Bark's Lounge

Liriano pitched a decent game tonight. He was mentally fragile as he usually seems to be, but made it through without incident. It might have made the game 45 minutes longer . (I’m not Bud Selig and game length is of no concern to me.) Liriano is greatly reminding me of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade – he needs someone to watch over him at all times. Tonight Drew Butera was Liriano’s Charlie Simms. I am fearful of Liriano’s mental shortcomings. He has great stuff, but seemingly without a trip to the mound every other at bat it seems that he might implode. I would like Liriano to pick up some of Colonel Sade’s traits – hatred, revenge, and bitterness might serve to be Frankie L’s friends. Like Colonel Slade, Liriano is blind, not in the literal sense, but blind to his ability. Maybe a change of attitude can further his career. Drew Butera can continue to be Liriano’s Charlie Simms but this is what needs to happen: Liriano expresses the following: 1. “I’m in the dark here, I’m in the dark here on how to pitch” 2. There is nothing worse than seeing how I amputate my pitching game plan. Slade: “Frankie, how about getting me a bottle of a complete game?” Frankie: “Do you mean 5 or 6 innings?” Slade: “No you dip****, 9 innings – HOOYAA!!!!”

God Damn. You young galoots really have a lot of time on your hands. This computer world thiggamajiggy really dominates a lot of your lives. When I was in my 20’s, I was out with my friends and carousing with the lovely young ladies. You young bucks really put too much time into baseball, trying to dig up some weird scientific statistics. In the 50’s you knew who a good ballplayer was – The Splendid Splinter, Stan the Man, Ted Kluszewski, Nellie Fox, Jackie Robinson, Mickey Vernon, the Say Hey Kid, The Duke and the Mick are just a few to mention amongst many more. I was fortunate to travel around a bit and see these players I have mentioned play. You didn’t need a calculator to figure out that these were some damn good baseball players… some of the very best to put on the uniform. I know a lot of you guys have been hard on my grandson and some of it seems a bit over the top, but Joseph can handle it, he was raised to face adversity and he will do a fine job with that. My belief is most of you knuckle heads have too much time on your hands and have your priorities all mixed up. My advice to you computer baseball guys is to get off your computer, toughen up, head down to your favorite watering hole, be talkative and interesting – maybe make some friends. What the hell… you might even meet a lady friend who might turn your world upside down… it happens sometimes… even for you bookworm types. Grandpa Jake

God Damn. You young galoots really have a lot of time on your hands. This computer world thiggamajiggy really dominates a lot of your lives. When I was in my 20’s, I was out with my friends and carousing with the lovely young ladies. You young bucks really put too much time into baseball, trying to dig up some weird scientific statistics. In the 50’s you knew who a good ballplayer was – The Splendid Splinter, Stan the Man, Ted Kluszewski, Nellie Fox, Jackie Robinson, Mickey Vernon, the Say Hey Kid, The Duke and the Mick are just a few to mention amongst many more. I was fortunate to travel around a bit and see these players I have mentioned play. You didn’t need a calculator to figure out that these were some damn good baseball players… some of the very best to put on the uniform. I know a lot of you guys have been hard on my grandson and some of it seems a bit over the top, but Joseph can handle it, he was raised to face adversity and he will do a fine job with that. My belief is most of you knuckle heads have too much time on your hands and have your priorities all mixed up. My advice to you computer baseball guys is to get off your computer, toughen up, head down to your favorite watering hole, be talkative and interesting – maybe make some friends. What the hell… you might even meet a lady friend who might turn your world upside down… it happens sometimes… even for you bookworm types. Grandpa Jake

Hey Rickie, Thanks for your apology. It is not necessary though. You were just playing baseball to the best of your ability. Maybe the collision scenario was a bit unorthodox, but what the hey - things happen. If I sounded put off by it in my after game comments, I apologize. I was frustrated by being injured on the play and felt that this injury might keep me out for a handful of games. As you know, I am from St. Paul and I share the same passion as our Twins fans do - as I am a Huge Twins Fan. It kills me to miss games with an injury - I want to be out there competing, I want to turn this dead horse of a season around. I make a lot of money and I know because of this I will be scrutinized for this as long as I wear a Twins Uniform, but it certainly doesn't mean I do not care. Hell, I might care more than anyone - this is my town, and a lot of people have pinned their hopes on me to help bring them another World Series Championship... this weighs on me. I might not have the biggest and in your face personality, I might not seem to be the leader that fans think I should be, I am a pretty reserved person - not too many highs or lows - I am even keel. Rickie, who the hell are you to call me out for being injured? In 8 seasons you have only had 3 seasons with 500 plate appearances. You are the definition of an injured ball player - you are Mr. Glass. It might have meant more coming from a player who actually is durable. Ricky, you have an all-star game or 2 under your belt and congrats for that. I am the only catcher in MLB history to win 3 Batting Titles, I have won an MVP and I have won more than a few Gold Gloves. The analysts/scouts have always said I could not be a long term catcher because of my height/size. I am now feeling that they might be right. I like playing catcher and I take pride in being the best I can be and maybe I have held on too long because of my contract. I don't want to let down the fans. Maybe next year I will play one of the corner OF positions or 1B. It will not be 3B as Plouffe has entrenched himself as a difference maker and power hitter that this line-up needs. Hey, this year is not said and done yet. Maybe my bat will get hot and I will challenge for a 4th batting title. I can assure Twins fans this. I may never win another batting title again, but I will be in the hunt for many years to come!

