Twins-Blue Jays: Tuesday Pregame
Posted on May 13th, 2008 – 4:44 PMBy La Velle
Scott Baker is throwing in the bullpen. Delmon Young is in the lineup. Will it ever get to 80 degrees in this town again?
5:49 update - Some of the pre-game discussion centered around the talented Blue Jays pitching staff. What a rotation! The Twins get Litsch, Halladay and McGowan this week but Burnett and Marcum are very good, too.
Litsch could shut down the Twins’ running game. He’s quick to home plate and has a very good slidestep delivery. Most stolen bases are off the pitcher, but the Twins seem to be concerned that Litsch won’t give them a good chance to steal.
So now I’m looking at the Blue Jays’ relievers. They have four lefties in the bullpen, including closer B.J. Ryan. The M & M boys will have tough, late-inning matchups the next three games.
Toronto (18-22): 1. Brad Wilkerson, RF. 2. Aaron Hill, 2B. 3. Alex Rios, CF. 4. Scott Rolen, 3B. 5. Matt Stairs, DH. 6. Lyle Overbay, 1B. 7. Shannon Stewart, LF. 8. Greg Zaun, C. 9. Marco Scutaro, SS. Pitching: Jesse Litsch.
Twins (20-17): 1. Carlos Gomez, CF. 2. Brendan Harris, 2B. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Michael Cuddyer, RF. 6. Craig Monroe, DH. 7. Delmon Young, LF. 8. Mike Lamb, 3B. Adam Everett, SS. Pitching: Kevin Slowey.
264 Responses to "Twins-Blue Jays: Tuesday Pregame"
Let’s hope Slowey can get back to form, he has one start under his belt since coming back. Twins should show a little power tonight, how about a dinger from Delmon and Cuddyer tonight!
Lamb/Everett…..ugh
Jays can’t score right now.
With that said:
Slowey, 4 1/3 IP, 13 hits, 7 earned.
Will it ever get to 80 degrees in this town again?
–
Nope.
Reality bites (lol)
So, that Jays lineup doesn’t quite look as potent as the one we just walloped.
Let’s hope the lads don’t take them for granted. Their pitching has been outstanding.
Reality inspited me… With that said:
Slowey, 7.1 IP, 2 hits, 1 unearned run, 2 runs, no decision, in 3-2 Twins win.
That should say “Reality inspired me”
No Kubel again, huh. Monroe has been swinging a hot bat, so I’m not going to argue he should be on the bench.
But no Twin seems to know how to find his way into long stints on the bench than Kubel. Maybe DY could use a day off after that ankle scare?
Exactly how do expect Kubel to get better by sitting him on the bench?
80 degrees? Oh my friend, it’s HOT in the Dome! Enjoy the sunshine of 1st place !!
P.S. It’s cold in She-cogo too.
Shecago.
Lamb/Everett…..ugh
Would you prefer Tolbert/…??? Uh, who else they got?
“Will it ever get to 80 degrees in this town again?”
–
It’s called global warming La Velle…wait a second!?!
Here’s hoping we don’t see a letdown with this Toronto series. Hopefully, the Twins’ small ball offensive style will crack this fairly decent Toronto rotation this week.
If the Twins four runs in each of these games, they’ll win AT LEAST two.
Maybe DY could use a day off after that ankle scare?
Or after hitting like Tyner for 6 weeks?
Good to see Monroe, Lamb and Everett there once again.
Monroe leads the team in slugging percentage .551 and OPS .889. Lamb has as many RBI as Mauer in fewer ABs. And as far as Everett goes, his range factor (5.42) is almost a point ahead of the league average (4.56), which in turn is higher than Tolbert’s (4.17) in SS.
The last week Monroe is hitting .333/.412/.800; Lamb .313/.389/.313 and Everett .250/.286/.500. For comparison, the last week, Kubel is hitting .000/.000/.000 and no walks and Tolbert .200/.238/.300.
Point made?
Yes, point made and one I mostly agree with. The only issue I would take is with Lamb’s defense. Tolbert has been an upgrade at 3b with defense. But, I am ok with tonight’s lineup.
the changes I would have made would have been Monroe in LF (DY down), Red dog catching to give Joe’s legs a break, and Mauer DH. But, I’ll go with the skip’s moves tonight
thrylos98: if your point is that small sample sizes can be used to “prove” anything you want, yes, your point was made.
Not sure why anyone would be complaining about Lamb. In his last 12 games he has hit over .300 with 12 rbi’s….including a couple key hits.
