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strumdatjag

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Everything posted by strumdatjag

  1. strumdatjag
    People certainly have a right to speak about their religious views, and I have a right to hope they get to talking about the game or their playing of the game. If an athlete appears on Pat Robertson's show or at the pulpit of a local church, those are great places to talk about religion. In fact, those would be weird places to talk about changing batting stances or being more aggressive in running the bases (except as a parable to the religious lesson). However, if you're talking in the ballpark or in your short TV interview before, after or during the game, I want to hear about what happened, is happening or what to expect to happen in the game and how you are playing, ailing or whatever. I don't want to hear about religion - And I say that in accordance with my First Amendment rights (freedom of speech) - Just my opinion.
  2. strumdatjag
    At the risk of digging into that open can of worms: Dozier is having a great year as a player, but I don't think it's unusual or all that courageous for a baseball player to speak about his Christian religious beliefs in public. The members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes have been doing it for years. Brian is a guy from Mississippi, the heart of the evangelical Bible Belt. They're supposed to spread the word (and sometimes that can be counterproductive for the team - remember Tommy Herr, although I am not saying Dozier would be that divisive). If Brian Dozier had come out and said he was an atheist, maybe that would be courageous, but I'd be just as negative. Lace up your shoes, pick up your bat and glove and play the game - and tell us about that. I don't want to hear about you guru, your atheism or personal relationships with deities. I don't care how the deity got you successfully to negotiate your latest mega-million dollar contract (it's happened) or help you win the game over the poor "loser" Christian who lost in the other dugout (apparently not helped that day by divine intervention). On HBO, Larry Merchant, while interviewing winning boxers, would often cut them off when they'd endorse products ("This is HBO, we don't have commercials") or go into the obligatory "The first thing I want to do is thank God . . ." Larry was right - It's just NOT good sports commentary! We want to hear you talk about the game.
  3. strumdatjag
    Rather than some short-lived Twins like Livan (Sells Cartoon Balloons in Town) Hernandez and Sidney Ponzon, I'd pick one that had the Twins faithful all excited when he came up from the minors. Yet, that Twin, Pat Mahomes, offered little except a drunken crash on a bridge.
  4. strumdatjag
    Back to my Anti-Rushmore (the four worst Twins), I note that I don't put Hosken, Bombo nor Disco on the face of that Mount of Shame. Hosken has a shot, and Disco had his peculiarities, but Bombo wasn't really that bad of a player and, in my opinion, only is derided because of his unusual name. Willie Norwood? That's another thing! Again, Terry Felton, Nishi, Ron Davis and Tommy Herr are the ones I'd put up on the Mount of Shame.
  5. strumdatjag
    The positive Rushmore is easy, except for choosing between Mauer and Oliva. Now the tough question, the Anti-Rushmore Four, using any combination of generally bad playing, uniquely bad playing, bad results for team (gave up a great player in trade), bad attitude and longevity as criteria. My four would include an easy first three: Terry Felton, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, and Ron Davis (good guy but too many blown saves). The fourth one is tough. Despite his limited tenure, I'd choose Tommy Herr, who was poison in the clubhouse (handing out photographs of aborted fetuses and other unwanted preachiness), and was traded for Tom Brunansky, who had been a productive and loyal player for the team. I'm sure there are may other worthy ex-Twins to put on the Anti-Rushmore (Matt Capps, Hosken Powell and Willie Norwood, Pat Mahomes, and even Dave Engel who batted well but couldn't throw the ball back to the pitcher).
  6. strumdatjag
    Look at it this way:" Of the retreads, Bartlett is gone fast, Guerrier has an outside chance of making some contribution at some point this season, and Kubel is contributing in the field and especially at the plate. And the Twins made a minimal investment. I'd say that it has worked out well so far. Say "NO" to Sam Fuld. Let's see who is doing well in the minors and give a chance to that guy who proves his worth, rather than someone who did not prove his worth to another team.
  7. strumdatjag
    Burton looked a little better last night. Better than utterly lousy, but still better. So, I expect the Twins will stick with him a little bit longer.
  8. strumdatjag
    Why cancel the game? You baseball players and wimpy fans can't handle a little snow. They play football in the snow. Why not baseball? We're not the Orlando Twins - this is a Team from MINNESOTA - act like it's from Minesota. Think of the fun watching or attending such a game. There would be no routine fly balls, and sliding runners would spray the infielders with mud rather than a cloud of dust. Fans could wear Santa Claus suits or five fans could go bare-chested and spell out T-W-I-N-S in grease paint. The Mayo Clinic could even bring back the annoying dance-off on the icy dugouts and plaza. Have them dance to "Ice Ice Baby" or "Cold as Ice". Oh, you're worried about injuries?? The players are paid to put their bodies on the line - and there is no scientific study anyway showing that injuries increase when baseball is played in the snow. I say "PLAY BALL!!!"
  9. strumdatjag
    I think the Pro-Steroids crowd is also behind the opposition to Obama. Think about it. the big crackdown on 'roids happened during his presidency. So, both the hate mail to Hank and the Obama opposition are rooted in fandom for Bonds and McGuire, the people the Steroidists see as the true record holders. I'm starting to see this clearer now .
  10. strumdatjag
    The Twins' Steve Lombardozzi was viewed as a light hitting player, but he had a .233 batting average. That would be the Lombo Line!!!!!
  11. strumdatjag
    I thought my sarcastic spin on Hank receiving hate-mail from Steroidists boosted the exchange slightly at least!
