The Twins announced Monday that Blaine Boyer had been added to the 40-man roster and would be on the 25-man active roster, Then they started the 33-year-old relief pitcher against the Red Sox that evening.
Not that the start means anything in terms of the team's plans, Kyle Gibson was ill, and a bullpen game fit Paul Molitor's stated intent to stretch out some of the relief pitchers this week.
It didn't go well. Boyer was OK, even though he couldn't get out of the second inning. But Brian Duensing was shelled, and Caleb Thielbar didn't help his slender chances of going north.
This is our pen currently:
Closer: Glen Perkins
Setup 1: Casey Fien
Setup 2/LOOGY: Duensing
MR1: Tim Stauffer
MR2: Boyer
MR3: Graham
Long: Mike Pelfrey
All bullpens are works in progress. The pecking order and personnel behind Perkins is very likely to be shuffled and reshuffled over the course of the season. Fien and Duesning are not ideal for the setup roles, I didn't care for the Stauffer signing from the beginning, Pelfrey is Pelfrey and Boyer's impressive spring is out of context with his track record.
Which is par for the course for this year's Twins.
Let's hope all the starters can go eight or nine innings this year.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
Hicks and Rosario Optioned Out
It looks like I was right about the platoon being set up in center. Rosario and Hicks were both sent to the minors this weekend, leaving Schafer and Robinson platooning in center. Look for Buxton to take their place sometime in June or July.
Trevor May was sent back to the minors as well. That leaves Tommy Milone as the fifth starter. At least it's not Mike Pelfrey.
Nolasco looked awful yesterday against a split Baltimore squad. It's still spring training, I know, but we're only about a week away from REAL games. The time to start looking good was yesterday.
Nolasco missed that deadline.
Blog NOTE: There's been lots of extra comments the last few days. Remember to check them out.
Trevor May was sent back to the minors as well. That leaves Tommy Milone as the fifth starter. At least it's not Mike Pelfrey.
Nolasco looked awful yesterday against a split Baltimore squad. It's still spring training, I know, but we're only about a week away from REAL games. The time to start looking good was yesterday.
Nolasco missed that deadline.
Blog NOTE: There's been lots of extra comments the last few days. Remember to check them out.
Wrestlemania
Vince pulled a rabbit out of his hat last night (at his biggest show of the year) and he gave the fans a pretty satisfying ending to an expected lackluster main event. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but there were THREE new champions crowned last night.
That ending was pretty memorable.
That ending was pretty memorable.
And Then There Was One...
Only ONE reader is left in the $50 Trillion Challenge, the nimble one himself, Nate B.
Three games left with one huge prize possibility at the end.
I would wish you luck, but I want to hold on to that money as much as you want to win it.
To be continued this weekend...
Three games left with one huge prize possibility at the end.
I would wish you luck, but I want to hold on to that money as much as you want to win it.
To be continued this weekend...
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Mauer Power
Earvin Santana, the Twins most recent starting pitching acquisition has been having a very good spring. He had another good outing yesterday. And Joe Mauer's power hitting hints from Bruno seem to be paying off as well. He hit his first homerun of the spring.
Mauer's biggest downfall last season was that teams have been making dramatic defensive shifts when he hits. Bruno's answer? Hit it where they ain't. Nobody's shift will work if you hit it out of the park.
Could Mauer become a pull hitter with power? Time will tell.
Mauer's biggest downfall last season was that teams have been making dramatic defensive shifts when he hits. Bruno's answer? Hit it where they ain't. Nobody's shift will work if you hit it out of the park.
Could Mauer become a pull hitter with power? Time will tell.
Great Basketball
There are JUST TWO finalists left in the $50 Trillion Challenge. And all I can say for sure is that we won't need a tie-breaker as their bracket picks are different the rest of the way.
That Notre Dame/Kentucky game was unbelievable. It almost ended the Challenge contest last night. As it is, we just have Nate B Nimble and Mrs. Casual Fan left.
Remaining Picks:
Nate B: Round 1 Duke, Michigan St.
Round 2 Kentucky, Duke
Finals winner Kentucky
Mrs. Casual:
Round 1 Michigan St., Gonzaga.
That Notre Dame/Kentucky game was unbelievable. It almost ended the Challenge contest last night. As it is, we just have Nate B Nimble and Mrs. Casual Fan left.
Remaining Picks:
Nate B: Round 1 Duke, Michigan St.
Round 2 Kentucky, Duke
Finals winner Kentucky
Mrs. Casual:
Round 1 Michigan St., Gonzaga.
Then Kentucky & Gonzaga.
Then Kentucky
Saturday, March 28, 2015
NBA Draft Lottery
I'm so sick of having a losing NBA team. And I'm even more angry that losing teams are penalized for being losers in the draft.
My solution? Instead of the worst team getting a lottery draft pick as high as number 8, I would suggest that the five WORST teams get the first ten draft picks every year.
What? Since the losing teams are so bad, they would get two draft picks each, before the rest of the teams are given even ONE.
A shift of bad team's fortunes is nearly impossible at this point. The GOOD teams don't need that much help. And the bad teams have enough money to pay their draft picks. It's called playing catch-up. And it's time the league did something to help the bad teams instead of hurting them.
There's lots of reasons to hate the NBA, but that lottery system is the absolute worst thing the league has ever done. They can do better. The whole league will be better if more teams can be competitive. Why should teams be forced to be losers year after year? Who benefits from that?
No one.
I mean, what other league has teams with such horrible records year after year after year?
None.
So what if the worst 5 teams get the best 10 draft picks each year? There's plenty of good players after those 10. But the BEST should go where they could do the most good.
It's common sense AND it's good for business. The league is only as healthy as its worst teams. And right now, the league is not healthy.
My solution? Instead of the worst team getting a lottery draft pick as high as number 8, I would suggest that the five WORST teams get the first ten draft picks every year.
What? Since the losing teams are so bad, they would get two draft picks each, before the rest of the teams are given even ONE.
A shift of bad team's fortunes is nearly impossible at this point. The GOOD teams don't need that much help. And the bad teams have enough money to pay their draft picks. It's called playing catch-up. And it's time the league did something to help the bad teams instead of hurting them.
There's lots of reasons to hate the NBA, but that lottery system is the absolute worst thing the league has ever done. They can do better. The whole league will be better if more teams can be competitive. Why should teams be forced to be losers year after year? Who benefits from that?
No one.
I mean, what other league has teams with such horrible records year after year after year?
None.
So what if the worst 5 teams get the best 10 draft picks each year? There's plenty of good players after those 10. But the BEST should go where they could do the most good.
It's common sense AND it's good for business. The league is only as healthy as its worst teams. And right now, the league is not healthy.
Defensive Shifts Still Alive
At least new commissioner, Rob Manfred, knows when to back down. The feedback he's gotten on his suggestion of limiting the amount of shifting an infield can do has been overwhelmingly negative. Baseball might think it needs more runs for fans to be interested in greater numbers, but he found out that fans, management, and players don't want to give up those recently developed cool shifts that help pitchers and defense.
Even the Twins are doing more of these shifts nowadays. The Twins had 66 in 2013. They had over 500 last season. New manager, Paul Molitor convinced Gardy more were needed. Manfred was quoted as saying this week, "I'm not certain I'd even consider it anymore."
On Thursday, against the Red Sox, Trevor Plouffe (our third baseman) was playing RIGHT of second base when David Ortiz was up. It'd be hard to not be there, now, knowing that Ortiz ALWAYS pulls the ball.
Baseball is learning. So is Manfred.
That's a very good thing.
Even the Twins are doing more of these shifts nowadays. The Twins had 66 in 2013. They had over 500 last season. New manager, Paul Molitor convinced Gardy more were needed. Manfred was quoted as saying this week, "I'm not certain I'd even consider it anymore."
On Thursday, against the Red Sox, Trevor Plouffe (our third baseman) was playing RIGHT of second base when David Ortiz was up. It'd be hard to not be there, now, knowing that Ortiz ALWAYS pulls the ball.
Baseball is learning. So is Manfred.
That's a very good thing.
Wild Win Again
You'll never guess who the goalie was.
And Zach got his 30th goal of the season.
I just know that, somehow, this Minnesota sports team will let me down now that I'm following them and mildly interested in them again. There seems to be some kind of unwritten rule about that in the last few years.
In the meantime. GO WILD!
And Zach got his 30th goal of the season.
I just know that, somehow, this Minnesota sports team will let me down now that I'm following them and mildly interested in them again. There seems to be some kind of unwritten rule about that in the last few years.
In the meantime. GO WILD!
Elite Eight Set
If there was only away to make A LOT of money from this...
Deadline for contest: Nine a.m. Central Time
Deadline for contest: Nine a.m. Central Time
Friday, March 27, 2015
Center Field Looking Worse
When I wrote here last week about the center field competition, "Mr. March" Aaron Hicks was sporting a .330 spring training average. He had maybe one hit since then and dropped to around .200 which, really only illustrates the silliness of relying on spring training stats to evaluate players. The sample sizes are small, the competition is uneven, the numbers are essentially meaningless.
Meanwhile, Eddie Rosario's spring training stats display a red-flag glitch: 40 plate appearances, no walks. He still has a batting average (.256 per Baseball Reference) higher than his on-base percentage (.250). His minor league stat line hardly reveals a Kevin Youkilis-type base-on-balls machine, but it's not that bizarre.
My take on this is that he's trying too hard to impress. There used to be a cliche about Dominican players and their hacking tendencies: You can't walk off the island. The idea was that these players were encouraged to swing at everything because they had to hit the ball to get the scouts' attention. Rosario is from Puerto Rico, not the Dominican, but the concept holds.
Hicks and Rosario are the two young guys in camp who can be seen as full-time center fielders. Veteran fringe players Jordan Schafer and Shane Robinson are more likely to be platoon mates, and that increasingly looks like the direction the Twins will take. Terry Ryan doesn't sound very enthused by that prospect, while Paul Molitor this week expressed openness to platoons and invoked the success Earl Weaver had with platoons back when Molitor was a young player.
One difference, of course, is that Weaver platooned aggressively. His Orioles collected players like John Lowenstein and Benny Ayala specifically to use in such roles. A Schafer-Robinson platoon would be more a passive platoon, chosen out of a lack of better options not for a strategic advantage. Robinson's career splits actually suggest he's a bit "backwards," meaning better against right-handed pitchers, although I don't think 200 or so plate appearances over five seasons each way proves a whole lot. He's probably not the right-handed outfielder you'd pursue if you wanted to build a center field platoon.
Still, Schafer-Robinson is more palatable to me this spring than either Hicks or, I'm sorry to say, Rosario. (If Rosario does come north, I will not complain, but I won'be have high expectations; if it's Hicks, I will complain.) Schafer-Robinson are acceptable until Bryon Buxton arrives, and I hope that's sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, Eddie Rosario's spring training stats display a red-flag glitch: 40 plate appearances, no walks. He still has a batting average (.256 per Baseball Reference) higher than his on-base percentage (.250). His minor league stat line hardly reveals a Kevin Youkilis-type base-on-balls machine, but it's not that bizarre.
