Maybe the best game ever
Posted on October 7th, 2009 – 12:52 AMBy Howard
Where to begin?
Maybe at the end, with the unexpected exacta of Carlos Gomez scoring the winning run on a single by Alexi Casilla. If someone had asked you to name the game’s heroes and you picked those two, I suspect you would have been hauled away for a drug test. And Bobby Keppel as winning pitcher? The same Bobby Keppel who had rung up embarrassing numbers in his previous tries to be a major league pitcher and again last season when his ERA banged up close to 6 in Class AAA. Little wonder he was at the head of the posse to greet Gomez when he scored the winning run.
But go through the box score of this incredible game and you will find pieces of heroics next to many, many names. There was the big stuff — the OC and Kubel home runs, the Cuddyer triple and the marvelous play that Punto made getting the force at home in the 12th. And there was the small stuff — Mauer nursing shaky pitchers through tough times, new hires Rauch and Mahay retiring key batters in brief stints, Gardy getting a clearly overmatched Jose Morales out of the game midway through the game, the Cuddyer walk that chased Tigers starter Rick Porcello. Everyone who batted for the Twins got a hit except for Morales anmd Brendan Harris, who got hit by a pitch instead.
Gardy and Rick Anderson pretty much co-managed their a$$e$ off over those 4 3/4 hours. They ran eight pitchers out to the mound, and worked their way through some unexpected situations. Most notable was Guerrier’s shrinking strike zone in the eighth, which forced Joe Nathan to come in early to get through that inning and the ninth. The trade-off for Gardy taking no chances early was that he was forced to take chances late — keeping Keppel on the mound and warming up Manship and Liriano at times in the late, late going.
Meanwhile, Jim Leyland was more of a minimalist, which meant that his closer, Fernando Rodney, was in his fourth inning of work when Gomez led off with a single and scored on Casilla’s one-out bouncer to right. Had the Twins lost, the “why pull Nathan?” chorus would have been a loud and lengthy one. You know that, right? Both managers had to choose their poisons and then hope they wouldn’t be lethal. Leyland got stung when he opted to keep Zach Miner in for the seventh, when Cabrera hit his home run that moved the Twins into a 4-3 lead that lasted until Magglio Ordonez homered off Guerrier to start the eighth
But enough about the game. For fans, both the buildup and the play itself did a pretty good job of replicating the World Series years while providing a new batch of memorable wrinkles. The Dome got that loud when Cabrera homered, and again at various times as the Twins and Tigers jabbed and danced while looking to deliver a knockout. There was an older man sitting next to me whose eyes were probably better in the ’80s and ’90s, as he often asked me for details so he could fill out his scorecard while we watched from halfway up the second deck. But he was as loud as anyone around us when it came to the cheering part. There was an infant smiling through much of the din whose parents came to the game separately, so when Junior had had enough, one could go and the other could stay. That boy will grow up well-parented.
Our friend Sooze, the Babes Love Baseball blogger, was thrilled that she saw nine innings after a crazed search for parking that caused her not to arrive until the third inning. She was the one with the Spantastic banner in the upper deck and the baseball tattoo on her shoulder. We shouted, we yelped, we took pictures. We called people so they could hear the noise when the winning run scored. We waited with atypical urban patience in the parking lot afterward and didn’t mind a bit.
Perhaps my best move was the TiVo TBS for 5 1/2 hours starting at 4 p.m. So I have the entire fabulous game to watch if I don’t get enough of a highlight fix from ESPN and KSTP over the next few hours. I hope you get a chance to hear Dan Gladden’s radio call of the winning hit. There are no memorable catchphrases — “And we’ll see you tomorrow night,” for example — but it is clean and it is minimal and the excitement is conveyed by tone of voice.
And now the Yankees. I’ll let Game 1 pass before I deal with that. You deal with it, Gardy!
The Twins are on a business trip.
Their fans are on a joy ride.
165 Responses to "Maybe the best game ever"
time to rock the bronx!
Might want to keep a finger near the mute button when you watch the tivoed TBS coverage, Howard.
As good as it gets, short of a WS title. Wish I had that extra hour set on my DVR! Talk about a weekend to send the Dome out in style. 5 straight day of raise the roof thrills.
I’m sure glad the Twins didn’t agree with Souhan’s feelings that winning the Central would be a bad thing. Think of the moments they and we would have been denied the past week.
I hope they beat the Yanks but really for the first, I don’t seem to care that much. Nothing can tarnish what has been won.
Go Twins!
pretty great when something surpasses even the wildest expectations.
onward to new york, new york. it’s a hell of a town.
Chip Caray and Ron Darling were absolutely painful to listen to. Chip is certaily no Harry but unfortunately he isn’t even as good as Skip.
Howard, great write-up. I mentioned in the previous thread that I lucked into a seat at 1:30am last night. Said seat was in the first row of section 133. I’ve never sat that close to a game before, nor have I had that much fun (and simultaneous agony!). I’m at a total loss for effective descriptors. WOW.
So, about that TiVo… any way you can burn that to a DVD? *cough*
Oh, right: getting to high-five the entire team on their lap around the field was pretty stinking awesome. So was saying goodbye to the Tigers fan seated next to me. I have to be at work in 6ish hours and don’t anticipate much sleep. Win Twins!
One aspect of the game that I haven’t heard being mentioned was the redemption factor, on both sides of the lines, going on. Casilla, botching his tag up and being thrown out, then hitting the GW in the 12th. Ryan Raburn, misplaying Cuddy’s blooper into a triple, then throwing out Casilla. Matt Tolbert, flying out with the bases juiced, grounds a single up the middle to drive in a tying run. Curtis Granderson, getting doubled off first by O/Cabrera, making a great sliding catch in shallow CF. What a game!
Got home about half an hour ago and I’m going to pay for this in a very few hours when it’s time to head to work… but it was well worth it! Can’t honestly say it was the best PLAYED game I’ve ever attended… but it was certainly the best (as in “most exciting”) game I’ve attended. Just… wow.
And you gotta hear Gordo’s call on OC’s HR. Talk about tonal energy!!
Some years ago (30 to 40, maybe not even that long ago) managers would bring starting pitchers into games like last night. I mean guys that would not get their next starts for three or four days. Why is that not done anymore? Although Keppel pitched well last night if the option I outline here is taken Keppel would never have been in last night’s game what with his terrible season. Howard, you’ve been covering the game for a long time now, explain this to all of us please.
