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?

What's That I Smell??

That's right a SWEEP!!!

I love a good sweep, but I love it even more when it's the White Sux that we sweep! Pretty sure out of the 9 games I have been to this season, that was the BEST game I have been to!

Part of my superstition was actually saying, or in this case typing, the word sweep before it actually happened. I learned my lesson last season when I would say it before it would actually happened and I vowed to not do that again. The other one is still in tact with tonight's win which I will tell everyone about (make fun if you want) but the last 4 times I have worn my Cuddy shirt to games, we have won. So that shirt seems to be lucky for whatever reason.

I am super proud of Brian Duensing for his performance tonight. Going into the game on, what, 3 hours notice? Giving up only 3 hits, I know two of those were home runs, but still. He had two strikeouts, Betsy and I were yelling for him so loud, we think we pissed the people off in front of us. Oh well, get over it :)

I won't lie, I was a little nervous when Beckham got the base hit off Nathan and then he walked Konerko, we said he only had to face 3, but eh, he still got the save and we won so all is forgiven :)

I would have to say the biggest surprise of the game had to be Casilla. It was nice to see him step up and make big plays when we needed it the most, IE the go ahead run on the bloop single to center, I never saw that one coming, but than again he has a habit of making big plays against Chicago when we need it. I want the Alexi back from last year... let's work on that, k?

Highlights of the game:
1) Seeing Brian get the start.
2) Having amazing seats behind home plate again (thanks Amanda!)
3) Pissing the people off in front of us.
4) Watching Joe Nathan get the save (again).
5) Yelling really loud at AJ when he came into the game in the 8th, and applauding him when he got out. :)

Enjoy your day off guys, you have definitely earned it! Just remember your A game when LA comes into town this weekend!

Justin, Cuddy, GoGo and Nickie during infield

Swing Justin, swing!

His facial expressions just kill me!


Why does he have to be growing on me?!

Jason Kubel

My "baseball boyfriend" who didn't do shit tonight...

And a little Mauer for good measure (don't mind the blur in the corner, the bitch in front of me kept getting in the way.)

Back Into The Swing of Things

First and foremost... kudos to the Twins fans for the standing O for Buehrle when he came off the field tonight. Way to be a class act (even if it is our rivals). I won't lie, on the one hand I was pleased we broke up the no hitter, but going 45 at bats without a hit... that's pretty good.

There are so many things I could say, but I'm going to bit my tongue and not say it because I'm becoming some what superstitious. So moving on... once one of them is broken I will share with the class.

While sitting in the Dome Monday night watching the guys play, I was a little worried with Glen pitching, but he surprised me along with the entire team and pulled out a great victory. Tonight's game was no different, I think Timmy pitched a good game, I'm sad that he wasn't able to get the win, but congrats to my favorite Weeble on his first major league win.

I'm proud of the guys for playing smart baseball, I guess I could say. They are taking one game at a time, focusing on what's happen here and now and not about what's going to happen tomorrow. In my opinion this is what it takes to make it into post season, yes you have to have the constancy, but they have to play smart baseball. Make smart plays, no screw ups.

And they are doing it without our White Sox killer, Mr. Jose Morales. Won't lie, I miss him. I've always liked Jose and I hope he's called back up September 1st, when we get our extra roster spots, right along with Matty Tolbert.

"Home plate umpire Chris Guccione, back, uses two paper cups to scoop up a mouse off the turf during a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins on Monday, July 27, 2009, in Minneapolis. Guccione got a little help from third base coach Jeff Cox. Minnesota won 4-3."

I totally don't remember that from last night... I must not have been paying as close of attention as I thought!

Kudos for perfection

While I have never liked the White Sox or Mark Buehrle for that matter and will probably never like them (maybe Mark when he retires), I must give him props and a congratulations for this perfect game today. While I wasn't able to see it, I was listening to the game for Tampa Bay and managed to listen to a part of history. I can not say congrats however to the Sox on their win, that will never come outta my mouth.

So, Mark, congrats on your perfect game. And congrats on being apart of MLB history, I think you've earned it.

And this picture has to be the cutest thing I have seen in a long time: