MN_ExPat

Ok, I'll start with the fact that I respect your opinion and the fact that you stick with your guns about what you believe. But... that being said, "I'm happy to see Hughes gone"? Hughes got hurt. It's not like he had a bad attitude or hated being in Minnesota because of the cold and way to many Sven and Ole jokes. Yes, both the team and he needed to move on the next chapter for each of them. I won't argue that point, ever, but your post comes across as a bit unfair to the man. He's a good person, and he was a good pitcher when healthy. Fate robbed him of the ability to contribute to the team and baseball as a player and I for one am very sorry to see him go. Baseball and the Twins need more players like him. We shouldn't be "Happy" to see him go.

I concur. I like to point to Hughes and other players like him and use that as an example of what I try to teach my son. Be fierce, be a warrior and a bulldog and never back down, but most of all be a good man. Be humble and give thanks and praise to the Lord and always be willing to put the extra work in. I think we've seen that with Hughes. So along with the rest of us, I say Godspeed Phil. I thank you for your tenure and wish you a blessed future.

Not disagreeing with you in any fashion... but, what about Romero?

Yes, great job on the article. Also yes, I would consider them "fun facts" about Meniscus tears as well (having had a partial removal for a tear that I suffered way back in high school).

I keep looking for one of the players at my son's HS, Randon Jernigan, to pop up on these lists. He may possibly be the fastest player in the state of Georgia. Red Sox and Cubs head scouts have been all over him all season long. If y'all see him on any lists, trust me the speed is legitimate (75+). Has a good bat, arm and plays very good defense. Twins would not do wrong by picking him up, but not sure if that would happen as the rumor is he may be a top 7 round selection, maybe sneaking into the top 5 rounds. Plus, he's just a very high character guy and real active in the church and community. Nice to see nowadays.

Sorry Mike... I am a "Traditionalist" and simply cannot agree with you. You make a lucid and thought provoking argument, but this, like the automated strike zone heresy (also a horrible idea) is a sin against the game.

Totally agree. Great game, bummed they lost, but all in all that was just a fun game to watch.

I can't say with anything approaching a coherent or rational thought what the FOs thoughts and concerns may be about Lynn (if any), but watching the game last night, he just looked "off". I started thinking about it (I know... painful thought) and it reminded me of Morrison, that first month. Then when I read your post that he was actually throwing harder than last year, it really tied in with that. Lynn just seems like he's pressing too much. Like he's trying to get a K on every pitch and putting max effort into everything... he's just not "looking" that smooth in his delivery. I see the same thing in my son when he pitches and he tries to get something "extra" on his FB (his elbow drops and his mechanics get out of sync causing his arm to be late and his front shoulder opening up too soon) causing... you guessed it, a lack of command of the location. So in short... will he pull out of it? Most likely, his track record indicates he will stabilize at some point. When? That is the million dollar question, and is really between him and God, so here's hoping that he buckles down sooner rather than later. While it is disheartening to see him struggle, I will continue to hold faith. And in end that it is not enough, baseball is a cruel and fickle mistress and next man up.

Umm.... what??

He does, (FB, Slider, Change), but you’re spot on about the movement and life they possess.

I've always felt that Gibson has really​ good "stuff", just that his ability has never really matched his output in the field and that he was his own worst enemy. Perhaps as you say Cody, he has reached a point in his career where he just "gets it" more. I certainly hope so, because he's really fun to watch right now.

Fair enough. I won't say that I agree with your view point, but I do respect it. My only real umbrage with your point was my initial (and most likely incorrect) take that he was being cast down upon simply for being a service member and being put behind the developmental learning curve because of it. It appears that is not the case, and as such you have my thanks for taking a moment to explain it as such. That being said, I hope he can make up some for lost time and get back on track but I won't disagree that the odds may be against him though.