My take on this is that he's trying too hard to impress. There used to be a cliche about Dominican players and their hacking tendencies: You can't walk off the island. The idea was that these players were encouraged to swing at everything because they had to hit the ball to get the scouts' attention. Rosario is from Puerto Rico, not the Dominican, but the concept holds.
Hicks and Rosario are the two young guys in camp who can be seen as full-time center fielders. Veteran fringe players Jordan Schafer and Shane Robinson are more likely to be platoon mates, and that increasingly looks like the direction the Twins will take. Terry Ryan doesn't sound very enthused by that prospect, while Paul Molitor this week expressed openness to platoons and invoked the success Earl Weaver had with platoons back when Molitor was a young player.
One difference, of course, is that Weaver platooned aggressively. His Orioles collected players like John Lowenstein and Benny Ayala specifically to use in such roles. A Schafer-Robinson platoon would be more a passive platoon, chosen out of a lack of better options not for a strategic advantage. Robinson's career splits actually suggest he's a bit "backwards," meaning better against right-handed pitchers, although I don't think 200 or so plate appearances over five seasons each way proves a whole lot. He's probably not the right-handed outfielder you'd pursue if you wanted to build a center field platoon.
Still, Schafer-Robinson is more palatable to me this spring than either Hicks or, I'm sorry to say, Rosario. (If Rosario does come north, I will not complain, but I won'be have high expectations; if it's Hicks, I will complain.) Schafer-Robinson are acceptable until Bryon Buxton arrives, and I hope that's sooner rather than later.
College Basketball
I watched Kentucky absolutely destroy West Virginia last night in the first half of their "Sweet Sixteen" matchup. I didn't bother watching the second half.
Yeah. I can see why the Wildcats are undefeated so far this season AND the favorites to win it all.
Just a reminder.....$50 Trillion!!!!
Yeah. I can see why the Wildcats are undefeated so far this season AND the favorites to win it all.
Just a reminder.....$50 Trillion!!!!
Oswaldo Arcia
Someone put together a rare compilation video of Oswaldo Arcia highlights in left field:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w2UxDdhZPk&t=52&app=desktop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w2UxDdhZPk&t=52&app=desktop
New Vikiing
Nate mentioned that the Vikes had acquired a new offensive lineman yesterday. I would have missed this story if he hadn't commented. It's a good one.
Babatunde Aiyegbus is a HUGE (6 foot 9, 350 pound) new prospect from Poland. His story about coming to the U.S. just to get a try-out is amazing. He never played college ball, but he has played in European's small pro leagues. The Vikings signed him after watching some of the required drills at a try-out camp yesterday.
No one, at this point, thinks he has much of a chance on making the team for real, but that kind of size and quickness, without the benefit of a lifetime of American coaching, cannot be ignored. The Vikings leapt at the chance to see if they can mold this massive man into an offensive lineman. The nice thing? A good offensive lineman might give you 10-15 years of all-pro service. They can take their time with him.
I love stories like this.
Babatunde Aiyegbus is a HUGE (6 foot 9, 350 pound) new prospect from Poland. His story about coming to the U.S. just to get a try-out is amazing. He never played college ball, but he has played in European's small pro leagues. The Vikings signed him after watching some of the required drills at a try-out camp yesterday.
No one, at this point, thinks he has much of a chance on making the team for real, but that kind of size and quickness, without the benefit of a lifetime of American coaching, cannot be ignored. The Vikings leapt at the chance to see if they can mold this massive man into an offensive lineman. The nice thing? A good offensive lineman might give you 10-15 years of all-pro service. They can take their time with him.
I love stories like this.
New Reader
Judging from some of the blog replies I received yesterday, I'm assuming we've picked up a new casual reader to join the ranks of Super Steve, Iron Myron, Tom the Retired Twins Fan, Eric the Vike Man, Mrs. Observer, the Casually Observing Twin, and Cranky Curtis.
Welcome aboard Nate B, who because of both his size and quickness, will now be known as Nate B. Nimble. You can't stop him. You can only hope to contain him. Nick names are irrevocable around here. Unless I think of a better one, of course.
To catch everyone up on those comments.
Wild Amazing post:
DOOBS!!
On Adrian Peterson and his agent post:
1. His agent sounds like a idiot. If I were AP I would fire him.
2. A 31 year old running back that is very overpaid. He should be counting his blessing that the Vikings are willing to pay that much to someone who brought this upon himself.
3. It's not that I dislike AP, as everyone makes mistakes, but when he acts like this to a team and fans that have been loyal to him for 8 years it rubs me the wrong way.
4. I would not let AP out of his contract. This would make him the winner. Sit him on the bench for 3 years and let him rot. A 34 year old running back, no thanks!!
I won't be reposting these all the time Mr. Nimble, sir. It's just as a welcome.
Welcome aboard Nate B, who because of both his size and quickness, will now be known as Nate B. Nimble. You can't stop him. You can only hope to contain him. Nick names are irrevocable around here. Unless I think of a better one, of course.
To catch everyone up on those comments.
Wild Amazing post:
DOOBS!!
On Adrian Peterson and his agent post:
1. His agent sounds like a idiot. If I were AP I would fire him.
2. A 31 year old running back that is very overpaid. He should be counting his blessing that the Vikings are willing to pay that much to someone who brought this upon himself.
3. It's not that I dislike AP, as everyone makes mistakes, but when he acts like this to a team and fans that have been loyal to him for 8 years it rubs me the wrong way.
4. I would not let AP out of his contract. This would make him the winner. Sit him on the bench for 3 years and let him rot. A 34 year old running back, no thanks!!
I won't be reposting these all the time Mr. Nimble, sir. It's just as a welcome.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Tournament Challenge
I don't necessarily want to give this note away, but if I am giving it away, I want to have fun with it. There's $50 Trillion at stake.
Here's the ground rules (mixed in with a few comments):
1) To enter, you must know me or my wife and where we live. And we must know you. You must also be at least 18. ONE entry per household.
2) People have asked me the actual cash value of this prize. I don't really know, BUT if I wanted to secure another bill like this, it would cost me about $40 including postage.
3) There is only one prize. I only have one. There will not be multiple winners. A series of tie breakers will be implemented, if necessary, to determine the only winner from all correct entries.
So what's the contest you ask?
1) You will be required to pick all the winning games within the framework of the remaining eight teams in the tournament. IF Kentucky is as good as everybody says, this may be easier than it sounds. We won't know all of those remaining eight teams, "The Elite Eight" until late Friday night.
2) Something different this year: Because of the short time frame, you will have to e-mail your predictions to me. And I'll need to receive them by THIS coming Saturday morning at 9 a.m. NO EXCEPTIONS. If our e-mails or internet connections aren't working for some reason, the contest may end up being cancelled. No one anticipates this. I just don't want anybody to be disappointed if weird stuff happens. e-mail address: baminks@yahoo.com
3) You'll have to follow the tournament enough yourself to know the brackets and team match-ups because the games start Saturday. I won't be able to post them in time.
4) Entries should look like this:
Round 1 winners Team d, Team s, Team x, Team a (four total)
Round 2 winners Team s, Team x (two total)
Finals winner Team x (one total)
AS A TIE BREAKER, ALSO INCLUDE THE FINALS SCORE PREDICTION. The winner among all correct entries will determined by the closest point prediction for the winning team. IF multiple correct entries are tied after that, the person's prediction closest to the losing point total will then be used as the second tie breaker. A coin toss will determine the final winner if everything is still tied.
5) IF there is a winner, you'll be required to pick up the prize from my house the Tuesday morning immediately following the Finals game from 9:00 a.m. until 10 a.m. I want to see you to congratulate you in person, BUT I don't want to be stuck in the house all day waiting for you to show up either.
Summary: Pick the last 7 games accurately, add the final score as a tie breaker, pick up the prize at my house the next day within the hour time frame. ALL of these things must be done to win $50 Trillion dollars. If there is no winner, I hope to try something like this again next year. If there is a winner, I'm not sure what I'll do next year. You think I'm made of money?
Here's the ground rules (mixed in with a few comments):
1) To enter, you must know me or my wife and where we live. And we must know you. You must also be at least 18. ONE entry per household.
2) People have asked me the actual cash value of this prize. I don't really know, BUT if I wanted to secure another bill like this, it would cost me about $40 including postage.
3) There is only one prize. I only have one. There will not be multiple winners. A series of tie breakers will be implemented, if necessary, to determine the only winner from all correct entries.
So what's the contest you ask?
1) You will be required to pick all the winning games within the framework of the remaining eight teams in the tournament. IF Kentucky is as good as everybody says, this may be easier than it sounds. We won't know all of those remaining eight teams, "The Elite Eight" until late Friday night.
2) Something different this year: Because of the short time frame, you will have to e-mail your predictions to me. And I'll need to receive them by THIS coming Saturday morning at 9 a.m. NO EXCEPTIONS. If our e-mails or internet connections aren't working for some reason, the contest may end up being cancelled. No one anticipates this. I just don't want anybody to be disappointed if weird stuff happens. e-mail address: baminks@yahoo.com
3) You'll have to follow the tournament enough yourself to know the brackets and team match-ups because the games start Saturday. I won't be able to post them in time.
4) Entries should look like this:
Round 1 winners Team d, Team s, Team x, Team a (four total)
Round 2 winners Team s, Team x (two total)
Finals winner Team x (one total)
AS A TIE BREAKER, ALSO INCLUDE THE FINALS SCORE PREDICTION. The winner among all correct entries will determined by the closest point prediction for the winning team. IF multiple correct entries are tied after that, the person's prediction closest to the losing point total will then be used as the second tie breaker. A coin toss will determine the final winner if everything is still tied.
5) IF there is a winner, you'll be required to pick up the prize from my house the Tuesday morning immediately following the Finals game from 9:00 a.m. until 10 a.m. I want to see you to congratulate you in person, BUT I don't want to be stuck in the house all day waiting for you to show up either.
Summary: Pick the last 7 games accurately, add the final score as a tie breaker, pick up the prize at my house the next day within the hour time frame. ALL of these things must be done to win $50 Trillion dollars. If there is no winner, I hope to try something like this again next year. If there is a winner, I'm not sure what I'll do next year. You think I'm made of money?
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Brock Lesnar Signs New WWE Deal
Former UFC heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar, has decided to stay with WWE awhile longer, signing a contract extension late last night. With Wrestlemania, the WWE's biggest event of the year coming up this weekend, Brock's new deal may change the outcome of the main event. His current contract would have ended in about a week.
At least the event will be more unpredictable at this point. Wrestlemania should be better with this news, as there hasn't been much to get excited about so far.