At 8:39, a friend in Boston sent me a text that read, “Casilla argh.” After the game, I had to call her back. Alexi Casilla, Carlos Gomez, Bobby Keppel. Unreal.
I’m down in Lincoln, where Brian Duensing is stealing Joba Chamberlain’s steam (both are former Huskers). I hope he keeps stealing that steam in this series. But like Howard, I’m not worrying about that until Game Two, when Blackburn can steal one. Then Dometime.
I thought Gladden was gonna have a coronary at several points during the game, but the joy evident in his voice at the end was priceless!!!!
I sat in Row 7 behind the Detroit bullpen for that game. I can’t count the number of times I thought all hope was lost, and then the Tigers failed to score or made a poor defensive play. I’ve never left a game more physically exhausted. And then I ran 45 minutes home and watched it all over again on DVR. Amazing!
Fantastic, Howard. Absolutely fantastic.
I’m so glad you referenced Dan Gladden’s winning call last night…it was superb…right on time, with energy. I caught much of yesterday’s game on the radio driving home from work and Gladden made no bones about his excitement level as the score was tied at 4. “I’m pretty lathered up right now,” Gladded said as he took the microphone for the tenth inning.
You hit on it–great managing, great drama, unlikely heros, and a great result. This doesn’t top Game 6 or Game 7 of 1991 (as far as best Twins games ever), but it’s the best we’ve had in the Gardenhire era.
Speaking of which…Gardy is officially our man in 2010…and 2009 is a fantastic success. Whatever happens in New York is a bonus…I fully expect this team is going to compete–the talent gap is not such that a pumped up group of guys who think they can accomplish anything are going to lay down for the Yankees. Not this bunch.
The key was getting here (as it always is in baseball)…the rest is going to be pretty fulfilling, I do believe.
Awesome.
It was one of the greatest games i’ve ever seen and the outcome was priceless.
So everyone at the office is talking about how “exciting” this game was last night…if only they knew baseball can do that for you all summer long when you tune in!
Incredible. Was it the best played game in Twins history, probably not. Was it up there with the most exciting, memorable and truly meaningul moments in this franchise’s (and the Dome’s) history? Absolutely.
That was my playoffs last night. Regardless of how they fare against the Yankees (I hope we pull it out) it meant a lot to have the Twins win what has been, more than any other AL Central team this decade, THEIR division.
Go Twins! Where is Homer Hanky info? I am no longer in Minnesota, so I hope some can be purchased online.
This game reminded me of game 7 of the 1991 World Series where there were opportunities won and opportunities lost and you really had no idea how this was going to end until the very end. Such high drama and I can’t say enough about the heart and courage of this team to overcome the huge odds and be heading to New York to face the Evil Empire. Go Twins and keep the adrenaline pumped up and win one in NY and then bring it back to the Dome. You could certainly feel the ghost of Kirby at the game last night - the Dome doesn’t want to give up this final season just yet! Go Twins!!!
And you gotta hear Gordo’s call on OC’s HR. Talk about tonal energy!!
Are these links available anywhere? They’ve got Gladden’s call on Casilla’s winning hit as well as the double play in the 10th…
Just a fun game to watch, especially with your kids. Just fun.
Well that was fun. Talk about a roller coaster ride. My wife and I kept our kids awake because we didn’t want to step away to put them to bed. That was a blast.
I agree with the others who said you should mute that TBS telecast. Ron Darling kept praising the home plate umpire talking about how great he was calling balls and strikes. Funny how when their little strike zone graphic showed balls out of the strike zone he wouldn’t really say much, but if it proved the umpire right he was talking about how good the calls were. He and Chip were brutal to listen to. I hope we don’t have to listen to them anymore.
Looking forward to the ALDS. I’m hoping for some more drama.
Another great Twins memory. I am traveling on the east coast and was giving a presentation and serving on a panel during most of the game. Fortunately, my son was texting the details and I was able to sneak a peek. I finished up and while driving away, had my son on cell phone speaker so the way I heard the 12th was through my son’s play-by-play description. He did a TV quality job, well, except I am not sure the high decibel yelling for Alexi Casilla would be broadcast acceptable.
Go Twins.
Howard — If you watch the TBS production, mute it - those guys were terrible. Otherwise, it was an incredible game and I can’t wait until 5pm.
I guess I’ll weigh-in on Chip and Ron since it seems to be a topic…I think they are fine broadcasters. I think Chip is really smooth, actually. As for Darling, he speaks in complete sentences, using proper grammar, and his analysis isn’t comprised of overused cliches and gimmicks.
I would get used to them…my guess is, as TBS’ A-Team, they will follow the Yankees.
It is amazing how one game can make a difference….everything is golden now for us…like I said, Gardy has a renewed confidence from the fan base…the Twins are officially a success here in 2009.
And even though I agree that getting to the postseason IS the mark of success in baseball, particularly for a smaller market team, I am not afraid to say I’m greedy for more. I do not look at this series against the Yanks as an impossible feat (I believe Mike Greenberg said it if the Twins beat the Yankees it would be the biggest upset in pro sports ever–that’s a joke). I fully expect our MVP / Batting Champion to lead us during this series.
A nasty case of Homer Hanky elbow and suffering from an emotional hangover at the moment. Can’t get the “Al-co-hol-ic!” chant from the guys in section 237 (just to my right) out of my head.
I’m putting last night’s game at #3 in the all-time Twins book, right behind games 6 and 7 of the ‘91 series. So many twists and turns, highs and lows, offensive might versus defensive brilliance. A brutal battle that rivals anything in Braveheart for riveting intensity. Wow.
I was disappointed in TBS’ audio. It seemed muffled and intentionally turned down. The dome is MUCH louder than it appeared on that broadcast. I wasn’t there last night, but I know that.
No, Jason, nothing is overused. Not by Chip. Especially not “fisted.” LOL.
Good point about Mauer and they we handled the pitchers.
As for the announcers, I think Darling is one of the best. Chip Caray is awful.
Question, was Casilla really late tagging up? I know he should go back right away and he didn’t but I didn’t see a replay that showed he actually wasn’t back by the catch.
