Here is the Wild's lineup for the NHL Centre I.C.E. Prospect Tournament held in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan (I will heading there for a much needed vacation tomorrow night) September 7-11. The tournament is held at the Center I.C.E. complex, which houses 2 rinks. The teams competing are Tampa Bay, Detroit, Columbus, New York Rangers, Atlanta, St. Louis, Dallas, and Minnesota.
The interesting players to note on the Wild roster are former Gopher (and noted headcase) Tyler Hirsch, and former 1st round pick and local bust AJ Thelen.
http://wild.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=336368
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
My heart is a flutter...
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=57332&sc=146
8 points!
I guess the only real question will be what number he'll wear here in Minnesota...
8 points!
I guess the only real question will be what number he'll wear here in Minnesota...
Hors d'voures pt. 2
And to whet your appetite for the Gopher hockey season, I came across this...this is a shootout between the US and Finland Under-20 teams at Lake Placid, where the US has their evaluation camp every summer.
The video drags on, but all you really need to know is that Kyle Okposo is the last shooter.
The video drags on, but all you really need to know is that Kyle Okposo is the last shooter.
Whet Yo Appetite
Here is foxsports.com's list of the top 50 NHL players currently playing, although I think they wrote it just to slam The Hockey News (THN) and its edition of the top 50.
Got to love when websites get into pissing matches with each other. If I can find the other half of the pissing match I'll post it.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/7158102
Got to love when websites get into pissing matches with each other. If I can find the other half of the pissing match I'll post it.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/7158102
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Wild Jersey preview
This by the way, can be found on the Wild.com homepage. It also says that September 7th will be the unveiling of the new RBK Edge jersey, where it will be available for purchase at the Hockey Lodge at the X, and at the Mall of America.
The real question is what the white jersey will look like, especially if they keep the wild circle logo.
Bill Murray is GOD
This is pretty much how I'd like to get pinched by the police...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070822/en_nm/murray_dc_2;_ylt=Ankhamld.wB0m.bNINqozmgE1vAI
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070822/en_nm/murray_dc_2;_ylt=Ankhamld.wB0m.bNINqozmgE1vAI
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Wanna have a go, eh?
Well, the Twins dropped 2 of 3 against the Mariners, all but elimating them from the wild card, and considering the lineup that they are starting to field, I'd say that the division title will be just out of reach. And by out of reach, I mean at least 5 games. Really, what more can we say about our Twins, we are just a middle of the pack team.
Now that the agonizing reappraisal of our favorite baseball team is over, let's just accept their current role in the Twin Cities sports landscape: Time Killers.
That's right, the Minnesota Twins 2007 season has become nothing more than a segue, an opening act, an appetizer (or antipasto for you food network junkies) for the bulk of the Minnesota Sports season. As the Twins season fades into the sunset, we will get into the respective seasons of the Vikings, The, er...Timberwolves (you think Eddie Griffin was wacking off when he hit the train? I know, poor taste), the various Gopher sports, and our Wild.
Speaking of the Wild (how's that for a segue?), they recently signed something call Serge Payer to a two-way deal the other day. Payer, from what I've read, is a very very very hard working forward, and is defensively responsible. I guess that would make him Wyatt Smith on a sugar rush. I'll just chalk this one up to a depth move.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=9045
This is Philly hockey Writer Tim Panaccio's take on the oft-scrutinized Boogaard Fight Camp, which has received quite a bit of attention when Mike Russo of the Strib did a write-up, and of late. He asked Russo about it, and basically concurred with the fact that the "camp" (its a one day deal) is relatively harmless- Boogie and his brother aren't out to create a nation of knuckleheads, but are there to help players protect themselves. Panaccio does have a good point about Boogie showing some of his losses as far as things not to do.
When this story came out a few months ago, I was gonna do a post about it, but never really felt strongly enough either way to truly bring something to the table. I understand the game, Boogaard's intentions, and the culture that is hockey in Canada- so to me, it makes sense. The thing that irked me was Strib Columnist (or head prag in charge of bitching about sports, or at least thats what I gather from her columns) Rachel Blount's editorial about the camp:
http://www.startribune.com/10073/story/1306535.html
What a twat, and I don't mean that in the sense that I disliked her column because she thinks its a barbaric idea, but for the fact that she probably just read Mike Russo's write-up and drew her conclusions from that. Lame shit. The whole arrogant attitude about the editorial struck me as someone who looks at things for face value without bothering themself to understand that there is more to it. Hey, I can call Blount a giant cunt because of her articles, but I won't because I am sure she has something to her beneath her cuntish exterior that makes sense.
I know she throws out such non-fighting leagues like the NCAA, the European leagues, the Olympics as examples of successful leagues that don't have fighting. She isn't wrong with these.
However, where she is wrong, is the fact that she does put all youth hockey under the same umbrella- that midget hockey here is the same as midget in Ajax, Ontario, or Kamloops, British Columbia. It's not.
