Game 1: Props If You Can Follow My Thought Process

OH MY GOD BASEBALL. That essentially sums up how I feel right now. For some reason MLBtv won't let me buy a subscription right now (it keeps telling me all my info is invalid) so I must do without Dick and Bert tonight. Luckily the game is on ESPN2, and there is no way that these announcers are more annoying than the White Sox announcers. They also called Joe "Super Joe Mauer". That's acceptable to me.

1st Inning

• Our new uniforms are very snazzy. They might even be considered "bangin'".
• Also, that was a rather sad show at the plate by out hitters.
  
• People need to stop giving D. Span crap for hitting his mom with a foul ball. The poor guy felt terrible!
• I'm not sure what Scotty is doing here, but I don't like it.
• D. Span caught that one for his mom.

2nd Inning-- 0-2 Angels

• Fielding fail by the Angels-- Canada does not often get infield hits. That slow mo replay was kind of brutal...but I bet Jason Bartlett knows how it feels to not have the ball in your hand when you go to throw it.
  
• Weaver solidly fanned Cuddy, there. Oh, Cuddy Bear.
• I realize how much more I love this team now that Boof is gone, but sad that he followed me here to Boston.
• I am also really excited about Jim Thome. He was one of the only White Sox that I could ever stand. This calls to mind the time he hit Red Dog in the face. And now the fact that Red Dog isn't here anymore. I wish I could say he's gone to a better place...but I don't think Cleveland counts.
• Delmon, you can still hit the ball very, very far. 2-2!
• But...only 2-2 for so long...Scotty, you're 17 now. You need to be able to handle this kind of pressure.

3rd Inning-- 2-3 Angels

• LNP! I've missed his scrappiness. But not his fly-outs.
• D. Span needs to get back into the swing of things. No pressure, bro, you're still amazing.
• Orland. I like you. And I like doubles.
• I forgot how sexy Joe's follow through is. Dear God, it's beautiful.
• Him getting called out on strikes though....not so beautiful.
  
• What is Torii doing in the dugout? I don't know, but I know that I would want him on my team in charades.
• Scotty appears to be settling down. I approve of this.
• 1-2-3 inning for Scotty! About time, kid.
  

4th Inning-- 2-3 Angels

• I've misses Justin's batting face. And love the fact that these announcers are wondering what kind of slap shot he has...even though he's a goalie.
• Oh, Canada...you need to knock one out of the park tonight. Wayne Gretzky is there for you!
  
• Cuddy...that was not what you should have done there. I don't even know what to call that.
  
• These announcers are funny. They're no Dick and Bert, but those guys are hard to compete with. They're talking about snuggies now.
  
• Awwww, Kubes.
• I get the feeling we are having a slow start.
• ESPN2 guys: Minnesota is not ALWAYS a frozen tundra. Only...sometimes. To be honest, I'd rather have the snow than the rainy non-sense I get out here in Boston.
• That was close, Kendrick. None of those just-barely-fair-balls-that-Cuddy-can't-quite-get-to tonight.
  
• ESPN2 boys think our new uniforms are also bangin', though that's not the terminology they used. Bert totally would.
  
• Another 1-2-3 for Scotty! This is what I like to see. Now our offense should pick it up, too.

5th Inning-- 2-3 Angels

• I am very touched by the fact that Weaver still writes "NA" on the mound before he starts an inning.
• Delmon's on track to be my player of the game. He's pulled some pro moves tonight. And then pulls more. I love base stealing.
  
• Productive out by J.J. Hardy. I'm glad he knows how the Twins play baseball.
• LNP once again proves he is the King of Sacrifices (in a non-violent manner).
• Alright, 3-3, Scotty better keep this up.
• Bah, right down the middle. Well played, Aybar.
• Damnit.
• Oh great. Now Jesse Crain. We do not have the best relationship.
• Ground ball out, I will take it.

Okay...as pathetic as it is, I need to go to bed...I hate the Pacific Time Zone.

A Long Time Coming

Well, it's been...a long time since I've posted anything resembling an update. A very long time. Which might be a huge loss but I'm not entirely sure. Anyone looking at this blog would wonder what in the heck happened to the 2009 season. I could tell you-- and tell you that I didn't blog about it. Blame life and college. Now, however, my college career is nearing its end, things are blooming here in Boston, Senioritis has set in, and it's Opening Day once more.

