We need a Baker

John Butcher used to pitch for the Twins. Anyone can be a Candlestick maker. But really, we need Scott Baker to get healthy and get back in the pitching tub soon. I'm afraid Boof is on the way to the bull pen if he's lucky, Rochester if he's less than lucky. But after watching the 19-3 drubbing tonight by the Detroit (7 games under .500) Tigers, it's obvious that there is a big hole in the pitching rotation. Sorry Boof, I know you worked hard in the off season; I know you have talent and you're trying, maybe too hard, but you need to work it out. Maybe if you gained a little weight?

When Will it End?

Missed pop ups, 12 opportunities to drive in a run with only one success, how many games do the Twins expect to win while scoring 2 runs or less. I noticed Johan Santana allowed 4 runs to the Yankees in 7+ innings and chalked up a 7-4 win. If he was still in a Twins uniform he'd have last 4-2. We wasted another good outing by Leave 'em on Hernandez, and a decent game tossed by Kevin Slowey. Kevin is 0-4 now. When he came up from the minors he was touted as the next Brad Radke, and he hasn't disappointed. Keep the ball around the plate, don't walk anybody, limit the mistakes to two or three per game, which are then hit about 400 feet by the opponents, and lose 4-2. These "New Look Twins" do not look new at all. They look like the 1962 Mets, (or the Bad News Bears). Only Mauer and Morneau have shown any consistency at the plate. With Denard Span hitting .375 at Rochester, it's time for our outfield to step up now.

Not Impressed

Even though the Twins took 3 of 4 from Boston, I continue to be underwhelmed by the quality of Major League Baseball. These are not the Twins of the past. In a short week I have seen the center fielder air mail a throw to second base all the way to the dugout, while the pitcher stood and watched. I saw the left fielder airmail the cutoff man with the bases loaded to allow all runners to advance. A pitcher catch a runner between second and third, but rather than running at him to start a rundown play, he chose to toss the ball toward the bullpen, allowing the runner to score what turned out to be the winning run. I saw a 14 year veteran hit a liner to second with a man on first. When the second baseman mishandled it, he threw to second for one, and the relay to first outed the batter who was standing somewhere near the dugout with his bat still in his hands.

What gives? Aren't you being paid enough to think?? I've seen Little League games played better. Sure, the raw talent is a little short, but at least the game is played like it should be. If anyone thinks I am going to pay 30 dollars a ticket to watch this brand of baseball, think again. New stadium priority my foot!! Keep playing like this and there will be lots of tickets available and resellers will be standing in front of the ballpark like they did in 1982. Buying tickets for $2.00 and selling for $4.00.

Holy Cow

"I thought it was foul". Nearly every Little League coach has heard those words in response to "Why didn't you run?" But I would think that by the time you get to the major leagues you would have "Run everything out" imbedded into your brain permanently. Especially a player such as Nick Punto, who makes up for some shortcomings by playing great defense and heads up baseball. But Wednesday night on a sacrifice bunt attempt, Nick hit into an ill fated double play when he chose to argue an umpires call rather than run to first. Sigh. Nick made up for it later in the game with 5 RBIs. I think he knew he screwed up and was determined to make up for it. All's well that ends well, and I think Nick will be running everything out from now on. Along came Thursday afternoon, and with runners on first and second and a 3-1 count, Paul Konerko took a half swing at a pitch out of the strike zone, and calmly dropped his bat and began to remove his shin guard as the base runners jogged to advance one base. Wait a minute - Did he swing? Yup, said the first base ump, the count is 3-2. So Matt Guerrier futily ran to tag the runners who had "stolen" their respective bases. The umpires really did not call the play very well, Ozzie Guillen had a good laugh, and Gardenhire got tossed from the game. Matt got out of the inning with no damage, and congratulations to Jim Thome for stealing his second base of this decade. But C'mon guys. You are paid well for your tremendous talent, but talent from the neck down is only as good as what you can add from the neck up.

Take me out TTBG

I visited the Metrodome today. Wanted to get the bobblehead so I had to get there early and watch nothing for an hour and a half before the game started. Then the Tigers proceded to put up 4 runs before recording an out. Six runs in all in the first inning! As Harry Carey would say - "Holy Cow!!". The Twins went down 9 times in a row against Kenny Rogers. I can't remember wanting to leave a game in the third inning before today. But we hung in there. Hard to believe Boof tossed 45 pitches in the first, and then another 45 over the next five innings. Good for him. He didn't throw in the towel. The Twins picked away and ended up winning 7-6. Unbelievable! If they do make something of the season, Today's game will be labeled as memorable I'm sure.