Once again we'll take a look back at some of the memorable (ok...maybe not so much memorable) athletes/coaches that have graced us with their presence on our local teams:
Dusty Rychart - A walk-on freshman who is forced to play significant minutes against Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA tournament, (because four teammates were suspended due to an investigation into the basketball program, plus injuries to two other players) almost catapults the Gophers past the Zags in a comeback with a 23 point/17 rebound effort. This gets me off topic...and I'm not saying Clem and the program didn't cheat and bend the rules, but how does this get released when it did...isn't there a "John Calipari/Kelvin Sampson cheaters' ethic rule" of only releasing negative information about the program in the off-season.
Paul Grant - It's bad enough when you cheat and forfeit first round draft picks (Joe Smith scandal), but then when you draft someone and they don't even play until almost two years after you initially drafted them (injury related)...and he's not even a foreign player playing overseas. But, what takes the cake is he played at Wisconsin (a border battle rival school) and we still barely knew who he was at the time. Your "One Shining Moment" was being a big white man in the Midwest area at a time when part-time GM Kevin McHale was running the basketball operations. Impeccable timing.
Dimitrius Underwood - He's an NFL 1st round pick that has attempted suicide more times (2) than NFL games played (0). He was a gamble that Denny Green/staff took a bite on, only because Randy Moss proved to be worth every penny and more the year before. By default, your "One Shining Moment" is the escape from Training Camp on Day One...it was an O.J. in the white Bronco type moment for Viking rubes to try to follow our 1st round draft pick whereabouts.
Cheryl Littlejohn - She is the sucky version of John Calipari in the women's side of college basketball. Not only did she help put violations on both programs she was affiliated with (Minnesota and Chicago State), she underperformed in the win-loss column. In four years at the U of M, she won a whopping 7 games in Big Ten play. Despite all of this, her "One Shining Moment" was getting Lindsay Whalen to attend the U of M. The very next year, Brenda Oldfield and sophomore guard Lindsay Whalen helped the Gophers post a 22-8 record (11 Big Ten wins in one year).
Willie Banks - Willie Banks was on two championship teams ('91 Twins and '98 Yankees) without really being "on" those teams for any significant reason.
Tutu Atwell - Undersized, speedy wide receiver that also played a huge role in the special teams return game. He racked up a lot of stats on bad teams that were always playing from behind in the Wacker era. His "One Shining Moment" though was majoring in "Recreation"...I try to refrain from swearing...but, what the fuck...you can really major in that?
Fuad Reviez - Also known as Fuad-o-matic...he was the Vikings placekicker from 1990-95. Our offenses were so lackluster during that time span that his jersey was often seen worn by fans at games. When the kicker's jersey is selling...you know your offense sucks.
Derek Boogaard - I usually do blasts from the past, but this guy is just too embarrassing to pass up. I know you serve a purpose by being a goon that likes to fight on the team. But, come on...can you show me some inkling of hockey skill while that puck is around you. I've seen better hand-eye coordination in special ed. floor hockey games on the public access channels. Fourteen points in five years in the NHL. Your "One Shining Moment" of your career will be starting a hockey camp that teaches youngsters how to fight...way to help out the youth, Derek.
SBG
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Brewster Introductory Press Conference...and more...
Read below...it's Tim Brewster's initial press conference (keep in mind his 1-11 record in his first year, no wins in trophy games, no rivalry wins, the coaching carousel of his assistants, no identity for the offense or defense, and of course all the off field issues with his players showing up on the police blotter to just name a few things.)
