One Big Crain-Wreck

I was going to wait and do this after today's game, but I have a few minutes at work before the owner comes in for a meeting so why not do it now?

I have never seen such a blunder of a game in my life. Bad outings by two guys I didn't think would have bad outings, Timmy and Patty. And a shitty outing by Jesse Crain. As soon as he came in last night I made the comment that "this game is over". I don't trust him, never have and never will. Period. I would love to send him back to Rochester and either call up Slama or Manship.

I understand these guys can't win every series, but when you have a lead like we did, it reminds me too much of the Oakland game from last season.

And then we have Denard. It has not been his series. First getting ejected from the game for "dismissively" waving off the home plate umpire and then last nights call *shakes head* I'm sorry but I don't care how many times they have to replay that, that my friends was an out. How long did he have to keep that ball in his glove? 5 minutes?

Apparently the umps still feel bad for Detroit after game 163 last year and felt they needed a "gimmie" win almost cause I think that game would have ended a lot differently if that call had been made correctly.

I do have one highlight from last nights game, well two if you include Cuddy trying to go deep twice last night (he gets a +1 on the skittle count for effort), but Luke Hughes home run was incredible! It wouldn't have happened for a better person. I'm just happy he got the ball back after. I was worried he wouldn't after Ordonez gave it to that kid.

My one question, can we please keep Luke up here? Can't Alexi go back to Rochester??

No Time Like The Present

IStock Photo 7870014 © Rob Friedman

I want to admit this first and foremost, if this is the Frankie that we are going to get all season, I want to take back every mean thing I have ever said about him. I know a lot of people were wondering if we would ever get the Frankie back from 2006 and from before he had his surgery and I think we have that pitcher and then some this season. I know at the beginning of the season he was the one starting pitcher I was the most concerned with after a few of his outings last season, but watching him this year, I apparently was worried about the wrong one!

I would have loved to have been a fly in the area of home plate tonight to either hear or see what Denard did to get thrown out of the game. I have never seen him get that mad before, he always seems so calm and collected even after a bad call, so I'm not sure what set him off tonight. Denard just doesn't strike me as the type of person that looses his cool easy, so it must of been something major during tonight's game. And of course since MLB is cracking down on the players tweeting, we'll probably never know the answer to that question.

With how well the team has been playing this season I know I shouldn't complain about a single thing, but after tonight's game, I need to complain. They left 12 runners on base tonight and were 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. That's just horrible! All these games we lost by 1 or even 2 runs could have been won if the guys would have been able to capitalize on the guys left on base. Yeah a few guys need to be swinging the bat better I.E. Jason Kubel and even Denard, but when those guys to and get on base, everyone after them in the line up seems to freeze and forget how to bring everyone else home.

I think if they could get that worked out, this team could really be the team to beat this season. Not that I don't think they already are, but they are just stranding too many guys on base. Perfect example was Denard's triple tonight and they just leave him hanging there looking like a loser. I felt bad for him, after all that and then he just gets left there. Hopefully this is something they can get better at as the season goes on and if they do it's only going to get better from here.

On a final note, hopefully Justin's back isn't too bad and he'll be back after a day off and a little bit of R&R.

Can't Seal the Deal

It's been such a long weekend, to be 100% honest I don't even really remember what all happened in the game on Friday night. About the only thing I can remember is we won and Nick Punto go put on the disabled list, lol We had a strong start from Pavano with good innings from Matty G and Brian. And I don't care what anyone says the play by Cuddy would have been a home run regardless what would have happened, but that's for a rant that will come at the end of this post, cause I've had enough.

Saturday was a game I thought was never going to end! I'm not sure what Nicky's problem was during that game, but I hope he can figure out whatever it is before his next start which should be on Friday night in Cleveland. I would hate to see him go on the DL, but if there is something wrong with him and they can't figure out what it is perhaps it would be for the best and bring up someone like Manship or even take Duensing out of relief and put him back in as a starter with Manship in the pen. Obviously that will be Gardy and Andy's call and my opinion doesn't mean crap, but I can hope!

I was wondering how many games it would take for Rauch to blow his first save and last night we finally got to see it happen. I realize he did get us out of the jam and did get us the win, but it still doesn't make me a fan. Yes he can pitch, yes he can be good at what he does, but you need a decent personallity to make me like you and Oscar doesn't have it, period. It just makes me miss Joe Nathan even more. Baseball Tonight did a nice piece on Nate that can be seen here.

I thought Kevin seemed a bit off for his start today, but everyone has their off days. Matty G had his the other night and today was Kevin's. It happens, yes it sucks and I wish it wouldn't have happened, but what's done is done and we can't go back and redo the whole game. But this is what I was talking about when I said, the guys must of left their brooms back at the Dome during the move because we seem to have no problem taking the first two games and the series, but we can't seem to seal the deal on that third game to get the sweep.