Am I the only one who doesn’t understand why Gardy took Rauch out after he faced two batters and retired them both? Especially to bring in Mijares, who has been so erratic? Is Rauch THAT bad against lefties??
fans were the difference last night in my opinion, so pat yourselves on the back! incredible game to be at.
and this might just be me, but when Mauer’s up at the plate, don’t drown out his concentration with an “M-V-P” chant. It was deafening at one point while he’s trying to stand in there. Let the guy rip a base hit THEN go nuts celebrating his year. I think he’d appreciate that…
Pogofan: Granderson vs. lefties: .183 this season. It was the right move at the time. If the Twins are up by a couple of runs, maybe you keep Rauch in because he had a bunch of righties following him.
TNG: I always blog better when people are chanting M-V-P while I’m writing. 
TBS’ broadcast was garbage. They kept mentioning the importance of this win & what it would do for Detroit! Well, true Minnesota Twins fans knew that they’d be victorious and we wouldn’t have it any other way but extra innings, close calls, and our “piranhas” leading the team to victory! TBS should also hire Dick and Bert for this series. As much as I say I hate listening to them, this game wasn’t as sweet without them!
[…] A Fan’s View » Blog Archive » Maybe the best game ever blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/2009/10/07/maybe-the-best-game-ever – view page – cached Maybe at the end, with the unexpected exacta of Carlos Gomez scoring the winning run on a single by Alexi Casilla. If someone had asked you to name the game’s heroes and you picked those two, I… (Read more)Maybe at the end, with the unexpected exacta of Carlos Gomez scoring the winning run on a single by Alexi Casilla. If someone had asked you to name the game’s heroes and you picked those two, I suspect you would have been hauled away for a drug test. And Bobby Keppel as winning pitcher? The same Bobby Keppel who had rung up embarrassing numbers in his previous tries to be a major league pitcher and again last season when his ERA banged up close to 6 in Class AAA. Little wonder he was at the head of the posse to greet Gomez when he scored the winning run. (Read less) — From the page […]
I agree that TBS audio was muted. It did not have the RAW sound of FSN, which conveys the excitement more clearly to the home viewer. I am shocked that more people are not complaining about Marsh’s strike zone. Several of the Tigers big hits came after a missed called strike. He was not calling the game evenly for Baker and Porcello. Howard, watch for this on TiVo, would love to hear you weight in
Interesting question, doug. If you read the quotes in Reusse’s column today, you’ll notice Gardy absolutely threw Casilla under the bus for “not tagging up” and then went on to say “(Nick Punto) won the game for us on that play,” referring to his force out throw home in the top of the 12th.
First, Rayburn’s throw was so far ahead of Casilla that I’m not sure a “perfect” tag-up by Lexi gets him there safely….Lexi made the play closer with an excellent slide and Laird didn’t do the best job of blocking the plate (thus, Lexi’s hand almost got in there).
Second, Punto has come a long way in a short amount of time, proving a lot of us doubters wrong, but Gardy showed his cards once and for all in that interview. He said “People wonder why I play Nick Punto….he won the game for us with that play.” To me, that’s a play a major league second-baseman makes. Field the ball, make a strong throw home….end of story. That play “won the game for us” as much as a Bobby Keppel strikeout did in the next at-bat. Same goes for Go-Go’s single in the 12th….same goes for Cuddyer’s ground out, advancing Go-Go to second. Same goes for the Cabrera-Cuddyer double play in the ninth…you get my point. A lot of plays “won the game for us,” but the manager made sure to point out that Punto “won the game for us.”
In the end, Gardy officially gets vindication with Punto. Even Howard called that play “marvelous”. I’d call it clutch–and if Punto can be clutch in the field during this postseason, .228 with some walks is just fine with me. Otherwise, I think Alexi Casilla is not a player to give up on. We found that out in the bottom of the 12th last night. Punto has earned the playoffs, but Lexi has earned a shot to start next year.
Recall that Delmon Young was intentionall walked so Alexi Casilla could deliver the winning hit. That is another one of those “I never thought I’d live to see that” moments (even if Young has done well lately).
The key was getting here (as it always is in baseball)…the rest is going to be pretty fulfilling, I do believe. Amen, Jason.
I’m pretty sure that I heard Chip and Ron talk about being in New York today. Turn down the TV, turn up the radio, I guess.
The TV coverage was painful. How many times did they talk about how small the strike zone was, but not once did they mention the fact that pitches that were strikes against the Twins were not strikes against the Tigers. I tried to listen to Gladden and Gorden, but the radio broadcast was 3 to 5 seconds ahead of the TV. Late in the game they showed Baker talking to Slowey, I would have given anything to have heard what he was saying, I’ll bet it was regarding the strike zone. I thought that Gardy should have gotten himself kicked out when Cabrera finally got into it with the ump over the balls and strikes calls.
That Cabrera play was odd, Lanny. I thought Marsh showed nice restraint there in keeping Cabrera in the game…Cabrera has to know that’s not the time to show up an umpire.
Gardy knew what to do–that was not the time to get thrown out of a ballgame…sometimes you just have to deal with an ump…he went out and made sure his guy didn’t get tossed–great move.
thisisbeth
The IW to DY was to set up the double play not to avoid pitching to the mighty D.Young.
Best game I have ever been to. Ever.
On the way home, we listened to the recap and got to hear Gladden’s calls. That was so awesome. He sounded happier and more excited than a little kid at Christmas. I wish the tv feed was not behind the radio as I would much prefer to hear John and Dan the next couple of games instead of the TBS announcers who, no doubt, will rave and rave and gush about how wonderful the Yankees are.
Jason: I agree that Marsh did an excellent job handleing that situation, and Gardy did a great job diffusing it.
Cabrera continued to chatter all the way to the dugout, but Gardy stayed between the two and kept him walking back.
And Marsh recognized that Cabrera needed to blow off some steam…and was more or less just venting his feelings to nobody in particular.
and this might just be me, but when Mauer’s up at the plate, don’t drown out his concentration with an “M-V-P” chant.
In 2006, Cuddyer smacked a ball to deep left field for a homerun. The crowd got pumped. Morneau came up to the plate next, and admist the MVP chants crushed a ball deep into the right field upperdeck (but it was foul)
This ignited the crowd even more, and the next pitch was just as deep but this time stayed fair.
Players FEED on that stuff.