"Our expectation is to win a Big Ten Championship now. We’re not interested in any rebuilding process. I’m very fortunate that I’m not coming into a situation that is decimated where there are no players. There are players here. Glen Mason did an excellent job at this university and coached these kids well. They’ve won a lot of games. They’re not void of talent, so we’re in a little different situation here than it is at most places that are going through the hiring process. I’m very excited that it’s not a complete rebuilding process."My address to the team this morning involved two things: I want guys who are physically tough people and I want players who are passionate. I want players who love the game of football, because make no mistake about it, I love football. It’s been awfully good to me. It’s been my life. I love football and I’m going to surround myself with people who love football. These players have a thirst right now and I’m going to give them what they’re looking for. I promised them one thing, and that is I will never let them down. I’m going to have my football team prepared to play on Saturdays. We’re going to play with pride. We’re going to play with toughness. We’re going to play with passion and we’re going to win. We are going to win. We’re going to win the Big Ten Championship and we’re going to take the Gopher nation to Pasadena. That’s my dream, that’s my goal and that’s my belief. It will happen here sooner rather than later.
"What type of football team are we going to be and what type of kids are we going to recruit? Our process there, again, involves talking about toughness and passion. We want kids who are smart and who are going to be able to make plays. What do I want out of their experience here? 1) I want them to get a degree, and 2) I want them to represent this University in a fine fashion at all times. I’m going to communicate with these kids every step of the way make sure they understand what’s acceptable and what’s not. Once kids understand what’s acceptable and what’s not I think you have a much better shot chance for success. "The last thing I’m going to talk to these kids about is making sure they do things right every single day. I’m going to be consistent with what I do. I want them consistent with what they do. I want them training and working every single day towards winning a championship for the Gophers. All I can say is that it is an extremely bright future at the University of Minnesota. I’m extremely lucky to have been chosen as the head football coach at the ‘U’. I take that responsibility very, very seriously. I pledge to you that I’m going to do everything in my power to bring a championship to the Twin Cities and these kids are going to be passionate, they’re going to play hard and they’re going to represent you well."
Other news:
* Twins are 11-5 while winning their first five series of the year...yet, I still don't think they've played that well. However, they've only committed one defensive error through 16 games...that's what Gardy calls the "Twins Way".
* NFL Draft is tonight...it's hard to guess who will fall down to pick number 30...however, I'm going to say that Childress/Vikings goes with a quarterback (Clausen or Tebow). Remember when Childress apparently was threatening to bench Favre during the latter part of the year (Carolina game). I don't even know if that would be the right pick, but I just don't think Childress (but, mostly just his ego) wants to be caught with his pants down (insert "Pants on the Ground" song here) next season.
* Tubby's roster is still a work in progress. Cory Joseph remains undecided. Mbwakwe finally has a court date this summer to find out his status. They picked up two new recruits in Mo Walker and Oto Osenieks during the late signing period. They lost Damian Johnson, Devron Bostick and Lawerence Westbrook to graduation. Paul Carter is transferring to be closer to his sister, and Justin Cobbs may also transfer out of the program.
* Oregon still has not hired a men's basketball coach. They were setting their sights high and were shooting for Tubby, Izzo, Few, Stevens and Mike Anderson...recruits and current players are leaving the program due to not having a coach...and what makes things worse, they forked over thousands for a search firm to help assist with finding the best candidates for the job. Well, I guess they found the best candidates...they just can't hire any of them.
SBG
"Our expectation is to win a Big Ten Championship now. We’re not interested in any rebuilding process. I’m very fortunate that I’m not coming into a situation that is decimated where there are no players. There are players here. Glen Mason did an excellent job at this university and coached these kids well. They’ve won a lot of games. They’re not void of talent, so we’re in a little different situation here than it is at most places that are going through the hiring process. I’m very excited that it’s not a complete rebuilding process."My address to the team this morning involved two things: I want guys who are physically tough people and I want players who are passionate. I want players who love the game of football, because make no mistake about it, I love football. It’s been awfully good to me. It’s been my life. I love football and I’m going to surround myself with people who love football. These players have a thirst right now and I’m going to give them what they’re looking for. I promised them one thing, and that is I will never let them down. I’m going to have my football team prepared to play on Saturdays. We’re going to play with pride. We’re going to play with toughness. We’re going to play with passion and we’re going to win. We are going to win. We’re going to win the Big Ten Championship and we’re going to take the Gopher nation to Pasadena. That’s my dream, that’s my goal and that’s my belief. It will happen here sooner rather than later.
