Wednesday April
21, 2004
TWINS WIN AGAIN
TWINS MINOR LEAGUE UPDATE
RANDOM BASEBALL
THOUGHTS
AMERICAN IDOL THOUGHTS
Be sure to watch the Wolves tonight on TNT.
Hopefully they will start close to the 8:30 scheduled time!
MY MOM IS MEAN!!
So, last night, I'm lying around on the couch,
listening to the Twins game over the internet. Like so many Twins
fans, I need to find a way to keep up with Twins games since the
Victory Sports
situation has still not been resolved. The selfishness of the cable
companies is frustrating. The selfishness and stubbornness of the
Twins/Victory is even more frustrating. They may say that they care
about their fans or their subscribers, but it doesn't show! They
both put the entire blame on the other party, but both are at fault.
Anyway, Joe Nathan came in for the Twins in the 9th
inning with a two run lead. My cell phone rings, and I see that it
is my mom. So, I decided to answer it. Here is the conversation:
Seth: Hello, Mother.
Mom: Hi! Whatcha doin'?
Seth: Not much.
Mom: Are you listening to the Twins
game?
Seth: Of course. On the internet.
Mom: You know what...
Seth: Yeah, Yeah. I know. You have
Victory Sports, so you can actually watch the games.
Mom: Yep, I sure can. But, you know
what's weird?
Seth: What? (as I'm half listening
to mom, half listening to Joe Nathan walking the leadoff hitter
and give up a single to the next guy.)
Mom: Well, I get the Twins game on
Channel 45...
Seth: I know.
Mom: ... but I also get it on
Channel 14.
Seth: WHAT????
Mom: Yeah, I get the Twins game on
Channels 14 and 45.
Seth: So, most of the state's cable,
and all of the satellite, subscribers can't get Victory Sports,
but you get it... on two channels?? How is that fair?!!?
Mom: Oh, that guy just hit a home
run!
Seth: WHAT?!
Mom: Just kidding. Your internet
feed is way behind.
Seth: I know, it's at least 20
seconds, or even up to a minute behind most of the time. It's
not really even close!
Mom: Ha! Ha! Ha!
OK, that's just the quick ad-lib of what the
conversation was like. Obviously there were other topics too that I
was half listening to while also listening to the Twins game AND
"watching" the game on CBS Sportsline.
The key points. It is more than two weeks into the
regular season, and I still can't watch a Twins game on my TV. There
are approximately 30 cable companies that have made the decision to
sign up for Victory Sports, regardless of the cost. My mom's cable
provider is
Arvig Communications Systems. They signed up for Victory the
first day that it was offered. I know the people in the 27 West
Central Minnesota towns that Arvig's provides cable service for are
happy (and lucky!). In an
article in the Fargo Forum last week, it said,
One of the
largest cable systems to reach a deal with
Victory Sports, Arvig Communication Systems,
serves about 15,000 subscribers in Minnesota
lakes country, including Detroit Lakes.
David Pratt,
Arvig's director of video operations, said he
thinks many smaller cable operators have signed
contracts to carry Victory Sports because they
have more latitude to make decisions not based
on the bottom line.
"We see our
customers on the streets and have to look them
in the eye every day," Pratt said. "We just
decided we have to do this."
|
I would encourage representatives from any cable or
satellite providers that just happen to be reading this to
check
out this link for the names of the companies that have signed on
with Victory Sports. If need be, call these providers and
find out what they did. Then do that, so that Twins fans in your
area can start watching the games!!
Here is
another story of a company that signed up for Victory. It is
from a Brainerd newspaper and discusses the Cross Lake
Communications decision.
In the coming months, I will need to make a decision
as to whether I want to continue subscribing to my cable provider or
if I want to get a satellite system (with which I will also be able
to get the MLB Extra Innings package). Do you think I will even look
at the price of it? Nope. I will want to know one thing; does the
provider have Victory Sports so I can watch Twins games? I don't
care if it's an additional $5 per month!
Is anybody else completely fed up with this
situation? Do you have any thoughts you would like to share with
either party? Feel free to
e-mail me. I may
have a Mailbag posting on Friday, and if I get enough thoughts, I
will be sure to e-mail both the cable providers and Victory
representatives to be sure to read them.. So,
e-mail me your thoughts.
TWINS CONTINUE TO ROLL
So, we may not be able to see the Twins play on TV,
but I can't not follow them! However, the Twins are on a
roll. With their 6-4 win over the Detroit Tigers last night, they
have now won six games in a row and, coupled with the White Sox loss
to the Yankees, the Twins find themselves in sole possession of
first place.
Casual Twins fans may read that the six Twins runs
were scored on two RBI apiece from Nick Punto, Lew Ford
and Michael Ryan. But those who have kept up with the Twins
know these guys. A little 'small-ball' got the Twins on the board.
