Benchwarmerjim

yeah, I guess I said that wrong. I get how you Sox fans really dug that guy though. He is a vacuum cleaner at 3B. Obviously, I saw him play some when he was a Sox, but following him everyday, I appreciate him even more (especially after the long list of bad-to-mediocre 3bmen the Twins have had since Koskie's glory days in the early 2000s)

QUOTE (fathom @ May 15, 2009 -> 07:39 PM) Jim, any idea what's up with Delmon Young. Sounds like a serious family matter. Hope his family is ok, as they seemed very cool when MLB Network showed that amazing documentary on the family. I don't know too much actually. I heard about it on the radio tonight and really haven't checked up on it. But he flew out to California and is on a 'Bereavement' list and will be out 3-7 days. == you all got your wishes. Joe Crede left tonights game with a tweaked lower back.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 10, 2009 -> 03:37 PM) Griffey just hit a 2 run homer to tie it at Minnesota, and he hit it in the hole for the Subway sign for someone to win $25k. the contest is for a Twins player to hit it into the sign, then someone wins the dollars. Ken Griffey Jr should of stayed with the Sox, or tried to sign with an AL Central team. The dude just rakes at the Dome. 26 career HR's there. he has 3 HR's in '09, 2 against the Twins at the Dome.

QUOTE (qwerty @ May 9, 2009 -> 03:56 AM) Since 1957, the MLB record for the longest consecutive game streak of 20 _____ or less (not including zero) by a player who was in the starting lineup is three games, by the "the big hurt". What word belongs in the blank? I will answer it in a day or so if anyone wants to take a crack at it... unless someone of course gets it before hand. I';; go with 'Walks'

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 7, 2009 -> 10:28 AM) The next question: does David Ortiz come under investigation? Youkilis? Pedroia? I mean, it is pretty suspicious an organization as adept at judging talent with Terry Ryan letting Ortiz go quite easily, then he morphs into a Hall of Fame type player like that magically by playing in Fenway. Oritz was hurt a lot when he was with the Twins. Also, The Twins wanted him to hit to all fields just like all their other players instead of pulling the ball all the time. And I remember reading a Sports Illustrated article a few years back where Ortiz said he had a giant hole in his swing and the hitting instructor for the BoSox corrected that. It also helps he plays in Fenway. All that said, he could be juicing. You just dont know these days.

some Twins news. Alexi Casilla sent down, Matt Tolbert called up

Joe Mauer comes off the DL for tonight's game with the Royals === speaking of Nolan Ryan, from Baseball-Reference's Bullpen Wiki's Today in Baseball History today (May 1) 1991-Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers pitched his seventh no-hitter of his major league career. The 44-year-old Ryan, who defeats the Toronto Blue Jays, 3 - 0, became the oldest pitcher to hurl a no-hit game. His masterpiece included 16 strikeouts and only two walks. It is also the 209th time he has struck out 10 or more in a game, and the 26th time putting 15 or more down on strikes

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Apr 23, 2009 -> 02:51 PM) Jim, Whats the feeling in Minny about the new stadium forcing changes to the way the team is constructed? Those turf hits arent going to be there anymore for the little slap hitters and they will have to start either grooming power guys, or buying them IMO. It has to worry fans that they are basically spending their way out of the largest home field advantage in the league. well, the dimensions of the new stadium is going to be nearly identical to Metrodome (I think centerfield is going to be a few feet shorter because of space constraints), and the Grounds crew and shape the dirt and infield grass to help the Twins out (if my memory serves me right, I think the White Sox do the same thing by shaping the basepaths from first and third in a way so that bunts go foul. But I could be wrong on that) . One thing I havent heard discussed much is how the wind is going to play a factor on things. I think the Twins Cities is one of the windiest metro areas in the country (Top 10ish). But of course, one doesn't really know all that stuff until you play games there (see Yankee Stadium) I remember Terry Ryan saying that there was a lot of discussion about how the ballpark was going to be built, but the conclusion was make it similar and then the organization can continue to Draft players just about the same. I just hope they draft a few more boppers instead of toolsy outfielders.