Hey Rickie, Thanks for your apology. It is not necessary though. You were just playing baseball to the best of your ability. Maybe the collision scenario was a bit unorthodox, but what the hey - things happen. If I sounded put off by it in my after game comments, I apologize. I was frustrated by being injured on the play and felt that this injury might keep me out for a handful of games. As you know, I am from St. Paul and I share the same passion as our Twins fans do - as I am a Huge Twins Fan. It kills me to miss games with an injury - I want to be out there competing, I want to turn this dead horse of a season around. I make a lot of money and I know because of this I will be scrutinized for this as long as I wear a Twins Uniform, but it certainly doesn't mean I do not care. Hell, I might care more than anyone - this is my town, and a lot of people have pinned their hopes on me to help bring them another World Series Championship... this weighs on me. I might not have the biggest and in your face personality, I might not seem to be the leader that fans think I should be, I am a pretty reserved person - not too many highs or lows - I am even keel. Rickie, who the hell are you to call me out for being injured? In 8 seasons you have only had 3 seasons with 500 plate appearances. You are the definition of an injured ball player - you are Mr. Glass. It might have meant more coming from a player who actually is durable. Ricky, you have an all-star game or 2 under your belt and congrats for that. I am the only catcher in MLB history to win 3 Batting Titles, I have won an MVP and I have won more than a few Gold Gloves. The analysts/scouts have always said I could not be a long term catcher because of my height/size. I am now feeling that they might be right. I like playing catcher and I take pride in being the best I can be and maybe I have held on too long because of my contract. I don't want to let down the fans. Maybe next year I will play one of the corner OF positions or 1B. It will not be 3B as Plouffe has entrenched himself as a difference maker and power hitter that this line-up needs. Hey, this year is not said and done yet. Maybe my bat will get hot and I will challenge for a 4th batting title. I can assure Twins fans this. I may never win another batting title again, but I will be in the hunt for many years to come!

Hard times for the Rock Cats. I must admit that Hicks' performance thus far is a disappointment to me and I wish Herrmann was doing better at the plate. Maybe their AFL stints had me expecting more. Hopefully Arcia is successful and continues his ascent up the farm system ladder. TFFA, I really like the title of this article - "The Rock Cat June Swoon". It should be the title of a Chuck Berry or Ike Turner song from the late 50's.

Welcome aboard David. There is nothing to be intimidated about. Have at it - go for the gusto. The worst that can happen is you will be banned, but second worse is you might throw something out there that draws the ire of your fellow Twins Daliens. none the less... It is worth it.

I love the Twins Daily Site. It presents to me a lot of insight, angles and intelligence. I love the metrics also, and I understand it is a sabermetric dominated site - but in a way, I find the Twins Daily site a dominated platform for "Metrics" individuals and it can become quite stifling for some. There is seemingly a small amount who play it by the vest and display their emotional quotient, but they are on this site hoping for their chance to have a voice... and want/need a platform. I think the metric intellectual pissing matches can turn some people off. I champion the TD participants who draw on the emotions of a time when it was not so numerical, stiff and void of feeling. Emotion and passion is the core of human expression and in my opinion, is still the core of baseball. Tomorrow, when we wake up. Most of us will have to go to a job, put in our time, and go home to our lives, that might be stressful, complicated or straight up tough. Enough of the Chic Automatons. Let us remember the past when great things happened on the ball field and we enjoyed the big moments and let us not forget the crushing and disappointing moments that left us dead for a moment. Baseball can be, but is not a college mathematics course.