Good point, snepp, gppd point.
Unlike Tyner though, at least DY allows us to dream of some power eventually!
Any team that thinks Brad Wilkerson is a major league ballplayer, deserves to lose. Go Twins!
Twins commercial…”ahh, that’s a shame” by TK has to be one of the greatest lines in all of those commercials
Thanks for the info, Tough.
Thanks for the Update, La Velle.
nd twins fan; it’s my fav commercial also.
I saw TK working with some minor leaguers during spring training….he has a great sense of humor. I was laughing so hard. Everyone talks about Gardy’s sense of humor…but TK is pretty funny too.
Sounds like we signed Sergio Santos former first round pick by Arizona. He drew comparisons to AROD coming out of high school, but has struggled to hit for average in the minors and was recently released from the Toronto organization. I think this is a nice addition with little risk and high reward. Hopefully, we’ll get lucky and catch some lightning in a bottle.
I told ya last night Gomez should get the night off.
My goodness…I can see getting a little excited and throwing it past everyone on a play at a bag…but on a return throw to the infield? He’s fun to watch but YIKES!
wow…if that’s a strike all night…swing the bats boys…and Gardy is going to get tossed
Slowey pitching backwards a couple times.
After the first 3 pitches, Slowey with excellent command….AND strategy.
Same thing in the 2nd….no command to the first batter, then it’s just fine.
what a double play by Harris… never seen that before 
what’swith Coomer’s Jacket ?
did i buy a house from him once ?
I like Litsch. He looks like a short-arm reliever.
He’s listed at 6′1″, 215. Looks more like 5′11″, 220.
Santos was actually playing in Triple-A(Syracuse) for Toronto, but they removed him from the 40-man roster to make room for Mench and Wilkerson. In 2006, he was a mid-season all-star, but then struggled in the 2nd half.
This season he is batting .180 in Triple-A but is .297 in his last 3 games. No apparent power this year.
Looks like it’s going to be one of those weak hitting nights.
No bunt this time!!!!!!!!!!1
go go go gomez
Gomez being Gogomez
That’s why I wouldn’t want to be a third baseman with gomez at the plate. Someone could get hurt playing 75 feet away when he puts a home run swing on a ball.
the most impressive thing about Gomez’ AB was that he layed off that first pitch slider. He used to swing at those till about 10 days ago…
Previously, a weaker throw by Everett when the guy slid into 1st for a hit.
Now a weak throw from him on the relay — a one-hopper.
Same old Slowey: Get a run, give it up right away.
Dome double?
ugly play by Cuddyer… geeeeeeee
Another misplay on a liner to the outfield.
or two
Slowey is not the only pitcher who gives up runs after his team gets him one on this staff. It is almost predictable for it to happen against every starter with the exception maybe of Hernandez.
I still think Slowey would be better out of the pen, it seems that after the 1st time through the order hitters figure him out and hit him hard. I do not think he can do much more at AAA so maybe the pen or hope some team would trade for him.
Slowey with not perfect command. He’s not exactly pitching down in the zone.
I wonder how strong he feels.
good 1,2,3 recovery by slowey
Time to DAA Monroe.
I’ve always liked Slowey. I think he will eventually emerge as one of the Twins best starters, possibly their number one.
Slowey with a 2-1 strikes to balls ratio.
100 pitches.
After that 15-pitch AB, I knew this would happen.
Of course bring an offensively challenged team to face the Twins and sure enough they put up some runs. LOL
way to go Gardy… keep the kid for another batter (who reached base every time) after 105 pitches.
romer, me too… I thought for sure Gardy would relieve Slowey with 105 pitches. He looked exhausted after finally putting Rolen away. And, Guerrier was ready.
BILL SMITH INFIELD ACQUISITIONS 2008 STATS:
BA .236 HR 3
Reality… I declare myself closer on pre-game predictions on Slowey’s night.
Reality:
Slowey, 4 1/3 IP, 13 hits, 7 earned
Carlos G:
Slowey, 7.1 IP, 2 hits, 1 unearned run, 2 runs, no decision, in 3-2 Twins win
Actual:
5.2 IP, 5 H (should have been 4 if Cuddy catches a fly ball), 3 ER (should have been 2 if Cuddy catches a fly ball), W/L still to be decided.
Now, that’s aggressive 1st pitch hitting. Nice Justin.
Almost a homer. So close…oh well 3-2 now. Keep chipping away boys
Time for Cuddy to make up for fly ball miscue earlier… C’mon cuddy.
