The blog formerly about a daily dose of mostly Minnesota sports rants and raves with a sprinkling of general sports commentary and a pinch of jaded-malaise regarding the world around us

April 29, 2008

Our boy Luke with Gardy


Just for posterity's sake, thought I would post the picture of LH (second from right) with Gardy last summer following a Mets game at Shea (I don't think this has been officially posted to FTLOSBW before.) Looks like good times were had by all.


April 28, 2008

My apologies to "The Hawk"

During a drunken Twins discussion this past weekend with a couple Minnesota sports fans, former Twin LaTroy Hawkins name came up as it is bound to do around 12:30 on a Saturday night. For some reason I had it stuck in my mind that LaTroy was an underachiever who never developed into either the starting pitcher or the closer we wanted him to be and was a waste during his years on our roster. My colleagues argued that while he never became what we had envisioned (still amazes me that Eddie "can you believe I am now in the Ranger's bullpen" Guardado stole the closers role from him) he actually was a dominant set-up guy in 2002 and 2003 to the point that Cubs fans were mocking us for letting him go so easily. In a haze of cheap booze I tabled the discussion until further review (i.e. when I get to work on Monday so I can look at LaTroy's numbers and blog about it) and it looks like I was wrong.

While Hawkins' 56 and 76 record and 4.68 ERA over 14 seasons in the majors (9 with your Minnesota Twins) is rather pedestrian, it really is how he evolved into a steady middle reliever that legitimizes his career with the Twinkies and in MLB. His early years with the Twins were spent trying to break into the rotation were futile at best - from 1997 - 1999 he started 86 games going 23 and 40 and posted a 5.91 ERA. When Hawk was moved to the bullpen, he fared much better; from 2000 - 2003 he pitched 295 innings and his ERA dropped to 3.11. Those years were highlighted by his 2.13 ERA in 2002 and in 2003 his ERA dropped to 1.86 and he struck out 75 batters in just 77 and 1/3 innings. This is where the argument of my drunken friends on Saturday night caught up with me. I remembered the "starting pitcher" LaTroy not the "set up man" LaTroy. So to you LaTroy No Middle Name Found During My Research Hawkins I apologize, you weren't as crappy as I thought you were.

As we know, LaTroy went to the Cubs in 2004 and was consistenly booed during his tenure with the Northsiders. Granted, he did blow 9 saves when he played for them 2 of which came in September and crushed their Wild Card chances (oh Cubs fans will you never learn, it's your fault the team keeps losing.) However over the 98 games in a Cubs uni his ERA was a respectible 2.76.

Just two items of note that I found about LaTroy on Wikipedia (America's Encyclopedia):

1. "On July 8, 2007, Hawkins was the only Colorado player to help the groundskeepers and the entire Philadelphia ballclub with the tarp during a heavy storm in Denver."

This is why I love Wikipedia. Makes all the other Colorado players sound like douchebags (which is probably true.)

2. Now with the Yankees "He is the first player since outfielder Paul O'Neill to wear the jersey number 21 for the Yankees. However, after returning from a road trip on April 16, he changed his number to 22 in response to the fans' booing, yelling, and calling O'Neill's name when he took the field."

Reason #4,132 why I hate the Yankees and their fans

April 24, 2008

Get Ready for the "L.A. Vikings" talk

While we are all giddy over the Vikes getting Jared Allen all the talk at Winter Park is now about championships (just think what that place is going to be like this weekend with the all the mooks getting loaded and basking in Jared Allen's glow.) Apparently, Zygi "broke the bank" with the signing and issued his 4th capital call for $20M to cover the contract. What worries me is this: "The Vikings have operated from a negative cashflow position since Wilf and his partners paid $600 million for the franchise. Debt service, low stadium revenue and increased expenses all have played a role in the situation. Wilf, however, has been unwilling to realign costs." While this is exactly what we want to see from our owners (closed circuit to the Pohlad family) the fact that the Vikes can't get the legistlature to discuss a stadium combined with the lease being up in 2011 at the Dome is looming. At some point Zygi is going to say "I've done everything I could to get a stadium built and be competitive. LA/Las Vegas/Des Moines has offered me a new home for the team and I can't lose money any longer as my investors and I need to see a positive ROI at some point in our lifetime."

While this might be Chicken Little, Minnesota's appetite for publicly finance stadiums (and Malls) has run dry. Get ready for the threats and innuendo's to moving the team that are soon to follow. Minnesotan's pride themselves on not having guns held to their heads by private business (which is not true when you look at how they have handled Northwest Airlines over the years) but this is one private business that has more to do with civic pride and quality of life and could leave on ugly terms. I'm just sayin'...