At least the event will be more unpredictable at this point. Wrestlemania should be better with this news, as there hasn't been much to get excited about so far.
Dozier's New Deal
The Twins like Brian Dozier. He is now signed through the 2018 season.
That move insures the Twins can avoid all arbitration hassles with him of the next 4 seasons. It also means that if Dozier has a breakout season in the next year or two, they won't have to worry about him going anywhere until 2019.
AND they're getting his services for about $5 million a year.
I really don't see a downside to this. Sure, Dozier could blow out his knee in April and collect twenty million dollars for doing nothing, but I think that the odds are much better that he will continue to give us 25-30 home run seasons for awhile, with the possibility of a 40-45 home run season mixed in there somewhere as well.
He's the only Twin's starter this year that I'd give a long term contract to. Vargas as DH may need that kind of attention next year.
And even Mike Pelfrey, our most likely fifth starter, who hasn't pitched a good season since before his arm surgery, is making $5 million for the Twins this season.
Using that as a baseline, Dozier's deal is an absolute steal.
That move insures the Twins can avoid all arbitration hassles with him of the next 4 seasons. It also means that if Dozier has a breakout season in the next year or two, they won't have to worry about him going anywhere until 2019.
AND they're getting his services for about $5 million a year.
I really don't see a downside to this. Sure, Dozier could blow out his knee in April and collect twenty million dollars for doing nothing, but I think that the odds are much better that he will continue to give us 25-30 home run seasons for awhile, with the possibility of a 40-45 home run season mixed in there somewhere as well.
He's the only Twin's starter this year that I'd give a long term contract to. Vargas as DH may need that kind of attention next year.
And even Mike Pelfrey, our most likely fifth starter, who hasn't pitched a good season since before his arm surgery, is making $5 million for the Twins this season.
Using that as a baseline, Dozier's deal is an absolute steal.
Wild AMAZING!
I really wish I was still a hockey fan because the Wild are having an incredible late season surge. Since Dubnyk has become their number one goalie, the Wild have become one of the very best teams in the league. Last night they won their 10th straight road game, a franchise record, and they did it in a shootout at the end of OT.
Amazing.
I'm going to try to catch some of their remaining games, hoping that they continue to win, and do well in the upcoming playoffs.
BUT at the same time realizing that hockey fever left me when the Stars went south. Maybe I can re-kindle the fever.
It's possible ice soccer has left me cold for far to long for that to happen.
We'll see.
Amazing.
I'm going to try to catch some of their remaining games, hoping that they continue to win, and do well in the upcoming playoffs.
BUT at the same time realizing that hockey fever left me when the Stars went south. Maybe I can re-kindle the fever.
It's possible ice soccer has left me cold for far to long for that to happen.
We'll see.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Football
Adrian Peterson's agent is still saying Adrian shouldn't play in Minnesota any more. The Vikings say he's under contract. I say a 30-year old running back with a horrible reputation isn't worth investing in any more. Most fans wouldn't mind if we tried someone else in his position. I think the Vikes don't realize how much the fans dislike him. They think the incident is over and done with. To be sure, he'll get some cheers upon his return. But there will be significant booing from now on. The Vikings would be smart to avoid that.
The NFL has decided to do away with the Blackout Rule this coming season. ALL home games will be broadcast even if games are not sold out. They will re-evaluate that decision each year. Congress was giving them heat about the rule, and since ALL games sold out last year any way, they thought it best to roll with the punches.
The NFL is still looking for a better extra point rule. I have TWO suggestions. No more kicking chip shots at all.
1) Always make it a two-point conversion from the 5 yard line. EVERY extra point would have to be earned.
OR
2) A ONE point conversion as a regular play (no kicks) from where it is now. IF you make it, you're allowed to try a 2 point conversion from the same spot. IF you miss that play, your first extra point is taken away. That strategy would blow fans away. Coaches would go nuts having to make that decision after every touchdown.
The NFL has decided to do away with the Blackout Rule this coming season. ALL home games will be broadcast even if games are not sold out. They will re-evaluate that decision each year. Congress was giving them heat about the rule, and since ALL games sold out last year any way, they thought it best to roll with the punches.
The NFL is still looking for a better extra point rule. I have TWO suggestions. No more kicking chip shots at all.
1) Always make it a two-point conversion from the 5 yard line. EVERY extra point would have to be earned.
OR
2) A ONE point conversion as a regular play (no kicks) from where it is now. IF you make it, you're allowed to try a 2 point conversion from the same spot. IF you miss that play, your first extra point is taken away. That strategy would blow fans away. Coaches would go nuts having to make that decision after every touchdown.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Sweet Sixteen
I haven't watched any college basketball yet, though there were a couple of upsets involving number two seeds yesterday. In a tournament with so many teams, statistically there's bound to be a few games like that. UVA and KU fell victim to the law of big numbers.
That and MOST of the current college teams, on a good day, can beat most of the better teams having an average day.
I'm still working out the details of my own tournament challenge contest involving the Elite Eight. Last year I just had everyone try to pick the last three games. This one will be a tad more difficult.
That and MOST of the current college teams, on a good day, can beat most of the better teams having an average day.
I'm still working out the details of my own tournament challenge contest involving the Elite Eight. Last year I just had everyone try to pick the last three games. This one will be a tad more difficult.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Preseason
While the Twins are starting to settle into a disappointing losing streak, I've decided to see what the rest of the teams may be doing this spring.
Kris Bryant, a Cub's 2013 draft pick, is starting to catch everyone's attention. Even with a sore shoulder, he hit his 7th and 8th home runs of the preseason yesterday. That's currently FOUR more than anyone else this spring.
The Cubs weren't planning on promoting him this year, but they haven't sent him back to AAA ball yet either. He's kind of making the case for himself to stay with his bat.
It's fun to see what other young budding superstars are doing, even if if they are all exhibition games at this point. But it's always good to remember that Aaron Hicks got 5 dingers in spring training a couple of years back as well.
And he's still trying to make the team every year. One good spring doesn't always mean that much in the grand scheme of things.
Just like 5 straight losses don't mean that much to the Twins.
Yet.
Kris Bryant, a Cub's 2013 draft pick, is starting to catch everyone's attention. Even with a sore shoulder, he hit his 7th and 8th home runs of the preseason yesterday. That's currently FOUR more than anyone else this spring.
The Cubs weren't planning on promoting him this year, but they haven't sent him back to AAA ball yet either. He's kind of making the case for himself to stay with his bat.
It's fun to see what other young budding superstars are doing, even if if they are all exhibition games at this point. But it's always good to remember that Aaron Hicks got 5 dingers in spring training a couple of years back as well.
And he's still trying to make the team every year. One good spring doesn't always mean that much in the grand scheme of things.
Just like 5 straight losses don't mean that much to the Twins.
Yet.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
A Closer Look at Short
The Twins came into spring training with new manager Paul Molitor saying two somewhat contradictory things about shortstop: First, that he was't "prejudging" the competition between incumbent Eduardo Escobar and Danny Santana, who spent most of 2014 in center. Second, that he views Santana as a shortstop.
Considering how well Santana hit in his major league time last year -- an OPS of .824 -- there was never much doubt that Santana will be in the lineup. It was just a question of where. And the question of where seems answered: Shortstop.
Santana hasn't played any outfield this spring that I'm aware of. The center field competition, which opened with Aaron Hicks, Jordan Schafer and Shane Robinson, has expanded, but to include Eddie Rosario, not Santana.
I remain a skeptic on Santana. There's no reason to expect a guy with a .708 minor league OPS to continue to post a major league .824 OPS, and I don't expect him to be a defensive upgrade over Escobar. But this will play itself out. Santana will open the season at short, but I won't be surprised if he plays himself out of the job by the All-Star break.
If that happens, the Twins still might not restore Escobar to the job. Jorge Polanco might get the call. I sense that the Twins see Escobar as a low-ceiling shortstop, and they'd rather try some high ceiling guys first. I can't really argue with that proposition, other than to wish that they apply that same philosophy to the starting rotation,
Considering how well Santana hit in his major league time last year -- an OPS of .824 -- there was never much doubt that Santana will be in the lineup. It was just a question of where. And the question of where seems answered: Shortstop.
Santana hasn't played any outfield this spring that I'm aware of. The center field competition, which opened with Aaron Hicks, Jordan Schafer and Shane Robinson, has expanded, but to include Eddie Rosario, not Santana.
I remain a skeptic on Santana. There's no reason to expect a guy with a .708 minor league OPS to continue to post a major league .824 OPS, and I don't expect him to be a defensive upgrade over Escobar. But this will play itself out. Santana will open the season at short, but I won't be surprised if he plays himself out of the job by the All-Star break.
If that happens, the Twins still might not restore Escobar to the job. Jorge Polanco might get the call. I sense that the Twins see Escobar as a low-ceiling shortstop, and they'd rather try some high ceiling guys first. I can't really argue with that proposition, other than to wish that they apply that same philosophy to the starting rotation,
A Closer Look at Center
First there were three genuine candidates for the Twins center field job. Now there are four. The winnowing process, it would appear, is going in the wrong direction.
There remains more than two weeks of spring training, but the indications are that Paul Molitor wants to use the last week of camp to "practice manage" game situations, not evaluate talent. Remember, he's never run a game on any level. So the expectation is that that Twins will look to essentially set their Opening Day roster in 10 days or so.
Let's look at the candidates in alphabetical order:
Aaron Hicks is, for the third spring in a row, putting up good spring training numbers (slash line .330/.400/.500). Call him Mr. March.
Twenty at-bat sample sizes are meaningless to begin with, and particularly so in spring training, and even more so with Hicks. This kind of thing has fooled the decision makers each of the past two springs. I've said this before: I don't know what Hicks can do this spring to convince people that he's better than he's been. He certainly didn't help himself with his wool gathering early on.
He's 25, so growth is possible if unlikely. Molitor says in this story that Hicks is too young to be a bench guy, that he should play everyday. My take is that Hicks is never going to be more than a fourth outfielder/platoon candidate.
Roster status: 40-man roster, has an option left.
Shane Robinson, 30, split the past four seasons between St. Louis and its minor league affiliates. He's a right-handed hitter, no power, with some speed -- classic fourth- or fifth-outfielder tools. I may be wrong, but he seems to have mainly played corner outfield this spring.
Roster status: Non-roster invitee, but he has, as many non-roster veterans do, an opt-out clause -- if he's not on the 40 by a specific date (in his case, apparently, April 2) he can declare free agency and walk away.
Eddie Rosario, 23, is the guy who wedged his way into the conversation. He has an odd set of splits, .276/.267/.586; he has an on-base percentage lower than his batting average because he has literally never walked but has picked up a sac fly. Patrick Reusse's kind of hitter line, I guess.
Rosario is the only one of the four without major league experience; in fact, he's not played above Double A, and he didn't do much at that level. He is also, presumably, the weakest defensively of the four.