BILL SMITH INFIELD ACQUISITIONS PROJECTED 2008 STATS:
BA .236 HR 13 RBI 123
Totals are for Harris, Lamb, and Everett.
not very clutch cuddy…
Should have been a double play.
Harris looked like a substitute outfielder playing 2B on that DP attempt.
“Harris looked like a substitute outfielder playing 2B on that DP attempt.”
Haha.
If you put Lamb, Harris, and Everett at 7-8-9 where they belong, then you’re in the same kind of syndrome as the 7-8-9 hitters last year.
So it’s hard to imagine putting Mauer batting 2nd.
Well the Harris DP costs us a run
Now all of sudden Blue Jays can score? And against the bullpen? Argh. Baseball is unpredictable.
And the Cuddy gaffe costed us a run. Game should be tied.
Get a run, Twins pitchers give it back. This is not the way to win a game. LOL
Although some of the defense is suspect they need to get some extra practice out on the field defensively.
FIRE BILL SMITH!!!
FIRE GARDY!!!
FIRE JOE VAVRE!!
FIRE SCOTT ULGER!!!
What? We are in first place in the middle of May? Nevermind.
Got lucky there Guerrier almost walked in a run.
Maddening
Guerierer just not the same this year - 4 baserunners in two innings.
Our pitching staff gives up way too many baserunners - 8 hits and 3 walks against the Blue Jays! Boston got at least 10 hits every game against us. Sad.
Might be overusing Guerrier.
Guerierer just not the same this year - 4 baserunners in two innings.
Not same as last year no, but pretty much the same as he was in 2006, and 2005, and 2004…
Twins went 3-1 against the Red Sox. Red Sox are a very good hitting team. Against the Blue Jays though they should be doing better esp. Guerrier and the bullpen.
Take it the other way Delmon! Oh wait, you do that every at bat within the first two pitches. Can we get a little consistency here.
Lambchops play along…..Sing it with me now.
Lamb’s been smacking the ball and batting .300 lately. Maybe it’s time for him to bat 7th and Young 8th
What is the combined weight of the Reyes - Stairs matchup. Over/Under at 600.
I dont get using Reyes here… he is overused the way it is.
What does 1-1 with 2 walks and a homer get you - pinch hit for. I would be upset if I was Stairs. No wonder John Gibbons gets in so many fights with his players. No respect.
This one is about over. Is the big sweat going to allow a run? It appears so.
Wow our bullpen is not doing a good job against of all teams the Blue Jays who are supposedly having a hard time scoring. Not against the Twins tonight though. Geesh.
Wow. None of our pitchers have any command tonight. Pretty much the main problem.
Looks like we solved our DH problem this year.
!!!!!!!!!!!
pine time works fine this time for Kubes.
Monroe should be cut. Kubel is the man. Free Kubel. Lol. Darn bullpen.
Gomez has to learn to put the ball in play. All that speed and all those whiffs. What a waste.
Hey now NICraig, he had two hits, one which was a HR
So, here comes one of La Velle’s featured lefties?
Calling a Mauer homer
well that worked
“Hey now NICraig, he had two hits, one which was a HR”
Oh I see. If you do something good, you don’t need to try to improve. New rule I wasn’t aware of.
“Oh I see. If you do something good, you don’t need to try to improve. New rule I wasn’t aware of.”
That’s how it works here, note the calls for Monroe’s ouster.
The kid’s 22 and he’s hitting .275, seems like he’s improving a little each day, I say give the kid a break.
2 HRs for Twins tonight with no timely base hits to drive in RISP and trailing 5-3.
Last night no HRs, but base hits galore and we win 7-3.
Which do you prefer?
Me? I am partial to victories.
Telling difference in this game so far —
Blue Jays hitters come through against the Twins situational lefty. Twins hitters don’t.
Gomez is sensational in many respects, but he can improve.
He is like me. I was sensational in many respects when I started blogging. Now, I am even better (New and Improved).
Gomez is the LEAST of our problems tonight.
Game is not over yet.
Carlos G, too bad it wasn’t 3 HR’s tonight. Might have changed the game. (Thinking of Morneau’s triple)
“I was sensational in many respects when I started blogging.”
False. I remember those days. You were far from sensational, but I will conceed that you have improved.
But lets be honest, you only could go one way…
Victories are GREAT, but it’s very nice to see the Twins get 5 HRs in 3 games from 4 different players, and even if they lose tonight they’ve got tomorrow, that’s the great thing about baseball!
ha ha NI Craig.