Michael Ryan singled and stole second. Henry Blanco moved him
to third with a ground out to 2B. Next up was Nick Punto who laid
down a suicide squeeze bunt that scored Ryan from third. After a
Rondell White two-run homer, Lew Ford and Michael Ryan each had
RBI singles in the 4th to give the Twins the 3-2 lead. After the
Tigers scored two in the 5th to reclaim the lead, the Twins scored
three in the 6th for the final 6-4 margin. Ford doubled in a run.
Ryan singled in a run. And, Nick Punto grounded out score the third
run.
Carlos Silva got through the sixth inning for
the first time this year. He gave up four runs on six hits and two
walks. Juan Rincon pitched two scoreless innings. Then Joe
Nathan came in and walked a guy and gave up a single before
getting the next three out for the "Eddie-like" Save. Silva improved
to 2-0 while Nathan picked up his third save.
Tonight, the teams match up again. Brad Radke
will start for the Twins and hope to duplicate his previous 8 inning
performance against Cleveland. Nate Cornejo will counter for
the Tigers. Thus far, he is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA.
One of the big questions being discussed over at the
Dickie Thon Twins Fan Forum is 'What
happens when Torii Hunter comes off the Disabled List at the end of
the week?' Here are the options, with my opinions on each:
Lew Ford - He was the guy called up when
Hunter went on the DL. Is he the guy that is sent down? In nine
games played, he is 13-31 (.419) with a double, triple, two home
runs and 10 RBI. In my opinion, he shouldn't have been sent down
in the first place, so I certainly don't think he should be sent
down now! If he gets sent down again, I may quit listening to
the Twins too!
Michael Ryan - Heading into last night,
Ryan would have been the leading position-player candidate to be
sent down (in my opinion). On the season, he had just seven
total at bats. After last night, he now has 10, but the 3-3
performance may have kept him in the big leagues. The reason he
made the team out of spring training was because he is
left-handed. That is still the case.
Seth Greisinger - He made a start and it
sounds as if he is in line for another start. He may be sent
down shortly after that, but he will not be cut this week. (He
will probably be sent down when Rick Helling comes off the DL)
Joe Roa - He actually hasn't been too bad
at all. He has done what is asked of him and is 2-1.
Carlos Pulido - With the signing of
Terry Mulholland, the Twins currently have four lefties in
their bullpen. That seems more than a little excessive to me!
JC Romero, Aaron Fultz and Mulholland aren't going
anywhere, so that leaves Pulido as the odd man out. If the Twins
decide that they no longer need to carry an extra pitcher, I
think Pulido being sent to the minors makes the most sense.
Rob Bowen - With Lecroy and Mauer hurt,
Bowen has to stay on the roster until one of them can play
again.
What do you think that Twins should do?
E-mail me, or
chime in over on the Twins board!
TWINS MINOR
LEAGUE REPORT
ROCHESTER REPORT - The Redwings got back to
their winning ways last night with an 8-6 win in 12 innings over
Pawtucket. Jason Bartlett led the way for them with a 4-6
performance. He had a triple and now leads the team in batting
average at .415. He passed Justin Morneau who was 2-6 last
night with a double. His .411 average isn't all bad in its own
right! Michael Restovich had a single, double, home run and three
RBI. With a 3-5 performance yesterday, Alex Prieto's average has
jumped from about .100 a few days ago to its current .275 mark.
Catcher Chris Heintz was 2-5 and is hitting .318. David Gassner
started and went 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs. Ryan Mills
picked up the win with two scoreless innings in relief. Kevin Hodge
pitched a perfect 12th for his second save.
ROCK CATS REPORT - New Britain scored four
runs in the bottom of the 9th to defeat Binghamton 6-5 last night,
their second straight come-from-behind win. JD Durbin started
and went five innings. He gave up three hits and struck out seven.
However, he also walked five hitters. Jason Kubel had his
first O-fer of the year (0-3) to drop to .477. SS Tommy Watkins,
2B Luis Maza, DH Kevin West and C Gabby Torres
each had two hits.
MIRACLE REPORT - The Miracle lost 3-1 to Tampa
last night. RF Doug Deeds, DH Michael Sandoval and 3B
Omar Burgos each had two hits. Scott Baker pitched 8
quality innings. He gave up two runs on eight hits and a walk, and
struck out six. His season ERA is at 1.89.
SWING THINGS - The Swing beat Dayton 5-4 last
night. Only LF Ryan Sputaro had two hits in the game for Quad
Cities. Kyle Phillips (.310) and Matt Moses (.333)
each had a double. Evan Meek started for them, but got just
one out. He gave up one hit, but walked four batters (and had an
error and two wild pitches) before Julio DePaula came in and
recorded the win. He went 4 2/3 innings and gave up just one hit and
one walk (no runs), and struck out seven!
Any thoughts on the Twins or their minor league
affiliates, send me an
e-mail.