Rosario is definitely what Molitor says Hicks is: A young guy with a high ceiling who needs to play every day at some level. He only makes the big league roster as the regular center fielder.
Roster status: 40 man roster, has all three options left.
Jordan Schafer, 28, is the one guy most certain to make the roster, either as the backup behind Hicks or Rosario or in a platoon with Hicks or Robinson. Left-handed hitter who fared better in his 41 games with the Twins late last season than he did in any previous stretch in the majors. Another guy with reserve outfielder tools.
Roster status: On the 40, presumably out of options, has a $1.55 million contract for 2015.
These are the realistic choices for the Molitor and general manager Terry Ryan:
Hicks as the regular, Schafer as the backup, Rosario to the minors, Robinson gets to make his choice.
Rosario as the regular, Schafer as the backup, Hicks to Triple A, Robinson gets to make his choice.
Schafer platoons with Robinson, Hicks and Rosario to the minors.
Schafer platoons with Hicks, Rosario to the minors, Robinson gets to make his choice.
My impulse is to vote for the second option, Rosario as the regular. It's consistent with my wish for the organization to push the talent and find reasons to play them. But ... I am also a firm believer that the outfield defense is a bigger problem than the Twins acknowledge, and Rosario as a center fielder doesn't figure to be a defensive asset.
I want him up, but the positions that fit him best aren't available. My guess is that the Twins will opt to follow the same logic that they are following with Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano and send him down.
In which case, I'd say go with option 3, a Schafer-Robinson platoon. There can be no illusion there: These are two low-ceiling players whose purpose is to fill the position until somebody better is ready. Having them in center will give the front office incentive to decide that somebody better -- be it Buxton or Rosario -- is ready.
What's most likely, I fear, is option 1, Hicks as the regular. The definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result.
There remains more than two weeks of spring training, but the indications are that Paul Molitor wants to use the last week of camp to "practice manage" game situations, not evaluate talent. Remember, he's never run a game on any level. So the expectation is that that Twins will look to essentially set their Opening Day roster in 10 days or so.
Let's look at the candidates in alphabetical order:
Aaron Hicks is, for the third spring in a row, putting up good spring training numbers (slash line .330/.400/.500). Call him Mr. March.
Twenty at-bat sample sizes are meaningless to begin with, and particularly so in spring training, and even more so with Hicks. This kind of thing has fooled the decision makers each of the past two springs. I've said this before: I don't know what Hicks can do this spring to convince people that he's better than he's been. He certainly didn't help himself with his wool gathering early on.
He's 25, so growth is possible if unlikely. Molitor says in this story that Hicks is too young to be a bench guy, that he should play everyday. My take is that Hicks is never going to be more than a fourth outfielder/platoon candidate.
Roster status: 40-man roster, has an option left.
Shane Robinson, 30, split the past four seasons between St. Louis and its minor league affiliates. He's a right-handed hitter, no power, with some speed -- classic fourth- or fifth-outfielder tools. I may be wrong, but he seems to have mainly played corner outfield this spring.
Roster status: Non-roster invitee, but he has, as many non-roster veterans do, an opt-out clause -- if he's not on the 40 by a specific date (in his case, apparently, April 2) he can declare free agency and walk away.
Eddie Rosario, 23, is the guy who wedged his way into the conversation. He has an odd set of splits, .276/.267/.586; he has an on-base percentage lower than his batting average because he has literally never walked but has picked up a sac fly. Patrick Reusse's kind of hitter line, I guess.
Rosario is the only one of the four without major league experience; in fact, he's not played above Double A, and he didn't do much at that level. He is also, presumably, the weakest defensively of the four.
Rosario is definitely what Molitor says Hicks is: A young guy with a high ceiling who needs to play every day at some level. He only makes the big league roster as the regular center fielder.
Roster status: 40 man roster, has all three options left.
Jordan Schafer, 28, is the one guy most certain to make the roster, either as the backup behind Hicks or Rosario or in a platoon with Hicks or Robinson. Left-handed hitter who fared better in his 41 games with the Twins late last season than he did in any previous stretch in the majors. Another guy with reserve outfielder tools.
Roster status: On the 40, presumably out of options, has a $1.55 million contract for 2015.
These are the realistic choices for the Molitor and general manager Terry Ryan:
Hicks as the regular, Schafer as the backup, Rosario to the minors, Robinson gets to make his choice.
Rosario as the regular, Schafer as the backup, Hicks to Triple A, Robinson gets to make his choice.
Schafer platoons with Robinson, Hicks and Rosario to the minors.
Schafer platoons with Hicks, Rosario to the minors, Robinson gets to make his choice.
My impulse is to vote for the second option, Rosario as the regular. It's consistent with my wish for the organization to push the talent and find reasons to play them. But ... I am also a firm believer that the outfield defense is a bigger problem than the Twins acknowledge, and Rosario as a center fielder doesn't figure to be a defensive asset.
I want him up, but the positions that fit him best aren't available. My guess is that the Twins will opt to follow the same logic that they are following with Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano and send him down.
In which case, I'd say go with option 3, a Schafer-Robinson platoon. There can be no illusion there: These are two low-ceiling players whose purpose is to fill the position until somebody better is ready. Having them in center will give the front office incentive to decide that somebody better -- be it Buxton or Rosario -- is ready.
What's most likely, I fear, is option 1, Hicks as the regular. The definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result.
Twins
I don't put much stock in preseason games. I just like to watch a few of them, to see some of the young guys I've heard so much about, and wait for the regular season to start.
But I also look for trends and patterns. The Twins had a 7-3 record when their future superstars were playing with them and getting most of the playing time. This week, without them, they've went 0-4.
Like I said, I don't get too excited about win-loss records in spring training either way, but I DO CARE how the veterans are playing. Mauer went 0-3 yesterday with a strikeout and is now batting a buck fifty for the spring. Not a good sign. Kyle Gibson pitched about half a game yesterday and gave up two home runs (to the same guy). That's an equally bad sign.
I hear people say that the Twins should be better this season than last and that makes them hopeful. Me, I think losing 90 or more games a year for five straight seasons is as bad as you can get. They BETTER be better. And 89 losses is not "better."
A new manager, a new pitcher, and an old returning superstar are not a major upgrades, especially when the new manager thinks a lot like the old one.
Am I hopeful? Of course. Every spring I think, "this could be our year."
Realistically? 85-95 losses is expected. And depending on how they play early, this could be the year we break the 100-loss barrier.
I'd love to seem them finish around .500 this season. I just don't see that happening. They went with age instead of youth. That's the worst sign of all.
And the Vikings, at this point, have decided to keep Adrian Peterson. My one hope there? Peterson and his agent are still ticked at the Vikings and refuse to meet with them. They are trying to force the Vikings to deal him.
Much like the T-wolves and the Twins, I think it would be better to let aging superstars go.
But I also look for trends and patterns. The Twins had a 7-3 record when their future superstars were playing with them and getting most of the playing time. This week, without them, they've went 0-4.
Like I said, I don't get too excited about win-loss records in spring training either way, but I DO CARE how the veterans are playing. Mauer went 0-3 yesterday with a strikeout and is now batting a buck fifty for the spring. Not a good sign. Kyle Gibson pitched about half a game yesterday and gave up two home runs (to the same guy). That's an equally bad sign.
I hear people say that the Twins should be better this season than last and that makes them hopeful. Me, I think losing 90 or more games a year for five straight seasons is as bad as you can get. They BETTER be better. And 89 losses is not "better."
A new manager, a new pitcher, and an old returning superstar are not a major upgrades, especially when the new manager thinks a lot like the old one.
Am I hopeful? Of course. Every spring I think, "this could be our year."
Realistically? 85-95 losses is expected. And depending on how they play early, this could be the year we break the 100-loss barrier.
I'd love to seem them finish around .500 this season. I just don't see that happening. They went with age instead of youth. That's the worst sign of all.
And the Vikings, at this point, have decided to keep Adrian Peterson. My one hope there? Peterson and his agent are still ticked at the Vikings and refuse to meet with them. They are trying to force the Vikings to deal him.
Much like the T-wolves and the Twins, I think it would be better to let aging superstars go.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Pete Rose
There has been some discussion, as of late, between "the powers that be" of reinstating Pete Rose into baseball. The all-time hits leader and former manger received a lifetime ban years ago for betting on his team to win during his tenure in baseball. Because of the Black Sox scandal nearly 100 years ago and the resulting deliberate loss by Chicago players, baseball has been extremely tough on gambling on games.
You do it. You're gone. For good.
But people have been re-examining that policy. And I think that's a good idea. BETTING on the games in question really wasn't the problem a century ago. The problem was deliberately losing games so that they could throw the series. In other words, deliberately losing to make more money was the problem.
Gambling on your team to win is a lot different than gambling on your team to lose. And people are finally starting to see that. Yes, when it's the manager that's involved, he MAY hurt the team's long-term chances of having a good season by using his best pitchers too long (or too often) to increase his chances of winning INDIVIDUAL games, thus burning their arms out by using them incorrectly, but that's something you have to look at closely to see if that sort of thing was done.
Those looking at Pete Rose's games as manager never really saw that type of suspicious activity. Why? Because it's more than possible he bet on most, if not all of his teams games. He was so confident of his team that he thought they were going to win every single game. A person who bets like that is not going to wreck his team for one game at the expense of the next. That kind of betting would destroy his team AND cost him money. He bet on his team simply because he thought they would win all the time.
And more than anything, Pete Rose had the mentality, that winning was always the most important thing. Throwing a game or doing something that would cost HIS team the season would have been totally foreign to him.
AND managers have been notorious for misusing pitchers for decades. Back in 1969, the Twins manager, Billy Martin, hot in a pennant chase, used his ace Jim Kaat for nine plus innings of relief in an 18 inning game and then had him START 2 games later because they "needed the win" to make the playoffs. Kaat never recovered from that abuse, pitched horribly the rest of the season and didn't even get a start in the playoffs when the Orioles swept us in three straight. Yet, Martin didn't do that because he was betting on the team. He did it to win. Sometimes managers try too hard, the wrong way.
But back to Rose.
In the distant past, I said something like all players should be required to bet on their teams to win. It keeps them honest. And it assures a level of commitment that otherwise would be missing in the day to day nature of a long season. Let's face it, there is no monetary incentive to win in sports. Players get paid if they win, lose, or are hurt and don't play at all. They have no "skin in the game." People with money at stake play harder and stay more focused.
Pete Rose knew that. But it cost him what he loved most, because other people didn't understand that.
Reinstate him? Of course.
He never should have been gone.
You do it. You're gone. For good.
But people have been re-examining that policy. And I think that's a good idea. BETTING on the games in question really wasn't the problem a century ago. The problem was deliberately losing games so that they could throw the series. In other words, deliberately losing to make more money was the problem.
