The Bleacher Bums: August 2006 Archive

Hats off to Hunter...

Posted at 9:57 AM on August 1, 2006 by David Zingler (4 Comments)

As we all know (and knew going in), the Twins didn’t get Alfonso Soriano or any other impact players prior to the trading deadline, but their line-up did receive a boost last night from a familiar face – Torii Hunter. The resilient centerfielder returned in the minimum 15 days from a stress fracture in his left foot and looked as fleet as ever. The fact that he came back from a potentially long term injury in such a short time is commendable and should inspire some of his younger teammates to play through their nagging injuries as the season winds down. Oh yeah, the photogenic Gold Glover also went 3-5 with a homer and 4 RBI in the 15-2 route of Texas. This likely will be Hunter’s farewell tour of Twins Territory and I’m guessing he’ll make the most of it.

Comment on this post

They say you better listen to the voice of reason

Posted at 3:20 PM on August 1, 2006 by Ben Tesch (2 Comments)

The big news today is the official announcement that the Twins will be moving away from WCCO radio over to KSTP next year. The Twins had been on CCO since 1961, the team's first season in Minnesota, but business is business, as they say.

Comment on this post

Mauer may be the Cover Boy, but Morneau's the MVP

Posted at 10:20 AM on August 2, 2006 by David Zingler (2 Comments)

The new issue of Sports Illustrated hits the newsstands today with Minnesota’s own Joe Mauer on the cover. It’s been a storybook year for the St. Paul native, from his All Star appearance last month to his major league leading batting average. The press can’t get enough of our Joey Mauer.

There’s no denying that Mauer’s been great, but he’s not even the most potent offensive player on his team. That title belongs to Justin Morneau, who should warrant MVP consideration if the Twins reach the postseason. Morneau’s offensive awakening was the driving force behind the Twins dramatic turnaround in June and he is on track, as Dick Bremer often points out, to have one of the greatest offensive seasons in the club’s history.

Currently, the Canadian possesses a batting line of .321/.366/.599 with 28 HRs and 88 RBI. Meanwhile, he’s scored 62 runs and hit 20 doubles. When you stack that against Mauer’s line of .367/.439/.521, 8 HR, 57 RBI, 55 runs and 24 doubles, you are left wondering why the “other M” isn’t getting more attention from the press. Basically all Mauer’s done this year (loyal reader Ryan will love this) is get eight more base hits than Morneau (128 to 120).

Looks like SI missed out on the real story here; either that or they couldn’t fit the 6-4, 223 pound Morneau on the cover next to the 6-4, 220 pound Mauer.

Comment on this post

Speaking of Morneau

Posted at 3:15 PM on August 2, 2006 by Ben Tesch

Morneau up for Hank Aaron Award
The search for a power hitter has been quite a long one for the Twins.

Since 1987, the club hasn't had a player hit 30 home runs in a season. But that appears to be changing this year, with the emergence of 25-year-old first baseman Justin Morneau.

Regarded as a potential power bat for most of his young career, Morneau has finally developed into the type of hitter the club had hoped he would become by hitting .317 with 28 home runs, 20 doubles and 86 RBIs through 97 games this season.

That type of production has placed Morneau amongst the top hitters in the American League and made him a candidate for this year's Hank Aaron Award.

Young, free, and from somewhere

Posted at 9:31 AM on August 3, 2006 by Ben Tesch

Today's edition of Ten Things I Didn't Know Last Week has three interesting things involving the Twins:

1. The Twins apparently have the best young talent in the bigs. If you look at the Win Shares Above Bench for players with less than 6 years of experience (after which you can become a free agent), the Twins come out on top.

2. "Free talent" is a term used to describe players that were signed as free agents for relatively cheap (like less than $3m). When ranking the Win Shares Above Bench for this "free talent", the Twins come up near the bottom of the list.

3. The Minnesota Twins Organizational Tree is a genealogy of the current roster, so you can see who the Twins got from where. Very cool.

Corky Miller update....

Posted at 10:05 AM on August 4, 2006 by David Zingler

It’s been awhile since we last checked in with our old friend, Corky Miller. The Cork Man has been quietly toiling in Pawtucket this year hoping to get a chance to suit up for the home team in Fenway Park. In 46 games with the Paw Sox, Miller is hitting .245/.341/.504 with 10 HR and 25 RBI. If the fan favorite fails to get a call up in 2006, it will mark the first time since 2000 that a big league season has gone Corky free. The thought of that makes me shudder.

Something for the weekend?

Posted at 10:56 AM on August 4, 2006 by Ben Tesch

The Fringe Festival runs in Minneapolis until August 13. Here's something for the baseball fan:

Johan Santana's Perfect Game presented by The Couch Under the Stairs
Baseball is a game of strange superstitions, but how long will Ben and Paul hold hands to preserve the Twins' first ever "perfect game" - especially when Ben's girlfriend, Claire, makes an unexpected appearance?

