I want to see a new game.
140 game schedule.
Games that only last seven innings.
No extra inning games. Ties to take their place.
10 pitch limit to any one batter.
Domes for all games if the weather turns sour, otherwise the home team forfeits.
I used to be a traditionalist, but baseball should just start over and sever all its ties to the past. A modern era, with all new records, is the path it should take.
The Twins are still tied for first.
Let's see how long they stay there.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
That Was Painful
Another brilliant start by Santana. Just ONE earned run in seven innings of precise pitching.
Followed by the complete breakdown of an already overused bullpen.
I can't believe there was even one fan who sat through the last two innings.
This is the direct result of rainout doubleheader make-up games compounded by 6 1/2 hour forced extra-innings games.
Disaster was just waiting to strike.
And it did.
Followed by the complete breakdown of an already overused bullpen.
I can't believe there was even one fan who sat through the last two innings.
This is the direct result of rainout doubleheader make-up games compounded by 6 1/2 hour forced extra-innings games.
Disaster was just waiting to strike.
And it did.
Monday, May 29, 2017
It's Time To Make A Change
Really, who wants to watch a 6 1/2 hour baseball game?
I'd be writing these same words today even if the Twins won yesterday. But seriously, who wants these extra-inning heartbreaking losses?
Certainly not the fans at the ballpark. Most had left by the 11th inning. By the end of the game, I thinks the players' wives and kids had left, too. There was this one guy, but I think he had the keys to lock up the place...
I'm willing to bet there weren't more than a handful of fans nationwide who watched the whole game. The players didn't want to be there any more. They looked dead.
The bullpens don't need to be taxed like that. A game that long, in the modern era, should no longer exist. It's time to give both teams a couple of more innings and to call the thing a tie when the score is tied after eleven innings.
I wouldn't even mind seeing games end after nine.
In a 162 game season, there are more than enough opportunities to win other games. NO ONE BENEFITS FROM THEM.
I don't know why the player's association doesn't step in for a rules change. Losing a game like this is far worse than splitting a double-header. It's time to give both the fans and the players a break.
I'd be writing these same words today even if the Twins won yesterday. But seriously, who wants these extra-inning heartbreaking losses?
Certainly not the fans at the ballpark. Most had left by the 11th inning. By the end of the game, I thinks the players' wives and kids had left, too. There was this one guy, but I think he had the keys to lock up the place...
I'm willing to bet there weren't more than a handful of fans nationwide who watched the whole game. The players didn't want to be there any more. They looked dead.
The bullpens don't need to be taxed like that. A game that long, in the modern era, should no longer exist. It's time to give both teams a couple of more innings and to call the thing a tie when the score is tied after eleven innings.
I wouldn't even mind seeing games end after nine.
In a 162 game season, there are more than enough opportunities to win other games. NO ONE BENEFITS FROM THEM.
I don't know why the player's association doesn't step in for a rules change. Losing a game like this is far worse than splitting a double-header. It's time to give both the fans and the players a break.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Twins Lose At Home
sigh
At least they faced really good pitching. It's hard to win when you face someone THAT good.
Cleveland lost, too. We still are TWO full games up in the central.
At least they faced really good pitching. It's hard to win when you face someone THAT good.
Cleveland lost, too. We still are TWO full games up in the central.
Friday, May 26, 2017
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Twins Sweep Baltimore!
Berrios!
I couldn't decide on a headline this morning, so I used both. Jose Berrios had a two-hit shutout through six. The Twins bats did the rest even if Baltimore did get three solo shots late. It's the first time Baltimore has lost a series at home this year. It's the Twins first sweep of Baltimore AT Camden yards in 21 seasons.
The Twins also have the best road record in baseball now at 14-5.
I keep waiting for all of this to collapse, but so far the Twins have been playing consistently solid baseball. Even their defense is among the league's best.
The Twins have the day off today. Santiago goes Friday night as the Twins start a 6 game home stand.
Go Twins!!!
I couldn't decide on a headline this morning, so I used both. Jose Berrios had a two-hit shutout through six. The Twins bats did the rest even if Baltimore did get three solo shots late. It's the first time Baltimore has lost a series at home this year. It's the Twins first sweep of Baltimore AT Camden yards in 21 seasons.
The Twins also have the best road record in baseball now at 14-5.
I keep waiting for all of this to collapse, but so far the Twins have been playing consistently solid baseball. Even their defense is among the league's best.
The Twins have the day off today. Santiago goes Friday night as the Twins start a 6 game home stand.