Now onto my rant and I'm not just bringing this up because of the stuff that happended on Friday night with Cuddy but it does play a big part of this rant. Regardless if they would have replayed that call or not, the ball was out of the park and was a home run for DeJesus, it shouldn't have been ruled an in the park home run. What I'm sick and tired of is people ragging on certain players, but the minute their players get ragged on shit's going to hit the fan. I'll rag on Cuddy, I'll rag on Kevin, I'll rag on every player on the team when they screw up. But you can bet that I will defend them till the end when they get accused of something that was out of their control, ie the play Friday night with Cuddy.

I understand that everyone it entitled to their opinion, but I'm sorry. When game after game after game the same peaple rag on the same player it gets really old and it pisses me off. It just seems to be never ending and it's old. We're all old enough to know to just drop something after the first time, but when it gets drug on and on it makes you look like you are 12 years old. And now that I got that off my chest I will drop this and move onto the next series in Detroit.

No matter what, I still love Cuddy!

Tuesday night we have Frankie (2-0) vs. Justin Verlander (1-1). Enjoy your day off on Monday guys, after the marathon game on Saturday night you guys deserve it!

Short and Sweet

I think through the hustle and bustle of moving from The Dome to Target Field the Twins forgot to pack something very important. They forgot to pack their brooms so they can sweep another team. We seem to be able to pull out those first two games, but that third game just gets missed. I think it's lack of the brooms from the other side of town.

Yesterday was not the best game for the Twins, but hey, everyone has a bad day. I had one too and was going to take the blame for the game until Seth stepped up and said he would take it since he was at the game.


Tonight we are back to the K, someday I will get back to that beautiful ballpark, but Target Field is doing just perfect for now :-) Tonight it's Carl Pavano (2-1) against Gil Meche (0-1). Guys please remember what you did last fall when I was down there watching you play in person and do it again this weekend!

Chugga, Chugga, Choo, Choo!

I know it's only the third week of the season, but I don't think I have ever been so proud of this team in my years of watching baseball. To be as good as they are right now, all I can do is hope and pray that this momentum carries us through the entire season. I can taste the playoffs again after last season and I can taste a World Series even more and I'm pretty sure the 25 guys on the team can taste it too. To see this team with this much determination and energy actually makes me excited for the Yankee series next month, it makes me feel like we could potentially beat them! I know, I know, it's too early to say yeah we're going to the playoffs, but if this team keeps playing like they are, we are in for one hell of a season!

Before I get into the pluses from the game, I have to say it was really nice getting to see Red Dog play tonight. He always seemed to bring a positive attitude to the clubhouse and the dugout during the game. He was always one of the first guys to be there to offer up a high five after a good play or there to give advice when needed. I didn't think I would miss him as much as I do, but seeing him in a different uniform tonight, hit me kinda hard. This was a totally unexpected reaction, seeing Torii in a different uniform didn't even hit me like this. Perhaps it's the funny antics that Red pulled that I miss more then anything.

I would like to say a quick thing about our starting rotation. Can I just say LOVE them! Eight innings from Slowey, another eight from Frankie (and a shut out no less). I am seeing the Frankie from before his surgery and Kev from last year before he got hurt. It's defiantly nice for a change since we relied so heavily on the bull pen last year, those guys deserve a bit of a break. I can't complain with how our starting rotation has been so far. Our bull pen could use a little bit of work; i.e. The Crainwreck and The Weeble. But it's nice to have Patty back and Matty's been doing well.

And then we come to my Buddy Cuddy :) I realize he may have his fair share of missed plays and strike outs, but he's still such an amazing player. He tries to come through when it's needed the most, yeah he may not always succeed, but it doesn't mean I don't like him any less. I'll be the first person to rag on him when he sucks and yell at his when he misses a play, don't get me wrong. But you can also bet I'll be the first person to cheer him on loud and proud when he does something spectacular.

Tonight from the comfort of my home (I wish he would have hit that Tuesday night when I was there) I was cheering just like I was at the game, for that matter, so was my mom as Cuddy is her favorite as well. We're just a Cuddy loving family over here, lol

Cuddy skittle count stands at -8 after Tuesday and tonight's games.

Tomorrow we have Timmy (2-1) against Mitch Talbot (1-1). Timmy please follow in the foot steps of Kevin and Frankie and go the distance!

Slow Ride...Take It Easy

Last night I attended my first night game at Target Field. It was by far one of the best Twins games I have been too only because 1) I got to see Kevin finally pitch a game that counted in person and 2) it was outdoor night baseball! Until the times come when I have to sit in the rain to watch a game or a game is canceled because of rain, I don't think I'm going to miss the Dome. Baseball was meant to be played outdoors and last night couldn't have gotten any better.

