It Ain't Over Till It's Over

It's only a matter of time...

To be quite honest, I'm not even really sure where to start the post for this weekends do-or-die series, other than with this. I spent the entire weekend being nice to the Chicago White Sox, even saying thank you when they would do something to help us. I even made the promise that if they swept Detroit, I would never say anything bad about AJ again. So since they didn't sweep the Tigers, I have something I need to get off my chest...

AJ... you suck.

Ah, I feel better now :)

As it was originally planned for the weekend I was only supposed to be attending Sunday's game with Betsy, but as we both watched Friday nights game and knew we were still in this fight we decided to attend Saturday's game as well and boy am I glad I was there. That was a make me sick to my stomach game but it was worth it. I'm not sure who lit the fire under these guys asses, but I'm glad whoever it was did it. It seems to be working and I just pray that it carries over till Tuesday's game.

I think Friday nights game was an amazing way to start off the weekend. As I was watching with my mom during the first inning, she happened to make that comment that Delmon Young reminded her of Kirby Puckett, with a quick glance I could see what she was talking about. So with the bases loaded, I made the comment "channel your inner Kirby, Delmon." and amazingly he must have because the next thing I knew that ball was in the seats giving Delmon his first grand slam.

I did feel bad for Delmon though, he was interviewed after the game was over and was asked if his dad was there to see his grand slam, he responded with, yes his dad was there, but he wished his mom could have been there to see it. Believe me Delmon, she was watching :)

I was just in awe watching these guys this weekend, fighting till the end, knowing what was on the line. Back to Saturday's game... those guys do have a way of stressing us out till the very end. But once again, our rock star Cuddy showed everyone he can make big swings happen when they are needed the most. To see the excitement on his face and the rest of the teams face watching the replay online kinda gave me chills cause you can see how much these guys want this.

Also, Nick Blackburn pitched a beautiful game against Zack Grienke. I'll admit I was worried facing Grienke during a do or die weekend, but again these guys checked fear at the door and wowed a few critics that said we couldn't/wouldn't. Amazing job Blackie :)

Yesterdays game was a mixture of emotions for me. I was excited with knowing what could happen, but at the same time I was kinda sad because I knew there was a chance we could be walking out of the Dome for the last time. Apparently the guys aren't ready to say goodbye to that bubble just yet and we have to play game 163 again, which thankfully this time around I will actually get to be there with Betsy and Krystal. There was no way in hell I wasn't going to be at that game tomorrow so we used every available resource to try and get tickets.

All I could think during the earlier parts of yesterday's game was, "save some runs for Tuesday!". I spent a good portion of the game scoreboard watching until the final score was posted for the Tiger/Sox game, then I focused more on our game. But when Kansas seemed to start rallying, I was glad we had those extra runs, as I'm sure Carl was thinking the same thing.

The post-game ceremony to close out the Dome was really good. Most of the team from the '87 and '91 World Series were there along with most of the All-Metrodome Team, the only ones missing were Torii, Johan, Chuck and of course Kirby. They did a wonderful tribute for Kirby along with having Kirby Jr. take down the last number in the Countdown to Outdoor Baseball over in the home run porch.

But I think Kent Hrbek said it best when he said in his speech, "We've got to come back here on Tuesday and drink some more beer!" And actually, I may just have to have one Tuesday night.

Detroit's sending Rick Porcello to the mound while we're sending Timmy. I've got faith and a whole lot of prayers. Go after it guys, we'll all be there to cheer you on. You've all made it this far, just keep plugging along.

Oh Oh It's Magic You Know

Most fans, at this time of the year, will sit down to try and figure out their teams "magic number". I, on the other hand, want nothing to do with the "magic number". I'm one of those fans that like to take it day-by-day, game-by-game, out-by-out.

This season is no different. I haven't sat down and tried to figure out our "magic number" nor do I want to. I have spent the whole season going game-by-game, day-by-day, out-by-out. Although I do love it when these guys sweep anytime, but I really love it when they sweep Chicago.

The Twins knew what needed to be done going into Detroit this weekend and that was win 3 of the 4 games against those damn kitties. With the rain out on Monday night our anxiety and nerves had to carry over to the dreaded double header on Tuesday, where to my surprise, our guys pounced on the kitties in game one which resulted in a win and pushed us to one game away from first place.

Game 2 wasn't so pretty, although I have to give the team credit for trying to come from behind and rally to win, it just wasn't enough or it was a little too late. Brian Duensing may not have brought his best stuff, but I look at Tuesday nights game as his game 163 like Nickie's from last year. That one game we gained, we ended up losing again with the loss.

I won't lie, I went into Wednesday nights game with a little bit of a cocky attitude cause I figured this one wouldn't be too bad with Pavano going out there, after all, we got him because he was supposed to be able to pounce on the kitties. I guess he didn't remember that because the kitties pounced all over us.

What I wouldn't have given to be a fly over that mound to hear what Gardy said to him

I know everyone always says, "There's always next season." I know how bad these guys wanted it this season, heck we all did. We came so close last season and the guys wanted to send the Dome out in style. I'm not throwing in the white flag, not yet anyway. It all depends on what happens tomorrow. Tomorrow will be the deciding factor. At least we have Timmy pitching, which hopefully will be enough to tame the Tigers and our offense will get their bats swinging again.

It's your game to lose tomorrow guys. Don't let all this hard work this season just fall to the wayside.

So Close We Can Taste It...

As everyone in Twins Territory knew this weekend was a huge weekend for the guys and they went out there and give it their all. I know I sat here and said in this blog that they were out of it, but after watching this team all weekend you can see how badly they want it this year. Yes, they may not have shown just how bad they wanted it today with how the played, but as my mom reminded me, you can't win them all.

We are still 3 games within first with 4 more games to go against Detroit and 3 to go against the evil, evil White Sux. Our six games against Kansas is going to be a toss up cause they can either help us or hurt us, so we'll see how that one goes. I hope they'll help us and we can win against them (sorry Dana, I promise to return the favor when you're in our position).

Cuddy once again reminded me on Friday and Saturday night just how much of a rock star he really is. I don't care how much he's getting paid this season, it's not too much for what he has done for this team this year. I think he would have been able to do this last season too if he wouldn't have spent most of the season hurt. He has really stepped it up this season and showed a lot of people he's got what it take to try and carry this team when it's needed.

The season is coming to an end quick... it doesn't seem real that it could all be done in a little less than two weeks. I hope it's not. I would love to see this team send the Dome out in style and give us all a good reason to be excited for next season :)

The only sad news from the weekend it Joe Crede is for sure done for the season. Back surgery number 3 in 3 years. The report was it was supposed to be this week, but my parents said they made the comment on TV during the game today, that he's going to wait and have it done the first day of the off season so he can travel with the team for the rest of the year. As much as I hate to say it, I really wonder if his back can take another season of baseball. Like I said in my last post, I would love to have him back next season with us going outside and playing on real grass.

Another short recap, I know, but it was a long weekend and I don't remember much from the games so that's what you get... but what you do get now is a few pictures from the Rascal Flatts concert I attended Saturday night and a few pictures from the game today.

Darius Rucker

Rascal Flatts