Gambling on your team to win is a lot different than gambling on your team to lose. And people are finally starting to see that. Yes, when it's the manager that's involved, he MAY hurt the team's long-term chances of having a good season by using his best pitchers too long (or too often) to increase his chances of winning INDIVIDUAL games, thus burning their arms out by using them incorrectly, but that's something you have to look at closely to see if that sort of thing was done.
Those looking at Pete Rose's games as manager never really saw that type of suspicious activity. Why? Because it's more than possible he bet on most, if not all of his teams games. He was so confident of his team that he thought they were going to win every single game. A person who bets like that is not going to wreck his team for one game at the expense of the next. That kind of betting would destroy his team AND cost him money. He bet on his team simply because he thought they would win all the time.
And more than anything, Pete Rose had the mentality, that winning was always the most important thing. Throwing a game or doing something that would cost HIS team the season would have been totally foreign to him.
AND managers have been notorious for misusing pitchers for decades. Back in 1969, the Twins manager, Billy Martin, hot in a pennant chase, used his ace Jim Kaat for nine plus innings of relief in an 18 inning game and then had him START 2 games later because they "needed the win" to make the playoffs. Kaat never recovered from that abuse, pitched horribly the rest of the season and didn't even get a start in the playoffs when the Orioles swept us in three straight. Yet, Martin didn't do that because he was betting on the team. He did it to win. Sometimes managers try too hard, the wrong way.
But back to Rose.
In the distant past, I said something like all players should be required to bet on their teams to win. It keeps them honest. And it assures a level of commitment that otherwise would be missing in the day to day nature of a long season. Let's face it, there is no monetary incentive to win in sports. Players get paid if they win, lose, or are hurt and don't play at all. They have no "skin in the game." People with money at stake play harder and stay more focused.
Pete Rose knew that. But it cost him what he loved most, because other people didn't understand that.
Reinstate him? Of course.
He never should have been gone.
Wolves Desperate, Sign Fan in Stands
Okay, it wasn't that bad, but the T-Wolves have had so many players hurt lately that they were forced to sign a local guy IN New York just before the game with the Knicks Thursday night to get their league-mandated eight players in uniform for the game.
Sean Kilpatrick was the lucky D-League player signed, His only real qualification? He could get to the game before it started.
Did I mention the Wolves won? AND by beating the Knicks, they are not currently the worst team in basketball!!!
A great night for Minnesota sports fans.
Sean Kilpatrick was the lucky D-League player signed, His only real qualification? He could get to the game before it started.
Did I mention the Wolves won? AND by beating the Knicks, they are not currently the worst team in basketball!!!
A great night for Minnesota sports fans.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Fake Sports II and Notes
Yesterday I said what I watched when my real sports were going south. The solution is always pro wrestling even if the WWE has been a mess for months. Yesterday, I found out WWE has signed a big 26-year-old Australian bodybuilder. He's pictured here with an old Austrian bodybuilder. You can see that the kid, Chris Atkins is pretty big compared to the old guy. He'll have to be trained in NXT before he ever gets a chance at the big time.
The NFL is considering a "9-point touchdown play" which is the most convoluted idea I have ever heard. If a team makes a touchdown AND pulls off a 2-point conversion, they are then granted a 50-yard extra point attempt. NOOOOOOO!!! There are so many better ways of adding "extra points" to the game that would actually make sense. I hope that idea dies a quick death. The people proposing it must be insane.
The Twins managed to lose twice yesterday with their split squad. Both games were 3-2.
Since acquiring Kevin Garnett the Timberwolves have went from one of the worst teams in the league to the WORST team in the league. We have the same record as the Knicks but the New York won yesterday and the Wolves now have a 6 game losing streak.
There's a lesson in that. Old returning stars don't make you better. Of course, I've been saying that for awhile now,
The NFL is considering a "9-point touchdown play" which is the most convoluted idea I have ever heard. If a team makes a touchdown AND pulls off a 2-point conversion, they are then granted a 50-yard extra point attempt. NOOOOOOO!!! There are so many better ways of adding "extra points" to the game that would actually make sense. I hope that idea dies a quick death. The people proposing it must be insane.
The Twins managed to lose twice yesterday with their split squad. Both games were 3-2.
Since acquiring Kevin Garnett the Timberwolves have went from one of the worst teams in the league to the WORST team in the league. We have the same record as the Knicks but the New York won yesterday and the Wolves now have a 6 game losing streak.
There's a lesson in that. Old returning stars don't make you better. Of course, I've been saying that for awhile now,
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Fake Sports
As most of you know, when I get sick of real sports, I often fall back on an entertaining fake one, That being pro wrestling. But even that one has been difficult to watch for me and a lot of other WWE fans lately.
The WWE persists in pushing Roman Reigns as their new face of the WWE by giving him the chance to "win" the title at Wrestlemania this year from the beast known as Brock Lesnar. MOST fans think that Daniel Brian, who was derailed by injury shortly after last year's Wrestlemania, still deserved his baby-face run with the title before a much less interesting Reigns runs with it. As a result, the whole Wrestlemania season this year remains rather lackluster.
So what does a wrestling fan do when wrestling is as hard to watch as the Twins in August?
Find OTHER wrestling to watch of course. WWE has done a great job over the last year of building up it's "minor league" division NXT, which it treats as a different entity than its main shows Raw and Smackdown. Yes, you will find guys training there just getting their start, but you'll also find veteran indy wrestlers from around the world there as well, guys like Sammy Zayn, Adrian Neville, Finn Balor, and recent signee Kevin Owens, all established superstars who were never before in what is known as the "WWE Universe." They go there first to get indoctrinated to the WWE style before going to the major shows.
In comparison, it's kind of like you'll never hear of Batman or Superman in an Avengers movie because Marvel and DC characters are owned by different companies.
My point? NXT rocks! The promoted indy stars there are just as good, some would say better, than Vince's big contract guys, and they get to wrestle longer, more athletic matches on a regular basis. AND the story lines make SENSE. Despite what scoffers may think, great wrestling involves more than just guys fake hitting each other. It requires a logical plot line, with amazing scripted promos that tell you WHY they want to beat somebody up.
Its a lot like comic book superheroes that way.
But there are more great shows and larger independent federations to watch. I'd rather list them as shows, just to give you an idea right now. These are currently my favorites, in order. They shift from week to week based on what's going on. ALL are in English.
1) Lucha Underground- The most athletic wrestling on the planet right now. I'm amazed what they are allowed to do. Former WWE announcer, Matt Striker is fantastic on commentary.
2) NXT
3) New Japan on AXS. They take major Japanese pay-per-views from a couple of years back and convert the best matches and main events to weekly, hour long shows with great announcing.
4) ROH Where WWE gets most of its great NXT guys from.
Smackdown, and Raw are in that mix every week but neither get much higher than third any more.
There is one more organization that people watch, TNA, but it's been bad for so long I barely watch it any more. I've grow weary of their "top" stars.
The WWE persists in pushing Roman Reigns as their new face of the WWE by giving him the chance to "win" the title at Wrestlemania this year from the beast known as Brock Lesnar. MOST fans think that Daniel Brian, who was derailed by injury shortly after last year's Wrestlemania, still deserved his baby-face run with the title before a much less interesting Reigns runs with it. As a result, the whole Wrestlemania season this year remains rather lackluster.
So what does a wrestling fan do when wrestling is as hard to watch as the Twins in August?
Find OTHER wrestling to watch of course. WWE has done a great job over the last year of building up it's "minor league" division NXT, which it treats as a different entity than its main shows Raw and Smackdown. Yes, you will find guys training there just getting their start, but you'll also find veteran indy wrestlers from around the world there as well, guys like Sammy Zayn, Adrian Neville, Finn Balor, and recent signee Kevin Owens, all established superstars who were never before in what is known as the "WWE Universe." They go there first to get indoctrinated to the WWE style before going to the major shows.
In comparison, it's kind of like you'll never hear of Batman or Superman in an Avengers movie because Marvel and DC characters are owned by different companies.
My point? NXT rocks! The promoted indy stars there are just as good, some would say better, than Vince's big contract guys, and they get to wrestle longer, more athletic matches on a regular basis. AND the story lines make SENSE. Despite what scoffers may think, great wrestling involves more than just guys fake hitting each other. It requires a logical plot line, with amazing scripted promos that tell you WHY they want to beat somebody up.
Its a lot like comic book superheroes that way.
But there are more great shows and larger independent federations to watch. I'd rather list them as shows, just to give you an idea right now. These are currently my favorites, in order. They shift from week to week based on what's going on. ALL are in English.
1) Lucha Underground- The most athletic wrestling on the planet right now. I'm amazed what they are allowed to do. Former WWE announcer, Matt Striker is fantastic on commentary.
2) NXT
3) New Japan on AXS. They take major Japanese pay-per-views from a couple of years back and convert the best matches and main events to weekly, hour long shows with great announcing.
4) ROH Where WWE gets most of its great NXT guys from.
Smackdown, and Raw are in that mix every week but neither get much higher than third any more.
There is one more organization that people watch, TNA, but it's been bad for so long I barely watch it any more. I've grow weary of their "top" stars.
March Madness Is Upon Us
Though all the conferences had their own tournaments over the last couple of weeks, the BIG tournament starts this weekend. As usual, I'll skip most of the early rounds so that I can see whose left standing near the end.
Last year I offered a $20 trillion bill to the winner of my bracket tournament. Just to let everyone know, I no longer own that bill. I gave it as a Christmas present.
I'm thinking of doing something else this year, perhaps even BIGGER. I just need to secure the goods first. It will involve the final 16. Keep reading daily for more information. Their billion dollar challenge from last year will pale in comparison.
Or not.
Last year I offered a $20 trillion bill to the winner of my bracket tournament. Just to let everyone know, I no longer own that bill. I gave it as a Christmas present.
I'm thinking of doing something else this year, perhaps even BIGGER. I just need to secure the goods first. It will involve the final 16. Keep reading daily for more information. Their billion dollar challenge from last year will pale in comparison.
Or not.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Twins News
On Sunday, Eddie Rosario got the start in center field. That the Twins are seriously considering Rosario for the job while Byron Buxton and Sano have already been sent out suggests that they're not anywhere near satisfied with the Aaron Hicks-Jordan Schafer-Shane Robinson options. What's weird is that the rationale for sending Buxton and Sano back to Chattanooga should apply to Rosario as well. It also probably suggests that they are unwilling to resort to Danny Santana as the fallback option this year.
Center field is not Rosario's best position, but there is certainly more upside to him as a hitter than there is with the other three candidates. The question is, can he handle the position defensively? No matter who winds up with the job, we know they are not getting a lot of help from the corner outfielders.
That Rosario is still with the major league club means the Twins are letting him fight for the one remaining outfield position. Only serious contenders are left in camp now. That makes him a serious contender.
Center field is not Rosario's best position, but there is certainly more upside to him as a hitter than there is with the other three candidates. The question is, can he handle the position defensively? No matter who winds up with the job, we know they are not getting a lot of help from the corner outfielders.