Ok, let’s get Lamb up.
No HR swings please, Cuddy and Monroe.
Ryan is overdue to give up some runs. Right???? Only 0 earned runs so far for him in 10 innings. But, if you add in the unearned runs, that jumps to 0 runs. He has given up 6 hits though, so he isn’t perfect.
“False. I remember those days. You were far from sensational, but I will conceed that you have improved.
But lets be honest, you only could go one way…”
Haha…Thank you, RyanW………I think.
lol Carlos G….do the Twins get any baserunners this inning?
asked and answered
Papelbon is not exactly an easy closer to score on either yet the Twins did it. I just don’t count a game over until it is over. Esp. not this team lately.
Nice hit Cuddy. That would have worked nice when Morneau was on 3rd, but that’s just nitpicking.
Where is Monroe’s pink bat?
7 hits now.
No DP, young Craig.
What an awful at bat Monroe.
Grrr! Of course when the Twins hit a ball in that area it hooks foul.
Oh my goodness that was close
Not our best game of the year. But, there is always tomorrow night.
NOW it is over. LOL
Do we pin this loss on Slowey, or bad at bats with RISP or the bullpen?
Monroe went for the downs on the first pitch. No plan. He was helpless after that.
I almost was a prophet with the near miss on the long drive by Lamb.
Frickin’ Monroe. What a bad night for him.
Yeah, Kubel hits an upper deck shot and Monroe looks terrible…I don’t envy Gardy his job
Not good to lose game #1, when your facing Halladay in game #2
ND twins fan…
“Do we pin this loss on Slowey, or bad at bats with RISP or the bullpen?”
I think it took a combination to lose this game. Cuddy messed up a not that difficult fly ball for a run. Slowey pitched well but gave up the dinger to Stairs. Gardy left Slowey in to give up the dinger to Stairs. Left some runners on base. Near HR’s by Morneau and Lamb. A non-turned DP by Harris.
Kind of ugly game IMO. Maybe some mental let down after facing the world series champs.
Hey Gardy,
Try something new. Try putting winning the game ahead of trying to give your starter a chance to get the win. Who cares which Twins pitcher gets the win, as long as the team wins.
The fielding has been very sloppy. Time for some extra fielding drills. Someone has to turn that double play (pitchers best friend).
Positives:
Slowey did okay.
A little bench time may have been a wake-up call for Mr. Kubel. Wow!
I think Kubel starts tomorrow at DH–great, he gets to face Doc Halliday, and Monroe will probably start the day game. Harris has shown he is lousy turning the double play. If a move is to be made, I think Harris and Lamb should platoon at third with Tolbert taking over at second. I imagine Everett will get a day off either tomorrow or Thursday. I wonder is Casilla might get a start.
I would trade Span,Pride,Slowey,to the Reds for Brendon Phillips!!!!
“Do we pin this loss on Slowey, or bad at bats with RISP or the bullpen?”
I didn’t see the game in its entirety, but judging by the score I’d say it’s a combination of a failure by the Twins and a good pitcher on the mound in Litsch.
You can pin it on our defense. Did you see that stupid looking play by Cuddyer.
Cuddyer cost the twins 2 runs and should have been charged an error for laziness.
T plan a picnic tonight. I heard a question yesterday that I may answer for the Blogger’ with my opinion. When will the Twins get shutout by a RH starter? Today by Roy. Thank you. T sorry My opinion has no value in your eyes. I will not call Kubel an inbreed troll anymore. I was asked by a fellow blogger what I callled him. I will just keep quiet over here and let you fill up the entire blog with clone like answers and how you disagree with everyone else on the blog oh well…….
Be on Thursday. Cheers
flatblade,
“If a move is to be made, I think Harris and Lamb should platoon at third with Tolbert taking over at second.”
I think what you think.
I will not call Kubel an inbreed troll anymore
it’s not even that…it’s the constant “Fetal Alcohol Syndrom” comments.
That’s not even funny. You want to make AIDS jokes while you’re at it?
“I will just keep quiet over here and let you fill up the entire blog with clone like answers and how you disagree with everyone else on the blog oh well……”
Yeah, that’s a tired argument as well. I don’t “disagree with everyone else” jimmy.
I disagree with you more often than not. Though considering your penchant for assuming random psuedonyms (Ric Flair? Seriously?) I could see how that could be seen as disagreeing with “everybody”.
