Sano sitting for a few days after how he handled himself hitting homerun

[Beezer07]

A monster 20 year old has personality. Good for him. I see folks say it is not accepted baseball behavior, but support cowardly throwing at a defenseless batter for silly "I got your back" grade school maturity. Interesting. Once stoning was an accepted tradition. Hopefully, the Twins don't destroy Sano's spirit. There will be plenty of teams 'round the league that would love to give the boy a try.

 

Not sure if you're serious...but if you are, this thread has officially gone from strange to completely off-the-wall crazy. Talk about jumping the shark.

[TheLeviathan]

I thought Ryan addressed this perfectly on 1500 today. He went out of his wAy to praise Sano's makeup and stress tht they love his swagger. Just went too far this one time was the jist of it. Really an excellent response.

[jokin]

I thought Ryan addressed this perfectly on 1500 today. He went out of his wAy to praise Sano's makeup and stress tht they love his swagger. Just went too far this one time was the jist of it. Really an excellent response.

 

Tough Love with unconditional love, yup, perfect. This may work out to be the best thing for Sano's maturity development.

 

Any mention of anyone else involved in the disciplinary process? Smith, management figures? Sano's agent?

[DaveW]

I thought Ryan addressed this perfectly on 1500 today. He went out of his wAy to praise Sano's makeup and stress tht they love his swagger. Just went too far this one time was the jist of it. Really an excellent response.

 

Yeah, and as mentioned, it would have been the slowest trot in major league baseball this year by someone not named David Ortiz. Also I don't think Ortiz "shows" anyone up on the trots, he is just slow as hell! No excuse for a 20 year old to be doing that and I'm guessing he learned his lesson moving forward.

 

Personally, I think this could be a great thing for Sano, let's see how he responds. Could come back stronger and more determined then ever.

 

Lev, I don't get the "Mauer could learn a thing" etc bit, Mauer is the 2nd best hitting catcher of all time. Yeah he isn't loud and brash but he doesn't need to be, I have never heard one player or management who has ever had an issue of how he is/was as a teammate.

 

Speak softly and carry a big stick applies to the Mega Hunk. Jeter is a pretty soft spoken guy as well and no one questions his "leadership"

[JB_Iowa]

 

Lev, I don't get the "Mauer could learn a thing" etc bit, Mauer is the 2nd best hitting catcher of all time. Yeah he isn't loud and brash but he doesn't need to be, I have never heard one player or management who has ever had an issue of how he is/was as a teammate.

 

Speak softly and carry a big stick applies to the Mega Hunk. Jeter is a pretty soft spoken guy as well and no one questions his "leadership"

 

I think the concerns about Mauer's leadership -- and I've made no secret that I have them -- is that we just don't know how much of a leader he is.

 

We know that what leadership he does provide is done more through the example of his work ethic and his professionalism. But we don't read anything about him calling team meetings or him speaking out in the clubhouse, etc. In fact, what we have read is that he keeps to himself quite a bit (at least on the road) -- I think Morneau even said that he wasn't sure what Joe was doing most of the time when they are on the road.

 

His routine obviously works for him and, if there were other well-paid leaders in the clubhouse, it wouldn't be necessary to look to him for more. But Morneau has struggled and seems less vocal. Willingham has had a fair amount of injuries and doesn't seem to speak out either. Perk seems to provide some leadership -- at least the bullpen and probably starters as well. Doumit is a possibility but let's face it, none of them are paid, treated or respected by the fans in the same way as Mauer.

 

I don't think Mauer can change his personality but in the long run, I do think that the young guys coming up are going to need some veteran leadership in several areas: someone who is willing to police them a bit (and step down as necessary); someone who has some emotionalism and can inspire them as times get tough; and someone who can alleviate tensions and provide some comic relief and help them just have some fun (a la Mike Redmond). I don't think that one person can encompass all those "someones" but the Twins will need some veterans who are well-respected enough to do that. They should also be more than short-term rentals or one-year contracts.

 

Much of the frustration over Mauer's leadership is just that it is so darn quiet -- and I know, it's just not something he can really change because a real leader also has to stay true to himself or herself.

[TheLeviathan]

Speak softly and carry a big stick applies to the Mega Hunk. Jeter is a pretty soft spoken guy as well and no one questions his "leadership"

 

I think Jeter relishes being "the guy" when it matters. I think Joe is good enough to be, but I'm not sure he wants to be. I think he likes being in the background more. (Which is natural for some people to do, so I'm not calling him a lesser player by any stretch)

 

A guy like Sano is going to WANT to be up down by 1 with a runner on in the bottom of the ninth. I'm not sure Joe does.

[DaveW]

I think Jeter relishes being "the guy" when it matters. I think Joe is good enough to be, but I'm not sure he wants to be. I think he likes being in the background more. (Which is natural for some people to do, so I'm not calling him a lesser player by any stretch)

 

A guy like Sano is going to WANT to be up down by 1 with a runner on in the bottom of the ninth. I'm not sure Joe does.