Kevin pitched an amazing game last night! He went 8 innings and only gave up 1 run, yes it may have been a home run, but we still won and that's all that matters. We were hoping he would pitch a complete game (which would have made the night even better then it already was) or at least attempted the 9th inning, but alas Duensing came in and shut the door on Cleveland. Which now makes me 3-0 at games in the new park :-)

My buddy Cuddy apparently does not want any skittles this season as last nights two strike outs have now put him back at a -9 (if I'm keeping track right, this is kind of a guess calculation). I realize it's still early in the season, but I know he can swing the bat better then he has been. Perhaps last night both he and JJ were a little jealous that we were paying more attention to Kevin ;-) Boys I promise at my next game I will give you 100% of my attention, please don't be mad at me :-(

All-in-all I had a great time at last night game, the view was amazing, the weather was perfect and our guys were on top of their game. Rumor is tonight the Twins will see a former teammate on the field. I heard this morning that Red will be behind home plate for the Tribe. Welcome back Red (if that's the case)!

Here are a few more pictures:

Denard Span

First Pitch

JJ Hardy

M&M Boys

Buddy Cuddy

Beautiful Sunset from our seats

Seeing Double anyone?

Baseball Unplugged Version 1.0

So tonight was the first "episode" of Baseball Unplugged for the season. It was announced tonight that instead of the usual 4, they would be doing 6 this season. 4 would be hosted by Cuddy and the other 2 are TBD as of right now. The joke was they were going to ask Red Dog to come back and host them since he did such a good job filling in for Cuddy 2 years ago.

Tonights was at Bunny's in St. Louis Park. It was a good atmosphere and very open which was nice. The doucebags from last years game were at Unplugged tonight (oh joy) and of course sat right in front of us, but I was able to ignore them and had a wonderful time.

Cuddy was wonderful as always, Delmon looks damn good in person (the uniforms just don't work for him) and he is funny as hell, he was having a great time up there tonight joking with his teammates and the crowd, and Drew won the role of my favorite Twins catcher. He seems so down to earth and very humble. You could tell he was a little nervous at first but once the crowd started asking questions, he seemed a little more relaxed.

The questions tonight were a little out there, although the one that stood out was from a little kid asking what SPF they wear, lol. All 3 said they don't wear any, Cuddy said he wanted to look like Delmon so of course he doesn't wear any lol

The highlight of my night, strange as it is, was the autograph line. I had passed along a message to Cuddy from a good friend of mine and Cuddy looked at me dead serious and asked where his skittles were. I told him if he got out of the negative that he would get them at the end of the season, which means I'm actually going to have to pay up again, lol.

Now onto a few pictures. Everyone enjoy the off day! I'll be at the game on Tuesday so don't expect another post until either Wednesday or Thursday :)

Drew Butera

Cuddy

Delmon Young

Four is Sweet

For the first time in Twins history they have won the first four series! I am loving the way this team is playing so far this season. The bats are swinging, they are racking up the pitch counts against starting pitchers and they are all working together, which is something I love to see. If this team can keep playing like this all season, I strongly feel this is going to be a great year in Twins Territory.

And as much as it pains me to say this, Oscar has actually been going a pretty good job. This no way says that I am on the "Oscar-bandwagon" because he is and never will be my Nate, but as long as he doesn't fuck up I guess I'll live with it. Part of me wonders how many people will think he's so "great" the first time he blows a save? I remember how many people ragged and ragged and ragged on Nate last season when he blew a game here or there. Will it be the same for this one?

In another positive note, we don't have to deal with The Weeble for at least 15 days. I wish he would go in and get his eyes fixed while he's not pitching but that would make sense. I swear, one more blown game from him, and I'm writing the front office and bitching. If they know there is a problem with him, there is no way in hell he should be allowed to pitch until that problem is fixed. You know, kinda like the whole Perkins thing last season?

Today's game sounded like it was an interesting one, too bad I missed more then half of it, but that's okay the radio broadcast worked out well. It was nice to see the guys really rack it up against Zach last night. It was almost like the Cy Young award from last season went to his head and he forgot how to pitch, which was okay with me!

Tomorrow we have Carl Pavano (2-0) going against Luke Hochevar (1-0). Keep plugging away guys!!

What You See...

I am no doctor, but I have heard/read reports that when Jose Mijares went to the eye doctor towards the end of spring training, it was diagnosed that the problem he was having was due to cataracts. Now I know it is no simple process of getting rid of cataracts, but correct me if I am wrong. If you are in a profession that you have to be able to see, would you not want to keep your eyes healthy and in top shape? When it starts to cost your team wins and leads, it's time to step up and get the shit fixed. It's just frustrating when you hear that "so and so" is coming in to pitch and you cringe. That's what I do when I hear Jose is coming in.