"What type of football team are we going to be and what type of kids are we going to recruit? Our process there, again, involves talking about toughness and passion. We want kids who are smart and who are going to be able to make plays. What do I want out of their experience here? 1) I want them to get a degree, and 2) I want them to represent this University in a fine fashion at all times. I’m going to communicate with these kids every step of the way make sure they understand what’s acceptable and what’s not. Once kids understand what’s acceptable and what’s not I think you have a much better shot chance for success. "The last thing I’m going to talk to these kids about is making sure they do things right every single day. I’m going to be consistent with what I do. I want them consistent with what they do. I want them training and working every single day towards winning a championship for the Gophers. All I can say is that it is an extremely bright future at the University of Minnesota. I’m extremely lucky to have been chosen as the head football coach at the ‘U’. I take that responsibility very, very seriously. I pledge to you that I’m going to do everything in my power to bring a championship to the Twin Cities and these kids are going to be passionate, they’re going to play hard and they’re going to represent you well."
Other news:
* Twins are 11-5 while winning their first five series of the year...yet, I still don't think they've played that well. However, they've only committed one defensive error through 16 games...that's what Gardy calls the "Twins Way".
* NFL Draft is tonight...it's hard to guess who will fall down to pick number 30...however, I'm going to say that Childress/Vikings goes with a quarterback (Clausen or Tebow). Remember when Childress apparently was threatening to bench Favre during the latter part of the year (Carolina game). I don't even know if that would be the right pick, but I just don't think Childress (but, mostly just his ego) wants to be caught with his pants down (insert "Pants on the Ground" song here) next season.
* Tubby's roster is still a work in progress. Cory Joseph remains undecided. Mbwakwe finally has a court date this summer to find out his status. They picked up two new recruits in Mo Walker and Oto Osenieks during the late signing period. They lost Damian Johnson, Devron Bostick and Lawerence Westbrook to graduation. Paul Carter is transferring to be closer to his sister, and Justin Cobbs may also transfer out of the program.
* Oregon still has not hired a men's basketball coach. They were setting their sights high and were shooting for Tubby, Izzo, Few, Stevens and Mike Anderson...recruits and current players are leaving the program due to not having a coach...and what makes things worse, they forked over thousands for a search firm to help assist with finding the best candidates for the job. Well, I guess they found the best candidates...they just can't hire any of them.
SBG
Monday, April 12, 2010
A Fan's Confidence...
Here's how I break down the 2010 Twins 25 man big league roster after a week of play. I'm rating the players (1 through 25...1 being the best) based on my confidence level as a fan that they'll succeed in a given circumstance...batting, fielding, pitching and/or miscellaneous.
1. Joe Mauer - He is just simply ridiculous. Premier player on both ends.
2. Justin Morneau - He seems to always falter at the end of the season, but he saves our team a lot of outs with some of his scoops on errant throws to first base.
3. J.J. Hardy - Too high...? No, he's got more range than Bartlett and a stronger arm. Anything he does in the 7 hole batting wise is a plus. I laugh when I think about Orlando Cabrera's fielding prowess (mostly lack of) after watching this guy play.
4. Denard Span - Solid all around. I don't think he's gotten off to the greatest start, but he still works counts as a leadoff hitter and his fielding is way above average.
5. Nick Blackburn - Doesn't have the greatest "stuff", but his knack for keeping the team in the ball game and also eats up valuable innings. He works fast as well.
6. Michael Cuddyer - I still think he's a guess hitter (and why teams don't continually throw sliders...I do not know), but even with that said he provides valuable pop from the right side, and his right arm out in the outfield is respected.
7. Carl Pavano - He battles his tail off (as Gardy would say)...he eats up innings, he may walk a few but he's pitching around the guy rather than not being able to actually find the strike zone like most of our pitchers struggle to do. He's a solid veteran pitcher that is very much needed in the starting rotation.
