Bark's Lounge

Hilarious!

The only worthwhile thing the FSN Girls do for me is improve my peanut shell throwing accuracy towards my TV during a commercial when a Twins game is in session. I do wonder what kind of money these young ladies make as FSN Girls... maybe it is substantial? I like to think that most people have a personal pride that prevents them from selling themselves out, but maybe some of these individuals have weighed the pros and cons of their situation and paying their college tuition is worth the sacrifice of becoming sports television sex objects. It can be tough making your way in the real world and I can definitely see sacrificing your personal pride for a better end outcome and being able to make a greater positive impact on society with their next profession of which would not have been possible without the monetary gain of being a FSN Girl. If that is the case, good for them. The sad part of this whole enchilada, is that the Marketing people at Fox Sports think it is a good thing for ratings and it must be working. I guess Sports and Sex go hand in hand and the main client (men), are misogynistic, sexual predator scum bags.

No offense North. I am a masochist.

Hey Spy Cake, I just hope you know that this is all friendly bantering amongst Twins fans. Nothing more nothing less. 1. Involved in the Game - is not a pretty weak standard. His job was damn important in the Twins Minor League System and he executed it well. Not to say it did not come with some adversity. I am sure he communicated with former big leaguers, coaches and other well respected baseball men. Them tapping his mind and as well him tapping theirs. Knowledge is golden and he wouldn't be the first to get a managing job based on a roving instructor/coach. 2. Sure, Seattle sucked for Molitor - are you going to hold one season against a man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Seattle's demise was imminent. He wouldn't be the first coach/manager to be fired who went on to have HOF success. Not that I am saying Molitor is HOF quality as far as coaches go - obviously. 3. I am not too sure also. Did Molitor loose out to Gardenhire in 2002, did he remove his name form the list because of the contraction scenario. I cannot remember. 4. As far as divorce, cheating, etc., goes. I don't care. Nobody's perfect, people do what they do. It does not make it right. Everyone deserve a second chance with minor infractions like that. I am not a religious man or a moral crusader. I don't think that has a place on this site in my opinion. Maybe it sidetracked him a bit, maybe not. Who knows? 5. Molitor's Connections. I guess we will wait and see what happens. I hope you do not think that Molitor is without modern day baseball thinking compatriots who can make a difference in today's game of baseball as he is one of them. That would be a mistake. Remember, he was brought in this past season to execute an analytical approach to players regarding the defensive shifts and such. To me, that means he is a buyer in that philosophy. Molitor, in my opinion had a great impact on the 2014 team. I would not be upset if the 2015 team is his to toy with and he can work his magic and hopefully make it better!

Let me be clear. I would be glad if one of Dave Martinez, Doug Mientkiewicz and Paul Molitor is named manager. Why would Molitor's baseball rolodex be out of date? He has been involved in the game every year since he retired (maybe excluding 1 year or 2... not sure - maybe none). Just because he worked for the Twins the majority of he post retirement career does not mean he does not keep up with the rest of the AL or NL, cripes, he only played 3 seasons for the Twins. I am sure he made some alliances with the Brewers, Blue Jays, Playing in All-Star games, and playing against other teams in general. You make friends, get to know people and understand a bit about what those people stand for and learn more about the game from different philosophies. I'm not sayin' that Molitor is the tried and true answer, but I don't look at him as a MN homer. He has had his own experiences in the last 37 years of his involvement with MLB. Half of them not as a member of the Twins Org., as a player he played 3 out of 20 years with Twins. Molitor is not trapped in some mucous bubble that is the Twins way, not like the previous regime. If he is named manager, his stamp will be different and unique because of his baseball his vision and experiences. From what I read on this site and other places, Molitor's only crime is that he is a Saint Paul and Minnesota native.

Who can Dave Martinez, Doug Mientkiewicz, Torey Lovullo, Chip Hale, etc., etc. recommend as pitching coach? If you have an answer, why could that not be one of Molitor's choices as well?

If I were Rick, I wouldn't quit. I'd want the Twins to get their comeuppance and I, Rick Anderson, gets to collect my unemployment check.

Ash, your right. I am sure that Ryan knew Anderson well and probably wasn't all to happy that it came to this. Anderson had to know he was tied to Ron's hip and his days were definitively over. The greatest/cruelest joke that could ever be played on the majority of Twins Daily participants and Twins fans is if Rick Anderson was named Gardy's replacement. What would that have been like? It probably would have been entertaining nonetheless.

That's Funny.