I have to laugh, last night I ragged on 3 guys for their lack-luster performance during yesterdays game and I almost feel as though those guys were online doing some reading of blogs and realized how upset some of us fans were with them. Today you had Punto with 3 hits, Justin with 3 hits, Cuddy with 2 hits (one for a home run), Denard had 2 hits. All around the bats were swinging by all but one guy and that was Joe, but that's for a different post.

By the way these guys were playing today you would think they all got their asses chewed last night after the stuff they pulled yesterday and I think Boston was thinking today's game was going to be a piece of cake. But we pulled the wool over their eyes that's for sure! Everyone loves a shut out! I also just like how the team has been playing as a whole. They have won 3 series in a row and seem to have a pretty positive attitude so far in the season and I for one, love it!

With that home run Cuddy's Skittle count is at -3 :-)

Tomorrow we have Timmy against the reigning American League Cy Young winner Zach Grienke, we've bet him once, we can do it again!

Tough To Swallow

The first loss in a new ballpark is always tough to swallow and today's was no exception. In reality any loss is tough to swallow. I was hoping for a better performance from the guys, but I guess I should take it easy on them, but I feel the need to be a little bitter and a little hard on a couple of the guys after their performances today.

First I have to start with Justin. I realize that players have bad games, but today really seemed to disappoint me. I know he can play better then what he did and since I didn't actually see the game and can only go by what I was told by someone that watched the game, he apparently was out every time he was up to bat. I'm sorry, but that is not acceptable. I know he can play better then what he did today, I've seen it and I would love to see it back.

Then we have Mr. Punto. Now I know we all had Nick Punto day where we discussed how much we love or hate Nicky. And please, do not get me wrong, I love Nicky in the field. He can make some amazing plays like I discussed in my Nick Punto day post, but his bat leaves something to the imagination. Perhaps a bat like this could help him:


And then we have the Train-wreck, I mean the Crainadian, I mean Jesse Crain. Had it not been for him giving up the 3 runs, Cuddy's home run would have made it a tie game and we could have at least stood a chance of winning today's game, but NO, we had to leave that mess in there. Idiot.


I could say something about Kevin because I know 5 innings isn't really considered a "quality" start but I have a hard time talking down on him. I always have. I just hope his next start is better than today's was. Partly because I will be at the game for his next start and it will be the first "official" game I have seen him pitch in person and I want a good "quality" start from him. I wanna see the Kevin we had last year that won 10 games.

P.S. Kevin, please wear the navy again next Tuesday. Thank you!

Now I realize one could talk a little trash about Cuddy today too, but I can't talk trash about him since he got a home run. I'm not sure if he and I are fighting as I was not listening to the broadcast when he hit his home run. I'm not sure if he his jealous that I am spending so much time starring at JJ or what, but Cuddy I am sorry, I promise to pay you more attention.

That brings the Skittle count to negative 5...he may see the light of day soon.

Tomorrow it's Frankie against Tim Wakefield. Go out there and play like you know how guys. Let's take this series! Oh and be sure to welcome back Ron Mahay to the family! I know I'm glad he's back.

Couldn't Ask For More

For yesterday being my first time at a Twins home opening day, it was way more then I ever could have imagined. I'm sure some of it had to do with the fact that it was Target Field, but it was an experience I will never forget that's for sure. It was another beautiful day at the ballpark, one that was supposed to be plagued by rain, but thankfully that held off till last night. Being 2 for 2 in the new ball park is definitely a plus, now too bad my next game isn't until the 20th lol

As Betsy said, we were unable to get seats together, but the idea of just being at the home opener in the new stadium was enough for me to "take on for the team" and sit by myself until Betsy moved over in the 3rd inning. I can't complain with my seat at all and I kinda hope I get to sit that far over again because the view as amazing (as you can see).

Everyone needs a little TC hug...Even Andy!

It was nice to see the entire 25-man roster out on the field, especially Nate. I can't believe I'm even going to say this, but yes even though Rauch has done a good job as the closer, no one will ever be able to replace Nate. That's his position and always will be.

No one will ever replace Nate, hear that Rauch!

Getting out of Target Field yesterday reminded me a lot of getting out of the Dome. Downtown was insane after that game was over, but you just have to move with the flow and when you see an opening go for it lol Just like our old Dome Sweet Dome.

I know this isn't the longest recap ever, but all-in-all it was a good day at the ballpark. If you have the chance to go to a game at Target Field this season, take it! It's a fantastic ball park and everyone in Twins Territory has been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Now onto a few more pictures!

The picture of Kevin was a must :)

The smile and the Nesheked socks! I was a goner for the whole day!

JJ batting and Cuddy on 3rd (2 of my faves)

JJ...uh...trying to fix something ;-)