(And no, it's not the same Ben as me.)

Workin for the weekend

Posted at 2:49 PM on August 4, 2006 by Ben Tesch

Cirillo suggests waterlogged balls lowering Coors Field offense
llegal, waterlogged baseballs are the real reason runs are harder to come by at Coors Field nowadays, Milwaukee infielder Jeff Cirillo suggested Tuesday. Cirillo said that on Monday he compared a baseball from Milwaukee that Brewers first base coach Dave Nelson used to hit fly balls to the outfielders with one from that night's game. The one from Denver was spongy, puffy and heavy, he said.

MLB.com Shuffle
MLB.COM SHUFFLE™ combines the excitement of opening a new pack of trading cards with the strategy of a revved up fantasy baseball draft and the random luck of a Hold and Draw card game as you try to field the best lineup of Major League Baseball players. (I'll try it this weekend and tell you if it's really as riveting as advertised.)

Debating "My Team" by Larry Dierker
Former Astro Larry Dierker was interviewed about baseball and his new book, My Team, wherein he picks his all time dream team. Dierker limited his choices to players he has observed during his career, eliminating greats like Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, and Jackie Robinson.

Corky gets the call...

Posted at 12:55 PM on August 6, 2006 by David Zingler

The Twins may have routed Kansas City 14-3, but the big news from last night is that Corky Miller was called up by the Boston Red Sox.

Yes, the Cork man is back in the big leagues. You can debate whether or not he should be -- the Corkster is 1 for his last 51 in the Show -- but he's here and I love it!

Project Starting Rotation.

Posted at 9:29 PM on August 6, 2006 by Josh Lee

On last week's Project Runway, amidst all the hullaballoo over Keith's transgressions, crazy Vincent made the vague assertion that "gray is this year's brown." He's wrong, of course, as he is about so many things: This year's brown is vetiver, not gray. Baseball teams don't turn over quite as quickly as fashion trends, but the passing of a year still makes a big difference in the way you see your favorite team.

Last year, the Twins' infield was a revolving door of replacement-level players and minor leaguers in over their heads, as guys like Juan Castro and Glenn Williams took turns striking out, misplaying grounders, and generally letting their pitchers down. This year, the infield has become a strength, which is good, because the starting pitching has been kind of sketchy. Radke and Silva seem to have finally worked themselves back into form, but they also seem to be just a tweaked shoulder or knee away from disaster. Behind them, the back end of the rotation looks a lot like the revolving door that the infield was last year. Scott Baker, Kyle Lohse, and Boof Bonser have all had their turn in the #5 slot, but none of them have been able to fill Gardy or the fans with much confidence. Today's contestant on Project Fifth Starter, recent call-up Mike Smith, only lasted three innings against the worst team in the league, done in by nerves, heat, and a complete inability to find the strike zone.

Minnesota's bats were able to make up for the rough start, but Smith is going to have to come up with something better if he wants to stick in the rotation, because as we all know: In baseball, one day you're in, and the next day you're out.

The turning point

Posted at 8:55 AM on August 7, 2006 by Ben Tesch (2 Comments)

Which do you think is more important: these upcoming games against Detroit, after sweeping Kansas City (aka the kind of games you're supposed to win) or the upcoming stretch after the home stand where they play 26 days in a row without a day off?

Another question: Have the Twins officially turned the corner? And if not, when will they and/or when do they need to?

Comment on this post

Stadium details

Posted at 11:22 AM on August 7, 2006 by Ben Tesch

What do you want out of the new Twins stadium?
The broad outlines have all been decided. The Minnesota Twins will get a new stadium. It will be in downtown Minneapolis' Warehouse District. It will be partially financed by a 0.15 percent sales tax hike in Hennepin County. Now it's time to start working out the details.

Take cover.

Posted at 8:04 AM on August 8, 2006 by Josh Lee (1 Comments)

Why, hello there! Lovely weather we've been having lately. Sunny and mild, with the lingering scent of series sweeps in the air. Now, though, it looks like we're in for a bit of rain -- what's that, you say? This isn't rain? What's all this junk falling out of the sky, then? Oh. It is the sky.

Comment on this post

Why yes, it IS Garza time

Posted at 1:51 PM on August 8, 2006 by Ben Tesch

Twins promote Garza to majors
With their starting pitching staff in tatters, the Twins promoted top prospect Matt Garza to the big leagues Tuesday and sent Mike Smith back to Class AAA Rochester.

Has Rickey hung it up??