That Rosario is still with the major league club means the Twins are letting him fight for the one remaining outfield position. Only serious contenders are left in camp now. That makes him a serious contender.
Favorite New Baseball Team?
Have you ever heard of the Chattanooga Lookouts?
If your a Twins fan, like me, most of your favorite players will be found there this season.
Sunday, the Twins made their first and second rounds of cuts which means Byron Buxton, Jorge Polanco and Jose Berrios are already in Chattanooga. Miguel Sano joined them Monday morning.
This Double A affiliate looks to be more interesting and fun to follow this year than the major league club. I'm publishing this information so you can enjoy them too!
If your a Twins fan, like me, most of your favorite players will be found there this season.
Sunday, the Twins made their first and second rounds of cuts which means Byron Buxton, Jorge Polanco and Jose Berrios are already in Chattanooga. Miguel Sano joined them Monday morning.
This Double A affiliate looks to be more interesting and fun to follow this year than the major league club. I'm publishing this information so you can enjoy them too!
Monday, March 16, 2015
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Notes
Now that the Vikings have Mike Wallace, they got rid of Greg Jennings. They didn't need TWO highly paid receivers on the team, especially since Jennings has been so incredibly average in his time with the Vikings.
I did enjoy yesterday's Twins game, but it struck me that all of this great offense we are currently getting is from guys like Sano and Rosario, who are not expected to make the final team. AND if they DO make the team, it'll mean guys like Plouffe will have to be traded to make room for them.
Mauer and Hunter are two older cogs that will clog this year's line-up. I sure hope they have great seasons.
I did enjoy yesterday's Twins game, but it struck me that all of this great offense we are currently getting is from guys like Sano and Rosario, who are not expected to make the final team. AND if they DO make the team, it'll mean guys like Plouffe will have to be traded to make room for them.
Mauer and Hunter are two older cogs that will clog this year's line-up. I sure hope they have great seasons.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Vargas and Rosario Hit Homers
The Twins are getting a lot of hits so far this spring. I'm looking forward to seeing that in the regular season as well.
Rosario seems to be a fantastic athlete, one who finally learned how to hit in the fall league last year. Though the Twins list him as a future second baseman, he's been filling the corner outfield slots well this spring. IF the Twins hadn't signed Torii Hunter, he's playing more than well enough to be our right fielder this season. He's got very good speed and has a super strong arm. I'm thinking if Hicks fails in centerfield, the Twins might give him a shot there.
But he's not a classic centerfielder. He would be much better in right. Think young Michael Cuddyer. Old guys get in the way of young guys ready to move up. Rosario may never become the player I expect him to be, but he won't be given the chance he deserves because of the Hunter signing.
That's the sad part of being an older fan. You can't turn your brain off and just "be happy the Twins are playing." Thinking fans see addressable problems with this team. We aren't 10 years old anymore, but Twins management treats us as if we are.
And they set themselves, and us, up for failure.
In a perfect Twins world, Mauer would be gone. Vargas would be our first baseman, and Arcia would be our DH. Plouffe would be playing left so that Sano could be playing third. Buxton would be playing center and Rosario would be given a chance in right. Our second base and shortstop situations are fine. That leaves room for Hermann and Pinto to both make the team as well.
That might lead to disaster for a season or so. We might even look like the '86 Twins. But at least THAT WAY I could think a 1987 year could be just a round the corner.
I see no good future for the Twins right now. They haven't made the right moves. It's possible we could be really good this year because of our incredible hitting, and the current rotation MIGHT surprise...
... but that's the 10-year old me talking. Adult me just sighs and sits back and tries to enjoy the season. Even bad baseball is better than no baseball.
For half a season at least.
Rosario seems to be a fantastic athlete, one who finally learned how to hit in the fall league last year. Though the Twins list him as a future second baseman, he's been filling the corner outfield slots well this spring. IF the Twins hadn't signed Torii Hunter, he's playing more than well enough to be our right fielder this season. He's got very good speed and has a super strong arm. I'm thinking if Hicks fails in centerfield, the Twins might give him a shot there.
But he's not a classic centerfielder. He would be much better in right. Think young Michael Cuddyer. Old guys get in the way of young guys ready to move up. Rosario may never become the player I expect him to be, but he won't be given the chance he deserves because of the Hunter signing.
That's the sad part of being an older fan. You can't turn your brain off and just "be happy the Twins are playing." Thinking fans see addressable problems with this team. We aren't 10 years old anymore, but Twins management treats us as if we are.
And they set themselves, and us, up for failure.
In a perfect Twins world, Mauer would be gone. Vargas would be our first baseman, and Arcia would be our DH. Plouffe would be playing left so that Sano could be playing third. Buxton would be playing center and Rosario would be given a chance in right. Our second base and shortstop situations are fine. That leaves room for Hermann and Pinto to both make the team as well.
That might lead to disaster for a season or so. We might even look like the '86 Twins. But at least THAT WAY I could think a 1987 year could be just a round the corner.
I see no good future for the Twins right now. They haven't made the right moves. It's possible we could be really good this year because of our incredible hitting, and the current rotation MIGHT surprise...
... but that's the 10-year old me talking. Adult me just sighs and sits back and tries to enjoy the season. Even bad baseball is better than no baseball.
For half a season at least.
Vikings
The Vikings acquired Mike Wallace, Miami's best receiver yesterday. Once more, he comes with a "catch" (pun intended). He's been known for attitude problems, including a sideline altercation in last year's Seattle game.
He only cost us a fifth round pick, so I guess we'll wait and see if he helps or hurts. Sometimes a change in scenery is all that's needed. At least he's not known for beating children.
He only cost us a fifth round pick, so I guess we'll wait and see if he helps or hurts. Sometimes a change in scenery is all that's needed. At least he's not known for beating children.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Hughes and the New Pitching Coach
I wrote a blog about a month ago about Neil Allen, our new pitching coach. He molded Tampa Bay's young starters into one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. His secret? He taught them ALL the value of the change-up.
I said I liked that idea because Twins starters for the last several years weren't fooling anybody with their constant stream of fastballs. My ONE caution: DON'T TOUCH Phil Hughes. He's always had one of the worst change-ups in baseball, but with his incredible control (the best strikeouts to walks ratio in baseball history last year) he doesn't need tampering with.
Well, my worst fears were realized. Hughes had his second straight horrible spring training outing yesterday, including walking a guy who can't hit, on FOUR straight balls. Hughes hasn't thrown four straight balls in his entire life. I was wondering how that happened.
I discovered the reason in an article printed this morning at ESPN. This is a direct quote:
"Hughes also has been working on his change-up at the urging of new pitching coach Neil Allen."
nuts
The ONE good thing about our entire team has now been messed up by the one NEW guy I was hoping would actually help the team.
sigh
It's going to be a long, long, dreary season. Or two...
I said I liked that idea because Twins starters for the last several years weren't fooling anybody with their constant stream of fastballs. My ONE caution: DON'T TOUCH Phil Hughes. He's always had one of the worst change-ups in baseball, but with his incredible control (the best strikeouts to walks ratio in baseball history last year) he doesn't need tampering with.
Well, my worst fears were realized. Hughes had his second straight horrible spring training outing yesterday, including walking a guy who can't hit, on FOUR straight balls. Hughes hasn't thrown four straight balls in his entire life. I was wondering how that happened.
I discovered the reason in an article printed this morning at ESPN. This is a direct quote:
"Hughes also has been working on his change-up at the urging of new pitching coach Neil Allen."
nuts
The ONE good thing about our entire team has now been messed up by the one NEW guy I was hoping would actually help the team.
sigh
It's going to be a long, long, dreary season. Or two...
Thursday, March 12, 2015
And So it Begins...
From a sports report from Wednesday's exhibition game, Twins vs Rays: (Italics emphasis mine to make a point,)
"Trevor May gives up a triple to Alexi Casilla to open the fifth, just out of the reach of an outstretched Torii Hunter in RF."
"Trevor May gives up a triple to Alexi Casilla to open the fifth, just out of the reach of an outstretched Torii Hunter in RF."
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Bits and Pieces
The Jets failed to reach a new, reduced salary deal with Percy Harvin and released him outright. His locker room influence seems to turn most teams off. He's now available to anyone who wants him.
The Twins have won their last couple of preseason games. It's hard to judge pitching this early because no one is going longer than a couple of innings.
Sano's homer on Monday was the highlight of the week so far. With Plouffe pencilled in at third, the Twins are considering sending Sano back to the minors anyway in the next couple of days. Because of union rules, if Sano is hurt in any way while with the big league team he would be put on the MAJOR league disabled list and that would count for major league PLAYING TIME. That basically means he would be due for larger contracts, arbitration, and free agency earlier. Most teams avoid such things by sending minor league stars back to the minors after seeing them awhile in the spring.
Sano is a big guy. Reports this spring are that he's put on a considerable amount of muscle since the Twins signed him. He's listed at 6 foot 4, 235 pounds in most recent media guides. And yet he's still only 21. He was 195 pounds when the the Twins signed him.
The future corners for the Twins in Vargas and Sano will weigh over 500 pounds when they start playing together. That's some pretty big homerun hitters.
I'm not sure what the Twins are looking for from Hicks this spring to convince them he's the man for the center field job. I'm quite sure that it isn't the vapor lock he's exhibited the past couple of games.
The other day Hicks was picked off first and saved by a balk call, which moved him to second -- where he promptly got picked off again.
On Tuesday Hicks lost track of the outs so Paul Molitor, in disgust, pulled him from the game and inserted Byron Buxton.
Buxton drew a pair of walks and pulled off a Buxton base running move, going first-to-third on a single to left that the Toronto broadcasters described as a "looping liner." Base runners generally don't make that play work -- the throw to third is a short one -- but Buxton motors. I don't know that he's the fastest guy in baseball, as Tom Kelly suggested in the summer of 2013, but he's close. Hicks is fast. Buxton is faster.
The Twins have won their last couple of preseason games. It's hard to judge pitching this early because no one is going longer than a couple of innings.
Sano's homer on Monday was the highlight of the week so far. With Plouffe pencilled in at third, the Twins are considering sending Sano back to the minors anyway in the next couple of days. Because of union rules, if Sano is hurt in any way while with the big league team he would be put on the MAJOR league disabled list and that would count for major league PLAYING TIME. That basically means he would be due for larger contracts, arbitration, and free agency earlier. Most teams avoid such things by sending minor league stars back to the minors after seeing them awhile in the spring.
Sano is a big guy. Reports this spring are that he's put on a considerable amount of muscle since the Twins signed him. He's listed at 6 foot 4, 235 pounds in most recent media guides. And yet he's still only 21. He was 195 pounds when the the Twins signed him.
The future corners for the Twins in Vargas and Sano will weigh over 500 pounds when they start playing together. That's some pretty big homerun hitters.