Opening Day is better than Christmas to me. The return of baseball is the best thing ever-- it's ridiculous how much this sport can effect my emotions and my daily life. Now comes the time when I start planning social events around the Twins schedule, when I put off (more) work in order to watch the boys and spend quality time with Dick and Bert.

I will say this: I am hella pumped for this season.

Though...part of me has died because Joe Nathan, my original Twins Boyfriend is out for the season. Who's going to make us stand up and shout?

While It Feels Like A Tradegy...

Well...

I am sad.

I shed tears. For the second time in my life, baseball made me cry (the first was when Kirby retired).

But this end really is not the tragedy it feels like to us right now.

This season was an amazing 163 game ride that no one could have expected or believed would happen. After losing two of our biggest stars in the off season, losing Pat Neshek in the beginning of the season, being plagued with injuries and spots of bad luck, we still managed to make it to what I would consider the play-offs.

That game tonight was a play-off game. It was an elimination that we fell just short of. And even though I am still unbelievably sad about the outcome of said game, I have to say, it was a good one. An intense end to an excellent season.

And all I really can say right now is that I am beyond proud of our team.

So, hats off to you, boys.

You gave it your all and showed everyone that you can play the game of baseball just like the big money franchises. You showed the world that no matter what, you were going to give it your all and play every game like it was the biggest game of your life. And you showed us, that no matter what happens in the off season or the regular season, that you wouldn't give up and that you believed in yourselves as a team.

Thank you.



(And let's all cheer for the Rays to effectively destroy the White Sox...)

For the next 24 hours...

For the next 24 hours I plan to be the biggest Detroit Tiger fan in history. I encourage everyone to join me. Hopefully the next game the Twins play will be at Tropicana Field. Here's to hoping...

Not Cool...

I know its been awhile since L and I have posted anything... and for that I apologize. But right now I need to get something off my chest, WTF TWINS?!?! At this moment I feel like we don't even deserve to be in the playoff chase, and at this rate we wont be for much longer. Remember when we were surprising everyone by winning... I vote we go back to that. Agreed?

And Joe Nathan needs a time out. Enough said.

The Good Life Is Having Baseball Players Serve You Steak

Uhm, Kevin Slowey could be my bartender any day.

Watch some of the action from Morton's Steak House last night here!

Pros and Cons, Along With a Short Trade Rant [Twins 10, ChiSox 6]

Well.

That was probably one of the best games I'd ever been to, from about the 4th inning on. I've decided to list The Good and The Bad about yesterdays game. So here you go.

THE GOOD

• After seriously forgetting how to hit the ball on Wednesday, we've remembered QUITE clearly
• The meal deal my friend and I got with our Home Run Porch tickets. I love Dome Dogs.
  
• Brendan Harris. His two doubles made me love him even more, despite his political opinions.
  
• Justin Morneau. That home run was gone the second he made contact with it. And it was beautiful.
• Kubes.
  
• AJ Pierzynski's complete inability to throw runners out. I love it.
• Ken Griffey Jr. didn't show up at The Dome in uniform to play.
• Nick Punto, playing like the Nick Punto of 2006. I love Nick Punto.
  
• Denard drawing a walk after the awful call, then stealing 2nd.
• The scary souvenir guy who gets in your face didn't come by me this game.
• Gardy.
  

THE BAD

• Getting juked out on the chips that we were supposed to receive with our Dome Dogs. Not cool.
• Adam Everett. Killer, I'm glad you're back and all...but the showing last night was kind of sad. I think maybe you got back in a groove towards the end of the game (that last hit was definitely a lucky break for Chicago, it was almost down the line). Let's try and pick that up.
• The awful call made by the 3rd base ump regarding Denard Span (who I have finally decided I approve of)
  
• The drunks who would not stop throwing things onto the field. We're not Yankee fans guys, come on. We're classier than that.
• The fact that Gogo seems to be having some issues hitting again.
  
• AJ.
• And Nick Swisher.

I've decided that the B.O.D. goes to Kubes for pulling us ahead of the ChiSox right when we needed it. And Kubes hasn't gotten all that much love lately.

Now. In regarding to trades... I'm still sort of surprised that Boof is still here, I thought for sure he would be traded and the Frankie called up (which, according to the Twins site, is "imminent"), but that didn't happen. I've got nothing against Boof, I'm just sort of disappointed in him right now. Poor Boof.