8. Orlando Hudson - A pretty good switch hitting bat in the number 2 hole. He hasn't been tested fielding wise, but staying in on the throw (while a sliding baserunner is trying to take him out) while turning the double play has been impressive.
9. Matt Guerrier - He's the Morneau version of our pitching staff. Starts off strong, struggles, then tries to regain his form towards the latter part of the year. Even with that said, he's the most consistent pitcher in our bullpen.
10. Jason Kubel - He could probably be a few spots higher, but I don't think he'll have the year he did last year. I don't believe he'll get as many fastballs served up to him now that he's a known commodity around the league. His performance in the Yankees playoff series from last year still has me down on him.
11. Jesse Crain - He was horrible last year. Yet, so far in the first week he's been really solid...he's got the best "stuff" by far out of bullpen. Guerrier has a nice breaking ball, but Jesse brings nastier pitches to the table.
12. Jim Thome - As a Twins fan...you're always skeptical about the old veteran that the team is bringing in. However, Jim Thome gives us quality at-bats with a good chance to give us even more pop in the line-up. He better keep doing this...because he really doesn't offer us too much more.
13. Scott Baker - One of the worst so-called "aces" of their team's staff. He doesn't have great stuff. He works at an extremely slow pace and it doesn't help that batters foul off thousands of pitches. He looks as if he's going to have a mental breakdown on the mound. All this adds up to a .500 pitching record...which isn't bad, but we've been waiting for this guy to turn the corner for about three years.
14. Kevin Slowey - I like him. I also don't think he has great movement or velocity on his pitches, but at least he seems to have a plan against the hitters...even if it doesn't materialize in his favor.
15. Jon Rauch - He's living on the edge like Eddie Guardardo in his save attempts. I think the move was smart and simple by the Twins to just have him assume the duties, but I just don't know how he'll handle the big boys (Yankees and Red Sox) when we're in the pressure cooker.
16. Delmon Young - I'm still not a fan of Delmon. He's been hot in the first week, but I still think he has some poor at-bats in clutch situations (swinging at first pitch when pitcher is struggling). The weight loss has helped some, but he's still a liability in left field. I've seen a runner take an extra base simply by how casually he approached a single hit right at him.
17. Brian Duensing - Mijares may want to watch out, before Duensing takes over the lefty late inning duties. Not powerful, yet works the corners with a variety of pitches. I like him...he came up big in some tight spots last year and has done so as well this year.
18. Nick Punto - Pitchers better recognize that we're in an even year...and that my friends is when Nick Punto takes the league by storm. On a serious note...he's batting nine (where he belongs) on a club that needs him for his defense more than his offense. His play at third has already been substantially better than his competition (Brendan Harris). His bat can't get worse than it was last year...he'll improve easily.
19. Pat Neshek - He hasn't killed us, but I just don't think he looks anywhere near his form two years ago. His delivery is not as funky, thus his ball doesn't have the same movement. I just think he's more hittable than ever.
20. Franciso Liriano - He seems like he's in better spirits this year, but I still see the same issues with his game. His whole delivery is out of control, which means he's walking batters and crappy ones on top of that.
21. Brendan Harris - His bat is decent. I'll give him that edge over Punto. However, his defense and range at the hot corner is not a good fit for him. He's running out of positions in my mind. I think last year was evident that he's not fit for the middle infield. It hasn't happened yet, but I believe he'll be Morneau's backup to 1st base here and there when he needs a rest.
22. Alexi Casilla - I like Alexi's game...his bat and glove are not exactly in the "consistent" category, but he adds another dimension to this unathletic plodding club. He's gotten big clutch hits for this club in the past, but there's just something with being a Latino Twins ballplayer (Gomez, Casilla, Liriano, Mijares) that just hasn't mixed for the last few years.
23. Alex Burnett - I saw one outing in his hometown of Anaheim. I thought he looked sharp in a blowout. We'll see if he gets any quality work in a more meaningful game down the line.