April 23, 2008

Good day to be a Minnesota fan

The Twins won the late night game vs the A's and are now .500 only 1.5 back of the White Sox. MCA's boy Kubel gets the game winning RBI. I should have included Livan in the new face poll as the Twins are now 5-0 when he starts.

The Vikings signed Allen making him the highest paid D-lineman and giving the Vikes arguably the best defensive front in the league. I like the formula in place; run Peterson, run Peterson, run Taylor, run Peterson and then play tough D. I would say boring and grind it out but AP is anything but boring and watching a tough D is great if it is your D. One could only hope that T-Jack has to throw less than 1o times a game. I should clarify, throw down field less than 10 times a game, not counting screens and swing passes to the backs.

Feeling good, maybe too good.

April 21, 2008

Vikes Rumor Mill - Jared Allen in town

KC Chief defensive end Jared Allen was in town this past weekend talking to the Vikes. He is franchised by the Chiefs and the Vikes would have to give up at least their draft picks of 17, 73, and 82 overall to land him.

Allen is 26 years old, had 15.5 sacks last year, has 43 sacks in his career. Off-the-field drinking problems lead to a 2 game suspension last year (when he still had 15.5 sacks) and he has apparently sobered up. Sounds familiar (Koren Robinson.) Maybe we get a DUI-discount on his salary.

I don't think we would be giving up too much to get this guy. Adding him to the Williams Wall as a real threat on the end with our much improved linebacking corps takes the pressure off our aging defensive backs. Honestly, who are the Vikes going to get at any of their 3 draft choices that will have an immediate impact like Allen would?

Oh, and in his "first game back from the suspension against the Vikings, he had nine tackles, two sacks, a pressure and a pass defended. He also forced Adrian Peterson to fumble."

April 18, 2008

Wikipedia entries

I looked on Wikipedia to see the entries of our beloved high schools. This was prompted by a conversation about pro-hockey in which someone asked me if the Wild were an expansion team or a team that relocated. I then searched Wikipedia for the Blake parent who bought the Winnipeg Jets yadda yadda yadda I ended up searching all of our high schools. I don't know why I thought this was so funny. Just click through and see which entry is lacking:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anoka_High_School

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blake_School

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopkins_High_School

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orono_High_School

I don't know why I thought it was funny, nor do I think it reflects on any of us (because we all know I should be enrolled in Washburn's remedial English classes) . It just made me laugh. I will say this I thought my school would have better alumni.

Is Phil Humber ready?

Like Channel 5 Eyewitness News, I am going to continue my ongoing investigation into Boof Bonser's ERA and spot in the rotation.

When he left in the 5th inning last night he had thrown 72 pitches and left the bases loaded with no outs. Boof's line for the night six earned runs on seven hits while walking two and not striking out anyone. It didn't help that Denard Span had an error which allowed 2 runs to score (you think we miss Cuddy in right or what? Say "goodbye" to your major leagure career Span that's your second error in the same week that cost us.)

Boof is now 1-3 with a 4.70 ERA; he is our new Carlos Silva.

The Franchise goes tonight. As LH has said, this is a rebuilding year, this is a rebuilding year, this is a rebuilding year. . .

April 16, 2008

Who you gonna call?

That's right, Ghostbusters. As I speak the Ghostbusters car (hearse thingy) Ecto-1 from the movie is sitting outside my window at the main enterance to the Death Star. It was driven here (well, unloaded off a truck) by Dr. Egon Spengler, Dr. Raymond "Ray" Stantz, Dr. Peter Venkman and Winston Zeddmore (although I think the Zeddmore I just saw is white an bears no resemblence to Ernie Hudson. I did not see Slimer.

Not sure if there is a ghost in the building they have been called to catch or this is a markeing "fun" thing for the troops. Including the Ghostbusters, I have now seen the Maytage man, Jason Bartlett, Jason Tyner, Heath Miller, and a Timberwolf that I can't remember right now.

Will keep you posted on developments of any ghost chasing, anyon gets slimed, and if they discharge their proton-packs.

April 15, 2008

Wild

Can we talk about the Wild a bit here? Jan, what's going on? Three consecutive 3-2 overtime games? Talk about evenly matched. I saw last night's game - I like the way we play this year; tougher than last season (at least in the playoffs), with just enough skating and skill to make us not the New Jersey Devils.