Despite the fact that Ms. Blount was a beat reporter for the North Stars (that rag tag bunch of non-physical finesse guys those were), she should know that canadian style of hockey (or in a broader sense, north american hockey) is predicated on a physical brand of hockey, and that fighting is a very essential part of that brand. North American Hockey = NHL style hockey, in laymans terms. So naturally, one could deduce (hopefully), that because a kid grows up in Canada, playing hockey in the Canadian "system", that fighting isn't going to be an anomoly, a rare occurence, or an oddity. Anyone familiar with the CHL (OHL, QMJHL, WHL - the primary feeder leagues of the NHL) knows that this is what it is like. It is what it is.
This is Regina, Saskatchewan we're talking about. Not Edina. Not Medina. Not Wayzata. Derek and Aaron Boogaard aren't having kids from Shakopee or Blaine hit each other with boxing gloves, or teaching them how to keep your balance while holding the opponent's jersey.
So when the President of Minnesota Hockey agrees, it makes sense...except that the argument is aimed in the wrong direction. This is where I take issue with Ms. Blount- that its all the same, when clearly it is not.
(funny enough, I did a search for "rachel blount boogaard", and many of the top results are bloggers like me (NERDS!) ripping her for her myopic viewpoint)
http://tnabacg.blogspot.com/2007/07/minnesota-wild-debate-rages-on.html
http://capitaladdiction.blogspot.com/2007/07/journalism_19.html
Now that the agonizing reappraisal of our favorite baseball team is over, let's just accept their current role in the Twin Cities sports landscape: Time Killers.
That's right, the Minnesota Twins 2007 season has become nothing more than a segue, an opening act, an appetizer (or antipasto for you food network junkies) for the bulk of the Minnesota Sports season. As the Twins season fades into the sunset, we will get into the respective seasons of the Vikings, The, er...Timberwolves (you think Eddie Griffin was wacking off when he hit the train? I know, poor taste), the various Gopher sports, and our Wild.
Speaking of the Wild (how's that for a segue?), they recently signed something call Serge Payer to a two-way deal the other day. Payer, from what I've read, is a very very very hard working forward, and is defensively responsible. I guess that would make him Wyatt Smith on a sugar rush. I'll just chalk this one up to a depth move.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=9045
This is Philly hockey Writer Tim Panaccio's take on the oft-scrutinized Boogaard Fight Camp, which has received quite a bit of attention when Mike Russo of the Strib did a write-up, and of late. He asked Russo about it, and basically concurred with the fact that the "camp" (its a one day deal) is relatively harmless- Boogie and his brother aren't out to create a nation of knuckleheads, but are there to help players protect themselves. Panaccio does have a good point about Boogie showing some of his losses as far as things not to do.
When this story came out a few months ago, I was gonna do a post about it, but never really felt strongly enough either way to truly bring something to the table. I understand the game, Boogaard's intentions, and the culture that is hockey in Canada- so to me, it makes sense. The thing that irked me was Strib Columnist (or head prag in charge of bitching about sports, or at least thats what I gather from her columns) Rachel Blount's editorial about the camp:
http://www.startribune.com/10073/story/1306535.html
What a twat, and I don't mean that in the sense that I disliked her column because she thinks its a barbaric idea, but for the fact that she probably just read Mike Russo's write-up and drew her conclusions from that. Lame shit. The whole arrogant attitude about the editorial struck me as someone who looks at things for face value without bothering themself to understand that there is more to it. Hey, I can call Blount a giant cunt because of her articles, but I won't because I am sure she has something to her beneath her cuntish exterior that makes sense.
I know she throws out such non-fighting leagues like the NCAA, the European leagues, the Olympics as examples of successful leagues that don't have fighting. She isn't wrong with these.
However, where she is wrong, is the fact that she does put all youth hockey under the same umbrella- that midget hockey here is the same as midget in Ajax, Ontario, or Kamloops, British Columbia. It's not.
Despite the fact that Ms. Blount was a beat reporter for the North Stars (that rag tag bunch of non-physical finesse guys those were), she should know that canadian style of hockey (or in a broader sense, north american hockey) is predicated on a physical brand of hockey, and that fighting is a very essential part of that brand. North American Hockey = NHL style hockey, in laymans terms. So naturally, one could deduce (hopefully), that because a kid grows up in Canada, playing hockey in the Canadian "system", that fighting isn't going to be an anomoly, a rare occurence, or an oddity. Anyone familiar with the CHL (OHL, QMJHL, WHL - the primary feeder leagues of the NHL) knows that this is what it is like. It is what it is.
This is Regina, Saskatchewan we're talking about. Not Edina. Not Medina. Not Wayzata. Derek and Aaron Boogaard aren't having kids from Shakopee or Blaine hit each other with boxing gloves, or teaching them how to keep your balance while holding the opponent's jersey.
So when the President of Minnesota Hockey agrees, it makes sense...except that the argument is aimed in the wrong direction. This is where I take issue with Ms. Blount- that its all the same, when clearly it is not.