  12. strumdatjag
    The Baseball Post: I think Hank and the rest of you have it all wrong. Those letters weren't sent by racists. They all have BALCO for the return address. The letter writers are steroid users and providers who can't stand the fact that many of us still believe the "real" homerun records are held by Hammerin' Hank and Roger Maris. We'll listen to some who argue for Babe Ruth, based on the shorter seasons in his day. But Hank and Roger still win. I guess that makes me half-racist (or one-quarter depending on your math), because Barry Bonds is black (unless the 'roids changed that too). By the way, I'd like to know what percentage of Bonds' hate mail is racist and what percentage is steroidist.
  13. strumdatjag
    So, some of you must think that most Republicans actually support a government takeover of the health care system, decimating our military, raising taxes, and increasing government spending. You must think that they really don't believe in limited government and a strong defense. And all those prolifers? They actually are prochoice, and closet members of Greenpeace, the ACLU and PETA. They are just pretending to be devout Christians. Yes, you've figured out the reason for this GOP ruse: The Republicans just won't admit that they are really European-style liberals, because they are racist and the President is black - otherwise everyone would agree with the agenda of the Democrat Party. I guess I must be one of those racist hypocrites, too. So, I'm seeing the light and admitting that I'm a closet liberal led to conservatism solely by my evil racist thoughts. I'm deleting Drudge from my Favorites and adding the DailyKos. By the way, where do I go to join the protests of the Keystone Pipeline and to join the movement to ban the word "Bossy!" and 32 Ounce Pops (no Soda in Minnesota!).
  14. strumdatjag
    I remember going to the Old Met in the 1960s as a kid with my friends (one friend's dad had seats for his business and we went once a year to a weekday day game). We'd always order a beer from the old African-American beer vendor who later always wore the "umbrella hat". We knew we wouldn't get served but his response was always the classic "Milk for you son!". Wally and his baseball Card may have been fun for later generations, but not as good as that!
  15. strumdatjag
    As I look at our position players, I wonder who will still be here in 2016: Certain (95% Plus): Mauer (barring career ending injury, he's here) Probable (65% Plus): Hicks, Arcia, Pinto (If they prove adequate or better, the team will find a place for them) Flip the Coin (50/50): Dozier (could easily be traded or released and replaced by Rosario or Polanco or someone else) Possibility (10% Plus): Plouffe (if he rediscovers his stroke, he could be DH, backup at first, third an OF or better), Florimon (he can field and that's worth something) Unlikely (less than 5%): Escobar, Suzuki, Kubel (who knows, as a long-shot, Kubel permanently rediscovers his stroke and stays here into his mid-30s) Forget it (less than 1%): Colabello, Willingham, Bartlett
  16. strumdatjag
    Pick him up. Demote Bartlett and have Escobar back up Hicks in Center, or call up Mastro if and when ready and needed.
  17. strumdatjag
    Mauer is to the Twins what John Cena is to the WWE (for you wrestling fans). The kids and casual fans (especially locals) love them. But many hardcore fans have trouble rooting for the "goody-goody" - and Mauer's "aw-shucks" demeanor doesn't create a spark for that section of fans looking for something that's "cool". A universal fan favorite doesn't have to be a "bad boy", but a little brashness and flair doesn't hurt. That's why so many fans loved Kirby and, recently for the Vikings - Jared Allen. It ain't bragging if you can back it up, and they did. But don't expect brashness from Joe, who will never be a "Say it ain't so Joe". He's just "Say Ya-know Ya-know Ya-Know Joe". Someday he'll be in the Hall of Fame as one of the two or three best catchers ever to play the game, and most of today's haters will claim to remember how much they loved to watch him play!!!!
  18. strumdatjag
    Wait a minute. Bartlett is now the "attitude guy" in the Clubhouse. The last time he was here, Gardy had trouble getting him to shout "I got it" for a pop-up. Something positive needs to happen before the waiver wire and still this is going to be a tough season to watch!!!
  19. strumdatjag
    I'd like to hope Hicks will become a star and a longterm solution for lead-off (Line-up Hicks, Buxton, Mauer, Sano . . . ), but think it will ultimately be Buxton at leadoff/CF. More realistically, I think we'll be accepting Hicks as a .250 to .275 hitter, at best, taking a role in the #7 or #8 spot with light power but decent speed - playing left field (maybe right if these reports on his arm are correct). There is enough talent in our system and with Mauer as #3 for a few more years, that this type of contribution should be satisfactory, but not dazzling.
  20. strumdatjag
    OK - I'll bet the "under" at the SI Casino!!!!!
  21. strumdatjag
    I think this is great - scour that waiver wire. Open up room to sign a player waived by another team, or make a trade. Correia and Hicks for Colby Rasmus (and Deduno becomes 5th Starter)- But no way Toronto would go for that. How about Nolasco for Rasmus? But that would degrade an already average, at best, rotation. Kendry Morales is a DH, and the Twins have enough of that (until they release Kubel, but then it's too late). As I said, I think this leaves room to scour the waiver wire - better teams will waive better players than we've waived!!!
  22. strumdatjag
    Just saw it!
  23. strumdatjag
    Hicks is much more of a key for the Twins in future years than you may think. If he can hit at or near .300, and take a good number of walks, he has the speed to be a decent leadoff hitter. That allows Buxton to bat second where his increasing power may drive in Hicks, and because of speed he is less likely to be caught in a double play - and you could see a lot of situations where you have Hicks at third (or already home) and Buxton at second to start games.. Then Mauer at 3, then Sano at clean-up. If Hicks can be above-average, that would be a great first four in the line-up. BUT that's a BIG IFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  24. strumdatjag
    Remember Pavano was run out of New York as a failure and then succeeded here. Hopefully the Twins can do it again with Hughes!!!!
  25. strumdatjag
    Take Colabello instead of Kubel or Parmalee. Diamond has probably done enough to be the proverbial "lefty with a pulse" although it may be a pretty weak pulse. Deduno is 5th starter and put Scott in the pen
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