mikelink45

Sad addition to his career and life. The will be the season of uncertainty and disruption.

I would put Garver at #4, Kepler 5, Sano 6, Polanco 7

I have just learned of a few friends and their family that have contacted Covid around the country. This is bigger than we want to believe and there will be more infected.

I will go with Jeffers, but the other two don't make it for me. I give Gordon the first replacement slot and I think OF could see Kiriloff if someone goes down.

Please note the updated beginning of the essay.

Your evaluation is valid and I have no problem with it. But separation is just one of many issues and that separation will increase without the disease for the players asked to go through this experiment. We will have to see how they all handle the emotional aspect. Here is an article that explores the real issues of going home after surviving covid. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/01/health/coronavirus-recovery-survivors.html

The Covid sickness that hit coach Tommy Hottovy created a memorable video https://www.espn.com/mlb/ as he discussed his case - it is good to watch since so many act like the Covid-19 is just another flu. As the TD contributor Doctor Gast states - the video is mostly about the pain of separation. Should you want to know more about the survival from this virus you might want to read this San Francisco report - https://www.sfgate.com/news/editorspicks/article/What-they-don-t-tell-you-about-surviving-15347792.php or this description of the Brain Fog that comes after the virus by the American Psychological Association https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/09/aftermath-covid-19. The choices of Ian Desmond, Ryan Zimmerman and Jo Ross not to play should be applauded for their courage just as the Twins decision to protect their oldest coaches was wise and prudent. As much as I want to see and read about baseball I do not want to read about tragedies. When we are young we all make poor decisions based on our own sense of mortality. I made climbs, ran rapids, and pushed the envelop thinking that nothing could happen to me. My son, at age 21 did the same thing, and he died as a result. Age does not protect us. Nor does physical fitness. This is a serious time and now we learn that there is a new swine flu that might follow Covid. It is frightening. And maybe time to remember how we can be chopped down by microscopic organisms in the prime of our life. Baseball players are constantly facing injury - concussions, thoracic injuries, Tommy John surgery, broken bones. The good thing about them is that they heal. Bad backs ruined careers and freak accidents like the gas that Christy Mathewson was exposed to during training. His respiratory system was weakened and resulted in contracting tuberculosis, from which he died in Saranac Lake, New York in 1925. He was only 45. Tuberculosis also took seven other players who are mostly lost to memory because their careers were too short and too long ago. We watched drugs ruin careers like Doc Gooden and Daryl Strawberry, two more who had a HOF path ahead of them. And Sandy Koufax had his amazing career stopped at its peak because of arthritis. Like so many elderly people I can only relate too well to the pain that he suffered from this debilitating disease. I remember when J R Richards suffered a stroke and had to leave the field. This great Astros pitcher seemed like a sure HOF player, a person who would hold all the Astros records - he averaged 16 wins per season his first five years. In 1980 he was 10 - 4 with a 1.90 era and he was in magnificent physical condition. In two years he was homeless and sleeping under a bridge. He went on to the ministry and preached to those same homeless individuals. It was a big fall from the top. Jimmy Piersall suffered from mental illness and a potentially great career was ruined by bipolar disorder and still he was so good he managed 17 years. When it comes to disease what baseball fan does not know of Lou Gehrig and ALS - now called Lou Gehrig Disease. The Iron Horse was toppled and dead at age 38. He seemed invincible but disease does not avoid the strong and healthy. Ross Youngs died at age 30 of Brights Disease (a kidney disease). He played 10 years with a 322 BA. Dave Parker, former Pirate and one of my favorite players lives with Parkinson's disease a serious and long term disease that impacts so many aspects of your body functions. Kirk Gibson lives with Parkinsons and Dee Gordon plays baseball with it. But this is serious and life changing. HOF pitcher Addie Joss from Wisconsin attended St. Mary's College (later part of Wyalusing Academy) in Prairie du Chien and the University of Wisconsin. "In April 1911, Joss became ill and he died the same month due to tuberculous meningitis. He finished his career with 160 wins, 234 complete games, 45 shutouts and 920 strikeouts." Wikipedia provided this list of type 1 diabetes sufferers from MLB Ron Santo, Chicago Cubs (1960–1973) and Chicago White Sox (1974) infielder, type 1, deceased (2010 at age 70). Sam Fuld, Chicago Cubs (2007–2010), Tampa Bay Rays (2011–2013), and Oakland Athletics (2014–) outfielder, type 1.[13] Mark Lowe, Seattle Mariners (2006–2010, 2015), Texas Rangers (2010–2012), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2013), Cleveland Indians (2014), Toronto Blue Jays (2015), and Detroit Tigers (2016–) pitcher, type 1.[14] Brandon Morrow, Seattle Mariners (2007–2009) and Toronto Blue Jays (2010–2014) pitcher, type 1.[14] Dustin McGowan, Toronto Blue Jays (2005–2008, 2011, 2013–2014), Philadelphia Phillies (2015), and Miami Marlins (2016–) pitcher, type 1. Jackie Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers (1947–1956), type 2, deceased (1972 at age 53). Bill Gullickson, Montreal Expos (1979–1994), type 1[15] Adam Duvall, Cincinnati Reds (2015–), Type 1 James "Catfish" Hunter, Kansas City/Oakland Athletics (1965-1974) and New York Yankees (1975-1979) pitcher, type 1, deceased (1999 at age 53 of ALS) There are more stories of Alzheimer's that may have come from concussions, cancers, and other, but finally, we should look to the Spanish Flu - "the flu took: Cy Swain, a minor leaguer from 1904 to 1914 who slugged 39 home runs in 1913; Larry Chappell, a big league outfielder for the White Sox, Indians and Boston Braves between 1913 and 1917; catcher Leo McGraw, a minor leaguer between 1910 and 1916; catcher Harry Glenn, a minor leaguer from 1910 to 1918 who spent time with the 1915 Cardinals; minor league pitcher Dave Roth, who played between 1912 and 1916; and minor league pitcher Harry Acton, who played in 1917." https://baseballhall.org/discover/1918-flu-pandemic-didnt-spare-baseball The Twins have their own tragic stories too - Danny Thompson, a promising shortstop was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was 26, in 1973. He played four more seasons and died ten weeks after his final game. Walter Bond - died of Leukemia in the closing weeks of the 1967 baseball season — a year during which he had made the Twins' roster coming out of spring training. Wikipedia entry says this about the end - "Bond made the team and batted .313 in part-time duty during the season's first month. But the Twins released him on May 15, and although Bond caught on with the Jacksonville Suns, his declining health forced him to the sidelines after only three games.[2] He entered a Houston hospital for treatment, but died there at age 29. Said his physician, Dr. Hatch Cummings: "He showed the strength of character and will that only champions possess. It was an exhibition of courage, and in the best tradition of baseball." We want baseball, but we can live without it if it comes down to a threat to players health and lives.