 

Why doesn't Joe want to be that guy? It's funny how these things get assumed, if Mauers double at Yankee stadium a few years ago was correctly called fair instead of foul, and the Twins win that game (and series?) do these questions still get asked of him?

 

If Puckett doesn't hit the game 6 HR (the rest of the series he was pretty bad) so we assume he wasn't a "leader who wanted to be in that spot"?

 

It's hard to blame Mauer when he just really hasn't had the chance to "be in that sorta spot"

[DaveW]

I think the concerns about Mauer's leadership -- and I've made no secret that I have them -- is that we just don't know how much of a leader he is.

 

We know that what leadership he does provide is done more through the example of his work ethic and his professionalism. But we don't read anything about him calling team meetings or him speaking out in the clubhouse, etc. In fact, what we have read is that he keeps to himself quite a bit (at least on the road) -- I think Morneau even said that he wasn't sure what Joe was doing most of the time when they are on the road.

 

His routine obviously works for him and, if there were other well-paid leaders in the clubhouse, it wouldn't be necessary to look to him for more. But Morneau has struggled and seems less vocal. Willingham has had a fair amount of injuries and doesn't seem to speak out either. Perk seems to provide some leadership -- at least the bullpen and probably starters as well. Doumit is a possibility but let's face it, none of them are paid, treated or respected by the fans in the same way as Mauer.

 

I don't think Mauer can change his personality but in the long run, I do think that the young guys coming up are going to need some veteran leadership in several areas: someone who is willing to police them a bit (and step down as necessary); someone who has some emotionalism and can inspire them as times get tough; and someone who can alleviate tensions and provide some comic relief and help them just have some fun (a la Mike Redmond). I don't think that one person can encompass all those "someones" but the Twins will need some veterans who are well-respected enough to do that. They should also be more than short-term rentals or one-year contracts.

 

Much of the frustration over Mauer's leadership is just that it is so darn quiet -- and I know, it's just not something he can really change because a real leader also has to stay true to himself or herself.

 

Mauer was also the top QB in the state in HS and had a lifetime scholarship offer from Bobby Bowden to come be his QB at Florida State.

 

If you are a good enough "leader" to be a QB at a top program like FSU I sersiously think you are a a good enough "leader" for a baseball team.

 

It also should be noted the Twins haven't had a whole lot of "club house" issues over the years, the biggest one was a temp fight between Hunter and Morneau and the next largest one was Slowey and his attitude about the bullpen.

[TwinsFanInPhilly]

If young Sr. Sano has enough swagger to pimp a meaningless HR, you would have to assume he also has the intestinal fortitude to not let a benching "destroy his spirit". Maybe I'm missing something (I usually am here).

[DaveW]

If young Sr. Sano has enough swagger to pimp a meaningless HR, you would have to assume he also has the intestinal fortitude to not let a benching "destroy his spirit". Maybe I'm missing something (I usually am here).

Benching/Punishing him actually may have saved his ass. I don't know if they were playing the same team the next day, but if they were and he was in the lineup he would have seen a few pitches by his head. I imagine since he is getting his "punishment" by a benching, that team will be a lot less likely to throw at him next game for "revenge" since the benching is punishment enough.

 

Also I guarantee they bench any other player that would have pulled that crap, you can't give special treatment to a guy, especially not this early in his career. That is how you end up with a Barry Bonds situation, and if you are going to be a dick like Bonds you sure as **** better hit like Bonds!

[TheLeviathan]

Why doesn't Joe want to be that guy? It's funny how these things get assumed, if Mauers double at Yankee stadium a few years ago was correctly called fair instead of foul, and the Twins win that game (and series?) do these questions still get asked of him?

 

Maybe, maybe not. I won't deny it's a lot of speculation, but in my experience most humble, soft-spoken, "aw shucks" types are not lining up to be "the guy". Just not in his personality. Which isn't a slight against him, but I'd like some guys on the Sano end of the spectrum too.

[TheLeviathan]

Also, I forgot to mention - Reusse said today that the pimped home run was in retaliation for some "dust-ups" Sano and the pitcher had while teammates with the Twins. For whatever it's worth.

[D. Hocking]

I thought I also heard on one of the 1500 shows that when he was reprimanded by one of the coaches his response was less than ideal (possibly disrespectful). Terry Ryan was also there and talked to him, and it sounded like his response to Terry was not much better, and that might have led to the suspension, or at least to the multiple game suspension.

 

Yes -- they did say the pitcher was a recent ex-teammate and that contributed to the suspension.

[Halsey Hall]

I thought I also heard on one of the 1500 shows that when he was reprimanded by one of the coaches his response was less than ideal (possibly disrespectful). Terry Ryan was also there and talked to him, and it sounded like his response to Terry was not much better, and that might have led to the suspension, or at least to the multiple game suspension.