What??? We could say the same of any draft pick as there is no such thing as a "sure thing", and yes that means even the chosen one that is known as Royce. But I have to ask, and yes I know I will regret this... but what the heck does that even mean? Do you not like the fact that his obligation to his country has prohibited him, until now, to throw lots of innings in the minors? The guys has loads of talent given his high draft status and for you to so cavalierly sit there and declare him "not a prospect" because of his "advanced age" of 23 years and lack of innings thus far... well you'll have to excuse me for coming to the defense of my fellow brothers in arms. In closing, I apologize in advance if I misinterpreted your statement, if I did not... please do not speak ill of those who serve. It does not sit well with me.

Congrats to him. Glad to see him able to fulfill both his service obligation and go back to following his dream. Good luck brother and Godspeed.

I lived in Seattle (went to UW) during his "rookie" season and had the chance to watch a lot of Seattle games in person and on TV. Just an absolute machine in the field and at the plate. Probably my favorite Ichiro memories was watching the pitcher (I forget who the Mariners were playing that day) chunk a 57 foot curveball into the dirt in front of the plate and then seeing Ichiro line it into the outfield for a hit on the bounce.

I'm willing to give him a chance to see if he is actually sorry for his actions, made his peace with God and truly realizes what he almost lost because he got drunk and stupid. That leash is very short in my book though, don't blow this second chance.

Great write up Parker. I'd have to agree, there is just something "off" about his ABs. I won't even remotely pretend that I can diagnose his swing problems (heck, I struggle with diagnosing my son's swing, and I see his all the time up close and personal), but to the Ocular Diagnostic Recognition Device (or ODRR... hmmm, that seems to match up to something olfactory that I quite can't recall??) he just seems to be pressing at that plate. It's almost as if he is trying to do "to much" and every time it doesn't work out in his favor, another brick is added to the weight on his back. If you watch the video of his 1st Twins HR, he was celebrating, but a closer look at his body language and mechanics almost seemed to read a panicked "relief" in the dugout. LoMo is a capable major leaguer, and has a proven track record of success at the highest level of baseball. No, he's not a hall of famer, but he has proven that he can play in the majors (define that however makes you happy, I'm not really concerned). I hope he rights the ship and is able to resume course and make a positive contribution. Agreed, his results haven't matched his ability and I for one am very disheartened (beer helps), but this should only make us rally behind him (and the other players) more and not ready the torches and pyre to burn him at the stake like the witches of old. We should ALL hope for that rather than pointing out reasons that we should think this player or that should fail. Thus I say, Go forth Logan and may the Angels keep you safe and guide back to the path of happiness and productivity and may you thusly help guide and shepherd the Twins back to the Post Season and past the Gates of Hell known as the Yankees. Amen

It's and "Axe" bat (brand name). My son loves them (or at least he used to beg us to get him one for the longest time), they're actually really comfortable to swing.

Ok, clearly I've been sulking in my cave of woe and misery the last few days (y'all should try one, they're kinda' man-cavey but only darker and with lots more alcohol)... If the Angels removed him from the 40 man did the Twins not claim him back (if they were going to that is)? Or is that process still ongoing?

Winter? What's that?

Ok, now folks are just showing off. No me gusta este. El otro lingua esta muy dificil por todos los blancitos en este pais. ...or at least I think I said that correctly? Despite four years of Spanish, my southern language skills never really evolved past basic officer street level. We won't even speak of my grasp of the language of the Fatherland (German).

I think everyone is making really great points, but at the end of the day, if I had a vote I would put him on my ballot. I can't worry about the other voters or trying to campaign for him, I can only vote my heart and conscience... and those tell me he's on my ballot no matter what.

That's a wee bit snarky, don't ya' think??

Excellent article Ted, love reading your write ups. I'd have to agree that we're seeing not just one big shift in his approach but rather an amalgamation of coaching, patience at the plate, experience and just general maturity. It's pretty cool to see a player start to really figure things out. Now... if only I can get my son to embrace that and hit as well as he can pitch .

Well said Nick. Excellent write up, and I think that we all appreciate just how lucky we are that we have been able to witness one of the greatest players of our generation play in our own back yard for all these years. So let's raise up our voices and shout out a hearty HUZZAH for Joe! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah I say!!!