The 3-Way trade that sent Manny to the Dodgers still confuses me (I need thumb tacks and colored string to get it), but I am very glad it happened. Personally, I dislike Manny. He is a diva and a show boater, and throws tantrums when he has (or had) the privilege to be playing for an all-around exceptional team.

Living most of the year in Boston, right near Fenway, I am constantly surrounded by Red Sox fans. And while us Twins fans are great and wonderfull dedicated, I'm not really sure how to describe the dedication that Red Sox Nation feels towards their team. All of their team. That bit Manny said about the Sox trying to turn their fans against him...completely ridiculous. But what irks me the most was his comments that the Red Sox "don't deserve a player like [him]".

Seriously?!

I firmly believe Manny did not deserve to be playing with a team like them. I am reminded strongly of how excited Pudge is to play for the Yankees. He said it was "an honor". I feel like playing for the Red Sox would be, too.

I hope Joe Torre whips Manny into shape. I kind of love Joe Torre. He looks so much happier as a Dodger. I would be. I mean, even I was offended at how the Yankees treated him last year. The guy is pretty obviously amazing.

I also hope now Jacoby Ellsbury gets Manny's job full-time (not the whining, showboating part). But I guess Jason Bay might be up for it, too...

Oh, Hey Guys, Welcome Back!

AAAAANNNNNNDDDDD... WE ARE BACK.

Man, does this feel good!

Only 1/2 a game back. I love it.

Not that I thought we were falling out of the race, but the boys were starting to look a little tired and overplayed. It made me nervous.

Especially when I thought Gogo broke his back... those were a scary few minutes of my life. But I loved last night when he went into center field in the 8th and the entire Dome got really excited. I got really excited and cheered in my basement, too.

Kevin Slowey was amazing. A complete game AND a shut out?

Spectacular.

I really love when we beat the White Sox. Like, words can't describe how much I enjoy it. Between Nick Swisher and AJ and Ozzie...it is just wonderful. Because really... they all seem like asses to me. And that means they deserve to be beaten by our nice Twins.

So, in honor of these wonderful past two games... the entire team is the B.O.D.

Will The Real Minnesota Twins Please Stand Up? ...Please?

So uhm…I have a question:

Where did the Twins go?

Because surely, this cannot be them. Being swept by the Yankees? I mean—at least we split the series with them in May...

Maybe this is actually Cleveland? They’ve been on a winning streak lately. Maybe they switched with us after the All Star break. I bet it was all Grady Sizemore and Casey Blake's idea, and they used Ryan Garko to do their dirty work. They probably switched the entire team via some crazy, Star Terk-esque portal with blue lights and a big red button.

Yeah. That’s gotta be it.

Bombed in the Bronx

Well that was painful... 12 to 4. The first game that I could actually sit down and watch in its entirety since before the All-Star break, and that's what I get...

Whenever I think of Sidney Ponson, I don't think of the opposing team getting the crap kicked out of them. I tend to think of the opposite. Where the hell was this guy last season when he pitched for us???? The man had a ERA of 7 when he was in a Twins uniform and no team wanted him after we let him go. What happened to that guy? The guy that made Boof look skinny and good. That brings me to a whole other topic... why do we let Boof pitch? Has any good come from it? No. Is masochism the new trend? Apparently so.

To explain today's terrible loss, L and I have come up with a theory that goes like this...

Moneypenny: Maybe the Twins all went to Central Park or something and saw the cast of Gossip Girl filming a scene and remembered how heartbroken they were after the season finale... I bet thats why Gogo went 0 for 5, he was still in shock of how big a bitch Chuck was. That explains everything...

L:...I BET THEY DID! LNP MUST HAVE BEEN IN TEARS! AND JOE MAUER, UNABLE TO FORM WORDS WHILE JUSTIN STOOD STOIC BESIDE HIM.

Moneypenny: My guess is when Dan broke up with Serena, Joe started to cry and Justin came up and gave him a big hug saying, "it's ok, let it out." While LNP just looked off into the distance wondering why Lilly married Bart. That's how exactly went down.

L: It is. I bet Gogo and Casilla were confused and went to download the first season in Spanish.

It is obvious that they're minds just weren't focused on the game today. And understandably so, no on was ready for that season finale. But I hope after a good nights rest all will be forgotten and Slowey will pitch a shutout to make up for the first game (at least that's my hope).

On the bright side, the White Sox lost as well tonight thanks to Texas (never ever thought I would say that). That still leaves us a half game behind.