Go Twins!!!
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Santana!
The Twins got the GOOD Ervin Santana again last night.
A complete game.
A shutout.
And only two hits.
THAT'S the pitcher the Twins need to show up to win the division.
Go Twins!
A complete game.
A shutout.
And only two hits.
THAT'S the pitcher the Twins need to show up to win the division.
Go Twins!
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Gibson Came Back
The Twins needed a starter. They called back Gibson from Rochester. He was awful (6 earned runs in 5 innings). The Twins scored 14 runs and won anyway against the eastern division leading Orioles AT Baltimore. Sano had four hits including a homer. Polanco had four hits. Kepler had four RBI on three hits (including a homer).
Even Mauer stayed hot with three hits. Everything was good except Gibson.
When you win with pitching that bad, you have to be happy.
I am.
But not with Gibson.
Even Mauer stayed hot with three hits. Everything was good except Gibson.
When you win with pitching that bad, you have to be happy.
I am.
But not with Gibson.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Power, Quick Pitching Fix, Split
Adalbeto Mejia came up from Rochester to pitch a win for the Twins before being sent back down. Hughes looked awful again in the first game, this time giving up 5 earned runs in only 4 innings of work.
At least the home runs came back in the second game. When the dust settled the Twins still found themselves a few percentage points ahead in the central division.
An okay weekend.
At least the home runs came back in the second game. When the dust settled the Twins still found themselves a few percentage points ahead in the central division.
An okay weekend.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Didn't Look For That
The Twins were having a lousy day at the plate. Vargas, pinch hitting in the ninth, ties the game with a pinch-hit, two-run homer. Polanco gets a sacrifice fly in the 10th. The Twins get the surprise win.
Easy peasy.
The only thing missing?
Me. I went to bed early thinking the game was over.
Go Twins!
Easy peasy.
The only thing missing?
Me. I went to bed early thinking the game was over.
Go Twins!
Friday, May 19, 2017
Berrios!
Ervin Santana looked more human in the first game of yesterday's doubleheader, losing for the second time in his last three starts, but Jose Berrios absolutely dazzled in his second start of the season, striking out 11 in a little less than 8 innings.
He still hasn't allowed an earned run. He's looking a lot like Santana did in April.
The Twins are still in first heading into the weekend.
Go Twins!
He still hasn't allowed an earned run. He's looking a lot like Santana did in April.
The Twins are still in first heading into the weekend.
Go Twins!
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Twins
It's Thursday. The Twins have played just ONCE since Sunday (and they LOST that game badly).
YET they gained a half game in the standings.
I said it before and I'll say it again. A team can be competitive in a division that plays .500 ball.
YET they gained a half game in the standings.
I said it before and I'll say it again. A team can be competitive in a division that plays .500 ball.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Hughes and Buxton
Two Twins going opposite directions.
Hughes gave up 5 earned runs through 5 innings last night. Buxton's swing is getting sweeter every day.
Thankfully, the Twins are still in first.
Hughes gave up 5 earned runs through 5 innings last night. Buxton's swing is getting sweeter every day.
Thankfully, the Twins are still in first.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Monday, May 15, 2017
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Berrios!
There was a reason the Twins hadn't called Berrios up yet. He failed the fastball test every time he tried. The simple test is that he has to throw three fastballs to the inside corner of the plate and then three fastballs to the outside corner. IF he'd ever hit 5 out of 6 of those pitches, he'd have been on the major league roster from the beginning of the season.
But he couldn't.
The Twins, however, needed another starter, and Berrios was killing it in Triple A, so the Twins decided to unleash him in the majors again anyway.
He doesn't yet have control of that magnificent fastball, but the second place Indians couldn't deal with it yesterday any better than the boys at trip A could.
Bottom line: The Twins won AND have kept their consecutive games home run streak alive (now at 14. They haven't done that since 1988.)
Go Twins! Go Santiago today!
But he couldn't.
The Twins, however, needed another starter, and Berrios was killing it in Triple A, so the Twins decided to unleash him in the majors again anyway.
He doesn't yet have control of that magnificent fastball, but the second place Indians couldn't deal with it yesterday any better than the boys at trip A could.
Bottom line: The Twins won AND have kept their consecutive games home run streak alive (now at 14. They haven't done that since 1988.)
Go Twins! Go Santiago today!
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Friday, May 12, 2017
Escobar!
Eduardo hit his fourth home run of the season last night to help the Twins get out to a 6-0 lead. Hughes looked good through 3, but never made it through the fifth, failing to pick up the win.