Thanks for the link to that atrocious column from the Denver Post, too. That's a new gold standard for worthless sportswriter drivel (and he apparently wrote basically the same piece 5 years ago). Mariotti and Reusse have nothing on this guy. The comments on the web site, loaded with Minnesotans tearing into this guy like a pack of wolves, are priceless entertainment.

Vikes 2008 Schedule

Without even looking at the games, I'd wager 9-7.

However, game by game -
Sept. 8: Vikings at Green Bay - Loss; Enter the Aaron Rogers era.
Sept. 14: Indianapolis at Vikings - Loss (blowout); you kidding me?
Sept. 21: Carolina at Vikings - Loss; just have a feeling we start 0-3
Sept. 28: Vikings at Tennessee - Win; NFL loves parity
Oct. 6: Vikings at New Orleans - Win (ugly); Plus, someone on the Vikes has an 'off the field issue' in the big easy
Oct. 12: Detroit at Vikings (noon, FOX) - Win; they suck
Oct. 19: Vikings at Bears (noon, FOX) - Win; they suck too
Oct. 26: BYE - 50% chance we somehow lose this too
Nov. 2: Houston at Vikings - Loss; somehow us not getting Sage Rosenfels as a backup has to haunt us and here it is.
Nov. 9: Green Bay at Vikings - Win; just because I gotta believe
Nov. 16: Vikings at Tampa Bay - Loss; they still have our number from their NFC Central days
Nov. 23: Vikings at Jacksonville - Loss; Garrard "out duels" TJac (more like "crushes")
Nov. 30: Chicago at Vikings - Loss; just because we won the other one
Dec. 7: Vikings at Detroit - Win; they really do suck
Dec. 14: Vikings at Arizona - Win; after all we would be on the playoff bubble at this point and the Vikes love to tease the Purple hopeful.
Dec. 21: Atlanta at Vikings - Win; why not
Dec. 28: N.Y. Giants at Vikings - Loss; last year was a fluke

Game by game = 8-8; what a surprise

April 14, 2008

And true to form, the Tigers light up the Twins . . .

And I quote "Granted being 0-6 doesn't help but the Twins are on a 8 game road swing that ends with 2 games in Rock City next Monday and Tuesday, by then you can assume we will be lining up for the 'buzz saw' of that offense." Who said this you might ask? Well, little ole me in my post on April 7. Just watched the Twins bullpen collapse and the Tigers come back not once but twice from being down by 4 runs to win 11 to 9. What is scary is that the Tigers' players were acting like they were in the World Series (I now hate Pudge.) But we all knew this was going to happen, right? Sportscenter highlights are going to be all about how the Twins have awoken a sleeping giant and the Tigers are back on track. Quintessential part of being a Minnesota fan. Yes, I get it that it is April 14 but Jimminy Christmas!

Does any player in MLB swing weaker than Adam Everett?

Anyone?

April 10, 2008

Torch Relay in SF - Mr. 3rd person...and mixed emotions

Guys, normally I probably wouldn't care much about this, but since it took place in my town of residence, I found myself engulfed in the debate. The general consensus is that the Mayor was overly cautious by pulling the bait and switch on all the spectators...with the torch emerging two miles from the starting point after disappearing into a warehouse. Essentially, they successfully avoided the largest groups of protestors, but they also avoided all the "fans" who came out to catch a glimpse of the olympic torch.

One part of me is happy that none of the runners got hurt (nor did any spectators), but part of me burns inside because my town basically caved in to the Chinese and Olympic organizers, preventing most people from seeing the darn thing. One could even argue that by avoiding the pre-planned torch route, they essentially legitimized the anit-Chinese / Pro-Tibet cause they were avoiding in the first place.

Oh yeah...my buddy caught this footage on his cell phone. It's a bit grainy, but I think you'll recognize the African American runner...none other than Mr. USA Bobsled and one-day Viking wonder, Herschel Walker. If I had known, I would have been down there so I could have blamed him, face-to-face, for ruining our beloved team.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/ireports/2008/04/10/vo.irpt.torch.calderon.ireport

The video also shows that they clearly didn't manage to avoid all protestors...

Kubel Picks up 6 RBIs...Another Day at the Office

See I told you guys that the Monroe signing was a waste of money.... Great game last night, hope the offensive output can continue.

