Thursday October 2, 2003

PLAYOFF REPORTS

TWINS/YANKEES PREDICTIONS

MARLINS 9, GIANTS 5

CUBS 3, BRAVES 5

A’S 5, RED SOX 4

MORE TWINS THOUGHTS

TV THOUGHTS

McNABB/LIMBAUGH THOUGHTS

SIGNED, SEALED, NOW TIME TO DELIVER

Six years ago, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, head coach Flip Saunders and Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale sat in a press conference and announced that they had just signed star forward Kevin Garnett to a 6 year, $126 million deal. That deal worked out to average $21 million per season.

Yesterday, those same parties gathered for another press conference to announce that Kevin Garnett was set to sign a five year contract extension. The amount of the deal had not been released, but it was believed to have been slightly more than $105, or just more than $21 million per year.

Now that sounds like a lot of money, and I certainly agree that it is. It would be almost unethical for me to say it isn’t. That said, I worked out the numbers. Here is a look at the value of the contract that Kevin Garnett could have asked for. His contract for this coming season calls for $28 million. League rules allow for a 5% increase over that for the next season, and then a maximum increase of 12.5% for four more seasons. On the right, I will show the value of the contract he is believed to have signed (in it’s most basic form, actual season by season values may be different, but the key is the 5 year total.)

Based on that, Kevin Garnett left almost $83 million dollars on the table! Now, I’m not saying that Garnett should be anointed a saint or anything like that, but it is commendable and something that should make Garnett even more popular with the Minnesota fans! Sure, some wanted him to take even less, but he certainly didn’t have to. The Lakers gave Shaquille O’Neal the maximum extension allowed without even thinking twice. By the rules, KG could have demanded far more.

But there seems to be an honest trust, respect and loyalty between Garnett and owner Glen Taylor. That’s not always true in the NBA or any professional leagues. Glen Taylor has said all along that 1.) he wants to win, and 2.) he would do whatever it took to keep Garnett. Again, knowing that, Garnett could have asked for the additional $83 million. But, he knew that by doing that, he would hurt the chances of the Wolves winning.

Glen Taylor has done his part to make the Wolves competitive. This offseason, he has added payroll that puts the Wolves above the salary cap. So, Taylor will be paying the league’s luxury tax this season. He’s also spending his own money to renovate the Target Center. Kevin McHale has been as busy as any GM has been in recent years with renovations of his own, all supported 100% by Glen Taylor. The team traded Terrell Brandon’s contract and Marc Jackson for Latrell Sprewell. He traded Joe Smith and Anthony Peeler for Sam Cassell and Ervin Johnson. When they lost Rasho Nesterovic to the Spurs, Taylor, McHale and Flip Saunders flew out to LA, met with and subsequently signed a replacement in Michael Olowokandi. So, here is the Wolves Roster as I see it shaping up. There are really only a couple of spots on the team that will be fought for by the likes of Quincy Lewis, Kirk Penney, and Jason Collier.

Glen Taylor has more than done his part. Kevin Garnett has done his part in taking less money. Kevin McHale did his job by making deals that make the team better… on paper. But, as the saying goes, the games aren’t played on paper… they’re played on TV. Hopefully the players will come together and be as successful as we all hope.

I’m one of those people that lives for the regular season. Yes, I, like all Minnesota fans, want to see the Wolves get out of the first round. But as is my belief with the major league baseball playoffs, in a small sample, anything can happen, and that’s what the playoffs are. Let’s not forget that the Lakers got better (adding Gary Payton, Karl Malone and yesterday, veteran swingman Bryon Russell). The Kings, although they didn’t do much, will still be great. The Mavericks should be very strong again with the additions of Antwain Jamison and rebounder Danny Fortson. The Spurs… (you remember, the defending champions, right?), will still be strong. Houston will be better as now Stevie Franchise and Cuttino Mobley now have a year playing with Yao Ming.

Anyway, I don’t write about basketball too frequently on here (and I will write more basketball stuff after the baseball season is over), but the Kevin Garnett signing is HUGE news to Minnesota sports fans. Yesterday was a big day. Now the fans, team, coaching staff and owner don’t have to have his pending free agency lingering over this whole upcoming season. Rookies and young players have now been practicing for a couple of days. Garnett and the rest of the Wolves start practicing on Friday. They are training in Collegeville, MN, at St. Johns University. I plan on being in attendance there briefly on Saturday morning!

Are you as excited about the upcoming Timberwolves season as I am?  Send me an e-mail and let’s discuss them, how they’ll do, etc.? Maybe you want to express your opinion on KG’s new contract?

