About that Miguel Sano "parody" article....

[BrokenCompass]

There was recently a parody article suggesting Miguel Sano was re-signed by the Twins. It was a "joke" post making fun of the former Twin.

Miguel Angel Sano ranks 12th all time in home runs for the Twins, right behind Tom Brunansky and right ahead of Max Kepler. He finished 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting in 2015 and was an All-Star in 2017. 

Sano never made a ton of money, or signed a contract that affected the Twins' plans or the roster alignment. He made some errors at 3rd base but also made some dazzling plays which go undiscussed. The guy hit some huge clutch home runs, including this legendary grand slam on the road, late in September in Cleveland to ice the division in 2019. 

He was never called a bad teammate or a problem in the clubhouse. By all accounts he was trying his best, even during his struggles. 

To see Miguel Sano being made fun of in this manner? It kinda misses the mark for me. I know some people enjoy making fun of ballplayers for various reasons, but I never understood the hate for Sano.

The guy was a real star for this franchise for a couple years. 

[bean5302]

 

There was recently a parody article suggesting Miguel Sano was re-signed by the Twins. It was a "joke" post making fun of the former Twin.

Miguel Angel Sano ranks 12th all time in home runs for the Twins, right behind Tom Brunansky and right ahead of Max Kepler. He finished 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting in 2015 and was an All-Star in 2017. 

Sano never made a ton of money, or signed a contract that affected the Twins' plans or the roster alignment. He made some errors at 3rd base but also made some dazzling plays which go undiscussed. The guy hit some huge clutch home runs, including this legendary grand slam on the road, late in September in Cleveland to ice the division in 2019. 

He was never called a bad teammate or a problem in the clubhouse. By all accounts he was trying his best, even during his struggles. 

To see Miguel Sano being made fun of in this manner? It kinda misses the mark for me. I know some people enjoy making fun of ballplayers for various reasons, but I never understood the hate for Sano.

The guy was a real star for this franchise for a couple years. 

I don't think I need to really heap on by detailing out Miguel Sano's long list of poor decisions and potential character issues. If you don't think he was a divisive figure in the clubhouse or that he was trying his best, I think you're abjectly mistaken. Suffice to say, his decision making and immaturity were major contributors to him falling far short of his potential and disappointing Twins fans.

Miguel Sano made $36MM as a Twins player. It's not exactly chump change. 

He did provide some highlight reel home runs, and with 7 years in MLB, you'd expect it. I hope he's been humbled and is now making better decisions, and I hope he has a great life moving forward.

[SS MagicMark]

If the article was low and away, Sano will get over it. 

[alexlegge]

5 hours ago, BrokenCompass said:

The guy hit some huge clutch home runs, including this legendary grand slam on the road, late in September in Cleveland to ice the division in 2019. 

That grand slam increased their championship win probability more than any other play that year.

 

5 hours ago, BrokenCompass said:

To see Miguel Sano being made fun of in this manner? It kinda misses the mark for me. I know some people enjoy making fun of ballplayers for various reasons, but I never understood the hate for Sano.

Sano is imperfect. He's human. He struggled with conditioning and had some concerning off-field moments throughout his career. Undoubtedly, he would've benefited from having Nelson Cruz as a permanent life coach (heck, early-career Nelson Cruz would've benefited from having late-career Nelson Cruz as a life coach).

Personally I tend to agree with your take here. That being said, I don't necessarily think it's unethical to make fun of Sano the athlete. I wouldn't actively promote it, but it feels more 'gauche' than 'gross.'

[Linus]

Generally speaking, I find the “funny” articles on TD to be not very funny. Usually sophomoric and predictable. Far, far fewer of these type articles would be an improvement to the site IMO. 

[Squirrel]

12 minutes ago, Linus said:

Generally speaking, I find the “funny” articles on TD to be not very funny. Usually sophomoric and predictable. Far, far fewer of these type articles would be an improvement to the site IMO. 

Pretty much agree. I’m okay with Stu’s Friday articles, he’s legit funny and knows how to do it … but the others? Ugh. Too much.