I'm not sure what the Twins are looking for from Hicks this spring to convince them he's the man for the center field job. I'm quite sure that it isn't the vapor lock he's exhibited the past couple of games.
The other day Hicks was picked off first and saved by a balk call, which moved him to second -- where he promptly got picked off again.
On Tuesday Hicks lost track of the outs so Paul Molitor, in disgust, pulled him from the game and inserted Byron Buxton.
Buxton drew a pair of walks and pulled off a Buxton base running move, going first-to-third on a single to left that the Toronto broadcasters described as a "looping liner." Base runners generally don't make that play work -- the throw to third is a short one -- but Buxton motors. I don't know that he's the fastest guy in baseball, as Tom Kelly suggested in the summer of 2013, but he's close. Hicks is fast. Buxton is faster.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Reality Show Claims the Life of Olympic Champion
A new French reality show accidently killed 10 people yesterday, including Olympic swimming champion Camille Moffat, when two helicopters collided and crashed in a remote part of Argentina.
Wow.
The line that surprised me the most from news services? "The crash was believed to be one of the worst accidents yet related to TV reality..."
You mean there may be even more people dying like this because of reality TV shows?
What a waste of life. What a stupid, worthless genre of television.
Wow.
The line that surprised me the most from news services? "The crash was believed to be one of the worst accidents yet related to TV reality..."
You mean there may be even more people dying like this because of reality TV shows?
What a waste of life. What a stupid, worthless genre of television.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Lindsey Vonn
Lindsey Vonn won a World Cup super-G on Sunday to regain the lead in the discipline with one race remaining.
Vonn is chasing her fifth super-G World Cup title and stretched her record with a 23rd race win in the event. Vonn's 65th career win, another record, gave her an eight-point lead over Fenninger in the Super-G standings. The last race in the event is at the World Cup finals in Meribel, France, later this month. Vonn could equal Katja Seizinger's record of five Super-G titles.
Vonn is chasing her fifth super-G World Cup title and stretched her record with a 23rd race win in the event. Vonn's 65th career win, another record, gave her an eight-point lead over Fenninger in the Super-G standings. The last race in the event is at the World Cup finals in Meribel, France, later this month. Vonn could equal Katja Seizinger's record of five Super-G titles.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Of Youth and Miracles
There is ONE common thread in miracle baseball teams. There is ONE thing that runs through teams that go from "worst to first." There is just one.
Youth.
NO team in baseball history has ever had a dramatic one or two year turnaround without it. Not the '67 Red Sox or the '69 Mets or the '87 Twins. Teams with an aging roster of veterans, who were never good, don't suddenly become one of the best teams in baseball.
There is a book out right now called "Impossible Dream" and it chronicles the incredible season the Red Sox had in 1967. Carl Yastrzemski became the best hitter in baseball that year. He was only 27. The ace of the pitching staff was Jim Lonborg. He wasn't 30 yet. Their OLDEST pitchers were Gary Bell and Lee Stange. They were only 30. Their whole team was young. And they had one of the best teams in baseball history.
Most Twins fans remember the '87 Twins. They might have had a couple of older veterans but youth ran through their veins as well. Our current roster has 5 regular players older than 30 and SIX pitchers older than that. That's 11 players years past baseball prime,
The Twins did something weird in '86, they got rid of most of their older players and went with virtual rookies. It was a rough year. But something incredible happened in '87 that we will continue to celebrate for years to come. The Twins currently have those very same type of players in Double and Triple A ball right now, both as regulars and pitchers.
The only difference is that most will stay there for several more seasons. Many of our veteran starters are now inked, foolishly, to multi-year contracts. And Mauer's contract will last a few more years as well. We are an older team simply getting older. History tells us to get better, we have to go with younger players.
But we can't make the switch.
Don't expect any miracles without it.
Youth.
NO team in baseball history has ever had a dramatic one or two year turnaround without it. Not the '67 Red Sox or the '69 Mets or the '87 Twins. Teams with an aging roster of veterans, who were never good, don't suddenly become one of the best teams in baseball.
There is a book out right now called "Impossible Dream" and it chronicles the incredible season the Red Sox had in 1967. Carl Yastrzemski became the best hitter in baseball that year. He was only 27. The ace of the pitching staff was Jim Lonborg. He wasn't 30 yet. Their OLDEST pitchers were Gary Bell and Lee Stange. They were only 30. Their whole team was young. And they had one of the best teams in baseball history.
Most Twins fans remember the '87 Twins. They might have had a couple of older veterans but youth ran through their veins as well. Our current roster has 5 regular players older than 30 and SIX pitchers older than that. That's 11 players years past baseball prime,
The Twins did something weird in '86, they got rid of most of their older players and went with virtual rookies. It was a rough year. But something incredible happened in '87 that we will continue to celebrate for years to come. The Twins currently have those very same type of players in Double and Triple A ball right now, both as regulars and pitchers.
The only difference is that most will stay there for several more seasons. Many of our veteran starters are now inked, foolishly, to multi-year contracts. And Mauer's contract will last a few more years as well. We are an older team simply getting older. History tells us to get better, we have to go with younger players.
But we can't make the switch.
Don't expect any miracles without it.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Future Gloom
I told myself that I'd try to be more optimistic about the Twins this season. Maybe Joe Mauer will be his old self for a couple of more seasons now that he's fully healed from all that's ailed him. Maybe the nice array of veteran starters and guys like Kyle Gibson will give the Twins 1000 innings of solid pitching performance among the five starters for a full season. They are, individually, each capable of 200 good innings, if healthy, so why not? Maybe Arcia and Vegas will have breakout 30 plus homerun seasons. And maybe Molitor will learn to play the metric saber odds more readily than I hope...
...and then I read that Torrii Hunter came home to Minnesota for more than one reason, he doesn't just want to finish his career hear, he wants to eventually become the Twins GM, because he thinks he's pretty "good at judging talent."
Suddenly I start to think, "I'm 55 years old, now I'll never live long enough to see another Twin's championship. I may not live long enough to see another winning season."
I'm sure Torii is a nice enough guy, but if he can't see why he isn't worth what he's asking this season, I dread the future of him leading the team. He's the living embodiment of "old school."
Baseball management has always been divided into two camps. There is the team that expects to win the division every single year, and they make plans, both short term and long term, to do just that. They spend money on young talent while being open to getting rid of expensive older, popular stars in order to do that. They also spend the money, every year, on the best free agents available, for short-term help to fill present gaps in defense, pitching, or hitting. It's a system that has worked well for most teams that employ it. The Twins WERE one of those teams from 2004-2010.
Then there is the team that plays with smoke and mirrors. They bring in average free-agents, hoping against hope that they will somehow, someway become better players than they've been in the past, while bringing BACK popular, aging veterans to sell tickets early in the season. They even throw in a new stadium to get people interested. They have every conceivable promotion possible throughout the season to bribe fans to come to the game, trying to disguise the fact that they aren't very good, while relying on nostalgia and young families to fill the seats. They are in the entertainment business. Their box office is far more important than winning or losing. That strategy works for getting fans to the game, for a few season at least, but then, when they don't win, it all falls apart. That's been the Twins for the last several seasons. Eventually the subjects see the emperor has no clothes and they quit supporting the emperor.
That will become the Twins in the next couple of season without a miracle turn-around.
I should add that there is a third type of team. I call them the Yankees and Dodgers. They just spend money until something clicks. Most teams do not fall into that category so I'll ignore them.
The future of baseball, for any team, is NOT living in the past. I don't see the need for any radical new rule changes. Replay makes sense because we have the capabilities to get more close calls correct without the endless, time-consuming arguing. And getting everybody to play faster between innings makes just as much sense. The only baseball teams that don't have quick between innings breaks are major league ones.
But successful teams now, and in the future will rely on numbers crunching statistics more than ever. Glenn Perkins knows that. There is a reason that he has become one of the best closers in baseball (at least when he's healthy.) He is a numbers geek. He KNOWS the metrics of every batter he faces. He knows their tendencies in every situation like no other pitcher in history. He studies those tendencies, those metrics, as much as he gets his arm in pitching shape. And he uses that knowledge to make the right pitch selection, every time. He's been quoted in the past as saying that when he makes a mistake, it's not his mind that fails, it's that his body didn't throw the exact pitch the way that he wanted. His mistakes are pitches that "got away from him." It wasn't a bad selection. It was poor execution.
And he knows the difference. HE HAS A MODERN BASEBALL MIND. He would make a great GM someday. It's also what he is currently grooming himself for. The problem is that Torii is going to reach retirement long before Perkins, and the Twins wouldn't be looking for a sharp baseball mind anyway. They'll be looking for a guy like Torii Hunter. One who the fans like.
And I'll never see another Twins winning season.
...and then I read that Torrii Hunter came home to Minnesota for more than one reason, he doesn't just want to finish his career hear, he wants to eventually become the Twins GM, because he thinks he's pretty "good at judging talent."
Suddenly I start to think, "I'm 55 years old, now I'll never live long enough to see another Twin's championship. I may not live long enough to see another winning season."
I'm sure Torii is a nice enough guy, but if he can't see why he isn't worth what he's asking this season, I dread the future of him leading the team. He's the living embodiment of "old school."
Baseball management has always been divided into two camps. There is the team that expects to win the division every single year, and they make plans, both short term and long term, to do just that. They spend money on young talent while being open to getting rid of expensive older, popular stars in order to do that. They also spend the money, every year, on the best free agents available, for short-term help to fill present gaps in defense, pitching, or hitting. It's a system that has worked well for most teams that employ it. The Twins WERE one of those teams from 2004-2010.
Then there is the team that plays with smoke and mirrors. They bring in average free-agents, hoping against hope that they will somehow, someway become better players than they've been in the past, while bringing BACK popular, aging veterans to sell tickets early in the season. They even throw in a new stadium to get people interested. They have every conceivable promotion possible throughout the season to bribe fans to come to the game, trying to disguise the fact that they aren't very good, while relying on nostalgia and young families to fill the seats. They are in the entertainment business. Their box office is far more important than winning or losing. That strategy works for getting fans to the game, for a few season at least, but then, when they don't win, it all falls apart. That's been the Twins for the last several seasons. Eventually the subjects see the emperor has no clothes and they quit supporting the emperor.
That will become the Twins in the next couple of season without a miracle turn-around.
I should add that there is a third type of team. I call them the Yankees and Dodgers. They just spend money until something clicks. Most teams do not fall into that category so I'll ignore them.
The future of baseball, for any team, is NOT living in the past. I don't see the need for any radical new rule changes. Replay makes sense because we have the capabilities to get more close calls correct without the endless, time-consuming arguing. And getting everybody to play faster between innings makes just as much sense. The only baseball teams that don't have quick between innings breaks are major league ones.
