The Bleacher Bums: May 24, 2006 Archive

Sick of stadium talk yet?

Posted at 9:51 AM on May 24, 2006 by Ben Tesch

For those not mad at the stadium:
The stadium bill will apparently be signed on Friday -- on the field at the Metrodome before the start of the Mariners game. (Plus you get a free dog and soda!)

For those aggravated with the whole stadium thing:
"Nausea" by John Brattain

Relationship advice....

Posted at 9:55 AM on May 24, 2006 by David Zingler (1 Comments)

Now that the Twins stadium situation is solved with the Iraq War and global warming sure to follow, I decided to turn my thoughts to more trivial, if not amusing causes – namely, how much more fun it is to root for your team on the road.

At home in the Dome, after listening to fans cheer at a routine catch in the outfield or boo when one of their beloved Twins is called out at first on a play that really isn’t that close, I often find myself becoming sarcastic and cynical (I know, it’s a stretch). I soon begin to pick on my team, whether it’s Joe Mauer’s corny image, Torii Hunter’s unjustified ego or Justin Morneau’s choice of AC/DC for his at-bat intro music. In short, I just don’t play Minnesota Nice.

As I was reminded of last weekend in Milwaukee however, it all changes on the road. Being bad is good for your team. When I am surrounded by beer guzzling, cheddar chomping Brewers fans in Brett Favre jerseys, I soon begin to stand up and cheer at plays that would require mild applause at the Dome. I take great delight in the fact that my sub .500 team is beating up a soon-to-be Triple A pitcher from my home state. I like my team again! It’s a beautiful thing.

So, if you’ve become bored with your team, even taken it for granted or began looking around at more flashy alternatives, I recommend spicing things up a bit. Take a road trip, it could rekindle the spark.

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Foul-ups, bleeps & blunders

Posted at 4:15 PM on May 24, 2006 by Ben Tesch (3 Comments)

After figuring out the worst blunder for each team, the race is on to find the worst blunders of all time. What were the biggest Twins blunders?

• Releasing David Ortiz (2002)
  
• Using first-round draft pick on Tim Belcher instead of Roger Clemens (1983)
  
• Trading Jesse Orosco to Mets before reaching the majors (1978)
  
• Trading Graig Nettles and others to Indians for Luis Tiant and Stan Williams (1969)
  
• Trading Rick Dempsey to Yankees for Danny Walton (1972)
  

Of course, we're in good company. The second highest blunder for the Indians was then trading Nettles again to the Yankees. The Twins also benefitted from other team's blunders: One of the Cardinals mistakes was trading Larry Hisle to the Twins for Wayne Granger in 1972. And, of course, in 2003 the Giants traded Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano, and Boof Bonser to Twins for A.J. Pierzynski.

Have any other favorite blunders involving the Twins that didn't make the list?

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