But I would wager that thrylos, sane, jama, and even BC would disagree with your assessment that I can never agree with anybody on anything.
And BC, FTR: You and I are more in agreement that there’s some issues offensively with this team. However you and I differ (somewhat greatly) on the overall cause of the issue and what would need to be done to fix it.
How long will it take before the Twins get their head out of their arse and send Gomez down. He needs to be sent a message. Down to Beloit should send one loud and clear.
T sorry I went out on a tangent due to a bad morning over here. I will make a constant effort not to make the syndrome comment anymore if it offends you and others. I guess it is unproffesional of me. Back to what is important, Back to Baseball. Also I would never make a comment on the “A” word. I grew up in LA and it is a huge problem over there.
T- Also Rick Flair is cool and thanks for reminding me of my alter ego.
wink wink
doesn’t ric flair spell his name ric?
Yes he does and also the true spelling of his last name is Fliehr
In 1997, (then) Minnesota governor, Arne Carlson declared a one-day ‘Ric Flair Day’ in the state. A year later, in 1998, Minneapolis mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton proclaimed a one-day ‘Ric Flair Day’ in the city
I guess “back to baseball” was BS.
Bill Smith is Twins Baseball
Sid what happened to Travis Hafner and Ryan Howard this year. Where did there power go to
Clarification.
I guess “back to baseball” was Bullshit.
Sid now I am back to baseball I will not be sidetracked anymore. Back to where has Hafner’ and Howard’ power gone. Also do you think with steroids being phased out of the game all the ball clubs will try to go with the small ball blueprint
You have to admitt it Jimmy the Troll launched a bomb last night.
When will Joe Mauer grow a pair and start being a slugger like VMartinez. Look at all the HR that guy has hit in his career.
Ben D he sure did with all his might. He huffed and then he puffed and he blew the ball out
“When will Joe Mauer grow a pair and start being a slugger like VMartinez.”
Long BEFORE VMartinez becomes an adequate defensive catcher.
The Hawk says:
May 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
When will Joe Mauer grow a pair and start being a slugger like VMartinez. Look at all the HR that guy has hit in his career.
I still think Napoli has great power and a really good upside. Mauer rhymes with power in which he has none of. Mauer is to concerned with his BA to even care about having power. If a sac fly was needed to drive in a run I don’t even think Mauer would attempt it because it would lower his BA
Look at Lance Berkman #’s compared to Morneau’s . 13 Hr’s, 38 Rbi and .392 average
The Hawk If you like power hitting catchers I would look to both LA teams catchers. Napoli and Martin have great upsides
The Hawk- Morneau I think will end up like a Shawn Green type player I believe. If you liked Shawn Green you will like Morneau. Funny thing is they are both Canadian
Everett has as many Hr’s as Cuddyer, Harris has twice as many and GoGo has 3 times more. Cuddyer looked like a clown in the field last night.
That great slugger Martinez has the same number of HR’s that Mauer has this year. He also has a lower slg% .407 to Mauers .421
Sane,
everyone knows its more important to have a catcher with power like Napoli’s. 8 HR and a .250 ave are just what the Twins need. Throw in the fact that he can only play 60% of the time and he is outclassing a 25 yr old Mauer hands down.
I didn’t say that about Berkman, no fair.
It is to be expected that everyone’s #’s will go down because of steroids being phased out of the game
no one else can post under The Hawk, only I, The Hawk
On a side note: I would let someone cut off Jimmy Bee’s left pinky if Bonds goes to prison.
JJ it would be hard to type the word ass if you did that.
Mauer’s career OPS is 40 points better and he’s superior defensively. The OPS spread is 20 points Napoli so far this year. Mauer has huge edge in OBP, Napoli in SLG. I’ll take the OBP but I’m guessing most here are on the other side of that arguement.
Your right Jimmy. 20 to 25 Hr’s a year will not be common like it has been in the past.
JJ they should cut off Palmeiro; right index finger for pointing and lying to congress. Shame, shame, shame. He belongs in the Hall of Shame
Never mind then. I still hope he goes to prison. Maybe lightning will strike bonds in the ass while he eating a granola bar in the prison yard.
Ben D look at the stats of the ballplayers in th 70’s and early 80’s to get an idea of what the #’s will look like. Mauer will look better soon because he won’t be overshadowed by guys hitting 40-60 hr’s and batting .320-.340
JJ and 80 mph straight line winds will carry Bonds over the RF wall. while lightning strikes him in the ass
“If a sac fly was needed to drive in a run I don’t even think Mauer would attempt it because it would lower his BA”
A sac fly will lower his BA?