The strike zone was uneven but the umpire gave the Twins a huge break when Keppel hit Inge’s shirt.
And Jason, while I don’t ignore the importance of every single play that lead to the outcome we witnessed, that play at home by Punto was HUGE.
He could have tried for the DP, but as we saw earlier in the game it wasn’t a guarantee.
Punto went with the sure out at home, and Keppel responded by getting the next out himself. Punto picked up Keppel and Keppel responded by picking up the entire team.
My question though was why Cabrera didn’t take the opportunity to level Mauer at home?
Whatever the case, when Casilla got cut down at home, I started getting flashes of Junior Griffey nailing Cuddyer in last year’s game 163…but this time the Twins didn’t give up after that play.
The best part of this whole thing is we have playoff baseball TODAY!!!!
How sweet would it be to be discussing a Twins win over the Yankees tomorrow??? Awesome.
The strike zone was uneven but the umpire gave the Twins a huge break when Keppel hit Inge’s shirt.
Yeah, I saw that too. I was reading a few stories out of Detroit, and a few of them mention that, but they also reference Casilla getting thrown out and more than one comment that Casilla may have been safe.
instead of the TBS announcers who, no doubt, will rave and rave and gush about how wonderful the Yankees are.
As we saw last night, they will rave about which ever team is winning. Look no further than the sudden turn in the announcing crew when Cabrera (O) hit his homer.
Then watch as it changes again once Ordonez ties it again.
Whatever the case, who cares? The Twins have always done better when noboyd expects them to do anything.
Do you think now that the Twins are in the playoffs, that the TBS announcers can go a little homework on pronouncing the names of the Twins players? “Matt Grr-Rear”? Hey, I don’t say “Tee Bee Ass”, when I say their network name… And save the “this would be so good for the city of Detroit” and “Brandon Inge is such a scrappy player” stuff…announce things even-handedly, or don’t do the games at all.
T
I thought Alexi was safe as well but that one was too close to call.
I won’t deny it was a big play, but it was a play you would expect your second baseman to make is all I’m saying. Sure, we’ve seen plays like that botched in the past, but the moment requires that play to be made and I’m damn glad Punto made it.
But my point is this…again…go back to Gardy’s quote in Reusse’s article: “That’s why I play him. Because he’s always in the game, always ready to make the right play. That kid — that play — won the ballgame for us today.”
This is Gardy’s see-I-told-you-so moment on Punto. The implication there is others are not ‘always in the game.’ Punto is a fine utility player–no one has EVER argued to the contrary. He does make the plays in the field…he screws up sometimes, too, but generally he makes the plays. Thus, you would expect him to be out there in an extra-inning game. But to single him out as the “kid…who won the ballgame for us” shows the bias we all know has been there forever.
As far as the strike zone, there were a few tough calls against the twins pitchers early, but that call strike 3 on Polanco in the 9th before the DP was a major gift that evened everything out I think.
Also, Ron Darling was terrible. He would latch onto things for an inning and beat them into the ground; Porcello’s (non-quality start) amazing performance, Brandon Inge playing on bad knees doing the “little things”. Ugh, it was tired, uninspired commentary.
And can analysts please stop with the Detroit stuff? If anything, the “sports will bring together this down-trodden community” angle is jinxing the heck out of their teams. MSU lost with home-court advantage in the final 4, the Red Wings blew games 6 and 7 at home, now the Tigers blow a 3 game lead w/4 to play. So if it actually is true that winning sports teams lift a community’s spirit, then the sports events of the last 6 months in Detroit has actually lowered spirits. Please stop using this angle!!
I learned from Chip last night that the “shot heard ’round the world” game was in 1946- and while I didn’t much liked the anouncers- I liked the fact that they didn’t mike up the crowd- but then I’m and old codger! What a tilt-even my better half- not a sports fan, was on the couch screaming, # 1 son calling in regularly from Milwaukee- I agreed with Gardy bringing in Mijares- and while Grandy got a hit- he didn’t hit a homer. I’d put it up with the 2002 NCAA Hockey finals for drama! And if they sneak one win for the Yankees I’m happy. They said last night that the Yankees had the option of playing on Wed or Thurs- anyone know if that’s true? If so it’s just another sign of the generall classlessness of the Evil Empire.
every time there is a great moment by the twins i can’t help flashing back to the day they announced that the twins were being contracted. i was in traffic and nearly had to stop and throw up, it felt like somebody stuck me in the gut with a knife.
if bud and carl had their way none of this would have happened. i wonder if that crossed buds feeble mind when he was watching last night.
Nice spelling in that last post. Good thing I’m not a teacher or anything…
Craig: Score one for the announcers. No. 54’s last name is actually pronounced “guh-REAR” and most people get it wrong. My source on this is the Twins media relations staff — Mike Herman and Dustin Morse — and the way they pronounce it in the press box.
The Umpire was driving me nuts with his strike zone. Baker was not getting the pitches that Detroit was and it continued throughout the game until the Twins stood up to it. I think strategically you need to call the ump on it when it is so clearly inconsistant.
He also blew the call on the ball hitting the Detroit batter but it probably evened out.
Why did gardenhire not leave Kubel in the game and substitute Gomez for Harris moving Kubel to DH. Kubels bat might have ended it earlier.
I agree there’s no need to use the silly ‘get Detroit’s spirits up’ angle anymore. Sports are a nice diversion from real life, but the Tigers weren’t going to pay off anyone’s mortgage had they won last night.
Here is a link to the call by Gordon from MLB.com
The Casilla play was very, very close at home, but I think the ump got it right. If Casilla had tagged on time (yes, he was late), he would have been safe. But he made up for it. Thankfully.
ganderson
The yankees did have that option but you cant hold it against them for taking advantage of the Twins having to play last night, even they know this series wont be a cake walk.
I thought the strike zone was pretty consistent throughout the night. Baiker got squeezed a little (just a little, mind you) early, but Nathan got a huge called third strike that was inside. Randy Marsh did miss some calls, but that is part of the game. On the whole, I think he did a good job. I just don’t think we have a whole heck of a lot of complaining to do about the umpiring. Now for the lambasting . . .
I had to mute the audio several times last night on TBS. They better get their act together..they kept showing the tigers dugout. What are they going to do tonight?
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I’d sure love to get an audio tape of the radio broadcast last night. Anyone out there have it??
