Carlos Gomez, a man who leads a life of danger
Posted on July 28th, 2009 – 9:06 AMBy Howard
It’s nice to have fun at the ballpark again. In this case, the object of our merriment is Carlos Gomez, around whom no one was safe at the Metrodome last night.
*In the first inning, Gomez almost got himself killed — smacking into Denard Span on the first play of the game, spending a couple of minutes of the Metrodome turf and getting royal and good-natured grief from teammates in the dugout at the end of the inning. Remember, it was written here two weeks ago that: “…if they played together on a more frequent basis, (Span and Gomez) might stop running into each other on fly balls to left-center.”
*In the second, Gomez launched his bat into the stands on a swing-and-a-miss. From what we could tell, there was a spilled drink, a souvenir and nobody hurt.
*Gomez sent part of his next bat in the general direction of third baseman Gordon Beckham, who dodged the ball and couldn’t handle the grounder that gave Gomez an infield single. As if wary of anything touched by Gomez, White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez also failed to make a clean pick-up.
*Then Gomez turned his attention to White Sox second baseman Jayson Nix, making a savage-and-clean takeout slide that:
a) Caused Nix to throw the ball away for an error.
b) Allowed Brendan Harris to score from second.
c) Kept Nick Punto from the humiliation of an inning-ending double play.
*In the fourth, before flying out to center, Gomez smacked a foul ball off the third-base camera well.
*During his final at-bat in the sixth, he knocked a foul ball off his foot and did the batter’s gimp-around before grounding into a force play.
To Span’s credit, when he went after Josh Fields’ fly ball to left-center in the seventh, he threw out what Ms. Baseball termed a “Heisman Trophy stiff-arm” as he tracked down the ball, keeping Gomez a safe distance away as the play was made. That was the opening act to Span’s sprint-to-the-wall catch in the ninth that greatly aided Joe Nathan’s one-two-three closeout.
Seriously, the Gomez take-out slide was a statement kind of play that provoked the most excitement from the dugout, with the obvious exception of the Michael Cuddyer home run in the sixth that gave the Twins a 4-3 lead and ended the scoring. It also continued a fun-to-watch inning of White Sox self-mutilation that included an A.J. Pierzynski passed ball, the Nix error, Paul Konerko missing a catch on a throw from his pitcher for an error and a throw into center field when Alexi Casilla stole second base (after reaching on the Konerko error.) The inning turned A.J. peevish and got Ozzie Guillen to kick the bucket (of dugout bubble gum) in frustration.
Speaking of Cuddyer, I’m sure the skeptics could easily find someone to replace a guy who’s on a 28-homer pace and provides some veteran stability on a team that has been flying all over the place. You have to accept that, as a right-handed power hitter, he’s sometimes going to look silly at the plate and probably going to strike out in triple figures (17 homers, 74 strikeouts so far). Hey, not everyone can be Joe Mauer (17 and 41).
Alas, we also saw the low moment of the season at the Dome last night. Astute judges of humanity that we are in Section 220, I turned to Ms. Baseball when the seventh-inning trivia contestant appeared on the scoreboard and said, “This guy looks like he could miss the first question.”
And, yes, given two chances, the gentleman failed to answer correctly, “How many different hits are in the cycle.”
In Section 220, that man is now known as the Alexi Casilla of Twins Trivia.
81 Responses to "Carlos Gomez, a man who leads a life of danger"
I was listening to the radio this morning and the guys were talking about how Gomez’s nickname should be “Nascar” because he’s always fun to watch…and always good for a crash of some kind.
I think I’m starting to see what some people are talking about in regards to him being a bit over the top at times. He always seems to be the one that takes those extra moments to “recover”, acts a bit hurt, you know.
Last night the collision and foulball hurt enough, but I think sometimes he milks it a bit more than neccesary. Like when he fouled the ball off I could’ve sworn he looked to the dugout expecting them to come out.
Whatever though. His takeout slide WAS big. And watching AJ turn on his SS (for what was HIS bad throw) was hilarious.
Where are all those fools who can’t get enough of Delmon Young’s game? Come out come out where you are fools? Thyros and his band of merry fools I am talking to you.
