UPDATE - 12:00 p.m. Wednesday -
Are you sick of hearing my voice yet? The big thing on
today's posting is
my appearance on the BrentNet Radio podcast. That was a 59
minutes discussion as you already read.
However, if you still want more, click here to listen to my fifth airing of the Blogger's Minute which aired on WCCO's Twins Magazine Show before Saturday's game at Oakland. It is a little long. The "Minute" lasted a little more than two minutes! In it, I discuss a number of topics related to the Twins and their minor league system. To listen to previous Blogger Minutes, see the links just to the left.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
SethSpeaks on
BrentNet Radio
But the main thing today that I want to talk about is being on BrentNet radio's second episode. We recorded it last night and it was a lot of fun. We basically just had a phone conversation, and it is now available to listen to online. Brent and I discussed a number of topics. The Twins. The Vikings. And we each counted down out Top 5 Most Underrated Sports Movies. We had hoped to fill 20-30 minutes for the show. However, it ended up lasting just under 59 minutes. But it was a lot of fun. Just a phone conversation about fun topics. Now, it does take a little while to download the file, but I really hope you will check it out. I think you will enjoy it whether you agree or disagree with my takes on things. Also, then head over to the BrentNet Forums, sign up and let us know what you think. You'll also find many other fun topics to discuss with the group there.
I posted a large, analytic article yesterday using the Win Expectancy Finder,, so today will be just a few quick thoughts. I was working on some future articles, but the motivation to do much new research just wasn't there. So I'm just going to post a few quick thoughts and hope that you will enjoy the future articles.
Good morning ya'll! Did you stay up and watch the entire Twins/White Sox game last night. Michael Cuddyer homered in the top of the ninth to tie the game at four a piece. It remained that score until Shannon Stewart singled in a run in the 16th inning. Joe Mauer later doubled in a run. Justin Morneau was walked to load the bases, but Terry Tiffee came through with a two run double. Lew Ford singled in a fifth run of the inning to give the Twins a 9-4 lead heading to the bottom of the 16th. Joe Nathan, all warmed up assuming he would be coming into a save situation, still pitched the inning. Here are a couple of game notes:
All 11 Twins players who batted had at least one hit. Shannon Stewart and Joe Mauer each had three hits. Justin Morneau, Matthew LeCroy, Lew Ford, Michael Cuddyer and Brent Abernathy each had two hits.
After his 16th inning RBI single, Shannon Stewart left the game soon after with a leg injury of some sort. It looked as though it might be a groin injury. (it was announced the next half-inning that it is just a cramp) Jacque Jones came in to run for him.
The Twins needed just six pitchers to get through 16 innings. Brad Radke started and gave up the four runs in just 6.2 innings. Juan Rincon got an out to get out of that inning. Then Matt Guerrier came in and, for the 15th consecutive appearance, he did not allow a single run. He went four innings and allowed just three hits and a walk. Jesse Crain pitched two scoreless innings. Then even JC Romero came in and threw two scoreless innings to pick up the win. Joe Nathan struck out Juan Uribe, Joe Crede and Brian Anderson to end the game in the 16th.
Brian Anderson made him big league debut for the White Sox in this game. He went 2-7.
A good win for the Twins. As I've said, even if they're out of playoff contention, they might as well continue to get as many wins as they can.
I have to ask you to send me a quick e-mail telling me how much gas prices are in your area. Here in far north Minnesota, it was $2.42 yesterday, $2.50 this morning, $2.54 this afternoon, and is now sitting at $2.59. That's crazy! I mean, I understand an increased price, just maybe a little more gradual. I would also guess that in many places, $2.59 is still a deal.
Michael Cuddyer is the man! When he hits homers, they go a long ways!
Speaking of long home runs, how about Justin Morneau's two-run shot?
Matt Guerrier is the man! Four shutout innings!
Nick Punto is horrible!
Stick and Ball Guy is back! All it too was a Twins beat writer writing an article on how Gardy thinks that statistics like the Pythagorean Numbers mean nothing! There is no better blogger out there when he's on a rampage!
Is it just strange that Peter Gammons entered the Hall of Fame and now we have to pay for his articles on ESPN.com? Of course, there aren't many ESPN.com writers anymore that can be read for free. Jayson Stark still does, but that is about it. It is too bad. I, for one, refuse to pay to read online articles when I can find so much more other places for free.
I got this e-mail from the American Family Association last night:
Carl's Jr. and Hardee's Selling Sex, Not Burgers Dear Seth,
During the past several months CKE Restaurants (owner of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's) has begun selling sex instead of burgers. When contacted about their sexploitation, the company has been arrogant and in essence told those who complained to get lost.