Nice write up Stringer. I'd like to think Plouffe made a bit of statement this season with his play this season, and if Sano is going to take it from him next season or 2016, he will have to earn it. Sure Plouffe's stats don't blow you away, but he was one of our offensive spark plugs and played with a urgency/intensity that was impressive. It was great to see his defensive improvement, and offensively he did pretty well, especially considering the down turn in offensive statistics the last few years. I certainly do not hope the Twins trade Plouffe this offseason as I feel confident that would hurt this team a helping handful next season. But, if you can get something super substantial, I guess you have to listen, and maybe pull the trigger. As for the super utility role, I am very skeptical. Yes, he can play SS in a pinch and he must have played some 2B in the last 4 years at the MLB level. I think it fair to say if Plouffe can play a corner OF position, so can Mauer. That is not fair, although I wish it were the case for both players. Maybe Plouffe is a better 3B now than Sano will ever be, maybe he is not - who knows? I have to agree with Scotty B's above post - Sano might be best suited for the outfield - not that I am down on Sano or that I don't think he can improve at the hot corner, I just don't want to see the Twins screw with a piece of the puzzle that does not need to be screwed with right now. I do not think Sano will be a contributing factor next season.

Nice touch!

Could you imagine? All the posh Dog Birthday Parties you would attend. That's what they call livin' the good life! Sorry, I could not help myself.

I see Gardenhire taking a year off from managing. I could see him being the replacement for Terry Collins, New York Mets Style in 2016. To be honest, if he still has a home in MN, I would like him to be Blyleven's vacation replacement on FSN televised games in 2015. I think he'd be good at it.

You're out of the running then?

Much of what I say will mirror most posts on this thread. My first choice, although probably fool hardy is Mientkiewicz. It could be that he does not have the prerequisites of a Mike Matheny or Brad Ausmus, but I like the hiring of youngish Gen X former players. I like that he is a fiery guy and some might see that as a detriment. It appears that he has been great with the farm kids and that may be the ace up his sleeve with our fast approaching next wave of players and the few we have on our active roster now. I would hate to lose Doug, if not now, he feels like the right guy in the not so distant future. 2nd place is a tie between Dave Martinez and Molitor. Dave is super intriguing and he would kill 2 birds with one stone with him being bilingual in the spanish department. Dave is probably the most qualified based on his resume and his mentor. What I have a hard time with is the concept of losing Molitor. Maybe some will not share these views, but I really feel his tutelage to guys like Dozier, Santana, Escobar, Plouffe and others helped make the on field product way better this season in all phases of the game except for picthing. If you hire Martinez or some other outsider, my bet is that Molitor leaves or won't be chosen as a coach and the progress that was made this season is a wash for the most part. Although it is not the passion choice I would make for our manager choice, I hope Molitor gets the job if the Twins promote Mientkiewicz to the bigs as a coach to be Molly's understudy. Molitor is 58, chances are he will be in 4-5 years and done, if everything goes accordingly. That way I bet Brunansky is kept on as hitting coach (he deserves to be), Steinbach stays unless he is offered a nice position from the D-Backs and maybe, just maybe Mientkiewicz is our next manager (after Molitor). Also, a Spanish speaking, latino cultured coach is a must. Molitor, Brunansky and Steinbach are not Ullger, Anderson and Vavra, they are all new to this regime (2-years and under) and I guarantee everyone, Molitor will have different way he approaches things than Gardenhire, the team will operate differently under his guidance. In a nut shell I guess I want the Twins to hire Molitor as the manager with Mientkiewicz taking over in a few years. Sorry for my slop...

I feel like a prick replying to that post. It was meant as fun. The "S" is right above the "Z"... right?

Try again.

The two coaches that I thought had a noticeable positive impact on the club were Bruno and Molitor - they do not deserve to lose their jobs, but I understand the situation. My gut tells me Molitor gets the gig and Brunansky, Steinbach, and Cuellar return.

If the Twins are seriously considering going outside the organization for a manager, they better get Dave Martinez on the horn sooner than later. My gut tells me Molitor will get the job. I'm not sure if Mientkiewicz is the best candidate, but he certainly would be the most exciting hire in my opinion. PS - Good Luck Ronnie G. I'm sure you'll land on your feet just fine.

RB - I PM'ed you on this subject.

Sad to see the season end, but how much abuse can one endure? It's probably time for a break. It has been an honor to game thread with everyone who participates, I will certainly miss it for the next 5 months or so. Thanks to All and let's get em' next year!

I'm prayin'.

We have one more. Maybe we can answer the bell and if so, the Royals best get their asses in line and step to the challenge. Nothing would make me more pleased than seeing a game 163 and a possible Tigers wild card game.