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Is it 5pm yet??
The strike zone was uneven but the umpire gave the Twins a huge break when Keppel hit Inge’s shirt.
I wonder if Inge rather blatantly turning into the pitch (which the batter is supposed to make an attempt to avoid) in a uniform a couple sizes too big played into Marsh’s no-call.
I think wearing oversize unis or AJ-esque body armor means you get no HBP should be codified into the rule book.
Also, before we lay the Tigers to rest, I really hope they do an intervention for Miggy Cabrera. It is badly needed. On his current track, he is going to do harm to himself or someone else. Just a matter of time.
Howard:
I Tivo’d the game last nite–cause I wouldnt be home by 5PM Eastern–watched it an hour behind–only taped 4.5 hours so I had to hear the call of the last hit on the web.
Toss out your recording–Ron Darling and young Carey may be the worst announcers in all of baseball. The call on Cassillas getting thrown out at the plate was a piece of $$$$–they called it a hit and then said it was caught–didnt mention the gaffe by Casillas.
I wish I could get the Twins radio guys to listen to here in DC instead of these TBS clowns.
Randy Marsh at the plate squeezed Baker something fierce. Good move by Gardy to get Majerus out of there after he was squeezed.
But OUTSTANDING game.
DAM
If you want to listen to the radio while watching the TBS broadcast, there is a great freeware program that you can get that will add a delay to the radio signal so you can sync it to the TV signal. Do an internet search for “radiodelay daansystems”. You run the output of a radio to the input of your soundcard, set the delay, and then output the resulting audio to some speakers - it’s not terribly complicated. My delay was exactly 10.4 seconds in Fargo watching on DirecTV. Well worth it - especially if the Twins are ever on ESPN (second round?) so I don’t have to listen to Joe Morgan…
Kudos to the Twins! They never gave up under less than favorable odds in the final weeks and during several moments in this tiebreaking game. My hats off to the players and coaches.
Go Twins!
Thanks for that, Dave. That was a sweet call by Gladden.
I learned from Chip last night that the “shot heard ’round the world” game was in 1946- and while I didn’t much liked the anouncers- I liked the fact that they didn’t mike up the crowd- but then I’m and old codger!
I don’t think TBS should have mic’d up the crowd, my complaint is they mic’d it down.
TV is a visual medium, but audio is such a big part of it and for a reason. This is why you can often not even pay attention to a TV picture and still follow what is going on via the audio.
This was an incredibly intense, emotional game. You want that raw “being there” audio. The muted approach TBS used detracted from the production quality. Maybe it was unintentional and they’ll do a fix for the rest of their postseason telecasts.
Great game, but best ever, no way. Might consider best ever regular season game.
Was anyone else watching the post game last night when they showed Mijares doing his best impersonation of Miggy? I hope the boys got a little rest last night.
Anybody make a DVD of game and send to me? My DVR messed up’ed and didn’t record game.
I am choosing to think of the decision by the Yankees to pick today as a positive one for the Twins. They are supremely confident right now and why give them a day to come down and think about the Yankees. This way, they just jump right in, still smelling of champagne and cigars.
One of the best quotes of the night, from a handicapping chat site I frequent.
Posted at the start of the bottom of the 12th inning:
“Jim gonna leave Rodney in there all night huh……
Must need to get to the store to buy some Unfiltered Marlboro’s”
Regards,
The TBS guys were no better or worse than the vast majority of announcers. It’s just how announcing is on tv.
I’m tired of Gardy and the way he talks about certain plays (positively and negatively). I don’t like a lot of the individual decisions Gardy makes within games. But, I will admit, somehow those teams compete and win in the regular season. He has to get some of that credit, however begrudginly I give it.
*the punto play was an excellent play, but it didn’t win the game, anymore than Casilla’s “tag up” nearly lost the game. That throw from left was perfect.
While I agree with parts of what mike said above, Gardy has earned 2010.
Jason, I agree. I committed on JoePo’s site to do my best not to rip Gardy next year….but I can’t commit to not doing it on a choice by choice basis. He just doesn’t manage the way I do/believe in. He also doesn’t execute strategy the way I would.*
*he knows more than I ever will about baseball, that does not make him always right or me always wrong.
Wow! Gladden’s call sure is better at giving me goosebumps!
Seems to me that the Twins are due to win some games in NY! It’s time for payback for the 4 game embarrassment that happened early in the season.
I’m going to give some props to Jon Rauch, and it’s not for his pitching.
I don’t remember the inning or which Twin was batting (pretty sure it was middle-to-late inning), but there was a foul ball hit that was heading to the front rows just behind the Twins’ bullpen. If you watch the play, the Tigers LF comes running over and much of the bullpen bench scatters to get out of the way. Except for Jon Rauch. He just sits tall and lets the LF run into him, essentially getting in the way of the LF possibly making a play. I doubt the fielder would have been able to get the ball regardless, but Rauch certainly made sure the LF would have to go through him to make the play. Granted, Rauch is the biggest guy in baseball and probably isn’t afraid of anyone, but it was great to see him trying to help the team like that.
For you guys with the Tivo, watch for this. It’s great.
Agree, shazel. No excuses…let’s see some effort tonight…if they beat us because they are better, then so be it. They are NOT going to beat us because we had little sleep or are too pumped up from last night’s wins…our guys are pros. I expect a professional effort tonight.
You can question a manager’s decision without making yourself look foolish, but I’ll choose to laugh at the guys who’ve been calling for Gardenhire to lose his job. He’s done an overwhelming job of getting the best out of this group of players. I wouldn’t have chosen to use the relievers the way he did, I wouldn’t have pulled Kubel for Gomez. But you know what? Gardenhire’s way won the game and we’re all still buzzing from it!
popriveter, in my mind, Gardy’s job would’ve been a fair topic if he failed to make the playoffs this year and started out uninspired next year. That’s all gone now…Gardy has his job secure for one more season–that’s the payoff for winning when it matters.
1) Gardy’s weakness - gametime decisions.
2) Gardy’s strength - keeping his team on course during adversity.
#2 trumps #1 by a wide margin.
Hey Shazel, a month ago, you commented that they should just give it to the Yankees because no one else has a shot. Then, you wrote that you won’t be commenting until spring training 2010.
What changed?
This has been a fun ride, huh?