The Amazingness That Is Canada

Love it. I know that this will be to most people outside of Twins Territory known as the Home Run Derby that Josh Hamilton lost... BUT JUSTIN WON! And that's all that really matters to me. Way to make Minnesota--and Canada--proud.

Punto is a Super Hero [Twins 7, Tigers 0]

Ok, so this is a little late but in my defense I've been fighting off a nasty case of jet lag. I got back from my trip on the 1st and less than 24 hours later I was at the dome, if that isn't team spirit I don't know what is. I was sadden by the fact that I had missed a 10 game win streak but that was erased when I watched us totally beat down the Tigers. It was amazing. My hat is off to the Twins for the awesome welcome home.

It was without a doubt the afternoon of Nicks. Nick Blackburn continues to amaze me, pitching 7 shut-out innings and only allowing 3 hits. But it was truly Nick Punto's day (I'm mean expect for that little base running error...). The man went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a walk, which makes me start to wonder if Punto from yesteryear is back. And not only was it a great day for him at the plate but also defensively he still rocks. Gotta love diving catches. The man is a super hero... seriously, he can fly. Keep up the good work LNP.

In other news, I was quite freaked out when I turned on the game Monday night and saw Denard Span... that's just not cool. Cuddy's return better happen fast.

Mums The Word...

I have promised myself I won't jinx the awesomeness that we currently are right now...so, instead, I've found this for you:

Mike Lowell Second In All-Star Voting But Leads In All-Star Superdelegates

Some times, I can't express how much I love The Onion.

Big Unit and a Big Inning [Twins 7, D-Backs 2]

It's been tough goings while my partner in crime is in Croatia, digging for ancient things. No one quite understands my love of the Twins like Moneypenny...but she found a tomb, so props to her.

I was lucky enough to be at the game last night, and I think my favorites parts were when Gogo ran onto the field and tripped then barrel rolled, got up laughing and kept going, and then that miraculous 6 run third inning. Really. That's all high quality entertainment right there. Priceless even.

Scotty had me pretty twitchy for most of the game, but he held his own with only one earned run. Brian Bass, too. I always feel like he gets handed really bad situations...usually courtesy of Boof. And I suppose the twitches Scotty caused me weren't all his fault...I still have NO idea where that home plate ump's strike zone was. My dad and I were very confused as we tried to call the balls and strikes. Imagine how poor Scotty felt.

I also noticed that the D-Backs are sort of the team of little brothers...there's only two of them, but still. I think Stephen Drew is a lot more adorable than JD...he just always looks angry to me. And on a side note regarding the Diamond Backs...I think Randy Johnson should grow a full-out mullet again. I feel like that would make him even MORE intimidating. And it would be funny.

B.O.D. is a tough one. I'm tempted to give it to C. Mo because he hit a homerun when I called for one. Then Gogo for barrel rolling on the field and running really fast around the bases and doing some crazy slides. But I think I'm going to give it to Scotty for his 7 strike outs and only 1 earned run. Good work, Scotty. You knew.























With the White Sox losing to the Cubs (I wonder why Ozzie hasn't started swearing again), this win puts us only 3.5 games out of first. It's almost like that one really bad stretch (like those games against said Sox) didn't happen.

I am completely okay with that.

Also, I would like yo congratulate Cuddy on the birth of his son, Casey. Now he can take his own kid to Chuck E. Cheese's instead of borrowing Red Dogs.

Kevin Slowey Would Hit That [Twins 10, Brew Crew 2]

Wow.

What a way to win a game. Kevin Slowey is my favorite person right now. Between his two hits, his double, two RBI's, 8 innings of work, only five hits given up, 99 pitches... I don't even know what part was my favorite.

Needless to say, Kevin is the B.O.D. I'm glad I can finally give him one, he definitely deserves it. He had me laughing and cheering like no other.

So did Bill Hall. It was, what, 6 runs that we got on his errors? That might be wrong, but it's close enough. I feel bad for him, especially when the Brewers fans boo him...but not that bad, right now.

Kubes and Justin did their fair share this evening as well, which is always enjoyable. Gogo and Casilla decided to start their hit streaks up again (man was I sad to see those end). All in all, it was a pretty awesome game.

One thing I was NOT thrilled about was Cuddy's hand... he needs to stop hurting his right hand.

Forever.

I was glad to see that our offense came back, a few games too late, but back none-the-less. Good work, boys.

A Long Time Coming...

Finally.

