glunn

It took me about 15 minutes to read the original post. I appreciate the effort that went into this and it was interesting to have a window into the complex mind of a devout fan whose perspective is vastly different from my own. Thanks, always33.

The Twins are proving you wrong today and I am glad.

It's good to have you back!

This was a very solid setup. A minus for all of us is that we are not Brian, but this was informative and very well written. Great job!

There is another thread (someone please link it) where there was a detailed discussion of the relevance and accuracy of defensive metrics in general. There is also some discussion of this relative to Torii in VodkaDave's "Stick a Fork in Hunter" thread. Some TD members believe strongly in defensive metrics and some of them seem to believe that the eye test stinks. Other TD members think that defensive metrics are irrelevant/unreliable and many of them see merit in the eye test.. The answer to your question will depend on the perspective of who answers it. My sense from the other threads is that the metrics proponents generally feel that Torii's defense is terrible, but there are some of them who dispute that based on theoretical discussions that are highly technical and esoteric. It is also my sense that the eye test proponents are split, but perhaps more than half of them feel that Torii has looked decent to slightly good in the field, at least better than Delmon Young or Oswaldo Arcia. I am stating all of this so that it does not need to be replayed in this thread, or if it is replayed then posters should try to add new points and be more respectful of people who disagree. Finally, as a fellow fan I will share my own answer. Based on the games that I have watched (eye test) Torii has made some nice plays on balls that did not seem routine. He does not look fast, but his routes seem good and his throws seem decent. Based on the metrics, Torii appears to be a liability in the field, but I suspect that if he were compared to other 39 year olds he would rank high. Most important to me, Torii seems focused and to be doing his best in all aspects of the game.

Moderator note -- I see squabbling above and it needs to stop.

I put my money on the Twins to win the division and got some odds that now seem pretty good -- 15 to 1.

Nice blog. We need more posts from Puerto Rico.

Nice blog.

You did not do a lot of graphics tonight -- you should be rested.

I said girl not woman. I no longer refer to adult women as girls.

Twins have won 14 of last 19 games.

Yes, I was hoping that she would trip.

The Pirates announcers are focused on some blonde girl sitting in the outfield bleachers who they are relying on for rally karma.

May I at least express my hope for insurance runs?

Were you spying on me today? At least I gave some bad guys a rash.

Joe put a fork into that one and if Perk gets save # 15 then the Pirates will be done.

Graham has been closing for 3 scoreless innings in tonight's game.

There is a new mannequin on Rodeo who I like very much.

I am buried at the office but it looks like this will be fun to watch on the DVR tonight. Go Twins!

Oh well. At least the Twins get a day off tomorrow.

Those 5 runs are on me. I took a break to tend my worm bin.

Nice setup by JB. The Twins need to continue her winning streak today. RB needs to activate that rabbit foot.

We all walk different paths. We cannot know what's going on in Hicks' head or all that he's been through in his life. It seems to me that "hating" a player who is on your favorite team is counterproductive. If Hicks does well then it may be harder for you to enjoy his success. And if Hicks does poorly, there will be no joy in that. I am hoping that this new leg kick combined with a manager who has a different approach will truly help this young man realize his potential. If not, then I will be sad but won't hate him.

A couple, both age 78, went to a sex therapist's office. The doctor asked, "What can I do for you?" The man said, "Will you watch us have sex?" The doctor looked puzzled, but agreed. When the couple finished, the doctor said, "There's nothing wrong with the way you have sex," and charged them $50. This happened several weeks in a row. The couple would make an appointment, have sex with no problems, pay the doctor, then leave. Finally, the doctor asked, "Just exactly what are you trying to find out?" "We're not trying to find out anything," the husband replied. "She's married and we can't go to her house. I'm married and we can't go to my house. The Holiday Inn charges $90. The Hilton charges $108. We do it here for $50...and I get $43 back from Medicare.