(funny enough, I did a search for "rachel blount boogaard", and many of the top results are bloggers like me (NERDS!) ripping her for her myopic viewpoint)
http://tnabacg.blogspot.com/2007/07/minnesota-wild-debate-rages-on.html
http://capitaladdiction.blogspot.com/2007/07/journalism_19.html
Sunday, August 19, 2007
a game of numbers
Johan Santana's line: 8 IP, 2 hits, 0 Walks, 0 ER, 17 Strikeouts, and finally a win.
Conversely.....
0 for 19 with RISP this series.
It was easy to get caught up in what Santana was doing on the mound- he was simply fantastic. 17 strikeouts for christ sake. With the exception of Sammy Sosa's two luck-filled hits (we dodged a bullet with that loooooooooooooooooooooooooong strike in the 7th inning), Santana was completely dominant. I believe there is a sentiment that if the score wasn't 1-0, Santana would have been on the mound for the 9th, chasing the major league record of 20 strikeouts- and if he would have hit 19 he would have tied Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton for the league record for southpaws. I wanted to see him get there, my roommate did, Twins Nation did, and despite the look of it, I bet the organization did too.
Which brings me to the sharper edge of the sword- the fact that if we could have mustered a few more runs today we could have seen Mr. Santana on the hill for the 9th. 0 for fucking 19 this series. We scored a total of 3 runs this series, yet somehow escape with 2 of 3. Any other team than the Texas Rangers, and we are talking about how we just got swept. Any other year we would be talking about how Santana stole this game for us- no runs and 17 strikeouts in 8 innings? Fuck ya. But, considering the way this season has went, its now of the view that you ultimately need a gargantuan effort like Santana's today just to win, even against a terrible team like Texas.
- on a side note, is it just me, or does when Michael Cuddyer hits home runs, he hits these fucking moonshots? Today's home run was a monster blast to straight away center, and I believe his last homer before was a 442 foot blast into the waterfalls at Kaufmann Stadium. I guess Cuddy makes them count.
-Joe Mauer needs to get ripped more often. Everyone knows he's the golden child, one of us, a hometown feel good story. However, after a series like he just had, where I believe he was hitless the entire series (I could be wrong, but I believe thats the case), he should be held just as accountable for the inability to produce. Nick Punto is everyone's favorite scapegoat, but Mr. Monotone Slap Hitter deserves to get savaged for his play too.
Conversely.....
0 for 19 with RISP this series.
It was easy to get caught up in what Santana was doing on the mound- he was simply fantastic. 17 strikeouts for christ sake. With the exception of Sammy Sosa's two luck-filled hits (we dodged a bullet with that loooooooooooooooooooooooooong strike in the 7th inning), Santana was completely dominant. I believe there is a sentiment that if the score wasn't 1-0, Santana would have been on the mound for the 9th, chasing the major league record of 20 strikeouts- and if he would have hit 19 he would have tied Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton for the league record for southpaws. I wanted to see him get there, my roommate did, Twins Nation did, and despite the look of it, I bet the organization did too.
Which brings me to the sharper edge of the sword- the fact that if we could have mustered a few more runs today we could have seen Mr. Santana on the hill for the 9th. 0 for fucking 19 this series. We scored a total of 3 runs this series, yet somehow escape with 2 of 3. Any other team than the Texas Rangers, and we are talking about how we just got swept. Any other year we would be talking about how Santana stole this game for us- no runs and 17 strikeouts in 8 innings? Fuck ya. But, considering the way this season has went, its now of the view that you ultimately need a gargantuan effort like Santana's today just to win, even against a terrible team like Texas.
- on a side note, is it just me, or does when Michael Cuddyer hits home runs, he hits these fucking moonshots? Today's home run was a monster blast to straight away center, and I believe his last homer before was a 442 foot blast into the waterfalls at Kaufmann Stadium. I guess Cuddy makes them count.
-Joe Mauer needs to get ripped more often. Everyone knows he's the golden child, one of us, a hometown feel good story. However, after a series like he just had, where I believe he was hitless the entire series (I could be wrong, but I believe thats the case), he should be held just as accountable for the inability to produce. Nick Punto is everyone's favorite scapegoat, but Mr. Monotone Slap Hitter deserves to get savaged for his play too.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Making Les Stroud proud
Bear Grylls (what a genuinely stupid name), owned.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_vs._Wild
What's more exciting, to have someone burst onto a scene, or to expose a certain hypocrisy of said person?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_vs._Wild
What's more exciting, to have someone burst onto a scene, or to expose a certain hypocrisy of said person?
The Lost Chapter of the Bible
http://www.faithandinvesting.com/?gclid=CMPU9KTrgI4CFRjBWAodpknXLg
What does Jesus know about I-Beams and joists?
What does Jesus know about I-Beams and joists?
Nostalgia lies at the end of a dimly-lit alley
20 years of convenience- This weekend's celebration of the 87 World Champion Twins couldn't have come at a better time, since the 07 Twins have proved to be frustratingly mediocre. Frankie V, Bruno, and the Terminator have been heard on local radio stations, and seen on local TV. The Strib has had "throwback" features in the sports section, such as the front pages from the title run(Interestingly enough is Dan Barreiro's picture with hair.)
