David HK

Well, sure is illuminating to see Tampa employing a BP game ON THEIR HOME FIELD, with their season on the line. Including Minnesota's own, the sublime Nick Anderson (he of the 17Ks/9 innings) shutting Houston down for 2+ innings. Gee, wish we had a guy like that to come in and put out fires. Oh, wait....

But wait, we've had, ummm... let's see.... Tyler Jay! Kohl Stewart! Luke Bard! Alex Wimmers! Etc.....

Welp. We had a fun run, and I'm glad it happened. Too bad we stumbled over that first hurdle. Again. Good job on the season, Twins. Don't hang the heads. And to my TD family- you guys and gals have helped give me an eye of calm in the storm over here. Sharing the highs and lows and everything in between, with wit and pathos- I'm so grateful for all of you.

Hey! 23-7! The same as the Vikes got toasted by KC back in the Super Bowl IV!

Tell you what, 1st game against the Yanks next season, 1st AB, Torres wears one.

Rocco and the gang are privy to how the injured guys are doing, but I seriously think we'd have gotten more out of Wade this series than Kep, sad to say.

Joining up late today. Tear gas near our school last night, most subway stops, including ours, closed. Traffic at a standstill all around the city. Primary section cancelled, lots of extra duties today. Our base-ball club are not on the plus side, (yet), but by golly it's good to still be in the game in the 7th. Go Twins.

I agree, he could use more seasoning. Really impressed with how he's handled himself up here so far, though. But I really really really hope they stretch him out as a starter going forward.

Whether it was #1 or 2, no question he should have gotten the ball in NYC. He's the guy with the most experience pitching in that place, by far. (OK, well, other than Pineda, but that's kind of different. God, we could have used him in this series.) Then we could have a BP game at home, where those guys are more comfortable and confident.

I'm just sick of it. And I'm old. '65 World Series is my first baseball memory. I grew up with those power-hitting and power-pitching Twins of the mid-60's, suffered through the 70's and especially early 80's, before our brief moments in the sun. Then, those 2000's, where we bent over for the Yanks and others every dang first round, save once. This season took me, and lots of others, pleasantly by surprise. What a wonderful ride, even through the tight days of late Aug- early September. But just playing meaningful games that late in the year was such a gas! And now, we're one step away from tarnishing that whole year. Having it rendered meaningless. I'm also a massive rugby fan, and still and active player. Right now, the Rugby World Cup is going on, and the USA is once again a 'guest.' Cup after Cup, the US has been involved, but on the receiving end of horrid beatings that would make the Yanks' dominance seem mild. This year, I thought, they've been coming on since the last Cup, have a pro league now in the US, and tons of players overseas in prestigious leagues- this year, maybe we won't be beaten like a drum by everyone. Nope. Blasted away by England, torched by France, about to be smacked down by Argentina, then Tonga, probably, because we get them on a short turnaround. Just like the Twins, a long road of bright play and good results all thrown away under the hot lights. It's like all that progress over the past years didn't even happen. When the time comes to show what you can do, too many guys show what they can't do. Yes, this season will be a good memory. But unless we make a massive sucking-up and come out on a mission from God, it's just another remake of the same crappy movie.

Welp.... You'd think this year, the script would change, or at least turn a page. Nope. Yet another round of pathetic roll-over-for-the-mighty-Yanks. I can't think of a more appropriate adjective. This is just pathetic. I'm not going to go on a litany, those aspects of mis-management and guys taking a giant step back under the hot lights have already been well-discussed. But count me as one more long-time fan whose head is exploding at Rocco's head-scratching decisions. I'll only go this far: for Dog's sake, Jake O pitched for Tampa. He's been in tight division games in The Stadium countless times. Instead, we get a good story about the Uber-pitcher, and horrid results. Then, of course, to the rescue rides the same guy who struggled to put guys away THE DAY BEFORE. Wha.....?!?!? And we act as though it's a meaningless early-season warm-up series. I gotta say, my impression of Dobnak's outing:

I'm out for now, back tomorrow, and we'll get 'em then. Shake this one off. Head-scratchers, tho, abound. Starting an injured LH hitter, against a LH pitcher- ummm....what? We definitely need his bat, but this would have been a perfect oppo for Schoop to get some swings, and play solid D. You can always pinch-hit him during the game, and have him take over 2nd then. Putting a 15-year old on the mound in Yankee Stadium to give up a couple of dingers- that's tantamount to child abuse. And the game was still within reach when Mr. Gibbles took the mound....

Well, following the Twins/Yanks script so far. Tomorrow is another day. How about we improv for a change?

Can't keep up this 24-pitches-per-out pace...

God, that was not a good sequence by Gibby. What, Rocco, are we writing this one off already?

Maybe. Shouldn't bother him trying to catch the damn ball, tho...

He looked like the first man ever to drown in the open air.

Welp. It seems, historically, that whenever we get into these big series with the Yanks, certain guys who've done certain things well all year long choose their moments to not do those things well. Cron has been picking the lights out of bad throws all year, but this one gets away- and not that bad a throw. Littel has been a cool cucumber in big situations, but looked- and pitched- like a scared little bunny out there. Still a lot of game left. Hopefully, another member of the cast doesn't choose their moment, too.

Usually in the back seat. Unless there's a crowd, then somebody has to sit up front with the driver.

The word that comes to my mind is: vital.

Exactly right, about all that stuff. Grisham, and Buckner before him will wear that goat mantle, unfortunately, and unfairly. But teammates (and even manager) put them in a position where one gaffe made all the difference. To his credit, Hader did own up to his own shortcomings that inning, and Grisham's teammates are supporting him well, too.