Now the question is - which two decades is the best? 60's - 70s with the 1965 World Series and a few years of dominate baseball, but no wild card options, the 80s-90s with the 1987 World Series and all its wrestling matches on the bases and the 91 World Series with some of the most dramatic games and events in series history or the 2000s? We all look to our childhood as you did in your essay. I was beyond childhood - young adult - when the Twins arrives so the first twenty years will always be the greatest. But overall the thing that this series presents is the fact that there is always a chance the team might overcome the odds and be a world champion and in the mean time there will be the all stars and heroes that find a permanent place in our memory.

I think I see a poor Pineda post almost daily, but it is not something that bothers me. He was suspended, that is a fact, he has to deal with it and so does the team. I do not think it is really a terrible crisis. Romero is one of those really frustrating baseball stories. He looked so good, then the team decided to shift him from starter to reliever (like putting a 3B in RF) and it did not work. He never seemed to regain his equilibrium and now it appears that there are some very extenuating circumstances that will impact his career.

I think Romero is done - too many issues and the Twins mishandled him. I am sorry to say this, but he needs another club to give him a try.

Where is Balozovic?

My question is - how frequently can you change your 30 man with your taxi squad? If you can do it everyday you change it with the next days starter and load up with relief and bats. Why put 5 starters on the squad if you aren't going to use them and have access to daily change?

"The first cases of COVID-19 among Twins players were detected this week, President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey announced Thursday, and those players — “it was a few,” both major and minor leaguers, Falvey said while declining to be more specific — are quarantined until they can clear MLB’s virus protocols." - from Phil Miller in today's Tribune

I think the old Minnesota fear that comes with every team in the playoffs suddenly hits for this playoff length regular season.

Why?

I like to look at lots of sources and see how our biased predictions compare with other biased predictions and https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29360566/mlb-predictions-thrive-struggle-60-game-season really does not respect our Twins, in fact we are only listed in the negative except for one prediction that Sano will lead in HRs. Otherwise it is East Coast and Los Angeles biased as usual. This is so volatile that I have not idea who will win or lose. And of course Mighty Covid could still take all the bats away with the surge that is happening right now.

I doubt that the taxi squad will do much if anything this year. 60 games really means injury replacements, except for pitchers who we like to rotate on and off. So I lean more to MLB ready pitchers and the team needs to think about this as the minor league season and put all their best prospects on the list. I really hate the way MLB is treating minor leaguers and the minor leagues.

I believe the next contract will call for home run derbies to replace games and we are ready.

baseball - the sport of Cap Anson and the refusal to play black players until 1947, Umpire Dick Highman banned for life for taking bribes to fix games, the Black Sox scandal, bribery and thrown games, Nap Lajoie was given bunt hits in both games of a double header so that Ty Cobb would not win the batting title, Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, collusion in the 1980s, Pittsburgh drug trials in 1985, Al Campanis on nightline, biogenesis, steroids ruining the record book, 1972 strike, 1973 lockout, 1976 lockout, 1980 strike, 1981 strike, 1985 strike, 1990 lockout, 1994 strike, 2019 sign stealing scandal, the contraction of our Twins and Montreal Expos in 2001, the contraction of minor league baseball in 2020, and 2020 covid-19 and questionable negotiations. What a list - so what is the tipping point? Do baseball owners really want to destroy the game? It has already lost its place as America's National Pastime do they want to be relegated to a minor sport?