Much focus has been put on Jeff Reardon's struggles with his son's death, and the subsequent jewelry store robbery. Reardon was on Chad Hartman's show on Thursday, and was thankful enough to talk about the whole ordeal, and how he was on 13 different kinds of medication (!) to treat his depression, and that he didn't remember anything about holding up the store until he walked out with the money. The crazy thing was that doctors felt that 13 different kinds of medication were the way to go- unbelievable. The support his teammates and the fans have given the Reardon family has been tremendous.
Hope floats...after a nail biter last night, the Twins have won 3 in a row, which again the cocktease is back on, giving Twins Nation hope that somehow, with 40 or so games to go, that we will get our shit straight and surge towards the division title. Well, how do you say, how are we gonna do it? There is a new rallying cry- "We Stink". Somehow, a self-defacing statement has turned into a war chant for our Twinkies. With the new saying, we are something to contend with now. Can't wait for the shirts with "We Stink" on them...
However, they need to take at least 5 of 6 on this homestand to give just an inkling of legitimacy to this latest "trend"...otherwise our emotions are just getting fondled again.
Much focus has been put on Jeff Reardon's struggles with his son's death, and the subsequent jewelry store robbery. Reardon was on Chad Hartman's show on Thursday, and was thankful enough to talk about the whole ordeal, and how he was on 13 different kinds of medication (!) to treat his depression, and that he didn't remember anything about holding up the store until he walked out with the money. The crazy thing was that doctors felt that 13 different kinds of medication were the way to go- unbelievable. The support his teammates and the fans have given the Reardon family has been tremendous.
Hope floats...after a nail biter last night, the Twins have won 3 in a row, which again the cocktease is back on, giving Twins Nation hope that somehow, with 40 or so games to go, that we will get our shit straight and surge towards the division title. Well, how do you say, how are we gonna do it? There is a new rallying cry- "We Stink". Somehow, a self-defacing statement has turned into a war chant for our Twinkies. With the new saying, we are something to contend with now. Can't wait for the shirts with "We Stink" on them...
However, they need to take at least 5 of 6 on this homestand to give just an inkling of legitimacy to this latest "trend"...otherwise our emotions are just getting fondled again.
Articles on Das Wunderkind
Here's some articles about our favorite uber-prospect, James Sheppard:
http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=53962&sc=92
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=54441&sc=146
http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=53962&sc=92
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=54441&sc=146
Monday, August 13, 2007
Another one bites the dust
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216088&hubname=nhl
http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=1150771
Erik Johnson? Gone.
Alex Goligoski? Gone.
Well, the Jimmy O'Brien era at the U is dead. O'Brien signed an entry level deal with the Ottawa Senators, who drafted him 29th overall in this years draft. O'Brien will now play for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, one of the 3 leagues of the CHL, which is Canadian Major Junior Hockey.
A week ago there was a blurb in the Ottawa Citizen pertaining to O'Brien leaning towards going pro, although Don Lucia refuted that claim after talking to O'Brien about it- O'Brien dismissed it as a rumor, and now here we are talking about how the kid has gone pro and is gonna play in the "Dub". Funny how things work out sometimes?
To be fair, O'Brien (who was the youngest player in the NCAA last year) was only getting 4th line minutes and PK time on a stacked team, and even though there was a notion off putting him back on the blueline for this year, O'Brien must have felt that again his ice time would be limited- and with ice time, you get development. The Dub is a physical, defense-oriented league, which will suit O'Brien's game well- he plays with a bit of sandpaper. I can't blame the kid, he's now gonna be able to get quality ice time with some very good competition, all the while becoming adjusted to the pro-style grind of a season.
Best of luck to O'Brien, but again the Gophers have to deal with another ill-timed departure shortly before the season begins.
http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=1150771
Erik Johnson? Gone.
Alex Goligoski? Gone.
Well, the Jimmy O'Brien era at the U is dead. O'Brien signed an entry level deal with the Ottawa Senators, who drafted him 29th overall in this years draft. O'Brien will now play for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League, one of the 3 leagues of the CHL, which is Canadian Major Junior Hockey.
A week ago there was a blurb in the Ottawa Citizen pertaining to O'Brien leaning towards going pro, although Don Lucia refuted that claim after talking to O'Brien about it- O'Brien dismissed it as a rumor, and now here we are talking about how the kid has gone pro and is gonna play in the "Dub". Funny how things work out sometimes?
To be fair, O'Brien (who was the youngest player in the NCAA last year) was only getting 4th line minutes and PK time on a stacked team, and even though there was a notion off putting him back on the blueline for this year, O'Brien must have felt that again his ice time would be limited- and with ice time, you get development. The Dub is a physical, defense-oriented league, which will suit O'Brien's game well- he plays with a bit of sandpaper. I can't blame the kid, he's now gonna be able to get quality ice time with some very good competition, all the while becoming adjusted to the pro-style grind of a season.
Best of luck to O'Brien, but again the Gophers have to deal with another ill-timed departure shortly before the season begins.
Oh momma, could this really be the end?
Sigh...After getting beasted on by something called Maicer Izturis all weekend, I think its safe to say the Twins have hit the proverbial wall.
