Delmon Young Homers As Twins Sweep White Sox In Chicago, Win 8 - 5
by Jesse on Sep 17, 2010 4:27 AM EDT
in Game Recaps
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PrintRest in peace, 2010 White Sox.
This one got off to an auspicious start. Right off the bat in the first inning, Carl Pavano beaned Paul Konerko...in the face. Pavano meant to come inside, not to hit him, but that didn't make it look any better. The lasting impression of that play, however, won't be the baseball threads imprinted on Konerko's cheek Friday morning, it will be Konerko pulling himself up off the dirt and literally trying to pull his arm away from the trainer so he could take first base.
When Ozzie, the umpire and the trainer had all finally had their satisfation that Konerko was, in fact, okay, the White Sox first baseman jogged to first to tremendous applause. And he deserved it. Not just because he cowboy'd up and stayed in the game, but because after what the Sox and their fans had suffered through on Tuesday and Wednesday nights it was personification of the desire to win in the face of those circumstances. It sure as hell fired that Chicago crowd up, and no doubt it fired up his team, too. Respect, Paul Konerko.
Of course, the Twins still won. This party's over. Respect to the White Sox for hanging in there after a terrible start to the year, but it's past your bedtime. It's time to let the big boys stay up in October.
Neither Pavano nor Mark Buerhle were particularly effective on Thursday. The Twins tagged Buerhle for six runs by putting up trips in the second and the fifth, while the Sox tallied single runs in the third and fourth before ousting Pavano three batters (and no outs) into the sixth inning. They split 16 hits between them, combined for just two strikeouts and walked three. Not impressive.
The Twins picked up their first three runs after Buehrle plunked Michael Cuddyer immediately in the top of the second, in obvious relatiation for Konerko's facial. Delmon Young, Jim Thome and Jason Repko followed with singles, and J.J. Hardy's 19th double of the season bounced off the wall in the right-center field gap to put a lid on the inning's scoring.
Konerko's third inning homer and a manufactured run in the fourth cut the lead to 3-2, but Denard Span walked and Orlando Hudson singled to lead off the fifth. Cuddyer's sac fly plated one before Delmon Young demolished a Buehrle curveball into left field for a two-run blast. The lead was still 6-2 an inning and a half later, when Pavano came out for the sixth.
A.J. Pierzynski (lucky, how did he get enough of that?) and Alexei Ramirez hit back-to-back homers to open the frame, before something called Brent Morel doubled to end Pavano's night. He'd eventually score to cut Minnesota's lead to one, although it could have been worse. The Sox sent six men to the plate that inning after Morel.
A Joe Mauer double was wasted in the seventh, as were back-to-back walks by Danny Valencia and Jason Repko in the eighth, but the Twins would capitalize on their chances again in the ninth. Consecutive singles by Hudson, Mauer and Cuddyer scored one, and a Matt Tolbert sac fly scored the second. Matt Capps erased Pierzynski's leadoff single/Cuddyer's error in the ninth by retiring the next three hitters, and that's all she wrote.
Minnesota now leads the AL Central by nine games, with Chicago's elimination number down to eight. It's only a matter of time. Notes, studs and duds after the jump.
- Other than allowing Pavano's inherited run to score, the Twins bullpen pitched four shutout innings.
- Mauer only had two hits. But one was his 200th career double.
- He's now hitting .331/.405/.475 on the season. Does anybody still actually think "something isn't right with Mauer"?
- Delmon had three, and is now back up to .300.
- He's now driven in 102 runs this season. Say what you will about RBI, he's taken advantage of his chances to put runs on the board.
- How huge has Hardy been down the stretch? He's hitting .357/.383/.524 in September with 12 RBI.
- Juan Pierre and Alexei Ramirez each stole two bases. They both stole one off Pavano, and those just barely. Mauer threw strikes. They're just fast guys.
- Denard Span just barely missed two catches tonight. If he'd been able to be two or three inches closer to the ball he'd have made them, and the game probably wouldn't have been as close as it was.
- Oh yeah, this race is over.
Studs
Brian Fuentes, .220 WPA
Joe Mauer, .177 WPA
Delmon Young, .173 WPA
Jim Thome, .045 WPA
J.J. Hardy, .001 WPA
Orlando Hudson, .025 WPA
Paul Konerko: Fastball to the face, doesn't leave the game.