Where are the guys who wanted to let Cuddy go? That was crazy talk earlier in the year. He’s a rock on this team.
I’d like to see Cuddyer improve on getting more contact and fewer strike outs. As he is turning into a power hitter, he will strike out, but it should be less often.
Yes, NOGO and the Twins played a good game last night with a (finally) decent outing by Perkins. Let’s not get all geeked up that the Twins have ‘turned the corner’ based on a good win where things bounced our way more often than not. Sox have recently played terrible at the dome and their record at the dome proves this. However, a win is a win and jumping up a spot in the standings is great especially since the Tigers lost. Let’s just hope the team can gel and the holes can be addressed by Billy.
I was a cuddy doubter, and I’ve already posted that he’s made me look silly this year. He’s been good. I’ll admit I was wrong about him.
As for Gomez and “nascar”, um, no thanks. I don’t know who thinks watching cars go around in a circle is fun to watch, but it’s not me. GoGo is a great nickname.
“I’d like to see Cuddyer improve on getting more contact and fewer strike outs. As he is turning into a power hitter, he will strike out, but it should be less often.”
LOL Magic Man is 31 he will not improve at anything he will start to regress as all players do
he is the best right handed bat Twin’s have let’s be happy with that
I don’t know who thinks watching cars go around in a circle is fun to watch, but it’s not me
It’s more that he’s fun to watch for the crashes. 
I love playing the White Sox, especially in the dome. At the very least, the games are usually entertaining, and I can always smile after our victories, no matter how bad the past week has been.
“the Alexi Casilla of Twins Trivia.”
Thanks for the laugh Howard it’s good to see you in a better mood.
I love Carlos he drives me crazy and then makes me laugh. If only the Twins could put a harness on this thoroughbreds enthusiasm he could be a triple crown winner.
Good post, Howard, and the new category of Alexi Casilla of Trivia is good too. I especially like it when we play the White Sox because they will do an interview with Ozzie after Gardy is done; I rarely see that when we play other teams and Ozzie is always good for a laugh or two. Check out the look on AJ’s face when Ozzie attacked the bubble gum bucket. Priceless!
Does Delmon have ANY trade value? Clearly him being on the roster only hinders GoGo’s progress as he steals his at-bats.
GoGo should keep up the energy and hopefully the productivity at the plate and on the bases will increase.
BC, Cat: Glad you liked the Alexi reference. Almost felt sorry for that guy.
But honesty is not moodiness. I’ve been in a fine mood, BC! 
Thanks to all for filling in the spaces on reports from the Sox dugout. Can’t see in there from 220 and I’ve gotten my reports from Young220 and highlights.
Cat is right on:
Cuddy’s big HR,,,,Worth the price of admission.
GoGo’s take out slide,,,Worth the price of admission.
Ozzie kicking the bucket,,,priceless!
Kamikazee Gomez should make his 1st plate appearance in full catcher gear, shin guards, chest protecter, face mask and super duty batting helmet, and let the Sux know that they expect to hit him, pitcher will be ejected, a brawl will break out, Ozzie will kick AJP in the groin, and the fans will go nuts. Gotta love it.
“If only the Twins could put a harness on this thoroughbreds enthusiasm he could be a triple crown winner.”
Wow, just kinda skimming these comments and then you dropped this. Not likely. Pujols is the best player alive and he MIGHT win it. Gomez, no. reign in that enthusiasm a little bit
NOW is the time to trade Cuddy and actually get something for him. But of course Pschology 101 tells me we wont want to because he doesn’t suck. Well, he will regress within 0.5 to 1.0 seasons, so get ready to be stuck with that contract.
We should trade Mauer and Morneau then too…
Trade D. Young, Casilla and second tier prospect to Pirates for Sanchez, Capps and Ian Snell. Twins take on salary, but adress needs at second, bullpen and starter depth. Harris at short, Sanchez at second and punto on the bench in the utility role where he belongs. Bring up valencia to share time with Crede at third base. Vastly improved offense and deeper bench. Snell can start at AAA and be available to start if needed. Snell has a great upside, is young and needs a change of scenery.