What a fucking cocktease this year was. I know its not over, but c'mon fellas, it ain't gonna happen this year, especially when we can't score more than two runs a game. And coupled with Magglio Ordonez (your 2007 AL MVP) essentially carrying Detroit on his back to victories this past weekend, I think the smidgeon of hope for the division title is now gone, which now completely erases any thought of the playoffs, especially with the Yankees and Mariners (Go Seattle) breathing down Cleveland's neck for the wild card.
Now with the Twins season essentially being dead, how long will it take before they start to slip from the everyday sports consciousness in the Twin Cities market? Everyone is starting to talk Purple, especially with preseason (ugh) game numero uno being done with, and its a matter of time before we crank up the Minnesota Wild 2007-08 Stanley Cup Champion hype machine- Training Camp is just a few short weeks away (thank fucking god). And to a lesser, more cynical and masochistic extent, the Timberwolves will begin the post-KG era, much to the delight of the team's 45 fans. I mean, its not like the Twins will fall completely off the radar- I'll still watch games, and I'm sure attendance isn't going to drop either- but when you know its over, its hard not to move on.
What a fucking cocktease this year was. I know its not over, but c'mon fellas, it ain't gonna happen this year, especially when we can't score more than two runs a game. And coupled with Magglio Ordonez (your 2007 AL MVP) essentially carrying Detroit on his back to victories this past weekend, I think the smidgeon of hope for the division title is now gone, which now completely erases any thought of the playoffs, especially with the Yankees and Mariners (Go Seattle) breathing down Cleveland's neck for the wild card.
Now with the Twins season essentially being dead, how long will it take before they start to slip from the everyday sports consciousness in the Twin Cities market? Everyone is starting to talk Purple, especially with preseason (ugh) game numero uno being done with, and its a matter of time before we crank up the Minnesota Wild 2007-08 Stanley Cup Champion hype machine- Training Camp is just a few short weeks away (thank fucking god). And to a lesser, more cynical and masochistic extent, the Timberwolves will begin the post-KG era, much to the delight of the team's 45 fans. I mean, its not like the Twins will fall completely off the radar- I'll still watch games, and I'm sure attendance isn't going to drop either- but when you know its over, its hard not to move on.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Inundation
Tonight marks the beginning of the avalanche that is Vikings football- this point on, no matter what transpires with any of the other local teams, will take second fiddle to the purple and gold. That's how much of a juggernaut the Vikes are, and to a larger extent, the NFL. You can feel the excitement in the air- the radio shows are abuzz with chatter about Tavaris Jackson, Adrian Peterson, etc., ESPN has now kicked into full-blown football coverage, and Sean Salisbury has emerged from his rathole to rain his shitty opinions and his know it all attitude on all us who were never blessed to be an NFL backup QB.
However my friends, its just the preseason. The 1st game that is. So when the 2nd quarter comes around, and players that even the announcers have never heard of are in, remember that sometimes the hype begins just a bit too early.
However my friends, its just the preseason. The 1st game that is. So when the 2nd quarter comes around, and players that even the announcers have never heard of are in, remember that sometimes the hype begins just a bit too early.
*NEWS FLASH*
Luke Johnson likes to put large conical objects in his ass while barking like a dog.
That is all.
That is all.
Sometimes...
...after a while, you just need to call a spade a spade. And in this case, the Twins are just a middle of the road baseball team. They win 2, they lose 2. They win 11-4, then lose 1-0 (again).
Frustrating, right?
Well, it gets even more maddening when you see Detroit and Cleveland moonwalking back towards our club, which should take advantage but can't because they can hardly muster 3 runs a game. It's like we are doomed to have Minnesota just flirt with the division title.
Very frustrating, right?
Then you look at the big picture, and see that this isn't the division that we controlled a few years ago- Our competition stocked up; Chicago got Jim Thome, Detroit got Gary Sheffield, Cleveland's stocking up of prospects has paid off, Kansas City isn't the perennial "slump buster" anymore. What have we done? Nevermind the Nathan/Liriano/Bonser deal- We spent halves of seasons dicking around hoping Tony Batista, Jeff Cirillo, Rondell White, Sidney Ponson, Ramon Ortiz, etc. can exceed expectations and contribute, when we could have just spent a nice chunk of money on an established major league player, whether its a pitcher or an everyday player. But since our cheapskate owner won't spend anything on his baseball team, we have only (or are we just content to do) the option of signing guys and hoping they play out of their mind. Don't get me wrong, ideally that is what you would like to do with any team- get the most out of every player- but sometimes you need to bite the bullet and go out and get someone who has proven they can contribute on a nightly basis. There is something awfully wrong when your star players (Santana, Nathan, Hunter) come out and say this- that its like the focus isn't on winning now, but to be good for the future. You've got the pieces Terry (and Carl, just die already so your kids will spend the money), so go out and get someone to complement them. Its one thing when the fanbase calls for it, but its also another thing when your players do.
You frustrated already?
Frustrating, right?
Well, it gets even more maddening when you see Detroit and Cleveland moonwalking back towards our club, which should take advantage but can't because they can hardly muster 3 runs a game. It's like we are doomed to have Minnesota just flirt with the division title.