Duds
None
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Nice sweep
I wasn’t expecting this at all, but I think the write-up about blood in the water fired our boys up. (At least it fired me up.)
At first I was worried about the possibility of facing the Stankies in the first round, but we’ll probably have to face them anyways. We might as well do it in the first round while we have Target field advantage. I have not been in the region for a playoff game since the ‘91 series. One of these days when I finally move back, I’ll actually buy postseason tickets to fulfill a dream of mine. Let’s finish up the regular season and get ready for October.
by TwinkieinHawaii on Sep 17, 2010 4:43 AM EDT reply actions
Great statement with this sweep
I honestly didn’t think we’d do it. And we completed the task with a resounding win each time. Today’s win puts us 30 games over .500, 8 from the division crown, and another huge step towards catching the Rays and Yankees who both had an off day.
Glad to see Fuentes in the studs list. He has been phenomenal since arriving here. He’s not only been a substantially good pitcher for awhile now, but I think he’s got a ton of motivation to succeed with us after the Angels fans ran him out of town.
Hardy’s hot again, too. Hell, everyone’s fine. I’m in total bliss right now…and hoping we don’t lose this incredible pace at all, no matter how little credit is given for it.
Also…SCOTT PILGRIM SCREENCAP.
by MarshalltheIrish on Sep 17, 2010 5:28 AM EDT reply actions
Hudson's slumping. Kubel and Span haven't been great shakes lately either.
Just to rain on your parade a little.
I considered those two
But then I just thought of the good game(s) they had in this series and congratulated them anyway. Either way, this team is clicking fantastically.
by MarshalltheIrish on Sep 17, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, someone's always slumping, someone's always having a down year.
That’s one thing I love about this team. It doesn’t have to play over its collective head to be really, really good.
Dude I know it's a happy time but
“It’s time to let the big boys stay up in October.”
I’m not sure it’s really classy to say that considering how the Twins have performed in the playoffs this decade. The White Sox at least, have a ring.
So we shouldn't
brag about being one of the best teams in the league this year because one time in the past a team did something better than us? It has nothing to do with class: we’re better than the White Sox. And we’re making a play for the best record in the AL this season.
We are one of the big boys. There’s nothing wrong with bragging about it.
by Jesse on Sep 17, 2010 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That ring
was 5 years ago
Don’t start living in the past like most Bears fans
"Baseball is the only major sport that appears backward in a mirror" ~George Carlin
by thewild_viking_twins on Sep 17, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
Ring 5 years ago = Ring 19 years ago = Ring 23 years ago
The past is the past, no single ring from a previous season is greater than a ring from any other previous season. We are fighting for the 2010 ring right now – that is the only ring that matters in 2010.
"...and we'll see ya tomorrow night!" - Jack Buck, Game 6, 1991 World Series
by WindyCityTwinsFan on Sep 17, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Rings
It’s all way to cheesy to talk about rings.
This is entertainment, folks. Teams play to win every day, and generally to win the world series. As soon as it’s over, you wait until next year, and you go back to entertaining and trying to win.
Go back to hell, Sux fan
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Dear AJ, That facial hair is not making you less douchey. Love, Batgirl" -TwinsBatgirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Sep 17, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Boo.
Pundit’s not a Sox fan (pretty sure), and they’ve been around forever. Let’s not wish anybody to go back to hell/Chicago.
for a little frame of reference,
Mooj went to sss to compliment konerko, and was told to go back to hell
"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"
by Steven Ellingson on Sep 17, 2010 11:28 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
That's how every Twins fan is greeted over there, no matter what they say.
I think it’s just tradition for them.
Telling you guys to go to hell is for the folks we don't mind.
Have you seen what we say to your trolls? You should keep those guys on a tighter leash.
Thus in turn AMERICA=White Sox Nation.
North side= extreme Muslim perdominitly homosexual
by South Side Expat on Sep 17, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
every group has its share of idiots, no way to stop 'em when they go trolling over there, for the most part no one here is a troller.
we’ve been pretty lucky that the SSSers who come over here are pretty civil and provide good dialogue.