Did you guys see that Garza is on the DL with some type of nerve irritation? No word on how long he'll be out, might just be a minor thing, but apparently he was having similar issues last year (not good). When Gardy was asked whether he knew about it he responded "I saw him throw one 15 rows up -- I didn't think his arm was bothering him then -- when he tried a pickoff at first base," Gardenhire said. "His arm strength was fine." ... I love Gardy

One non-related note. Wolves have now lost 6 in a row, pretty much securing that they'll finish with the 2nd or 3rd worst record, and, thus, improving their chances at a high pick next year... finally, they did something right this year ( prior to the loss streak they were playing .500 ball and hurting their chances for a top pick next year)- now we just need to make sure that they don't pick a 6'4" athletic tweener... or I swear, I'm done with this team until McHale is gone.

Mike Cox, Twins fan, says: "Move Cuddy to the 5 hole"

By way of introduction I came to know Mike Cox during my years at the U (go Gophers!) Mike grew up a Cubs fan in Ankeny Iowa as the Cubs AAA farm team plays out of Des Moines and as a youngster chose to actively follow the Mets (can you blame a guy from a state that has no major league sports teams?) However, in 2005 Mike ended his relationship with the Mets when Braden Looper came on in relief in the bottom of the 9th with a 1 run lead. Mike prepared to watch the events unfold when his wife walked by and said "Why do you watch these things, you know the Mets are going to blow it, they always do" in that way that only wives can say these things. Mike, who had been enjoying the fine taste of malted hops all day, hazily promised that if the Mets blow this game the Mets would be dead to him. Sure enough, Looper blows the lead and the Braves win 3-2 in 10 innings. Since then Mike has held true to his word and has left the Mets cheering ranks, returning to his roots with the Cubs full time and, as he resides in the Twin Cities, picked up the hard-playing, loveable Twins. I mention this story because as Mike and I were sharing a few beers last night watching the Wild game we began to discuss the Twins outfield, sharing in our distrust of Kubel (I did educate him on MCA's recent post about Kubel's effectiveness) and the lack of inspiration we feel from Cuddy when it's "go time." Mike suggested the Twins move Cuddy to the 5 hole and move Delmon up to the 3 spot. I, for one, like it. Not only because of the beauty of the move's simplicity but because the it's clear the Twins have added another fan to it's ranks. Whether or not Mike will abandon the Twins when Mauer grounds into a 4-6-3 double play down by one with one out in the bottom of the ninth, remains to be seen, but for now Mike lives in Twins Territory and I, for one, am happy to have him.

April 9, 2008

Purple make it official - Let the Ferrotte Era Mark 2 Begin

The Vikes signed the 36 year old Gus Ferrotte to a two-year, $3.75 million contract to serve as mentor and backup to T-Jac. This is Gus' second stint with the team. He started 2 games in 2003 with a passer rating of 118 with 7 tuddies and 2 ints. Guess I'm not surprised. They tried to get Sage Rosenfels but couldn't lure him away. At this point, T-Jac is our man. In my book, having a serviceable backup in the NFL is a must considering how important the position is to a team. I don't think there was ever a chance of getting McNabb and I don't know who else is available. I'm sure that Pep, acting as his own agent, could have made a deal to get out of Oakland and return to the Great White North but his small hands, terrible accuracy, and always putting the ball on the ground via the fumblerooskie (that he neglected to tell his teammates he was running) would be a minus in my book.

Do you think anyone outside of the Ferrotte family owns a Ferrotte jersey? Where is Drew Bledsoe these days.

April 8, 2008

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

Great game last night, why Memphis didn't foul with 10 seconds left is a mystery. Jay Bilas' breakdown after the game last night was spot on about how Calapari was wrong that this was not about putting it in God's hands but getting your team to foul and call timeouts.

That said, the wife walked away with $335 by winning the pool at work with that KU win. She did not have all #1's in the finals either and picked a couple upsets along the way. She went nuts when Chalmers hit that trey. At the end of the game she was on cloud nine and asked "is this what it feels like to win at gambling?" which was follow by "are there pools for the NFL playoffs too?" Reason #25 why I married her.

April 7, 2008

AL Central Roundup - Week 1

Detroit is off to a terrible start but does it really matter in April? I say no. That lineup is too good. Granted being 0-6 doesn't help but the Twins are on a 8 game road swing that ends with 2 games in Rock City next Monday and Tuesday, by then you can assume we will be lining up for the 'buzz saw' of that offense.

Twins took 2 of 3 from the Royals as they appeared to mail it in yesterday. Brett Tomko held us to 1 run. Really? We lead the AL in hitting into double plays, great stat. However, Morneau started to hit the ball which is a good sign and Go-Go & Young are playing well. Go-Go's Friday night of 3 for 4 with 2 stolen bases was a sight; can we lock him up in the offseason? Young has a laser for an arm. BTW - did I jinx Cuddy with my post last week? He is on the 15 day DL after sliding into 3rd and screwing up his finger.