I saw last night on MLB network that there was a little scuffle in the Sox dugout between AJ (SHOCKER) and Ramirez, but I didn’t hear what it was about. Can anyone shed light on it?
maybe a little hard on casilla, not as a player but as a person. i’m not sure that many here would fair well in a country that only had spanish spoken.
again i think it would serve the twins well to have a latino coach on the bench.
Both blamed the other for AJ’s crappy throw and Ram’s failure to catch it. Funny scene.
AJ thought Ramierez should have been able to field the throw he made in an attempted steal by Casilla. The throw was to the 1st base side of 2nd, but Ramierez certainly could have stopped it from going into centerfield. My impression is that AJ and lots of other Sox fans think Ramierez is lazy - doesn’t have his head in the game - hmmmm…does this sound familiar?
Thanks DrDon and MN Cat. I have seen the light. Oh wait, that was the glow of the Neon Blonde catcher…
Boogie, AJ made a sucky throw to second and Ramirez (apparently to AJ) didn’t make enough effort to knock it down before it went into center. The throw sucked so bad a hockey goalie would have had a hard time stopping it. I think the whole fracas was more a product of the Sox looking like keystone cops the whole inning. In the end the bubble gum paid the price of ineptitude.
The whole thing about AJP is this…He has thrown out 7 of 71 base stealers this year…. 9% success. And he is blaming others???? That thought even makes my pee pee tingle.
gobble, I’m being hard on a .162 batting average, not on any of the extras.
Jono: I agree with you about the Triple Crown reference. No matter what kind of harness you’d put on Gomez, Secretariat would kick his butt in the stretch.
I’m suprised Gardy doesn’t give everyone the green light on AJ. I’m pretty sure I could run on him.
The Chicago Tribune has an article on the game last night and basically just said that Ozzie was mad that his players were getting on each other when that’s his job to call out a player for a missed play, botched throw, etc. I’m guessing AJ’s percentages could be in the Red Dog range as far as getting guys out who try to steal which isn’t too good for him being a starting catcher.
Gomez is a bit of a Hot Dog,or at least a ham,but he’s fun to watch and doesn’t take himself to seriously.I don’t think you will ever get that show boat out if him.It’s who he is and it’s clear he’s having fun.I’d be happy if he could just be weened of that silly crow hop before every throw!
Don brings up a good point about trading Delmon.it’s obvious the manager has little confidence in him.Both he and GoGo have regressed in large part because of the four man outfield sittuation that seemed destined to fail from the start.Hopefully DY will be included in any trade BS makes.It will help both Delmon and Gomez in the long run.
Ramirez told AJ his hair style makes him look gay. That’s why they got into it.
jono
I was talking horse sense or nonsense I’m not sure which.
Just a quick note - kudos to Denard for making a great catch last night on a ball that got out there real quick. I was happy that DY or Kubel were not in left field at that moment in time.
What about something like Delmon and OF prospect Ben Revere (and maybe a Jeff Manship or someone) for Sanchez and Capps?
If there is one prospect position the Twins can afford to give up its OF. We have Kubel, Denard, Cuddy, and Gomez up already. We have guys like Revere and Aaron Hicks in the minors. Why not trade one of them and bank on the guys we have up here hold strong for a few years until Hicks is ready?
Do the Pirates have any interest in adding an outfielder? I know they traded away Mclouth in order to get McCutcheon in the bigs, but I still this is something the Pirates may be interested in.
Haha, very good post, Howard.
So here’s my first question: Did you exercise the opportunity to “voice” your displeasure when Nicky Punto got picked off after singling in his second at-bat?
The time to get off Cuddy’s back has long since passed…he’s been a solid, consistent presence in the lineup who shook off his first 6 weeks and is now more than pulling his own weight. He’s not perfect, but he’s been very good. And, by the way, he’s an example of why you should be willing to sacrifice a little defense (in terms of his lack of range in the outfield) for hitting. The Twins should try that at shortstop as well.
Let’s hope last night’s game was the last straw for Casilla. Let Harris play short and Punto play second (before Casilla came back to break up that party) until Grudsie gets here.
Grudsie, Where art thou?
“Trade D. Young, Casilla and second tier prospect to Pirates for Sanchez, Capps and Ian Snell. ”
Wow, you believe the pirates would take that? I wish it would happen but I need to stick with reality.