Very frustrating, right?
Then you look at the big picture, and see that this isn't the division that we controlled a few years ago- Our competition stocked up; Chicago got Jim Thome, Detroit got Gary Sheffield, Cleveland's stocking up of prospects has paid off, Kansas City isn't the perennial "slump buster" anymore. What have we done? Nevermind the Nathan/Liriano/Bonser deal- We spent halves of seasons dicking around hoping Tony Batista, Jeff Cirillo, Rondell White, Sidney Ponson, Ramon Ortiz, etc. can exceed expectations and contribute, when we could have just spent a nice chunk of money on an established major league player, whether its a pitcher or an everyday player. But since our cheapskate owner won't spend anything on his baseball team, we have only (or are we just content to do) the option of signing guys and hoping they play out of their mind. Don't get me wrong, ideally that is what you would like to do with any team- get the most out of every player- but sometimes you need to bite the bullet and go out and get someone who has proven they can contribute on a nightly basis. There is something awfully wrong when your star players (Santana, Nathan, Hunter) come out and say this- that its like the focus isn't on winning now, but to be good for the future. You've got the pieces Terry (and Carl, just die already so your kids will spend the money), so go out and get someone to complement them. Its one thing when the fanbase calls for it, but its also another thing when your players do.
You frustrated already?
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Don't Stop Believin...
...Scott Baker continues to impress- another gem of a start, again rendering the opponent near hitless and scoreless well into the late innings, giving our bullpen a much needed rest.
How tired were they?
Lew Ford was sent to Rochester so Carmen Cali could give us another southpaw in the bullpen.
But back to Baker- two very quality starts this week, and it seems like he's turned the corner since his last real bad start, waaaaaaay back in the Chicago series before the break. He's just a different pitcher now, and its nice to see that he is starting to fulfill the promise he's had for quite some time. Baker's emergence gives us a pretty solid top 3- Santana, Garza (despite a rough go last night), and Baker.
Today's win coupled with last night were two ugly wins- runners left on base, squandered scoring opportunities...but an ugly win is a still win, and two ugly wins got us within striking distance of not only the wild card lead (Seattle and New York are playing some good ball tho- and I think ARod will go on a tear after his recent pre-500 schnide), but the division, and all of the sudden Cleveland and Detroit have pretty big question marks.
Now if we can only get Morneau out of this little slump he's in...
How tired were they?
Lew Ford was sent to Rochester so Carmen Cali could give us another southpaw in the bullpen.
But back to Baker- two very quality starts this week, and it seems like he's turned the corner since his last real bad start, waaaaaaay back in the Chicago series before the break. He's just a different pitcher now, and its nice to see that he is starting to fulfill the promise he's had for quite some time. Baker's emergence gives us a pretty solid top 3- Santana, Garza (despite a rough go last night), and Baker.
Today's win coupled with last night were two ugly wins- runners left on base, squandered scoring opportunities...but an ugly win is a still win, and two ugly wins got us within striking distance of not only the wild card lead (Seattle and New York are playing some good ball tho- and I think ARod will go on a tear after his recent pre-500 schnide), but the division, and all of the sudden Cleveland and Detroit have pretty big question marks.
Now if we can only get Morneau out of this little slump he's in...
Who the fuck is Fausto Carmona?
Didn't he suck last year?
All of the sudden he's Cy fucking Young, and the Twins are looking pretty neutered against him. Not just the Twins I guess, but this asshole is 8-0 with a 1.98 ERA in day games, and today, conveniently, is a day game. Fucking great.
I liked him better when he sucked.
All of the sudden he's Cy fucking Young, and the Twins are looking pretty neutered against him. Not just the Twins I guess, but this asshole is 8-0 with a 1.98 ERA in day games, and today, conveniently, is a day game. Fucking great.
I liked him better when he sucked.
A night of history...where were you?
Barry Bonds hits #755...whilst Alex Rodriguez hit #500, the youngest to do so, and arguably the guy who could challenge whatever mark Bonds sets.
History, all in one night...where were you?
Well, I, sat down with my girl and watched something called "National Lampoon's Pucked". This should have been the first sign that this movie could be a poor decision; It starred Jon Bon Jovi, and David Faustino, or known to millions as Bud Bundy from "Married with Children".
You can tell by now that this is a movie that you would avoid at all costs. Its odd though, because of the "National Lampoon's" moniker- but as I found out through a friend, apparently Lampoon's will attach their name to damn near anything for a nominal fee. Apparently the producers of this movie had enough to cover this nominal fee.
Bon Jovi (who has a terrible hairdo and has a rather long face, long as in quarterhorse long) stars as Frank something, a "dreamer" who gave up his lawyer gig in order to be an inventor. After failing miserably a few times, he helps out his lawyer sister (played by Nora Dunn, who was obviously a victim of blackmail) as a waiter for some lawyer's ball. Somewhere during the course of running into his ex, who had her pretentious new lawyer beau (who looked like a horribly bloated Cary Elwes) in tow- then Bon Jovi spills crab cakes on a midget (can't make this stuff up folks), they actually begin to fight, which culminates with Bon Jovi slam dunking the dwarf into a giant punch bowl.