Posted at 9:10 AM on August 9, 2006 by David Zingler

It’s August and Rickey Henderson has not played one inning of professional baseball. Rickey hasn’t drawn a walk, stolen a base, scored a run or made a snatch catch – anywhere. The last time a pro baseball season went Rickey-free, Gerald Ford was in the White House, Saigon fell, Jimmy Hoffa was reported missing and a young couple named Bill and Hillary got hitched.

Curiously, Rickey has yet to announce his retirement. (There was a brief blurb on ESPN last winter that Rickey had retired, but it was denied the following day.) There’s been no press release, press conference or emotional speech. Rickey was never one to shy away from attention, so has he changed in his old age or he is pondering a comeback? I am hoping for the former and looking forward to his Hall of Fame speech in 2009.

Fan superstitions

Posted at 12:31 PM on August 9, 2006 by Ben Tesch (2 Comments)

An excerpt from When I'm 64 by Garrison Keillor:

It dawns on me that my Minnesota Twins do better if I'm not there cheering for them. I leave town and they have a big winning streak. I go to a game, and our pitcher gets in trouble right away, our clutch hitters hit into double plays with the bases loaded. The team rallies when I go out for a bratwurst, but once I'm back in my seat, our relief ace gives up a cheap home run. This is humbling.

Alot of my friends have similar superstitions as fans. Some haven't been to a game at the Metrodome where the Twins have lost. Some are just the opposite. Some have lucky jerseys or hats, just as the players might. Do you have any superstitions as a fan, or have some friends or family who are running an eerily long streak of something involving the Twins?

Comment on this post

Holding up the sky.

Posted at 11:23 PM on August 9, 2006 by Josh Lee (1 Comments)

"The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"

"What's wrong, Chicken Little?"

"Liriano is on the DL, and Garza can't replace him because he's already pitching in Smith/Boof/Baker's slot, and we're running out of totally awesome prospects to call up, and the bullpen's getting really tired, and, and --"

"Chick, you're hyperventilating. Take a deep breath, and get to the point."

"Our starting rotation is in shmbles!"

"Now Chicken Little, don't you think you're blowing things just a little out of proportion?"

"But we're going to have to try Scott or Boof again, and their egos are already shot! Or maybe start Neshek, or Guerrier, or call Bert out of retirement, or --"

"Easy now, Chickles. There's more to a baseball team than the back end of the rotation. You should try to be more like Bradke and Santana. You don't see them freaking out and running around like chickens with their heads cut off --"

"Hey!"

"Sorry. But it's not all about hot-shot rookies, you know. Sometimes you just have to follow your veterans' leads. Like last night, when the team rode a stone-cold Bradke performance to a win over the Tigers. Or tonight, when Santana racked up 10 strikeouts while giving up only four hits."

"Well, they are pretty great. But they'll never be enough to carry the team past the Sox, or the other Sox."

"The pitching staff don't have to do it all on their own, you know. Every night, it seems like a different player steps up to the plate and finds a way to put the Twins ahead, whether it's Luis Castillo going 4-for-4 with a walk and two stolen bases, or Joe Mauer riding a nine-game hitting streak. And then there's Justin Morneau, who tonight became the first Minnesota player since 1987 to hit 30 homers and 100 RBI in a season. The Twins aren't totally built around pitching and defense anymore; now they've got real bats to boot."

"Wow, maybe the Twins aren't out of it yet. Do you really think they'll make the playoffs?"

"I don't know if they will, Chicken Little, but if they can pull out a series win like this over the league leaders, I really have to believe that they can."

Comment on this post

Your wild card leaders

Posted at 8:48 AM on August 10, 2006 by Ben Tesch (3 Comments)

Well, they're back! Kansas City pulled out a 9th-inning comeback over Boston, and the Yankees beat the White Sox, leaving the Twins with a 1/2 game lead in the wild race after beating Detroit. From this point on it's all in the Twins hands. The next question is: Who to root for? Detroit plays Chicago and Boston in its next two series.

We also still play the White Sox 9 more times, the Yankees 3 more, Detroit 4 more, and Boston 3 more.

Comment on this post

Our long 30 homerless nightmare is over...

Posted at 3:49 PM on August 10, 2006 by David Zingler

1987: Kent Hrbek (34), Tom Brunansky (32) and Gary Gaetti (31) all top 30 HR plateau; Twins win World Series.