Hey Howard, any word on how Neshek and Boofie are doing in their Rehab???
There is only one thing I like to beat more than the ChiSox. Lets sweep these clowns give Ozzie an opportunity for antother rant.
Cuddyer stunk early in the year. No way is good play lately erases that. It happens - guys go through bad periods. The questionable act was Gardenhire refusing to take him out of the lineup for even one game or to move him down in the batting order. Delmon and Gomez never got that same opportunity, so it’s hard to say what they could have done with it.
Even more incredible re Cuddy, he’s on pace for 70 Xtra base hits this year.
Anyone shocked to see a picture of Gardy at the start of this article?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=kurkjian_tim&id=4359938
Well said WJ, well said.
Howard, were you anywhere near the guy in Section 220 who muffed the foul ball to him in the first inning?
well said WJ!
on another incredible note span has 16 xbh this year, 79 singles. must make vavra proud.
Duke,
Four seats away. Terrible play. He knocked the ball back on the ledge and out of our reach. Guy handled the ball a bit like he was Paul Konerko’s brother.
Ms. Baseball and I are kind of spoiled because the woman with the seats next to us is the Ozzie Smith of t-shirt catching.
On the takeout slide at second I can hear hawk harrelson “You can put him on the ground………Yesssss!!!!”
But WJ, Cuddy couldn’t a-stunk too bad to amass his current totals.
All players stink in spells during the season. Mauer recently had a bad month at the plate.
Cuddy ain’t the be-all-end-all. He looks a little old on defense sometimes. But he’s having a good year.
And Gomez was busy learning and making adjustments. And Young was having his emotional ups-and-downs while remaining somewhat uncoachable.
I just don’t get the everlasting Cuddy bashing this year.
But you’re right, Gardy should have given him more days off.
Carlos Gomez has the most “fire in the belly” of an player on the Twins roster! I wish some of it would rub off on “Mr. Zero Emotion” Joe Mauer. Gomez is so fun to watch because he’s got raw talent and speed, but is still relatively unpolished. It’s nice to see his batting average slowing climb up from the .200 mark, too. I think the future is bright for Go-GO!
Put a little mustard on him and you will have the BIGGEST Hot Dog in the World……To go along with his skip/hop and throw antics………
He is out-of-control .. and over the long haul will hurt more than he helps.
cuddy needs to go
People, look at cuddy’s years. He has a good one then a bad one good one then a bad one. This is his year for a good one. He is a great guy though and my wife thinks he’s cute. I love Gomez, so refreshing seeing someone who actually likes the game not just the money.
i still feel like gogo has a huge upside–he could really have the 5 tools one day–and he has the energy that can really get our team rolling…..the one thing the M + M boys lack….
and he really has some insightful prose, doesn’t he? “I feel good because we won”–thanks Joe Christensen for that deep, soulful look at the interaction between emotion and aerobic excellence in competition
not a criticism of gogo with his language barrier–but more of worthless, hackneyed comments made by all pro sports athletes–please don’t include comments such as “one game at a time” etc in your game analysis star tribune–waste of my time
Howard mentioned the cycle and the Twins have had the good fortune of having two this year, but let me say this for the record:
Why is the cycle a big deal? If you hit a homer your first time up and a triple your second time up, are you going to start trying for singles and doubles the rest of the night? The cycle might be the most overrated baseball accomplishment of all time. Give me a perfect game any day of the week.
for the guy who wanted to know about the white sox dugout scuffle well
Casilla swiped second on a throw from A.J. Pierzynski that glanced off of Ramirez and rolled into center field. An agitated Pierzynski had a few words for Ramirez caught on camera in the White Sox dugout in between the second and the third innings, with Pierzynski continuing his comments as he walked away. Ramirez eventually had to be restrained by Dye from going after Pierzynski.
Although neither Pierzynski nor Guillen would address the specifics of the disagreement, it appeared to deal with the stolen base. It also was a moot point after the loss.
“Whatever happened, happened,” Pierzynski said. “It’s over. You move on. And that’s it.”