[Jocko87]

37 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Pretty much agree. I’m okay with Stu’s Friday articles, he’s legit funny and knows how to do it … but the others? Ugh. Too much.

Was going to comment something like this on one of these parody articles. Glad I'm not the only one who is not impressed. Even Stu misses the mark from time to time for me but when it's once a week and only once a week it's not a big deal.

The editors need to remember these are pre-arb writers that are a long way from getting to see the third time through the order regularly.

Couple of them need some seasoning time in the forums.

[Dave Borton]

On 5/15/2025 at 9:10 AM, BrokenCompass said:

By all accounts he was trying his best, even during his struggles. 

Really? An article discussed his arrival at the clubhouse and not even viewing who was the opposing pitcher on the scorecard. Not interested in talking with hitting coach on how to approach the opposing pitcher or studying the mix of pitches.

Respectfully, we remember too different Miguels.

[ewen21]

On 5/15/2025 at 10:10 AM, BrokenCompass said:

There was recently a parody article suggesting Miguel Sano was re-signed by the Twins. It was a "joke" post making fun of the former Twin.

Miguel Angel Sano ranks 12th all time in home runs for the Twins, right behind Tom Brunansky and right ahead of Max Kepler. He finished 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting in 2015 and was an All-Star in 2017. 

Sano never made a ton of money, or signed a contract that affected the Twins' plans or the roster alignment. He made some errors at 3rd base but also made some dazzling plays which go undiscussed. The guy hit some huge clutch home runs, including this legendary grand slam on the road, late in September in Cleveland to ice the division in 2019. 

He was never called a bad teammate or a problem in the clubhouse. By all accounts he was trying his best, even during his struggles. 

To see Miguel Sano being made fun of in this manner? It kinda misses the mark for me. I know some people enjoy making fun of ballplayers for various reasons, but I never understood the hate for Sano.

The guy was a real star for this franchise for a couple years. 

The dude ate his way out of the league and made some really awful decisions as a professional.  I was actually one of his defenders when he was accused of sexual assault and people wanted him to fry.  I hope he turns it all around and comes back, but that doesn't seem possible at this point.  

 

Nothing is owed to Miguel Sano by Twins fans and this includes our respect.  

[ewen21]

On 5/15/2025 at 10:10 AM, BrokenCompass said:

By all accounts he was trying his best, even during his struggles. 

 

If that were the case then why did the Twins feel the need to send Rocco Baldelli down to meet him during the offseason in the Dominican Republic?  How did he balloon to 300lbs.  Was through hard work, effort and diet?

 

 

[laloesch]

On 5/15/2025 at 10:10 AM, BrokenCompass said:

There was recently a parody article suggesting Miguel Sano was re-signed by the Twins. It was a "joke" post making fun of the former Twin.

Miguel Angel Sano ranks 12th all time in home runs for the Twins, right behind Tom Brunansky and right ahead of Max Kepler. He finished 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting in 2015 and was an All-Star in 2017. 

Sano never made a ton of money, or signed a contract that affected the Twins' plans or the roster alignment. He made some errors at 3rd base but also made some dazzling plays which go undiscussed. The guy hit some huge clutch home runs, including this legendary grand slam on the road, late in September in Cleveland to ice the division in 2019. 

He was never called a bad teammate or a problem in the clubhouse. By all accounts he was trying his best, even during his struggles. 

To see Miguel Sano being made fun of in this manner? It kinda misses the mark for me. I know some people enjoy making fun of ballplayers for various reasons, but I never understood the hate for Sano.

The guy was a real star for this franchise for a couple years. 

With all due respect I think your take on his time with the Twins is a bit of revisionist history and not reality. I don’t recall fans making fun of him on this forum either, mostly just blunt criticisms of obvious problems of his own doing.

Aside from two seasons with the team his play with the Twins was downright awful and he was a terrible hitter.  He was NOT a star, PERIOD.

Several blogs including Puckets pond and mlbtraderumors had articles documenting how much difficulty the coaches had trying to get him to control his weight and take it seriously.  This was after he ballooned up to 298 pounds, was striking out 40% of his at-bats, and sporting a sub .200 average.  