But successful teams now, and in the future will rely on numbers crunching statistics more than ever. Glenn Perkins knows that. There is a reason that he has become one of the best closers in baseball (at least when he's healthy.) He is a numbers geek. He KNOWS the metrics of every batter he faces. He knows their tendencies in every situation like no other pitcher in history. He studies those tendencies, those metrics, as much as he gets his arm in pitching shape. And he uses that knowledge to make the right pitch selection, every time. He's been quoted in the past as saying that when he makes a mistake, it's not his mind that fails, it's that his body didn't throw the exact pitch the way that he wanted. His mistakes are pitches that "got away from him." It wasn't a bad selection. It was poor execution.
And he knows the difference. HE HAS A MODERN BASEBALL MIND. He would make a great GM someday. It's also what he is currently grooming himself for. The problem is that Torii is going to reach retirement long before Perkins, and the Twins wouldn't be looking for a sharp baseball mind anyway. They'll be looking for a guy like Torii Hunter. One who the fans like.
And I'll never see another Twins winning season.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Big Tight End
Years ago I used to regularly talk to Super Steve about the possibility of having a 6 foot 10 inch tight end who could really jump for goal line situations. You just throw it to him, high, in the end zone, and BOOM: touchdown, every time. (We used to talk about 600 pound sumo wrestlers as goalies in hockey too, with Cranky Curtis as part of the conversation...)
Well, Baylor football is taking those ideas and kind of combining them. They have a very athletic 6 foot eight, 400 pound offensive lineman with extremely large, soft hands and they used him last year late in the season as a receiver ONCE. He was so big and tall that he made the perfect target.
This year they plan on using him, LaQuan McGowan, much more, especially in goal line situations. Their only concern is using him in practice that way. They don't want to hurt any of their own defensive players defending him.
I look forward to the experiment. And if it doesn't work out, LaQuan could try out as goalie for the Wild. Big, soft hands, and an athletic, quick body big enough to block the entire net. What more could you want in a goalie?
Well, Baylor football is taking those ideas and kind of combining them. They have a very athletic 6 foot eight, 400 pound offensive lineman with extremely large, soft hands and they used him last year late in the season as a receiver ONCE. He was so big and tall that he made the perfect target.
This year they plan on using him, LaQuan McGowan, much more, especially in goal line situations. Their only concern is using him in practice that way. They don't want to hurt any of their own defensive players defending him.
I look forward to the experiment. And if it doesn't work out, LaQuan could try out as goalie for the Wild. Big, soft hands, and an athletic, quick body big enough to block the entire net. What more could you want in a goalie?
Twins Win
Let's face it, there wasn't much pitching last night. But Torii drove in his first RBI for the Twins since before the Obama administration, and the Twins managed more hits than Boston. A fun night of practice baseball indeed.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Of Twins and Vikings
It was great to see all the young Twins everybody talks and writes about in last night's game. It was also fun to see the Gophers get their ONE and only hit in the first inning to take an early lead. Of course, the Twins only had SIX hits of their own going against college pitching, so just maybe those young guys aren't ready for prime time just yet, either.
The Vikings made quite a bit of news for themselves as well. They traded Matt Cassel for a couple of draft picks to Buffalo meaning it's Teddy or nothing from now on, AND they had their big meeting with Adrian Peterson yesterday, telling him how much they NEED him.
Never mind that once a running back turns 30, his better days are officially in the rearview mirror. Adrian will be 30 before next season starts. I'm so disappointed in Vikings management.
Twins and Red Sox tonight. Practice games are always better than no games.
The Vikings made quite a bit of news for themselves as well. They traded Matt Cassel for a couple of draft picks to Buffalo meaning it's Teddy or nothing from now on, AND they had their big meeting with Adrian Peterson yesterday, telling him how much they NEED him.
Never mind that once a running back turns 30, his better days are officially in the rearview mirror. Adrian will be 30 before next season starts. I'm so disappointed in Vikings management.
Twins and Red Sox tonight. Practice games are always better than no games.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
32 Days Until Opening Day
It's fun seeing baseball scores at ESPN again, even if they are exhibition games.
I was reading some reader's comments yesterday on some of those scores. It seems that there is a growing number of fans who HATE it when major league clubs go against college teams. Why? Because those games "don't count."
Just to make this clear for them: NONE of the exhibition games count. Are you just stupid?
This has been a public service announcement from the casual sports fan.
I was reading some reader's comments yesterday on some of those scores. It seems that there is a growing number of fans who HATE it when major league clubs go against college teams. Why? Because those games "don't count."
Just to make this clear for them: NONE of the exhibition games count. Are you just stupid?
This has been a public service announcement from the casual sports fan.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Twins/Gophers
The first real game for the Twins will be against the Gopher squad tomorrow afternoon. Baseball is super cool that way. Baseball isn't really here until GAMES are being PLAYED. Fox Sports North is planning on broadcasting it. That makes it even cooler.
I'll be sitting at home with my dirty old Twins cap watching.
I'll also be wearing my Gopher sweatshirt.
Go Minnesota!!
I'll be sitting at home with my dirty old Twins cap watching.
I'll also be wearing my Gopher sweatshirt.
Go Minnesota!!
Monday, March 2, 2015
How Many Homeruns?
Twins Daily asked that question today about the Twins this season.
Last year's totals for this year's projected starters:
Suzuki: 3
Mauer: 4
Dozier: 23
Ploufee: 14
Sanatana: 7 (at short)
Arcia: 20
Hicks:1 (despite my greatest objections he might be the center fielder to start the season)
Hunter: 17
Vargas: 9
That's not much power. Dozier had a big letdown the second half. Hunter's older.
Vargas and Arcia have the best chance at 20 or more.
I've always said home runs are over-rated. Walks and runs scored are better statistics for teams like the Twins.
So, the answer is: Not many. Just like the last several years.
Last year's totals for this year's projected starters:
Suzuki: 3
Mauer: 4
Dozier: 23
Ploufee: 14
Sanatana: 7 (at short)
Arcia: 20
Hicks:1 (despite my greatest objections he might be the center fielder to start the season)
Hunter: 17
Vargas: 9
That's not much power. Dozier had a big letdown the second half. Hunter's older.
Vargas and Arcia have the best chance at 20 or more.
I've always said home runs are over-rated. Walks and runs scored are better statistics for teams like the Twins.
So, the answer is: Not many. Just like the last several years.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Why Football and Baseball?
I was trying to figure out the other day why football and baseball stand so far above my other sports choices. I used to like both the NBA and NHL a lot more than I do now, so I wondered what happened?
I realize that I never have really liked the Timberwolves. Growing up, the Lakers were my team. They had Wilt and Jerry West and were easily the best team in basketball for a number of years. They were also broadcast the most because of that. They were always featured on ABC's game of the week. And they were great. That their greatest rival was the Bucks with Kareem and Oscar Robertson made viewing them even better.
We had the GOPHERS as our local team, and at the time, they were always contending for the Big Ten title. Michael Thompson and Kevin McHale made sure of that. When McHale joined the Celtics with Larry Bird, I suddenly had another favorite team. My Lakers had become Kareem and Magic and they were now big rivals of the Celtics. NBA life had never been better for me.
The introduction of the Wolves kind of fouled up everything. I wanted to like them, but let's face it, they just weren't any good. Ever. I grew up watching the best in the Lakers, Bucks, and Celtics (and the Gophers in college) and suddenly I was given a local team that was nothing but losers.
It's hard to switch allegiance for something like that. And I never really have. Instead of liking them, they (along with the now awful Gophers) made me sick of basketball. I started to notice bad ref calls affecting more close games than I liked. I also started to notice that hard contact was now ignored a lot more than it used to be. The game changed for the worse. My team changed for the worse. My desire for viewing basketball simply left me over time. And its never came back.
My NHL story is briefer. I liked the Stars as a kid. They moved because of a stupid owner who couldn't control his sexual harassment desires, and the new team, the Wild, never became MY team. They've never been really good either.
I grew up with the Vikings and Twins. They are still here. The Twins play in the summer when nothing else is on TV, so it's easy to follow them, almost every game is broadcast and doesn't have competition for my viewing.
The Vikings play most of their games on Sunday afternoons. There's no competition with other TV shows then, either. Football and baseball have everything going for them. Plus both the Vikes and Twins have had tons of history in winning. Not so much lately, but they were good in the past, so I can still give them a pass.
Finally, I am proudly a bandwagon fan. I always have been. The Vikings, the Twins, and the Gophers were great every year when I was young. They built a bond with me that's hard to break. If you lose long enough (like the Gophers) eventually that bond will be broken.
The Twins and Vikings are still my teams. For now. That could change, but my 50 plus year investment in them will make that break harder. A winning season or two, and I'll be off and running again for another 40 years.
I realize that I never have really liked the Timberwolves. Growing up, the Lakers were my team. They had Wilt and Jerry West and were easily the best team in basketball for a number of years. They were also broadcast the most because of that. They were always featured on ABC's game of the week. And they were great. That their greatest rival was the Bucks with Kareem and Oscar Robertson made viewing them even better.
We had the GOPHERS as our local team, and at the time, they were always contending for the Big Ten title. Michael Thompson and Kevin McHale made sure of that. When McHale joined the Celtics with Larry Bird, I suddenly had another favorite team. My Lakers had become Kareem and Magic and they were now big rivals of the Celtics. NBA life had never been better for me.
The introduction of the Wolves kind of fouled up everything. I wanted to like them, but let's face it, they just weren't any good. Ever. I grew up watching the best in the Lakers, Bucks, and Celtics (and the Gophers in college) and suddenly I was given a local team that was nothing but losers.
It's hard to switch allegiance for something like that. And I never really have. Instead of liking them, they (along with the now awful Gophers) made me sick of basketball. I started to notice bad ref calls affecting more close games than I liked. I also started to notice that hard contact was now ignored a lot more than it used to be. The game changed for the worse. My team changed for the worse. My desire for viewing basketball simply left me over time. And its never came back.
My NHL story is briefer. I liked the Stars as a kid. They moved because of a stupid owner who couldn't control his sexual harassment desires, and the new team, the Wild, never became MY team. They've never been really good either.
I grew up with the Vikings and Twins. They are still here. The Twins play in the summer when nothing else is on TV, so it's easy to follow them, almost every game is broadcast and doesn't have competition for my viewing.
The Vikings play most of their games on Sunday afternoons. There's no competition with other TV shows then, either. Football and baseball have everything going for them. Plus both the Vikes and Twins have had tons of history in winning. Not so much lately, but they were good in the past, so I can still give them a pass.
Finally, I am proudly a bandwagon fan. I always have been. The Vikings, the Twins, and the Gophers were great every year when I was young. They built a bond with me that's hard to break. If you lose long enough (like the Gophers) eventually that bond will be broken.
The Twins and Vikings are still my teams. For now. That could change, but my 50 plus year investment in them will make that break harder. A winning season or two, and I'll be off and running again for another 40 years.
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