Let’s try to keep hope alive even if tonight gets ugly.
I am unreasonably hopeful, and even I threw in the towel. When Favre showed up to poop on my opportunity to root for a football team this year, I picked up my towel and decided I’m not putting it back down until the last Twins game is over. Still, I can’t imagine anyone could reasonably think they had a chance, much less convince a room full of grown men that this was possible and they need to fight to attain it.
Well done, Gardenhire!
My condolences to Fire Gardy and Vavra Guy. He must feel as powerless as I feel about Childress right now.
#2 trumps #1 by a wide margin.
Why? How about not giving away games all season so that you don’t have to make a run every September?
Gardenhire “kept his team on course” all right. If the course was a couple of games below .500.
Do you know what it took to get the Twins to the post season? The first team EVER to lose a three-game lead with four left to play.
Twins did a MAGNIFICENT job of taking advantage of an opportunity. But they were lucky as hell to even get the opportunity.
Now it doesn’t matter what Gardenhire did or did not do all season, or even the last three weeks. All that matters is what he does in the next days.
Do you give your grandkids insurance policies for christmas, Walt?
You are no fun.
Let fans be fans today. We’ve been treated to an historic playoff run. If all you can do is look for warts, you should not watch sports. You should go follow politics. You’ll find endless crowds of people who share your critical eye.
Lighten up and have some fun.
This is a great day to be a Twins fan!
Sorry, “historic pennant run.”
“FranTheMan says:
October 7th, 2009 at 10:57 am
I learned from Chip last night that the “shot heard ’round the world” game was in 1946- and while I didn’t much liked the anouncers- I liked the fact that they didn’t mike up the crowd- but then I’m and old codger!”
I may be wrong, but I think the “shot heard round the world was Bobby Thompson’s homerun in the 1951 Giants playoff win over the Dodgers. It’s the one that they show all the time with the announcer saying, “The Giants win the pennant, The Giants win the pennant.” And incidentally, in the 154 game schedule days, the Brooklyn Dodgers lost 1 game playoffs to the 1950 Philidelphia Phillies “Whiz kids,” the 1951 New York Giants and the 1954 New York Giants.
AndySlash says:
October 7th, 2009 at 11:24 am
I’m going to give some props to Jon Rauch, and it’s not for his pitching.
===================
Andy, I noticed that also last night and I believe it was Guerrir(sp) that got up and got out of the way. I like that big dude. Love to see him give some chin music to ARod and see if he wants to come out to the mound and discuss it….
==========
Thanks Dave for the audio link on Gordon.. anyone have the audio on Gladden that everyone’s talking about..?
The Twins should have taken Souhan’s advice and not won the division. Just think how much better it would have felt if the Tigers came away from the Dome with the victory last night. What a dope. First it was Mauer will never hit for power, then it was the Twins shouldn’t win the division. If the Strib is looking to cut some payroll, they should start with him.
WJ,
“#2 trumps #1 by a wide margin.
“Why? How about not giving away games all season so that you don’t have to make a run every September?”
I thought I covered that in #1.
But now while 22 other teams are on the golf course, the Twins and seven more talented teams are still playing.
Game-set-match.
That’s funny about Rauch. I was watching the game with some friends and Rauch went high and tight, we joked about how a batter would likely start towards the mound, then remember who was out there and go back to the box.
“Love to see him give some chin music to ARod and see if he wants to come out to the mound and discuss it….”
If we can make the Rauch for A-Rod ejection trade every game, we gotta make that trade.
Do you know what it took to get the Twins to the post season? The first team EVER to lose a three-game lead with four left to play.
Not that the Twins winning 17 of their last 21 (including 5 against Detroit) had anything to do with it.
Twin won’t use rest as an excuse. They’ve played a whole season of games one after the other.
Heck, if anything not getting the day off may be enough to keep them rolling on whatever fairy dust Gardy sprinkled when Morneau went down.
Sorta like how the Rockies just kept rolling in 2007 until they got like a week off before the World Series.
RE: “Why did gardenhire not leave Kubel in the game and substitute Gomez for Harris moving Kubel to DH. Kubels bat might have ended it earlier.” You can’t move a position player to DH. And moving the DH to a position would forfeit the DH for the remainder of the game.
I thought the “shot heard ’round the world” was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, June 28 1914.
“Do you know what it took to get the Twins to the post season? The first team EVER to lose a three-game lead with four left to play”
They lost that lead (at least partly) because the Twins won four straight games when they had only a historically non-existent chance to use as motivation.
popriveter,
I am happy as hell. Doesn’t mean I have to ignore the facts, does it?
“Doesn’t mean I have to ignore the facts, does it?”
The “facts” can be viewed and judged from an infinite number of angles.
thought the “shot heard ’round the world” was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, June 28 1914.
I thought it was at Concord (or Lexington) in 1775.
God is on Twins Side
The Yankees better watch out for the Pesky Twins. In an epic David versus Goliath like battle, the Twins shall have God on their side. Should the Yankees try to clinch at the Metrodome, God will give special powers to Ron Gardenhire’s line up card. Much like Moses used his wand to part the Red Sea, Gardy - as he is affectionately known to the Twins fans - will wave his lineup card in the air and a lightning bolt will strike the Teflon like roof of the Metrodome. Unable to complete the game at the Metrodome, the game will be moved outdoors to Midway Stadium in St. Paul - home to the St. Paul Saints minor league team - where the Twins will perform a miraculous comeback to defeat the awestruck Yankees.
After the game - amid the celebration - God sends a messenger to Midway Stadium who is there to defend the honor of baseball. This scraggly, scrawny, dark haired man in a dirty Twins uniform approaches the Steinbrenners seating behind the Yankees dugout at Midway Stadium. He proceeds to punch each of the Steinbrenners muttering “Tastes Great” after each end every gut-wrenching punch. The scrawny man proceeds to the area behind home plate only to start violently kicking up the dirt behind home plate. He kicks and kicks and kicks, till finally a headstone like tablet becomes visible. The skinny man then summons every ounce of his remaining energy to hold up the tablet to the thundering Twins’ fans applause….
The tablet reads “11. Thou Shall Play Baseball Outdoors”
Target officials, both moved by the events and shameful of the commercialization of the game of baseball, decide to relinquish the Target name on the Twins new stadium. Instead they named it appropriately - “Billy Martin Stadium”.