Later
Jason, the cycle is cool, and the fact that there have only been 287 cycles tells you how rare it is, but you’ve got to be kidding when you compare it to perfect games? 16 in all - there is no comparison. “Give me a perfect game any day of the week”… rrright.
Why oh why do I keep checking back to see if the Twins have actually gone out and made a deal?
OK, so my White Sox always turn into the Keystone Kops whenever they play in the Thunderdome (and it can’t be torn down soon enough as far as I’m concerned), I will give you that. But after the Sox leave town, the Twins will go back to being the lousy team that they truly are and the White Sox will win the division (better pitching and hitting).
The hard slides and hits always seem to be a one-way street in the ThunderDome. Were I Danks, I would have posted a fastball in that hot dog Gomez’s ribs during his next at bat.
Nice catch by Spann. Second best catch of the week in baseball (after Wise’s grab in Buehrle’s perfecto). Enjoy it while you can Twins, you can’t play 162 games at home against the Sox.
Howard,
Great article, very fun to read. I know he is over the top sometimes, but its like an accident you can’t turn away even if there is blood and guts.
Nellie, No Twins-White Sox series is complete with you weighing in! Be sure to say “hi” to our buddies Pete Ward, Joel Horlen and Friendly Bob Adams.
It’s a poor craftsman that blames the tools Nellie Fox. Last I checked the balls, bats, and bases were the same in the Metrodome as in Chi town. Or is it harder to throw the ball at the Metrodome? It must be, based on the number of errant throws the Sox were tossing around last night. Maybe they couldn’t understand Ozzie when he said in his Spanglish; “throw ball, catch ball”.
I think alot of fans wanted to see Cuddy gone after the injury prone season he had last year. I was not one of them. I think that he is probably the unheralded leader in the clubhouse and his veteran presence in the field is a real added benefit to the team. It is players like Cuddy that are going to be more influentual to young guns like Go-Go as opposed to players like Delmon Young. No matter what happens this year, Cuddy is having a decent season both at the plate and in the field. I do not think that we could easily replace him in the roster should he be playing somewhere else. Its nice having both Cuddyer and Crede as 2 power hitting righties and three power hitting lefties in Mauer, Morneau and Kubel in the same lineup card. Someday I think we will see Gomez in that same class.
I suggested a few weeks ago we trade Cuddyer. Not because he wasn’t playing well, but because he WAS. This Twins team is not going to make the playoffs. So, why not trade a commodity that is eating up salary and ageing, plus you get a chance to see if Delmon and Go-Go are the real answers. Either way, this team ends the season around .500 while the Tigers win the division.
I hate to say it but Macleods plan is PROBABLY more viable than us orchestrating some trade that can make this horribly flawed team WS material. Cuddy should be moved. Kubes can play the OF and Garrett Jones can DH….Oh wait we let him WALK….Why??
FO mistake after FO mistake.
“Don says:
Trade D. Young, Casilla and second tier prospect to Pirates for Sanchez, Capps and Ian Snell.”
Great idea. We should get them to throw in eleventy billion dollars too. Another team isn’t just going to take our bad players and give us their good ones.
Remember how ‘The Mother of all Wars’ turned into a catch phrase useful in any situation?
“The Mother of all this” and “The Mother of all that.”
I’m liking the Casilla line so much I could see it becoming a catch phrase useful in any situation.
“The Alexi Casilla of auto repair.”
“The Alexi Casilla of sideline reporting.”
“The Alexi Casilla of blog posting.”
(That last one is probably me.)
“…plus you get a chance to see if Delmon and Go-Go are the real answers.”
And if the answer in either case is “no”? Then what?
If this team were in full re-building mode with little or no chance of competing over the next 2-3 years, then selling off productive players makes some sense. But not when you’re at, or approaching, the competitive peak of a cycle.
That’s exactly the sort of thinking that most fans have been complaining about the Twins doing for years.
White Sox Nation your team is to brittle. You will break down old and slow adds up to injuries and laziness. Your one franchise nobody respects. Nobody cares about the White Sox.
“And if the answer in either case is “no”? Then what?”
The answer in both cases is already “No,” simply because they don’t see enough at bats. Both have shown glimpses of improvement with steady playing time, only to be yanked out of the lineup by Gardy.