The final (7-6) kept Twins fan fretting late, but at least they pulled off the win. They also extended their streak of games with home runs to 12 straight. They haven't accomplished that since 2002.
Go Twins!
The final (7-6) kept Twins fan fretting late, but at least they pulled off the win. They also extended their streak of games with home runs to 12 straight. They haven't accomplished that since 2002.
Go Twins!
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Of Baseball And Bees
The Twins picked up half a game in the standings yesterday by being rained out. Those make-up games are going to be killer later in the season. IF the Twins are still in the chase at the end, all those make-up games (5 already) are going to kill the bullpen.
I still think that if a professional team can't provide a domed stadium for their teams, the home team should forfeit every single game they can't play because of weather. We aren't living in the 1900's any more.
Onto other matters. Most people have heard that bee populations are shrinking across the world. I have no way of verifying that, and I rarely trust "experts" who make those claims. (Most experts who say such things, in whatever field they happen to be an expert in, have a political/ monetary agenda that benefits their perspective. Rarely do you have unbiased experts and observers.) BUT let's just say the experts are right this time, and there really is a "Bee Crisis". Where have all the bees gone?
Several theories are out there, ranging from pollution to global warming. Even the intense urbanization of the planet. BUT what if it was something much simpler? My own observations show me something in every neighborhood in Sleepy Eye.
Lawn care.
When I was a kid, everybody had dandelions. They were everywhere. You didn't worry about them if they were in your yard because EVERYBODY had them in their yard. Oh, sure their were a few scattered families around town that used all sorts of chemicals to give them a fresh green weedless, look, but for the most part, Sleepy Eye was town of dandelions.
We lived right next to the football and baseball fields in town and we played ball there every day for hours at a time. Those local ball fields were filled with dandelions as well. And there was one thing we always had to watch out for when we were playing: BEES! They were everywhere, too. Especially early in the season when the dandelions were out.
My theory? American adults are so prideful of their lawns now that dandelion populations are practically non-existant. AND with no dandelions to feed on, bee populations have suffered greatly.
In the spring, when gardeners have just started planting their flowers and full blooming flowers are still sometimes weeks away, dandelions provide the bee population with all the spring flowers they need until summer flowers were in full bloom.
The few people who have dandelions still in their yards are keeping the bee populations from dying out completely. They are the new environmental warriors protecting the planet from ecological catastrophe. The bee populations ARE suffering. Most estimates say they are down by 50% or more in just the last decade alone. Those people who steadfastly refuse to put chemicals on their lawn are the only people keeping the bee populations alive.
When you scan a sea of yellow in our lawn each day as you drive by, you can silently thank me.
You're welcome.
I still think that if a professional team can't provide a domed stadium for their teams, the home team should forfeit every single game they can't play because of weather. We aren't living in the 1900's any more.
Onto other matters. Most people have heard that bee populations are shrinking across the world. I have no way of verifying that, and I rarely trust "experts" who make those claims. (Most experts who say such things, in whatever field they happen to be an expert in, have a political/ monetary agenda that benefits their perspective. Rarely do you have unbiased experts and observers.) BUT let's just say the experts are right this time, and there really is a "Bee Crisis". Where have all the bees gone?
Several theories are out there, ranging from pollution to global warming. Even the intense urbanization of the planet. BUT what if it was something much simpler? My own observations show me something in every neighborhood in Sleepy Eye.
Lawn care.
When I was a kid, everybody had dandelions. They were everywhere. You didn't worry about them if they were in your yard because EVERYBODY had them in their yard. Oh, sure their were a few scattered families around town that used all sorts of chemicals to give them a fresh green weedless, look, but for the most part, Sleepy Eye was town of dandelions.
We lived right next to the football and baseball fields in town and we played ball there every day for hours at a time. Those local ball fields were filled with dandelions as well. And there was one thing we always had to watch out for when we were playing: BEES! They were everywhere, too. Especially early in the season when the dandelions were out.
My theory? American adults are so prideful of their lawns now that dandelion populations are practically non-existant. AND with no dandelions to feed on, bee populations have suffered greatly.
In the spring, when gardeners have just started planting their flowers and full blooming flowers are still sometimes weeks away, dandelions provide the bee population with all the spring flowers they need until summer flowers were in full bloom.
The few people who have dandelions still in their yards are keeping the bee populations from dying out completely. They are the new environmental warriors protecting the planet from ecological catastrophe. The bee populations ARE suffering. Most estimates say they are down by 50% or more in just the last decade alone. Those people who steadfastly refuse to put chemicals on their lawn are the only people keeping the bee populations alive.