1988: Gaetti leads team with 28 homers; Twins finish 91-71

1989: Hrbek paces Twins with 25 HRs; Kirby Puckett wins batting title (.339)

1990: Hrbek again is HR leader with 22; Twins finish last in AL West

1991: Chili Davis hits 29 long balls; Twins win second World Series

1992: Puckett leads squad with 19 round-trippers; Twins win 90 games

1993: Hrbek is team leader with 25 HRs; Dave Winfield joins Twins

1994: Puckett hits 20 homers, leads AL with 112 RBI; Hrbek retires; World Series is cancelled due to strike

1995: Marty Cordova tops Twins with 24 homers; wins AL Rookie of the Year

1996: Cordova’s 16 HRs pace squad; Paul Molitor joins Twins; Puckett retires

1997: It’s Cordova again, with 15 HRs; Brad Radke wins 20 games

1998: Matt Lawton leads Twins with 21 homers; Chuck Knoblauch dealt to the Yankees

1999: Ron Coomer’s 16 HRs are good enough to lead team; Eric Milton hurls no-hitter

2000: Jacque Jones hits 19 HRs; Twins finish 69-93

2001: Torii Hunter smacks 27 longballs to lead team, Twins finish 85-77, for first winning season since 1992; Tom Kelly retires

2002: Hunter comes close with 29 HRs; Twins win AL Central and advance to ALCS

2003: It’s Hunter again with 26 homers; Twins win AL Central again

2004: Corey Koskie paces squad with 25 round-trippers; Johan Santana wins AL Cy Young; Twins win AL Central

2005: Jacque Jones leads team with 23 HRs; Joe Mauer plays first full season

2006: Morneau tops 30 HR mark on August 9; Mauer leads AL in batting

America's slow, boring pastime

Posted at 9:29 AM on August 11, 2006 by Ben Tesch

How long, on average, is a baseball actually in play during a ballgame?
The average baseball game takes around 2 hours and 48 minutes to complete. That's actually shorter than a college football game (which averages 3 hours and 21 minutes), yet for the less-patient spectator, nine innings of baseball can feel like a week.

Good news bad news

Posted at 10:40 AM on August 11, 2006 by Ben Tesch

The good news? Liriano's MRI showed no structural damage. The bad news? He's out for an indefinite amount of time as he begins physical therapy to strengthen and fix his problem muscles. Uh oh.

The good news? Mauer and Morneau are playing their socks off. The bad news? We're going to have to pay them dearly because of it.

Jason Bartlett: The Missing Ingredient

Posted at 8:28 PM on August 11, 2006 by David Zingler (2 Comments)

On June 13, the Twins were floundering near the bottom of the AL Central with a 29-34 record. The following day they re-called Jason Bartlett from Rochester and proceeded to go 38-13 in the ensuing two months. That begs the question, why couldn’t the Twins win without Bartlett on the roster?

The young shortstop addressed that seemingly valid, yet completely illogical question, with care, “I think it was just a matter of everything coming together,” Bartlett explained with a grin. “The pitching started coming together and with me and Nicky (Punto) on the left side of the infield -- we’re diving for everything -- that kind of sparked everybody, gave them some energy.”

OK, that’s the politically correct (and sane) answer, but it’s just not exciting enough. Surely, he cast a some kind of magical spell on the team, “I wish I could say I did, but no I didn’t,” the 26-year-old laughed.

Oddly enough, the 2006 season began with disappointment for Bartlett. Despite a solid showing in spring training, he was left off the Opening Day roster and sent to Rochester to develop better “leadership skills”.

“I took it exactly like Gardy told me,” Bartlett said of the demotion. “There was something I should go down and work on, I didn’t take it in any way negative -- as far as getting down on myself. I went down and worked hard and got back here as soon as I could.”

I had to be more vocal and I went down to Triple A and decided to do it,” he continued “As the weeks went on, it gradually became part of my game and I think it helped me out.”

Barking orders at major league infielders can be a little more touchy however, especially when you lack big league experience. “It’s hard to tell Luis Castillo what to do,” Bartlett admitted. “He’s a Gold Glover, he’s got a World Series ring, but that’s something I have to do, if he doesn’t like it -- it’s coming from the head guy -- it’s my job.”

2005 was struggle for Bartlett. In between stints in Rochester, he hit .241 with .316 OBP in 224 at-bats, “Last year out of spring training, I was having fun,” he pointed out. “I hit a little slump and it seemed like I couldn’t get out of it. The hole kept getting bigger and bigger and as that happened I started putting pressure on myself. That’s the wrong thing to do when that happens, it gets worse.”

The California native entered this season with a fresh, yet simple approach, “I told myself in spring training that when I have a chance to come up here, I am just going to have fun, play baseball, (and) not put pressure on myself,” Bartlett commented. “That seems to be working so far.”

Today Bartlett, who was acquired in 2002 for current St. Paul Saint Brian Buchanan, is hitting .355/.421/.465 and carving his place among the most exciting young group of Twins to emerge since the 1980s.

“(Playing with guys you are familiar with) makes it easier, you come up here and are not as intimidated,” the former Padre farmhand confessed. “When you first come up as a youngster, you see all these big name guys you see on TV and video games. You see them in the clubhouse and it’s like ‘What am I doing here?’ I played with Joe (Mauer) and (Justin) Morneau (in the minors); coming up with those guys makes it a lot easier.”