Hmmmmmmmmmmm.
Have you seen the FB% for Napoli this year. I believe it’s something like .639. I was checking him out last night when I needed a replacement for Doumit. That isn’t going to last forever.
Sorry Sane I was tired.
The number of HR’s hit in MLB is going down each year. If they’re going to ban steroids permanently then i’m going to start an arena baseball league just so i can see more HR’s hit. One of the rules will be it’s gotta be a HR or it’s an out so you don’t need as many players just a pitcher in the field.
Sane still waiting and waiting and waiting for a 70 degree day over here in never warm land.
I dont think A-Rod was ever on the juice, who knows. He will shatter the Hr record.
BC I like the concept you should run with it. They could bring the stands closer towards home plate. Make the distance from home 30 ft closer. I think this has been done before. I know the Dodger’s have done this in the past
Jimmy
Then You will have to invite Bonds to a Twins game in the new stadium
Bonds will be another OJ and make me angry for another 10 yrs.
jj Only if lightning will strike him 2 times in the ass while he eats a granola bar
“The number of HR’s hit in MLB is going down each year. If they’re going to ban steroids permanently then i’m going to start an arena baseball league just so i can see more HR’s hit. One of the rules will be it’s gotta be a HR or it’s an out so you don’t need as many players just a pitcher in the field.”
Aren’t they already doing this in Houston?
Relocate the White Sox to Minute Maid and you’re all set.
Everett is on the juice. You can tell by the explosion Hr Sunday.
“Aren’t they already doing this in Houston?”
That would explain why Berkmans better than Morneau.
Napoli
.733 contact% .213BABIP .643FB% .107LD%
.250 GB% .3BB/K
Mauer
.915Con% .364BABIP% .271FB% .215LD%
.514 GB% 1.8BB/k
Napoli is a huge fly ball hitter who swings for the fences and whiffs a lot. Fine for a 6 or 7 hitter but not for a guy batting at the top of the order. He also needs to be platooned to cover his defensive shortcomings.
I’d take Joe
There are probably 50+ players that have hit more Hr’s than Morneau.
The Black Avenger of the Spanish Main How does Mauer compare to Martin of the Dodgers. Try also to compare Mauer to Piazza just for amusement. I am not taking anything away from Mauer. I just am curious
Of course the #’s when Piazza was around Mauer’ age of course. He is old now
Ben D, Selig and his associates are praying that A-Rod is and will always be clean.
I hate his contract and agent for what it represents more than I hate him for anything. And I have a ton of respect for his ability.
At this point, A-Rod getting caught juicing would be a crusher for baseball.
T what do you think the high for HR’s will be this year
jimmy how many dome dogs could Tommy Lasorda eat? Could he beat the old boof in an eating contest?
No doubt T. I hope he is clean, Mcguire, Sosa, Bonds, Palmero etc. have almost done MLB in. That Sosa/Mcguire year was so exciting and means nothing to me now.
BC- Lasorda-ahshi could eat (on the 4th of July) 67 Dome dogs shattering the old record held by Joey “Chestnut”. Boof light would be left in the “Dodger Blue dust”
Ben D we could move the fences in and try smaller parks. I think that the players will still hit HR’s but just not as many.
Its shocking how smaller markets(Twins) even compete at all. I think there should be a $1 a month mandatory Twins tax on every person in minnesota $12 a year that would double the Twins payroll.
jimmybee,
Shawn Green is from SoCal.(not Canada)
We played against a Tustin (Ca.) Pony team which had Shawn Green, Aaron Boone and about six future Division 1 College Players.
Shawn’s Dad was one of the coaches of that team and still gives batting instruction in Orange County.
With my $1 dollar a month Twins Tax, we could sign A-Rod, Manny and chase utley and still have 8 million left over. Although I dont like Manny.
And to think at one time they thought the ball was juiced. Looking back now they could probabley see the juice dripping off there bats.
Sane it says IL for place of birth but I could have swore I thought he was from Canadia. Is Morneau more like John Olerud or Shawn Green in your opinion.
Joe Mauer is no Mike Piazza. That guy could flat out rake the ball. One of the most underrated players ever to put on a uniform. What he did as a catcher was amazing.
sane - living near Long Beach did you ever play against Rocky Biddle. He played ball at Long Beach St. I was on quite a few of his teams growing up
jimmybee,
To my knowledge, we never played against Rocky Biddle, but I did see him pitch for the Dirtbags.
