Yuck
That was, simply put, not much fun. Seeing all those goofballs in black exercise clothing whoop it up for their team full of scuzzballs up close and personal made me die a little bit inside. I wanted to have a big sign that said "It's a division title, people. Save it for something important." I don't like Sox fans much. Don't loathe them like the other Sox fans as a whole (there are exceptions, like the d-bag in our suite [not from my firm] last night, Mr. Hinsdale Banker, who spent the game yakking with someone about the best parochial schools on the south side and how they got their shaggy-haired kid Ethan into some place), but don't like them, either. They're just a little dull upstairs for me. I hated seeing Buehrle and the rest of those goons galloping around, too.
I will admit it was fun to see Griffey play live one more time. He showed he can still pull out that gorgeous swing of once in a while on that bullet of a double, and it made me smile. I'm happy for him.
As much of an apologist as I've been this year, I leave the season with two very bad tastes in my mouth, and I'm not sure which is worse. Failing to win two of three from the Kansas City Royals, AT HOME, or getting completely shut down by John F-ing Danks. We made solid contact three, three times, all night. Three times! We never even threatened to make it interesting at the end. No one seemed fired up enough, either. The one bright spot was that Blackburn was outstanding. Efficient, hit his spots all game. Made one mistake over 6+ innings.
I remain optimistic about the future of this team, but they need to find a vocal, outspoken leader who will rally the troops when the chips are down. Go-Go needs to become a .290 hitter with a .360 OBP. Something needs to be done on the DH/3B issue. Cuddyer, Kubel, Buscher, one of the starters (Perkins?) - put some of these guys on the block and get a legitimate solution figured out. Cuddy could be a full-time DH, package up Kubel and Buscher for a solid 3B for the next 3-4 years. That means a lot of faith being put into Span, but I think it's probably warranted after his season.
7 Comments:
MCA - How do you retard your anger and not punch guys like Ethan's dad? I can't really comment on the game itself, you said it all. I didn't ride too high or low last night and I honestly thought we would muster up a run or 2, just based on our make-up and year. I will say that Blackburn took a huge step up in my Twins rotation.
Few season thoughts -
1. The team overachieved and good for them. Exciting season to follow considering expectations were low. Good to see the Twins talent pool is still swimming with some future stars (of course, the 'hot corner' has no one.)
2. I blame the front office/Pohlad family once again. Sounding cliche but think about it, if they had actually acquired a pitcher or another legit bat during the trading deadline we wouldn't be here.
3. I shudder to think of what off-season moves we make. What crap is out there that we are going to overpay for? Where is the next Mike Lamb or Craig Monroe going to come from?
4. Trade Cuddyer.
5. Morneau needs some bigger balls. I know, he's the MVP but you can't have the last 3 weeks he has had and not question it.
6. Why Mauer tries to lay down a bunt is beyond me. Oops, sorry, forgot I wasn't going to comment on the game.
Overall, give the season a solid B+. We peaked last week during that 3 game streak and I have to say that that Thursday night game remains one of the best I can remember. Go Rays! Go Angels!
October 1, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Morneau lost the MVP in the last week. It's Pedroia's trophy now, I'm fairly certain.
Moving on to the playoffs, I must say it's nice to have one team you're definitely pulling for in each of the four series. Although it is difficult to root for Californiaheim, it's a no-brainer, and I have come to grudgingly respect the organization. And there's no arguing against Sciosia, either; the guy's a heck of a manager.
It's not my team, but it's my adopted town, so Let's Go Cubbies! I want to see my neighborhood hosting a World Series before I move out of the city. I also want Cubs fans (the real ones) to be happy. They deserve it. This town would go bonkers, too.
October 1, 2008 at 11:10 AM
By the way, I just have a gut feeling that the Cubs actually will make it happen this time. This is Chicago's year. World Series champs, President of The United States.
October 1, 2008 at 11:12 AM
orange55Honestly, and I know that this is hard to consider given the sourness that is still emanating from our collective souls, but I'd have to give this year an A.