I love the Twins Daily Site. It presents to me a lot of insight, angles and intelligence. I love the metrics also, and I understand it is a sabermetric dominated site - but in a way, I find the Twins Daily site a dominated platform for "Metrics" individuals and it can become quite stifling for some. There is seemingly a small amount who play it by the vest and display their emotional quotient, but they are on this site hoping for their chance to have a voice... and want/need a platform. I think the metric intellectual pissing matches can turn some people off. I champion the TD participants who draw on the emotions of a time when it was not so numerical, stiff and void of feeling. Emotion and passion is the core of human expression and in my opinion, is still the core of baseball. Tomorrow, when we wake up. Most of us will have to go to a job, put in our time, and go home to our lives, that might be stressful, complicated or straight up tough. Enough of the Chic Automatons. Let us remember the past when great things happened on the ball field and we enjoyed the big moments and let us not forget the crushing and disappointing moments that left us dead for a moment. Baseball can be, but is not a college mathematics course.

Hey TFFA. I would like to know who is the toughest pitcher or hitter they have squared up against in the Eastern League, and/or who they think IS the best pitcher and position player in the Eastern League destined for MLB success.

Thanks for the update TFFA. Not that I am down on switch hitting, buts sometimes, to me, it seems like it is fashionably cool and highly overated to be a switch hitter and may not be in that player's best interest. When you think of successful Switch hitters, you obviously start with Mantle, Eddie Murray and Chipper. Those kind of players seemingly only come around every 20 years or so. Not that I am down on Hicks or comparing him to those players, but at this juncture with Hicks being 22 and playing in his 5th pro season, maybe the Twins Organization should start focusing on his strengths and eliminating the weaknesses from his tool box. What do you think will happen?

Thoughtful and great Article TFFA. I want to remain a kid when it comes to Twins baseball and in that sense of belief I hope Mauer and Morneau remain Twins forever. I too was sad to see Frankie V. go... and wasn't David West the main component of that trade for the Twins, not Aguilera or Tapani? Viola, Aguilera, and Tapani will always have a place in my baseball heart for the joy, glory, pride and respect we received in 1987 and 1991... I hope someday that we can experience that again!

While traversing the threads, blogs, and articles posted on Twins Daily, I really like that this site has sabremetric analysts, purists, extremists, and the alternative of thought. That is super great, but I am starting to feel that the whole trade scenario talk, speculation, and haphazard desire to execute could hamstring this franchise even more. When I was growing up, there seemed to be an imbedded loyalty to our favorite and best Twins players and they stuck around and we were happy for that even though the team for most of the years was a losing team. It seems that the present time more or less exudes players being looked at as commodities and when a franchise is in a bit of a rut the calls go out to pulling the trigger and getting rid of our heroes, or mainstays for what I can only deem question mark types of players. Maybe the “Commodities” idealism is modern day baseball, with unrealistic expectations and cynicism. I want the Twins to keep Denard Span, Justin Morneau, and Joe Mauer. I do not think that a Span or Morneau trade will bring back anything that is a guarantee and my thought is we will be the losers yet again if that is to happen. During these tough times I want to be able to watch a Twins game and know that even though the team is lackluster, I might be able to enjoy the game because one of my favorite players had a good or great game… not to forget there will also be some wins here and there. In the next few years the Twins need to do well with their drafts and maybe think about making a more impactful FA signing instead of coating the cake with a frosting of **** bird retreads. I do not think that trading our most valuable and beloved players is the key to our future success. I really hope the next time the Twins have a contender type of team that Mauer, Morneau and Span are a big part of it… on the field of course!

While traversing the threads, blogs, and articles posted on Twins Daily, I really like that this site has sabremetric analysts, purists, extremists, and the alternative of thought. That is super great, but I am starting to feel that the whole trade scenario talk, speculation, and haphazard desire to execute could hamstring this franchise even more. When I was growing up, there seemed to be an imbedded loyalty to our favorite and best Twins players and they stuck around and we were happy for that even though the team for most of the years was a losing team. It seems that the present time more or less exudes players being looked at as commodities and when a franchise is in a bit of a rut the calls go out to pulling the trigger and getting rid of our heroes, or mainstays for what I can only deem question mark types of players. Maybe the “Commodities” idealism is modern day baseball, with unrealistic expectations and cynicism. I want the Twins to keep Denard Span, Justin Morneau, and Joe Mauer. I do not think that a Span or Morneau trade will bring back anything that is a guarantee and my thought is we will be the losers yet again if that is to happen. During these tough times I want to be able to watch a Twins game and know that even though the team is lackluster, I might be able to enjoy the game because one of my favorite players had a good or great game… not to forget there will also be some wins here and there. In the next few years the Twins need to do well with their drafts and maybe think about making a more impactful FA signing instead of coating the cake with a frosting of **** bird retreads. I do not think that trading our most valuable and beloved players is the key to our future success. I really hope the next time the Twins have a contender type of team that Mauer, Morneau and Span are a big part of it… on the field of course!