The Black Avenger of the Spanish Main says:
May 14th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Joe Mauer is no Mike Piazza. That guy could flat out rake the ball. One of the most underrated players ever to put on a uniform. What he did as a catcher was amazing.
I have to agree
Sane - Funny, is that a real team name
jimmybee,
Shawn Green was signed by the Blue Jays and played in Toronto until 1999. That’s his Canada connection.
His Dad is a pretty well known hitting instructor in OC and is a nice man.
juiced hitters, juiced pitchers, harder bats, narrower handles, smaller parks, harder ball, better training, more tolerance of massive strikeout totals
Dirtbags is the adopted nickname for the LB State 49er baseball team.
They like scrappy tough-minded players rather than the entitled rich kids who go to Stanford, USC and UCLA.
sane I thought about it after you had brought up he wasn’t from Canada and I came to the same conclusion regarding the Toronto conection. Morneau reminds me alot of Shawn Green minus the 40 hr seasons. I want to order a few Dodger games also to see Russell Martin play.
Go Dirtbags!!!!! Biddle was one tough SOB.
I wonder if people ever complained about Wade Boggs or Tony Gwynn’s lack of power??
Boggs had not power for a 3B and Gwynn was a weak hitting RF
The best Canandian born player is Larry Walker.
I can attest that Tony Gwynn (Long Beach Poly guy) was criticized for lack of power.
He is in the Hall of Fame and his critics are on welfare.
Gwynn is a total class act. Anyone know if he is still coaching at SDSU
He’s still Head Coach at SD State which is the SECOND best college team in San Diego, behind USD.
sane does it just seem like the SGV or LA County is a MLB pool for talent.
How many college WS has Long beach state won it seems like they are always in the hunt every year. Who’s the best player to come out of LBS?
my bad i think i confused them with CS Fullerton.
jimmybee,
Yes it is.
Wait until you see Aaron Hicks (LB Wilson), Anthony Gose (Bellflower HS) or Gerritt Cole (Orange Lutheran HS) from this years HS senior class.
I have coached nine MLB or ex-MLB players myself.
BC,
Yeah, thats Fullerton with all the CWS titles. (which is close to us)
LB State has had Bobby Crosby, Troy Tulowitzki, Evan Longoria, and Jared Weaver in the last several years.
And Crosby, Tulo and Longoria were consecutive SS for the dirtbags.
BC They are very good at Baseball and also Rugby is huge there. From what I just read none but USC and ASU have a ton and believe it or not Minny had a few. Best player out of LBSU maybe Giambi
If the Dodgers and Angels drafted every player that was out of SGV like the Twins like to do with there local’s they wouldn’t have enough space on there teams. HUUUUUUUUUUGE talent pool!!!! Best in the Country I would say by a landslide
Anybody know how many catchers have gotten 3000 hits??
wow those are some good young players. It’s nice to see small college’s competing with the big boys sort of like my UND souix in hockey. Thats a very nice run of SS there sane.
jimmybee,
Giambi is a good choice for the best ex-Dirtbag, but in 15 years, I’ll bet it will be Tulowitzki over Giambi.
Avenger i can’t think of any unless you count Biggio.
I think thats it.
Just Biggio.
0.5?
Avenger Fisk had the highest # I saw
Pete Rose for the HOF
That would be an incredible feat for a catcher. I doubt even if Mauer stays healthy his whole career he will even come close. Not enough games/ab’s.
I-Rod just went past 2,500 he probably needs 4 seasons, counting this year to get there. Apparently he’s 36.
wow pudge has that many? Now there’s a lock for the HOF right there.
Forgot about Biggio. Was thinking Fisk and Yogi were the men to beat there. Mauer may give Fisk a run for it. If he can play 15 years he has a good shot. His durability may get better as he grows into his body. He is only 25.
Pudge should get into the Hall
I’m thinking 1st ballot lock.
Wow, Pudge,
his D has overshadowed a great offensive career. You’re right BC, a LOCK HOF
BC look here is a link to Tyner ripping the Twins
“Tyner rips Twins for letting him go”
Did you all catch the Strib story with the provocative headline? Most of the comments expressed the thought, that the headline hardly matched the story.
Tyner is one of the nicest guys in baseball. He’s a quiet, friendly, modest guy, heavily involved in low profile charity work in his home state. He has always been highly thought of, on a personal level, by people in the business. I’ve never heard of Tyner ever saying a bad thing about anyone.
jimmy bee,
You are always one minute ahead of me. I should know better by now. YOU are the man.