When you scan a sea of yellow in our lawn each day as you drive by, you can silently thank me.
You're welcome.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Twins!
I almost hate to admit it, but I'm still actually watching and caring about the Twins this season.
Take last night, for instance. WWE wrestling is getting harder and harder to watch, so I found myself drawn to the Twins around the fourth inning. That was a good time to start watching because Vargas hit his fourth home run of the season to give the Twins the lead. I just kind of kept track of the Twins after that, even seeing Buxton get three hits, and raising his average to .188. NO, that number is not good, but it sure beats. 088.
Good pitching and lots of hitting, even while missing Sano and Dozier.
It's just a good thing everyone in the division is playing .500 ball. You can look like a contender in a division like that.
Go Twins!
Take last night, for instance. WWE wrestling is getting harder and harder to watch, so I found myself drawn to the Twins around the fourth inning. That was a good time to start watching because Vargas hit his fourth home run of the season to give the Twins the lead. I just kind of kept track of the Twins after that, even seeing Buxton get three hits, and raising his average to .188. NO, that number is not good, but it sure beats. 088.
Good pitching and lots of hitting, even while missing Sano and Dozier.
It's just a good thing everyone in the division is playing .500 ball. You can look like a contender in a division like that.
Go Twins!
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Danny Santana
The Twins couldn't find a consistent role for Danny Santana, so they traded him to Atlanta yesterday. They got a very raw minor league reliever for him named Kevin Chapman. Chapman has one thing going for him. He's left handed.
Atlanta got the best of the trade, but the Twins needed a roster spot and was out of options. Getting SOMETHING for Santana was better than getting nothing.
Atlanta got the best of the trade, but the Twins needed a roster spot and was out of options. Getting SOMETHING for Santana was better than getting nothing.
Monday, May 8, 2017
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Mauer Power!
Bottom of the ninth, two outs, 1-2 count...
... and Joe Mauer hits the first walk-off home run of his career.
It's too bad Hughes didn't get the win.
Nick Tepesch gets his first start of the season tonight.
Go Twins!
... and Joe Mauer hits the first walk-off home run of his career.
It's too bad Hughes didn't get the win.
Nick Tepesch gets his first start of the season tonight.
Go Twins!
Friday, May 5, 2017
Gibson
Do you ever wonder why the Twins winning streaks always come to a screeching halt?
Look at that record and that ERA and stop wondering.
The Twins shipped him to Rochester last night.
Look at that record and that ERA and stop wondering.
The Twins shipped him to Rochester last night.
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Vargas!
The Twins are doing something I expected them to do last season. They are hitting the long ball. Last night it was Vargas' 3-run shot and 5 RBI that gave the Twins another win.
And LOOK at these standings!!!
And LOOK at these standings!!!
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Santana!
And POWER!
And Mauer?!
This is fun. There, I said it. The pessimist in me does not expect any of this to last. Santana has been the best pitcher in baseball so far this year. He's been good for quite a while. So that really isn't a huge surprise.
That he's been this consistent for more than a month AND that the Twins offense is supporting him with runs, is a bit much to take in.
But, there you have it. NINE runs last night including SIX home runs (one of those from Mauer) is starting to make me feel more optimistic. Even Dozier is showing his power again, with two shots of his own last night. I still can't believe that BUXTON HIT ONE! Sano's blast was almost farther than any ball I've ever seen hit.
Keep it up guys. Keep surprising me.
And Mauer?!
This is fun. There, I said it. The pessimist in me does not expect any of this to last. Santana has been the best pitcher in baseball so far this year. He's been good for quite a while. So that really isn't a huge surprise.
That he's been this consistent for more than a month AND that the Twins offense is supporting him with runs, is a bit much to take in.
But, there you have it. NINE runs last night including SIX home runs (one of those from Mauer) is starting to make me feel more optimistic. Even Dozier is showing his power again, with two shots of his own last night. I still can't believe that BUXTON HIT ONE! Sano's blast was almost farther than any ball I've ever seen hit.
Keep it up guys. Keep surprising me.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Monday, May 1, 2017
Sano!
The big guy is producing. FIVE more RBI yesterday, he had a great April, leading the Twins in every major offensive category.
AND the Twins won, too.
They are above .500 again (13-12).
Go Twins!
AND the Twins won, too.
They are above .500 again (13-12).
Go Twins!
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