Lexington.
Not that the Twins winning 17 of their last 21 (including 5 against Detroit) had anything to do with it.
Neither did it have EVERYTHING to do with it. It took alot of things happening at the same time. Take away any part, and the Twins wouldn’t be here.
As Howard said yesterday, this is about fun at this point. There will be time to talk about facts in 1-4 weeks….and for months after that.
I would say right now the TWINS are playing as well as any team in the playoffs. However, they need to avoid the one thing that has killed them in past postseasons - coming out flat.
Yes, the post-season has not been the Twins’ strong point lately, let’s hope that changes this year.
Take away any part, and the Twins wouldn’t be here.
Wouldn’t that have been just as true if the Twins had won the Division outright by like 3-4 games?
I mean, you take away this…or take away that…and things go differently.
That’s what I hate about comments such as yours. Their negative with no reason to be. Of course if things go differently they go differently. But they could’ve just as easily have gone differently a different way.
“However, they need to avoid the one thing that has killed them in past postseasons - coming out flat.”
This year, they have to avoid coming out hung-over.
Took my 13 year old TWIN sons to the game for their birthday present. I feel so blessed to have them experience this unbelievable game. Hopefully this memory will stay with them forever. Go Twins!
ES 16 on know-it-all Souhan: “First it was Mauer will never hit for power, then it was the Twins shouldn’t win the division. If the Strib is looking to cut some payroll, they should start with him.”
I thought after Souhan’s inane column about how the Twins should not win the division b/c then they have to face NY that the Strib should not allow him to write another Twins’ article. What a bandwagon-jumper he is now.
That’s what I hate about comments such as yours. Their negative with no reason to be.
What’s “negative” about them? Read the headlines outside of Minnesota and the story is “Detroit Completes Collosal Collapse”. Detroit blew it. You will deny that?
I have given the Twins nothing but credit and praise for the way they took advantage of the situation that was presented to them.
There are also plenty of comments that are positive with no reason to be. I wish we could talk about things other than other peoples’ motives for posting….like a fun game, decisions that were made in it, what we expect with the Yankees…..
After my last major rant against Gardy a couple of weeks ago, I sat down and thought about it. No matter what had happened the last month of this season, the F.O. was not going to take the move to Target away from Gardenhire. The team could have lost the last 20 games and Gardy would still be the manager next year.
Once I internalized that, I felt much better. Some of his moves still mystify me but I’ve borrowed a little of Dr. Don’s zen on him.
Actually, there is nothing “fun” about the playoffs unless you win.
I sure had alot of “fun” watching the Vikes lose those four Superbowls as a kind.
Souhan’s job is to put forth non-conventional opinions to make waves.
If he wrote that he agreed with what the majority thought, he WOULD be out the door.
Yes, WJ, Detroit collapsed … and the Twins came through and took advantage of that collapse. (And kept the pressure on which undoubtedly aided in the collapse).
The last 21 days have been very special — there aren’t many teams that would have taken advantage of Detroit’s collapse the way this Twins team did.
The Twins owe the Yanks after those walk-offs last summer. I think the Twins win 2 in NY and the series.
Or should I sai the Yanks owe the Twins.
I actually think that the Twins have a chance to “steal” one tonight. Yankees have to be a little stale. They also have to know that the Twins will be a little beat. Plus, the Twins have seen Sabathia.
I think that sometimes “too much adrenaline” is the worst enemy going into the playoffs. It’s possible that the “hangover” may just take off enough of the edge to allow them to play well.
Let’s have fun, boys!
“Actually, there is nothing “fun” about the playoffs unless you win.”
Less fun would be watching the Tigers or White Sox win playoff games or win the @#$%@#$% World Series (like the White Sox did).
Remember, it took the Yankees three walk offs to take a series from the Twins, at YS, back in the spring.
Souhan’s job is to put forth non-conventional opinions to make waves.
I thought that was Reusse’s job? 
Also, I think it’s possible to put forth non-conventional opinions without crossing the asinine line, which Souhan’s column a couple weeks ago certainly did.
sane,
The 2005 World Series was, to me, a tragedy.
It was Tigers game to lose last night. Bronx juggernaut in a sweep.
WJ,
“The 2005 World Series was, to me, a tragedy.”
Amen, brother.
Fran,
“I think it’s possible to put forth non-conventional opinions without crossing the asinine line”
Do you mean assinine in the negative sense of the word?
Thanks for the link, Dave. That was such fun!!! I’m sitting at work, grinning from ear-to-ear!!!
That’s why the Twins making the playoffs is good, regardless.
It eliminates the White Sox and Tigers from any W.S. chances.
11-11 over their last 22 games. Is that really such a collapse?
1-3 over their last 4 is a collapse.
Here’s a link to Gladden’s call: http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7016879&c_id=mlb
scroll down and click the “TBS, Twins radio call walk-off” video.
Sane, Souhan can try to be thought-provoking and contrarian w/out being an a$$.
While Punto’s play at 2nd was wonderful, I was more impressed with his key AB’s. Last night may have stopped us from using “battled his butt off” as a punchline to just admiration(at least for awhile).
One thing lost in Detroit’s collapse is that Zumaya went on the disabled list less than one week after being left in a game against the Twins and ringing up over 50 pitches - their bullpen might have been a lot different over the last month. Gardy almost made the same mistake with Nathan, who was and is not himself after KC.
11-11 in July or August isn’t a collapse. 11-11 in September when all you need to win the division is 12-10 is a collapse.
Every team goes 1-3 many times in 4 game stretches over the course of a season.
Punto would have had the game winner last night except for Casilla.
can’t help but laugh to think back on souhan’s “one thing we know for sure is that mauer will never be a power hitter” column.
That’s a little like saying 17-4 in September when all you need to win the division is 18-3 is a collapse.
What is life without STATS(stringed cheese or otherwise). Mauer’s single season BA of .365 is the best in history for a catcher, slugging average of .587 is 9th, OBP of .444 is 4th. Joe takes over best OBP for a 26 year old catcher and holds the best OBP for a 22 year old.