My life's goal: to force fischean itno using her moderator powers or, at the very least, using her witch magic to impoove my spelling.
by montanatwinsfan on Sep 17, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
And in the last few days,
I have seen multiple posts over here from our people to tell everyone to stop trolling over at SSS. It makes us all look bad.
I've seen 'em. Tip o' the hat on that one.
Thus in turn AMERICA=White Sox Nation.
North side= extreme Muslim perdominitly homosexual
by South Side Expat on Sep 17, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
What's the definition of trolling?
"'Over'? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell, no!"
by rubberbiscuit on Sep 17, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank you!
Very interesting. So, ‘intentionally provocative’, basically. I’m new at this, and am all in favor of good manners.
Personally, I’m not really offended by anything I’ve seen on these blogs…
"'Over'? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell, no!"
by rubberbiscuit on Sep 17, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Duly noted. SSS will just have to try harder.
Thus in turn AMERICA=White Sox Nation.
North side= extreme Muslim perdominitly homosexual
by South Side Expat on Sep 17, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely. But I'm not easily offended - not even e-gus can do it
"'Over'? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell, no!"
by rubberbiscuit on Sep 17, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Sox fan? Hilarious.
Since I’d rather have an STD than cheer for Cleveland, I suppose you could say I am a fan of the White Sox relative to Cleveland.
I’ve been in the stands for the Twins at playoff time in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006. I’ve seen them collapse or get stomped by the Angels, Yankees, Yankees, As. In 2009 I purposefully avoided even watching the playoffs because I was worried I’d become a jinx. I still have scars from 2006 because 2006 was the perfect year for it, Radke pitching through a broken arm, catching up and winning on the last day! It was meant to be, but it wasn’t
Look back through my posts, I’ve stated my opinion many times that getting to the playoffs while note-worthy, is meaningless (except for added money for next year) unless you do something in them and it’s been a very long time since the Twins did anything in them.
Anyhow, I just thought the formulation was kind of an jerkass way of putting it because of the Twins history of playoff performance. Once they actually knock off someone, then yeah, boast away and I’ll be right there.
Interesting
I completely disagree (about it not being worth it unless you win).
I watch games to enjoy them. They are a lot more fun if they "matter"*. Playoff games are more fun than regular season games because of the impact of a win is much more tangible, so the excitement goes up with the anxiety. I have trouble thinking the game was a waste, just because my team loses, or that the season I spent hours and hours watching and posting about was a waste.
- I find it funny that we talk about games as matter. Technically they are all “exhibitions” for the purpose of entertainment. They don’t “matter” in the way that I think of things as mattering (significantly impact quality of life).
Random comments
Our bullpen gave up 1 run all series and had Matty G appear in all three games. Par for the course.
Paul Konerko is a badass. I have nothing but respect for him. He is one of the most underrated players in all of baseball.
Man, they really ran on Pavano. Especially if we play the Rays first round, do we want him pitching game 1?
Delmon Young is 25 and a valued asset to our team. If only there was space for him in RF…
Doesn't matter
IMHO, it doesn’t matter if Young is a left fielder or right fielder, he is a bad fielder. Perhaps RF would make a little better use of his arm, but it won’t make him handle the ball better, take better routes or judge balls any better.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 17, 2010 7:15 AM EDT up reply actions
DY is exactly the type of corner outfielder the twins need
with their pitching staff, the twins need good gloves in the infield and center field, and sluggers in the corners of the outfield. they have that this year. thus, they are arguably the best team in baseball.
and you can put it on the boaaaaaard YES, HELL YES
Paulee is getting himself PAID this offseason.
He’s hit better than Albert Pujols this season. Soak that in for a while. He’s about the same age as Derrek Lee, Lance Berkman, and Carlos Pena, all free agents this season. Konerko’s going to set the market for those guys, which is something I bet no one would have suspected before this year.
Lookout Landing of all places has pretty great coverage of the Konerko beaning
http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2010/9/16/1693969/headlines-that-make-you-feel-like
That gif makes it look like Konerko was really slow to realize that ball was coming directly at his face. But a dude that manly probably enjoys taking fastballs to the face.
He was leaning in
Looking for something out over the plate.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Someone PLEASE dare say, that we are going to let Hardy walk away?
Since he is finally healed for a longer stretch now he is raking for us!!
