But as young Billy Haywood reminds us “Just have Fun”

That’s right folks, I have gone to the DVD rack and pulled Little Big League off the shelf for a little Minnesota Magic via Hollywood. Oh sure the Twins miss the playoffs in the end because of Jr Griffey (oh gawd he plays for the Bitch Sox now) but as they point out it was one hell of a year.

Most people called this year a rebuilding year and some people here thought the Twins would finish around .500 but look at the year we are getting to enjoy. Heck the so called experts had the Twins finishing no better than 3rd place. No matter what, this has been yet another year where it has been great to be a Twins fan. Trust me I live surrounded by Giants fans and they always wonder how the Twins do it. The Twins are 1 game out 1st place and have a real chance to get into the playoffs (again). No matter what this year will be fun.

Of course when I got to the end of the film and saw Junior take that home run away and send the movie Twins home for the season I got nervous. I mean life couldn’t possibly imitate art? After all that was young Junior who was the face of MLB not the older Junior who has no business roaming center for Chicago. Nah, it’s just a movie but just in case I’ll be putting that DVD back on the shelf and not making eye contact w/ it anytime soon. I mean sure have fun (thanks Billy) but how much more fun would it be to see the Twins in the playoffs one more time?

I think next time I’ll just watch Night Nurses from Jersey…

From the Chicago Sun-Times http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/1079172,CST-SPT-sox29.article

''I knew in the early innings when I got out of a few jams that it was going to be one of those days,'' Buehrle said before smirking. ''I never liked this park. The wind was blowing out a little bit, and they used it to their advantage.''

The wind was blowing out!?!?!? I'm surprised that he didn't complain about the Twins stealing signs and putting them on the Jumbotron? This is the same guy who complained that Texas used some sort of light morse code to tip the batters to his pitches. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20050831/ai_n14912796

 He is also the guy who would say even though the Twins won the division we (White Sox) are the better team. If I remember correctly he even said that he was happy to not go to the playoffs b/c the Twins always lose in the 1st round. Here's a Batgirl reference. I like that they complain in the story of losing Thomas and Maglio, hmmm kinda like the Twins this year losing Santana and Hunter? Yet I can not see the Twins players making any excuses like that if they come up short this season.  http://www.bat-girl.com/archives/000489.php 

Is it wrong to hate a man you've never met? How about strongly dislike? This guy is a moron! If there was any wind blowing it was coming out your ass!

I need a drink!

Go Twins!

From the site Tiger Tales: "The big reason for their success seems to be their high batting average with runners in scoring position. This is something that is very difficult to maintain over a full season even for a strong offensive team. It doesn't add up. You keep thinking it can't last."

Here is the link to the site : http://www.detroittigertales.com/

You know all these people might end up being right at the end of the season but for now the Twins are still making it happen and staying in the race. It might be luck but I will keep saying that the deeper into the season we get, at some point people are going to need to give the Twins some credit. It feels alot like when the White Sox would complain about the Twins winning the division even though they were not the better team.

Games are won on the field, not on paper. The same goes with division titles. This years Twins may not be the best team in terms of stats but they are winning games, more than most thought they would. The reasons might be luck. It might be that even though the Twins are an average team statistically the rest of the division is no better but they are winning regardless of the why.

If the Twins play the second half like the first half, they have a real shot at the division. Most didn't think this was possible. The stats may point that this is improbable but games are won or lost on the field and so far it feels like the Twins might be able to pull off the impossible.

From the Detroit Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080528/SPORTS02/80528022/1050/SPORTS02

I guess Tigers fans want to know everything about their guys but "ouch!" I almost feel Leyland told this to the press to call out his guy. Light a fire under him, if you will...

It's amazing to think that not so long ago, I was starved for information about the Twins b/c I lived in California. Now I get to read have access to more information than I could possibly want thanks to the internet.

I'm not a baseball expert but we all get to play one on the internet. I was wondering if the Twins could have better results with their lineup by moving players around. My lineup is not based on stats (I'm sure that will be obvious) but it is based on watching at least some of every game this season (of course we all remember different things from said games) and the idea that a lead off hitter only bats leadoff once in the game.

So w/out further ado:

Harris

Mauer

Young

Morneau

Cuddyer

Kubel

Lamb

Gomez

Everett

I think Harris knows how to put together good abats. He has some power and again he would bat "leadoff" only once. Mauer is arguably the best hitter on the team. Why not give him an extra 20 to 30 abats this season. Young while showing no power at all, he does seem to avoid any long dry spells so he could keep the rallies going once Harris homers and Mauer singles up the middle. ( a guy can dream can't he?) Young would also break up the two lefties. Then comes Cuddyer and Kubel, Lamb and Gomez, with Everett batting 9th b/c he has to bat.

I know most will hate the idea of Gomez batting 8th but it seems like he is batting 1st b/c that's what guys with speed traditionally do. Is that a good enough reason? He has shown some power and regardless where he bats if he gets on base his speed will still be there. He is so raw that maybe he shouldn't have the most atbats over the course of a season?

More than anything I'm curious at the comments this lineup might provoke. It's round about way for me to learn more about the game.

WINTWINS!

The Tigers today designated for assignment our old friend Jacque Jones. So Jones is another in a long line of ex-Twins who have had less than stellar careers once out of Minnesota. I wish him well and have to assume that someone will take a chance on him.

What is it about the ex-Twins out of Minnesota and their decline? Sure JC is doing well in Philly and Loshe might have a second life with the Cardinals but those seem to be the exception. I hope Bartlett does well in Tampa, that goes for Garza too but it seems like there is a good chance that won't happen. I haven't forgotten AJ either. I'm guessing out of the recent (2000-today) Twins he has had the best career outside of Minnesota by far. Funny that he would be the guy to pull that off.

Good luck Messir Jacque strap and happy trails.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AmMa3Vtkh7CNUsywUU99A_Iq0bYF?slug=txraysgarza&prov=st&type=lgns

Looks like the Rays have sent Matt Garza to the DL with a nerve issue in his elbow. I don't know how serious this is but it sounds like it could be serious. Assuming Young can stay healthy this trade might really have gone the Twins way if Garza ends up with elbow issues. I guess there is no way of knowing if this was a precondition that the Twins could have known about but if it does turn out to be serious I'm sure the Twins will be grateful that it is not an issue they have to deal with.

The Startrib's write up for today's game has a nice big headline of Hunter getting a HR but as much as we all like Torii he plays for the other team. Kubel hit a HR too and he plays for the Twins.

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So a couple of years ago the Twins rolled out an alternate home jersey which was no different than the original except someone cut off the sleeves.  

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I read somewhere that this spring a decision has to be made on these guys.

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