Game Thread: Guardians (Allen) v Twins (Gray), 6/3 @ 6:10pm CT

[CRF]

15 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

I remember that when the Giants unloaded him a year after that wonderful trade, the local media characterized him as a "cancer in the clubhouse." Did he have that reputation in Minnesota? Or was it just a case of a different clubhouse.

I don't recall anything about him being a "cancer" in the clubhouse when he played here, but in MLB player surveys, he was voted MLB's most hated player at least once. Personally, I loved the guy. We got a nice haul when we traded him, but he would've been a great player for us if he stayed. 

[stringer bell]

Rocco is waiting until the last minute to produce a lineup. Injury questions I'm sure. Is Garlick at the park? Does he dare start Jeffers on his birthday?

[Marcos]

Farmer @ cleanup.  Oh well

[Marcos]

Love those first three though!

[gil4]

18 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

I remember that when the Giants unloaded him a year after that wonderful trade, the local media characterized him as a "cancer in the clubhouse." Did he have that reputation in Minnesota? Or was it just a case of a different clubhouse.

I remember a quote about him, although I don't remember the timing (and it might have been used about others as well) -  "If you play against him, you hate him. If you play with him, you hate him a little less."  (Apparently is was Ozzie Guillen, so probably after SF)

[gil4]

15 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Ozzie Guillen said "when you manage against AJ, you hate him. When he's on your team, you hate him less."

The most detailed thing I heard about AJ"s season in SF was that he really missed his old team. He wanted to watch the Twins on TV and talked a lot about the way things were in Minnesota. The Giants players were not impressed.

I guess I should have read a bit further before I posted the same quote.

[Parfigliano]

16 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Ozzie Guillen said "when you manage against AJ, you hate him. When he's on your team, you hate him less."

The most detailed thing I heard about AJ"s season in SF was that he really missed his old team. He wanted to watch the Twins on TV and talked a lot about the way things were in Minnesota. The Giants players were not impressed.

Weird.  Heard same about Luis Rivas missing Twins when he moved on.

[Nine of twelve]

I was told about an off-field incident involving AJ that I will not repeat here since it was third-hand by the time I heard it, but it did not cast him in a good light. Another thing, when he was with the White Sox I seem to recall him running out a ground ball and stepping on the side of the foot of a Twin covering first base. Maybe Morneau? I think he was probably kind of a pill on the field. All that said, I think he's good at being a baseball announcer.

[Marcos]

Mike North _Chicago sports radio guy:

Mike North - "How you doing, Ozzie?"

Ozzie Guillen - "Oh, shut the [bleep] up."

[stringer bell]

7 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

I was told about an off-field incident involving AJ that I will not repeat here since it was third-hand by the time I heard it, but it did not cast him in a good light. Another thing, when he was with the White Sox I seem to recall him running out a ground ball and stepping on the side of the foot of a Twin covering first base. Maybe Morneau? I think he was probably kind of a pill on the field. All that said, I think he's good at being a baseball announcer.

I witnessed AJ being a jerk first hand while he was with the Twins. He seemed to relish being the bad boy. He always competed and was a really good player for a long time. 

[Squirrel]

Lineups are in:

 

[stringer bell]

20 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Rocco is waiting until the last minute to produce a lineup. Injury questions I'm sure. Is Garlick at the park? Does he dare start Jeffers on his birthday?

Nine RH hitting players, no Buxton or Correa and yes Garlick is in the park and Jeffers is in the lineup as the DH.

[Squirrel]

I don’t know. I think it’s a decent lineup. Seems whenever I don’t like a lineup, they win. Oh, wait a minute …

I HATE this lineup! Damn it! It’s going to cost me my win Blizzard!

[Craig Arko]

 

[Marcos]

27 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

I was told about an off-field incident involving AJ that I will not repeat here since it was third-hand by the time I heard it, but it did not cast him in a good light. Another thing, when he was with the White Sox I seem to recall him running out a ground ball and stepping on the side of the foot of a Twin covering first base. Maybe Morneau? I think he was probably kind of a pill on the field. All that said, I think he's good at being a baseball announcer.

I remember that game, I forgot whose foot he stepped on too. It was definitely intentional.

