Feeling Minnesota...

Here are some random thoughts on some random topics:

* Why doesn't Justin Morneau have any Gold Glove Awards in his possession right now? The problem is Mark Teixeira's move to the New York Yankees has morphed him into Don Mattingly. He has already locked up this award at first base for the forseeable future. He starts off the year chalked up as the winner and the only way he can lose this award is by missing significant time due to injury. Teixeira is really solid by all means...but, Morneau deserves this award at least once in his career...and this should be the year he claims it. Morneau simply does more for his team in the field than what is expected out of Teixeira who is playing with at least two future Hall of Famers. By the way, have the baseball stat geeks figured out a formula for how many bad balls/throws that first basemen encounters throughout the year and their success rate for picking/scooping these bouncers to still get the out at first? My bet is no...otherwise, I believe Morneau would be killing this category thus raising some national attention for his defensive prowess.

* If you're African-American and your last name is Williams'...please come to Minnesota because our courts will have your back! Not only does the Williams' Wall (Kevin and Pat) benefit from our state courts delaying their suspensions/pay for almost two years now (and granting them an appeal to delay it even more)...but, we also have Jimmy Williams who wins a lawsuit against Tubby Smith and the University of Minnesota for $1.25 million over a verbal discussion over a phone conversation.

Shame on Tubby for not doing more research on Jimmy Williams, specifically the incidents during the Musselman/Dutcher era at our very own University of Minnesota. However, Jimmy Williams doesn't deserve any pity. He claims that since the verbal hiring scandal, that he has been blackballed from the coaching scene. I don't think he was blackballed, but now I'm for certain he sealed the deal with that one all by himself. I'm sure suing a coach/university for $1.25 million will only enhance your resume even more to others while deciding to hire you...along with all the cheating infractions on it as well. Not to mention...his worst offense of all is that the Timberwolves was one of his stopping grounds.

* I'm so tired of hearing complaints about the lack of home runs the home team has hit while playing at Target Field. We are the freakin' Minnesota Twins. We don't knock the ball out of the park on a consistent basis. It took us a gazillion years for one of our players to hit 30 home runs in one season...keep in mind that steroids were prevalent throughout the game during this stretch...and we still didn't conquer that feat until Morneau did it in 2006.

Which brings me to my next rant...Gardy...start managing the game. We sit on our hands way too much during the games, especially in the early innings. Let's put some runners in motion and see if we can manufacture some runs by playing some small ball here and there (not all the time, but pick a time here and there). There are so many missed opportunities due to poor to piss poor at bats by our hitters. It doesn't matter who is up either...it could be Butera to Mauer to Cuddy to Hudson. The only exception is usually Morneau...because they're always walking his ass so he doesn't even really count.

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NBA Lottery Misery...Again

I've come to hate Evan Turner (watching him play/trash talk in the Big Ten) and I don't believe John Wall has an all-around game (no consistent outside jumper). But, even with that said...I still know this is only a two player draft, and the two I mentioned above are the ones to grab. So when you have the second worst record in the NBA, and the lottery Gods decide that your awful franchise will be picking number 4...it stings, even if you knew it was going to play out this way all along. Here are some other random thoughts pertaining the NBA Draft Lottery and our Timberwolves:

* With the Timberwolves picking at number 4, they are officially in the "DeMarcus Cousins Territory". He grades out to be picked right around this area. Personally, I think this guy is a flat out bust. A big man with huge potential, but no work ethic and doesn't play defense (he's compared to Al Jefferson and Derrick Coleman on draftexpress.com)...add money into the equation and he'll float around the league several years until he's most popular as an "expiring contract" asset.

* Before the lottery unfolded it was well known that this was just a two player draft. Well, David Kahn leaked to the media (Star Tribune) that he thought there were three players (he wouldn't name them though) that he thought were top of their class. Ironically, the Timberwolves land the fourth pick. Whomever the team drafts without trading up, Kahn will claim that this was one of their initial targets all along.

* Speaking of trading up...I don't see this happening. I know Kahn likes to think we have assets, but I just don't see the rest of league thinking that what we have to offer will improve their own team by any significant measures.

* It's hard to say how Kahn plans on reconstructing this roster. But, it seems that either way the team is need of some wing players. So, I was doing some research on Wesley Johnson from Syracuse and I came across this tid bit on http://www.nbadraft.net/players/wesley-johnson: "Regardless, his smile can light up an arena and make him an immediate fan favorite." Let me rant...first off, we already got a mediocre player from Syracuse that has a great smile. His name is Jonny Flynn. Second, I'm offically done with anything that comes out of Syracuse basketball wise. They play zone under Boeheim so they have horrible defensive habits. ESPN hypes up the Big East as if this is the only quality basketball being played on the collegiate level. Here are your NBA busts from Syracuse in recent years: Derrick Coleman, Billy Owens, Hakim Warrick, Etan Thomas, John Wallce, and Lawerence Moten. I won't label Carmelo Anthony a bust, but he hasn't exactly been a franchise savior either. I'm officially anti-Wesley Johnson from this point on.

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Target Field Review #2...Section 117

I was a last minute fill-in to take my little brother-in-law (sophomore in high school) to the Twins second game of a double header against the Orioles on Saturday night. Here are some of my random observations throughout the game:

* We were located in Section 117, Row 19 in seats 1 and 2. Excellent view of everything...we were slightly under the overhang of the Legends Club and lined up behind the left side of the netting behind the backstop. My brother-in-law was excited about getting a foul ball...I told him he must not be good at geometry...I love being old and bitter.