PLAYOFF REPORTS

Three more playoff games took place yesterday (and early this morning!). Minnesota fans may not have realized that, as they were still flying high after the Twins Game 1 victory at Yankees Stadium. You wouldn’t know it from the New York media, but the Twins still have to win two more games to win the series. But, let’s take our daily look at the four Divisional Series going on, starting with our beloved Twins.

TWINS/YANKEES SERIES (TWINS LEAD 1-0)

Game 2 Preview- @ Yankees Stadium, 7:18 p.m. Central Time – Tonight!

Game 2 starters -

Game 2 Predictions -

Both pitchers will give up some hits, and a couple of runs, probably early in the game. If Radke can go 6 innings and give up 1 home run or less, I like the Twins chances. Pettitte is a workhouse. He’ll probably go 8 innings. If the Twins can knock him out before then, I like the Twins chances. Prediction (And I really hope I’m wrong): Twins 4, Yankees 6.

GIANTS/MARLINS SERIES (SERIES TIED 1-1)

Game 2 Recap - Marlins 9, Giants 5

Well, I was right about one thing; Brad Penny got shelled and lasted just four innings for the Marlins. In the first inning, leading 1-0, Penny actually pitched to Barry Bonds, and Bonds drilled a double to score Ray Durham, tying the game at 1. There was no scoring until the 4^th inning. Penny gave up a single to Rich Aurilia, then walked Barry Bonds. Tuesday’s hero, Edgardo Alfonzo came through again, this time with a 2-run double to center. He later scored on a groundout. Penny finished the 4^th inning, but then came out for the game. Given a 4-1 lead, Giants starter Sidney Ponson gave it right back in the top of the 5^th. A Juan Pierre single scored Jeff Conine. Luis Castillo grounded out, which scored Todd Hollandsworth. Ivan Rodriguez followed with a single to right, scoring Pierre. Ponson finished the 5^th inning, but the game was now tied at 4. Pedro Feliz pinch hit for Ponson in the bottom of the 5^th and scored on a JT Snow single which again gave the Giants a 5-4 lead. That sure didn’t last long. But long is probably the best way to describe the top of the 6^th inning for the Giants. Juan Encarnacion hit a solo home run to tie the game. With the bases loaded and 2 outs, Juan Pierre hit a ball that bounced off of RF Jose Cruz’s glove for a double that scored 2 more runs. The Marlins now had an 8-5 lead. Each team added a run, but the Marlins evened the series with a 9-5 win.

Game 2 MVP - Juan Pierre, Marlins - 4-5, 3 runs, 3 RBI, 2B, SB.

Game 3 Preview- @ Florida, Friday, 3:05 p.m. Central Time

Game 3 Starters -

Kirk Reuter was actually on the disabled list twice in the second half with shoulder strain, but has been solid in September. Reuter doesn’t strike many batters out, so he needs the Giants defense to come through for him, something they haven’t done the first two games of the series. Redman, a former Twins pitcher, has had a very strong year, although he hasn’t been as strong in the second half. This is going to be a game where both teams will put the ball in play, and because of that fact, I think that the Giants will reclaim home field advantage. Prediction: Giants 5, Marlins 2.

BRAVES/CUBS SERIES (SERIES TIED 1-1)

Game 2 Recap - Braves 5, Cubs 3

It started off horribly for the Braves. Starter Mike Hampton walked the first two Cubs hitters before giving up a double (off the top of the right centerfield wall) that scored the Cubs first of two runs (the second came on a Moises Alou ground out. But, Hampton battled some control problems, and actually went 6 strong innings, giving up just those two runs! The Braves countered with a single run in the bottom of the first on a Chipper Jones grounder. Then the Braves pieced three consecutive singles in the 4^th inning to tie the game. Then in the bottom of the 6^th, injured Marcus Giles pinch hit for Hampton and singled in the Braves third run. For some reason (probably cuz the Braves bullpen is awful), Bobby Cox went to John Smoltz in the 8^th inning, leading 3-2. With one out, Tom Goodwin, pinch hitting for Damien Miller (OUCH!), hit a sacrifice fly scoring Doug Glanville (pinch running for Eric Karros). That tied the game at 3’s. But in the bottom of the 8^th, Vinny Castilla singled and was pinch run for by Jesse Garcia. John Smoltz bunted him to second. Rafael Fucall walked. Then Mark Derosa, starting in place of Giles, doubled scoring both Garcia and Furcal, and giving the Braves the 5-3 win.

Game 2 MVP - Could be Javy Lopez who was 3-4, but I’m going to give it to Mike Hampton. After that rocky first inning, Hampton pitched 5 scoreless innings, striking out 9.