I agree with you that Bowden's an idiot. He is also a low handed snake in the grass, opportunist, and egomaniac.

Maybe he is Phillip Jr. Your guess is as good as mine.

No, I am not hear to sell you jewelry. What a shock! The Twin's Salvage crew this year is a couple of guys who no one would have expected to make any kind of impact. Scott Diamond and PJ Walters. I'll give Diamond a little credit as we traded an interesting prospect for him to retain his rights (Billy Bullock) because of the rule 5 draft. Walters is a little more drifty. Circa the movie "Men at Work", Diamond and Walters are our modern day Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen - which in turn, they get job done, but in a shabby kind of way. Scott Diamond: He has put up fair numbers in the minors and his K/9 has been decent, but his WHIP is pretty high and only growing higher as he has ascended through the minors (1.403). That is not very good. P.J. Walters: also has a growing WHIP in his ascension in the upper levels of MiLB and his K/9 has fallen off a bit after a new level is obtained. These guys are essentially identical statistically and stuff wise. I hope the best for them. In the my minds view, I hope they continue their current pace, but in all reality they are probably filler. Come on Scott, come on Phillip Dewayne... prove me wrong!

No, I am not hear to sell you jewelry. What a shock! The Twin's Salvage crew this year is a couple of guys who no one would have expected to make any kind of impact. Scott Diamond and PJ Walters. I'll give Diamond a little credit as we traded an interesting prospect for him to retain his rights (Billy Bullock) because of the rule 5 draft. Walters is a little more drifty. Circa the movie "Men at Work", Diamond and Walters are our modern day Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen - which in turn, they get job done, but in a shabby kind of way. Scott Diamond: He has put up fair numbers in the minors and his K/9 has been decent, but his WHIP is pretty high and only growing higher as he has ascended through the minors (1.403). That is not very good. P.J. Walters: also has a growing WHIP in his ascension in the upper levels of MiLB and his K/9 has fallen off a bit after a new level is obtained. These guys are essentially identical statistically and stuff wise. I hope the best for them. In the my minds view, I hope they continue their current pace, but in all reality they are probably filler. Come on Scott, come on Phillip Dewayne... prove me wrong!

First of all, put Eddie Rosario up for sale in the "Adopt a Prospect" forum. As of this blog I am finished with this "Twins Daily" stuff. For most of the time I enjoyed my time on this sight, but seemingly felt stifled as my blogs/threads/comments did not enact much response. Yes, in a way I can see why they did not. It seems like I made a mistake and should have left this sight well alone. The hierarchy on this sight have made it seemingly clear they want it fairly straight and narrow and do not want much negative or fun play. This is an awful team and I am astonished by the number of folks who wear rose colored glasses and continue on their praise for this broken organization. I love the Twins. but only to a certain extent. It seems from my viewpoint that the powerful higher-ups on this sight, bully and demean commentators for their lack of insight and lack of fanitude in such a smug way that it is hard to stomach... except for John Bonnes - he is realistic and seemingly kind. It would be funny if this "article" or whatever you guys call it make it to the front page. Adios, Bark - VIVA Saint Louis Cardinal!!!!

First of all, put Eddie Rosario up for sale in the "Adopt a Prospect" forum. As of this blog I am finished with this "Twins Daily" stuff. For most of the time I enjoyed my time on this sight, but seemingly felt stifled as my blogs/threads/comments did not enact much response. Yes, in a way I can see why they did not. It seems like I made a mistake and should have left this sight well alone. The hierarchy on this sight have made it seemingly clear they want it fairly straight and narrow and do not want much negative or fun play. This is an awful team and I am astonished by the number of folks who wear rose colored glasses and continue on their praise for this broken organization. I love the Twins. but only to a certain extent. It seems from my viewpoint that the powerful higher-ups on this sight, bully and demean commentators for their lack of insight and lack of fanitude in such a smug way that it is hard to stomach... except for John Bonnes - he is realistic and seemingly kind. It would be funny if this "article" or whatever you guys call it make it to the front page. Adios, Bark - VIVA Saint Louis Cardinal!!!!

The Wimmer's situation is a bit disheartening. I am not so glad the plug was pulled so soon on Benson at AAA. What position does Benson slot into at AA? Rightfield or a rover?