Ron Gardenhire said during his radio pregame interview before Game 1 of the double header yesterday that he wanted everyone to play, and that he didnt want Crede playing all that baseball in one day. It was cold and wet in Boston. But I what I have gathered is that the Twins are pretty happy with Crede because his defense has been outstanding so far, and seems to fit into the Clubhouse. The problem with the Twins so far has been pitching. the Relief core has been terrible and the starting pitching has given up way to many home runs

Twins Jesse Crain to the DL

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 18, 2009 -> 10:50 PM) Their bullpen still has gaping holes, I think you are understating how terrible the Twins pen (sans Nathan) is.

17 batters came up in that second inning there seems to be a lot of crooked numbers put up early in baseball games this year.

QUOTE (knightni @ Apr 17, 2009 -> 09:44 PM) Why? I thought that he was good. Out of options? Gardy says he needs to pitch a lot more, and he needs to start. But he wasn't going to do that in Minny.

Twins DFA Phillip Humber

the best part (in my case, the worst part in Sox fans cases) is that Carlos Gomez was at 2 strikes and 2 outs in the 9th, and he drew a walk. Carlos Gomez just doesn't walk (last year he had only 25 walks in 600+ plate appearance) -- I caught a good part of the Sox/Royals game today on the Extra Innings, I gotta say that I think I like the pairing of Hawk and Steve Stone in the TV booth. To me, Hawk sounded refreshed..or something along those line. anyway, he's to another exciting season!

QUOTE (klaus kinski @ Mar 31, 2009 -> 11:25 AM) I smell Minnesota picking him up- I think the Twins are pretty committed to Jason Kubel as their DH, since they gave him a nice contract in the offseason, and their are 4 other outfielders (Delmon Young, Carlos Gomez, Michael Cuddyer, and Denard Span) who are all going to compete for playing time. There would be no room for Sheff

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Mar 30, 2009 -> 09:53 AM) I'm afraid it's going to catch Danks though too, as Danks threw 60+ more innings in 2008 than he did in 07. The Twins also have Anthony Swarzak who is probably close to the majors, and he seems to be right in that Blackburn/Slowey mold. Every team in the Central has its question marks. It's pretty much impossible to predict who is going to win it at this point in the season, and the winner could very well only win 85 games (though it's usually in the 88-92 territory). good call on Swarzak. There is also Phillip Humber, but he is out of options and must make the big league club or be offered up on waivers. Brian Duensing is not a big time propect, but played with the US Olympic team last year and has started throughout the minor leagues. RA Dickey is hanging around training camp and his knuckler has looked good. And if all else fails, the Twins could trade one of their 19,000 outfield prospects to get something. All that said, I am a bit worried about all the young arms who racked up a ton of innings last year

Mauer has an inflammation of a joint in his lower back, unrelated to the surgery he had in the offseason. I guess the Twins are going to get a second opinion to see what kind of action to take (stronger medication or something)

apparently, Mauer has had that kidney problem since he was born. I guess the pain really bothered him last year and decided to have to surgery in the offseason. I guess it was supposed to be a routine procedure, but obviously Mauer is still not better

yeah, thats not good

Twins sign Scott Baker to a new deal 4yr/$13.5 mil. The deal buys out his arbitration years, and a club option for his first year of free agency. I imagine Joe Mauers extension is next

Boof Bonser is going to need surgery http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2...i-need-surgery/

I am one person who likes the Joe Crede signing

for what its worth, the Twins extended manager Ron Gardenhire's contract for another couple of years link to mlb.com for the story looks like his coaching staff gets 2 year contract extensions also

gawd, I hope the Twins do not sign him (although all signs point to something will get done next week) Blake at 3rd means Harris moves to SS. Harris is godawful at that position. Unless part of the offseason plans is to get a SS, but there is not a lot of rumours about that