24. Jose Mijares - He came on the scene two years ago and impressed me. Since the start of last year, he has been the one of the biggest disappointments. He's got one of the easiest gigs...Gardy usually uses his late lefty in the bullpen for specific matchups against lefthanded batters. They may not even pitch to two batters, much less an inning. Yet, this guy continues to struggle finding the strikezone with all his TWO pitches in his arsenal.
25. Drew Butera - It's cool that his dad caught in the Major Leagues as well, but do I really have to watch this kid attempt to bat at this level during day games that Mauer doesn't play?
SBG
1. Joe Mauer - He is just simply ridiculous. Premier player on both ends.
2. Justin Morneau - He seems to always falter at the end of the season, but he saves our team a lot of outs with some of his scoops on errant throws to first base.
3. J.J. Hardy - Too high...? No, he's got more range than Bartlett and a stronger arm. Anything he does in the 7 hole batting wise is a plus. I laugh when I think about Orlando Cabrera's fielding prowess (mostly lack of) after watching this guy play.
4. Denard Span - Solid all around. I don't think he's gotten off to the greatest start, but he still works counts as a leadoff hitter and his fielding is way above average.
5. Nick Blackburn - Doesn't have the greatest "stuff", but his knack for keeping the team in the ball game and also eats up valuable innings. He works fast as well.
6. Michael Cuddyer - I still think he's a guess hitter (and why teams don't continually throw sliders...I do not know), but even with that said he provides valuable pop from the right side, and his right arm out in the outfield is respected.
7. Carl Pavano - He battles his tail off (as Gardy would say)...he eats up innings, he may walk a few but he's pitching around the guy rather than not being able to actually find the strike zone like most of our pitchers struggle to do. He's a solid veteran pitcher that is very much needed in the starting rotation.
8. Orlando Hudson - A pretty good switch hitting bat in the number 2 hole. He hasn't been tested fielding wise, but staying in on the throw (while a sliding baserunner is trying to take him out) while turning the double play has been impressive.
9. Matt Guerrier - He's the Morneau version of our pitching staff. Starts off strong, struggles, then tries to regain his form towards the latter part of the year. Even with that said, he's the most consistent pitcher in our bullpen.
10. Jason Kubel - He could probably be a few spots higher, but I don't think he'll have the year he did last year. I don't believe he'll get as many fastballs served up to him now that he's a known commodity around the league. His performance in the Yankees playoff series from last year still has me down on him.
11. Jesse Crain - He was horrible last year. Yet, so far in the first week he's been really solid...he's got the best "stuff" by far out of bullpen. Guerrier has a nice breaking ball, but Jesse brings nastier pitches to the table.
12. Jim Thome - As a Twins fan...you're always skeptical about the old veteran that the team is bringing in. However, Jim Thome gives us quality at-bats with a good chance to give us even more pop in the line-up. He better keep doing this...because he really doesn't offer us too much more.
13. Scott Baker - One of the worst so-called "aces" of their team's staff. He doesn't have great stuff. He works at an extremely slow pace and it doesn't help that batters foul off thousands of pitches. He looks as if he's going to have a mental breakdown on the mound. All this adds up to a .500 pitching record...which isn't bad, but we've been waiting for this guy to turn the corner for about three years.
14. Kevin Slowey - I like him. I also don't think he has great movement or velocity on his pitches, but at least he seems to have a plan against the hitters...even if it doesn't materialize in his favor.
15. Jon Rauch - He's living on the edge like Eddie Guardardo in his save attempts. I think the move was smart and simple by the Twins to just have him assume the duties, but I just don't know how he'll handle the big boys (Yankees and Red Sox) when we're in the pressure cooker.
16. Delmon Young - I'm still not a fan of Delmon. He's been hot in the first week, but I still think he has some poor at-bats in clutch situations (swinging at first pitch when pitcher is struggling). The weight loss has helped some, but he's still a liability in left field. I've seen a runner take an extra base simply by how casually he approached a single hit right at him.
17. Brian Duensing - Mijares may want to watch out, before Duensing takes over the lefty late inning duties. Not powerful, yet works the corners with a variety of pitches. I like him...he came up big in some tight spots last year and has done so as well this year.
