Happy Nick Punto Day!

So the big talk in the Twins blog world has been Nick Punto Day, well today is the day. So whether you love him or hate him, today is the day to let those feelings be heard, either in your own blog or you can comment to my post here.

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While I may rag on Nick from time to time with missed plays or poor plate appearances, what he does the rest of the time makes up for it. How many times have we seen him literally launch himself from second base to make a diving catch? Or how many times have we seen him be apart of a wonderful double play? (Most the second half of the season after the Twins obtained OC, but still).

Nick has had some amazing plays in the field this past season and yes, his bat may not be swinging as much as the next guy, does that really mean we should get rid of him? No I don’t think so. He an cover different positions and he does well in both of them .We’ve seen him as a short stop and we’ve seen him as a second baseman and he can cover both of them well.

I strongly believe that Nick is a great utility player and a great member to the Twins lineup. He’s always there in the dug out to congratulate a team member after a home run or after scoring a run. His bat matters when it counts. Everyone goes through their slumps with missed chances or poor plate appearances he still had a .444 batting average during the post season and a .583 OBP during the post season, both of which were the highest of anyone on the team.

When it comes right down to it, Nick is a good player and at times he just takes a bad wrap. I almost feel as though he could be considered a “band-wagon” player. He seems to have more fans when he’s doing well and when he hits his slump everyone starts to think we should get rid of him.

Let's also not forget...he is the last of the original piranhas!

Piranhas Strike Again

I'm sure Randy Williams, after tonight, became the most hated pitcher by Twins fans.

I never like to see another teams player get hit in the head by a pitch, but it's even worse when it's one of your players getting hit in the head by a pitch. I'm just thankful that Denard was able to get up and walk off the field on his own. I would have felt better had he gone to the hospital, but he was checked out and is listed as day to day so hopefully we'll be able to finish up the rest of the series.

Now I'm going to say this and then I think I may have to go wash my eyes out with soap or something because these are words you will never see come from me again, but I was pleased that AJ checked on Denard so quick and motioned to the dugout that help was needed. I think out of all the videos I've seen of players getting hit in the head, he responded the quickest in checking on Denard.


The last of the original piranhas was in fine form tonight. Punto went 2 for 2 with 2 walks. He seemed to be on top of this game tonight and remembering that the Sux are afraid of the piranhas ;-) It wasn't the best night for the White Sux Killer, aka, Mo but hopefully that won't hurt his chances for being in the last two games against these guys. Gardy knows what needs to be done and how we're going to get there so we'll see how this one plays out.

Mad props to Nickie on his pitching performance tonight. This is the Blackie I've missed seeing lately. Everyone knows he has it in him to pitch like this, he just left it behind after the all star break apparently and just now finally picked it up again, and might I add, just in time too.

Tomorrow we have Jeff Manship against John Danks. I have faith in Jeff... Gardy may not have faith in him, but I really do think Jeff has what it takes. He just needs our bats swinging and getting a little run support and everything else falls into place.