RANDOM BASEBALL THOUGHTS
Barry Bonds hit a home run for the seventh
straight game. It was career #667! He is good! Last night, he was
1-1 with three walks. Baseball Tonight and other shows are finally
starting to discuss the chances of Barry Bonds hitting over .400
this year. I think that it is very, very realistic because of all of
the walks he takes, and well, his overall ability to hit.
Sean Burroughs had four hits last night and is
hitting .381 now. He is the Padres leadoff hitter this season. He
finished very strong last year, and I think he will continue to hit
all season.
If Carlos Zambrano can stay healthy which,
with Dusty Baker as his manager is always questionable, he
will be an All-Star and win 18-20 games for the Cubs.
Apparently you can't throw a pitch to Manny
Ramirez that is above his chest, even if it is almost over the
plate. What a whiner! The Terry Adams pitch wasn't even close
to hitting him!
Dontrelle Willis went another 6 2/3 scoreless
innings last night. He now has pitched 19 1/3 scoreless innings on
the season. He was 0-3, so his batting average drops all the way
down to .667!
Chad Durbin, Jeroime Robertson, Dave Lee or
Catcher Tim Laker. Guess which Cleveland Indian held the Royals
scoreless in last night's 15-5 Royals win? That's write, the
catcher, Tim Laker pitched a scoreless inning.
The Orioles are leading the AL East so far. How are
there three big free agents doing so far? Well, here are the numbers
of their 3, 4 and 5 hitters: Miguel Tejada was 3-3 with a
double and is hitting .365 on the season. Rafael Palmiero was
3-5 with 3 RBI. He is hitting .311. Javy Lopez went 3-5. He
is hitting .469. Of course, a complete game four-hitter from
Sidney Ponson helps too.
Expos rookie OF Terrmel Sledge is now 1-27 on
the season. That's an .037 batting average. Hopefully the team will
stick with him because he has shown in the upper levels of the minor
leagues that he can hit.
The Brewers took a lot of grief for trading 1B
Richie Sexson to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a package of six
players. Well, last night, the Brewers and Diamondbacks matched up.
Richie Sexson was 0-4. Craig Counsell batted second
and went 1-4. Junior Spivey batted third and went 3-4.
Lyle Overbay went 3-4 with 2 RBI, and Chad Moeller went
1-4. Combined, that is 8-16. LHP Chris Capuano was also
included in the deal and he is in the Brewers starting rotation. So
as much grief as the Brewers took, it may not be so bad after all.
None of these guys has the ability to be as good as Sexson, but
together, they can help the Brewers tremendously. PS - Geoff
Jenkins has such a sweet swing!!!
Alex Rodriguez went 3-6 for the Yankees last
night, pulling his average up to ... .196!
Joe Kennedy, who last week I said was a
fantasy sleeper, went to 2-0 last night with a 7 inning, 1 run
performance for the Rockies. He also had 7 strikeouts. Did you see
how far the Jeromy Burnitz home run went?
Rich Harden got a no-decision last night, but
he did pitch very well. Seven innings. One run. Nine strikeouts.
Still room for improvement, as he walked four. The A's lost to the
Mariners on Raul Ibanez's second solo home run of the night
in the bottom of the 9th.
Finally, Kenny Rogers improved to 3-0 on the
season with five innings of two-run ball. His ERA is at 3.96.
Any thoughts?
E-mail me.
AMERICAN IDOL THOUGHTS
Last night on
American Idol, the seven remaining contestants sang the
words of the great Barry Manilow. I wrote down some very brief
thoughts as each of the singers performed. As I have done each week,
I will first share those thoughts. Then I will rank the performances
from best to worse. This I will name my choices for the bottom three
before predicting who will be eliminated.
Diana Degarmo - One Voice
Started really, really poorly, but turned it up
toward the end.
George Huff - Get That Feeling Again (?)
He's not very good, for the 2nd week in a row!
Really looked like he had to work too hard.
Jennifer Hudson - Weekend in New England
First part of the son was boring, but when it
picked up, she was great and very strong.
Jasmine Trias - I'll Never Love This Way
Again
Excellent range. She was as good as she has ever
been!
LaToya London - All the Time
Holy Range and control! She's incredible!
John Stevens - Mandy
He was flat in a couple of spots, but he really
was actually pretty good.
Fantasia Barrino - It's a Miracle
She was great. Just not a good song choice for
her, but she pulled it off.
Rankings
1.) LaToya London
2.) Jasmine Trias
3.) Fantasia Barrino
4.) Jennifer Hudson
5.) John Stevens
6.) George Huff
7.) Diana Degarmo
Who do I think will be in the bottom three?
Diana Degarmo, John Stevens and Jasmine Trias
Who do I think will be (and in this case should be)
eliminated?
Diana Degarmo.
What are your thoughts on last night's episode?
E-mail me, then
be sure to watch the Live Elimination show tonight on Fox!
And that is it for today. If you have any questions
or comments on anything you've read, let me know. If you have any
questions, comments or ideas for postings, please feel free to
e-mail me. Thanks
for stopping by, and have a great day!
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