Let me repeat this: There is a movie, an actual movie, where Bon Jovi and a midget fight, and Bon Jovi dunks the midget into a punch bowl.
So Jovi (for the sake of brevity) leaves, the midget goes on a tirade, knocking over ice sculptures and yelling, then slips and falls. Then two or three other people fall on the punch, and during that, Jovi gets the idea to start the "Worldwide Women's Hockey League".
Which he finances with pre-approved credit cards.
Oscar-worthy stuff.
Anyways, there are blatant tits throughout the movie, David Faustino is set up with, and subsequently falls in love with a giant toothless beast of a woman (by far, the quote of the movie is when Wendy, the aforementioned woman, drops her robe in front of Faustino and says "Fuck or Fight!" Faustino faints, as would any other man would.), and it all ends with Jovi defending himself in court over the fraud charges over the credit cards.
Ya. We actually paid money to watch this. Now whether that is an indictment on the film industry and the content it puts out, or on the audiences (or rather should I say, me?) who would pay money to watch such content is the issue.
History, all in one night...where were you?
Well, I, sat down with my girl and watched something called "National Lampoon's Pucked". This should have been the first sign that this movie could be a poor decision; It starred Jon Bon Jovi, and David Faustino, or known to millions as Bud Bundy from "Married with Children".
You can tell by now that this is a movie that you would avoid at all costs. Its odd though, because of the "National Lampoon's" moniker- but as I found out through a friend, apparently Lampoon's will attach their name to damn near anything for a nominal fee. Apparently the producers of this movie had enough to cover this nominal fee.
Bon Jovi (who has a terrible hairdo and has a rather long face, long as in quarterhorse long) stars as Frank something, a "dreamer" who gave up his lawyer gig in order to be an inventor. After failing miserably a few times, he helps out his lawyer sister (played by Nora Dunn, who was obviously a victim of blackmail) as a waiter for some lawyer's ball. Somewhere during the course of running into his ex, who had her pretentious new lawyer beau (who looked like a horribly bloated Cary Elwes) in tow- then Bon Jovi spills crab cakes on a midget (can't make this stuff up folks), they actually begin to fight, which culminates with Bon Jovi slam dunking the dwarf into a giant punch bowl.
Let me repeat this: There is a movie, an actual movie, where Bon Jovi and a midget fight, and Bon Jovi dunks the midget into a punch bowl.
So Jovi (for the sake of brevity) leaves, the midget goes on a tirade, knocking over ice sculptures and yelling, then slips and falls. Then two or three other people fall on the punch, and during that, Jovi gets the idea to start the "Worldwide Women's Hockey League".
Which he finances with pre-approved credit cards.
Oscar-worthy stuff.
Anyways, there are blatant tits throughout the movie, David Faustino is set up with, and subsequently falls in love with a giant toothless beast of a woman (by far, the quote of the movie is when Wendy, the aforementioned woman, drops her robe in front of Faustino and says "Fuck or Fight!" Faustino faints, as would any other man would.), and it all ends with Jovi defending himself in court over the fraud charges over the credit cards.
Ya. We actually paid money to watch this. Now whether that is an indictment on the film industry and the content it puts out, or on the audiences (or rather should I say, me?) who would pay money to watch such content is the issue.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
Another One Bites The Dust...
...Pour out a little liquor.
The Jeff Cirillo Era is over. I know, its devastating- how are we gonna get over those lovable creaky knees, short fielding range, and the reputation of being a force against left handed pitching? Cirillo was placed on waivers today to make room for Mike Cuddyer, who returned from a boo-boo on his thumb. He was subsequently picked up by Arizona, so Cirillo's destiny as the next Kirk Gibson precedes him.
He will be missed. Just like Tony Bastista. And Juan Castro. And Phil Nevin. And Bret Boone. And Rondell Wh...shit, we haven't gotten rid of him yet. Soon though. Because next year we can use that 2 Mil we're payin "Ron DL" for someone who can provide offense.
You think Brady Anderson is available?
The Jeff Cirillo Era is over. I know, its devastating- how are we gonna get over those lovable creaky knees, short fielding range, and the reputation of being a force against left handed pitching? Cirillo was placed on waivers today to make room for Mike Cuddyer, who returned from a boo-boo on his thumb. He was subsequently picked up by Arizona, so Cirillo's destiny as the next Kirk Gibson precedes him.
He will be missed. Just like Tony Bastista. And Juan Castro. And Phil Nevin. And Bret Boone. And Rondell Wh...shit, we haven't gotten rid of him yet. Soon though. Because next year we can use that 2 Mil we're payin "Ron DL" for someone who can provide offense.
You think Brady Anderson is available?
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Thoughts and Prayers...
...go out to those affected by the Bridge Collapse:
-Those injured or killed
-The Police, Fire, and Other personnel who are on scene
-and to those who commute via that bridge, because you will need the ultimate patience until that is repaired. Road Rage can be a bitch.