Actually I think Gladden’s call of the strikeout to end the inning in the top of the 12th was even more maniacal. He was screaming as loud as he possibly could and the crowd noise in the background is deafening. It was awesome.
oops - .444 is third(if anyone cares)
As memorable as you can get, and you’re right Howard, it certainly looked, sounded and felt like 1987 and 1991. The greatest game? Still hard to top Game 6 or Game 7 of 1991 for sheer importance and, in Game 7, near-perfection. But this was perhaps more dramatic, in a Greek theater sense, with the plot turns, the heroes and goats, the three or four false endings then the great finish. Casilla and Gomez had so much hope pinned on them at the start of the year, ironic and satisfying to see them at the heart of it at the end.
This will be my last sports prayer. Dear Lord, please let the
Minnesota Twins go on to win the American League pennant and then the
World Series. And then Dear Lord, never let them win another Central
title as they move into their outdoor digs. I have become so sick and
tired of listening to the Twins announcers and so many of their fans
decrying the Dome. And yet there have been more sports thrills that
have come out of that Dome than all of the other sports arenas in the
state of Minnesota put together.
thanks bkgrilla-
I learned something.
Do you guys realize only 10 players have at least 3 batting titles and 30% of them are Twins?
It was an exciting and immensely satisfying game. But was it a well-played game? Off the top of my head:
1. Young throwing to the wrong base
2. Casilla’s tag-up
3. Raburn misplaying Cuddy’s single into a triple
4. Twins’ 1-2-3 hitters going down 1-2-3 in the 11th
5. Leyland leaving Rodney in to pitch the 12th because Rodney pulled a Jack Morris and asked to stay in
By the way–the announcer screaming the Giants Win the Pennant!! The Giants win the Pennant!!! on the shot heard round the world (baseball) is the late Russ Hodges who I listened to in bed on transister in my boyhood days.
DAM
That’s a little like saying 17-4 in September when all you need to win the division is 18-3 is a collapse.
No, it’s not.
And while many teams have 1-3 in 4 games stretches, it is a collapse when they do it in the last 4 games of the year with the division title on the line.
As with most things in life, timing is everything.
Do you guys realize only 10 players have at least 3 batting titles and 30% of them are Twins?Pretty incredible, isn’t it, Paul?
And the 7 titles in 10 years for Rod Carew just boggles the imagination.
I did not realize that, Paul. That’s good knowledge.
So if the Twins go 1-3 in this series with the Yankees with the ALCS series on the line I guess that could be called a collapse and every team except one will end up collapsing. If that is your definition I am ok with it. Just seems sad that one team has to win and one to lose and that a collapse is what happened to the losing team rather than credit to the winning team.
Sorry, I have reread the posts and I am beating a dead horse. It is history.
TWINS WIN! TWINS WIN! TWINS WIN!
For everyone that follows your blog on a daily basis, has been on every up and down along the way this season…
The Twins are victors
Tonight the stars above shine
Dome has more to say
THE TWINS WIN! THE TWINS WIN!
sounds like members of the anti-gardy buzz-kill club already have their diatribes typed up and ready to submit if things don’t continue to go the way of the twins.
must be a bummer to go through life like that …
Gardy for manager of the year! Hands down, all haters must be silent. How many starting line ups did he have? How many key players out with injury. I don’t even want to talk about the rotation, much less the bullpen. Yet, he found a way to field not only a competitive team, but a team that played like champions down the stretch. Never gave in, never folded, back against was against the wall and they didn’t care. That’s what a manager like Gardy does.
A Team like the Twins are scary come playoff time!! Watch Out Yanks, they played you good when they weren’t playing their best baseball
Criminalities, not to flay the horse any more than it has been and I do believe that the Twins WON this more than the Tigers lost it. But I think if I were a Tigers fan, I’d be thinking about all the missed opportunities and I would definitely consider it a collapse.
I’m not a big Gladden fan, but he nailed some of those calls last night. His will be the ones that get replayed for years.
I absolutely LOVE listening to John Gordon and Dan Gladden in the radio announcer booth. Those two guys adore this team, and they make no bones about it. I love that. My favourite calls were, as Howard mentioned, Dan’s call of the winning hit, as well as John calling the DP to end the 9th.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7016879&c_id=mlb
Special thanks to Dan and Kay for sharing the links from MLB.com. Very much appreciated. I’m still getting calls today on my cell phone from close friends and my brother just called from San Jose, CA last night. He was watching the game with a bunch of guys on their deck. My brother lives in Gilroy, just south of San Jose and Morgan Hill..which is where Jared Allen went to High School. People all over were captivated by this game tonight… Now, people will get to see more of this scrappy bunch regular guys with great chemistry and respect for each other… totally amazing. goose bump city, it’s gotta be 5pm…
I have become convinced that the ghost of Kirby Puckett is out there in center field and is making balls disappear for us. The dome is giving us a heck of a going-away present. Go Twins.
I would put this in the top 10 Twins games, but no way this game was better or more important than Game 6 or 7 in 91, game 6 or 7 in 87 of the world series…
Although it was in Milwaukee I will take the double header in 1987 where Kirby Puckett channeled his inner Jesus Christ, and went 6 for 7 with 2 homers, a walk, a stolen base, and he robbed Dale Svuem of a home run. I remember walking out of the stadium listening to the people in Milwaukee talking about how Kirby Puckett was the best player they’d seen since Hank Aaron. It takes a lot to get the Cheeseheads to say anything nice about anything that isn’t Wisconsin, Beer, or Cheese related.
I’m also not sure that this game was as great as the emotion of the impact of the game. The Tigers about gave the game away 17 different ways after the rookie left the game for Detroit.
Gerald Laird the catcher for the Tigers who is a .230 hitter had a 3-1 count with the bases loaded, and for some reason the 3rd base didn’t have him taking… after that there was almost no way that the Twins couldn’t win… the Tigers had stuck a dagger into their own hearts at that point.
BEST. GAME. EVER. GO TWINS!!!!
When the crowd was out of energy and the hope was dimming against Detroit, Justin Morneau came on the Jumbo tron, with a smirk & a cocky air, saying: “It isn’t over ’til we say so!”. For a minute there I was 10 yrs old, on that empty lot, staring down the opposition, believing a win was not only possible but downright imminent.It reinvigorated the fans and the fire burned in the hearts of Twins’ fans everywhere! It was the beginning of the end for the Tigers. Amazingly strategic kindling for a new wave of passion born out of a last ditch effort to bring home the prize! Superb idea, Twins!!! Loved it!!