 

Yes -- they did say the pitcher was a recent ex-teammate and that contributed to the suspension.

 

I read that when Jeff Smith talked to him about running the bases, Sano's response was something to the effect "I'll run the bases anyway I want to".

[Ncgo4]

Jeff Smith is (supposed to be) the adult in this situation and he needs to get control of this. If it's necessary they should move Sano to Rochester before they lose all control of young Mr. Sano. This is the point in his career where his attitude is set. This does not seem like it's going we'll at all.

[DaveW]

Lol

[Monkeypaws]

Look at Puckett - on the field, he was a Hall of Fame player, and he was beloved by teammates and opponents alike. If these reports are true, what Sano is doing is being a punk. You can't control peoples' personalities, but you can sure as hell enforce rules that keep a dink in check on the field.

 

I'm very disappointed by what I am reading here. Buxton has the modesty and temperament to be a true stud, Sano, maybe not so much.

[h2oface]

It also should be noted the Twins haven't had a whole lot of "club house" issues over the years, the biggest one was a temp fight between Hunter and Morneau and the next largest one was Slowey and his attitude about the bullpen.

 

If people repeat something that is not true enough times, it may become the accepted truth. Slowey once again gets misrepresented. The management spin is still working.

[h2oface]

Oh No! Samuel Deduno was quite demonstrative as he closed out the 7 shutout innings against the Mariners today (Saturday). Bent arm repetitive fist pumping and vocalizations. I sure hope he isn't benched for that wonderful display of emotion that was obviously gloating and not stoic.

[buckninetyone]

i may be old and senile and dumb and drunk, but when did "pimping a home run" become a phrase?

[DaveW]

If people repeat something that is not true enough times, it may become the accepted truth. Slowey once again gets misrepresented. The management spin is still working.

Oh yay another Slowey apologist, a pitcher so great he is doing mop up work for one of the worst teams in baseball history currently!!

[h2oface]

Oh yay another Slowey apologist, a pitcher so great he is doing mop up work for one of the worst teams in baseball history currently!!

 

What? Is he back on the Twins again??

[jokin]

Oh yay another Slowey apologist, a pitcher so great he is doing mop up work for one of the worst teams in baseball history currently!!

 

One of the worst teams, sure, but their starting pitching is in the top 30% in baseball and their relief pitching is tied for 15th in terms of ERA.

 

Major League Team Stats » 2013 » Starters » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball

 

The Marlins rank 9th out of 30 teams for SP ERA @ 3.77 (3.94 FIP)

 

The Twins rank 30th out of 30 teams for SP ERA @ 5.16 (4.71 FIP).

 

As a starter, Slowey has a 4.11 ERA (3.81 FIP). That would rank Slowey as 2nd among Twins starters in ERA and 1st in FIP.

 

Minnesota Twins Leaderboards » 2013 » Starters » Dashboard | FanGraphs Baseball

[TheLeviathan]

I'm very disappointed by what I am reading here. Buxton has the modesty and temperament to be a true stud, Sano, maybe not so much.

 

Really? That's an awfully unfair and shaky limb you're on. One which Terry Ryan would think is ludicrous by his own comments.

[ThePuck]

Really? That's an awfully unfair and shaky limb you're on. One which Terry Ryan would think is ludicrous by his own comments.

 

So now we have fans who are turning on Sano...that's hilarious...

[Thrylos]

Few tidbits from the Rock Cats game today: Sano did not play (this is old news) but was on the field at third during BP and infield drills. He was sitting on the bench talking with the starting pitchers who did not pitch today other than one inning that he relieved Angel Morales from first base coach duties. As far as I observed in the ballpark it was business as usual. No moping. If this whole drama was not out and about, nobody would know that Sano is being "punished". FYI.

[Thegrin]

Standing at home plate admiring your home run has ALWAYS been considered bush league. Players need to learn it is not acceptable behavior under any situation. I doubt they cared about flipping the bat.

[jokin]

Few tidbits from the Rock Cats game today: Sano did not play (this is old news) but was on the field at third during BP and infield drills. He was sitting on the bench talking with the starting pitchers who did not pitch today other than one inning that he relieved Angel Morales from first base coach duties. As far as I observed in the ballpark it was business as usual. No moping. If this whole drama was not out and about, nobody would know that Sano is being "punished". FYI.

 

Notice any interaction with coaching staff, Manager Smith and Miguel? The New Britain club is certainly reeling right now. Morales also seems to be riding pine (pulled after 1 PA yesterday?), with only Pinto and Rosario seemingly the only bats keeping their heads above water in the box score amidst this whole off-field drama. There must be better starting options for the club than Kyle Davies?

[clutterheart]

Does any of the coaching staff in NB speak Spanish?

[buckninetyone]

Does any of the coaching staff in NB speak Spanish?

 

si señor sano es muy loco. dios mio!