With only Torii Hunter and Brad Radke remaining from the group that won three straight division titles, Barlett senses a changing of the guard. “It’s a good feeling,” he said flashing a smile. “It’s our team and we’re trying to take it to the next level like it was when we got here.”

Comment on this post

Salvage work

Posted at 9:47 AM on August 14, 2006 by Ben Tesch

The Twins end up taking only the last game against the Blue Jays. Meanwhile, the White Sox swept the Tigers. First in the wild card before the weekend started, the Twins are now 2.5 back, and behind both mismatched colors of Sox.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, keeper of ridiculous sports statistics and anecdotes, in the 5-game home losing streak where the Twins only scored 3 runs total, it was "the fewest runs that the Twins have scored in five consecutive home games not just in the Metrodome, but in any five-home-game span since the franchise relocated from Washington to the Twin Cities in 1961. In fact, you have to go back 53 years -- to the first year of the Eisenhower Administration, when the team was playing in Washington's Griffith Stadium -- to find that last time that the franchise scored as few as three runs over a span of five home games."

Playing baseball on a football field or vice versa

Posted at 1:45 PM on August 15, 2006 by Ben Tesch (1 Comments)

I'm probably not the only person who has thought of this, but I'll pretend for now... There are only two franchises remaining who still use the same stadium for both their football and baseball games: Oakland and Minnesota. Not only did they play each other in football last night (at the Metrodome), but both Oakland and Minnesota play baseball in their respective stadiums tonight. I'm guessing you'll be able to see the yard lines quite well tonight.

I wonder if it's ever happened where the A's-Twins have played a game in either place the night after a Raiders-Vikings game?

Comment on this post

More football vs. baseball

Posted at 10:10 AM on August 16, 2006 by Ben Tesch

LSU freshman courted by Twins will play football
Jared Mitchell spent the summer talking to the Minnesota Twins about baseball.

He plans to spend the autumn catching footballs for the LSU Tigers.

Mitchell, a two-sport star at New Iberia's Westgate High School, was drafted by the Twins in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball first-year player draft.

Mitchell is more than a week into camp with LSU, though the Twins still can sign him if they do so before he attends his first college course. LSU classes begin Aug. 28.

Random thoughts

Posted at 2:47 PM on August 17, 2006 by Ben Tesch

I'm thinking for the rest of August, the Twins pitching staff should be Santana, Neshek, and Nathan. Only. Then give them September off after we have the race locked up.

Garza seems to be getting better. He went from 7 runs in 3 innings to 5 runs in 5 innings. If he stays on that path, he'll be throwing perfect games in a couple starts. Gardy says relax. Wow, I think I need that shirt.

Does anyone else feel bad for Fausto Carmona? Poor kid.

The first four leadoff hitters in the Royals-White Sox game homered. Ridiculous.

If this is it, please let me know

Posted at 1:37 PM on August 18, 2006 by Ben Tesch

Well, folks, this could be it. It might not be it as well, but I still think it'll be pretty important. The Twins play the White Sox for 3 games, and they're currently two games behind. If they sweep the series, they will put themselves back in the wild card lead. If they lose all 3, they'll most likely be out of the picture barring a miraculous turnaround (from all 3 teams involved...the Red Sox are playing 5 games the Yankees in 4 days). Tonight it's Boof vs. Freddy, Saturday it's Bradke vs. Judy Garland, and Sunday it's Vasquez vs. Santana. Any thoughts?

The Sampler.

Posted at 12:10 AM on August 19, 2006 by Josh Lee

When we talk about the players that the Twins acquired before this season, we hear a lot about Castillo and Batista and White and Sierra. The best pickup of the offseason, however, may have been Dennys Reyes. Pulled off of the scrap heap and cut during the preseason, Reyes has become the kind of LOOGY we've always dreamed of. Last year, we only knew who he was because Batgirl made fun of his name; this year, he's working a 0.86 WHIP and has given up all of three hits so far in August. Along with Nathan and Rincon, Reyes is one of the anchors of the bullpen that's been just as big a part of the team's success as its batting or starting pitching.

Because he's had such a strong season, I've started to feel a little bad about the fact that every time he comes out to pitch, I still call him "Dennys 'Sampler' Reyes" and giggle maniacally. The problem is, I can't really come up with a better name. "Grand Slam" is a bad-luck nickname for a pitcher, and "Moons Over My Hammy," in addition to being a little long, sounds vaguely dirty. (Why yes, I am 12 years old! How could you tell?) Is there anything else on the late night menu that befits a really great setup pitcher?

Off Day News: Bush Predicts World Series Victory for Twins

Posted at 7:44 AM on August 21, 2006 by David Zingler (1 Comments)

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush surprised many over the weekend by all but guaranteeing a Twins World Series victory.

