For Those Who Still Believed...

Words can not describe how proud I am of this team. I will never forget this game for the rest of my life. Being at the Dome with 54,000+ fans, screaming my lungs out in excitement was worth every penny. To hear that many fans chant MVP at the tops of their lungs when Joe was up to bat. Amazing. To hear that many fans sing along with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", amazing.

For all the people that said they'll never do it, screw you. This team has more heart and dedication than any other team I've seen. Cuddy's shirts from last year are perfect right now, 162+ NO excuses.

These guys went into this game with a never surrender attitude. They never gave up. They fought so hard for this, everyone knew how bad they wanted it.

I have to say, part of me says this one was for Heidi. I couldn't help but stand there after the game, watching these guys and thinking "How much would Heidi love this?" I know she's up there watching, but I have never known a bigger Twins fan in my life. So Heidi... this one was for you. Now can you help us out with the Yankees a little? lol

For the first time this season a game has left me speechless. I am so proud of the guys and no matter what happens, you all proved them wrong when they said you couldn't do it.

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.

It's Going To Be A Heartache Tonight

I heard the song on my radio after the game and figured it'd be appropriate for any White Sox fans after tonight's game, in all reality I was really thinking of the Sux fans that Betsy and I had to sit by tonight. The old lady kept giving us dirty looks every time we would do our "Anti-AJ" cheers. It actually made them more fun :)

Betsy and I also had the chance to meet up with Topper tonight before the game started. It was great to get to meet another reader of my blog and a fellow blogger :) Everyone make sure to check out his blog! Also everyone make sure to check out Betsy's blog when she posts it for more adventures from tonight before the game :-)

I had all intentions of coming home after tonight's game and going on and on about how amazing Jeff Manship pitched tonight and how proud I was of him for doing such a great job. For being his first major league game as a starter, he went out there and to me looked like he was made for that position. To have 4 shut out innings is pretty impressive. Good job Jeff!

All I have to say is this about Michael Cuddyer, he is a freakin' rock star! Cuddy's 2 home runs (bringing his Skittle count so far to 5, I'm buying him like the 5 pound bag to take to Unplugged in two weeks, Betsy dared me to do it so I will) were one of the major highlights of the night. I don't care who wants to say he needs to be gone, I will fully admit right now, the day Michael Cuddyer is no longer a Twin, I will probably cry lol He is by far my favorite player.

Now laugh if you will, but during the bottom of the 9th with two on and two out, Betsy and I were basically yelling for them to bring in Jose, aka, the White Sux Killer! Can I just say, now, for the record, I want him here full time next season. He's incredible and amazing and I really wanna meet him in person. He is earning so many brownie points this season with what he's been able to do again the Sux and other teams too as a pinch hitter. I think a few people left the game tonight with a new appreciation of Mr. Morales, although most of us already know what he's capable of. Way to go out there and get us another fantastic walk-off win!!

Way to keep us all on our toes again tonight guys... you have a way of bringing us all to the edge of our seats!

Betsy being a "tourist" we weren't loitering at all :)

I wasn't photo stalking Jeff Manship at all ;-)

The White Sux Killer!

See? Not at all!

There were a couple of the White Sux players that "got Denarded"

The man of the hour!! Yay Cuddy!!!

It's JGG, the Jolly Green Giant!

The easy distraction... I mean Joe Nathan

Run Red Run!

I didn't have plans on even doing a blog today, but to be honest, as much as I pick on Mike Redmond and say that he needs to retire, he seems to bring a fair amount of fun to the team and the line up. We may not have the best record when he is playing, but I know he at least tries when he's at the plate.

Today was no exception. While he may be only 1 of 3 position players who were with the team at the start of the season to not have a home run, I can officially say I have never see Red Dog run so hard since I started watching the Twins than he did today going for that triple. Plus I think I got a kick out of it mostly because of the reaction Red got from the dug out when he reached, was priceless. It's always nice to see this team acting like a team, especially after the last few weeks when things weren't going right and every one was blaming everyone else.

Of course I wish I could find video to post to go along with this post because it was just too priceless, but of course I can't find one. And there aren't any pictures either. A decent play from Red, that doesn't happen very often and you can't find anything on it. Go figure!

Props to Nicky Punto too with that perfectly placed bunt during today's game too! I've missed seeing Nick being able to drop a bunt down like that, he's tried a little to hard this season to try and make those plays and it usually ends up being strike 3 or an out at first so it was nice to see a little squeeze play today from Punts!

Also since I did this post... Joe Nathan! Stop giving all us Twins fans heart attacks. Most of these games have been stressful enough as it is and then to have to worry if you're going to be able to go out there and get the save. Whatever the issue is, please get it out of your system by Tuesday when I am at the game, k? Perhaps we can even get enough run support to give you a few days off to maybe clear your head or something.

I think we were all breathing a sigh of relief when Joe finally got that last out.

I'd like to think a few of the guys read my blog last night and learned what it meant to capitalize since I was so nice to spell it out for them and give them a few pointers. It still leaves us 4.5 games outta first and a game and a half a head of Chicago, which is key with Chicago coming to town for a 3 game series starting tomorrow. Seriously though, does the Commissioner hate us that much that we have to play the Sox so many times this season? Not that I don't mind playing our rivals, but I'd like to see some other teams more often too, like Tampa Bay!