* Twins screw up the "around the horn" in the 3rd inning. Orlando Hudson misfires to Nick Punto and the ball sails into third base foul territory. Nick Punto doesn't want anything to do with a ball that can't endure a simple "around the horn" routine. Baker had to get an additional ball from the home plate umpire. Never seen this happen before in person...kind of a weird moment for the "professional" players on the field.

* I noticed that on some of the introductions to Twins players stepping up to the batters' box, they'll do a simulated video game highlight of said player on the big scoreboard. Do you know Nick Punto's "highlight" was an infield single on this video game production? I'm not saying that they should have had Nick Punto unleashing a home run, but couldn't they at least given him a nice legit outfield single...I thought it was a little harsh, but also hilarious at the same time.

* I know Dick and Bert bring this up all the time, but Cuddyer's stance is odd. When Bert brings this topic up, I used to roll my eyes...but, his hands start at his waist in his batting stance. I don't think you can appreciate this until you watch this from behind. I know it's an attempt to quicken his swing...but, it just looks uncomfortable.

* Bottom of 8th, was pretty memorable just because of all the irony involved. Twins have runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out and the bottom third of the lineup due up (Punto, Casilla and Butera). To create a possible double play scenario...Orioles decide to intentionally walk Nick Punto to load up the bases (weird, but I get the reasoning behind it). Gardenhire pulls a slick and unexpected move by pinch hitting Mauer in place of Casilla. The crowd erupts and goes crazy for 5-10 minutes...it was goosebump zone loud...and what does Mauer do...strikeouts swinging. So, we have two outs and our third string catcher, who can't hit comes to the plate...he ends up hitting a clutch two out single to left that drives in two more runs. So to recap: the crowd giggled when Punto was walked...erupted when Mauer took the on-deck circle...then settled into their seats after Mauer K's and eventual out (Butera) walks up to the plate....then erupts again as Drew Butera shockingly singles in two more runs.

* I strictly had a beer diet during the game, however I did pick up a $5 bag of Kettle Korn. I consider this as the best buy so far in the new stadium. The bag is huge and the Kettle Korn was really good...and the price is perfect.

* Scott Baker rolls into the fourth with a perfect game going...and I'm not saying this would've continued by any means...but, Span and Cuddyer allow the first hit to be a routine fly ball that both thought the other would catch easily. It look like our D leage softball team going after a fly ball (or should I say not going after a fly ball).

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Target Field Review...from the Left Field Bleachers

My wife and I took our three year old twins to Target Field to watch the high-powered Twins pound on one of the worse teams in all of baseball...the Baltimore Orioles. Well, it didn't exactly unfold as I thought it would...but, at least the game was quick and painless (especially, when you're toting kids that are asking to go home after the top of the 1st inning because they sense the break in action and assume it's time.) Here are my thoughts on the stadium and the game in general from the left-field bleachers:

* It pretty much drizzled the whole game. We didn't get a drop. We had the upper deck overhang as our built-in umbrella.

* I thought the view of the field from the left field bleachers was excellent. I didn't think we were too far away, and you could still tell what kind of pitches Pavano was throwing (off-speed versus fastball) without looking at the scoreboard for the MPH on the pitches. However, I was kind of bummed out that you could barely see the Minneapolis skyline, can't see the Minnie and Paul sign, plus you can't see the big scoreboard out in Left Center in the upper deck. They had several TV's above us hanging off the bottom of the second deck that showed us what was going on the big scoreboard...but, it's just not the same visual.

* It wouldn't be a Twins game without a head first dive into first base by none other than...Nick Punto.

* How sad is it that the biggest offensive play for the Twins during the game was an Alexi Casilla bunt single that hugged the third base line...? I could probably envision this in a day game when Gardy plays all the reserves...but, we had a lineup that's supposed to do some damage...especially, against a struggling Baltimore Orioles' pitching staff.

* We all shared a Murray's Steak Sandwich, a Cheeseburger with Fries, Cheese Curds, Peanuts, Cracker Jacks and obviously beer (the kids didn't partake in the beer). Only regret is the peanuts...my three old son can't crack the shell...but, on top of that he doesn't like the skin around the peanut either. So, I would crack the shell and dump the peanuts into his hand. He would then try to rub and peel the skin off the peanuts before he would eat them. This resulted in him dropping one of every two peanuts onto the floor. It was a no-win proposition based on how we were operating as a team. Even if I overachieved on my end and cracked a whole bunch of peanuts and dumped them into his hands...his small hands would get overwhelmed and still drop half the peanuts (if not more) because he was so consumed with trying to perfect one of them at a time.

* A bases loaded situation with two outs and Jim Thome is up to bat in the bottom of the 7th inning...and the crowd starts a "Thome" chant. He's already won us over...even if he fails from time to time.

* Jason Kubel has an underground following. Obviously, he's not as popular or clean cut as Baby Jesus or The Canadian...but, I think that's what makes him popular amongst the younger generation of underachievers. Plus, when your stats are down and slowly coming around...it doesn't hurt that your competition is the unlikeable Delmon Young.

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One Shining Moment(s) Volume 5

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.

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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.

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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?

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