"The last time the Minnesota Twins had a player hit 30 homeruns was 1987 and they won the World Series," the president pointed out. "Earlier this month, Justin Morneau, a fine young American, hit his 30th homerun of the season. That means the Twins are going to win the World Series this year, it is the only logical conclusion that can be reached."

When an alert reporter quickly pointed out that Morneau is Canadian, Bush shrugged off the mistake as "bad intelligence."

"It is important to also remember that in 1987 there was a Republican, Ronald Reagan, in the White House," Bush continued. "Last time I checked I am still a Republican."

Vice President Dick Cheney followed up the press conference with an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press.

"We not only know the Twins will win the World Series," Cheney told Tim Russert. "We know how many games it will take."

Russert however, seemed less interested in baseball predictions than other issues facing the nation. When he pressed Cheney on Iraq, the vice president stayed on message, "The people of Minnesota should expect a victory parade strewn with rose pedals this fall."

Staying on the offensive, the president sent a delegation, led by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to meet with baseball commissioner Bud Selig. Rice gave a presentation using charts, graphs, photos and a vile of pixie dust that was allegedly sprinkled on the Twins.

Selig thanked Rice, but remained unconvinced, "We appreciate Secretary of State Rice taking the time to visit with us." the commissioner said. "But we are committed to staying the course and letting the season play itself out."

Comment on this post

Statistics op-ed

Posted at 2:24 PM on August 21, 2006 by Ben Tesch

Who Owns the Back of a Baseball Card?
The case was fascinating on several counts. The court held that baseball's right to publicity was not greater than fantasy providers' 1st Amendment right to republish newsworthy information, even if they use that information for commercial purposes.

Most important, the court found that player statistics are not copyrightable. In all, the opinion is a grand slam for fans.

Ri-val-ry

Posted at 3:57 PM on August 21, 2006 by Ben Tesch

I'm not sure if you knew this, but there is apparently a rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox. Who knew? I didn't. Surprisingly, the game between the two was on FOX this weekend, so I was able to get the run-down. Lucky for me they also spared no expense on the background of this rivalry. Not only did this recap last almost 30 minutes, but they were able to talk to current and former players (and many more) all about it. They even laid out the definition of rivalry, and showed many historical clips of the preceding events.

I took a bathroom break somewhere in between the interviews with Bill Buckner's grandma and Bucky Dent's mailman about their thoughts on the Boston Massacre, so I may have missed something good. Lucky for me, for the next weekend series they play, I will get to hear it all over again.

(By the way, the Yankees just swept the 5-game series. Time for FOX to come up with a new catchy name for this one to add to the highlight clips!)

A change of scenery

Posted at 9:09 AM on August 22, 2006 by Ben Tesch (2 Comments)

Kyle Lohse's line since being traded to Cincinnati: 19.1 IP, 19 hits, 2 walks, 22 strikeouts, 2.33 ERA. Just sayin'. The Reds bullpen has also blown every game he's pitched. Kyle starts tonight against the Astros.

Comment on this post

The wrong rookies.

Posted at 9:52 PM on August 22, 2006 by Josh Lee

The rookie pitcher had a strong outing tonight, retiring 20 batters in a row and striking out seven while walking none. And then there was the rookie outfielder, who hit three home runs off of too-tentative pitching by the opposing starter. This is a team that looks like it might some bright spots in its future. Unfortunately, this team is the Orioles, who beat the Twins 6-3 tonight behind Adam Loewen's fine pitching and Nick Markakis's hard hitting. And here I thought the Twins were the only club around with a bunch of charmed, overachieving rookies around to help them out.

Carlos Silva, meanwhile, continues to be the question mark of Minnesota's rotation. One start, he's in control, keeping his sinker down, getting out of jams; the next start, he's giving up six home runs to a non-contending team. With Liriano's return still weeks away, though, Silva may be the key to the Twins' postseason chances. If he gets back on track, the Twins have three strong starters to hold opposing teams down while the offense goes to work. If he doesn't, then they're completely dependent on Santana and on Radke's duct-taped shoulder to carry the team for the next month, which is a much dicier situation.

Of course, we can always hope that the Soxes keep getting pummelled by division leaders the way they have been, and that Minnesota gets the Wild Card handed to it on a platter. Wouldn't that be nice?

Some are destined to succeed, some are determined to succeed

Posted at 10:21 AM on August 23, 2006 by Ben Tesch (1 Comments)

Twins stadium opponents haven't given up yet
Opponents of the Hennepin County Twins ballpark finance plan showed up in force for a public hearing Tuesdsay night in Minneapolis. The majority of the 45 people who testified in front of the Hennepin County Board voiced their opposition to the plan that would impose a county-wide sales tax to raise nearly $400 million for the stadium construction. The board is expected to pass the measure next week. But opponents told commissioners that it wasn't too late to change their minds.