Game 3 Preview- @ Wrigley Field, Friday, 7:05 p.m. Central Time

Game 3 Starters -

It will be a great matchup of two very different types of pitchers. Maddux, the savvy veteran who uses a variety of pitches at a variety of speeds, all with impeccable control, versus Prior, the young flame-thrower with impeccable fundamentals and a great curveball. Both are very successful in their own ways. This should be a low scoring affair. I think that the pitcher who can give up the first 3 innings giving up less runs, will win. Runs will be at a premium, but I give the slight edge to the Braves lineup. Prediction: Braves 3, Cubs 1.

A’S/RED SOX SERIES (A’S LEAD 1-0)

Game 1 Recap – A’s 5, Red Sox 4 (12 innings)

For a great A’s/Red Sox recap, check out today’s Universal Baseball Blog posting!

Despite each of the two celebrated starters (Tim Hudson and Pedro Martinez) giving up 3 runs and not figuring in the decision, both proved themselves to be their team’s aces. Hudson fought a thumb injury to go 6 1/3 innings. Pedro actually threw 130 pitches in 7 innings.  But Todd Walker was the story early in the game (and as a Twins fan, you can imagine that’s difficult for me to write). His 2 home runs both gave the Red Sox leads. Former Twins draft pick, Jason Varitek, also hit a towering, solo home run for the other Red Sox run. The 3 A’s runs came in the 3^rd inning. Erubiel Durazo had a 2-run double, then scored on a single by Miguel Tejada. Leading 4-3 going into the bottom of the 9^th, Byung-Hyun Kim came in to close the door. He got 2 outs, but let two runners on (one walk and one hit batter). With Erubiel Durazo coming up, Grady Little went to lefty Alan Embree. Durazo singled to left field, scoring Eric Byrnes from 2B. Eric Chavez grounded out to SS, ending the inning and sending it into extra frames! With the game still tied at 4 in the bottom of the 11^th inning, the Red Sox put Game 3 starter, Derek Lowe into the game. He gets them out of the 11^th.

In the 12^th inning, A’s rookie phenom Rich Harden comes in and immediately gets to face Manny Ramirez. He walked him. On an 0-2 pitch to David Ortiz, Harden uncorked a curveball to the backstop, Ramirez moving to 2B (Jeff Brantley and Dave Justice rant about how terrible it was to put Harden into this situation!). On the next pitch, he blows away Ortiz with a 99 mph fastball! Kevin Millar popped out for the 2^nd out. They intentionally walked Bill Mueller to get to Gabe Kapler. Kapler ripped a shot down the 3B line, but Eric Chavez showed why he’s won a Gold Glove with a great, diving play, then dove into 3B to beat Ramirez for the 3^rd out.

In the bottom of the 12^th, with Derek Lowe still pitching, Erubiel Durazo led off with a walk. Eric Chavez grounded into a fielder’s choice. Tejada grounded out to third. Chavez was off with the pitch, so he got to second base. Scott Hatteberg is now up, and we’re told that this is the longest game in Divisional Series history (no kidding, eh?!) Hatteberg walks and Chavez steals third base. (Please throw a split-finger in the dirt!!!) Hatteberg steals second, so they intentionally walk Terrence Long bringing Ramon Hernandez to the plate with the bases loaded and 2 outs! Ramon Hernandez, a non-swift catcher laid down a perfect drag bunt down the 3B line. Bill Mueller was playing way back, Lowe didn’t play the ball, it shocked everyone, Eric Chavez scored and the A’s win Game 1!!! (I can sleep! I can sleep!! Woo hoo!)

(NOTE - David Justice and Jeff Brantley are terrible, terrible color analysts!! I don’t think it’s possible that they could use more cliches! They don’t add anything to the telecast at all! But they keep talking!)

Game 1 MVP - Todd Walker 4-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R. 1^st inning homer gave Sox a 1-0 lead. 7^th inning homer, off lefty Ricardo Rincon, gave the Sox a 4-3 lead. But, I chose to give it to Erubiel Durazo, who got the big 2 run double in the 3^rd, and scored the 3^rd run for the A’s. Then in the bottom of the 9^th, with 2 outs, he singled in the tying run.

Game 2 Preview- @ Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland, Thursday, 3:05 p.m. Central Time

Game 2 Starters -

Another interesting pitching matchup. The big curveball of Zito versus the knuckleball of Tim Wakefield. Zito’s been a victim of little run support all season. If that happens again, he’ll have to be especially tough against the Red Sox lineup. Both teams used a bunch of pitchers. The players all had a late night. The team that gets off to a good start and seems more alert early in the game will win. Prediction: A’s 3, Red Sox 2.