Cuddyer’s skills may be able to give us a lift up at a position we are currently lacking, and worst case scenario, we end up right where we were, sitting at .500 and watching the Tigers coast to a title.
Thank you Howard. It’s always fun to check in when the Twins and Sox play. What a great rivalry. My mind is working overtime trying to figure out what new weird way the Sox will give away the game tonight. Buehrle pitches a no-no but loses 2-1 on a couple errors, a balk and Gomez steals home?
I’d prefer it be on an AJ passed ball… but whatever works!
I have given up on Delmon Young.. and he tip toes to the ball in left field…he’s below avg in the field.. trade cuddyer, young and punto for someone… Gomez has so much raw talent..he’s just real young and maturing… I don’t see Delmon Young getting any better.. pitchers no how to pitch to Young. Harris worked out great last night at 3rd.. with Crede out, no one else can cover ground except Harris over there..
know how to
Mark, the point is that you don’t get rid of a guy who’s already producing just to “see if” one of the guys who MIGHT produce if they get enough opportunities actually does so. Not when you’re in a 2-3 year period where you’re hoping to be contending.
Macleod also mentioned that Cuddyer was “eating up salary.” That’s another non-issue. First, the Twins aren’t payroll challenged. Nobody with the organization has so much as hinted that this team is anywhere near its payroll limit. Cuddyer’s salary isn’t keeping the Twins from doing anything else. Second, he IS making enough money that most teams who would trade for him would probably want the Twins to pay part of that salary. If so, then again, there’s limited salary savings anyway.
I’m all for reasonable discussion on trade options and as I’ve said before, nobody who’s first name doesn’t start with a J should be untouchable. But trading Cuddyer and his bat just to “see if Delmon and GoGo are the real answers,” and dump his salary, just makes no sense to me whatsoever.
It just sounds like something Cuddyer-haters unwilling to accept that they were wrong about him would say to rationalize their continuing desire to just see the guy go away.
Shazel…”Cuddy should be moved. Kubes can play the OF and Garrett Jones can DH….Oh wait we let him WALK….Why??” Why on Earth would you want Kubel to be a primary defensive outfielder? He has always been slow and flatfooted out there just like Delmon. I love having Kubels bat in the lineup, but he has no business being a defensive player. I would rather have a superior cannot of an arm and a decent ranging right fielder like Cuddyer who carries a decent bat than having a below average fielder like Kubel out there running the risk of hurting himself like he did two years ago slipping on the warning track and again when he came back reinjuring his groin again. His bat is moving because he isnt playing in the field. I agree with anyone who says we need to unload Delmon, but not Cuddy.
“Garrett Jones can DH….Oh wait we let him WALK….Why??”
Maybe because in 77 MLB ABs with the Twins he showed nothing. Maybe because his minor league lifetime BA was .265. Remember, Lou Ford had a good year, too.
Bringing up Garrett Jones as an indication of ineptness by the FO is a feeble-minded ploy. No surprise, shazel.
JimCrikket’s 4:46 post summed it up. Cuddy haters eat the big green weenie.
Excellent post, JC.
In line with the interlinking of all things, Howard, this post is clear.
Gomez needs to play everyday. Just like last year, the team just plays better with him in the lineup. You cannot replace his energy and excitement. Not to mention platoon is hurting his production and development.
Cuddy earned plenty of bashing at the beginning of the year. His start coupled with his bad production the year before was a major cause for concern. However, he has turned it around and deserves to play everyday.
I think the argument always was why did he get the full opportunity to work through stuff but Gomez nad Young did not. It is not relevant now as Cuddy belongs in the lineup as does Gomez and SPan. Young should be platoon DH with Kubel.
I like Gomez in center every day. I like Young on the bench. I like Harris at short and a worthwhile trade at 2nd. I like Valencia at third if Crede goes down.
I like the bullpen as it is. Really, I don´t think that´s why they´re losing games right now. I like a trade for a starting arm.
I like the idea of trading Young, the AAA center fielders, maybe one of the upcoming pitchers in AA ball, or someone young and hot like Revere or Guerra, who appears to be making strides.
I like the idea of making a big acquisition, someone who is expensive but sure. Maybe a good starter, someone to lead.