Oh and this Mauer guy, what is up with him?? Only 2 hits? Who does he think he is, slacker!
by twinscrazy_german on Sep 17, 2010 6:39 AM EDT reply actions
Absolutely not
I don’t think Plouffe or Casilla are ready to step in. Hardy is a really good shortstop and can hit quite well when healthy. IMHO, there is no way that the Twins non-tender him. I think it is far more likely that they tie JJ up for multiple years, especially if he continues his fine play into postseason.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 17, 2010 7:17 AM EDT up reply actions
That is my thinking exactly!
I don’t get the feeling that great defensive SS with an upside bat have exactly been easy to come by …especially for the Twins, so I could definitely see them wanting to sign him longterm.
I know it is overshadowed by the Thome signing, but this turned out to be a great move by the FO to take a shot at Hardy.
by twinscrazy_german on Sep 17, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm hoping for a 2-3 year deal
Baseball reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.-Terence Mann/James Earl Jones in FoD
Yeah, take a look at the leaderboard for SS this year.
Hardy’s actually been a clearly above-average BAT for a shortstop. And with his defense you’d put up with a pretty weak stick. He actually has the same wOBA as Jeter right now.
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=ss&stats=bat&lg=al&qual=200&type=1&season=2010&month=0
Jeter will get paid for the next 3 seasons
Hardy will be better than Jeter from 2011-2013. I’m pretty confident of that statement.
This is the end of Jeter being a good player
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
He might have another decent year in him...
Late-career swan songs are not uncommon.
But nothing that would warrant starting the all-star game or anything.
Will Chicago Renew The Lease...
…on the Whie Sox, given that the Twins clearly own them?
I smell a lawsuit :)
"Baseball is the only major sport that appears backward in a mirror" ~George Carlin
by thewild_viking_twins on Sep 17, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Gift.
The lasting impression for me will be the White Sox giving in to their emotions, plunking the first guy they see after the Konerko beaning, and thus playing themselves out of the game. If they keep themselves in check and pitch to Cuddyer they probably get out of the second inning unscathed and win this game.
That's quite a stretch.
They certainly didn’t do themselves any favors by hitting Cuddles, but it was way to early to say the fate of the game rode on that moment. Who knows what could have happened in the next eight innings.
Three runs clearly rode on that moment.
And three runs are a pretty big deal. Twins were 75% to win the game after the second inning, as opposed to below 50% if they had been held scoreless.
Right, but by below 50% you mean "tied at zero with 8 innings left to play".
The Twins still might have gone on to score three. Or one. Or maybe they didn’t score, but because somebody else led off the fourth maybe the Twins scored then instead.
Just because an event that happened was a catalyst for what happened later (aka life), that doesn’t have any effect on a hypothetical alternate universe.
Three runs were a big deal. But saying the Twins wouldn’t have won the game without a HBP on the 1st batter of the second innnig is silly.
By WPA it was a .037,
so I mean it’s not giving the game away, but I don’t think it’s really playing to win either. A 46.3% chance of winning is clearly worse than a 50% chance of winning.
Basically it was a pretty classy way to deal with it by the Sox and sort of a gift, not just the runner, but also just getting it out of the way (and with Cuddyer, not Mauer).
I think it was the old saying from the Hebrew Bible
“First Baseman for a First Baseman”
by twinscrazy_german on Sep 17, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I have to respectfully disagree
you don’t hit a man with that smile and dimples and not face consequences…
The man is nicknamed Cuddles for gawd sakes!
I think Pavano would have done the same
and don’t even ask Bert (he probably already spoke his mind, but I didn’t watch)
by twinscrazy_german on Sep 17, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Cuddyer need to learn to catch the ball
Otherwise, a satisfying LONG game (thanks to the ump).
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
He dropped four balls last night
One was a tough relay throw from Hardy that skipped by him and was backed up by a sprawling Matt Capps. Have you ever seen a closer back up first base? That’s how much confidence Capps has in Cuddyer.
The the other three were easy. The reason Delmon needed to throw to the cutoff man after making that catch in the ninth was because Cuddy dropped an easy play behind the bag, for which they gave Pierzinski an infield hit. Then there was the tailor-made DP ball that he dropped, resulting in only one out, a run for the Sox and an unnecessary pitching change. And, of course, the trow by Valencia.
