Ripping the Fans Off

[Riverbrian]

The playoffs this year have been exceptional in my opinion. A couple extra tugs to the batters glove and another trip to the mound hasn't driven me to Animal Planet yet... And I like watching Gorillas.

[Paul Pleiss]

To some extent, this ball club we love, the Twins, has been a reflection of it's manager. Ronnie Clyde Gardenhire is a generally calm cool collected guy, even keel. The players, in turn, have a similiar energy. Joe Mauer has that same energy, 2% milk. Easy going.

 

I wonder if a manager with a bit more fire and brimstone might engage a different side of the players, see them playing with more emotion.

 

And maybe playing with emotion is the wrong way to play, maybe. Look at Derek Jeter, that guy took every single at bat the same way, the same process. Just working his way, regardless of the situation, never really showing the emotion, just going about his business. Is what what we want? maybe it should be.

 

I agree, watching a game in the post-season is different, and it should be. Players, fans, coaches, everyone will tell you the playoffs are different. Its' a different level than the regular season. Things matter more. So yes, a 2-0 count in the third inning matters. And we've seen this year, with so mang close games, that even when you're down by four runs early, that 2-0 pitch you're about to throw still matters, because there are still outs left to play and runs to score.

 

everything is magnified in the post-season. I'm not saying the regular season games don't matter, because they do, but they don't matter in the same way. And so players don't play them the same way, except for Derek Jeter, and he isn't playing anymore.

 

Don't feel cheated because it's not the same visibile emotion and electricity. Feel cheated if you see guys dogging it on the field, being lazy, not makign plays. I think the guys at the MLB level, by and large, are guys who go all out all the time. Except for maybe Delmon Young, and he probably is trying really hard too, he's just maybe terrible at defense. These guys have to be everyday professionals or they wouldn't be where they are. They play their best everyday. But it's different in the post-season, and we're seeing that this year. At least, if we have cable we're seeing it, the rest of us just hear it on the radio.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

I think ultimately that without the bitter, the sweet is not as sweet. I think baseball in June/July is a different game than baseball in October, and that's ok.

 

I like the lazy summer games where you can lean back in your chair and spend time with a buddy; catch up over a cold beer or two, talk about the team and which guys are bums, get a little sunburn . . . and every once and awhile, the lazy summer pastime gets tense - maybe a pitcher is throwing a gem, or it's a tie game late. Then it's time to move to the edge of your seat and the conversation falls away because each pitch is bringing your team closer to October baseball (even if it will have to 'wait til next year').

[Boom Boom]

If you're paying the full ticket price for mid-to-late season baseball tickets to a bad team, you're doing it wrong, Brian.

[ashbury]

In any case, it's nothing new.  Baseball players are expected to exude a certain cool.  Remember the nickname the other players (Mickey Mantle, reputedly) hung on Pete Rose in the 1960s when he ran to first base on walks, even in spring training?  Charlie Hustle.  It wasn't a compliment; he turned it around and made it one, but there was always that undercurrent.

 

Players will haze you if you try to get too happy-clappy on the diamond when it's not called for. 

 

And it's OK in my book that the postseason is different.

[Riverbrian]

Players will haze you if you try to get too happy-clappy on the diamond when it's not called for.

.

Pfft... If I was playing pro ball. Everytime I homered... (probably every 15 AB's)... I would touch em all shirtless and dance the cha cha all the way around. I'd high five the SS while yelling woo hoo. When I get to the dugout... I'm pouring Gatorade over my head... And then I'm kissing a random girl in the stands. (My wife will allow it cuz I'm making a lot of money).

 

If it was a Grand Slam... My pants are coming off.

 

Unwritten rules smules. I'm celebrating!!!

 

And... And... After I'm beaned by the pitcher in my next at bat... I'm taking first and stealing 2nd.

[Otto von Ballpark]

If it was a Grand Slam... My pants are coming off.

Steve Lyons scoffs at your high threshold for pants removal:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTOAI5CHC34

[ashbury]

After I'm beaned by the pitcher in my next at bat... I'm taking first and stealing 2nd.

I'll acknowledge, this probably is more of a winning strategy for you, than for players like Koskie, Morneau, Mauer, and Buxton, for whom some of their talent resides above the neck.

[nicksaviking]

Well I'm pretty sure that's why there were a lot of players who didn't want to ban "Greenies."

 

We'd probably have to check with Ashbury to verify all things narcotic, but taking speed was what many guys felt they needed to stay focused and intense for a 162 game schedule.

[ashbury]

We'd probably have to check with Ashbury to verify all things narcotic

If you can remember the 60's, then you weren't there.

[Squirrel]

Pfft... If I was playing pro ball. Everytime I homered... (probably every 15 AB's)... I would touch em all shirtless and dance the cha cha all the way around. I'd high five the SS while yelling woo hoo. When I get to the dugout... I'm pouring Gatorade over my head... And then I'm kissing a random girl in the stands. (My wife will allow it cuz I'm making a lot of money).

 

If it was a Grand Slam... My pants are coming off.

 

Unwritten rules smules. I'm celebrating!!!

 

And... And... After I'm beaned by the pitcher in my next at bat... I'm taking first and stealing 2nd.

Ish.  Can we get back on topic now?  

[twinsnorth49]

Why does every thread with RB involve him taking off his pants?

[ashbury]

That probably answers the question I was going to ask, why does every thread with RB involve ChiTown saying Ish?

[Craig Arko]

Why does every thread with RB involve him taking off his pants?

He thinks he's this guy...