They basically concluded he was close to un-coachable, and didn’t take it seriously enough which is why he’s out of mlb now.  It’s truly his fault that he squandered all that talent, oh well.

Over the course of his 3 year post arbitration contract he made 30+ million dollars, which is not chump change and A LOT more than 99% of Americans or Dominicans (for that matter) can dream of in 5 lifetimes.

People didn’t hate on Sano they were just very disappointed and frustrated he squandered all that talent (and I don’t blame them), big difference,…..and once again he WAS NOT a star player.

 

[big dog]

My own view is that this kind of "parody" isn't appropriately directed at anyone, star or not. Find something else to write about that's actually funny, like thinning out the ranch dressing.

[ewen21]

On 5/18/2025 at 1:24 PM, big dog said:

My own view is that this kind of "parody" isn't appropriately directed at anyone, star or not. Find something else to write about that's actually funny, like thinning out the ranch dressing.

The parody department here has long been something I viewed as amateurish and weak although a lot of people seemed to think it was brilliant just a few years ago.  I think getting rid of it entirely would be an upgrade here.  HOWEVER, for you to say "find something else to write about" is infuriating,  What?  We can't critique or mock his lack focus or work ethic?  Who are you?  

We as fans are allowed to rip the players within reason and that was well within reason (even if the comedy was pathetic).  There seems to be no shortage of "fans" here who want to cry about other fans who "question a player's character"  Screw it.  I will question a guy's character any time I want when something comes up that shows me the guy 's approach is weak.  What's wrong with that?  

 

It is as though some here feel players are beyond reproach.  Not ALL of them, but certain ones.

[big dog]

4 hours ago, ewen21 said:

The parody department here has long been something I viewed as amateurish and weak although a lot of people seemed to think it was brilliant just a few years ago.  I think getting rid of it entirely would be an upgrade here.  HOWEVER, for you to say "find something else to write about" is infuriating,  What?  We can't critique or mock his lack focus or work ethic?  Who are you?  

We as fans are allowed to rip the players within reason and that was well within reason (even if the comedy was pathetic).  There seems to be no shortage of "fans" here who want to cry about other fans who "question a player's character"  Screw it.  I will question a guy's character any time I want when something comes up that shows me the guy 's approach is weak.  What's wrong with that?  

 

It is as though some here feel players are beyond reproach.  Not ALL of them, but certain ones.

Well, enjoy yourself then. Judge Sano, judge me, judge anyone you like. Don’t forget to look inward once in a while, though. 

[shortround81]

On 5/16/2025 at 8:56 AM, Squirrel said:

Pretty much agree. I’m okay with Stu’s Friday articles, he’s legit funny and knows how to do it … but the others? Ugh. Too much.

Armpits stink

[Tovar12]

When I think of Sano, I also think of Buxton.  Those two were touted as two legit young superstars that would lead the Twins for years to come.  I'm bummed that never happened.

[tony&rodney]

On 5/16/2025 at 8:41 AM, Linus said:

Generally speaking, I find the “funny” articles on TD to be not very funny. Usually sophomoric and predictable. Far, far fewer of these type articles would be an improvement to the site IMO. 

Rarely, very rarely, read the "funny" articles. Very few of the "just for fun" stories are funny. To be fair, this is likely similar to comedians. About 1% of comedians are actually funny. Take away making fun of people, sexual, racist, religious, gender, and size jokes and you are better off being entertained by the chatter in a grocery store line. Recently I read about a hilarious exchange in a Costco store.

[Craig Arko]

I miss George Carlin.

[ewen21]

1 hour ago, Craig Arko said:

I miss George Carlin.

HIs brand of satire and comedy was great for its time.  I missed the cutoff of the Boomer generation, but I had Class Clown and AM/FM on vinyl.  I actually thought he was hysterical from about 1979 to about 1989 and then I grew up.  He wrote some good comedy for the time but he was very bitter and twisted in the end to the point where I couldn't like him.  It was the same thing with Hunter Thompson.

 

[Craig Arko]

Bitter and twisted? Go read a game thread.