatest American Unitarian Sports Heroes”. In keeping with my Unitarian point of view, all opinions are considered equally valid. I am forming a committee which anyone can be on to discuss it. We will never agree on a final list, and we like it that way. We just enjoy the dicussion. It’s sort of like the blog comments here in section 220.
1987 Twins
Gary Gaetti HR - 31
Kirby Puckett HR - 28
Tom Brunansky HR - 32
Kent Hrbek HR - 34
Tim Laudner HR - 16
Greg Gagne HR - 10
Dan Gladden HR - 8
Steve Lombardozzi HR - 8
Roy Smalley HR - 8
Total: 175 HRS
2008 Twins
Justin Morneau HR - 23
Jason Kubel HR - 20
Delmon Young HR - 10
Joe Mauer HR - 9
Carlos Gomez HR - 7
Alexi Casilla HR - 7
Denard Span HR - 6
Brian Buscher HR - 4
Nick Punto HR - 2
Total: 88 HRS
Thanks for the banquet plug Howard. Here is an Hot Stove League Banquet update: Corey Koskie is signed and confirmed for the festivities as is our old pal Clark Griffith. Tickets can be obtained after the 1st of the year at Anodyne Coffee at 43rd and Nicolett in South Mpls and Golden Tymme Coffee on Selby in the Summit U area of St. Paul. Folks can call 651-227-3437 to order tickets now.
PS: Section 220 blog fans should note that Howard has been a valuable part of the evening’s Q & A session wrap up the last few years as was Strib Twins beat writter Lavelle E Neal III. Both are expected to be there on Sat., 1/24 at the Harriet Island Pavilion in Dtwn St. Paul. - your pal, Sammy
Phhhu-ck Pohlad and Smith…. Cheap pricks….
Howard I know that the twins haven’t given you anything to write about but how about some meaningless tripe?
Once again, Sleepy Bill Smith will have to pay gift tax on his yearly salary. He sure hasn’t worked this year.
Don’t worry cheap A-$-$- Pohlad already has his sports writer sheep letting the word out that we need to save for money our pending free agents just what I predicted would happen 6 months ago. Time for the fans to tell Pohlad and Smith to Phhhu-ck off!!!
About Howard Sinker. Anyone who EVER rooted for the Cubs is not an expert fan.
“…Pohlad and Smith…. Cheap pricks….”
With only one left now, we’ll see if Jim P forces BS to remain cheap.
Why am I already bored with the upcoming season?
This is funny. The Mayberry Nine:
Andy Griffith’s co-star in his last show:
http://www.fancast.com/tv/Matlock/90687/819757473/Matlock/photos?autoplay=0