Tyner is a great guy and I wish we would have kept him instead of another player I promised not to talk about for today
The New and Improved Craig “I GOT LUCKY”
Your showing excellent restraint jimmy i’m proud of you. I did see that earlier on Howards blog he mentioned it. All i have to say about losing Tyner is David Ortiz remember him?
BC I am trying to not talk about him la la la la la la la la. T freaked out a little so I am trying hard.
Tyner used to make funny, self-deprecating remarks about being a poster child for someone who needed steroids.
Truth is, Tyner spent a career in the minor leagues playing at a sustenance salary, while less talented guys, on dope, made millions in the major leagues.
Tyner said he wouldn’t use the stuff, because he wanted to be around later in life, for his children. I always respected him for that.
To dislike Tyner as a person would be very difficult.
I long for the day when steroids will never be an issue again. It’s so sad that all those great records have been broken and that we wont see anyone with legitimate power break any of them. Where have you gone Cecil Fielder he was the last legit power hitter to break 50 that i can remember.
You’re all going to pay. Watch your back Bill Smith, you’ll never know when it’s coming. (Insert Evil Laugh)
Ey! Over here! Toronto’s offense struggling? That’s a thing of the past brothers and sisters and you will witness this again tonight. BAM! POW! The other Jays will be singling and doubling to left and right and then GUESS WHO strolls casually up to the plate, chewing and spitting before staring that pitcher dead in the eyes. Your pitcher can throw as many brushback pitches as he wants, hell it can even graze my facial hair and as my boy Petty says I won’t.back.down. When I see that pitch curving toward the plate like a fine slice of cherry pie I’m going to “swings and that’s hit a long way. Not coming back folks, a booming homerun off the bat of Matt Stairs into the upper deck. That will silence this metrodome crowd in a hurry as Stairs rounds the bases with a grand slam homerun.”
Tyne Dogg says:
May 14th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
You’re all going to pay. Watch your back Bill Smith, you’ll never know when it’s coming. (Insert Evil Laugh)
You show em Tyner you will show em….
Speaking of guys who used steriods to get paid, when’s Punto coming back
Tyne Dogg Punto ha ha ha ha lolol….. Maybe now Hafner will understand the power of the man we call Tyner
Bottom of the 9th, Bases loaded 2 outs, Twins down 3. Adam Everett at the plate with a count of 3 balls 2 strikes. Wait, Gardy’s calling him back to the dugout. Now Batting, #16 Jason Kubel. Kubel takes his practice cuts and grabs the pine tar rag and gives his face a good rub. He’s glaring at Ryan as he digs into the box. The wind up, and the pitch. He hits it deep to right, way back, way back, TOUCH ‘EM ALL JASON KUBEL!!! TWINS WIN!!! TWINS WIN!!!
BC of ND,
The player I will always associate with enormous natural power is Harmon Killebrew.
Harmon hit a ball clear over the roof at Tiger Stadium. That was a huge old stadium. Harm used to hit 40-49 bombs, right in the middle of one of baseball’s great pitching eras. Harmon hit many booming, tape measure shots. He was phenomenal considering the era he played in. Twenty HR was real big at the time.
I don’t know how many HR harm would hit if he was a young man, playing today. Enormous totals for sure. If Harmon had used steroids, there would have been dead bodies on the field, and in the stands.
The New and Improved Craig Can you imagine Frank Howard on the juice. Richie “Dick Allen” hit the farthest HR in Detroit at Tiger stadium
Playing today in these parks with the lowered mound and diluted pitching Harmon would be hitting close to 60 HR in his prime
The New and Improved Craig look at this link u will like it
http://i.cnn.net/si/si_online/covers/images/1972/0612_large.jpg
Richie “call me Dick” Allen was one of baseball’s true characters. Thanks jimmy. That was a funny pic.
Not a problem. He is good friends with my Dad. If you enjoy reading I would recomend “Crash” The Dick Allen story. Fun, fun, fun
I’ll check it out, jimmy. I like reading about current players, the old guys I used to watch, and especially the real old timers. The ones even old Craig, is too young to have seen.
Hey guys I dont know about you but I think the best canadian baseball player is Steve Nash–oops, hes a hoopster, sorry dudes!!!! I guess Im not a baseball geek likeyou dudes!!!! go twins ,right into the tank!!