Think about what we, and every sportswriter around, thought about the team coming into this year...it was all about 2009/2010 right? Positioning themselves to be contenders when the new ballpark opens up. Think about it, you trade Santana, don't sign Hunter, pick up the weakest swinging shortstop in the history of the game, a guy named Lamb, you trade your most accomplished young pitcher for a young kid who is clearly a couple of years away from being really good, and.... and you lose the best set-up man you had... all of that and this club still scrapped and hustled and played and got to the 163rd game of the year within one could-have-dropped ball at home, and one-belt high mistake of a pitch.
This is an exciting team with only a couple of missing pieces, most important of which, I think you pointed out MCA, this team needs a a vocal leader- I don't think it's in M&M, DY, CG, MC, or DS.
With that said, ownership has proven that they won't do much this offseason to help the team, even with the little help that they need... and that makes me sad.
Go Dodgers
Anyone else get a little annoyed when the commmentators keep talking about how fundamentally sound the Twins are as a ballclub? While that has been true in the past, that really wasn't true this year (yes I'm looking at you: Alexi and you Harris, and you Lamb, and you insert whoever is playing 3rd base for us) and even though it's a nice compliment to get- it's really annoying that the national commentators mention that every other inning.
October 1, 2008 at 12:01 PM
orange55Honestly, and I know that this is hard to consider given the sourness that is still emanating from our collective souls, but I'd have to give this year an A.
Think about what we, and every sportswriter around, thought about the team coming into this year...it was all about 2009/2010 right? Positioning themselves to be contenders when the new ballpark opens up. Think about it, you trade Santana, don't sign Hunter, pick up the weakest swinging shortstop in the history of the game, a guy named Lamb, you trade your most accomplished young pitcher for a young kid who is clearly a couple of years away from being really good, and.... and you lose the best set-up man you had... all of that and this club still scrapped and hustled and played and got to the 163rd game of the year within one could-have-dropped ball at home, and one-belt high mistake of a pitch.
This is an exciting team with only a couple of missing pieces, most important of which, I think you pointed out MCA, this team needs a a vocal leader- I don't think it's in M&M, DY, CG, MC, or DS.
With that said, ownership has proven that they won't do much this offseason to help the team, even with the little help that they need... and that makes me sad.
Go Dodgers
Anyone else get a little annoyed when the commmentators keep talking about how fundamentally sound the Twins are as a ballclub? While that has been true in the past, that really wasn't true this year (yes I'm looking at you: Alexi and you Harris, and you Lamb, and you insert whoever is playing 3rd base for us) and even though it's a nice compliment to get- it's really annoying that the national commentators mention that every other inning.
October 1, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Gents,
Toughest part was watching the dirtbag sox players (why does every one of them have either a goatee or frosted hair!?!?) celebrate. I also feel good for Griffey, but that's where it stops. Nick Swisher, Buerhle, AJ and the rest of those guys get the gas-face. Also, had it not been a one-game playoff, is there any doubt that AJ gets beaned the inning after literally taunting Cuddy with the baseball after hanging on during the home plate collision? HAte that guy.
Jan, the bunt attempt by the AL BATTING CHAMP was inexplicable. I was screaming at the TV in a decent / moderately upscale steakhouse when that happened.
All that said, I LOVE our future! Are you kidding me? If that rotation continues to mature (and doesn't meltdown like the Tigers'), we could be dominant. Like all of you, the thing I kept thinking last night was: we are one right-handed bopper from being a dominant team. Seriously! If we had a power-hitting, right-handed swinging third baseman, we'd be the favorite next year.
Somehow, I agree with MCA that the Angels aren't all that hard to root for any more. The rally monkey and thunderstix are far enough in the rear-view mirror that I can actually appreciate how they play and run the franchise. Would love to see Torii get to the Series...
Go Cubs. Go Rays. Go Angels.
October 1, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Not much too add, other than despite the ending, I still feel like the season was a success. I do put the lack of a playoff appearance on Delmon Young for that horrific error, sliding into the wall in the bottom of the 9th vs the Royals around June. That one game was the difference. I hold a grudge that is just the way I am.
I would love to know what super vets are trying to return from either major surgery, mexican ball or completely out of baseball, so I could know who the Twins top free agent prospects are.
October 2, 2008 at 9:16 AM
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