18. Nick Punto - Pitchers better recognize that we're in an even year...and that my friends is when Nick Punto takes the league by storm. On a serious note...he's batting nine (where he belongs) on a club that needs him for his defense more than his offense. His play at third has already been substantially better than his competition (Brendan Harris). His bat can't get worse than it was last year...he'll improve easily.
19. Pat Neshek - He hasn't killed us, but I just don't think he looks anywhere near his form two years ago. His delivery is not as funky, thus his ball doesn't have the same movement. I just think he's more hittable than ever.
20. Franciso Liriano - He seems like he's in better spirits this year, but I still see the same issues with his game. His whole delivery is out of control, which means he's walking batters and crappy ones on top of that.
21. Brendan Harris - His bat is decent. I'll give him that edge over Punto. However, his defense and range at the hot corner is not a good fit for him. He's running out of positions in my mind. I think last year was evident that he's not fit for the middle infield. It hasn't happened yet, but I believe he'll be Morneau's backup to 1st base here and there when he needs a rest.
22. Alexi Casilla - I like Alexi's game...his bat and glove are not exactly in the "consistent" category, but he adds another dimension to this unathletic plodding club. He's gotten big clutch hits for this club in the past, but there's just something with being a Latino Twins ballplayer (Gomez, Casilla, Liriano, Mijares) that just hasn't mixed for the last few years.
23. Alex Burnett - I saw one outing in his hometown of Anaheim. I thought he looked sharp in a blowout. We'll see if he gets any quality work in a more meaningful game down the line.
24. Jose Mijares - He came on the scene two years ago and impressed me. Since the start of last year, he has been the one of the biggest disappointments. He's got one of the easiest gigs...Gardy usually uses his late lefty in the bullpen for specific matchups against lefthanded batters. They may not even pitch to two batters, much less an inning. Yet, this guy continues to struggle finding the strikezone with all his TWO pitches in his arsenal.
25. Drew Butera - It's cool that his dad caught in the Major Leagues as well, but do I really have to watch this kid attempt to bat at this level during day games that Mauer doesn't play?
SBG
Thursday, April 1, 2010
April Fool's Day
April Fool's...or is it...??
* Nick Punto is your Opening Day starting third basemen for the Minnesota Twins.
* Best all-around big man on the Timberwolves roster is out of shape, hardly used, Europe bound after the season...Darko Milicic.
* Tubby Smith is letting rumors swirl around about his whereabouts next season while he's on the recruiting trail...great strategy.
* Gophers' basketball team's best recruit this year may be the same as last year (Royce White).
* Big Eleven...err, Big Ten's commish (Jim Delaney) releases that the NCAA tourney is leaning towards the expansion of 96 teams in the field. On a related note, the term "bubble" will be expanded to "globe" because anyone that picks up a basketball around the world is eligible to receive an at-large bid to the tourney.
* Shooter reports on 4/1/10 in the Pioneer Press, that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor doesn't have much patience in the rebuilding phase. Where was this lack of patience when Kevin McHale was employed by you?
* Tim Brewster is still the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team.
SBG
* Nick Punto is your Opening Day starting third basemen for the Minnesota Twins.
* Best all-around big man on the Timberwolves roster is out of shape, hardly used, Europe bound after the season...Darko Milicic.
* Tubby Smith is letting rumors swirl around about his whereabouts next season while he's on the recruiting trail...great strategy.
* Gophers' basketball team's best recruit this year may be the same as last year (Royce White).
* Big Eleven...err, Big Ten's commish (Jim Delaney) releases that the NCAA tourney is leaning towards the expansion of 96 teams in the field. On a related note, the term "bubble" will be expanded to "globe" because anyone that picks up a basketball around the world is eligible to receive an at-large bid to the tourney.
* Shooter reports on 4/1/10 in the Pioneer Press, that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor doesn't have much patience in the rebuilding phase. Where was this lack of patience when Kevin McHale was employed by you?
* Tim Brewster is still the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team.
SBG
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