Game Thread: Twins vs. Blue Jays @ 7:10pm cdt 9/15/2017 AD

[adorduan]

 

http://www.startribune.com/doug-mientkiewicz-is-fired-as-minor-league-manager-for-twins/444772903/

Wow

[USAFChief]

So far tonight, I don't think the HP ump has missed a single ball/strike call.  We sometimes complain, we should probably recognize the opposite, too.

[USAFChief]

 

Damn. Bases loaded with no outs for 2-3-4 batters, and all we get is a sac fly and one run. The table was set!

That's a situation where I wish Mauer would go up there aggressive, and not get down 0-2 on hittable pitches.

[h2oface]

Mientkiewicz’s teams finished in first place in four of his five seasons at the helm. He led the Class A Fort Myers Miracle to first-place finishes and postseason berths in 2013, 2014 and this summer, winning the Florida State League championship in 2014, and his Class AA Chattanooga Lookouts won the Southern League championship 2015. He posted winning records in all five seasons as a manager, and compiled a winning percentage of .563 (385-299) overall.

Yup. Get rid of that loser. Who does he think he is?

[h2oface]

So any odds on Molitor keeping his job now?

[ashbury]

So any odds on Molitor keeping his job now?

That run Mauer just drove in probably saved Molly's job.

[DocBauer]

Article really only has Doug's point of view as the Twins basically say they won't comment. OK...fair enough. It's also on the FO to make decisions like these throughout the entire organization to put the system in place they want.

 

But all that being said, this sounds a little funny and smells a bit bad.

[h2oface]

Mientkiewicz said he asked Steil if the decision was his, or if it came from Falvey or Levine. “He said, ‘We don’t give out that information.’ I said, ‘I’m not just some guy; I go back with this organization 25 years. I deserve an answer,’ ” Mientkiewicz said. “And Steil said, ‘We’re not going to give you one.’ ”

 

Wow. Classy guys, Falvey and Levine.

[jimbo92107]

Firing Doug Mientkiewicz makes little sense unless the FO is looking for polite yes men that don't cuss. Dougie isn't that guy, but his players tend to win championships. 

 

If the Twins don't want him, he'll be in some other organization training their next generation of fierce competitors. Mientkiewicz will be unemployed about as long as it takes to have a meeting and show them his record.

[DocBauer]

I think good no call there. There are rules, but you have to use your head and think about intent also, don't you?

[jimbo92107]

This is a good example of some the improvements Buxton has made. His bunts are better, and his technique for reading the pitcher, his first step and his slide all are better. 

[USAFChief]

It would be difficult for me to be less impressed with Garver.

[USAFChief]

Atta boy, Gimenez.  Jump on that first fastball.

[h2oface]

 

Atta boy, Gimenez.  Jump on that first fastball.

 

Little Sexy gets the RBI single!

[jimbo92107]

Whew, I thought they were gonna strand Buxton on second with no outs. At least Gimenez got a good swing. 

[amjgt]

I almost posted before this inning... "get someone warming"

[h2oface]

GET HIM OUT OF THERE NOW!

[USAFChief]

Yeah, Big Sexy's been getting outs, but he ain't been fooling anyone.  

[USAFChief]

THanks Goins

[John Kelsey]

This ump has been fantastic. 

[USAFChief]

 

This ump has been fantastic. 

Like...flawless so far.

[yarnivek1972]

 

Yeah, Big Sexy's been getting outs, but he ain't been fooling anyone.  

That's kinda his game at this point.  

[Aggies7]

I just heard possibly the worst John Sterling Yankees HR call: "a homer by Gregorious makes the yankee fans EUPHORIOUS"

 

Please, god, let's not have to play them in the WC. I cant stomach it

[ashbury]

Yup. Get rid of that loser. Who does he think he is?

His quotes in that article give me a notion why the new FO decided to move on with him.

 

The best one: “I feel bad for the kids who played for me, including the ones I managed that are helping the Twins make a run for the playoffs right now. Ask any of them about me as a manager.” Inviting the writer to ask players for references is OK, I guess, but the part about feeling bad for them is a downright odd way of saying it.

 

But the part about him pressing Steil, for information he can't give, is also key. It comes across as entitled. The rules don't apply to Dougie.

 

I get that he's angry because of the news. But other guys get fired and don't hand out quotes like those. If he's half as good as he thinks he is, he'll land on his feet with some other organization who values him, so why spew like that? In my opinion he cooked his own goose bit by bit, over the years, with stuff like this behind closed doors.

 

He's a polarizing figure, so I expect those here who enjoy that kind of fire to not be happy.

[Craig Arko]

I'd say it sets up Jake Mauer as the heir apparent.

[h2oface]

Survive and advance. But that might be it, for the big man. They are getting tons of contact. Maybe if the Twins get 4 runs or more here..... leave him in.

[Aggies7]

His quotes in that article give me a notion why the new FO decided to move on with him.

 

The best one: “I feel bad for the kids who played for me, including the ones I managed that are helping the Twins make a run for the playoffs right now. Ask any of them about me as a manager.” Inviting the writer to ask players for references is OK, I guess, but the part about feeling bad for them is a downright odd way of saying it.

 

I get that he's angry because of the news. But other guys get fired and don't hand out quotes like those. If he's half as good as he thinks he is, he'll land on his feet with some other organization who values him, so why spew like that? In my opinion he cooked his own goose bit by bit, over the years, with stuff like this behind closed doors.

 

He's a polarizing figure, so I expect those here who enjoy that kind of fire to not be happy.

Exactly. Sounds like a jilted lover. You can be a rawass and still be professional. If he's the amazing manager and developer of talent that some claim, I doubt the FO would move on and in such a seemingly cold way. Comes off as a bit of a douche

[USAFChief]

DOZE!!!

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

It's amazing what you learn on Twins Daily! I had no idea Bunyan was a descendant of King's Landing!

 

well duh... the Mountain to be exact.

[DocBauer]

Nice job after that HR. I get Gibson maybe coming back, and it might be smart. But I also really would be interested in Colon back. He brings exuberance and experience. Can't bring back both though.