The Twins have optioned Juan Rincon off to Rochester, and he says he'd rather be a free agent than a minor leaguer.

I am perfectly okay with all of that.

What? We Won? [Twins 8, Tribe 5]

Whoa. We won a game? Finally?

Damn right we did.

In honor of said win, I made a Brendan Harris loltwin:


















And I'm giving B.O.D. honors to our favorite Canadian (though it could go to a few other people as well... Cuddy and Kubes put up good fights, I think). Good work, Justin-- I'll take multiple RBI doubles any day.

A Bit Of A Disappointment...

I think it's safe to say that this entire series with the White Sox was a disappointment.

To say the least.

I didn't watch all four games in their entirety, but I saw bits and pieces of them. From what I saw, I think today's was the most disappointing. We left so many men on base. Even though we were hitting the ball (both Macri and My Favorite Republican had nice at bats), we still couldn't score the runs we needed when it counted. I didn't see what happened when the Sox caught up and retook the lead, but I'm guessing it wasn't pretty.

This entire series wasn't pretty.

Ugh.

No Laughing Matter [Twins 5, Yanks 1]

As I sit and watch the pre-game for tonight's game, I realize I forgot to write a blog for yesterday's game.

My Saturday morning started out normally enough, I slept till 10-ish, when I was woken up by the ringing of my phone. Moneypenny had somehow scored tickets the days game-- in the 5th row to the right of home plate.

Obviously, the answer to "Do you want to go?" was yes.

As we drove to the dome and parked at our favorite lot, ridiculously excited about our amazing seats, it came to our attention that the parking attendant there knows us (due to a dysfunctional drivers side door). We were greeted with a "Welcome back", which I found a little bit hilarious.

Walking down the steps to our seats, counting the rows, was amazing. I had never been so close before. We could see everything.

Including Nick Blackburn's line drive to the face.

In my one moment of seriousness, I joke about taking line drives to the face a lot...

But after seeing Nick fall down onto the mound and flop down like he was dead, I will refrain from making such jokes. For a good few seconds, I really thought he wasn't getting up. If there is anything that could have ruined baseball for me, it would be Nick Blackburn dying on the mound.

I was pretty mad at Bobby Abreu, but after seeing his face on the TV replay, he looked like he felt pretty bad. I feel like he might have gone up to the mound to make sure all was well, but was too afraid that Justin would deck him...which I would have supported at the time.

Aside from that scary moment, we could see Gogo's swearing, Joe's twitching, and, after Justin's triple-with-an-error that I still refer to as an inside the park homerun, Alexi Casilla fanning him in the dugout.

On that note, Alexi Casilla is growing on me. I still wonder what happened to the Casilla of yesteryear, but I won't dwell on it.

I will upload my pictures from said game later tonight (I actually have Justin's swing from his not-technically inside the park homerun), where I will then reflect upon tonights game...which isn't going so well right now.

Damn Yankees... And I Don't Mean the Musical

So, L and I decided that we needed to go to the game tonight to cheer on our boys because we've been slacking in that department... and who can really pass up on a chance to mock the Yankees. After a dinner of Jimmy Johns it was off to the Dome for, what turned out to be, some of the best play by play commentary EVER. The tone of night was set when L realized that I was wearing my Joe Mauer shirt and she was wearing her Justin Morneau shirt (honestly, we didn't plan it), we were pretty much bad asses in them.

We when got to our seats and looked down at the field one thing became very apparent...

WHY DO JETER AND A-ROD NEED TO WEAR SUCH TIGHT PANTS?!?!?

It's really not a good look. Honestly I was surprised that when they bent over they didn't rip their pants. No one needs to wear pants like that, no one. I don't care how many times you've been named MVP or how many golden gloves you have on your mantle, its just not necessary.

During the bottom of the 1st inning another question came up...

WHO IS THAT PRETENDING TO BE ALEXI CASILLA AND WHAT DID THEY DO WITH THE REAL ALEXI CASILLA?!?!?

I really don't know what to say about him, other then that I'm seriously impressed with how he's played both offensively and defensively. He's channeling 2006 season Nicky Punto... I love it. Hats off to you Alexi Casilla, way to earn your keep.

On a side note, I started writing this blog after the game on Friday night... but I guess this applies to the game last night as well. L and I are going to the game today, so expect more play by play commentary later tonight on how stud-ly the Stud is. Although, to get the tickets I have to babysit after the game... so maybe expect a blog tomorrow.