Unfortunately, nights like last night have been all too common. I have counted 28 balls in the dirt that Cuddyer has failed to handle cleanly. I probably missed some because I don’t watch every play. His inability to catch low throws has cost Valencia four errors, Hardy seven and Hudson five, not to mention all the failed DPs and other plays over there. Three pitchers have received errors on low throws, e.g.
He’s a terrible first baseman. Last night was his worst game over there, but it is indicative of just how bad he is. And I haven’t even mentioned his lack of range: His UZR/150 at first base is -11.5.
Please Justin, can you get healthy for the playoffs? I fear another Bill Buckner moment if you don’t.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
+1
With all due respect to Mr. Cuddyer – he has stepped up in a big way, now 2 seasons in a row, to fill in for our injured 1B, but I’m glad somebody has kept track of his shortfalls as well. Thanks, cmath.
On the Morneau side of this, Gardy was on ESPN radio yesterday with Scott Van Pelt, and said basically the same things we’ve heard for the last 2 months – “head injuries are dangerous, gotta be careful…” “wants to have symptom free days, but haven’t been able to string more than 3 or 4 together…” “we don’t know exactly when he’s coming back, we just want him healthy…”
After the interview, Van Pelt just said “So they’re not coming out and saying it, but obviously Morneau is done for the year.” — I guess it’s only just another mostly uneducated outsider opinion, but these sportscasters are the ones who are hearing these types of things from every team in every sport, so it’s hard to entirely discount his viewpoint.
"...and we'll see ya tomorrow night!" - Jack Buck, Game 6, 1991 World Series
by WindyCityTwinsFan on Sep 17, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
too bad
morneau sounded very optimistic just a week or two ago.
and you can put it on the boaaaaaard YES, HELL YES
Don't read that wrong...
That was an ESPN talking-head analyzing a conversation with Gardenhire, not Morneau or Morneau’s doctor.
"...and we'll see ya tomorrow night!" - Jack Buck, Game 6, 1991 World Series
by WindyCityTwinsFan on Sep 17, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Who the Hell is Scott van Pelt?
Linus’s little brother? He’s just some sportscaster. Discounted.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Dear AJ, That facial hair is not making you less douchey. Love, Batgirl" -TwinsBatgirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Sep 17, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Playoff roster
Am I the only one who wouldn’t be all that surprised if Morneau makes the playoff roster, even if he doesn’t come back before the end of the season? If you need a whole 12-man pitching staff, that is probably an indication that you are being blown out of the series; they’ll start nine guys who will virtually never be pinch hit for; and putting Morneau in the 25th spot on the roster for a potential Kirk Gibson moment strikes me as just too tempting to pass up.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
good point.
My life's goal: to force fischean itno using her moderator powers or, at the very least, using her witch magic to impoove my spelling.
by montanatwinsfan on Sep 17, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Just to have him on the bench as a secret weapon
If nothing else. It changes the way the other manager handles his bullpen.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Gardy:
“Yeah, Girardi, you just go ahead and put that righty in to pitch to J.J. I double-dog dare you.”
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
and the playoffs go for a long time
maybe the 2-3 weeks to the world series are all the time justin needs if the Twins were to make it without him.
Agree, sort of.
Seems like he’s had to deal with a lot of bad throws lately. Hardy lost it for a while, Hudson is not his old self on the turn, and Valencia could have triple-clutched and still beat Konerko last nite, instead he rushed it. Better throws will make Cuddy look better.
But Cuddy could probably use some time off. Who is the backup 1b right now?
According to Gardy, it's Jose Morales
With, like, two games of experience in the minors. I think they should give Valencia some time over there. He played first quite a bit in college and in the minors.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
We're spoiled by Morneau
We were on a record pace for least errors when he went down. He saved Hardy at least a dozen errors in the first half—the unsung reason why Hardy had only two errors before Cuddyer took over.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
our infield is pretty automatic
hardy is one of the top defensive shortstops in baseball. hudson is excellent. valencia has been very good. those guys are the reasons cuddyer gets so much credit. he only needs to be competent over there.
and you can put it on the boaaaaaard YES, HELL YES
Morneau v Cuddyer
Morneau is as far above average as Cuddyer is below it.