Here are examples of just how nasty and offensive these ads have become:
- One ad shows a model simulating sexual moves while riding a mechanical bull . The close up shots focus on her naked midriff and bottom, plus seductive facial expressions.
- CKE hired Playboy founder Hugh Hefner as their official spokesperson. Hefner was featured on TV commercials, surrounded by half-nude Playboy playmates.
- Another commercial shows a baby in his mother's womb. The baby is physically and verbally abusing the mother. One version features a tough-talking unborn baby threatening to rip out part of his mother's womb if she doesn't stop eating jalapeno peppers.
- A raunchy, sex-oriented TV ad features Paris Hilton in a thong bikini as she washes a Bentley automobile. (To view the ad, drag the image on the lefthand side of the website to the center screen.)
- And now, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's are giving Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model cups with the purchase of their 44 ounce drink.
CKE is now appealing to hedonism. When companies have trouble selling the quality of their product, they often turn to selling sex. CKE's ads appeal to the 15-25 year old male and if it offends you or your family, they just don't care. They are expected to continue their raunchy campaign in the future.
I like how they link to these "raunchy" sites. I mean, did anyone who got this e-mail not look at the Paris Hilton commercial! I know I did (again!), and I am pretty sure that Tom Brady did too!
If you have any thoughts, please e-mail me.
Here are the remaining pitching matchup for tonight's series finale. And what a matchup it promises to be as two of the top lefties in baseball square off.
Wednesday - 7:05 p.m. - Johan Santana (11-6, 3.48, 1.04, .226) vs Mark Buehrle (13-5, 2.99, 1.17, .259)
ROCHESTER RED WINGS
Wednesday - RED WINGS 5, Pawtucket 4 - The teams were knotted at one through nine innings. Then Pawtucket scored three 10th inning runs off of Ricky Barrett. However, in the bottom of the 10th, the Red Wings scored four runs on a Josh Rabe walk-off grand slam! It was his 10th homer of the year. Jason Tyner was 2-4. Boof Bonser started and gave up a run on two hits and four walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out nine. Willie Eyre and Travis Bowyer combined for 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.
NEW BRITAIN ROCKCATS
Wednesday - ROCKCATS 8, Erie 7 - Glen Perkins was roughed up again, but the team came back and won with a run in the 10th. Perkins started and gave up six runs on seven hits and a walk over just 3.2 innings. Daylon Childress then gave up a run in 2.1 innings. Jannio Gutierrez went 1.1 innings without allowing a run. Kevin Cameron improves to 6-1 by throwing 2.2 scoreless innings. Luis Jimenez went 3-5 with two doubles. Denard Span, Matt Moses, Doug Deeds, Alex Romero and JR Taylor each had two hits.
FT MYERS MIRACLE
Wednesday - MIRACLE , Clearwater - Jay Rainville was impressive again on his way to another win. In six innings, he gave up a run on six hits and a walk and struck out four. Tristan Crawford helped by throwing a scoreless inning. Jay Sawatski pitched up his 11th save with two scoreless innings. Matt Tolbert went 3-4. Brock Peterson had two doubles in four at bats. Trent Oeltjen had two hits.
BELOIT SNAPPERS
Wednesday - SNAPPERS 4, Quad Cities 1 - Kyle Aselton has been striking out a lot of batters per inning since joining the rotation, unfortunately he has also walked a lot of hitters. Last night, he put together a great start! In seven innings, he gave up just an unearned run on just one hit and one walk. He struck out nine. Josh Hill pitched two scoreless innings for his second save. Tarrence Patterson went 2-4 with a double. Steven Tolleson hit his second homer.
ELIZABETHTON TWINS
Wednesday - E-Twins 6, Bristol 3 - Danny Vais improved to 5-0 with six innings of one-run ball. He gave up two hits and a walk. Alexander Smit struck out three in two shutout innings. Yancarlos Ortiz and Larry Jones each had two hits.
GULF COAST TWINS
Wednesday - GCL Twins 9, GCL Red Sox 8 - The Twins scored five runs in the top of the 9th to steal a win from the Sox. The big hit was a three-run homer from Paul Kelly in the 9th. Kelly also had a double. Richard Sojo had two doubles in five at bats. Marion Knowles had a double and a triple in five at bats. Josh Dean went 2-4 with a double and a walk. Jose Castillo gave up four runs (3 earned) in just 3.2 innings. Patrick Bryant gave up two runs (1 earned) over 2.1 innings. Walter Patton got the win by pitching a scoreless eighth inning. Aaron Craig gave up a run in the 9th, but still recorded his 10th save.
On that note, I am going to call it a day! I hope everyone has a good one! As always, please feel free to e-mail me your thoughts on the Twins, the minor leagues, or anything you would like to discuss.