Comment on this post

Is El Hombre the new Babe?

Posted at 10:49 AM on August 23, 2006 by Ben Tesch

Pujols aces tests given to Babe Ruth
This spring, Washington University scientists, at the request of GQ magazine, put Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols through a series of tests similar to those given to Babe Ruth 85 years ago — tests ranging from finger tapping to visual responses to bat speed.

The results? Both men aced the tests, and their results were strikingly similar.

Revenge of The Curse

Posted at 2:39 PM on August 23, 2006 by David Zingler (2 Comments)

As has been beaten to death by ESPN, the Yankees swept the Red Sox in a five game series at Fenway over the weekend. Now, they have built a comfortable cushion between themselves and their bitter rivals.

I am starting to wonder if The Curse was really broken in 2004. Last season the Sox choked away their first division title since 1990 to the Yanks in the season's final week and this year they might not even reach the postseason. That’s all fine and good, you say, but how do I explain the Red Sox remarkable run to a World Series title in 2004?

Here goes: The Curse, after a grueling 2003 LCS round, in which it had to stave off both the Cubs and the Red Sox from reaching glory, was exhausted. When the BoSox fell behind the Yankees 0-3 in the 2004 ALCS, The Curse figured its work was done and took a nap. When it awoke to find the Sox suddenly on fire, it was too late to do anything. Already weakened, tired and complacent, The Curse watched helplessly as Boston finished its comeback over New York and steamrolled the Cardinals in the Fall Classic.

Never again, thought The Curse. Never again!

Comment on this post

Pitching news

Posted at 10:10 AM on August 24, 2006 by Ben Tesch

Rookie Garza's third start a charm; Twins clip Orioles
One run over 6 innings will get you your first win, the game ball, lineup card, and the requisite post-game pie in the face. Good job, Matt. Here's hoping my earlier projections are correct.

Liriano could be used out of bullpen when he returns
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said there's a possibility that lefthander Francisco Liriano will be limited to bullpen duty when and if he fully returns this season.

Twins get a break

Posted at 10:03 AM on August 25, 2006 by Ben Tesch

Hamstring strain likely to keep Thome out of Twins series
Jim Thome is expected to miss the Chicago White Sox's key weekend series with the Minnesota Twins because of a strained hamstring.

Thome was hurt during Wednesday night's win in Detroit and was not in the lineup for Thursday afternoon's series finale.

30 is old news, let's go for 40...

Posted at 10:23 AM on August 25, 2006 by David Zingler

Last night, in the Twins 11-2 stomping of the Orioles, Justin Morneau hit his 32nd homerun of the season. Only Harmon Killebrew has had a 40 homerun season in a Twins uniform (which he did 7 times). In the 60 seasons the franchise called our nation’s capitol home, Killebrew (42, 1959) and Roy Sievers (42, 1957) were the only players to reach the milestone.

The Twins have 36 games remaining this season which means Morneau must hit one homer every 4.5 games to reach 40. So far this season, the Canadian has hit one out about once every 3.8 games, so it’s definitely doable.

The 25-year-old has played in 121 out of the team’s 126 games and hasn’t had an off day since May 19, so barring injury he’ll be in the line-up everyday the rest of the way. On July 10, I predicted a 41 homerun season for Morneau, I’ll stand by that....

An exciting one-third of a game.

Posted at 10:51 PM on August 25, 2006 by Josh Lee

There's nothing worse than having to work late on a Friday night. Unless it's working late on a Friday night, and coming home to discover that Brad Radke only lasted two innings into the Twins-White Sox game. Or realizing that you've missed Nick Punto's first home run of the year, as well as Torii's 20th.

But in the Biggest Series of the Year (Until the Next One), there's plenty of excitement to be had, even if you can only catch the last three innings of a game -- especially when there's a tie that doesn't get broken until the 9th inning on a Bartlett RBI. Or when Joe Nathan decides to treat us to a heart attack of a save. A win that ends on a fan interference call is still a win, though, and the Twins now lead the Wild Card race by a whopping ½ game. And it's the weekend, so I won't even have to work through the rest of the series!

Get your playoff tickets...

Posted at 9:50 AM on August 28, 2006 by David Zingler (1 Comments)

Despite a 6-1 loss yesterday, the Twins showed they were headed to the post season last weekend. They beat the World Champion White Sox on their turf in two straight, high-intensity, playoff-like contests despite falling behind early on Friday and watching their closer blow a 9th inning lead on Saturday. It was the most fun I’ve had watching the Twins play since Game 2 of the 2004 ALDS -- and this time they won.