Apparently Morales
But remember in Oakland, Tolbert played first when Cuddyer was on the bereavement list and Morneau came out of the game for some reason. Although it is true that Morales was drafted as an infielder, so I would think he’s better than Cuddyer. His main shortcoming is his arm.
Good first basemen dig out bad throws
They just do.
"...and we'll see ya tomorrow night!" - Jack Buck, Game 6, 1991 World Series
by WindyCityTwinsFan on Sep 17, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm pretty sure UZR incorporates his not handling catchable throws.
It’s pretty all-inclusive.
No, it's not measured
MGL contends that the difference between the best and worst is at most 5-6 runs, but we might have both here
Huh, I stand corrected.
Also, it seems very intuitively wrong to me to contend that there’s not much skill difference there.
Was going to say
UZR is just about plays in zone. That’s his best skill and he’s still well below average at it.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Late season acquisitions
The Twins now have officially gotten more out of Fuentes than the Sox have gotten out of Manny for half the cost. The big lefthander can pitch. Obviously, though, we will see whether paying 1.9M for Brian Fuentes was worth it in October.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 17, 2010 9:16 AM EDT reply actions
It's worth it now for what he gives us out of the 'pen.
And it’s hard to blame the Sox for going after Manny, in spite of the money. Dude was hitting, and they needed help. They couldn’t know he was going to suck.
Although I'm glad he did suck.
Don’t like Manny, don’t like the Sox.
by Jesse on Sep 17, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
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On, Wisconsin!
by John Veldhuis on Sep 17, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
It's sort of what happened to Thome, in reverse last year.
It’s hard to switch leagues at the last minute and keep hitting at the clip you were (although I guess there’s a precedent for Manny doing it before)
Cuddy
Nick Punto has to take off the lifts and quit wearing #5. No power from Michael this month, only three doubles and no homers. He is OPSing .612. The Twins need more production from their first baseman than that. I know he’s the team ironman and they have no ready replacement, but something needs to be done to get his legs under him for the playoffs.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 17, 2010 9:24 AM EDT reply actions
Give him a day off or two
The season is over and there are games against KC and CLE coming up. Morales or even Punto can play a couple games at 1B.
Nothing but respect for Konerko.
The dude has cojones. How many other players in baseball would fight to stay in the game after being hit in the face?
Bucky's 5th Quarter The best site for Badger news on the web!
Follow me on Twitter for the latest Badger Bits @veldyhoosey
On, Wisconsin!
by John Veldhuis on Sep 17, 2010 9:33 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
The HR was a gift
Pavano grooved a fast ball right down the middle. I think it was his way of saying “sorry”.
You still have to hit it though.
And Konerko did.
I’ve never really cared for the guy because he always seems to own our pitchers, but I have a LOT of respect for him after the game last night. It was impressive.
+1
He was a man last night.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
props to cuddy too
shrugged off the inane retaliation. he had to have known it was coming, and he didn’t flinch. wasn’t a bad spot to get hit tho, on the meat of his shoulder.
and you can put it on the boaaaaaard YES, HELL YES
33
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Dear AJ, That facial hair is not making you less douchey. Love, Batgirl" -TwinsBatgirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Sep 17, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
+10
Have always loved him. He is just nothing but talent and class. My pick for most underrated player of the decade.
by MarshalltheIrish on Sep 17, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
How SWEEP it is!
All without Nathan and Morneau. I never would have believed it! I just hope the maple syrup and workouts with bears are doing their trick and he’ll be back by playoff time.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Dear AJ, That facial hair is not making you less douchey. Love, Batgirl" -TwinsBatgirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Sep 17, 2010 9:49 AM EDT reply actions
From Big League Stew 1/26/2010
White Sox let go of Thome and it might cost them the AL Central.
Remember, remember, the 25th of January.
Because it might be the day the White Sox gave away first place.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Dear AJ, That facial hair is not making you less douchey. Love, Batgirl" -TwinsBatgirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Sep 17, 2010 10:14 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
More than that
Thome alone doesn’t account for 9 games in the standings. The White Sox also blew it with Teahen and a few other areas.
Yes, thank you
I am on record as saying it was the screwiest offseason I ever remember, and that’s saying a lot because Williams is the king of long shots (some of which pay off, e.g. Rios).
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Yeah, and we've actually pitched better than them this season.
Given that, we really wouldn’t have needed Thome to take the division.