Holy Trades Batman!

So I wasn't home for the game tonight, so I can't comment on much of it other than this:

1) Brian Duensing = amazing performance tonight! 8 strikeouts in 7 innings? Not normal for a guys making only his 3rd major league start. I had to laugh though, Betsy sent me a text while I was out saying that Brian got a hair cut, the only reason I found that funny, had to do with the conversation in the comments of this post. Apparently he listens well and the job isn't even mine yet!


2) Joe Nathan = Damn it man! How many time did I have to scream at my radio that you only had to face 3? And then I turn it off and you get the final out. You're on deck for the hair cut line ;-)


3) I'm sad that Crede is going on the DL (I will make sure and tell him that in the morning when Betsy and I see him) But at the same time, we get our White Sox killer back in time for that series starting Monday!

Welcome back Jose!

So with all that outta the way, apparently the Indians took Yohan Pino from Triple A Rochester to complete that trade. But now we have two more....

Jon Rauch from the Diamondbacks and apparently Ron Mahay from the Royals. I always hate it when trades are done and it's "for a player to be announced later". I'm one of those people that sits on pins and needles hoping it's not one of my guys. More than likely it will be someone from Triple A or even Double A, but you just never know.

I just find it funny that Smith is trying to make all these changes now. Where were they months ago? At the rate he's going we're going to be playing ball in September with a totally new starting rotation and bull pen. I heard there is one more trade in the works, but nothing has really been said about it online anywhere.

Here's to hoping all this actually helps and doesn't hurt us in the end.

How Do You Like That One?

So I was all set to leave the game tonight after the 9th inning even if the Twins didn't get a walk off hit. I know, I know, before some starts yelling, you never leave a Twins game early, but I'm seriously still trying to catch up from sleep from this past weekend in Kansas City. This game seemed to take forever tonight, perhaps it was just because Betsy *thanks again Betsy* and I were at the game. Who knows.

What I do know is a lot of fans were getting a little restless with out sucky pitching. Does it surprise me, no, cause I was getting pissed off with it. I don't wanna say anything bad quite yet about the new guy. Could it have been nerves, yes, but I doubt it. Humber should have never been brought back up here. Way to walk in runs, you loser.


Luckie Strike (Sarah) asked me when I was going to pay up on the Skittles I've promised Cuddy... I was thinking the next Unplugged. That way he has time to add to his collection or I can take some away when he sucks lol Someone needs to hold me to this so I don't chicken out!

Now for the real star of the game.... get ready for it.... ready.... am I really going there??

Yes I am.

Delmon Young!

That's right. After all the shit I have talked about him through the season, tonight I am loving him (partly because with his walk off base hit I could go home). I wanted them to win so bad that I was fighting with myself if I was going to stay for the extra innings or not so thank you Delmon for letting me come home knowing that the game was over and that we won!

Keep the momentum going guys. We're tied for 2nd with Chicago... you CAN do this! Nickie... remember how to throw strikes and we shouldn't have a problem, k?

Doctor's Orders

Justin, get over that inner ear infection you have quick! I wanna see you play this weekend :-) I'll bring you some chicken soup or something when I come down, lol. I wanna see the normal crew this weekend, k?

Thanks to Betsy and every one's tweets I was able to keep up with the game since I was gone for a good chunk of it. I was a little concerned when I heard that they were warming up Manship so early again, but I was pleased when I got home and found out that Timmy was able to make it 6 innings and leave with the lead, plus also win number 11 on the season. Good job Timmy! And another fine comeback lead I might add, those guys do have a way of keeping us on our toes lately, don't they?

I also heard our favorite Weeble did very well tonight against those darn Rangers. A nice solid 2+ innings! And LaVelle said it was his best outing this season, very nice Jose!! I did manage to catch the 9th and see Nathan get save number 31 on the season, I do love watching that man pitch!

Tomorrow night we have Swarzy pitching. Remember your A game Anthony! I wanna see you pitch like you did the first night I saw you against the Brewers.

Friday I am making the long car ride to Emporia, Kansas (I'm starting there to see a friend and than back up to KC Saturday morning) to watch our guys take on the Royals in beautiful Kauffman Stadium. I'll be there both Saturday and Sunday, I promise to do all the Twins Blog girls proud while I am there!

Short and Sweet

That was probably the most nerve-wracking game I have watched yet this season. It was nice to see the team come back and rally after losing our DH in the first inning (I'm more concerned about Kubes only because that was the same knee he's already had surgery on) and seeing GoGo get hit twice, um hello?! I'm pretty sure he should have been able to go to first after getting hit for the 2nd time.

Anyway onto the positives from the game:

1) Nathan getting to do with Nathan does best :)
2) Joe having a multi home run game
3) Denard going deep
4) Cuddy proving Bert wrong yet again!
5) Seeing a pretty good rally by the guys

Lastly...

Joe Mauer for MVP... enough said :-)