Tuesday July 27, 2004
No entry today... Gone Fishin'
I have mentioned it before, but probably not enough. I have a number of sponsors on the left side of this screen. Today, I have the opportunity to go on a Reel Adventures Fishing charter. My brother, two uncles, a cousin and I will be out on Lake of the Woods from about 8 in the morning until 5 in the late afternoon. That's a lot of fishing. It will be a lot of fun. If you have a chance, please stop by the Reel Adventures website. Thanks! I'll try to give some report tomorrow or the next day with some pictures!
But just real quickly, the Twins took the first game of the series with the White Sox last night. Shannon Stewart and Cristian Guzman (in his first game in a LONG time) each had three hits. Guzman even hit his 3rd triple. Lew Ford and Luis Rivas each had two hits. Rivas entered the game as a replacement for Nick Punto, who broke his clavicle and will now be out for possibly the rest of the season. Henry Blanco was the offensive star though. He was 2-3 with three RBI including a fourth-inning two run homer that gave the Twins some margin! Brad Radke was great for seven innings, giving up just a solo homer to Paul Konerko and two other harmless hits. And Joe Nathan pitched another scoreless ninth inning. He didn't get a save because the Twins lead was four, but his ERA now dropped below 1, to 0.99.
The big news now, of course, is the news of a Doug Mientkiewicz trade. It is pretty clear that he would go to either the Pirates or the Red Sox. The Sox have nothing aside from Kevin Youkilis that the Twins would probably any interest in. The Pirates could get him in a package for Kris Benson. I think it could be likely that there could be a three team trade with these teams. Maybe Mientkiewicz goes to the Red Sox for Youklis who is then shipped with Michael Restovich to the Pirates for Kris Benson? I would prefer they just keep Youkilis if they have the chance because I am not at all sold on Benson, but if it is just a part of the deal, it may be ok.
At Rochester, the Redwings lost in 10 innings to Louisville. Michael Restovich had three hits including a triple. Scott Baker went 5 2/3 innings and gave up three runs (2 earned). He gave up 8 hits and a walk and struck out three. After Kevin Hodge came in and took the loss, Jesse Crain got the final two outs. Todd Dunwoody and Josh Rabe were each 2-4 with a walk. Jason Kubel was 0-2, with three walks.
OK, I must sleep, so I'm calling it a day. For much more information on the Twins, the Doug Mientkiewicz situation and much more, check out the links at the left of the screen. Today, especially check out Ryan's thoughts on losing Mientkiewicz on Twins Chatter. I think he sums up how I feel as well. I know that Justin Morneau is the best option at 1B. I know that he will be a far better hitter than Doug. I know that Doug's defense is incredible, but that 1B defense has a tendency to be far over-rated (unless you ask the Red Sox). But Doug Mientkiewicz was one of the guys who saved baseball in the Twins Cities. He was brought up through the system with the likes of Jacque Jones, Torii Hunter, AJ Pierzynski, Eric Milton, Cristian Guzman and others. AJ and Milty were already gone. Doug's time has come, and Jacque will likely be traded in the offseason. And the Twins can't afford another year at over $5 million of Guzman. Although in my heart I know that this will make the Twins better, it is, in a way, sad to see these likeable (except AJ) group disbanded. I think that when the Twins play the Red Sox at home this next weekend, Doug Mientkiewicz deserves a standing ovation every time he comes to bat (if he hasn't already been traded, and yes, even if he is in a Red Sox uniform). I wish I could be there. I think he should know that what he has done is appreciated.
And, now I will be quiet!! Have a great day! I'll be back tomorrow with hopefully some BIG fish stories!
Any questions or comments, please e-mail me.