Twins face the AL central leading White Sox starting today at 3:05pm CST (random Chicago schedule with a game today, off day tomorrow, and games on Wednesday and Thursday, I'm assuming there is an Air Supply concert tomorrow that is a conflict.) AJ is playing well which never bodes well in the "factoid" category for our Twins. Blackburn on the mound today. Assume that MCA will be in the house in his Blackburn jersey.

Standings -
Chicago - 4 and 2
KC - 4 and 2
Cleveland - 3 and 3
Twins - 3 and 4
Detroit - 0 and 6

April 3, 2008

Cuddy not clutch?

Why do I always feel like this is how Twins games end?

From the Strib game log 4/3/08 v. Angels when the Twins were down by 1 run in the bottom of the ninth with 2 out -

- Joe Mauer intentionally walked. Runners on first and second with two outs and Michael Cuddyer due up.
- Michael Cuddyer struck out swinging to end the game.

I feel like he never delivers in the clutch. At least he struck out swinging.

April 2, 2008

What do we have in Boof?

Watching the game last night I was excited to see Boof take the hill. Have always wanted him to be good, maybe it is because he changed his name legally to Boof and that shows he's got some nards or maybe it is because he was once a rather highly touted prospect or just maybe it is because we now need him to be a solid, reliable #2. When I saw him in the dugout before the start of the game he definitely had trimmed down, not a physical specimen but "I can get past 5 innings this year without being totally gassed." When he took the mound he got passed the first batter but then was he hit hard by the Angels lineup. End of one he had given up 2 runs. He was able to calm down a bit retiring 10 of 11 and ended the night giving up 4 runs, 3 of which were earned (E:Everett), on 8 hits. Not a terrible performance, plus he got a "quality start" for the first time I can remember, and for a Twins lineup that is suppose to produce some runs he got no help. While it is way early I still wonder what we have in Boof. There have been flashes of decency but is he a #2? Granted, begs the question of who else would you slot there but still. . .

April 1, 2008

Throwing A Small Wet Blanket

Kudos on Win No. 1 last night to the Twinkies. I know we've had this discussion before, but I wanted to point you all to this article: http://www.aarongleeman.com/2008_03_30_baseballblog_archive.html#6074872841636627859

I didn't realize, in our past discussions, how significant Kubel's knee injury was - it basically wiped out a season and half of his career, and he was our top hitting prospect at the time. He's only 26 this year, plenty of time to make an impact yet, and only has two seasons in the majors, in one of which he was still hobbled by knee problems. Gleeman makes a compelling argument that he was the best hitter on the team the second half last year. Now's the time to give him 500 plate appearances and see what he can do over the course of the season. I've said that if he doesn't start to reach expectations, perhaps we need to start wondering if he ever will, so let's figure it out now, while we're not contending for anything.

So, what did Gardy do last night, against a guy that lefties crush? Started right-handed hitting Craig Monroe.

Watch this theme this season. Why do we refuse to get Kubel at-bats? He's young. He's clearly a better hitter than Monroe, who has a limited ceiling. Our lineup could start righty-lefty-righty-lefty-righty-lefty. In two years, if Gomez matures into what he might be, that's one of the best top 6 lineups in the game, all in their prime together. How does Craig Monroe fit into that?

This is RonDL all over again.

Throw Your Hands Up in the Air

and wave them like you just don't care because the Twins are 1-0 on the season. Great game last night. Considering we are picked to be in the cellar of the AL Central it's nice to see the squad go out and compete against a very good Angels team. Wow there were a lot of new faces, something like 6 of the 9 position players were new.

Highlights -
  1. Go-Go's debut. Just fun to watch this guy play. No doubt there will be a number of times we shake our head this year as any 22 year old is bound to make mistakes but we finally have an answer to Curtis Granderson's speed. 2 steals? Niiiiiicccceeee.
  2. Livan. This is why they brought him in. He was slow and methodical. His 57 mile an hour curve/eephus pitch that dropped from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock was nutty. Granted I was pumped about Felix Ortiz's 3-0 start last year but. . .
  3. Neshek. His strike out of Vlad was clutch and ballsy. The high heater he floated at Vlad's head to 'brush him back/knock him down' may have been an accident but getting him to strike out wasn't.
  4. Twins fans cheering for Torii. I did hear some boo-birds and I hope people sitting next to those dolts punched them in the face.