Unlike their predecessors earlier in the decade, this squad has what it takes to make a legitimate title run. Their line-up is better than it’s been since Puckett and Hrbek batted back-to-back in the early 90s and they have the best pitcher in baseball on their side. If Francisco Liriano gets healthy and back to form, the Twins might even be the favorites to win the World Series. That’s a role I don’t think they’ve ever had (sorry…don’t remember 1965, I was -10).

Comment on this post

You sure you want to vote for that tax?

Posted at 9:31 AM on August 29, 2006 by Ben Tesch

Commissioners stadium tax vote gives challengers political ammunition
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners will vote Tuesday to levy a county-wide sales tax to help pay for construction of a new Minnesota Twins stadium in downtown Minneapolis. The county was granted permission by the Legislature to pass the tax increase without putting it to a vote by taxpayers. Four of the seven commissioners say they'll vote for the tax. Three of those four commissioners are up for re-election this fall, and their opponents say, the stadium tax vote is a hot issue.

Papi palpitations

Posted at 3:14 PM on August 29, 2006 by Ben Tesch (2 Comments)

Red Sox send Papi home for heart tests
Big Papi was a late scratch for Boston's game Monday night at Oakland for what was first thought to be the flu. Ortiz, who on Sunday hit his major league-leading 47th home run at Seattle, already spent time in a Boston hospital earlier this month for the condition.

The article also documents the strangely growing list of recent Red Sox player injuries.

Comment on this post

Tax increase passes

Posted at 3:50 PM on August 29, 2006 by Ben Tesch

Hennepin County Board approves sales tax increase for Twins ballpark

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Hennepin County Board today, as expected, approved a countywide sales tax increase to help cover the costs of a new open air stadium for the Minnesota Twins.
After some heated debate from commissioners, the measure passed four-to-three, without the voter referendum usually required for such tax increases.
Some stadium opponents attended the meeting wearing T-shirts reading, "No taxation without representation -- except in Hennepin County."
One protester held a sign saying, "Make Carl Pohlad use his own money."
The tax increase works out to an additional three cents on a 20-dollar purchase. The zero-point-one-five percent sales tax will fund three-quarters of the 522 (m) million dollar project. Twins owner Carl Pohlad will pay the rest.

Ah, Kansas City.

Posted at 9:52 AM on August 30, 2006 by Josh Lee

Just when we had all started thinking about what we'd like Minnesota's playoff roster to look like, the Twins went and scuffled their way to a 2-0 loss against the Royals, and slipped back behind the White Sox in the Wild Card race. The silver lining in the loss was that Matt "Heck Yeah, I'm a Top Prospect" Garza showed that he's moving in the right direction, pitching seven solid innings. The cloud was that the Twins' hitters had a collective brain fart against Mark "Heck Yeah, I'm an All-Star" Redman, who pitched a complete-game, five-hit shutout on an endless stream of well-located eephus pitches.

So while I'm a big fan of unbridled optimism, it would probably be more responsible to think about September call-ups with a mind towards making sure the Twins get to the postseason, rather than imagining what might happen when they get there. If Terry Ryan looked really hard on the waiver wire, do you think he could find some knee braces for Jason Kubel?

Land of 10,000 injuries

Posted at 9:26 AM on August 31, 2006 by Ben Tesch (3 Comments)

The September 1st roster expansion couldn't come any sooner, no?

Apparently nobody on our squad can figure out the vaunted Kansas City rotation except Michael Cuddyer, and perhaps it's because he's the only one without an excuse. Mauer (0 for last 15) is tired and "adjusting", Kubel (0 for last 16) has bad knees, Castillo rolled his ankle (and is hiding plenty of other problems), Liriano has his arm thing, Rondell and Radke have their shoulder things, Hunter and Stewart have their foot problems... is anyone doing just fine? Maybe Punto needs to spread the word of his yogilates routine around.

Did we really just lose to one of the worst teams in baseball? Twice in a row? At home? With a lead?

Comment on this post

In my world, the sky is green and the grass is blue.

Posted at 3:55 PM on August 31, 2006 by Josh Lee

People are starting to say things about Brad Radke and his shoulder and his career, things that make me curl up in the corner of my room and rock back and forth. He's still hurting too much to throw, and is going to miss his next start while team doctors wait for a shipment of deluxe extra-strength cortisone to pump into him. I know Radke was planning to retire at the end of this season, but the thought that we may have already seen his last pitches makes me really, really sad. And that's not even taking into account the fact that without Radke, the Twins' starting rotation now consists of Johan Santana, a wing, and a prayer.

Because I dislike being really, really sad, I will choose to spend the next few weeks in complete denial. In my world, both Radke and Liriano will make triumphant comebacks in September, leading the Twins to a rousing season-ending series win over the White Sox, followed by a Cinderella run through the playoffs, culminating in a dramatic World Series win over whichever team the NL coughs up as a sacrificial lamb. Also, I have a pony.