[mrtwinsfan]

3 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Interesting lineup decisions for Baldelli. Assuming Buxton is out and Correa in, he has Solano, Polanco, Correa, Farmer and Lewis to cover the infield and DH (all RH hitters). Castro and MAT could cover two OF spots, with either Kirilloff or Kepler available for RF. There’s a case for everyone but Farmer to get a day off among the infielders. I expect Wallner is on a plane from Buffalo. 

its Garland instead, 

[shabbos1]

Are L/L matchups so frighteningly futile that Kirilloff (.594 OBP over the last 7 games) sits on the bench to start the game?

[rwilfong86]

Well, Arraez is 5/5 today with 2 singles, 3 doubles and 5 RBI. 🥴 His average is up to .390 right now.

[Schmoeman5]

Just now, shabbos1 said:

Are L/R matchups so important that Kirilloff (.594 OBP over the last 7 games) sits on the bench to start the game?

It is to the Twins 

[ashbury]

16 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

 

Those who accuse Rocco of having no guts are invited to apologize now.

[Parfigliano]

25 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

I don’t know. I think it’s a decent lineup. Seems whenever I don’t like a lineup, they win. Oh, wait a minute …

I HATE this lineup! Damn it! It’s going to cost me my win Blizzard!

Looks like a get-a-way day game lineup.

[Parfigliano]

10 minutes ago, shabbos1 said:

Are L/L matchups so frighteningly futile that Kirilloff (.594 OBP over the last 7 games) sits on the bench to start the game?

Twins seem to like L/L matchups like vampires like sunlight.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

1 hour ago, PDX Twin said:

I remember that when the Giants unloaded him a year after that wonderful trade, the local media characterized him as a "cancer in the clubhouse." Did he have that reputation in Minnesota? Or was it just a case of a different clubhouse.

This is a fascinating topic to me (Sorry to hijack the game thread), and I would bet no, A.J. did not have that reputation here. My guess is it's one thing when a young "cancer" is brought into an organization and comes up through the ranks and plays their entire career here. They are a part of the club and they have a chance to adapt and survive, and the club can adapt to that individual. They might be an SOB, but "they are our SOB". Think AJ, or think Lance Lynn with the Cardinals. Part of the culture and character of the clubhouse.

On the other hand, it's another thing, when one of these folks leaves their home organization and goes to a new one. All bets are off. Think when Lance Lynn came here. I am by no means calling Carlos Correa a cancer - he is not - but he certainly has a strong personality that isn't going to be to everyone's taste. In Houston, it's easier for Correa to be himself and be part of the family and assume the role of leader in an organization he has spent his whole career with. In a new organization, like the Twins, individuals will need to make some adjustments or there will be conflict. 

[PDX Twin]

19 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Those who accuse Rocco of having no guts are invited to apologize now.

Are you sure that wasn't the abdominal issue?

[RickOShea]

2 hours ago, ziggy said:

Gallo, Correa and Buxton all injured but trying to play through it certainly would explain their respective slumps.  I sure hope the Twins get hitting on all cylinders and put this division in the rear view mirror. With their pitching they can walk away with the Central if they can just play to their potential. 

A.J. Perzinski is very good as an color guy, I found it embarassing that some Twins fans booed him when he wore a different uniform. It was not his idea to leave Minnesota.

I think AJ gets booed by his own family members.  He's got a personality that is very direct and can be considered abrasive or condescending.  He's changed from his playing days, somewhat.  But he's fun to listen to and often very spot on in his analysis.  If he was a wrestler, he'd make a great heel.

[Marcos]

Pierzynski took a step toward Justin Morneau's foot, which was properly located on the edge of the infield side of first base.

Morneau felt enough of a pinch from Pierzynski's cleats to glare at A.J. all the way into the White Sox dugout.

Then, Morneau and several other Twins -- located in their dugout -- yelled unpleasantries at Pierzynski as he took his place behind the plate.

[Robert Floren]

Is the game on Fox network?  Iv'e got Yankees at Dodgers on Fox.

[RickOShea]

1 minute ago, Robert Floren said:

Is the game on Fox network?  Iv'e got Yankees at Dodgers on Fox.

It's on MLB.tv network on my tv.

[ashbury]

12 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

Are you sure that wasn't the abdominal issue?

On behalf of Rocco, Apology Accepted. 😀

[Squirrel]

6 minutes ago, Robert Floren said:

Is the game on Fox network?  Iv'e got Yankees at Dodgers on Fox.

It is ... it's 'regional coverage' ... so if you aren't the TC area, you will likely get the other Fox game, which is Yankees-Dodgers