Covid at the Bat The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day: The score stood four proposals down, with one idea more how to play , And then when Clark died with the first, and Manfred did the same, A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game. A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest Clung to the hope which springs eternal in the human breast; They thought, "If only Manfred could but get a whack at that— We'd put up even money now, with owners and union both at bat." But Clark preceded Manfred, as did also Buster Olney’s take, And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake; So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat, For there seemed but little chance Covid would let us bat. But Players let drive a single, to the wonderment of all, And Manfred, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball; And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred, There were players taking practice safe at parks and a-hugging third. Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell; It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell; It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat, For Covid, mighty Covid, was grabbing at the bat. There was ease in Covid’s manner as he stopped them in their place; There was pride in Covid's bearing and a smile lit Covid's face. And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat, No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Covid at the bat. Ten thousand eyes were on it as players rubbed their hands with dirt; Five thousand tongues were silence when they rubbed it on their shirt; Then while the writhing pitcher wiped the virus that hung upon his hip, Defiance flashed in Covid's eye, a sneer curled Covid's lip. And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air, And Covid stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there. Close by the sturdy virus the ball unheeded sped— "That ain't my style," said Covid. "He tested positive!" the doctor said. From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar, Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore; "Kill him! Kill the doctor!" shouted someone on the stand; And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Covid raised his hand . With a smile of unChristian charity great Covid's visage shone; It stilled the rising tumult; the game would not go on; It signaled to the Phillies, and once more the Blue Jays flew; But Covid still ignored it and the doctor said, "that’s two!" "Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!" But one scornful look from Covid and the audience was awed. They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain, And they knew that Covid wouldn't let us play ball again. The sneer is gone from player’s lips, their teeth are clenched in hate, He pounds with cruel violence his infection upon the plate; And now the owners hold the ball, and now they all let go, And now the air is shattered by the force of Covid’s blow. Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright, The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light; And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout, But there is no joy in baseball —mighty Covid has struck them out. AND HERE IS THE ORIGINAL - MY APOLOGIES TO MR THAYER Casey at the Bat Ernest Lawrence Thayer - 1863-1940 The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day: The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play, And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same, A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game. A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest Clung to the hope which springs eternal in the human breast; They thought, "If only Casey could but get a whack at that— We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat." But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake, And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake; So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat, For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat. But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all, And Blake, the much despisèd, tore the cover off the ball; And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred, There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third. Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell; It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell; It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat, For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat. There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place; There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit Casey's face. And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat, No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat. Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt; Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt; Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip, Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip. And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air, And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there. Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped— "That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one!" the umpire said. From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar, Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore; "Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand; And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand. With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone; He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on; He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew; But Casey still ignored it and the umpire said, "Strike two!" "Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!" But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed. They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain, And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again. The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate, He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate; And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go, And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow. Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright, The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light; And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout, But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out. This poem is in the public domain.

A suspension should be served. We might not like it, but that is the penalty. I do not know the circumstances and we never will, but PEDs really destroyed a lot of pleasure for me so I am hard to convince when it comes to being lenient - I am still against their inclusion in the HOF. Sorry Mike, but you must serve your punishment.

Everyone signed will believe they will succeed or why bother. I love the confidance, but like all the draft picks I am in the wait and see mode. A few years back I was confident that we would see Thorpe, Kiriloff, Lewis by now and a few others like Rooker seemed destined to be in MLB by now, but the road to the bigs is really long - no wonder players seek quicker paydays in the other four major sports where they do not have underpaid minor league years ahead. I went back to Ted Schwerzler's 2016 top prospects to see who I would have been excited about then http://offthebaggy.blogspot.com/2016/01/2016-minnesota-twins-top-15-prospects.html This was a fun exercise - the name Tyler Jay was number 3! And then there was Stephen Gonsalves number 6. And Nick Burdi who could throw 100, and Kohl Stewart and the hard throwing Alex Meyer. J.T. Chagois, Lewis Thorpe, and Jake Reed. Wow did we have pitching prospects. Good Luck Marco

it is a good think to do. Statues memorialize individuals in ways that nothing else does. They are a presence and move from generation to generation. We should be careful about who we put in bronze and there is nothing wrong with a little housekeeping that removes an old and now unwanted item. This does not remove him or his story from the history of the Twins, it merely removes the idol that people have to look at and walk by. All of us who are serious Twins fans know who he is and what he did. The Twins are here and that is all that is needed for his memorial. Now we can look at Buxton, Rosario, Polanco, Arraez, Sano, and Cruz and realize that the racist statements of Griffith no longer fit our team and future. I might remind the younger readers that Calvin was not overly popular with the fans even in the sixties.

Hanson sounds like a jerk. The players want to play, the owners are more interested in correcting their own decisions to pay so much for individuals in a team game. It is not Mike Trout's fault that an owner offers $30 million despite the fact that the man is given all kinds of best in the business accolades. Owners are culpable. They have not negotiated in good faith and if the players want to play more games - it sounds good to me. No one is paid to stand up for the anthem and shut up. Please no more Hanson insights.

It makes Larnach and Rooker better trade bait - maybe our new draftees too. Start trading before the positions gets filled.