Breaking news...from the wire...

by mbennett on Aug 26, 2008 9:58 AM EDT Comment 8 comments

AP - Minneapolis, MN -

It has just been released that after Monday evening's loss to the Seattle Mariners, the Minnesota Twins were subjected to a barrage of tests, and a psychological conclusion has been determined; the Minnesota Twins have first-a-phobia.

While unknown in many mental health circles, Dr. Howard McWhollyCrap and Dr. Ivanna BangmyHeadintheWall are well known leaders in this field. "It truly comes down to fear, and discomfort," stated McWhollyCrap; "the Twins currently are suffering from a team wide fear of maintaining a first place position." This news comes immediately after Minnesota dropped an extra inning game to Seattle, and after the WhiteSox had lost their April 28th suspended game, but won their regularily scheduled game to Baltimore, thus taking a 1/2 game lead back over the Twins.

"All we can do is go out there and play our tails off" quipped Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. "I mean, if they are afraid of first, we are afraid of first...I'll talk to Bill (Twins General Manager) and see what he says about that."

Doctor BangmyHeadintheWall has other ideas; "it comes down to focusing on the game at hand, as opposed to worrying about standings. If the team can forget its standing, it will forget its fears."

Only time will tell how this phobia will be resolved, or if it will be resolved, but perhaps, the situation was best put by backup catcher, Mike Redmond. "The issue seems to be a lack of grit, and less than stellar intensity. I have encouraged these kids to get down, and eat some dirrrt, but they don't do it. I think they feel I am saying to eat dirt figuratively, but I mean it for real...the team needs to eat some dirt."

Perhaps Redmond could give a clinic on just how this dirt eating is done.

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Common name for this disease: choking

They aren’t playing like a first place team, especially on defense. Gomez is going after balls over his head like a thespian. Kubel laid back on the Napoli hit in the 7th in LA. Punto, while otherwise solid, had a lapse last night that could have won them the game. Everett had that choke throw against KC. Then, Casilla and Mauer give Jamie Burke, JAMIE BURKE!, two bases when he should have been DOA. Mauer has got to stand up and look—he had time.

Baseball is a game that’s finely balanced. The Twins are way out of whack in terms of hitting with RISP, and that’s something you can ride, along with good starting pitching, a long way. But, they are giving it all away by not making good pitches or good defensive plays when it counts.

I guess you could say that’s how a young team learns to be a champion. By failing until they get it right. But right now, it’s just sad.

by Old Twins Cap on Aug 26, 2008 11:13 AM EDT reply actions

On the other hand...

perhaps the answer is they aren’t as good as we want them to be? Teams lose. The Twins are better than I thought they would be, but they are also flawed. Flawed teams lose games.

by Eric in Madison on Aug 26, 2008 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed.

Every team has weaknesses. It’s just that defense is something that, in theory, you should have more control over, and over time, develop consistency with.

What a waste to have the highest BA with RISP, and some credible starting pitching, and throw that all away because your defense decays. No guarantee that in the future you will be able to replicate those kinds of numbers.

Especially because they’ve been hurt on plays that are not that hard to execute. Gomez can catch both of Guerrero’s balls if he just turns his body and runs to a spot. Mauer gets Burke in a rundown if he just stands up and looks to see where he is—my God, it’s Jamie Burke! These are things that, with experience, you get right. Right now, they are doing things way wrong.

by Old Twins Cap on Aug 26, 2008 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Defense

Defense has been one of the weaknesses of this team all year. Kubel is no longer a good defensive outfielder, largely because he rarely gets much time out there. Delmon Young is highly inconsistent. We all know Carlos Gomez is nothing if not inconsistent. Buscher and Harris are poor defenders, Everett is disappointing.

This just isn’t a defensive team. The bullpen isn’t good either. Notice how bullpen and defense was a huge part of that losing streak. When this team doesn’t score runs, we don’t win very often like we used to be able to with 1st to 9th great pitching and spectacular D.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane

by AdamOnFirst on Aug 28, 2008 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Team

This team is far better than I could have hoped for in 2008. Thats what I look at. They have been exciting to watch. Still a young team, they are going to make mistakes. I didn’t believe in April that the Twins would be in playoff contention.

by WITwinsfan on Aug 26, 2008 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

They plot from their volcano lair

You kidding me?

Gardy is sitting in his office stroking a fluffy white cat.

The Twins are plotting the greatest season in Twins history where they will be a half game out of 1st on the last day of the season. They will win their game and the Bitch Sox will lose and the Twins will back into a division title.

Little does Chicago know the Twins have them right where they want them.

Morneau is being fitted as we speak w/ metal teeth so he can play the role of Jaws and bite the Bitch Sox to death.

by caluofmn on Aug 26, 2008 7:16 PM EDT reply actions

We have an entire month of games left?

I think it is a little early for doom and gloom. This is a young team that has over achieved this season so far. We have the stuff to make it to playoffs either as division champs or the wild card. This is going to be a long hard road trip. I still think 8-6 will be a good outcome from this little vacation from home. Go Twins….

by Beerbear on Aug 27, 2008 3:35 PM EDT reply actions