As far as I am concerned, a death toll of 4 is very very fortunate considering the circumstance. My condolences to the families.
-Those injured or killed
-The Police, Fire, and Other personnel who are on scene
-and to those who commute via that bridge, because you will need the ultimate patience until that is repaired. Road Rage can be a bitch.
As far as I am concerned, a death toll of 4 is very very fortunate considering the circumstance. My condolences to the families.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Investigating the mysterious "Eklund"
I've mentioned him before here, but someone went at length about this "persona"...
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/08/01/unmasked-and-anonymous-answering-the-ethical-questions-about-a/#cont
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/08/01/unmasked-and-anonymous-answering-the-ethical-questions-about-a/#cont
Internal Bleeding
"It's not just about hope, In a realistic world, you have to really make it happen and go for it. You always talk about future, future. ... But if you only worry about the future, then I guess a lot of us won't be part of it, Why waste time when you're talking about something that's always going to be like that? It's never going to be beyond this point. It doesn't make any sense for me to be here, you know?"
Those are the words of our Ace. And he isn't very happy.
But he has said what needed to be said, as far as the Twins philosphy goes. To a certain extent, bloggers like myself, and talk show minions have said this ad nauseum, but considering our place, its just an opinion, and it holds little weight. But when the best pitcher in baseball, and the anchor of your team makes it? The whole world notices.
The trade of Luis Castillo was puzzling- I mean, I understand that Terry Ryan wasn't going to resign him at season's end- so it truly is best to get something before you lose it for nothing. Players, coaches, fans, rubes, etc. all were kinda upset- why, when all of the sudden when it looks like we have new life in the wild card race, would you deal an everyday guy like Castillo- and then stand pat and get nothing else to help the team in return?
Gardy says we're in it...and so did Terry Ryan.
So why didn't we get someone to help us during this stretch? I think that's what has Santana (combined with his recent relevation about how his record isn't indictative of how he's been pitching) all hot and bothered.
Johan, much like the rest of us, probably can't wait to see what washed up former juicer we bring in at the waiver deadline to "help with his bat". Phil Nevin hit .190 last year. Bret Boone didn't even last til the end of the season. Maybe we should give Jose Canseco a call?
Now, in the Twins' defense, you have to think about the future- you can't put all your eggs in the proverbial basket now, and have no foundation for later. But, we play in the NOW. If we are "still in it", then why not bring in someone to help NOW? Deal someone like Slowey, or Perkins, etc. in order to make it happen, or else you are left with situations like this, when your ace pither lashes out when he feels like the Organization won't do their part to help win NOW.
Or maybe its because the Twins reportedly offered him a 2 year, $36 million dollar deal this winter- a slap in the face if you ask me. Barry Zito can't hold Johan's jock, and he got $18 mil a year. Someone slap Carl Pohlad. Hey Carl, you're rich enough to buy some horseshit radio station (B96), but apparently keeping the best pitcher in baseball on your team for the long term (just imagine Santana taking the mound Opening Night in the new Stadium) just isn't worth it. How asinine is that?
I feel you Johan.
Those are the words of our Ace. And he isn't very happy.
But he has said what needed to be said, as far as the Twins philosphy goes. To a certain extent, bloggers like myself, and talk show minions have said this ad nauseum, but considering our place, its just an opinion, and it holds little weight. But when the best pitcher in baseball, and the anchor of your team makes it? The whole world notices.
The trade of Luis Castillo was puzzling- I mean, I understand that Terry Ryan wasn't going to resign him at season's end- so it truly is best to get something before you lose it for nothing. Players, coaches, fans, rubes, etc. all were kinda upset- why, when all of the sudden when it looks like we have new life in the wild card race, would you deal an everyday guy like Castillo- and then stand pat and get nothing else to help the team in return?
Gardy says we're in it...and so did Terry Ryan.
So why didn't we get someone to help us during this stretch? I think that's what has Santana (combined with his recent relevation about how his record isn't indictative of how he's been pitching) all hot and bothered.
Johan, much like the rest of us, probably can't wait to see what washed up former juicer we bring in at the waiver deadline to "help with his bat". Phil Nevin hit .190 last year. Bret Boone didn't even last til the end of the season. Maybe we should give Jose Canseco a call?
Now, in the Twins' defense, you have to think about the future- you can't put all your eggs in the proverbial basket now, and have no foundation for later. But, we play in the NOW. If we are "still in it", then why not bring in someone to help NOW? Deal someone like Slowey, or Perkins, etc. in order to make it happen, or else you are left with situations like this, when your ace pither lashes out when he feels like the Organization won't do their part to help win NOW.
Or maybe its because the Twins reportedly offered him a 2 year, $36 million dollar deal this winter- a slap in the face if you ask me. Barry Zito can't hold Johan's jock, and he got $18 mil a year. Someone slap Carl Pohlad. Hey Carl, you're rich enough to buy some horseshit radio station (B96), but apparently keeping the best pitcher in baseball on your team for the long term (just imagine Santana taking the mound Opening Night in the new Stadium) just isn't worth it. How asinine is that?
I feel you Johan.
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