MORE TWINS THOUGHTS

The Arizona Fall League is starting up now. The Twins had assigned Joe Mauer, Jesse Crain, JD Durbin, Jason Bartlett, Terry Tiffee and Henry Bonilla to play in the league. Bartlett has a stress fracture in his foot, so he was replaced by Jake Mauer. Then Joe Mauer, Crain and Durbin were named to Team USA and will play with that team this fall. They will go to Panama City on October 31, and play a tournament, trying to qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympics. So, Pat Neshek, Brian Wolfe and Rob Bowen were named to the Fall League team. Yesterday, Terry Tiffee played 1B for his team (the Scottsdale Rattlers). He batted third and went 2-5 with 2 runs and 3 RBI.

Baseball America came out with another great issue that I received yesterday. There were plenty of Twins sightings in it. Joe Mauer made the first team All-Minor League All-Star Team. Jesse Crain was the 2^nd team All-Star Team. Jason Bartlett of New Britain was named SS of the Double-A All-Stars. Jason Kubel of Ft. Myers was named to the High Class A All-Stars. Chris Schutt of Elizabethton was named to the Rookie All-Stars.

Then Baseball America names its top 10 prospects in each minor league. In the International League (AAA), Rochester’s Justin Morneau was listed as the #2 prospect in that league. In the AA Eastern League, Joe Mauer was named the #1 prospect, JD Durbin was #6 and Jason Bartlett ranked #9. The High-A list is similar, as Joe Mauer is ranked #1 and JD Durbin is ranked #6. In the Appalachian Rookie League, Denard Span ranked #9. And, in the Gulf Coast League (Rookie), Matt Moses ranked as the #7 prospect.

TELEVISION THOUGHTS

Just to catch you up with what I’ve been watching the last couple of days (besides baseball). Again, I’ve got 2 TV’s set up in my living room, so I am able to focus on my dramas and sitcoms while still watching baseball. There will be a major dilemma tonight. The Twins play at 7 on Fox. Friends and the Must-See TV Lineup is on NBC, starting at 7. and Survivor is on CBS, at 7!! What to do! What to do! I’m thinking the VCR’s will be going!

Tuesday night- Started by watching during 8 Simple Rules, then I’m With Her, both on ABC, and both very funny sitcoms. Next week will be the final 8 Simple Rules episode with John Ritter appearing in them. I have read that they will continue the show, but that will be interesting to see how the alter their story line!

Then I flipped over to NBC to watch Frasier, which was absolutely hilarious even though I never really have watched it in the past. That was followed by the season premiere of Good Morning, Miami, which moved from Thursday night to Tuesday night! I watched baseball until 11 when I watched the new episode of ESPN’s Playmakers, which is so great!  They continually deal head-on with issues that are coming out in sports and society!

Wednesday night - Started out watching Ed. It was a weird episode. I didn’t like it. It was filmed from the viewpoint of Ed’s cousin Benny’s video camera. He’s doing a documentary and follows Ed all over, interviewing his friends and everyone. At 8, I had to watch the travails of Bob on The Bachelor! It must be rough dating 15 or so gorgeous women! Then at 9, I flipped over to CBS and watched of The Brotherhood of Poland, N.H.. Another great David E. Kelley drama.

Do you have any suggestions on shows I should consider watching. Send me an e-mail and let me know.

McNABB/LIMBAUGH ISSUE

Last night, Rush Limbaugh resigned his job as part of ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown due to the backlash received because of comments he made on Sunday morning. He said (to paraphrase) that Donovan McNabb has been an overrated quarterback all along, because he is a black man, and media and society want him to be successful. OK, here are his actual words:

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

Clearly these thoughts are completely insensitive. Maybe McNabb is overrated (I don’t think so). Maybe he’s making poor decisions on the field so far this season (that would be fair). Maybe the defense did carry that team last year (that could very well be true, and making that opinion would not be a problem). But for Limbaugh to use McNabb’s skin color as the reason for him being overrated is absolutely ridiculous.

I consider myself a moderate conservative, leaning toward conservative. We know that Rush Limbaugh is ultra-conservative. Generally speaking, I agree with much of what Limbaugh has said, especially regarding the war on terrorism, and the great job that I think President Bush and his administration has done. But if he truly believes that McNabb, or any black quarterback, is any less of a quarterback because of his skin color, I may will have to rethink my whole opinion of Mr. Limbaugh.

Don’t worry, it won’t change my conservative views in general though!!!

Do you have an opinion on this issue? Is there any excuse for Limbaugh’s statements? Was resigning the proper thing for him to do?  E-mail me your thoughts!

Or, if you have any thoughts on anything I’ve written today, KG’s new contract, the upcoming Timberwolves season, today’s Twins/Yankees game, the other playoff matchups, TV shows, or anything else, just send me an e-mail, and let me know what you think. I’ll reply to you, and who knows, I may even post your thoughts on the site!!

Happy Thursday, and WIN TWINS!

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