With Swisher and now Teahen,
I think Kenny Williams is reading ‘Moneyball’ for inspiration. They’re both Billy Beane prospects from a few years ago. Next, he’ll bring in Jeremy Brown to compete with AJ for the catcher spot next year…
"'Over'? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell, no!"
by rubberbiscuit on Sep 17, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, they did proceed to ditch Swisher for pennies on the dollar
And watch him go on to be a huge part of the Yankees’ success for the next 2 years. I’ve always thought Nick Swisher was a first-class menace and it really pisses me off that the White Sox gift wrapped him to the hated Yankees.
Very true. Everyone wanted Swisher that year...
I’m just amused at the tone of the book (Billy B. is a genius, everyone else a hapless fool) and the players he took. Admittedly, the draft is often a crap shoot, but some of those high-schoolers (Fielder, Greinke) kind of worked out in the big leagues… I like it when know-it-alls get theirs…
"'Over'? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell, no!"
by rubberbiscuit on Sep 17, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
That was more Michael Lewis than Beane, I think
He has a tendency to do that to his subjects.
I don't doubt he's a douche in real life
but I have a hard time he’s as bad as he’s portrayed in the book
I've never read anything else by him... is there anything worthwhile?
And I can believe Beane is that bad. He sound like a lot of pro-athletes, actually.
"'Over'? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell, no!"
by rubberbiscuit on Sep 17, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
He's a gifted writer, but his books gush about his subjects
I’ve read Liar’s Poker, which is pretty good. Other than Moneyball, all of them are about finance and business, but I do like his work.
I've only read The Blind Side
It was pretty good – the book was a lot less sappy than the movie, spending much of the time discussing the evolution of the importance of the left tackle position interspersed with the story of Michael Oher. It actually spends more time gushing about Bill Walsh than Oher and his adoptive parents.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
He's a Raiders fan
And he’s from Oakland. Maybe that’s the obsession.
ozzie did everything he could to blow that game for his team in the bottom of the 7th.
just awful.
and you can put it on the boaaaaaard YES, HELL YES
16 Games left
Twins could play .500 ball (8-8) over their last 16 games and still win 96 games!!! I love that fact! I hope they finish (and with their schedule, I think it is pretty reasonable) on a 10-6 stretch = 98 wins and 64 losses.
...formerly known as 33MorneauMVP
But clearly, the only reason we succeed as a team is because the Metrodome gives us an unfair advantage.
Oh, wait…
http://www.realityfish.com
We got lucky
There was hardly any snow in July and August.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Dear AJ, That facial hair is not making you less douchey. Love, Batgirl" -TwinsBatgirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Sep 17, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
"...and we'll see ya tomorrow night!" - Jack Buck, Game 6, 1991 World Series
by WindyCityTwinsFan on Sep 17, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
Although the glacier that’s coming soon will be an interesting ballpark quirk…
"'Over'? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell, no!"
by rubberbiscuit on Sep 17, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Twins tied with the Yankees and a half game back of the Rays now!
New goal in sight! ALCS home-field advantage!
pavstache & konerko
that faceplant to konerko was no accident. pavstache was pissed butera wasn’t in the line-up & wanted to make a statement. nuff said.
The Twins recent stretch has been huge in terms of home-field advantage too
While we’ve been watching the White Sox fade into oblivion, the Texas Rangers have been red-hot, winning their last 7 straight. If the Twins had only taken 1 out of three from the White Sox, we’d only have a 3.5 game lead over the Rangers for home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. As is, we’ve got a healthy, if not completely secure, 5.5 game lead.
Good point. Plus, we have the tie-breaker.
So it’s effectively a 6 game lead. And we’re still effectively a game back of the Yankees.
I'll actually be interested in those Yanks-Red Sox games at the end of the year, for a change
"'Over'? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell, no!"
by rubberbiscuit on Sep 17, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
1.5 back of the Rays - its both the Yankees and Rays that we are chasing
We have to pass both for this to matter. We’ll have home-field over the WC team no matter what.
Correction: .5 back of the Rays, even with the Crankees
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
They are saying that we are EFFECTIVELY 1.5 and 1 game back.
Because they own the tiebreaker in both cases.
We have to have a better record than both for it to mean anything.
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